Enzo Maresca will face his first major challenge as Manchester City manager when his side travels to Old Trafford for Sunday’s Manchester derby, while Arsenal will look to maintain their perfect start to the Premier League season away at Sunderland.
Alongside last season’s top two, newly promoted Hull are the only other unbeaten team in the league. However, their impressive beginning to life back in the top flight faces a serious test against Xabi Alonso’s free-scoring Chelsea.
At the other end of the standings, Fulham are still searching for their first point under Alvaro Arbeloa as they prepare for a difficult trip to Liverpool.
Here are three key talking points ahead of this weekend’s Premier League action:
Haaland hungry for more
Maresca has enjoyed a perfect start to life in the Manchester City dugout after taking over from Pep Guardiola.
City have collected nine points from their opening three Premier League games and also began their Champions League campaign with a victory in Porto.
However, those results have hidden some less convincing performances.
Coventry had several opportunities to score their first Premier League goal and claim a point at the Etihad last weekend, but City held on for a narrow 1-0 victory. They also needed two late goals to defeat Bournemouth on the opening weekend.
The summer also brought significant changes to the City squad, with the club spending a record £460 million ($623 million) on new players.
Among the arrivals were midfielders Enzo Fernandez, Elliott Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi. The trio could make their first start together at Old Trafford.
One familiar figure remains central to City’s success, however. Erling Haaland has continued to deliver in front of goal, scoring five times in four matches and becoming the club’s third-highest scorer of all time with 167 goals.
“I’m really proud of these numbers but I’m only 26 and I’m hungry for more,” said Haaland.
Manchester United, meanwhile, have failed to take advantage of a favourable start to the campaign and could already find themselves losing ground in the title race.
Michael Carrick’s side have collected only four points from their opening three matches against Hull, Ipswich and Everton.
Growing fears for Fulham
Alvaro Arbeloa could find himself under increasing pressure at Fulham if his team cannot turn their fortunes around at Anfield.
The Spaniard is reportedly the favourite to become the first Premier League manager to lose his job after Fulham suffered three consecutive defeats.
Arbeloa has faced criticism over his tactical approach, with his attacking style leaving the Fulham defence vulnerable.
The trip to Liverpool will be followed by a home match against Manchester United, before a three-week international break gives the club time to assess the situation surrounding the former Real Madrid boss.
“It is not about my position, but I am very confident and I talk to my players that they are working in the way I want,” said Arbeloa.
Hull face major Chelsea test
Hull were among the favourites for relegation before the season began, but the newly promoted side have surprised many by remaining unbeaten and keeping a clean sheet in every game so far.
That defensive record will face one of its biggest challenges yet when they meet Chelsea.
Chelsea’s attacking strength was on full display in the League Cup, where Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer inspired a remarkable six-goal second half in a 6-3 comeback win over Leeds.
Palmer was introduced at half-time with Chelsea trailing and scored twice, while Rogers supplied four assists. The result took Chelsea’s tally to 16 goals in five matches under Alonso.
Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic knows his side will have a difficult task containing a Chelsea attack that also includes in-form players such as Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto and Estevao.
“To kick them
