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Premier League questions: Will Man Utd's hold over Liverpool continue? Will Nacer Chadli haunt Spurs?

Liverpool face Man Utd on Monday Night Football
Image: Liverpool face Man Utd on Monday Night Football

The Premier League makes a welcome return from the international break and we have put together 10 questions that may be answered by Monday night.

Chelsea and Leicester kick things off at Stamford Bridge, live on Sky Sports, before a busy slate of Saturday afternoon games, including Bob Bradley's Premier League debut in charge of Swansea at Arsenal.

Middlesbrough versus Watford and Southampton against Burnley completes our Super Sunday line-up, setting up a mouthwatering Monday Night Football clash between Liverpool and Manchester United. 

Here's a look at 10 key talking points ahead of the weekend's action...

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Watch a preview of Saturday's Premier League fixtures, including Leicester's trip to Chelsea

Will Leicester's away-day troubles continue at Stamford Bridge? (Chelsea v Leicester City, live on Sky Sports 1 HD, Saturday from 11.30am)

The defending champions have suffered defeats in all three of their away games this season, losing to Hull City, Liverpool and Manchester United.

It doesn't get much easier this weekend with a trip to Stamford Bridge, but Claudio Ranieri's side can take heart from their recent record in the capital.

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Highlights from Chelsea's victory at Hull City

Leicester have been defeated just once on their last five top-flight visits to London, having lost 17 of their previous 20, while eight of Chelsea's last 13 Premier League home games have ended in a draw.

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Will Nacer Chadli damage Tottenham's title bid? (West Brom v Tottenham, Saturday, 3pm)

Nacer Chadli had a quietly effective three years at White Hart Lane, scoring 25 goals in 119 appearances, although he fell out of favour in his final season under Mauricio Pochettino.

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Highlights from Tottenham's win over Man City

Tony Pulis scooped him up over the summer and the Belgium international has hit the ground running at The Hawthorns, scoring three goals in his last four league appearances, as many as in his previous 30 games at Tottenham.

The former Spurs man has been directly involved in five of the Baggies' last six top-flight goals, and will be keen to prove a point to his former employers.

Will set-pieces be the difference at the Vitality Stadium? (Bournemouth v Hull City, Saturday, 3pm)

Hull City's bright start has dimmed in recent weeks following a run of three consecutive league defeats, shipping 11 goals in the process.

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One bright spot has been their effectiveness at set-plays, from which they have scored a league-high 71.4 per cent of their goals.

They are likely to target dead-ball situations once again as they face a Bournemouth side that has kept back-to-back league clean sheets at the Vitality Stadium, recording 1-0 wins over West Brom and Everton.

Will Bob Bradley continue Swansea's fine run at Arsenal? (Arsenal v Swansea City, Saturday, 3pm)

It's a tricky first test for new Swansea boss Bob Bradley, but his side boast the best points-per-game return (two points-per-game) for any team visiting the Emirates.

The Swans are unbeaten on their last four trips, winning three and drawing one, but face an Arsenal side in imperious form.

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Highlights from Arsenal's win over Burnley

The Gunners, who have been trailing for just 52 minutes all season in the league, have kept four clean sheets in a row in all competitions, and have not lost since their 4-3 defeat to Liverpool on August 14.

If Bradley, the first American to manage in the Premier League, can keep Swansea's fine Emirates run going, it will be some achievement.

Who steps up in the basement battle? (Stoke City v Sunderland, Saturday, 3pm)

Stoke and Sunderland are still searching for their first win of the season, so the Premier League's two bottom clubs will be eyeing one another up.

Sunderland's plight is perhaps unsurprising considering the club's recent history, and new boss David Moyes is still figuring out his best eleven - he has used a league-high 25 players so far.

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Highlights from Stoke's draw at Man Utd

Stoke's struggles in attack belie their quality up front, but it's telling that the club is yet to record a single assist to any player after seven games.

A lack of cohesion in the final third has let them down too often, but Mark Hughes will be looking for that to change at home to basement dwellers Sunderland, especially off the back of a hard-earned point at Old Trafford.

Who wins the battle between two Nou Camp legends? (Man City v Everton, Saturday, 3pm)

Saturday will be the first managerial meeting between Pep Guardiola and Ronald Koeman, two former Barcelona stars turned Premier League bosses.

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Highlights from Everton's draw with Crystal Palace

The pair played for the Spanish giants between 1990 and 1995, winning four La Liga titles and one European Cup together.

Now in opposing dugouts, each has won praise for guiding their new teams to impressive starts, although Koeman's Everton will be underdogs at the home of the league leaders.

A new start after the international break for West Ham? (Crystal Palace v West Ham, Saturday, 5.30pm)

West Ham have made a torrid start to the 2016/17 Premier League season, currently in the relegation places with just four points from seven games and having won just once in the top flight so far. 

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Highlights from West Ham's draw with Middlesbrough

But with the second international break of the campaign over, Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace represents the chance for a new start.

They face a test at their south east London rivals, though, with the Eagles unbeaten in their last five top-flight games.

Beware Christian Benteke, too. The Belgium international has settled quickly at Palace, and carried his fine form into the international break, bagging the fastest ever World Cup qualifying goal when scoring after 8.1 seconds against Gibraltar on Monday.

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Watch a preview of Sunday's Premier League action - Middlesbrough v Watford and Southampton v Burnley

Will Troy Deeney continue his scoring dominance against Middlesbrough? (Middlesbrough v Watford, Super Sunday from 12.30pm on Sky Sports 1 HD)

Watford have had a fairly even start to the season, and may have the secret ingredient in captain Troy Deeney to pick up another Premier League win this weekend.

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Highlights from Watford's draw with Bournemouth

The striker has scored in the last four meetings with Middlesbrough and has netted six times against the north east club overall - his joint-highest total against any team along with Leeds.

However, Middlesbrough have lost just once in their last five home ties with the Hornets.

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Will Southampton maintain their clean-sheet run on Super Sunday? (Southampton v Burnley, Super Sunday from 3.30pm on Sky Sports 1 HD)

It has been a solid start for Claude Puel at St Mary's, and his side have now kept six clean sheets in all competitions including three in the Premier League.

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Highlights from Southampton's draw at Leicester City

They last conceded a goal in the top flight on September 10 during a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal, and have only once before enjoyed a longer run, keeping eight clean sheets in a row in 1922.

Southampton are also performing well at home - unbeaten in eight - but Burnley will move into the top ten with victory on Super Sunday.

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Watch a preview of Monday's Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Manchester United

Will Liverpool improve their recent form against rivals Man Utd? (Liverpool v Man Utd, Monday Night Football from 7pm on Sky Sports 1 HD)

Rivalries don't come much more fierce and deep-rooted than Liverpool versus Manchester United, with the former certainly looking to put recent poor form in this fixture to bed.

Liverpool have lost each of their last four Premier League clashes with Manchester United - including the last two at Anfield - their worst league losing streak in the match-up since March 2008 (five defeats).

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Highlights from Liverpool's win over Swansea City

They have also have lost more Premier League matches (27) against Manchester United than versus any other opponent.

But in terms of performances this season, Monday's hosts are in better form. They have won their last four top-flight games and currently sit fourth, while Manchester United have stuttered somewhat and are three points further back.

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