We have an electric English Premier League ahead of us this weekend, as the EPL roars back into life following the first international break of the season.
It’s also a first opportunity for the squads to settle in after one of the most dramatic climaxes to a transfer window in recent times.
Reigning champions Liverpool were the big winners, polishing off an unprecedented £400million+ spending splurge by finally bringing in Alexander Isak following a dramatic – and decidedly grubby – pursuit.
The focus is finally back on the field for Arne Slot’s Reds on Sunday, as they make the short trip north to face promoted Burnley.
But it’s the day’s other game that will grab all the attention.
Manchester City host neighbours Manchester United in an early-season derby oozing with tension, as both red and blue halves of the city attempt to click into gear.
Pep Guardiola was likely glad of the blank weekend as a chance to reset following back-to-back Premier League defeats, while opposite number Ruben Amorim breathed a visible sigh of relief as his side picked up a last-gasp winner over Burnley at Old Trafford to kickstart their campaign at the third attempt.
Now they collide at the Etihad Stadium, both desparate not to fall further off the early pace.
Saturday, meanwhile, brings a jam-packed schedule of eight EPL fixtures across the country, starting with the lunchtime kick off between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners were edged out by leaders Liverpool at Anfield a fortnight ago while Forest were also losers, as they prepare to combine domestic duties with their long-awaited return to continental football in the Uefa Europa League.
A pair of London derbies light up the other end of Saturday, too, in a day that sees a total of five Premier League games played across the capital.
We’re in the east at the London Stadium for the first of them, as West Ham and Tottenham lock horns in the 17.30 kick off in the old Olympic Park.
A marathon task for Hammers boss Graham Potter seems just a touch less gruelling after they recorded their first win of the season at the third time of asking last time out.
It was quite the opposite for Thomas Frank and his new Spurs side, who were turned over at home to spoil a previously impeccable start to the Dane’s spell at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The action continues into the night across the city, as unbeaten Chelsea tackle Brentford.
Enzo Maresca’s Blues have seven points from nine as well as boasting quite the quirk at the start of the new campaign – this is not only their fourth match out of four in London but it also completes a quartet of fixtures against fellow capital city clubs.
The Bees are off the mark under rookie coach Keith Andrews, but need to keep the scoreboard ticking over following the summer transfer raid on their players and staff.
Loan star Jack Grealish has inspired Everton to a bright Premier League start, with his boyhood club Aston Villa his next assignment.
Wily old boss David Moyes has steered the Toffees to two wins from three so far, while the Villans are yet to get going with just a point to show for their efforts despite high expectations under Unai Emery.
Two more early strugglers meet at St James’ Park, meanwhile, as Newcastle go up against pointless Wolves.
At least Eddie Howe and his side can finally move on from the indignity of the Isak transfer saga, with the ailing Black Country visitors to Tyneside the perfect target to secure a first three-point haul of the new term.
Crystal Palace and Sunderland have both made encouraging starts with both in the embryonic top eight.
The pair meet at Selhurst Park with the Eagles’ top brass desperate to appease popular coach Oliver Glasner, who threatened to unleash hell if star defender Marc Guehi was sold to Liverpool on transfer deadline day.
It’s all good on Wearside for the new-look Black Cats, however, thanks to two wins from three after play-off glory at Wembley Stadium and an abundance of positivity on their return to the big time.
Bournemouth go up against Brighton at the Vitality Stadium, as both clubs attempt to build on their eye-catching progress in recent seasons.
The south coast clash sees the Cherries looking to pick off a third straight Premier League victory, while the Seagulls collected their opening win before the international break.
Fulham remain winless after their opening trio of fixtures, with promoted Leeds the next visitors to Craven Cottage.
The Yorkshire club won on the opening weekend but have picked up just a point since, as both sides scramble for rhythm heading into the next block of EPL fixtures.
Arsenal v Nottingham Forest
Result predictionArsenal to win Over/Under predictionover 2.5 goals HT / FT predictionArsenal / Arsenal to win Team to Score predictionboth teams Anytime Goalscorer predictionn/a
Fulham v Leeds United
Result predictionFulham to win Over/Under predictionunder 2.5 goals HT / FT predictiondraw / Fulham to win Team to Score predictionboth teams Anytime Goalscorer predictionn/a
Everton v Aston Villa
Result predictionEverton to win Over/Under predictionunder 2.5 goals HT / FT predictionEverton / Everton to win Team to Score predictionEverton Anytime Goalscorer predictionI. Ndiaye(Everton)
Crystal Palace v Sunderland
Result predictionCrystal Palace to win Over/Under predictionover 2.5 goals HT / FT predictionCrystal Palace / Crystal Palace to win Team to Score predictionboth teams Anytime Goalscorer predictionI. Sarr(Crystal Palace)
AFC Bournemouth v Brighton & Hove Albion
Result predictiondraw Over/Under predictionover 2.5 goals HT / FT predictionAFC Bournemouth / draw Team to Score predictionboth teams Anytime Goalscorer predictionA. Semenyo(AFC Bournemouth)J. Hinshelwood(Brighton & Hove Albion)
Newcastle United v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Result predictionWolverhampton Wanderers to win Over/Under predictionunder 2.5 goals HT / FT predictionWolverhampton Wanderers / Wolverhampton Wanderers to win Team to Score predictionWolverhampton Wanderers Anytime Goalscorer predictionn/a
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur
Result predictionWest Ham United to win Over/Under predictionover 2.5 goals HT / FT predictiondraw / West Ham United to win Team to Score predictionboth teams Anytime Goalscorer predictionJ. Bowen(West Ham United)
Brentford v Chelsea
Result predictionChelsea to win Over/Under predictionunder 2.5 goals HT / FT predictionBrentford / Chelsea to win Team to Score predictionboth teams Anytime Goalscorer predictionn/a
Burnley v Liverpool
Result predictionLiverpool to win Over/Under predictionover 2.5 goals HT / FT predictionLiverpool / Liverpool to win Team to Score predictionboth teams Anytime Goalscorer predictionJ. Cullen(Burnley)
Manchester City v Manchester United
Result predictionManchester City to win Over/Under predictionover 2.5 goals HT / FT predictionManchester City / Manchester City to win Team to Score predictionboth teams Anytime Goalscorer predictionE. Haaland(Manchester City)