LONDON, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Manchester derby between United and City takes center stage in the Premier League on Sunday as both sides test their title credentials.
Manchester City has not always convinced since Enzo Maresca replaced Pep Guardiola but has started the season with three wins, while Manchester United has a win, a draw and a defeat from its opening three matches.
With United already five points behind both its neighbor and Arsenal, the derby carries added significance for Michael Carrick's side, which will also need to improve defensively.
Arsenal visits Sunderland on Saturday. Mikel Arteta's side enters the match after a midweek win in its UEFA Champions League opener but will remember Sunderland denying it victory last season with an equalizer deep into stoppage time.
Hull City enters the weekend in a surprising third place after returning to the Premier League with two wins and a draw without conceding a goal. Sergej Jakirovic's side faces a tougher test when it visits Chelsea on Saturday.
Xabi Alonso's Chelsea has plenty of attacking talent to test Hull's defense but has also conceded seven goals, and the Tigers will hope to exploit that vulnerability from set pieces.
Fulham coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who enjoyed a successful spell as a Liverpool player, returns to Anfield with his side second from bottom after three straight defeats. Liverpool should have new signing Bradley Barcola available after he suffered cramp in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid.
Aston Villa hosts Nottingham Forest with both sides looking for their first win of the season.
Tottenham Hotspur has yet to convince despite a busy summer in the transfer market and hosts Everton, which twice came from behind to earn a late draw against Manchester United last weekend.
Cheick Doucoure could make his long-awaited return from injury when Crystal Palace plays Ipswich Town. Coventry hosts Brighton as Frank Lampard's side looks for its first point of the season, while Bournemouth will aim to end its habit of conceding late goals when it hosts Brentford.
Leeds United hosts Newcastle United on Monday in a clash between two sides looking to preserve their unbeaten starts to the season. ■
