EPL Expert Tips Matchday 6

The Premier League returns this weekend after a lengthy international break, with Matchday 6 bringing plenty of intriguing fixtures and several clubs dealing with fresh injury concerns.

The international window has already had an impact, with a number of Premier League stars returning to their clubs with knocks or being forced to withdraw from international duty.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Bournemouth, Sunderland and Newcastle are among the clubs facing notable fitness questions heading into the weekend.

Here are my Matchday 6 predictions and tips.

Arsenal 2-1 Leeds United

Arsenal suffered a 3-0 defeat to Brighton before the international break, but the Gunners remain one of the strongest sides in the competition and should bounce back at home against Leeds.

Leeds have made an impressive start to life back in the Premier League and remain unbeaten, but Arsenal have an excellent recent record against them. The biggest concern for Arsenal is their growing injury list.

Kai Havertz picked up a muscle injury while on international duty with Germany, while Ezri Konsa returned to Arsenal after being withdrawn from England duty as a precaution. Christos Tzolis is also dealing with a thigh problem.

Martin Odegaard suffered an ankle knock while with Norway but returned to action, while Piero Hincapie remains sidelined with a muscle injury. Declan Rice was also withdrawn from England duty for load management but is expected to be available.

Despite the concerns, Arsenal should have enough quality to take the three points at home, especially considering Viktor Gyokeres is now set to start following Havertz injury, in addition to his fine goal-scoring form for Sweden.

Aston Villa 2-2 Brentford

This could be one of the more entertaining games of the weekend.

Villa head into the match after beating Tottenham 3-2 before the break, while Brentford will be looking to build on their recent form which has been very impressive.

Villa have several players dealing with fitness issues, including Amadou Onana, Ian Maatsen and Pau Torres. Leon Goretzka, Marco Bizot and Brian Madjo are also listed as unavailable.

Brentford have their own concerns, with Mikkel Damsgaard a major doubt after suffering an ankle injury. Dango Ouattara is also doubtful through illness.

With both sides capable of creating chances but neither looking completely convincing defensively, a high-scoring draw could be on the cards in a game both sides will fancy.

Ipswich Town 0-1 Fulham

Ipswich return to Portman Road looking for a result after their 1-0 defeat to Everton before the break.

Fulham, meanwhile, have emerged from the international window without any major new injury concerns and should be capable of making life difficult for the hosts.

Ipswich have also avoided a major injury crisis coming out of the break, while Fulham have had relatively few issues to deal with.

This could be a tight encounter, but Fulham's defence has looked more solid in recent weeks, so I am backing them to get off the mark for the season in a tight contest.

Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth

Chelsea welcome Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge with both clubs looking to build momentum.

Bournemouth have been hit particularly hard by the international break, losing midfielder Alex Scott to a thigh injury. Scott is expected to miss a significant period after being injured during England's 7-0 win over Croatia.

Chelsea, meanwhile, could welcome back several important players, although they still have concerns of their own.

Moises Caicedo, Reece James, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens are among the injured. Cole Palmer has returned to training and is expected to have a chance of featuring.

Bournemouth have shown enough to make this difficult, but Chelsea should have enough at home, especially without Scott.

Sunderland 2-2 Brighton

Sunderland face one of the league's most dangerous attacking teams in Brighton, making this a difficult fixture to call.

Sunderland have been among the clubs least affected by the international break overall, but Dan Ballard and Brian Brobbey both returned early from international duty with injury concerns.

Brighton have several players dealing with injuries, including Kaoru Mitoma, Yankuba Minteh and Evan Ferguson. Lewis Dunk, Pascal Struijk and Yasin Ayari are also doubts.

Brighton remain capable of scoring plenty of goals, but Sunderland have already shown they can compete with Premier League opposition. This should be a super interesting fixture.

Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester United have endured a difficult start to the season but have been handed a favourable opportunity to get back on track against Tottenham at Old Trafford.

United do have some injury concerns after the international break. Bruno Fernandes suffered a knock while away with Portugal, although the injury is reportedly not as serious as first feared.

Patrick Dorgu and Benjamin Sesko were among the players forced to withdraw, while Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Noussair Mazraoui also require fitness assessments.

Tottenham, meanwhile, escaped the international break without any major new injury problems.

However, Spurs have struggled for consistency and United should be motivated to make a statement in front of their home supporters.

This game presents a HUGE opportunity to kickstart either teams season, but with Tottenham's lack of goals so far this season, it's hard seeing them winning this one.

Crystal Palace 0-1 Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest head to Selhurst Park looking to continue their strong start to the campaign.

Palace have some concerns of their own, with Anan Khalaili doubtful after missing Israel's latest match. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Dean Henderson are also listed as unavailable, while Takehiro Tomiyasu remains a doubt.

Forest have largely come through the international break without major disruption.

This could be a cagey encounter, but Forest's recent form gives them enough to edge what should be a closely fought game.

Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City

The biggest game of Matchday 6 sees Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield, fresh off the back of the biggest scandal in Premier League history.

Both teams have been affected by injuries during the international break, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already difficult game to predict.

Liverpool are waiting on Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, with both players returning from international duty early. Isak suffered a minor thigh problem with Sweden, while Gakpo picked up an ankle injury with the Netherlands.

Jeremy Jacquet is also a concern after suffering a hamstring problem while away with France.

Manchester City have had concerns of their own, although Erling Haaland's injury scare appears to have been relatively minor and he is expected to be available. Nico O'Reilly also withdrew from England duty through injury.

With both teams missing or potentially missing important players, a tight contest could be on the cards, it's hard to pick a winner here without knowing who will lineup for both sides.

Coventry City 1-3 Newcastle United

Newcastle travel to Coventry on Monday night looking to make the most of a fixture that could provide them with an opportunity to climb the table.

The Magpies have had a lengthy injury list during the opening weeks of the season, but the international break has given several players additional time to recover.

Tino Livramento remains a concern after withdrawing from England duty, while Lewis Miley is expected to be fit for the trip. Newcastle also have a number of other players working their way back from injury.

Coventry have their own problems, with Haji Wright unavailable and Taiwo Awoniyi suspended. Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Josh Eccles and Luke Woolfenden are also dealing with injuries.

Newcastle should have too much attacking quality and squad depth for Coventry, who have struggled thus far this season.

The biggest factor this weekend could be how clubs cope with the international break, with several key players arriving back at their clubs carrying fresh injuries or fitness concerns. Arsenal and Liverpool in particular have been among the teams most affected.