Premier League action returns this weekend following the end of the final international break and the time for teams to start building momentum for the long and unstoppable journey in the next four months.

The decisive stage of the season is upon us as around 20 fixtures will be played between now and the next international break, a time when the fate of many will already be sealed as per shot at the title.

Right now, it is Arne Slot's Liverpool mounting the top of the table with five points ahead of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and nine ahead of Arsenal, who many believes are still going to fall short in their quest to end what will be a 21 year wait come next summer.

As the teams return to continue the narrative of their season, we take a preview of the important fixtures of the weekend, with Chelsea starting the weekend in Leicester, and Manchester United rounding it up with an away trip to Ipswich, for Ruben Amorim’s first game.

Leicester City vs Chelsea

Chelaea continued to prove themselves under Enzo Maresca with a 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal in their final game before the international break, which ensured they maintain their place in the top four, moving up to third.

Their performance at the start of the season haa put them in the discussion of a potential return to the Champions League, while it might also be too soon to rule them out as a title contender — after all they yet place ahead of Arsenal.

Their opponent, Leicester City hasn't have a great return to the top-flight, just like the other newly promoted clubs. Back-to-back wins in October represented their only wins so far, and even though they place 15th on the log, it is never too safe when they could return to the drop zone after just a game.

Form Guide

• Leicester City are winless in their previous four games across all competitions, drawing one.
• Leicester City has lost two, drawn two and won two in six home games across all competitions.
• Chelsea are winless in their previous three domestic games away from home, two losses.
• Chelsea has won just one of their last four games across all competitions, drawing two.
• Chelsea as lost just once in their last ten Premier league games.

Head to Head

• Chelsea are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Leicester City, winning five, including each of the last three.

• Both teams have scored in the last four of this fixture.

Injuries and Suspension Updates

Abdul Fatawu Issahaku will miss the rest of the season following surgery on his Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury while Facundo Bounanotte is suspended. Jamie Vardy and a few others are also expected to miss out for Leicester.

Chelsea’s only injury concern is Jadon Sancho, while those who missed out of the international break are expected to be all available for selection this weekend.

Prediction: Leicester City 1-3 Chelsea

Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest 

Arsenal really need to step up with a run of positive results if they are to avoid being blown away in the race for the League title — nine points behind leaders after eleven games isn't the way of a contender.

Their season has been impacted by injuries, tough luck and lack of discipline. After their poor end before the November international games, they need to respond as early as can be, but Nottingham Forest will not be an easy one.

Forest has been the early season surprise in the Premier League. They have so far presented themselves as a different side compared to previous seasons.

Their good performances have alsp earned them accolades, with Nuno Espirito Santo and Chris Wood picking up the Premier League manager and player of the month awards respectively, for the month of October.

Form Guide

• Arsenal has two wins in their last seven games across all competitions, losing three.
• Arsenal are winless in their last four Premier League games, two losses and two draws.
• Arsenal are unbeaten in all eight games at home this season, winning six.
• Nottingham Forest are unbeaten in five away games this season, winning three.
• Nottingham Forest has lost just one in their last five games, winning three.

Head to Head

• Arsenal has won each of their last three home games against Forest by an aggregate of 12-1, includng 5-0 scoreline, twice.
• None of the last eight of this fixture has ended in a draw, three wins for Forest.

Injury and Suspension Updates

Neither of the sides have anyone suspended but Arsenal do have serious injury concerns. Ben White has had surgery and will be out until the turn of the year.

The Gunners do expect a lot of names to return from injuries. Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice were fresh concerns before fhe international while Leandro Trossard got hurt while representing Belgium.

More will be confirmed after their final session on Friday with Riccardo Calafiori set to return, and Kieran Tierney has been pictured in trainin this week. No Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo for Forest.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Nottingham Forest

Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur 

In the biggest fixture in the United Kingdom this weekend, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City plays host to Ange Postecoglu's Tottenham Hotspur.

Manchester City headed for the international break on the back of four straight defeats, worst run of Pep Guardiola's managerial career and City's worst since the takeover. They desperately needed the break to come put an end to their misery and now they have to respond.

It doesn't get any easy having to do that against a top team but The Citizens will not seize to bw favourite for any fixture, even so when they're the ones playing host.

Tottenham Hotspur have so far remained Tottenham Hotspur. Three defeats in their last five games have come against Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Ipswich Town, while in the same period they've beaten Manchester City and Aston Villa.

After winning five straight games between Mid-september and early October, they started to head down again, and started by blowing away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Brighton. In short, life has been frustrating this season.

Form Guide

• Manchester City has lost each of their last four games across all competitions.
• Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 51 home games across all competitions (excluding shoot-outs)
• Tottenham Hotspur has lost each of their last three away games.

Head to Head

• Manchester City has lost just one in their last eight home games against Spurs, winning five.
• Tottenham Hotspur has lost just one of their last three league meetings with City, winning one.

Injury and Suspension Updates

Apart from Rodri and Oscar Bobb who both have long-term injuries, Manchester City also have other conerns, although most are expected to be back in action this weekend after spending time off during the break.

Spurs will be without the suspended Rodrigo Bentancur. Adding to that, Richarlison and Wilson Odobert are also ruled out due to injuries. Postecoglu will be hopeful of the return of other injured players.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Southampton vs Liverpool 

On Sunday, Liverpool will travel to the Saint Marys to take on struggling Southampton after already watching their rivals play on Saturday.

With their form, a win is most probable for Arne Slot's side, nonetheless Southampton has proved tough for both Arsenal and City earlier, with the former needing three late goals to complete a comeback win while the later only won by a lone goal.

Form Guide

• Southampton has won just one of their five Premier League home games this season.
• Southampton has won each of their last two home games across all competitions. 
• Liverpool has lost just once in 17 games across all competitions this season.
• Liverpool are unbeaten in each of their nine away games this season, winning eight.
• Liverpool has won each of their last four games across all competitions.

Head to Head

• Liverpool are unbeaten in the last six of this fixture, winning five.
• Southampton has lost one, drawn one and won one in their last three home games against Liverpool.

Injury and Suspension Updates

Goalkeepers Aaron Ramsdale and Gavin Bazunu are both out and so is Polish defender Jan Bednarek. Willy Smallbone, Ryan Fraser and Ross Stewart are all injury doubts.

For Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold represents a major injury concern, albeit Diogo Jota, Federico Chiesa and Alisson Becker are confirmed absentees. Harvey Elliott is back in training after healing from his long-term injury.

Prediction: Southampton 0-2 Liverpool 

Ipswich Town vs Manchester United

A lot of focus will be diverted to the final action on Sunday, when Ruben Amorim leads Manchester United to Portman Road for his first game in charge of the club.

Fans of course will expect nothing but a win given the good fortune they enjoyed i the short spell under the interim reign of Ruud van Nistelrooy following the sacking of Erik Ten Hag last month.

Ipswich Town has threatened an upset all season and finally got one in their final game before the November international break, when they beat Spurs 2-1 away from home for their first-ever top-flight win since 2002.

Form Guide

• Ipswich Town are unbeatable in their last two games.
• Ipswich Town are winless in five home games this season, losing two.
• Manchester United are unbeaten in their last four games.
• Manchester United has won all three games against newly promoted sides across all competitions, scored 3+ goals in each.
• Manchester United are winless in their last five away games, losing two.

Head to Head 

• Manchester United has won each of the last four of this fixture without conceding a goal.
• Ipswich Town has won two of their last four home meetings with United, losing one.

Injury and Suspension Updates 

Chiedozie Ogbene is injured for the host while Jimmy Greaves is a doubt. Manchester United have a lot of positive updates on the injury front as everyone except Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, is back in training.

Prediction: Ipswich Town 0-3 Manchester United

These are the picks for gameweek 12 this weekend. It is worth noting that there may be surprises and a complete change in result due to a lot of factors, but primarily because anyone can win.

However based on the winning probabilities, the selected winners are expected to get the better of their respective opponents.