English Football was rocked by the announcement that Manchester City had been found guilty in the majority of charges they had faced since 2023, although the appeal process means any sanctions have yet to be made clear.
It is of course something that everything suspected about Manchester City, but it would have been almost impossible to prove without the work of Rui Pinto who had managed to hack into the emails that exposed the truth.
Unsurprisingly Manchester City have chose to fight and delay as long as possible, but that may also have become a detriment to them with the majority now looking for a serious punishment to be handed out.
The story has yet to be concluded with the appeal that is in process, but the likelihood is that the decision will be confirmed at some point and then the Premier League will have big decisions to make about how far they wish to punish a club that has not only failed to play by the rules, but who have made things very awkward throughout the hearing and who cannot be seen to have 'gotten away with it'.
Rivals have not really been able to agree with what they believe would be a suitable punishment, although we are still some way away from having that decision made- some believe multiple years with deducted points would be better than one big deduction that would likely mean Manchester City spending only one year out of the Premier League.
It is very difficult to believe the owners can carry on, but once a club is State-owned like Manchester City, those decisions to expel either the club or owner becomes that much more difficult with the political implications- that should not be the case, but there is a real worry that the current UK Prime Minister is compromised through his dealings with the Manchester City ownership group from his time as Mayor of Manchester and comments made about the case can be considered ill-advised at the least.
The Premier League will return this weekend, but the Manchester City cloud is going to darken the Division until a final decision has been handed out.
The concern is that there is a huge amount of damage being done to the product, which will frustrate all of the clubs about the manner in which Manchester City have dealt with the charges.
Players have to try and focus, but it is harder for supporters with the feeling that much of what we are watching could end up being pretty meaningless in three months time.
Arsenal vs Leeds United: The 3-0 defeat at the Amex Stadium is a reminder to Arsenal fans that they are not going to have everything go their own way in the 2026/27 season.
It is a setback, but not one that is expected to lead to a prolonged slump, and Arsenal are back at home where they have been very strong over the last couple of years.
The international break has been frustrating with a few players returning with injury, but Arsenal's squad depth should see them cover those who are absent.
Leeds United are much improved team from the one that were beaten 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium in August 2025, but that did not prevent them from being hammered 0-4 at home later in the campaign.
Daniel Farke's team have made a positive start to the season, but Arsenal's qualities in the final third should see them do enough to win by a couple of goals in the return to top flight action.
Fantasy: You can make the case for any Arsenal defender in any week, but this feels like a fixture where Viktor Gyokeres could take advantage of the injury suffered by Kai Havertz.
He scored twice at home in the 5-0 win over Leeds United and can remind Mikel Arteta of the qualities he does have after good performances for Sweden in this last international break.
Aston Villa vs Brentford: If you want to know how well Brentford have started the season, the fact they are almost the favourites to win at Villa Park is telling.
That is also partly down to the slow start made by Aston Villa, but there were signs that Unai Emery's team were finding their feet before the international break. 4 of the last 5 games played ended in a win, while the exception saw Aston Villa concede late in a 1-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
It does mean Aston Villa have lost both Premier League games at Villa Park, but they perhaps deserved more than they have gotten, while Brentford are not quite as effective away from the Gtech Community Stadium.
The Bees are stubborn though and they can at least avoid a defeat with the draw looking a real runner.
Fantasy: The signing of Johan Manzambi looks a smart piece of business for Aston Villa, but Nicolas Jackson remains the focal point of the attack and can build on the goals scored against Club Brugge and Tottenham Hotspur.
Chelsea vs Bournemouth: The injury suffered by Alex Scott is a real blow for Bournemouth and Marco Rose is going to have a real think as to how his team can best replace someone of that influence in the engine room.
This is a tough fixture for Bournemouth, but they will take great encouragement from the way Chelsea have defended and those issues at the back makes it hard to trust the hosts at short odds.
Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro are expected to be back in the lineup, which is a boost for Chelsea after the really disappointing 3-0 defeat at Brentford, but this has been a tough match up for them and Bournemouth can give The Blues plenty to think about.
Fantasy: Any success for Chelsea is going to come through the front three and Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro are expected to start.
Rayan has yet to spark for Bournemouth this season, but will be encouraged by the spaces Chelsea have left at the back which have been exposed by wide players.
Ipswich Town vs Fulham: The 1-1 scoreline stands out at first glance, but neither Ipswich Town nor Fulham have defended that well this season.
Both have flashed at times in the final third and the two managers both want their respective teams to play on the front foot, which could lead to an entertaining game at Portman Road.
The three week international break will have done little for the momentum and rhythm, but Fulham had been looking a little better in recent outings after a slow start under Alvaro Arbeloa. Gary O'Neil's Ipswich Town have continued to create chances, but have given up plenty of good looks to opponents as well and a 2-1 scoreline either way would not be a big surprise.
Fantasy: Three weeks ago, Josh King was identified as a player that could make a big impact for Fulham against Manchester United and he did force one fine save from Senne Lammens.
He is going to be important again, while David Affengruber has made a positive start to his Fulham career and can earn defensive contribution points, while also being a threat from set pieces.
Sunderland vs Brighton: You have to respect the fight and character within the Sunderland squad, but losing Dan Ballard and Brian Brobbey to injury during the international break is a real blow.
Regis Le Bris has to find a way to help the squad balance domestic and European commitments and Sunderland fans will be keen to see some of the recent performances show up in terms of positive results.
Sunderland have been given a tough early season fixture list and they have another challenging fixture right out of the gate following this extended international break.
One of the early season success stories has been Brighton and the 3-0 win over Champions Arsenal has underlined the quality of the start made.
Fabian Hurzeler's men also play in Europe, but the Conference League is 'easier' to balance compared with the Europa League and the three week break has enabled a number of players to return to action. The depth makes Brighton dangerous and they can win at the Stadium of Light for a second season in a row.
Fantasy: Three weeks ago, Pascal Gross was identified as a key player for Brighton in the game against Arsenal and did not disappoint.
Some will want to stick with him, but Maxim De Cuyper continues to play higher up the pitch and can offer up points at both ends.
Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur: This feels like a huge game for both Michael Carrick and Roberto De Zerbi and neither can make excuses about injuries with fans expecting positive results.
Both need a big result for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur respectively and there will be some tension in the performance.
Manchester United have perhaps been the victim of some of the numbers returning to the mean- in the short time with Carrick as manager last season, United picked up some big results even when they were perhaps fortunate to do so, but this season the narrow margins have worked agaisnt them.
They are still creating chances and Manchester United have tended to be much better at Old Trafford, which will give them an edge, but Tottenham Hotspur may also feel they are playing better than the results are suggesting.
The first goal is going to be very important, but Manchester United did find a way to beat Spurs here last season and should have won in North London too. With the qualities in the final third, Manchester United can do enough to edge this one, although the defence looks incapable of earning a clean sheet right now.
Fantasy: He has not really had the impact in fantasy terms that most would have expected, but Bruno Fernandes can influence a win for Manchester United this weekend.
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest: Both teams failed to score in the last Premier League game played, but Nottingham Forest were beaten at home and Crystal Palace earned a point at Elland Road.
Oliver Glasner returns to Selhurst Park with his new team and his knowledge of the Crystal Palace squad has to have an impact on the game.
However, Nottingham Forest are still a work in progress under the new manager and games between these two clubs have tended to be very competitive with draws standing out.
The last 5 at Selhurst Park have all ended that way and another on Sunday cannot be ruled out.
Fantasy: Both teams play a system where the wing backs are hugely influential and it would not be a surprise if one of those has the biggest impact on the fixture.
Hull City vs Everton: Over the last fifteen months, Hull City have made a mockery of the underlying numbers having earned promotion back to the Premier League and picking up 8 points from a possible 15 in the top flight.
There is so much to like about the performances, but Everton are expected to pose a tough challenge for the hosts.
Hull City have beaten Manchester United here and drawn with Aston Villa and both of those fixtures have ended with clean sheets, but wasteful finishing from the visiting sides stand out.
Everton are not exactly clinical in the final third, but they are also dangerous from set pieces and this is the kind of fixture that David Moyes and his team will find a way to win even when many would not expect them to.
Fantasy: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had so many chances to score or assist in the win over Ipswich Town, but did not quite get the breaks he may have needed.
He remains the key to most of the attacking output produced by Everton and looks the player to back to make the difference if you do believe Everton can win here, much like the writer does.
Liverpool vs Manchester City: Everyone is going to be anticipating a huge atmosphere at Anfield as Liverpool host Manchester City on Sunday.
This is the first outing for Manchester City since being found guilty of effectively cheating and at a time when it would have been having a huge impact on Liverpool's seasons.
All eyes will be on the Manchester City players as to how they handle the atmosphere and the occasion, but they are a squad filled with experience which should help.
Enzo Maresca is not going to throw caution to the wind, but he should be confident that Manchester City can contain a Liverpool attack that will be without Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo. Both have been influential for Liverpool early in the season, and the absences leaves the hosts looking a little short.
Before it was announced both would be missing, this felt like a game that may have plenty of tension attached to it, but one where the attackers may struggle to have the kind of impact expected. That is even more of the case with the hosts missing the two stand out attackers of the 2026/27 season and it may not be the high-scoring game anticipated.
Fantasy: There are some key attackers missing for both players, but someone is going to need to step up to make the difference.
Dominic Szoboszlai opened the scoring with a special free kick last season and set pieces could be really important again.
Virgil van Dijk and Marc Guehi have shown they can produce big headers when they have been needed and perhaps one of the centre halves produces where the attackers are not quite able to do so.
Coventry City vs Newcastle United: Frank Lampard would have loved to have taken Coventry City into the next Premier League game soon after the 0-1 win at Nottingham Forest, but over three weeks have passed since that victory.
It is still an important one and Lampard will now be looking for a big performance at The CBS Arena.
Coventry City have really struggled here this season and Newcastle United have the pace and quality in the final third to hurt the hosts.
However, it feels like Newcastle United are still working through some early season inconsistencies and they are not as strong away from St James' Park. In the last away game, Newcastle United were getting thumped at Leeds United and they were fortunate to hold onto a home win over Hull City last time out.
Both teams have room for improvement, but Newcastle United are a short priced favourite here and Coventry City might have enough to secure their first home Premier League points in twenty-five years.
Fantasy: It has not quite happened for him yet, but Jack Rudoni has been getting closer and closer to having a big impact on a game and Monday night could be the evening for him.
MY PICKS: Arsenal - 1.25 Asian Handicap @ 1.97 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Aston Villa-Brentford Draw @ 3.60 Bet Victor (0.5 Units)
Bournemouth + 1 Asian Handicap @ 1.70 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Ipswich-Fulham Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.72 Bet Fred (1 Unit)
Brighton - 0.25 Asian Handicap @ 2.00 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Manchester United to Win & Over 1 Total Goals @ 1.83 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Crystal Palace-Nottingham Forest Draw @ 3.40 Bet Fred (0.5 Units)
Everton @ 2.10 William Hill (1 Unit)
Liverpool-Manchester City Under 2.5 Goals @ 2.40 Paddy Power (1 Unit)
Coventry City + 0.5 Asian Handicap @ 1.75 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Premier League 26/27: 12-17-1, - 4.20 Units (28 Units Staked, - 15% Yield)
2026 World Cup: 57-45-1, + 8.63 Units (103 Units Staked, + 8.38% Yield)
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