Premier League statistical preview: including Tottenham vs Liverpool; Everton vs Manchester United; Chelsea vs Aston Villa

Whoscored.com return to rattle through the numbers for this weekend

Tottenham vs Liverpool

It's fitting that the first game to get the ball rolling in the Premier League following the international break should revolve around the hottest talking point during the domestic football hiatus. Jurgen Klopp will take charge of his first game as Liverpool manager, with Reds fans giddy with excitement as they prepare to travel south to face Tottenham.

The two sides are still most tipped to disturb last season's top 4 and despite modest starts to the campaign, separated as they are by just a single point, both are within 6 points of top spot. In recent seasons this game has very much gone the way of Liverpool, with Rodgers tending to have Tottenham's number, so if Klopp is to get off to a winning start the visitors will stretch their winning run over Spurs to 6 matches. The Reds have scored at least 3 times in each of their 5 successive victories, though Pochettino's men have made some strides defensively thus far, with no team conceding fewer goals (7).

With Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino both ruled out, and Danny Ings and Joe Gomez suffering long-term injuries, Klopp won't have a full squad at his disposal at White Hart Lane, with Ings' form in particular a positive in recent weeks. The mission for the hosts' backline in Saturday's early kick-off then will likely be to keep Daniel Sturridge at bay, with the Liverpool striker well rested over the international break.

Despite Liverpool's superb scoring run against this weekend's opponents Sturridge has never netted for the Reds against Spurs, so will be looking to put that right in the capital. However, all of the players will likely take some time to adapt to the playing style of the new manager and Sturridge's fitness may be a slight concern given Klopp's demanding pressing style.

On the opposing side is arguably Sturridge's main threat to a starting berth at next summer's European championships - provided both stay fit - as Harry Kane looks to improve upon a disappointing start to the season. The England striker opened his account for the season in Spurs' thumping win over table-toppers City, but netted a decisive own goal last time out against Swansea, ultimately costing his side two points. Nevertheless the youngster continues to pose a threat and, having scored the last time these two sides met, he should cause a shaky Liverpool defence problems once more.

With so much intrigue surrounding this encounter owing much to the movement in the away dugout, there should be plenty of entertainment on the field between two sides battling it out to be considered the greatest challenger to last season's top 4.

Chelsea vs Aston Villa

There's little question as to the real high pressure game of the weekend with regards to the opposing managers at least. Aston Villa find themselves 4 points adrift of safety in the bottom three, with under-fire Tim Sherwood leading his side to Stamford Bridge this Saturday.

Jose Mourinho's job is also thought to be in the balance at present after yet another defeat ahead of the international break, this time at home to Southampton, sparked a remarkable 7-minute rant from the Portuguese in his post-match TV interview. It was the response of a man who knows he is now very much under pressure to turn things around after a dismal start to the Premier League campaign.

As things stand Chelsea are level with West Brom on goal difference above the drop zone and though they are in no danger of dropping in it this weekend, anything other than a win would be a disaster for the hosts. This fixture often goes one of two ways, with Villa either putting up a real fight - at times upsetting the odds - or completely capitulating, losing this fixture 3-0 last season having suffered humiliating 8-0 and 7-1 defeats in recent years at Stamford Bridge.

The fact that only Sunderland have conceded more goals this season than Mourinho's men (17) may well mean that this is a tighter affair than last September, but Chelsea are still strong favourites. That said, while Villa's losing streak of 4 games is the longest in the league this season they are yet to be defeated by more than a single goal.

New captain Micah Richards will be tasked with ensuring that Saturday's game is no pushover for the hosts having been one of Villa's bright sparks this season. Only fellow summer signing Jordan Amavi has a higher rating of players with 5 or more appearances for the club this season (7.35), with Richards not only leading by example with impressive defensive figures but also looking to force the side forward having completed more dribbles (14) than any other defender this season.

The former England international will be tasked with keeping the returning Diego Costa quiet in the capital but must also be wary of the threat of Eden Hazard, who returned to form over the international break. The Belgian earned the highest rating from WhoScored (7.96) in the Premier League last season and while a far more modest 7.18 this time around has been a worrying decline, the fact that he remains Chelsea top performer both highlights the team's problems and the fact that he is still the Blues' most potent weapon.

While defeat for either manager would unlikely cost them their job directly this weekend it could well go some way to making their position untenable further down the line. Expect a tense affair at the Bridge as a result.

Everton vs Manchester United

One of a number of interesting battles to keep an eye on as the Premier League gets back in full swing this weekend sees Everton host Manchester United. The Toffees have found form of late and look a far stronger proposition following a disappointing 2013/14 campaign, while it's been a solid if unconvincing start from their visitors this Saturday.

Louis van Gaal's side sat top of the league heading into their game at the Emirates a fortnight ago but a dismal performance led to a comfortable 3-0 win for the Gunners, exposing weaknesses in the United side that many had expected to show before now. The midfield lacked energy and the defence looked fragile after a strong start to the campaign. With Wayne Rooney continuing to struggle further forward, United are far from fearsome despite their standing in the table right now.

Meanwhile, Roberto Martinez's side are unbeaten in 5 games - only Spurs are on a longer run of matches without defeat ahead of the weekend - with Everton's only defeat to date coming at the hands of table-toppers Manchester City. The form of Ross Barkley - the highest WhoScored rated player at the club (7.49) - has helped the Toffees to a steady footing in the league and a win on Saturday would see this week's hosts leapfrog United.

The fact, then, that Everton have won each of their last 3 home matches against the Manchester giants - keeping clean sheets in each of them - will give the home fans confidence of another 3 points this weekend. If they are to manage another victory somewhat against the odds - at least with the bookies - they will look to top scorer Romelu Lukaku (5 league goals) to lead them to glory. The Belgian is behind only Barkley in the rankings for Everton (7.36) but will be up against one of the strongest defenders of the season so far.

Like Lukaku, Chris Smalling is also his side's second highest rated player according to WhoScored (7.32) - behind the injured Luke Shaw - and he, more than any other player, has come on leaps and bounds under the tutelage of Van Gaal at United. With Smalling winning 3.1 aerial duels per game to Lukaku's 3 it promises to be an interesting physical battle between the two, and one that could have a big say on the overall outcome.

Back-to-back defeats would likely see United slip further behind their title rivals - with City and Arsenal both facing newly-promoted sides - whilst propelling Everton very much into the early hunt for European football.

All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find more stats, including live in-game data and unique player and team ratings. You can follow all the scores, statistics, live player and team ratings with their free app