Manchester City Seek To Stop Rot As Chelsea Host Arsenal

Manchester City are aiming to avoid a third straight Premier League defeat for the first time in seven years when they host Brighton on Saturday, while Arsenal will provide a stiff test for resurgent Chelsea. Four sides are in the running to top the table at some stage this weekend, starting with Liverpool when they take on Everton in the Merseyside derby. AFP Sport looks at the pick of the action.

Can City halt slide?

City's defeats by Wolves and Arsenal before the international break were the first back-to-back losses in the league for Pep Guardiola's men since 2018.

You have to go back to the days of Manuel Pellegrini in early 2016 for the last time the champions lost three in a row, but Brighton pose a significant threat to City, who are on a run of 20 straight home wins in all competitions.

Guardiola has hailed Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi as "one of the most influential managers in the last 20 years".

City have even appeared to copy the Seagulls' trait of trying to bait sides into pressing before quickly moving the ball into space this season.

However, Brighton have struggled to cope with the demands of the club's first-ever European campaign on top of their Premier League commitments.

De Zerbi's men are without a win in their past four games in all competitions, though they are still sixth in the table.

Chelsea's true test

Arsenal's late winner against City two weeks ago has fuelled the Gunners' belief that they can end a 20-year wait to win the title.

Mikel Arteta's men are second, behind north London rivals Tottenham only on goals scored, and will end Saturday top of the table if they win because Spurs are not in action until Monday.

The international break came at the wrong time for Chelsea after they