English football's top flight returns for a weekend rich in storylines, headlined by Jordan Henderson's emotional return to Merseyside, Manchester City's bid to bounce back from Champions League heartbreak, and a host of relegation-zone six-pointers that could shape the bottom half of the table.

Henderson, now 36, heads to Goodison Park with Chelsea on Saturday lunchtime, expecting a reception from Everton supporters that will reflect both his Liverpool past and his current influence under Xabi Alonso. The veteran produced a remarkable individual display against Bournemouth last weekend, scoring twice and setting up another to become the oldest player ever to register three goal contributions in a single Premier League match for Chelsea. His partnership with Moisés Caicedo has given Alonso's side crucial balance, freeing Morgan Rogers, João Pedro and Cole Palmer to express themselves further forward. Everton, unbeaten so far this season, will provide a stiff examination after a shaky draw at Hull exposed defensive frailties.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Brentford host Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium looking to extend their own unbeaten record. Keith Andrews' side have built their season on a deep, compact defensive structure and set-piece threat, a style that could trouble a Liverpool team still riding high after thrashing Austrian champions Lask 6-0 in midweek. Andoni Iraola's men will need quick, incisive passing to break down a well-organised Brentford rearguard.

Manchester City, meanwhile, look to respond after suffering their first defeat of the campaign, a 4-2 Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain in which they fought back from 3-0 down. Despite the result, and an ongoing cloud following the club's guilty verdict for financial rule breaches, Enzo Maresca's attacking approach continues to impress. City host Ipswich, who have not won at this venue in the competition since November 2000.

At the bottom end of the table, Fulham welcome Hull City with manager Álvaro Arbeloa under mounting pressure. Summer signing Gonzalo García, who arrived from Real Madrid, has managed just one league goal from 18 shots despite an expected-goals tally of 3.60, and Fulham, still without a win and bottom of the division, badly need him to find his scoring touch.

Newcastle host Aston Villa on Saturday evening after a chastening 4-1 defeat at Coventry exposed problems with Matthias Jaissle's high-tempo