AFTER nine match weeks, just two points separate the top five teams in the Premier League.

While many anticipated a battle at the summit between reigning champs Manchester City and challengers Liverpool, the likes of Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea are hot in pursuit at this early stage of the season.

The headline match of Round 10 sees City venture to Wembley Stadium to take on Spurs, and remarkably should the home side emerge with maximum points, they would actually overtake Pep Guardiola’s fancied side on the ladder.

Elsewhere Old Trafford plays host to an intriguing duel that sees 10th placed Manchester United test themselves against an Everton side who have won three on the trot in the league.

Two points.

That’s all that currently separates the Premier League’s top five, that means that a single game has the potential to cause a shift at the summit. And that clashes between these rivals essentially shape as six-pointers.

England’s top flight is a marathon, not a sprint and consistency is key. While it’s far too early to be handing out the silverware, these early stages provide an insight into the longevity of each team’s title hopes.

The longer the likes of City, Chelsea and Liverpool can stay undefeated, history suggests the better chance they have of etching their name onto the trophy. This week sees City head to Spurs for a heavyweight battle that could see a big reshuffle should the champs fail to get the job done.

However, last season’s 3-1 win at Wembley – without goal machine Sergio Aguero – suggests Guardiola’s side have no issue with the trip to London. Add in the full return of Kevin De Bruyne, who started his first game since a longterm injury in midweek against Shakhtar in the Champions League, and signs point to yet another City win.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have won 11 games on the trot in all competitions, as Unai Emery’s revolution marches on. Few predicted the transition would be so swift under the Spaniard, but the stellar run of form has fans dreaming of an immediate return to the top.

The burgeoning bromance of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, as well as Mesut Ozil’s return to form, have the Gunners playing some of the most eye catching football around. And this week they come up against 15th placed Crystal Palace in a clash that could well see their historic run continue.

Chelsea have enjoyed a similarly meteoric rise in fortunes under their new boss Maurizio Sarri. With Eden Hazard undoubtedly the in-form player in the competition at the minute, the Blues will back themselves to add to the 20 goals they’ve already slammed home this season.

They face Burnley on Monday morning AEST.

In previous years, Liverpool’s failures against smaller sides have proven their undoing. But Jurgen Klopp has his team picking up points even in potential banana skin clashes. Last week a single Mohamed Salah goal saw them home against strugglers Huddersfield, and they’ll be hoping for a more clinical performance as they host Cardiff on Sunday morning.

It’s a big weekend at the top, and should the unpredictable nature of the Premier League rear its head, we could see a big shake-up at the summit.

CAN JOSE GET UTD FIRING?
Manchester United are in unfamiliar territory.

England’s most successful club sit 10th in the Premier League, having won just one of their past seven games in all competitions. Manager Jose Mourinho remains under intense pressure, with malaise continuing to brew at Old Trafford.

This weekend, they host Everton at the Theatre of Dreams and really need a result. United have won just once at home since the opening day of the season, and criticism of their biggest stars has become a perennial feature of the column inches.

Should they fail to get the job done against the Toffees, the question marks surrounding Mourinho’s tenure would only intensify. And their opponents are no easy beats.

Marco Silva’s side have conceded less goals this season than the Red Devils and sit a point ahead of them on the table in eighth.

SOCCEROO EMBROILED IN WINLESS PAIN
After nine games, two Premier League teams remain without a win.

Both Huddersfield and Newcastle United are yet to taste victory this campaign, with both rooted to the foot of the table and desperately chasing a revival in form.

Aaron Mooy continues to start in midfield for the Terriers, and he’ll be hoping to spearhead his team to a maiden triumph as they take on an overachieving Watford.

Although, they’ll really need to find some sort of scoring touch if they’re to do so – having found the net just four times so far this season!

The Hornets sit seventh after an excellent opening to the season, already a whopping 13 points ahead of their opponents. David Wagner’s side really need to give their campaign a jumpstart, and the sooner it happens the better.

Meanwhile, Newcastle have been equally hapless thus far. No wins and just six goals of their own to speak of, there have been few positives for Rafa Benitez’s side as they face a relegation struggle. The Magpies head to St Mary’s Stadium to take on 16th placed Southampton with a real chance to collect some points.

The Saints have won just one more game, and scored the same dismal number of goals as their opponents. Should the Toon get a win, they could leap out of the drop zone and reignite their to date woeful season.