The North London battle between Arsenal and Spurs at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday takes on extra significance given the teams’ current form. The Lilywhites produced one of the performances of the season thus far to defeat Chelsea 3-1 at Wembley last weekend, while the Gunners’ 2-1 away win at Bournemouth (featuring another goal from Pierre Emerick Aubameyang) brought their unbeaten run to 17 matches across all competitions.

Spurs are third on 30 points and well placed in the race for a Champions League berth, but Arsenal are just two places and three points behind – and a win at home in this match would take them ahead of their arch rivals on goal difference.

Later on Sunday the Merseyside derby takes centre stage, with Liverpool hosting Everton at Anfield. While the Reds kept on the coat-tails of leaders Manchester City with a 3-0 away win over Watford, Everton continued their solid-if-unspectacular season with a 1-0 home win over Cardiff City.

The Toffees are up to sixth place on the log but there’s a five-point gap to the top five – manager Marco Silva may have already taken his side to their glass ceiling, but this match against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool will test whether there is more to come from the team in blue. Everton will have one significant advantage in that they will be fresh and rested, while ‘Pool face a tough Champions League clash in Paris on Wednesday night.

Another match of significance takes place at St Mary’s on Saturday evening, as Southampton host Manchester United. The Red Devils were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at home by Crystal Palace last weekend and cannot afford to drop more points against a relegation candidate, while the Saints were beaten 3-2 at Fulham to extend their winless run in the league to nine games. Something has to give in this battle between an ailing giant and an under-pressure Mark Hughes.

Other key narratives to watch out for this weekend are Claudio Ranieri’s return to Chelsea as Fulham head to Stamford Bridge for a London derby, Bournemouth’s great start to the season is under threat of being undermined by a string of defeats as they head to Manchester City on the back of a hat-trick of losses, and Sol Bamba’s Cardiff City will look to take full advantage of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ recent slump which has seen them take just one point from the last 15 up for grabs when the teams meet on Friday night.

Key match stats

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur – Head-to-head, Premier League

Matches played 52

Arsenal wins 19

Spurs wins 12

Draws 21

Liverpool v Everton – Head-to-head, Premier League

Matches played 52

Liverpool wins 22

Everton wins 9

Draws 21

Southampton v Manchester United – Head-to-head, Premier League

Matches played 38

Southampton wins 7

Man United wins 25

Draws 6

Premier League fixtures, 30 November – 2 December

All times GMT

Friday 30 November

8pm Cardiff City v Wolverhampton Wanderers – LIVE on SS3 & Max1

Saturday 1 December

3pm Crystal Palace v Burnley

3pm Huddersfield Town v Brighton & Hove Albion

3pm: Leicester City v Watford – LIVE on SS5

3pm Manchester City v Bournemouth – LIVE on SS3/SS10, Max1 & SelGO2

3pm Newcastle United v West Ham United

5:30pm Southampton v Manchester United – LIVE on SS3 & Max1

Sunday 2 December

12pm Chelsea v Fulham – LIVE on SS3/SS10, Max1 & SelGO2

2:05pm Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur – LIVE on SS3 & Max1

4:15pm Liverpool v Everton – LIVE on SS3 & Max1