3 things to watch this weekend: North London derby takes centre stage

There could be plenty of movement at the peak of the Premier League table before the final international break of 2016 mercilessly arrives.

While the interruption is an unwelcome one by managers at this juncture of the season, Matchday 11 offers a number of mouthwatering ties that could have implications on the title hopes of a handful of teams vying to lift the trophy in May, with Arsenal's clash with north London neighbours Tottenham providing the marquee matchup of the weekend.

In addition to the potential shuffling at the top, Sunderland could be in search of a new manager if the Premier League basement-dwellers fail to register its first victory of the season under David Moyes.

Here are three things to watch:

Can Spurs stave off red-hot Arsenal?

Despite entering the fixture as the league's only unbeaten team, Tottenham has had its fair share of woes of late in the league, claiming just three points in three matches. Recent struggles, however, will all be forgotten if Spurs can leapfrog Arsenal in the table with a victory during the season's first north London derby.

That's easier said than done, as Spurs go up against an Arsenal side that's gone unbeaten in all competitions since its opening-day loss to Liverpool. Arsene Wenger's men - winners of five of their last six league matches - will be bursting with confidence heading into Sunday's encounter at the Emirates Stadium as they look to solidify themselves as legitimate title contenders and avoid the type of November mediocrity that's plagued previous campaigns.

The timing couldn't be better for Arsenal to face its archrivals, either, as Tottenham enters the fixture on the heels of, as manager Mauricio Pochettino described, an "embarrassing" Champions League defeat against Bayer Leverkusen.

The visitors, however, could add some much-needed firepower to the attacking scheme after forward Harry Kane was given the green light to appear in his first match since injuring his knee in September.

Mourinho-less United

Jose Mourinho's absence through a touchline ban could possibly be a blessing in disguise for a Manchester United side that's failed to replicate the success that produced so much optimism in the opening month.

A series of lacklustre results have followed the perfect start to the season under the Special One, with Sunday's tie presenting the type of banana-skin encounter that could throw United's season off the rails.

United - who might be without Paul Pogba after the French midfielder sustained an injury during Thursday's woeful Europa League loss to Fenerbahce - could struggle to secure its first league win since Sept. 24 when it clashes with a Swansea City outfit desperate to turn its season around under new manager Bob Bradley.

If a victory is in order, Manchester United will need to capitalise on its chances, as the club will almost assuredly enjoy the battle for possession against a Swansea team in the midst of a nine-match winless streak.

The end for Moyes?

Sunderland's chances of surviving its 10th straight season in England's top flight could be thrown into further disarray if Saturday's match against Bournemouth produces the type of result that's fixed the Black Cats at the bottom of the table.

Without a win through 10 games, Sunderland's failure to secure three points may also trigger a search for a new coach, as David Moyes could find himself at the unemployment office just over three months after his appointment as manager.

Though Bournemouth has enjoyed a prolonged spell in the top half of the table to begin the season, the Cherries will be eager to return to the comforts of home after a disappointing performance loss at Middlesbrough in a match that snapped a three-match unbeaten run.