Arsenal can take another big step towards the Premier League title when they host Sunderland on Saturday before Manchester City travel to Liverpool for a daunting clash at Anfield.
The Gunners already hold a six point lead at the top as they chase a first league crown since the 2003/04 Invincibles season. Aston Villa remain third but a recent dip in form has allowed Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool to close in on the Champions League places.
City’s latest setback came last weekend when they squandered a two goal lead in another second half collapse at Tottenham. With Arsenal expected to beat Sunderland at home and potentially move nine points clear, Pep Guardiola’s side have little room left for error.
Anfield has long been a difficult venue for City. Their only away league win over Liverpool since 2003 came behind closed doors during the COVID 19 pandemic in 2021. Identical home records mean City’s six point deficit to Arsenal is mainly down to weaker away form.
Despite that, Liverpool manager Arne Slot remains cautious. He noted that City beat his team 3 0 earlier in the season and comfortably reached the League Cup final against Newcastle even after Guardiola made five changes in midweek. Slot said those results show City are still a major force.
Behind Arsenal and City, the fight for Champions League places looks set to be a battle of three from four. Strong results in Europe mean finishing fifth is likely to be enough for a Champions League spot. Only seven points separate third placed Villa from sixth placed Liverpool.
Villa, who surprised many by staying in the title race for much of the campaign, have suffered back to back home defeats to Everton and Brentford. A midfield injury crisis has ruled out captain John McGinn, Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara for the foreseeable future, leaving Unai Emery’s side under pressure to respond away to Bournemouth.
Manchester United host struggling Tottenham as they aim for a fourth straight win under new boss Michael Carrick. Chelsea, also pushing up the table, visit bottom club Wolves.
Further down, Crystal Palace and Brighton meet in a crucial game between two out of form teams. Palace, winless in 12 league matches, spent over £80 million in January on Jorgen Strand Larsen and Brennan Johnson as they try to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.
The Eagles currently sit nine points above the drop zone, but that gap could shrink to six if West Ham beat Burnley before they kick off. Brighton, just two points ahead of Palace, have won only one of their last 11, damaging their hopes of European qualification.
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