Liverpool’s cost in direction of the Premier League title has slowed forward of a visit to Manchester Metropolis on Sunday, giving Arsenal hope of closing in on the leaders.
The Gunners can transfer to inside 5 factors of the Reds ought to they see off lowly West Ham on the Emirates.
Behind the highest two, the race is on for a spot in subsequent season’s Champions League.
Solely six factors separate third-placed Nottingham Forest from Newcastle in seventh earlier than they face off at St James’ Park.
AFP Sports activities seems to be forward to the choose of Premier League motion this weekend:
Liverpool’s title take a look at
Arne Slot’s males gave the impression to be cruising in direction of a record-equalling twentieth English top-flight title.
Nevertheless, two 2-2 attracts at Everton and Aston Villa prior to now 10 days have introduced the title race alive once more.
However Manchester Metropolis, the dominant pressure in English soccer over the last decade, have been outclassed by Actual Madrid in midweek as they crashed out of the Champions League earlier than the final 16 stage for the primary time for the reason that 2012/13 season.
The English champions can also be with out Erling Haaland, who didn’t get off the bench on the Santiago Bernabeu attributable to harm.
However Pep Guardiola’s males confirmed what they’re nonetheless able to in a 4-0 thrashing of Newcastle final week and are in want of factors themselves within the top-four race.
“They’ve had perhaps one or two months within the seven or eight years he is (Guardiola) there now that weren’t the most effective, perhaps partly due to accidents as properly,” mentioned Slot.
“Accidents come again, they’ve signed three or 4 gamers, I can see them coming again already if you happen to take a look at the end result towards Newcastle.”
Arsenal have the possibility to up the strain once they face West Ham 24 hours earlier.
Mikel Arteta’s aspect will probably be and not using a recognised striker for the remainder of the season however have gained 23 factors from a potential 27 to stay within the race.
“If we continuously take a look at Arsenal or what different groups are doing, that will not assist us,” added Slot.
“We already understand how tough it’s to go to the Etihad, so we do not want Arsenal to get entangled in that much more.”
Chelsea disaster
Chelsea must bounce again shortly if they’re to retain hope of Champions League soccer subsequent season.
The Blues flirted with a title problem in direction of the top of 2024 however have gained simply twice of their final 9 league video games and crashed out of the FA Cup.
Supervisor Enzo Maresca mentioned his aspect’s meek 3-0 defeat by Brighton final weekend was the worst efficiency of his tenure thus far, amid considerations star man Cole Palmer may go away with out the lure of the Champions League.
Chelsea journey to Aston Villa on Saturday, whose personal hopes of a top-four end are beginning to fade.
Unai Emery’s males pushed Liverpool all the way in which in a four-goal thriller on Wednesday however discover themselves down in ninth, 5 factors off the highest 4, attributable to an inconsistent season.
Nottingham Forest’s acid take a look at
Not of their wildest goals may Nottingham Forest followers have imagined sitting third within the desk with simply 13 video games to go.
Nevertheless, they face a stern take a look at of their credentials to make it again to European soccer’s elite competitors for the primary time in 45 years.
Forest go to Newcastle on Sunday earlier than internet hosting Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis of their subsequent two dwelling league video games.
Newcastle have suffered back-to-back league defeats both aspect of their League Cup semi-final heroics towards Arsenal, with Magpies supervisor Eddie Howe aggravated by his aspect’s see-saw kind.
“I believe we’ve days the place we are able to look removed from the workforce that we’re after we’re on it,” mentioned Howe. “It is an actual frustration for us as a result of to be an elite workforce, you have to be constant.”
Fixtures (all occasions 1500 GMT except said)
Friday
Leicester v Brentford (2000)
Saturday
Everton v Manchester United (1230), Fulham v Crystal Palace, Ipswich v Tottenham, Southampton v Brighton, Bournemouth v Wolves, Arsenal v West Ham, Aston Villa v Chelsea (1730)
Sunday
Newcastle v Nottingham Forest (1400), Man Metropolis v Liverpool (1630)
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