Premier League: Five things to look out for this weekend from Liverpool’s hope to the fight for seventh
A look ahead to some of the best top-flight action
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Your support makes all the difference.Burnley’s spoiling habit offers Liverpool hope
Since Manchester City lost at Newcastle on 29 January, the champions have won 11 Premier League games in a row, the last of which was a convincing 3-0 win in the Manchester derby on Wednesday night. With three games to go and a one-point advantage over Liverpool if they win their game in hand this Sunday, a first Premier League title defence by anyone in 10 years is in sight. However, it isn’t quite done and dusted yet…
Burnley is a different sort of tussle altogether from the one City faced at Old Trafford. In fact, during last season’s record-breaking 100-point campaign, Pep Guardiola’s side dropped points against the Clarets, in a game memorable for Raheem Sterling missing an open goal. Burnley’s direct, no-nonsense style has unsettled top-six sides in the past, not least Chelsea on Monday evening, where they mustered a 2-2 draw with a form of doggedness which David Luiz described as “anti-football”.
Obviously, expect City to dominate possession. But if Burnley can hang in there, even keeping the deficit to a single goal with 20 minutes to play, City will have to show a new form of resilience to deal with the inevitable flurry of long balls up to the effective Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes. With Tom Heaton on top form once again, it has the potential to turn into a tricky afternoon for City’s star-studded team – could Burnley shock the world and provide the title twist Liverpool fans are craving?
Top-four battle reaches fever pitch
Does anyone want to claim a top-four spot? Last weekend, all four teams in contention for a Champions League place dropped points, with Chelsea the only side to avoid defeat. United and Arsenal also lost in midweek, and Tottenham eventually stumbled over the line against a resolute Brighton backline. So, will anyone take the initiative this time round?
The blockbuster clash is at Old Trafford, as Manchester United host Chelsea. It’s a must win for United and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Not only are the Red Devils in a wretched run of form – seven defeats in nine games – but they’re three points off their opponents on Sunday, who are fourth. Arsenal travel to Leicester also needing a positive result, a point behind the Blues. Tottenham have the most leeway in third, four points above their North London rivals in fifth – but a game against West Ham often springs a surprise or too.
Three games left. Three wins for any of the top four teams will more than likely get them over the line.
Can West Ham be the first team to score at Spurs’ new stadium?
Lying in 11th with relegation and Europe out of the question, you could be forgiven for thinking the motivation levels in the West Ham dressing room were a tad apathetic. However, if there was ever a game to whet the appetite of both the players and supporters, it’s Tottenham away.
Spurs have won all four of their games at their sparkling new stadium, with none of Crystal Palace, Manchester City, Huddersfield Town or Brighton able to score. Thus, there’s quite the incentive for Marko Arnautovic and co on Saturday, in a game Mauricio Pochettino will be desperate to win ahead of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.
Judgement day at the bottom
Saturday 27 April could be the day it’s all decided.
Cardiff are three points behind Brighton, and both have very winnable games. At 3:00pm, the Bluebirds travel to already-relegated Fulham, who despite two wins in a row have been shipping goals all season. It’s a must-win for Neil Warnock’s side. A win would pile the pressure on Brighton, who host Newcastle at 5:30pm. A tougher game on paper for Chris Hughton’s team, but given the circumstances it’s a game in which they surely have to take something from, with their final two games coming up against Arsenal and Man City.
However, if Cardiff lose and Brighton win, the Seagulls’ six-point lead and superior goal difference with two games left means it could all be done and dusted by 7:30pm on Saturday. Who will hold their nerve?
Battle for the coveted seventh place
Such is the gap between the top six and the other 14 teams in the Premier League, a phrase has now been established to describe the chase for seventh: the best of the rest.
On Saturday, eighth-placed Watford host seventh-placed Wolves with a point separating the two surprise packages of the season. For Wolves, it’s a chance for revenge after their devastating 3-2 loss against Watford in the semi-finals of the FA Cup three weeks ago, where they blew a 2-0 lead. For Watford, it’d be perfect preparation for the final itself if they could snatch seventh at the final hurdle.
Two teams who have impressed throughout this season, and have no reason not to go hell for leather. This one could be the match of the weekend.
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