A THRILLING three-way chase for the English Premier League (EPL) title has now been whittled down to just two. Arsenal made a statement win with a thrashing of Chelsea in a one-sided London derby in midweek and topped the table.
Reigning champions Manchester City responded with an equally impressive mauling of Brighton and trailed the Gunners by a point, albeit with a game in hand. Liverpool’s implosion in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park pretty much extinguished their title challenge.
Focus M takes a look at the talking points from the weekend’s fixtures.
West Ham United v Liverpool (Sat, 7.30pm)
A season that promised so much is now fizzling out in an anti-climax for Liverpool. A month ago, Liverpool were challenging on all four fronts but are now resigned to sending off outgoing manager Jurgen Klopp with just one trophy. The German coach has established himself as an icon at Anfield and will regret that his swansong season did not yield more. He will have a massive job of rallying his deflated troops as they look to at least secure Champion’s League football for the new incoming manager – Arne Slot.
Fulham v Crystal Palace (Sat, 10pm)
Both sides are safely ensconced in mid-table, and this could mean the handbrakes might be off for this London derby. Marco Silva will be hoping to build a team that can take that extra step upward and qualify for continental competition. Today’s game will afford him a chance to really look at who stays and who goes in the transfer window for Fulham.
Oliver Glassner will have different problems as he attempts to hold onto Crystal Palace’s prized possessions – Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise. If fit to start, the dynamic duo can boost their values with a sterling performance as the big clubs begin to circle.
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (Sat, 10pm)
Sheffield United suffered a hugely damaging 8-0 reverse to the Magpies at Bramall Lane in September, signalling a long and arduous season for the Blades. Seemingly doomed with zero chance of escape, Chris Wilder and his men will be playing for pride and hoping there will be no repeat of that scoreline. Newcastle are in the hunt for a European spot and will show no mercy.
With striker Alexander Isak in his best form since arriving in England from Real Sociedad a couple of seasons ago, chances are the Blades will once again be put to the sword. If not quite 8-0, a heavy defeat for the Blades is very much on the cards.
Manchester United v Burnley (Sat, 10pm)
Back-to-back home games against relegation-threatened sides give Manchester United the chance to climb the table and secure European football for next season. Having beaten Sheffield United 4-2 in midweek, Erik ten Hag will be looking to secure maximum points against Vincent Kompany’s men.
However, Burnley retains a slim hope of survival and can be expected to throw the kitchen sink and more to gain unlikely points at Old Trafford. Kompany will have highlighted the Red Devil’s defensive shortcomings and hope his players have enough to at least ask some questions.
Everton v Brentford (Sun, 12.30am)
Buoyed by a timely win against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby, the Toffees have climbed clear of the drop zone. One more win should do it, and Sean Dyche will be hoping for a similarly spirited display from his men when they claim the massive three points from their bitter city rivals in midweek.
Brentford as always will be no pushovers and will want a strong finish to their injury-blighted season that saw them flirt with relegation as well, if only briefly. Thomas Frank will feel this is a good opportunity to take stock and plan for next season, especially with striker Ivan Toney’s much-touted big-money move away from Brentford.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Luton Town (Sat, 10pm)
Things are looking desperate for Rob Edwards and his Luton side who are now second from bottom. This is a must-win game if they are to harbour any hope of survival.
With teams just above them facing tough ties this weekend, Luton must make these games count. The Wolves retain a slim hope of European competition and are not yet in summer holiday mode. Gary O’Neil will want his players to take the pain of a midweek defeat to Bournemouth amid more VAR controversy to spur them to a home win.
Against a side that has conceded the most away goals in the division, Wolves have a great chance to add to their points tally.
Aston Villa v Chelsea (Sun, 3am)
Chelsea are a mess. No disguising it. From players squabbling over penalty duties to being thrashed 5-0 by Arsenal in midweek, Mauricio Pochettino has too many issues to overcome before this motley crew of expensively assembled players shows any sort of consistency or form. Chelsea supporters can be forgiven for looking on enviously at the steady improvements Aston Villa have made under Unai Emery.
The Spaniard must be given much credit for getting Villa to the semis of the Conference Cup and also challenging for a spot in next season’s Champions League. Another deflating defeat looks inevitable for the Londoners.
Bournemouth v Brighton & Hove Albion (Sun, 10pm)
With the speculation over Roberto DE Zerbi’s future quietening down a bit, supporters of the Seagulls will be hoping the Italian can focus on the job at hand rather than cast glances at the possible managerial vacancies opening up elsewhere. De Zerbi was said to be in the running for the hot seat at Anfield and is also being linked to Chelsea and Manchester United, should the current managers be relieved sooner rather than later. But a string of poor results lately may have put off potential suitors, though in his defence, Brighton have been hampered by a number of injuries.
Much will depend on Brighton’s ambitions—do they want to be regularly competing in the top half of the table or are they content being a selling club? That will probably be key to De Zerbi staying or leaving the Amex Stadium at the end of the season.
Tottenham Hotspurs v Arsenal (Sun, 10pm)
The big game of the weekend is as the visitors attempt to keep the momentum going in the title challenge. Having comfortably beaten Chelsea in midweek, Mikael Arteta’s Gunners are in great form and have almost a fully fit squad. Spurs are in a heated battle for the fourth spot with Villa and will be desperate to claim all three points, making this edition of the North London derby loaded with significance.
Could Spurs, like Everton in midweek, be the derby opponents that derail yet another Tam’s title bid? Even a draw could prove fatal for the Gunners.
Nottingham Forest v Manchester City (Mon, 1230am)
The ease with which Manchester City brushed past Brighton in midweek was an ominous warning that the reigning champions were reaching their usual end-of-season peak. Pep Guardiola famously preps his squad to peak at this point of the season, and despite the draining loss to Real Madrid in Europe, they look very much favourites to win their fourth consecutive title.
Phil Fodden is being touted as ‘Player of the Season’ with his eye-catching displays that have made City so irresistible thus far. Forest are in the thick of a relegation scrap and will be desperate to pull off something against the form side. – April 27, 2024
All photos credited to The Guardian.
