LONDON | Xinhua | There is a potentially decisive game in the Premier League on Sunday as league leaders Liverpool travel to play Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool travel to north London in fine form, despite the recent news of Jurgen Klopp’s departure at the end of the season, and with a five-point lead over third-placed Arsenal.
A repeat of Liverpool’s FA Cup win at Arsenal’s home ground would lift them eight points clear of Mikel Arteta’s side and probably end Arsenal’s title hopes, while a home win would put the Gunners right back into the title race.
Liverpool were very impressive in their midweek demolition of Chelsea, while Arsenal controlled their 2-1 win away to Nottingham Forest, and neither have any major injury worries ahead of Sunday’s game.
Midweek games always test squad depth and much could depend on how Arteta and Klopp manage their squad rotations ahead of a game that could define the season.
Second-placed Manchester City don’t play until Monday night, and Pep Guardiola’s men – who have Erling Haaland fit again – have a potentially tricky visit to Brentford, where the return of Ivan Toney has given new vigor to the Brentford attack, despite their narrow midweek defeat to Tottenham.
Tottenham returned to the top four with that 3-2 win, while Saturday’s rivals Everton dropped back into the relegation zone despite a creditable 0-0 draw at Fulham.
The return of James Maddison has boosted Spurs’ creativity in the final third, and they are likely to put Everton on the back foot in their midday visit to Goodison Park.
Idrissa Gueye, Seamus Coleman and Abdoulaye Doucoure all have a chance of taking part, as Everton need to be at their defensive best to take anything from the game.
Luton’s thrashing of Brighton lifted them out of the bottom three in midweek, but they now have a difficult visit to a resurgent Newcastle, although the home side could be without the influential Alexander Isak for Saturday’s game.
Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson saved his job – at least for the moment – with a midweek win at home to Sheffield United, but his team now have a short visit to play traditional rivals Brighton. Hodgson could give a start to new signing Adam Wharton, but needs a result against a rival no doubt smarting after conceding four at Luton.
Burnley desperately need a win from their home game against a resilient Fulham, otherwise they run the risk of being cut adrift at the bottom along with a Sheffield United team that seems to offer Aston Villa the perfect chance to bounce back after defeat to Newcastle.
Manchester United entertain West Ham on the back of their 4-3 win at Wolves on Thursday night. That win showed that United can still be a major threat in attack, but once again showed their defensive tendency to dissolve into chaos, and they are the only side in the top half with a negative goal difference.
Wolves’ defeat to United ended a run of 10 unbeaten games, but Gary O’Neil’s side again showed the virtues that mean they have a good chance of taking something from their visit to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea lost 2-1 away to Wolves in December, and although Christopher Nkunku certainly offers it more in attack, they will have to work hard to score against Wolves, while their defense continues to look vulnerable.
Sunday’s third match sees Bournemouth at home to Nottingham Forest, who have slipped close to danger after consecutive defeats.
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