This weekend could be a decisive one for a number of Premier League teams. If results go their way, Liverpool could all but guarantee themselves the title. If the Reds beat West Ham and Arsenal drop points to Brentford, the gap at the top could reach 14 points with just 18 points remaining.
By Sam McGuire
Meanwhile, defeat for Ipswich Town this weekend all but brings their stint in the English top-flight to an end. The same fate awaits Leicester City too. It feels like a matter of when and not if the Foxes will return to the Championship.
Here’s the potential big talking points across the Premier League this weekend as Matchday 32 kicks off at the Etihad.
What is going on with Manchester City?
With just seven games left to play, Manchester City find themselves in sixth position in the Premier League. Pep Guardiola’s side are 21 points off the pace and without two-time Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland for the foreseeable future with an ankle issue.
The reigning champions can move into the Champions League places with a win over Crystal Palace in the early kick off on Saturday afternoon. They would’ve been in possession of fourth place had they managed to defeat United in the Manchester derby last weekend. They could only manage a draw though and that is why they find themselves as the hunter rather than the hunted.
Omar Marmoush will likely continue to lead the line for City but the player to watch could well be Savinho. The Brazilian winger is second to Haaland for goal involvements for Guardiola’s men this term and he’s on eight assists for the season, a total that only seven players in the English top-flight can better.
It won’t be a routine win for City though. Palace are one of the form teams in England right now. They have won eight of their last 10 outings across all competitions and have suffered just one loss since February. A win for Oliver Glasner’s side would move them to within six points of their hosts.
The Eagles are soaring and they could well be a genuine threat to Man City’s hopes of a top four finish this season. This early kick-off has the potential to be one of the best games of the weekend.
Mikel Arteta’s gamble
Mikel Arteta’s line-up will be interesting this weekend. Arsenal take on Brentford in the late kick-off on Saturday knowing a win could move them to within eight points of league leaders Liverpool. It prolongs the title race. It keeps them in the mix ahead of the clash between the two sides in early May.
Right now, that is the aim for the Gunners. Keep this title race alive for as long as possible.
So while Arsenal could go strong against the Bees to heap pressure on Liverpool following their 3-2 loss to Fulham last time out, Arteta is going to have one eye on the Champions League, isn’t he?
His side have a 3-0 lead over Real Madrid after putting on a masterclass at the Emirates on Tuesday evening. That game should be as good as over but you can never discount Madrid in the Champions League. Arsenal will need to be professional in that game.
So, does Arteta rest key players for the game at the Emirates, possibly waving the white flag in the title race in a bid to secure a Champions League semi-final berth? Or does he go strong and see where it gets him?
Does he put all of his eggs in the Champions League basket or back his players to win a historic European and Premier League double?
His starting XI selection on Saturday will give us some insight into that.
An audition for Liam Delap
Ipswich travel to Chelsea on Sunday. A loss for the Tractor Boys all but guarantees relegation. A win for Chelsea might lift them into the top four. A goal for Liam Delap could secure a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
There’s a lot to unpack here.
Ipswich lost the six-pointer against Wolves last weekend and are now 12 points off the pace in the race for Premier League survival. Defeat here could leave them 15 points behind Wolves with just 18 points left up for grabs. This is almost the last chance saloon for the Suffolk side.
For Chelsea, it is an opportunity to keep control of their destiny in the Premier League. The Blues haven’t been at their best since the turn of the year but, remarkably, they are still in contention for a top four finish. If they want Champions League football, a win against relegation contenders needs to be a formality.
Kieran McKenna’s side might not be playing in the top tier of English football next season but Delap will likely be. The centre-forward has been a revelation this term and is being chased by a host of top clubs. According to reports, Enzo Maresca is hoping to leverage his existing relationship with the 22-year-old from their time together at Man City, to convince him to join his project at Stamford Bridge.
A good showing here would go a long way to convincing the bosses at Chelsea that he’s the man to spearhead their attack next season.
Lots at stake on Sunday, and not just three points.
The champions elect
Liverpool have looked a little off it over recent weeks.
They lost to Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United prior to the international break before having to eke out a 1-0 win over Everton in the Merseyside derby. The Reds then lost to Fulham at Craven Cottage, their first league defeat since September, and people are wondering whether this team have the mentality, and the legs, to get this title over the line.
The Reds have a big buffer of 11 points with just 21 points left to play for. However, ahead of kick-off, that gap could be eight points and Arne Slot’s side still have to face Arsenal and Champions League chasing Chelsea in the final few weeks of the season. Things could get a bit dicey if they don’t start putting together convincing performances while racking up wins to keep Arsenal at arm’s length.
On Sunday, they host an inconsistent West Ham United side currently in purgatory. They can’t be relegated and they aren’t going to finish in a European spot. They’re just seeing out the season. It should be an easy three points if Liverpool are serious about this Premier League title.
If they don’t get the job done, the narrative around this team would quickly change.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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