Manchester City is marching towards lifting the Premier League title for the first time in four years but behind them are tense battles to qualify for next season’s Champions League and those fighting to avoid relegation.
Manchester United, Leicester and Chelsea are in a nice position to finish this season in the top four, but West Ham, Everton, Tottenham and Aston Villa all have outstanding matches to boost their challenge, while troubled champions Liverpool are still struggling.
At the bottom of the league table, Newcastle, Burnley, Brighton and Fulham are all separated by four points as they fight to avoid relegation as it looks Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion are destined for the Championship next season.
Here are three talking points to watch out for this weekend;
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Gareth Bale looks to be in-form:
Two weeks ago, winning the Europa League looks like the best route to Champion League football next season for both Arsenal and Tottenham, while that still remains the case for the Mikel Arteta’s lads, Gareth Bale’s recent performances has helped spurs back into top four contentions at the business end of the season.
Prior February 28, Bale had netted just once in the Premier League all season , but scored two consecutive braces against Burnley and Crystal Palace respectively for Jose Mourinho’s men.
Still five points behind Chelsea who occupy the last CL slot, although they have one game in hand over the blues, Tottenham can’t afford any dip in form for them to make sure a cup triumph won’t be what they will need to play CL football next season.
With the Welshman firing on all cylinders, he has formed a formidable partnership with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min. That has made Tottenham favourites in their north London derby at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday as seek to extend their 5 game unbeaten run.
Reborn Moyes back at Old Trafford
Despite beating Manchester City two nil to end their 21 game unbeaten run, Manchester United still trail behind the citizens in second with 14 points. So, the immediate target for the Red devils now is to secure the second position toward the end of the season.
Moving forward, United have a six-point lead over West Ham who are in fifth position, but the Hammers have a game in hand and can reduce that point gap at Old Trafford on Sunday.
David Moyes, after succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson as United manager, he lasted just 10 months in office before he was sacked.
But after further shambolic spells at Real Sociedad and Sunderland, Moyes has now taken West Ham to mount an unexpected top-four challenge.
Only City have won more points in 2021 than the hammers
Speaking ahead of his visit to his former club, Moyes said:
“I can’t promise anything but we will do our best to go there and get a result, that’s for sure,”
The amazing Jesse Lingard will not feature for Moyes’ men in the game because he is on loan from Manchester United.
City test for flying Fulham
Fulham’s fine form has made the likes of Brighton, Newcastle and Burnley nervously looking over their shoulders.
Scott Parker’s men secured a famous 1-0 win away to Liverpool last weekend at Anfield and have gone on to loose just once in their last seven games.
However, Fulham’s revival will be put to a stern test when run away League leaders Manchester City travel to Craven Cottage on Saturday, which could give the other strugglers a chance to gain some breathing space if Fulham loses.
According to the Guardian, Brighton host a Southampton side who have tested victory just once in their last 11 games, while Newcastle play Aston Villa, who will again struggle with the absence of exciting captain Jack Grealish.
Fixtures (all times GMT)
Friday
Newcastle v Aston Villa (2000)
Saturday
Leeds v Chelsea (1230), Crystal Palace v West Brom (1500), Everton v Burnley (1730), Fulham v Manchester City (2000)
Sunday
Southampton v Brighton (1200), Leicester v Sheffield United (1400), Arsenal v Tottenham (1630), Manchester United v West Ham (1915)
Monday
Wolves v Liverpool (2000)
