Arsenal will face a stern test of their Premier League title credentials against Manchester United this weekend as Liverpool and Chelsea clash with two clubs desperate to avoid mid-table obscurity.
At the bottom, Frank Lampard takes Everton to face David Moyes’ West Ham, with both managers under intense pressure as the relegation trap door looms.
Here’s a look at some of the key points of discussion before we get into action.
Arsenal’s title charge
Arsenal vs Manchester United used to be the match that defined the Premier League, pitting Arsene Wenger against Alex Ferguson in a rivalry for the ages.
The game has fallen to a sideline in recent years but there is a growing sense that Arsenal could end a wait of nearly two decades to become English champions, while United are a rising force under Erik ten Haag.
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Mikel Arteta’s young team are now clear favorites to claim Arsenal’s first Premier League crown since the 2004 “Invincibles”.
The Gunners have more points than ever at this stage of the league season and are benefiting from the stumbles of their underdogs, particularly the inconsistency of champions Manchester City.
Apart from a game against United and a match against City in February, Arsenal’s league fixtures over the next two months look good.
Nevertheless, Arteta believes a successful title clash will “demand almost perfection”.
Eight points behind Arsenal, Ten Haag’s men travel to the Emirates Stadium without suspended midfielder Casemiro after Brazil were booked in a disappointing midweek draw at Crystal Palace.
Liverpool, Chelsea too – in the battle of the kings
After nearly two decades of battling for silverware, Liverpool and Chelsea’s shocking decline will unravel when they meet at Anfield on Saturday.
Last season, Liverpool were within sight of an unprecedented quadruple, while Chelsea were FIFA club winners World cup.
Liverpool finished second in the Premier League and Chelsea third, with the Reds defeating the Blues in both the FA Cup and League Cup finals.
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Those battles will seem like a distant memory this weekend as ninth-placed Liverpool host 10th-placed Chelsea.
Both still lose hope of a top-four finish, but Jurgen Klopp’s side and Graham Potter’s side are finding it tough to enter the race for Champions League qualification due to injuries.
Klopp has achieved much during his long reign to largely keep critics away, but Chelsea’s Potter has been volatile just four months after replacing the sacked Thomas Tuchel.
Despite spending heavily under the club’s new owners, Chelsea had lost seven of their last 10 games in all competitions before a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace last weekend.
Potter can give debut ukraine Winger Mykhailo Mudric has tried to find the magic formula since his £88 million ($108 million) transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Lampard, Moyes on loan Everton manager Frank Lampard and West Ham boss David Moyes are fast running out of time in their crunch clash.
Either team could be bottom of the Premier League table on Saturday depending on Southampton’s result against Aston Villa, and neither will approach the game in London with much confidence.
West Ham have taken just one point from their last seven league games and Everton have one point from a possible 18.
There have been rumors this week that Moyes is likely to be sacked if he loses games.
But the Hammers finished seventh last season, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League, and Moyes pleaded for loyalty from fans.
“What we have given to the West Ham supporters over the years, I hope they can give back to us,” he said.
Former Chelsea boss Lampard, for his part, has said he would not “cry” under the pressure he is under.
Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)
Saturday: Liverpool v Chelsea (1230), Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest, Leicester v Brighton, Southampton v Aston Villa, West Ham v Everton, Crystal Palace v Newcastle (1730)
sunday: Leeds v Brentford, Manchester City v Wolves (both 1400), Arsenal v Manchester Untied (1630)
monday: Fulham vs Tottenham (2000)
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)