The Premier League season continues apace this weekend, with several enticing fixtures scheduled to take place over the next few days.
Numerous issues are still to be determined at both ends of the table, placing even more importance on the latest round of fixtures. Read on as we look at what’s on the agenda on Matchday 34, before previewing some of the key encounters as the season enters the final weeks.
Bournemouth vs Chelsea Manchester City vs Leeds United Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Aston Villa Liverpool vs Brentford
Newcastle United vs Arsenal West Ham United vs Manchester United
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Everton Fulham vs Leicester City Nottingham Forest vs Southampton
Manchester City’s 3-0 victory over West Ham United in midweek moved them one point ahead of Arsenal at the top of the table with a game in hand.
They are now long odds-on to win the title for the fifth time in six years and it would be unwise to back against them achieving the feat.
The top betting apps rate them as overwhelming favourites to beat Leeds United on Saturday and extend their unbeaten run to 20 games in all competitions.
The Yorkshire side are embroiled in a relegation battle, but will hope that newly appointed manager Sam Allardyce can spark a revival in their fortunes.
However, Man City are the highest scorers in the Premier League and should have little difficulty breaching the worst defence in the top flight.
Elsewhere on Saturday, three teams involved in the race to finish in the top six are all in action and will fancy their chances of picking up three points.
Liverpool are currently fifth in the standings, five points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa with four games to play. They have won their last five league matches, but will not find things easy against a Brentford side that still harbours hopes of qualifying for Europe.
Tottenham could also find things tricky at home to Crystal Palace, while Villa have a potentially tough test at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
There are two games on Sunday, with the standout fixture seeing title hopefuls Arsenal travel to third-placed Newcastle United. The Gunners bounced back to form in midweek with an excellent performance against Chelsea, but may have their work cut out to repeat the feat at St James’ Park.
Newcastle have lost once at home this season and will be eager to cement their place in the top four with a victory over Michael Arteta’s side.
Manchester United visit West Ham United in the second game on Sunday with their sights set on hanging onto a Champions League qualification spot.
The Red Devils were pushed hard by Villa in midweek on their way to a 1-0 win, but should have too much class for the struggling Hammers.
The remaining three fixtures on Monday all feature teams struggling to avoid relegation into the Championship at the end of the season.
Everton will desperate to improve their dismal away form at Brighton, while Leicester City face a tough trip to Fulham. Nottingham Forest versus Southampton is the final game of the day and could go a long way in determining which of them drops into the second tier.
