A massive Manchester United will be desperate to inflict pain on Liverpool at Anfield as Arsenal look to go further than Manchester City in the Premier League title race this weekend.
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The Gunners are hot favorites to see off Bournemouth at the Emirates, while City face a Newcastle side hoping to shake off the bitter disappointment of their League Cup final defeat.
Tottenham will need to quickly withdraw from the FA Cup to maintain their lead over Newcastle and Liverpool in the race for a top four finish.
AFP Sport takes a look at some key points ahead of this weekend’s action in England’s top flight.
– United’s revenge mission –
Liverpool won both of their Premier League games against bitter rivals United last season by an aggregate score of 9-0.
However, the fortunes of both clubs have changed dramatically over the past 12 months.
Fresh from lifting the League Cup to end a six-year wait for a trophy, United’s run of one defeat in 22 matches leaves them chasing four trophies.
But with an 11-point gap to leaders Arsenal, anything short of a first victory at Anfield since 2016 for Erik ten Hag’s men could signal the end of their title challenge.
Liverpool, who lost against United at Old Trafford earlier this season, need points in their bid to finish in the top four.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are back in contention for a Champions League spot as they have picked up 10 points from their past four league games.
But in the midst of that run, the Reds’ shortcomings were brutally exposed in their 5-2 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League.
“I think Man United are a very good team, maybe along with Arsenal and City,” Klopp said after Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Wolves.
“When you face United at the weekend, whatever result you had before, you have to attack again or something, but now it has to be used for the general situation.
“We have to build performance and results and we are trying everything to make it happen.”
– Arsenal in form –
Arsenal’s bid for a first league title in 19 years appeared to be on shaky ground last month as they picked up just one point from three games, including a 3-1 home defeat to City.
But Mikel Arteta’s side responded in style with three straight wins to carve out a five-point lead at the top of the table.
“When you see them every day, you just feel what they want, how much they want to produce what they ask for and how much they want to please our people,” Arteta said after Everton were dispatched 4-0 on Wednesday.
“I have no doubt that we will change in terms of performances and results.”
More of the same will be expected from Arsenal against a relegation-threatened Bournemouth side.
City face a tougher test on paper with the visit of Newcastle, but there is nothing to fear from the champions in the Magpies’ form of late.
Newcastle have dropped out of the top four after winning just once in the Premier League in 2023 so far.
– Sorry to start Spurs’ big week –
Tottenham’s big week got off to the worst possible start as they lost their FA fifth round tie against Championship side Sheffield United.
Spurs, who have not won a trophy since 2008, need to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit when they host AC Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League next week.
But first they have a tough trip to Molineux to face a Wolves side who are also desperate for points to move back out of the relegation zone.
“Now, the FA Cup is gone. We have another chance, another competition, another game,” said Spurs assistant boss Cristian Stellini, who has deputized for Antonio Conte while he recovers from gall bladder surgery.
“This is football. You have to move on and find the same desire again.
Schedule (all times GMT)
saturday
Manchester City v Newcastle (1230), Arsenal v Bournemouth, Aston Villa v Crystal Palace, Brighton v West Ham, Chelsea v Leeds, Wolves v Tottenham (all 1500), Southampton v Leicester (1730)
Week
Nottingham Forest v Everton (1400), Liverpool v Manchester United (1630)
Monday
Brentford v Fulham (2000)