Tottenham hunt for redemption, Arsenal prepare for championship assault
Struggling Tottenham travel to Liverpool this Sunday in pursuit of redemption amid their growing battle to avoid the drop.
Arsenal could edge nearer to their initial Premier League championship in over two decades by defeating Everton, as Manchester United face Aston Villa in a pivotal encounter for Champions League spots.
AFP Sport examines three major discussion points before this weekend's fixtures:
Tottenham need to push harder to stay up
Facing the real risk of dropping to England's lower division for the first time since the 1977-78 season, Tottenham could scarcely have chosen a tougher location for their next effort to fend off demotion.
Should third-from-bottom West Ham overcome Manchester City on Saturday, Igor Tudor's team in 16th position will find themselves even nearer to disaster before taking on Liverpool at Anfield.
Having lost their previous six outings across all tournaments for the first time ever, Tottenham sit only one point above West Ham and fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest, who entertain Fulham on Sunday.
They suffered a crushing 5-2 loss against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last-16 opening match on Wednesday, a disastrous evening that saw Tudor replace goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky after merely 17 minutes following two errors that directly caused goals.
Tottenham's situation is so dire that the club informed supporters this week they could have "a prolonged timeframe" to choose whether to extend their season tickets owing to the "gravity of the present league standing".
With only nine matches remaining to rescue their status, Tottenham, who have not triumphed in their last 11 league outings, might have preferred to avoid Anfield, where they last prevailed in 2011.
"Everyone has put in maximum effort. Now it falls to us to strive a touch further and offer that extra push," said Tottenham's defender Kevin Danso.
"There are tough phases at times, and this is when we must demonstrate resolve."
Arsenal eye the championship closely
Only eight fixtures separate Arsenal from their ultimate prize, the first English title since Arsene Wenger's unbeaten squad claimed the Premier League in 2004.
The Gunners lead second-placed Manchester City by seven points and could widen that margin to 10 with victory over Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
City, possessing an extra match compared to Arsenal before this weekend, begin their game at West Ham about 30 minutes following the conclusion of the leaders' contest.
However, irrespective of City's performance in their final nine fixtures, Mikel Arteta's squad control their title fate after bouncing back from a two-match barren spell in February with three straight league successes.
City have faltered frequently to pose a strong threat, positioning quadruple-aspiring Arsenal just a reach away from glory following three consecutive second-place results.
Battle for top-four places
The victor in Manchester United's matchup against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday will advance significantly towards Champions League qualification.
United in third are level with fourth-placed Villa on goal difference, creating a crucial confrontation in the pursuit of a top-four conclusion.
Fifth position may also guarantee entry into Europe's top club tournament, yet United and Villa can dispel doubts by securing a top-four berth.
United enter the fixture aiming to recover from interim boss Michael Carrick's initial loss in seven outings under his tenure, a 2-1 setback at Newcastle.
Villa have faltered notably lately, securing just one victory in their past five league games, including a disheartening loss at league-bottom Wolves and a 4-1 drubbing by Chelsea.
Schedule:
Saturday (1500 GMT unless noted)
Burnley v Bournemouth, Sunderland v Brighton, Chelsea v Newcastle (1730), Arsenal v Everton (1730), West Ham v Manchester City (2000)
Sunday (1400 GMT unless noted)
Crystal Palace v Leeds, Manchester United v Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest v Fulham, Liverpool v Tottenham (1630)
Monday
Brentford v Wolves (2000)