The 30th game of the season. Just eight more games to go. It promises to be some finale to what has been an extraordinary season so far.
Crystal Palace vs Brighton
Selhurst Park, London
Crystal Palace and Brighton kick off the weekend’s fixtures at Selhurst Park in what proves to be an enthralling encounter for both sets of fans.
Both clubs have been struggling of late with three points and two places separating the two sides on the Premier League table.
Crystal Palace lie just above Brighton, who have a game in hand on their South London rivals.
It has been a hit-and-miss season for both clubs. Both Palace and Brighton have had three wins from their last five games, but consistency has been lacking for both sides.
Palace are without Mamadou Sakho (knee injury) and Connor Wickham (out due to a knock), While Brighton are without key midfielder Pascal Gross (hamstring injury).
Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha has hit top form recently, and has scored five goals in his last nine appearances against the Seagulls. Against no side has he scored more.
Brighton will be looking to get consecutive victories for just the second time this season but will face a tough task against Zaha and co. Whatever the result, Selhurst Park never fails to deliver.
Cardiff City vs West Ham
Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
Struggling Cardiff take on a resurgent West Ham in a bid to beat the drop in Wales on Saturday afternoon.
Cardiff have lost their last three league games and have shipped in 10 goals in the process.
Neil Warnock must fix things up as the Premier League moves to its business end.
The Bluebirds sit 18th, two points adrift from safety. To make matters worse, club captain Sol Bamba has picked up a knee injury which will keep him out for the remainder of the season.
Ninth placed West Ham have won their last seven meetings with Cardiff in all competitions. Manuel Pellegrini’s side have performed impressively the last few games but have been dismal away from home losing seven times in the process.
Declan Rice has been a key cog of West Ham’s recent resurgence and the Hammers fans will hope that his rich vein of form will continue if they are to ascend the table to a respectable finish.
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Huddersfield vs Bournemouth
John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield
Rock-bottom Huddersfield host 12th-place Bournemouth at the John Smith’s Stadium in a must-win game for the Terriers.
Jan Siewert has failed to rally a faltering Huddersfield side who have been pathetic at times this season and boast just one win out of the last five games.
They lie 12 points from safety and need all points on board from the last 10 games.
Bournemouth are going through a rough patch of their own, losing four times and drawing once in their last five games.
Despite a profound win over Chelsea, Eddie Howe’s men have suffered greatly due to defensive issues.
The Cherries will hope that the Huddersfield game finally stops the rot. For Huddersfield, every game is a cup final.
Leicester vs Fulham
King Power Stadium, Leicester
The start to Brendan Rodgers Era didn’t go according to plan the last time out for the Foxes at Vicarage Road, but this time Rodgers can hope that his side can bring in the three points.
They face second from bottom Fulham who sacked their second manager this season in the form of Claudio Ranieri and replaced him with caretaker manager Scott Parker in order to shuffle things up.
Two new managers go head-to-head, and both will be hoping to take away the spoils after disappointing starts to their reigns.
11th-place Leicester have been on a torrid run, losing four of their past five games, only eclipsed by Fulham, who have lost all five.
Leicester striker Jamie Vardy is on 99 goals in all competitions for the club, and one more would make him the seventh Foxes player to reach the 100-goal milestone for the club.
Newcastle vs Everton
St. James' Park, Newcastle
Newcastle United fans have had much to cheer for recently with record-signing Miguel Almiron and summer acquisition Fabian Schar having played a large part in revitalising the Magpies.
A couple of wins was followed by defeat to West Ham last time out and Newcastle would like to bounce back versus the Toffees.
Newcastle have won only one of their last 12 meetings with Everton in the Premier League.
Players and fans alike have petitioned the club to sort out Rafa Benitez’s future immediately.
Newcastle confirmed that midfielder Sean Longstaff would be out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Everton held title-chasing Liverpool at home last time out and they would like to take this confidence to Tyneside.
Having worked on their defensive shape, Everton are looking less frail at the back and this has shown in the last two results.
A win would relieve the pressure off Marco Silva’s shoulders. Forward Richarlison has also been put under intense scrutiny and this may be the perfect game for him to regain his prior season form. The fans are in for a tactical cracker.
Southampton vs Spurs
St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton
Third-place Tottenham Hotspur are looking for a first victory in four Premier League matches as they visit Southampton, who are targeting a second win in three games and a bigger buffer above the relegation zone.
Spurs ensured progression to the Champions League quarter-finals by comfortably beating Dortmund home and away, and a trip to Southampton may help trigger their faltering Premier League charge.
Harry Kane has scored in his last four PL meetings with Southampton, netting six goals. He has also scored goals in his last three matches at St Mary’s.
Meanwhile, the Saints have played well in recent outings but have struggled defensively, often giving up points from winning positions (20 points, no team has given up more).
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has been banned from the St. Mary’s dugout for his improper conduct towards match officials following the defeat against Burnley.
Manchester City vs Watford
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Manchester City moved back to the summit of the Premier League after Liverpool’s draw against Everton.
City played Bournemouth, who were completely dominated and outplayed by the champions.
They host Watford, who have won three of their last four PL matches, as many as they had in their previous 15.
City aim to make it six Premier League victories in a row at the Etihad, where they have dropped only three points all season.
They will be without Fernandinho (groin injury), Aymeric Laporte and Kevin Debruyne (hamstring injuries).
They aim to retain top spot ahead of Liverpool’s game to Burnley. Watford have hit a rich vein of form, barring the temporary blip at Anfield.
Javi Gracia’s men will be wary of City’s outstanding quality and would look to avoid any defensive slip-ups.
Only Sergio Aguero (10) has been directly involved in more PL goals in 2019 than Watford’s Troy Deeney, who has scored five times and provided three assists.
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Liverpool vs Burnley
Anfield, Liverpool
Sunday’s games kick off with Liverpool hosting the Clarets at Anfield as they look to return to winning ways.
Burnley will look to avoid its third consecutive Premier League loss. Liverpool have won nine of their last 11 home matches against Burnley in all competitions, drawing the other two, since a 1-0 loss in September 1974.
Jürgen Klopp’s men drew against Everton, giving away their slender one-point lead at the top to Manchester City.
Burnley can be a tricky opponent on their day but Sean Dyche’s team have been slipping up in recent games.
Liverpool have been unbeaten at home all season and would hope to keep that record intact if they are to compete for the title.
Burnley lie 16th and require all the points they can gather to play in the English top-flight next season.
Chelsea vs Wolves
Stamford Bridge, London
Chelsea are targeting their third consecutive Premier League victory as they aim to solidify their hold on a top four position.
Having beaten Tottenham and Fulham in their last two games, Chelsea are riding high despite the Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City.
Maurizio Sarri’s men have just lost once at home all season but will be wary of the Wolves attacking threat.
Wolves will be looking at do a league double over Chelsea for the first time since 1974-1975.
However, they are without Ryan Bennett who is suspended.
Raul Jimenez is the visitors' top scorer with 11 goals in his debut season in the Premier League. The most goals in a single campaign (PL) by a Wolves player is 12.
Despite the pressure on Sarri being relieved in recent weeks, a top four finish is vital for the club and the manager’s future.
Arsenal vs Manchester United
Emirates Stadium, London
The highlight of the weekend’s fixtures sees Manchester United travel to Arsenal in a toe-to-toe encounter that could determine the top four race.
Arsenal lie fifth, a point and place behind Manchester United. United will be buoyed by the historic win in Paris during their midweek Champions League exertions.
Arsenal too have Europa league distractions, but all the focus will be on this fixture.
United have an illustrious injury list with nine key senior players injured. This may lead Ole Gunnar Solskjǣr keeping faith in youngsters.
Romelu Lukaku is a man revived in recent weeks and will hope to replicate this form.
Arsenal are without midfielder Lucas Torreira, who picked up a suspension in last week’s North London derby.
Unai Emery has called out his players to give their all and make ‘no excuses’, despite the congested fixture list.
This proves to be a thrilling encounter and may well be a top four decider, as the season moves towards an exciting close.
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