By Sam McGuire
However what precisely must occur and what can we stay up for this weekend? Right here’s your preview for Matchday 34.
Champions League aspirations for Chelsea
The Blues host Everton on Saturday afternoon realizing a win would see them leapfrog Newcastle United in fifth. It could transfer them to degree on factors with fourth-place Nottingham Forest too, and only a level behind third-placed Manchester Metropolis.
This can be a massive recreation for Chelsea. They’re at house too, so there’s much more stress on Enzo Maresca and his gamers.
They scored a final minute winner of their final outing towards Fulham. Pedro Neto was the hero for the Blues. Chelsea have been respectable at house this time period and have the joint-fifth finest file within the Premier League having taken 32 factors from 16 video games. Solely Aston Villa (34), Manchester Metropolis (36), Arsenal (36) and Liverpool (41) have taken extra.
In the meantime, Everton have a poor away file with simply 18 factors from 16 matches on the street. They don’t have anything to play for both, so, in all honesty, this needs to be a routine win for Chelsea in the event that they’re hoping to be taking part in Champions League soccer subsequent season. It must be a win if Maresca goes to maintain his job at Stamford Bridge.
The return of Potter
Brighton and West Ham are two of the worst groups within the Premier League on present kind.
Solely Leicester Metropolis (one) have taken fewer factors than Brighton (two), whereas West Ham have racked up simply three factors throughout this run.
In truth, West Ham haven’t gained a Premier League recreation since February. Brighton’s six-match profitable streak led to March and so they’re now winless in six. Regardless of their poor kind, the Seagulls discover themselves tenth within the English top-flight. They may very well be as excessive as eighth or as little as twelfth this weekend, relying on outcomes. They’re in mid-table limbo.
The Hammers, now managed by former Brighton boss Graham Potter, are nonetheless not mathematically protected. They’re 15 factors away from Ipswich City with 5 video games to play. Some extent right here ensures them Premier League soccer subsequent time period. They’re going to be in search of a constructive efficiency beneath Potter, and he’ll be wanting a constructive displaying at his former house.
Can the Magpies get well?
Newcastle United had been one of many kind groups within the Premier League heading into final weekend’s conflict with Aston Villa. They’d gatecrashed the highest three and regarded a shoo-in for Champions League soccer.
Villa then dismantled the Magpies at Villa Park, romping to a 4-1 win to carry Newcastle again all the way down to earth with a bump. The Carabao Cup winners are nonetheless fifth within the desk however issues at the moment are wanting much more tough for them. If Chelsea win the early kick-off, Newcastle begin this recreation in sixth place.
They should get to profitable methods if St James’ Park goes to host Champions League soccer subsequent time period. They should get again to profitable methods to make sure Alexander Isak stays with the membership.
This weekend, they face an Ipswich City group hanging onto their Premier League standing by a thread. Even when the Tractor Boys win, they might nonetheless be relegated. They want West Ham to lose to Brighton and most factors right here to delay their stint within the top-flight by an additional week.
20 instances for Liverpool
One level. That’s all Liverpool want on Sunday to be topped champions of England for a twentieth time. Regardless of all the discuss that the Reds are stumbling over the road, Arne Slot’s males have taken 12 factors from the final 15 on supply. They’re grinding out outcomes, preserving clear sheets and, most significantly, profitable video games.
They face an out-of-sorts Spurs facet who may properly end the season in seventeenth place. The Reds have scored 10 objectives in three outings towards Ange Postecoglou’s facet this time period and Liverpool shall be buoyed by a house crowd that can little question be in a temper to have fun.
If the gamers need to win this title in fashion, this may very well be the sport to do it towards a Tottenham group wanting somewhat worse for put on. Additionally they have eyes on the Europa League semi-final conflict.
This needs to be a formality for Liverpool. To do it in entrance of house followers is a large incentive.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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