The tale at both ends of the Premier League table are there to behold and this weekend, a new twist could be presented taking into account the nature of games on the roster. Over in Manchester, United will be poised to get their quest for a top-four place back on track when they host Antonio Conte's Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are yet to hit a consistent form in all competitions this term and will go into Saturday's late kick-off game on the back of an embarrassing 4-1 defeat to Manchester City in last weekend's derby. For Spurs, the game should present them with the opportunity to add to their recent big wins of Leeds United and Everton as they aim to keep pressure on the Old Trafford outfit in the race for a Champions League place.
In terms of the title race, Liverpool will look to pile pressure on leaders Manchester City when they travel to the AMEX Community Stadium to take on Brighton & Hove Albion. The Reds are currently six points behind the Citizens with a game in hand and will look to extend their unbeaten run of games in the league to eight by avoiding defeat. On the other hand, the host will target their first win in five outings after falling short in their last four outings against Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Burnley, and Manchester United.
Third-placed Chelsea will look to put their off-the-pitch crisis behind them when they return to Stamford Bridge for this weekend's outing. The Blues are expected to host in-form Newcastle United hours after the UK government freezed all the club's account as part of sanctions against its Russian owner Roman Abramovich. Relatively, the Magpies will be eager to add more insult to the injury of the of the London club by extending their unbeaten run in the league to nine. The St James' outfit are currently on a five-game winning run.
West Ham's bid for a Champions League place is still alive and the Hammers will keep the momentum going by targeting a win when they host Aston Villa. David Moyes' men have been playing some of their finest football in recent years this season but will approach the match on the back of a three-game losing run. On the opposite side, Villa will have their eyes set on a four consecutive Premier League win when they travel to London Stadium. Under Steven Gerrard, the clarets have been reborn and are well within range of finishing the league with a Europa League or Conference League qualification ticket.
High-flying Arsenal are set to welcome Leicester City to the Emirates as their bid for a top four place grows with each passing gamewek. With Mikel Arteta retaining belief in their youthful set-up, the Gunners have managed to turn their season around, and even with three matches in hand, sit a point ahead of Manchester United in fourth. Against the Foxes, the North London club will be aiming to secure its fifth successive league win, while the former also chases the same feat.
League standings ahead of Matchday 29 games in the Premier League
| Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester City | 32 | 22 | 7 | 3 | 76 | 32 | +44 | 73 | WWWDD | |
| 2 | Arsenal | 32 | 22 | 5 | 5 | 75 | 26 | +49 | 71 | LWWDW | |
| 3 | Liverpool | 32 | 21 | 8 | 3 | 72 | 31 | +41 | 71 | LDWWD | |
| 4 | Aston Villa | 33 | 19 | 6 | 8 | 68 | 49 | +19 | 63 | WDLWD | |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 32 | 18 | 6 | 8 | 65 | 49 | +16 | 60 | LWDWL | |
| 6 | Newcastle United | 32 | 15 | 5 | 12 | 69 | 52 | +17 | 50 | WWDWL | |
| 7 | Manchester United | 32 | 15 | 5 | 12 | 47 | 48 | -1 | 50 | DDLDW | |
| 8 | West Ham United | 33 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 52 | 58 | -6 | 48 | LWDLD | |
| 9 | Chelsea | 31 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 61 | 52 | +9 | 47 | WDWDW | |
| 10 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 32 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 52 | 50 | +2 | 44 | DLDLW | |
| 11 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 32 | 12 | 7 | 13 | 46 | 51 | -5 | 43 | DLDLW | |
| 12 | Fulham | 33 | 12 | 6 | 15 | 49 | 51 | -2 | 42 | WLLDW | |
| 13 | AFC Bournemouth | 32 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 47 | 57 | -10 | 42 | DLWWW | |
| 14 | Crystal Palace | 32 | 8 | 9 | 15 | 37 | 54 | -17 | 33 | WLLDD | |
| 15 | Brentford | 33 | 8 | 8 | 17 | 47 | 58 | -11 | 32 | WDDDL | |
| 16 | Everton | 32 | 9 | 8 | 15 | 32 | 48 | -16 | 27 | LWDLL | |
| 17 | Nottingham Forest | 33 | 7 | 9 | 17 | 42 | 58 | -16 | 26 | DLWDD | |
| 18 | Luton Town | 33 | 6 | 7 | 20 | 46 | 70 | -24 | 25 | LWLLD | |
| 19 | Burnley | 33 | 4 | 8 | 21 | 33 | 68 | -35 | 20 | DLDDW | |
| 20 | Sheffield United | 32 | 3 | 7 | 22 | 30 | 84 | -54 | 16 | LDLDD |
Who's out for Matchday 29 in the Premier League?
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Chelsea: Cesar Azpilicueta (illness), Christiano Pulisic (illness), Reece James (muscle injury), Callum Hudson-Odoi (muscle injury)
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Leicester City: Jamie Vardy (knee injury), Wesley Fofana (COVID-19), Ricardo Pereira (hamstring), Timothy Castagne (thigh injury), Ryan Bertrand (kne injury)
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Liverpool: Ibrahima Konate (knock), Man City Ruben Dias (hamstring), Nathan Ake (hamstring), Zack Steffen (back injury), Benjamin Mendy (suspended)
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Manchester United: Scott McTominay (calf injury), Luke Shaw (COVID-19), Mason Greenwood (suspended)
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Tottenham Hotspur: Ryan Sessegnon (muscle injury) Oliver Skipp (groin injury) Japhet Tanganga (knee injury).
