Premier League: Top 4, relegation battles heighten

Premier League: Top 4, relegation battles heighten

By Laolu Olugbenga

Liverpool will aim to end their season in the best way possible when they host Crystal Palace at Anfield. The Reds’ chances of qualifying for the Champions League took a dive when they drew 1-1 with Chelsea, leaving them six points behind Manchester United with two games remaining. And even if United were to lose their last two games, Liverpool will have to overturn United’s +14 goal difference to stand a chance. It will be Steven Gerrard’s final home game for the Reds as he prepares for life in the MLS.

Palace will feel they were unlucky in their defeat to Man United. Two indescribable saves from De Gea halted them from taking the lead, but they will take some consolation from their performance. They are yet to win in four games, however, and they will hope to end that against the Reds.

Tottenham will be desperate to put in a good showing against Hull City at White Hart Lane. The Lilywhites were thumped 3-0 by Stoke to snuff out any Champions League hopes, and now a positive response is needed. Hull lie in the relegation zone two points adrift of Newcastle. They will need to win to keep their survival hopes alive.

West Ham and Everton will battle it out at Upton Park as the season inches to a close. Both sides are safe in the middle of the pack. So, it is expected to be a stress-free encounter.

Southampton were last week stunned by Leicester. The Saints hovered at the top four at the dawn of the season until they were crowded out by the traditional occupiers of the summit. They are facing a spirited Aston Villa side this weekend at St. Mary’s Stadium.

It will be a relegation slugfest when an in-form Leicester travel to face a resurgent Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. They risk seeing the dark side of their hosts if they take things lightly.

Newcastle will be just two points above the relegation zone, and that will need to up the ante when they go to an already relegated QPR at Loftus Road.

Another relegated side in Burnley will look to end their season on a high when they face Stoke at Turf Moor.

On Sunday, a lot more than pride will be at stake when Arsenal lock horns with Manchester United at Old Trafford. The race for 3rd position has been blown wide open thanks to Arsenal’s 1-0 humiliation to Swansea at the Emirates of all venues. Over the years, Arsenal have struggled against the Red Devils. They did, however, manage to knock them out of the FA Cup, a feat that should give Wenger and his men some much needed confidence. The Gunners are assessing the fitness of Danny Welbeck ahead of the game and if fit, could start against his old club.

United on the other hand returned to winning ways by beating Crystal Palace 2-1 to end a three-game losing streak. The win guarantees them a top four finish, but the prospect of picking up automatic Champions League qualification will sound good to Van Gaal. He also has a good record against the big sides in the League, losing to only Chelsea and Manchester City. Only Jose Mourinho boasts of a better record. Wayne Rooney loves playing against Arsenal and he will be fit despite sustaining a dead leg against Palace. Van Persie will be available as well as Chris Smalling, while Luke Shaw is a doubt.



Manchester City will be given a run for their money when they make the trip to the Liberty Stadium to take on Swansea. Having been on a miserable run of form, the Citizens continued their return to form with a 6-0 thrashing of QPR. Hat trick hero Sergio Aguero took his goal tally to 25 goals, putting him firmly in the race for the golden boot. Swansea ended Arsenal’s nine-match winning run with an impressive 1-0 win at the Emirates Stadium. The win puts Swansea in Europa League contention as they are just two points behind 6th placed Tottenham.