The Premier League is back after two weekends away, with the table looking tighter than ever as the end of the campaign draws closer. TIBS News provides a preview.
Manchester City look to stay ahead of Liverpool
Manchester City are top of the league by just one point, and they face relegation-threatened Burnley on Saturday.
City are looking to win the title for a second successive season, while the Clarets are 19th in the league and four points away from safety.
Liverpool are just a point behind the current holders, having won their last nine league games.
They play Watford, who are another club looking to avoid dropping into the Championship, currently sat 18th and three points from escaping the drop zone.
West London derby at Stamford Bridge
Third-placed Chelsea are in action against Brentford, with both London clubs looking relatively secure in their current positions.
Thomas Tuchel’s team look set the qualify for the Champions League, while the Bees are eight points above the bottom three and are moving towards a second season in the top-flight.
Top-four battle tightening up
The battle for the final top-four spot is getting tighter as games go on, with Arsenal, Tottenham, West Ham, Manchester United and even Wolves competing for European football.
The Gunners currently occupy fourth and travel to Crystal Palace on Monday.
Mikel Arteta’s side look favourites to claim the last Champions League spot, having won six of their last seven matches.
Their north London rivals Spurs host Newcastle, looking to close the gap between themselves in fifth and Arsenal above them.
Tottenham have improved over the last few weeks, building momentum as the end of the season draws near.
A win for Manchester United against Leicester would put their season back on track, with the Red Devils currently in sixth and four points from the Champions League places.
Their opponents have had a disappointing campaign and currently find themselves in 10th, only just making the top half of the table.
West Ham and Wolves would both require teams above them to drop points on multiple occasions if they were to get top four.
The Hammers are seventh and face a poor Everton side on Sunday, while Wolves are eighth and welcome an inconsistent Aston Villa team on Saturday.
Down at the bottom
Elsewhere, bottom placed Norwich City travel to Brighton, needing a win if they are to have realistic hopes of staying in the league.
The Canaries have just 17 points and have won only four times all season.
Finally, Leeds can continue their good form under new manager Jesse Marsch when they host Southampton.
The Yorkshire club have won their last two games and risen to 16th in the table, while the Saints are comfortable in 11th.
