The Premier League returns this weekend, and there is a double header to commence proceedings on Friday evening.
Back-to-back wins have seen Cardiff City climb out of the relegation zone and they will look to continue their rise up the table as they host Watford.
The Hornets, fresh from booking their place in the last eight of the FA Cup will move up to seventh place with victory, at least until Saturday afternoon.
There is a London derby in Friday’s other fixture with West Ham United taking on Fulham at the London Stadium.
The Hammers are one of three sides sat slap bang in the middle of the table on thirty-three points – almost double the amount the Cottagers have amassed so far.
Ticking
Time is running out for Claudio Ranieri’s side, who go into the weekend eight points from safety with just twelve games to go.
Burnley will kick-off against Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday’s early kick-off three points clear of the drop zone, while Spurs can move to within two points of leaders Manchester City, who are in EFL Cup final action on Sunday against Chelsea.
There are just two three o’clock kick-offs on Saturday with Bournemouth hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United welcoming bottom-of-the-table Huddersfield Town to St. James’s Park.
Climb
A win for Eddie Howe’s men would take them to within three points of their opponents, who are sitting pretty in seventh place while Newcastle could end the weekend as high as thirteenth if they triumph and other results go their way.
The Terriers are fighting a losing battle, with their defeat to Arsenal a fortnight ago extending their winless run to thirteen games, while they have taken just one point in that time.
Saturday’s action concludes at the King Power Stadium, where Leicester City host Crystal Palace.
The Foxes have slipped to twelfth place after taking just one point from the last fifteen available to them, with the Eagles sitting just two points below them.
Sunday
Arsenal host Southampton on Sunday afternoon, looking for the three points that could see them move into the top four, depending on the result in the day’s only other top-flight fixture.
The Saints, who are without a win in three, go in to the weekend in the relegation zone though victory could see them move level on points with Palace up in thirteenth.
However, this is the first on three fixtures against sides in the top five in the next three weeks so you may be tempted to jump on the 9/2 currently available for them to be relegated.
Finally, Liverpool will be looking to reclaim top spot as they travel to a Manchester United side who have failed to win just one of their nine league games under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.
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