The Premier League returns this weekend and Manchester City will be looking to move a step closer to clinching the title as they take on Everton in Saturday’s late kick-off.
It’s almost three weeks since Pep Guardiola’s side played their last match – a 2-0 win at Stoke City – and another victory here will mean they can wrap up the championship in next weekend’s Manchester derby.
The Citizens could be boosted by the return of top scorer Sergio Aguero, who has recovered from the knee injury that saw him miss that victory at the Bet 365 Stadium.
Oddly enough Everton also go into the game on the back of an away win at Stoke and they will be keen to cause an upset as they look to keep in touch with Burnley, who go into the weekend three points clear in the now coveted race for seventh place.
The Clarets travel to bottom-of-the-table West Bromwich Albion hoping to pile more misery on a side that have lost their last seven league games – a run that has made a return to the Championship almost inevitable.
Inevitable
The Baggies are ten points from safety going into the weekend and seven behind Stoke, who themselves face a tough test as they host Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
Few would be against sixth placed Arsenal finishing the season exactly where they are now, much to the disappointment of Gunners’ fans though they could still clinch the Europa League which would surely deem this a successful campaign.
Southampton complete the bottom three but could climb above the bottom line with victory over West Ham United – at the expense of their opponents.
Troubled
The Hammers were thumped 3-0 by Burnley last time out – their third straight defeat though it is not the result that will live long in the memory.
A few disgruntled ‘fans’ invaded the pitch which many more directed abuse at the clubs hierarchy in ugly scenes at the London Stadium leading to twenty supporters being handed life bans.
Extra security will be on duty on Saturday afternoon, but they won’t be able to help the team in who are now priced at 5/2 to finish in the bottom three.
Nervous
Crystal Palace are only above David Moyes’ men on goal difference and host Liverpool in Saturday’s early kick-off while Huddersfield Town and Swansea City are only a point better off than the Eagles travel to Newcastle United and Manchester United respectively.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Leicester City travel to Brighton and Hove Albion and Watford take on Bournemouth while on Sunday, matters conclude at Stamford Bridge where champions Chelsea face Tottenham Hotspur.
Defeat for the Blues will seriously hamper their hopes of climbing into the top four with the gap between themselves and Spurs already five points while Mauricio Pochettino will have his eyes on matching last season’s second place finish.
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