By Sam McGuire
But what exactly needs to happen and what can we look forward to this weekend? Here’s your preview for Matchday 34.
Champions League aspirations for Chelsea
The Blues host Everton on Saturday afternoon knowing a win would see them leapfrog Newcastle United in fifth. It would move them to level on points with fourth-place Nottingham Forest too, and just a point behind third-placed Manchester City.
This is a big game for Chelsea. They’re at home too, so there’s even more pressure on Enzo Maresca and his players.
They scored a last minute winner in their last outing against Fulham. Pedro Neto was the hero for the Blues. Chelsea have been decent at home this term and have the joint-fifth best record in the Premier League having taken 32 points from 16 games. Only Aston Villa (34), Manchester City (36), Arsenal (36) and Liverpool (41) have taken more.
Meanwhile, Everton have a poor away record with just 18 points from 16 matches on the road. They have nothing to play for either, so, in all honesty, this should be a routine win for Chelsea if they’re hoping to be playing Champions League football next season. It needs to be a win if Maresca is going to keep his job at Stamford Bridge.
The return of Potter
Brighton and West Ham are two of the worst teams in the Premier League on current form.
Only Leicester City (one) have taken fewer points than Brighton (two), while West Ham have racked up just three points during this run.
In fact, West Ham haven’t won a Premier League game since February. Brighton’s six-match winning streak ended in March and they’re now winless in six. Despite their poor form, the Seagulls find themselves 10th in the English top-flight. They could be as high as 8th or as low as 12th this weekend, depending on results. They’re in mid-table limbo.
The Hammers, now managed by former Brighton boss Graham Potter, are still not mathematically safe. They’re 15 points clear of Ipswich Town with five games to play. A point here guarantees them Premier League football next term. They’re going to be looking for a positive performance under Potter, and he’ll be wanting a positive showing at his former home.
Can the Magpies recover?
Newcastle United had been one of the form teams in the Premier League heading into last weekend’s clash with Aston Villa. They’d gatecrashed the top three and looked a shoo-in for Champions League football.
Villa then dismantled the Magpies at Villa Park, romping to a 4-1 win to bring Newcastle back down to earth with a bump. The Carabao Cup winners are still fifth in the table but things are now looking a lot more difficult for them. If Chelsea win the early kick-off, Newcastle start this game in sixth position.
They need to get to winning ways if St James’ Park is going to host Champions League football next term. They need to get back to winning ways to ensure Alexander Isak remains with the club.
This weekend, they face an Ipswich Town team hanging onto their Premier League status by a thread. Even if the Tractor Boys win, they could still be relegated. They need West Ham to lose to Brighton and maximum points here to prolong their stint in the top-flight by a further week.
20 times for Liverpool
One point. That is all Liverpool need on Sunday to be crowned champions of England for a 20th time. Despite all of the talk that the Reds are stumbling over the line, Arne Slot’s men have taken 12 points from the last 15 on offer. They’re grinding out results, keeping clean sheets and, most importantly, winning games.
They face an out-of-sorts Spurs side who could well finish the season in 17th position. The Reds have scored 10 goals in three outings against Ange Postecoglou’s side this term and Liverpool will be buoyed by a home crowd that will no doubt be in a mood to celebrate.
If the players want to win this title in style, this could be the game to do it against a Tottenham team looking a little worse for wear. They also have eyes on the Europa League semi-final clash.
This should be a formality for Liverpool. To do it in front of home fans is a huge incentive.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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