Manchester Metropolis, on the cusp of Premier League glory, put together for a momentous coronation that might safe their place in soccer historical past as they set their sights on a possible treble, transcending boundaries and redefining their legacy.
Victory at residence for Pep Guardiola’s aspect towards Chelsea on Sunday would seal the deal however will probably be all around the earlier day if Arsenal lose to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest.
Liverpool are nonetheless within the hunt for a top-four end after seven straight wins whereas Leicester and Leeds look destined for the drop.
Listed here are a few of the key speaking factors forward of the weekend’s motion within the English prime flight.
Metropolis chase historical past
Final season Metropolis have been pushed to the restrict by Liverpool, solely sealing the title after an exciting comeback from 2-0 down towards Aston Villa on the ultimate day of the season.
This yr they’re in a extra snug place after profitable their previous 11 video games to take a vice-like grip on the Premier League.
Arsenal, for thus lengthy front-runners, should keep away from defeat at Forest to maintain the race alive however it’s now a query of if, moderately than when, for Guardiola’s group.
Even when Arsenal win at Forest, few would again towards Metropolis beating Chelsea on the Etihad and turning into Premier League champions for a 3rd straight yr.
It might be their fifth title in six years, underlining their dominance within the richest league on the earth.
As soon as they’ve lifted the trophy, Metropolis could have the luxurious of specializing in the FA Cup closing towards Manchester United and the Champions League closing towards Inter Milan as they search to emulate United’s distinctive 1999 treble.
Newcastle dare to dream
Newcastle are inside touching distance of a top-four end for the primary time in twenty years simply 19 months after the launch of their new period.
A Saudi-backed consortium purchased the membership in October 2021 with the Magpies within the doldrums and made it clear they have been dreaming huge.
Newcastle, with out a main trophy since 1969, have outstripped expectations beneath supervisor Eddie Howe and can be assured of a top-four end if Liverpool lose to Aston Villa on Sunday.
They will full the job themselves in the event that they beat struggling Leicester on Monday.
Fourth-placed Manchester United, three factors behind Newcastle however with a recreation in hand, want two extra wins from their closing three video games to ensure Champions League soccer subsequent season.
If both slip up, Liverpool are ready to pounce, in search of to qualify for the Champions League for the seventh consecutive season.
Exit looms for Leicester
Jamie Vardy nonetheless believes Nineteenth-placed Leicester can survive within the Premier League after a horrific season however the odds are closely stacked towards them.
The 2016 champions and 2021 FA Cup winners began the marketing campaign with six defeats of their first seven video games and their sporadic mini-revivals have petered out.
The Foxes’ 3-0 residence defeat towards Liverpool on Monday left them two factors from security with two video games remaining – towards Newcastle and West Ham.
“It’s going to be powerful however we all know we have got the expertise in that dressing room,” stated veteran striker Vardy. “It must click on. We have two video games left and the minimal we will have is 2 wins simply to offer ourselves an opportunity.”
Leeds, only one level forward of Leicester, additionally face a bleak state of affairs, with matches to come back towards West Ham and Tottenham.
Everton are only one level away from the drop zone however their two remaining video games are towards Wolves and Bournemouth, neither of whom have something to play for.
The opposite group nonetheless in actual hazard of becoming a member of relegated Southampton within the Championship are Forest, who host an Arsenal group with some extent to show after their painful 3-0 defeat by the hands of Brighton.