King at Fulham crossroads
Josh King learned of the difficulties that come with being a Premier League player at Liverpool on Sunday. The 19-year-old was withdrawn at the break after a tough first half at Anfield as Marco Silva wanted to change things when two goals down. It will be interesting to see how King reacts to the half-time hook when he is next called upon, whether he uses it as inspirational fuel or sees it as an undeserved irritation because he was not solely to blame for Fulham being behind. Silva will have a quandary over whether to start the youngster again or leave him stewing on the bench, offering a further reminder of what is required at the top level. King has impressed over the season and at this stage of a player’s development it is sometimes a good idea to see what lessons are learned from a challenging moment. Will Unwin
Brentford v Fulham, Saturday 12.30pm (all times BST)
Leeds could take a giant leap to safety
Leeds are morphing from relegation contenders to reverse kingmakers with a key role to play in determining the identity of the teams that end up descending to the Championship. Thanks to Monday night’s fully merited 2-1 win at Manchester United – their first league victory at Old Trafford since 1981 – Daniel Farke’s 15th-placed side moved six points clear of the relegation zone with six games remaining. A win against rock-bottom Wolves at Elland Road on Saturday would lift Leeds to the virtual sanctuary of 39 points but it is just the first of four impending matches against the bottom four. With Burnley still to visit West Yorkshire and Leeds facing trips to Tottenham and then, on the final day, West Ham, Farke’s FA Cup semi-finalists will likely have a significant say in who finishes where when the top-tier music stops next month. Louise Taylor
Leeds v Wolves, Saturday 3pm
Howe to fire up struggling Wissa?
Yoane Wissa cost Newcastle £55m but is now Eddie Howe’s fourth-choice striker behind Will Osula, Anthony Gordon and Nick Woltemade. Given that Wissa, seemingly an eternal substitute, is fit again after a knee injury, it seems an extraordinary snub for a striker who scored 19 non-penalty league goals for Brentford last season. Just to exacerbate his woes, Wissa has been criticised by Newcastle fans for liking an Instagram post from Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey celebrating his man-of-the-match award in the recent Tyne-Wear derby. It did not help that, after last Sunday’s defeat at Crystal Palace, the Democratic Republic of the Congo forward swapped shirts with the match-winner, Jean-Philippe Mateta, an old teammate in Châteauroux’s academy. Wissa, though, has four goals in six appearances against Saturday’s visitors to St James’ Park, Bournemouth. Maybe a recall for Wissa could quell talk of Bournemouth’s outgoing manager, Andoni Iraola, potentially replacing Howe next season. LT
Newcastle v Bournemouth, Saturday 3pm
Is Gallagher the captain Spurs need?
Roberto De Zerbi takes charge of his first home match with it already feeling like a must-win fixture for the Italian against his former club. Sitting in the relegation zone, Spurs’ three remaining matches at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be vital in the battle for survival. They travel to Wolves next weekend, desperately hoping to carry some momentum with them. With Cristian Romero absent through injury and set for a spell on the sidelines, De Zerbi will be without one of his most important players and will need to decide where the armband goes as the vice-captain, James Maddison, is out too. De Zerbi needs someone with strong leadership skills who can set an example for teammates. Conor Gallagher is yet to settle in north London but he occasionally captained Chelsea and brings with him great experience from his time with Atlético Madrid and England. As a central midfielder, he could set the tone and it may bring him a much-needed confidence boost. WU
Tottenham v Brighton, Saturday 5.30pm
Palmer can test stricken United
No Harry Maguire, no Lisandro Martínez, no Matthijs de Ligt. Manchester United’s defence is in a tricky spot before Saturday night’s trip to Chelsea. The absence of Martínez, sent off for his hair pull against Leeds, the injured De Ligt and Maguire, who was given an additional one-game ban for his reaction to his red card against Bournemouth last month, has left Michael Carrick with a big decision to make. He could bring Ayden Heaven in as Leny Yoro’s partner but another option is to move Luke Shaw inside from left-back. Either way, a faltering Chelsea will see a chance to get their season back on track. Could this be the game that gets Cole Palmer going at last? Jacob Steinberg
Chelsea v Manchester United, Saturday 8pm
Wandering Sancho still has big Villa role
Aston Villa have shown vulnerability against fellow top-five candidates, losing in straightforward fashion to Chelsea and Manchester United, but such has been the faltering form of all the Champions League contenders, they remain fourth. Still, Villa must capitalise on a favourable run of games before they face Liverpool and Manchester City in their final two fixtures. Much perhaps will rely on Jadon Sancho, a former Chelsea loanee and technically still on United’s books, to continue his recent attacking output. He provided assists in the wins over West Ham and Lille but has scored just once in all competitions this term amid rumours he could be heading back to Borussia Dortmund this summer. Unai Emery has called for more consistency from Sancho, something that has eluded the winger for most of his career, but said it made “no sense” to talk about the player’s longer-term future. Dominic Booth
Aston Villa v Sunderland, Sunday 2pm
Everton hopes high for landmark derby
There is expectation on Everton for the first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium and that never sat comfortably with David Moyes during his first spell as manager. Whether Liverpool were reduced to 10 men, fielding a third-choice goalkeeper in an FA Cup semi-final or coming into a derby in worse form, Everton regularly failed to capitalise as their players – and the manager himself – let the occasion get to them. The older, mellower Moyes might handle the derby differently but the importance of Sunday’s first meeting on the banks of the Mersey will not be lost on him as Everton chase a remarkable run to qualify for European football next season. It is not only Liverpool’s six defeats in 10 games and low morale after their Champions League exit in midweek that should encourage Everton. The way Moyes’s team bullied and exposed Chelsea in their previous home game has fuelled hopes for a repeat showing against Arne Slot’s side. But it is a question of realising them. Andy Hunter
Everton v Liverpool, Sunday 2pm
Burnley kick Trésor’s tires for next season
There are not many positives to be taken at Burnley nowadays as fans plot the quickest route to Lincoln. The Clarets’ defeat by Brighton was the usual mixture of unwatchable football and poor finishing from a side that will soon be relegated. The only moment of comfort for fans was the substitute Mike Trésor, a forward who has been generally ignored by Scott Parker, who was given a huge round of applause by the home support. The Belgian has barely kicked a ball over the past two seasons but is a popular figure at the club and, considering he is only 26 and has two years remaining on his contract, could prove useful in the second tier. Even if that is not the case, the club will be eager to boost his value. Few have proved themselves this season, so it feels time for Parker to throw in a wildcard. WU
Nottingham Forest v Burnley, Sunday 2pm
A seismic match in the title race
Buckle in for what will be a riveting, breathless watch on Sunday. After Wednesday’s draw with Sporting took Arsenal into a second consecutive Champions League semi-final (for the first time), Mikel Arteta’s team arrive at the Etihad Stadium buoyed. Manchester City do, however, have last month’s 2-0 Carabao Cup final triumph over their visitors as a psychological boost. If Arsenal are victorious, they motor back to London with a nine-point advantage and the 22-year wait for the title is surely over. If City win, then it is time to break out the popcorn as the title race will surely go down to the wire. Jamie Jackson
Manchester City v Arsenal, Sunday 4.30pm
Hammers seek more Selhurst joy
West Ham have lost three of their last four home games against Crystal Palace but Selhurst Park has been a much happier hunting ground in recent years. Three wins in their last five visits including a 2-1 victory at the start of last season should give Nuno Espírito Santo’s side confidence as they head to south London on Monday night looking to build on last week’s 4-0 thrashing of Wolves that lifted them out of the relegation zone. West Ham should have an advantage given that they haven’t played since then and Palace were in action on Thursday night against Fiorentina – who David Moyes’s West Ham team beat in the 2023 final in Prague – in the Conference League. But with Oliver Glasner’s side having won their last two matches in front of their own supporters and still within touching distance of a top-half finish, they won’t make things easy for their rivals. Ed Aarons
Crystal Palace v West Ham, Monday 8pm
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 32 | 38 | 70 |
| 2 | Man City | 31 | 35 | 64 |
| 3 | Man Utd | 32 | 12 | 55 |
| 4 | Aston Villa | 32 | 5 | 55 |
| 5 | Liverpool | 32 | 10 | 52 |
| 6 | Chelsea | 32 | 12 | 48 |
| 7 | Brentford | 32 | 4 | 47 |
| 8 | Everton | 32 | 2 | 47 |
| 9 | Brighton | 32 | 6 | 46 |
| 10 | Sunderland | 32 | -3 | 46 |
| 11 | AFC Bournemouth | 32 | -1 | 45 |
| 12 | Fulham | 32 | -3 | 44 |
| 13 | Crystal Palace | 31 | -1 | 42 |
| 14 | Newcastle | 32 | -2 | 42 |
| 15 | Leeds | 32 | -10 | 36 |
| 16 | Nottm Forest | 32 | -12 | 33 |
| 17 | West Ham | 32 | -17 | 32 |
| 18 | Tottenham Hotspur | 32 | -11 | 30 |
| 19 | Burnley | 32 | -30 | 20 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton | 32 | -34 | 17 |
