Arsenal and Liverpool face crucial challenges in the Premier League this weekend as they aim to revive their hopes of securing the title.
Following their recent Champions League exits, both teams are eager to bounce back and regain their footing in the competition.
Last week, Manchester City emerged as the major victors, with an impressive 5-1 victory over Luton.
Their dominant performance has made them the frontrunners to secure an unprecedented fourth consecutive English top-flight title.
However, City’s focus will temporarily shift to the FA Cup, as they face Chelsea in the semi-finals on Saturday, potentially opening the door for Arsenal and Liverpool to close the gap.
At the bottom of the table, Everton and Nottingham Forest, both grappling with points deductions due to breaches of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules, will clash in a crucial match that could have relegation implications.
Arsenal, currently in second place, are determined to reset their campaign and make a strong push for the title.
Despite leading the Premier League for a significant portion of last season, they faltered in the final stretch, allowing City to overtake them.
Under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal had shown promise this season, earning valuable points against Liverpool and City.
However, their recent 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa at home and their subsequent Champions League quarter-final exit against Bayern Munich have dealt significant blows to their aspirations.
Arteta recognizes the need to support his players during this challenging period and emphasizes the importance of a victory against Wolves to remain in contention.
Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, in pursuit of the Premier League title in what will be his final season at Anfield, face a loss of momentum.
A frustrating draw against Manchester United and an unexpected defeat to Crystal Palace have hindered their progress.
Despite registering an impressive 49 shots in those two matches, they managed to score only two goals, highlighting their wastefulness in front of the net.
Defensive injuries have also plagued the team, resulting in difficulties in keeping clean sheets.
Liverpool, once a formidable challenger to City’s dominance, remain within striking distance, just two points behind the leaders, but they must quickly regain their cutting edge to reinvigorate their campaign.
Their upcoming match against Fulham will be a crucial opportunity to do so.
Both Everton and Nottingham Forest, grappling with points deductions, are desperate to avoid falling into the relegation zone.
Everton, a mainstay in the English top-flight since the 1954/55 season, have endured a dismal run of form, winning just one of their last 15 league matches.
While both clubs have appealed their penalties, they cannot solely rely on a successful outcome and must secure vital points on the pitch.
As the Premier League reaches a critical stage, Arsenal and Liverpool face significant challenges in their pursuit of the title.
Their performances in the upcoming matches will be pivotal in determining their fate in the competition.
English Premier League fixtures of the 34th round:
GMT times
Saturday 20 April
14:00 Luton Town vs. Brentford
14:00 Sheffield United vs. Burnley
18:30 Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Arsenal
Sunday 21 April
12:30 Everton vs. Nottingham Forest
14:00 Aston Villa vs. Bournemouth
14:00 Crystal Palace vs. West Ham United
15:30 Fulham vs. Liverpool
