The competition for a place in the Premier League’s top four heats up as Chelsea falters.
However, the competition for the top four is heating up, with Chelsea, who are now in third position, looking vulnerable after picking up just three points in their last four games.
Manchester City might extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to 14 points on Saturday, but Chelsea, their former adversaries, are uneasily looking over their shoulders following a slide in form.
Pep Guardiola’s side head to Southampton on Saturday in search of their 13th successive league victory, with Liverpool, who are now in second position, not playing until the following day.
However, the competition for the top four is heating up, with Chelsea, who are now in third position, looking vulnerable after picking up just three points in their last four games.
Watford hosts Norwich in a high-stakes relegation battle at the opposite end of the table.
AT SPURS, THINGS ARE LOOKING UP
After an extraordinary 3-2 victory over Leicester in Tuesday, in which Steven Bergwijn scored twice in stoppage time, Tottenham have yet to lose a league match under Antonio Conte.
Spurs are anxious to return to the Champions League after missing out the previous two seasons, and they are now only one point behind fourth-placed West Ham with three games remaining before their trip to Stamford Bridge.
Conte, who has requested reinforcements in the January transfer window, was pleased with his team’s attitude following Wednesday’s amazing turnaround at the King Power Stadium.
“Don’t give up,” the Italian, who assumed command in early November, added. “This has to be our philosophy: never give up and fight to the end.”
But Thomas Tuchel, unable to hide his anger at his under-performing strikers, notably record acquisition Romelu Lukaku, faces a battle to reclaim Chelsea’s mojo.
The Blues were top of the Premier League league early last month, but they have won just two of their previous nine games, leaving their title hopes in tatters.
Tuchel, whose club is eight points ahead of Tottenham with four games remaining, knows he must halt the bleeding or risk the season unraveling.
UTD’S TOP-FOUR BID CAN BE HURTED BY MOYES
On Saturday, David Moyes heads West Ham to Manchester United in the hopes of boosting his team’s top-four chances and inflicting a defeat on his old club.
West Ham, who have been punching above their weight this season, are now fourth in the rankings, but might drop to seventh if they lose this weekend and Tottenham and Arsenal both win.
For the Hammers, Old Trafford has not been a joyful hunting ground in recent years; they have not won a league match there since 2007.
United, on the other hand, have failed to impress under interim manager Ralf Rangnick, despite a flurry of saves from goalkeeper David de Gea in a 3-1 win at Brentford in midweek.
Even though United has the firepower to damage opponents, in-form West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen will enjoy his chances against the home side’s weak defense.
GREAT ESCAPE FROM NORWICH EYE
Norwich has looked headed to relegation all season, but if they beat fellow strugglers Watford on Friday, they have a chance to avoid the drop zone.
The Canaries, who replaced manager Daniel Farke with Dean Smith in November after a poor start to the season, are still favourites to return to the Championship immediately, but they have reason to be optimistic.
After ten games, Norwich had only two points to show for their efforts, with only three goals to show for their efforts.
Last week’s 2-1 triumph against Everton, though, has given Smith’s men a “spring in their step” as they prepare for the journey to Vicarage Road.
“I told the players before the Everton game that it wasn’t quite the ‘be all and end all,’ but it was getting there,” Smith added.
On the negative, Norwich has played more games than all of their relegation rivals combined; Burnley, for example, has four games in hand but is just two points below Norwich.
Watford, who drew with Newcastle last week, are also in urgent need of a win. They are one spot above the relegation zone and haven’t won since November.
FIXTURES
Friday
Watford v Norwich
Saturday
Everton v Aston Villa
Brentford v Wolves
Leeds v Newcastle
Manchester United v West Ham
Southampton v Manchester City
Sunday
Arsenal v Burnley
Crystal Palace v Liverpool
Leicester v Brighton
Chelsea v Tottenham
