Liverpool could clinch the Premier League title on Sunday if they manage to send Leicester into relegation while Arsenal experiences a Champions League hangover by losing to Ipswich.
A victory for the Gunners at Portman Road could also mathematically confirm Ipswich’s relegation, provided West Ham and Wolves both secure wins.
In contrast to the fierce contests for the league title and relegation survival, the race for a Champions League spot next season is shaping up to be incredibly tight.
Only five points separate Newcastle in third place from seventh-placed Aston Villa as they prepare for their meeting at Villa Park.
AFP Sports highlights the key talking points as we head into this weekend’s matches.
With a thirteen-point lead at the summit and six games remaining, it’s merely a matter of time before Liverpool equals Manchester United’s record of 20 titles in English top-flight football.
Two more wins will seal the deal for Arne Slot’s side, who are fortunate to have matches against Leicester, who are struggling, followed by a visit from a faltering Tottenham at Anfield.
However, the title race could be decided by Easter Sunday if Ipswich manages to hand Arsenal their first league defeat since February.
Mikel Arteta’s squad has shifted focus towards the Champions League, following a commanding 5-1 aggregate triumph over the defending champions Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
Three up, three down concerns
Southampton’s relegation to the Championship has been confirmed in record fashion, with seven matches still to play.
Leicester and Ipswich are also facing dire situations, raising concerns about the growing gap between the Premier League and the second tier.
For a second consecutive year, all three promoted teams are set to face relegation.
Leicester City, who captured the title in a remarkable run not long ago, have had a dismal campaign, particularly since Ruud van Nistelrooy took over the managerial role.
The Foxes have accumulated just four points from their last 17 matches, leaving them a staggering 17 points adrift of safety.
While Ipswich have garnered more admirers for their playing style, they too have only found success in four games all season and sit just three points above Leicester.
Villa hungry for a return to Champions League
Both Aston Villa and Newcastle are eager to experience more after dipping their toes into the Champions League waters for the first time in decades over the last two seasons.
Aston Villa’s first foray into elite European football since 1983 came to a thrilling close with a 5-4 aggregate loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Unai Emery, who guided the Birmingham club to the Europa Conference League semi-finals last season, is intent on leading the 1982 European champions to even greater heights.
Four consecutive wins in the Premier League have revived Villa’s bid for a top-five finish, which would guarantee Champions League qualification.
“Our most ambitious goal is to return to the Champions League,” Emery stated.
“The challenge before us now is to secure European competition in the last six matches we have ahead and aim for the Champions League.”
Aston Villa faces a challenging run ahead, with their next four fixtures against rivals for European positions: Newcastle, Manchester City, Bournemouth, and Fulham.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have been on a roll, with five straight Premier League victories, following their triumph in the League Cup, propelling the Magpies into third place.
Although Eddie Howe is likely to miss a third match due to pneumonia, Newcastle has shown they can still excel, netting nine goals in dominant wins against Manchester United and Crystal Palace recently.
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