The Barclays Premier League is drawing to a close, but there’s still plenty on the line at both ends of the table entering Matchday 34, as the relegation race and fight to qualify for the Champions League are still incredibly tight.
Here are five games to keep close tabs on this weekend.
Sunday programming alert: Watch Everton vs. Manchester United on the four main Sportsnet channels at 8:00 am ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule
Everton vs. Manchester United
Everton has likely avoided relegation, while United has likely clinched a spot in next season’s Champions League. However, United will want to finish above Manchester City to avoid the qualification rounds.
It will be a tough game for United since it will be without Michael Carrick, Daley Blind, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo again, but Jonny Evans is returning from suspension. Still, those four absences will force Louis van Gaal to make some significant changes to his lineup.
Everton’s Roberto Martinez will likely have to rotate his squad as well. James McCarthy, Steven Pienaar, and Leon Osman are all doubtful, but the former is expected to feature in the match on Sunday.
The Toffees have had success against United recently. Everton has recorded three wins and a draw in the last six games against the Red Devils, but the visitors emerged victorious in the most recent meeting in October.
Arsenal vs. Chelsea
First place versus second place rounds out the weekend at the Emirates. Chelsea is 10 points clear with a game in hand, but this is an important match for Arsenal. The Gunners can prove to their doubters that they belong in the title conversation.
Only two of Arsenal’s wins during this current eight-game streak came against teams in the top half of the table. A victory over Chelsea would add more credibility to this run.
The North London side’s injury list is shrinking by the week. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the only player who will be unavailable to manager Arsene Wenger. Per Mertesacker is questionable with an ankle problem, but still might be able to play.
Diego Costa may return, but with Chelsea leading by 10 points, it’s unlikely that he’ll be rushed back. Loic Remy should be available, which is a blessing for manager Jose Mourinho now that Didier Drogba is hurt.
Arsenal is hosting Chelsea, but that hasn’t affected recent results. The Gunners haven’t earned a win versus the Blues in seven-straight matches, scoring just twice in that span.
Manchester City vs. Aston Villa
Manchester City will host Aston Villa in the late game on Saturday. The champions have a seven-point lead over fifth-placed Liverpool, but the Reds have a game in hand.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa, fresh off an FA Cup semifinal win, are four points above the relegation zone, but have played one more match. A draw against City could virtually guarantee safety.
Villa is still dealing with a slew of injuries. Four players are ruled out and three are doubtful, including defender Philippe Senderos and forward Gabriel Agbonlahor. Manchester City’s injury list isn’t that much shorter than Villa’s. Captain Vincent Kompany may be out for the rest of the season and four players are touch-and-go entering the match.
City has won four of the last six meetings against Aston Villa. They’ve outscored the Villans 16-7 in that span.
Saturday programming alert: Watch Newcastle United vs. Swansea City on the four main Sportsnet channels at 9:30 am ET, Burnley vs. Leicester City on Sportsnet ONE at 9:30 am ET, Stoke City vs. Sunderland on Sportsnet World at 9:30 am ET, and Manchester City vs. Aston Villa on the four main Sportsnet channels at noon ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule
Stoke City vs. Sunderland
Sunderland is in desperate need of a win to avoid relegation. The Black Cats are only a point above the drop zone with six games remaining. They have a stiff test against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.
The usual suspects are out for Stoke, with Bojan, Marc Muniesa and Victor Moses all injured. Stephen Ireland is doubtful and will undergo a fitness test prior to the match.
Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat is still without Seb Larson, who is serving a suspension. Emanuele Giaccherini, Wes Brown, and Ricky Alvarez are the other absentees.
Both Stoke and Sunderland have split the last six meetings. Each side has two wins and two draws, with the latter emerging victorious in the last match in October.
Burnley vs. Leicester City
Leicester City is at the bottom of the table and Burnley is 18th, but just two points separate both sides. A win on Saturday would lift either team out of the relegation zone. This game is a true relegation six-pointer.
Neither side has a lot of injuries to deal with, but a few key players could miss the match. Ashley Barnes is suspended for Burnley, plus Kevin Long and Dean Marney are both hurt.
David Nugent and Marcin Wasilewski are listed as doubtful for Leicester, and if the latter is ruled out, manager Nigel Pearson may revert to a back four.
Burnley is just above Leicester in the table, but the Foxes haven’t lost against the Clarets since August 2010, a span of eight matches.
