Matchday 37 of the Barclays Premier League season will be an emotional one.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will play his final match at Anfield before departing for the LA Galaxy this summer. It will surely be a memorable Saturday for every Reds supporter.
Here are the five matches to keep close tabs on this weekend.
Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace
Liverpool’s and Crystal Palace’s fates in the Premier League are likely decided, but even if they weren’t, the focus of this match will be on Steven Gerrard.
There are no more superlatives left to describe Gerrard. Every adjective has been used to describe the Liverpool captain. He’s a loyal and fierce competitor who has given the fans a lot to be proud of in his illustrious career.
The dramatic comeback in the 2005 Champions League final is arguably his brightest moment and largest accomplishment. Gerrard himself even singled it out during his press conference on Thursday as “the greatest final ever.”
Gerrard regrets not winning the Premier League, but he has a European Cup. That is one of many reasons why he’ll retire as a Liverpool hero.
Saturday programming alert: Watch Southampton vs. Aston Villa on all four main Sportsnet channels at 7:30 am ET Sunderland vs. Leicester City on all four main Sportsnet channels at 9:30 am ET, Burnley vs. Stoke City on Sportsnet World at 9:30 am ET and Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace on all four main Sportsnet channels at noon ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule
Since Gerrard is expected to start, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will likely sacrifice a couple of players. Mamadou Sakho, Daniel Sturridge and Jon Flanagan are all ruled out as well.
Jonathan Williams is Crystal Palace’s only absentee, with Jason Puncheon expected to start after returning from injury last week vs. Manchester United.
Palace has lost its last four matches in the league, and Liverpool has won six of its previous seven at home.
Sunderland vs. Leicester City
Sunderland and Leicester City is arguably the most important matchup when it comes to the impact on the table. Both sides are just two and three points above the relegation zone, respectively.
Dick Advocaat’s injury list has grown, with defender John O’Shea and midfielder Jack Rodwell in the Sunderland treatment room. However, Advocaat is unlikely to make wholesale changes to his lineup this weekend.
Leicester manager Nigel Pearson won’t have Andy King or Matthew James due to injury. Striker Leonardo Ulloa is doubtful, as is David Nugent, but they should be okay for Saturday’s match.
Sunderland has lost just once against Leicester in their last six meetings, so history favours the hosts in this one.
Queens Park Rangers vs. Newcastle United
QPR is already relegated, but Newcastle is fighting to avoid the drop. Both sides meet on Saturday in a must-win match for the Magpies.
QPR is currently riding a five-game losing streak, but Newcastle’s form has been worse than any other Premier League side. The Toon Army hasn’t won since Feb. 28, a run of nine matches.
Both teams are dealing with a slew of injuries. QPR welcomes back Nedum Onuoha from suspension, with Mauricio Isla and Armand Traore likely to return as well. However, Alejandro Faurlin, Eduardo Vargas, and Mauro Zarate are ruled out.
As for Newcastle’s John Carver, he’ll have Daryl Janmaat available after he served his ban, but Mike Williamson is still suspended. Vurnon Anita and Adam Armstrong might feature, but five others are definitely unavailable.
Newcastle is just two points above the relegation zone and has the easiest remaining schedule on paper, but if the Magpies fail to win here, they could be doomed.
Manchester United vs. Arsenal
With Champions League secured for Manchester United, all that’s left is to avoid the qualifying rounds. United faces Arsenal, who is two points above the Red Devils in third, but with a game in hand. A win for Man United is vital if it hopes to qualify directly to the group stage.
Rafael, Michael Carrick, Luke Shaw, and Wayne Rooney are all sidelined. However, Marcos Rojo should return and Robin van Persie was battling an illness, so he should be fine as well.
For Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Debuchy, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain returned to training, but are lacking in fitness. Danny Welbeck will be hopeful of a return from injury to face his former club. If he can’t start and Olivier Giroud isn’t deemed fit, Theo Walcott may be deployed up front.
Arsenal has won its last five away games, but Man United has been difficult to beat at home. The Red Devils have won 14 of their 18 matches at Old Trafford this season.
West Bromwich Albion vs. Chelsea
Champions Chelsea have one more match left until it returns home to Stamford Bridge, where they will lift the Premier League trophy in front of their fans. They will face a West Bromwich Albion side on Monday that is safe from relegation.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is unlikely to risk any of his players who are listed as doubtful, especially Diego Costa, who probably won’t play for the rest of the season. Midfielders Oscar and Ramires are both ruled out with injuries.
Goalkeeper Ben Foster is West Brom’s only injured player, but he’s been out for weeks and Boaz Myhill has been a solid replacement.
West Brom has won four games in a row, which has guided them away from the relegation race, but that run may end since Chelsea is undefeated in 16 straight league games.
Monday programming alert: Watch West Bromwich Albion vs. Chelsea on Sportsnet World at 2:00 pm ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule
