1. Must-win games for United and West Ham
WHILE WINNING THE FA Cup final will be a boost, regardless of what happens at Wembley later this month, failing to earn a Champions League spot will be a serious blow to Louis van Gaal’s hopes of seeing out his three-year contract with Man United.
In order to keep their aspirations of reaching the Champions League alive, the Old Trafford outfit must surely beat Norwich in Saturday’s early kick-off.
United trail fourth-place Man City by four points, but have a game in hand on their neighbours.
Moreover, if Manuel Pellegrini’s side drop points at home to Arsenal, a win for United over the Canaries, coupled with three points against West Ham on Tuesday, would put the Red Devils in pole position for a top-four spot going into the final day.
Similarly, if City and United both slip up this weekend, a win for West Ham at home to Swansea would suddenly make them look like viable Champions League contenders again, as they sit just a point behind Louis van Gaal’s men with three games to play.
The Old Trafford outfit arguably have a tougher match than the Hammers — Norwich are fighting against relegation and have already taken points off Arsenal, Man City, United and West Ham this season.
2. Tottenham can’t relax yet
Tottenham’s title hopes may have ended in heartbreaking fashion on Monday night, however, to suggest their season is now effectively over would be premature.
Spurs may be guaranteed Champions League football, but they will still be desperate to secure second place and finish above their bitter North London rivals Arsenal, as they’re three points ahead of them with two games to play as it stands.
It’s been over 20 years since Tottenham had a better league season than the Gunners — the 1994-95 campaign when a Jurgen Klinsmann-inspired Spurs finished seventh, with a sub-par Arsenal below them in 12th.
This feat has yet to be repeated by Spurs since Arsene Wenger took charge of the Gunners — the Telegraph even have a live clock counting the the exact time since Tottenham’s achievement.
However, a win for Spurs in either of their remaining games — against Southampton (this Sunday) and Newcastle — would effectively guarantee second spot, as the goal difference of Mauricio Pochettino’s side is so superior that they can almost certainly afford to finish level on points with the Gunners.
3. Can Arsenal capitalise on City’s European hangover
Man City have been impressive at times this season, but also highly inconsistent.
Manuel Pellegrini’s ageing side have seemingly struggled from playing more games than most — winning the League Cup and reaching the Champions League semi-final, with key players including Vincent Kompany and Kevin De Bruyne picking up long-term injuries during the campaign, has exacerbated an already hectic schedule.
It was hardly a big surprise, therefore, that on Wednesday night, City’s players looked jaded and struggled to rally themselves even on as big an occasion as the Champions League semi-final.
It’s not likely to be any easier for them on Sunday, as a wounded Arsenal team aim to hit back at the heavy criticism they have received for another underwhelming campaign.
4. Huge weekend for struggling trio
It’s a big weekend at the bottom of the table with just two points separating three of the bottom four teams.
Newcastle arguably are in the best position — they are highest in the table on 33 points and are up against undoubtedly the worst team in the league — the already-relegated Aston Villa.
Norwich and Sunderland both have a game in hand on the Magpies, though with Rafa Benitez’s side expected to win, they will both surely need to do likewise to keep themselves in with a good chance of beating the drop.
Both sides face formidable tasks, however, as they come up against big teams who have looked somewhat rejuvenated of late after largely disappointing seasons — Chelsea and Manchester United.
5. No reason for Klopp not to go with second-string team again
After Liverpool progressed to the Europa League final at the weekend, the fact that they have virtually nothing to play for in the league is, in some ways, a blessing in disguise.
Therefore, just as they did in recent games against Swansea and Newcastle, expect Liverpool to play a largely second-string team on Sunday as they bid to give their Europa League stars a break.
As a result, Liverpool may have to settle for an unspectacular eighth-place finish in the league, however, a Europa League triumph would more than make up for a sub-par domestic campaign and render Klopp’s first season in charge a success.
For Watford too, the game is effectively a dead rubber, with Quique Sanchez Flores’ side having impressively avoided getting involved in the relegation battle in their first season back in the top-flight — they sit comfortably in 12th, and could finish as high as ninth depending on how well the remainder of their season pans out.
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