Arsenal are all but hanging in the balance for the 2024 Premier League, but as the title race approaches the finish line, they are in desperate need of a favor from Fulham, who host Manchester City in spades this weekend.
Mikel Arteta's Gunners, who travel to Manchester United, are one point clear at the top with two games in hand, but crucially Josep Guardiola's side have a game in hand. is.
Nottingham Forest would take a big step towards safety if they beat in-form Chelsea, who are competing with Newcastle and Manchester United for a European spot.
AFP Sports will focus on three key issues going forward.
Arsenal buoys hope after City's failure
A trip to Manchester United on Sunday would have seemed like a difficult task for Arsenal when the 2023/24 fixture list was announced, but it no longer looks that way.
The Gunners, aiming for their first Premier League title in 20 years, are likely to fall from the top of the table when they kick-off at Old Trafford on Sunday.
This is because 2nd place City, who are aiming for a historic fourth consecutive Premier League title, played against Fulham the day before.
City are unbeaten against Londoners in 21 competitive matches.
Arsenal will be confident of their ability to beat a United side who look increasingly likely to miss out on next season's European football following Monday's embarrassing 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.
City have a game coming up next week against Tottenham, who have never scored a goal in the league, but Spurs' form has given up on City and Erling Haaland is back to form.
Arsenal, who boast a commanding goal difference, need City to stumble, but the signs are not encouraging.
Newcastle and Chelsea battle for Europe
Newcastle and Chelsea are looking to secure European status in the final stages of the season, thanks in part to Manchester United's poor performance.
Eddie Howe's Newcastle are in pole position to compete for either the Europa League or the UEFA Conference League, depending on the final few matches of the Premier League and the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United.
If Tottenham collapse further, they could end up in fifth place.
Sixth-placed Newcastle, who host Brighton on Saturday, have won five of their last seven league games.
Free-scoring Chelsea were well off the pace just a few weeks ago, but they have lost just one of their last 12 league games, giving them hope of redeeming themselves after a difficult season.
Mauricio Pochettino's side head to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, hoping a win will keep their hopes of securing a place in Europe alive.
Forest Eye Safety after a turbulent campaign
Nottingham Forest learned this week that their appeal against a four-point penalty for breaching the Premier League's financial regulations was unsuccessful, but they still move closer to securing top-flight safety.
If Forest can outdo Luton's performance against West Ham, they will be on the brink of finishing top of the table for a third consecutive year.
It's been a roller coaster season for Forest. He was accused of inappropriate conduct by the Football Association earlier this month after the club criticized VAR official Stuart Attwell on social media following the defeat to Everton.
Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo said he had “already started to take action” after an unsuccessful appeal against the points deduction.
They are the favorites to avoid dropping down the table, but if they do poorly this weekend they could face a survival shootout with Burnley on the final weekend.
equipment
Saturday (14:00 GMT unless otherwise stated)
Fulham v Man City (1130), Bournemouth v Brentford, Everton v Sheff United, Newcastle v Brighton, Tottenham v Burnley, West Ham v Luton, Wolves v Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest v Chelsea (1630)
Sunday
Manchester United v Arsenal (1530)
Monday
Aston Villa v Liverpool (1900)
JW/SMG/NR