Liverpool will aim to tighten their grip on the Premier League title this Sunday when they host West Ham, looking to rebound from a rare defeat to Fulham. Despite their 26-match unbeaten run ending in a 3-2 loss at Craven Cottage, Arne Slot’s side remains 11 points clear at the top with only seven games remaining.
Slot dismissed any concerns of complacency:
“I think there is no reason for us to be complacent… it takes us so much effort, so much hard work to win.”
Elsewhere, the battle for the Champions League spots is intensifying, with five places up for grabs this season. Nottingham Forest sit third, eyeing their first Champions League campaign in over four decades. Chelsea and Newcastle are neck-and-neck in fourth and fifth, separated only by goal difference.
Chelsea face Ipswich, while Newcastle clash with Manchester United in a key fixture. Aston Villa, in seventh, visit already-relegated Southampton and remain in striking distance of the top five.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are sixth and in danger of missing Champions League football for the first time since 2010-11. Pep Guardiola’s team hosts Crystal Palace needing a win to stay in contention.
At the other end of the table, Leicester’s nightmare season may be heading for a dismal end. After losing 3-0 to Newcastle, they’ve now suffered eight straight home defeats without scoring – a Premier League first. Another loss, this time at Brighton, could push them 18 points from safety if Wolves beat Tottenham.
Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy admitted:
“Trying different things… and the results are not there. That is the worrying thing.”
