The penultimate weekend of the 2023/24 Premier League season is here and it’s very much all to play for.
The phrase ‘crunch time’ is typically thrown out like it’s going out of fashion at this time of year, and the crunchiest of matchdays is now upon us.
While the title race will continue no matter how the weekend’s results play out, there could be confirmations of the top four and those who’ll be joining Sheffield United in the second tier next season.
It’s a mammoth weekend of Premier League footer, that’s for sure – here’s how 90min envisages all the action playing out.
Saturday 11 May
Man City will return to the top of the table with a win at Fulham / Lewis Storey/GettyImages
Manchester City have so often been playing catch-up in this title race, with Arsenal’s string of victories forcing them to respond.
They’ve so far refused to blink, and now it’s their turn to apply some pressure onto the Gunners as they kick off the weekend’s action away at Fulham. A win will see Pep Guardiola’s side take a two-point lead at the summit.
We’re then treated to several huge fixtures down at the bottom of the table in the three o’clock slate. Anything but a win for Burnley away at Tottenham Hotspur will seal their fate, while Luton Town desperately need a result at West Ham United – spoiling David Moyes’ farewell in the process – to preserve their survival hopes.
Brentford’s form uptick saw them pull away from the drop zone weeks ago, and they’re travelling to Bournemouth this weekend. The red-hot Crystal Palace, meanwhile can usurp Wolves in the table should they prevail at Molineux. Oliver Glasner’s Eagles have won four of their last five.
Nottingham Forest will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on Saturday afternoon’s events before they take on Chelsea in the evening kick-off. If Luton lose at West Ham, a mere point will be enough to keep them up.
The Blues are ending the season strongly in Mauricio Pochettino’s debut season, and they could yet finish in the top six. They’ll need an out-of-sorts Brighton to do them an unlikely favour away at Newcastle earlier in the day.
Kick-off Time (GMT)
Fixture
Prediction
12:30
Fulham vs Man City
0-2
15:00
Everton vs Sheffield Utd
3-1
15:00
West Ham vs Luton Town
2-1
15:00
Bournemouth vs Brentford
0-1
15:00
Tottenham vs Burnley
2-1
15:00
Newcastle vs Brighton
3-2
15:00
Wolves vs Crystal Palace
2-2
17:30
Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea
1-1
Sunday 12 May
Declan Rice scored a late go-ahead goal in the reverse fixture / GLYN KIRK/GettyImages
The healthy Saturday slate and presence of a Monday Night Football encounter means there’s just one Sunday fixture to enjoy, but it’s a big one.
Arsenal will likely be playing catch-up at the summit by the time they take on Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Gunners are vastly superior, but could they finally buckle under the pressure at a ground where they ever so rarely win?
United will be looking to make amends in front of their home fans for the mauling they endured last time out at Palace.
Anything but a win for Arsenal here and Man City can win the title when they visit Tottenham in midweek.
Kick-off Time (GMT)
Fixture
Prediction
16:30
Man Utd vs Arsenal
1-3
Monday 13 May
Liverpool travel to Villa Park on Monday night / Matt McNulty/GettyImages
If only Liverpool were still in the title race, eh? This would’ve been a seismic encounter.
There isn’t much jeopardy for Aston Villa either, with Tottenham’s slump meaning the Villans are bound to secure a top-four spot by default. Their place in next season’s Champions League will be secure if Spurs fail to beat Burnley on Saturday.
Unai Emery’s side will head into this Monday night encounter rather flat having exited Europe on Thursday.
Liverpool, meanwhile, can mathematically still win the title after putting Spurs to the sword last weekend, but they only require two borderline impossible collapses from City and Arsenal for Jurgen Klopp to receive his perfect send-off. Another win on Monday will continue to raise spirits on Merseyside after a tough April.
Kick-off Time (GMT)
Fixture
Prediction
20:00
Aston Villa vs Liverpool
1-2
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