The top of the table crashes arsenal And Chelsea have the potential to heat up the Premier League title race on Sunday.
Or you could be at risk of turning into a queue.
Arsenal, six points clear at the top of the table, head to Stamford Bridge with optimism and a growing belief that they will end their long wait for a first league title since 2004. With a team that is considered perhaps the strongest in Europe. Mikel Arteta’s side are unbeaten in 16 games in all competitions.won 14 games in that run.
After three successive runners-up finishes, Arsenal’s time feels like it has come, and Wednesday’s defeat of European giants Bayern Munich was further evidence that they deserve to win the biggest prize, not just the title, but perhaps the Champions League.
Arsenal could lose the title as defending champions Liverpool are in freefall and Manchester City have also fallen off the pace.
The closest challenger is second-place Chelsea, who won July’s Club World Cup and have a team worth more than $1 billion. However, he may be ahead of the curve in terms of winning a full-fledged title.
Manager Enzo Maresca is only in his second season in the Premier League, and although the team has many inexperienced players, Chelsea have produced outstanding performances this season and achieved victory. Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The match against Arsenal will be the toughest test of title eligibility.
major matches
Chelsea vs Arsenal is the biggest game of the weekend, but there are important fixtures elsewhere for the teams hoping to continue their bid to stay in the top flight.
Liverpool, who have lost six of seven league games, will face West Ham, while City could temporarily move into second place with a win over Leeds.
Featured players
Brazil national team forward Estevao He quickly established himself at Chelsea and has been one of the most exciting players this season, scoring nine goals in his last 13 games for club and country. That includes his outstanding attack against Barcelona this week and his late winner against Liverpool last month.
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Hugo Ekitike was substituted into Liverpool’s match against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday due to a back problem.
Matheus Cunha missed Manchester United’s defeat to Everton due to an injury he reportedly picked up in training. Benjamin Sesco is out with a knee injury.
Leandro Trossard limped off in the first half of Arsenal’s match against Bayern Munich, but after the match Arteta said he did not know the extent of his injury.
off the field
Liverpool’s title defense is in jeopardy, with manager Arne Slott coming under increasing scrutiny following nine defeats in 12 competitive games.
Slott said he still “feels safe” after the recent defeat, but it’s clear that Liverpool’s damaged form needs to be turned around.
If Liverpool fall behind again against a rising West Ham side, the pressure could increase further.
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James Robson is https://x.com/James Saran Robson
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
