Liverpool are on the verge of clinching the Premier League title and could secure their 20th English top-flight crown as early as this weekend. If Arne Slot’s side defeat Leicester City and Arsenal falter against Ipswich Town, the Reds could mathematically seal the championship.
Leicester, managed by Ruud van Nistelrooy, are in danger of being relegated as soon as this weekend. The Foxes have endured a disastrous run, collecting just four points from their last 17 matches and now sit 17 points adrift of safety. Ipswich Town, meanwhile, could also be relegated if they lose to Arsenal and both West Ham and Wolves win their matches. If results go against them, all three promoted clubs—Southampton, Leicester, and Ipswich—could be relegated in the same season for the second consecutive year.
While the title and relegation battles near their conclusions, the race for Champions League qualification remains tight. Only five points separate third-placed Newcastle United and seventh-placed Aston Villa ahead of their meeting at Villa Park. Villa, under Unai Emery, have surged back into contention with four straight league wins and are aiming to return to Europe’s elite competition after a dramatic exit from the Champions League at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have hit form with five consecutive league victories and a League Cup triumph, despite manager Eddie Howe’s absence due to illness. The Magpies have scored nine goals in dominant wins over Manchester United and Crystal Palace in the past week, keeping the battle for European places alive as the season enters its final stretch.