With the Premier League close to its climax, four vital games will take place over the next few nights. With the title race, fight for the top four and even the relegation fight all very much still in the balance: Here are the crucial games taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday night:
Tuesday night
Tottenham v Brighton (Kick-off 7:45 PM)
The clash between Tottenham and Brighton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could have big implications for the race for the Champions League spots and also the fight for survival.
Tottenham suffered a 1-0 defeat at reigning champions Manchester City last time out, which ended their two-game winning run in the Premier League. In fact, Mauricio Pochettino’s team has now won just two of their last eight top-flight games, suffering five defeats in the process.
The poor recent run of form means that Spurs are third in the table, but level on points with Chelsea in fourth and one point ahead of fifth-place Arsenal.
They have won their only two Premier League games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while the team from north London are now six games unbeaten on home soil in the top-flight. The home side are big favourites to make it three league wins out of three at their new home.
Brighton have hit a terrible run of form at a bad time. The Seagulls have failed to win in five league matches, suffering four defeats and picking up a draw. A goalless draw last time out at Wolves ended a four-game losing streak in the top-flight for Chris Hughton’s team. The team from the south coast are just three points clear of the relegation zone.
The visitors have now won just one of their last nine away games in the top-flight, losing four of their last six matches in the process
Wednesday
Manchester United v Manchester City (8 PM)
The game between Manchester United and city rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford could well go a long way to deciding the fate of the Premier League title.
United heads into the game on the back of a woeful performance in a 4-0 defeat at Everton last time out. The defeat is part of a recent unconvincing run of form from United in the top-flight of late, as they have now recorded three wins and two defeats in their last five league outings.
What has not changed for United of late is their strong home form, as the Red Devils are unbeaten in 14 league matches at Old Trafford, having won their last three home matches. The Red Devils have also scored at least two goals in 11 of their last 13 top-flight games on home soil.
Manchester City know that they cannot afford to slip-up in this game, as the Manchester derby is their game in hand on league leaders Liverpool. A win will put the Citizens above the Merseysider’s and give the Citizens a psychological edge heading into the last three games of the season.
Pep Guardiola’s side has won ten straight league games, scoring at least twice in seven of the victories. The reigning champions have also kept clean sheets in six of their last nine league matches.
City have also won six of their last seven away games in the English top-flight, with their blip coming in a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle back in January.
Other Premier League games this midweek
Watford v Southampton (Tuesday, kick-off 7:45 PM)
Wolves v Arsenal (Wednesday, kick-off 7:45 PM)
Who will win the Manchester derby?
