By Abubakar Y Ojima-Ojo
Liverpool are on the verge of securing a record-equalling 20th English league title and could clinch it this Sunday with just a point at home to struggling Tottenham.
Arne Slot’s side need only a draw at Anfield to move 13 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who have just four matches left to play, making it mathematically impossible for them to catch up.
Meanwhile, Chelsea and Newcastle will be hoping to strengthen their bids for Champions League qualification as several of their rivals, including Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, and Aston Villa, are tied up with FA Cup semi-final duties.
At the bottom of the table, Ipswich Town could see their brief Premier League stay come to an end.
It’s difficult to see Tottenham spoiling Liverpool’s title party at Anfield, especially considering their dreadful recent form and poor record on Merseyside — they haven’t won there since 2011.
Liverpool have already beaten Spurs three times this season: a 6-3 thrashing in the league and a 4-1 aggregate victory in their League Cup semi-final clash.
The Reds’ 1-0 win away at Leicester last weekend has them within touching distance of the crown, and captain Virgil van Dijk stressed the importance of finishing the job properly.
“It’s been an outstanding season, but there’s still work to do,” Van Dijk said. “Tottenham are a very good side—we’ve played them three times already, and each match has been intense.
“To be in this position is great, but we can’t get complacent. We’ve had a good week of preparation, and we’ll be ready.”
Victory or a draw would see Liverpool draw level with Manchester United on 20 English top-flight titles, putting them joint top in the all-time list.
Champions League Race Heats Up
The race for Champions League qualification remains fierce, with just four points separating third-placed Manchester City and seventh-placed Aston Villa.
For the first time, England’s top five sides will qualify for Europe’s premier competition due to strong performances by English clubs in Europe this season.
Liverpool are already assured of their place, and Arsenal are virtually there as well, sitting 10 points ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea. That leaves three Champions League places still up for grabs.
Manchester City kept their hopes alive with a dramatic win over Aston Villa earlier this week, while Nottingham Forest climbed to fourth after beating Tottenham.
Villa will be occupied with their FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace on Saturday, and Forest face City at Wembley the following day.
That opens the door for Newcastle, who welcome back manager Eddie Howe after a bout of pneumonia. They could leapfrog City with a win over Ipswich.
Chelsea, meanwhile, host Everton and are desperate for a win, especially with a daunting fixture list still to come, including matches against Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United, and Nottingham Forest.
Meanwhile, Southampton’s 1-1 draw away to West Ham last weekend saw them match Derby County’s infamous record of just 11 points in a Premier League season, set in 2007/08.
Although they still have five matches to improve on that tally, Saints’ fate was sealed earlier this month, bringing a dismal campaign to a premature end.
Leicester are also confirmed for relegation, and Ipswich now look set to join them. Should West Ham manage even a draw at Brighton on Saturday, Ipswich’s relegation will be confirmed.
It would mark the second consecutive season in which all three promoted teams have gone straight back down — a scenario last witnessed in the 1997/98 campaign.
The alarming pattern highlights the deepening divide between the Premier League and the Championship, with newly promoted clubs increasingly struggling to cope with the demands of top-flight football.
