MX23RW : Friday, March 6 06:20:41| >> :600:576037:576037:

Five talking points ahead of this weekend's Premier League action

Five talking points ahead of this weekend's Premier League action
© Reuters
Liverpool only need four wins from their last 11 league fixtures to claim their first league title since 1990.

Champions-elect Liverpool have a chance to extend their lead over second-placed Manchester City to a huge 25 points in the Premier League with victory at Watford on Saturday.

The Reds only need four wins from their last 11 league fixtures to claim their first league title since 1990, having won 26 of their 27 games so far.

Here, the PA news agency look at five main talking points surrounding this weekend's top-flight action.

Liverpool set to lay down new marker

Runaway leaders Liverpool were made to work hard on Monday night to eventually overcome a stubborn West Ham side and claim a 3-2 triumph at Anfield. The victory saw Liverpool match the points tally registered by Manchester United during their treble-winning season in 1999 and also record the same amount of wins as Arsenal did during their 'Invincibles' campaign in 2004 – with 11 games still remaining. Jurgen Klopp's side also secured their 21st successive home win with three points and equalled Manchester City's Premier League record of 18 consecutive league victories in the process. A trip to second-from-bottom Watford awaits Liverpool on Saturday evening, where they will look to set another landmark success at Vicarage Road.

Last chance saloon for Norwich?

Norwich are slipping towards an immediate return to the Sky Bet Championship
Norwich are slipping towards an immediate return to the Sky Bet Championship (Nick Potts/PA)

Norwich sit seven points from safety with 11 matches remaining and kick off this weekend's fixtures by hosting high-flying Leicester on Friday evening. James Maddison returns to Carrow Road for the first time since moving to Leicester in June 2018, which could worsen their survival hopes should the Foxes prevail. Norwich need to target victory to give themselves any chance of Premier League survival, with a daunting set of fixtures still come as they travel to Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City in three of their final four away games. However, it seems an immediate return to the Sky Bet Championship is inevitable for Daniel Farke's team.

Worries for winless West Ham

David Moyes' second tenure at West Ham started with a bang as they recorded successive victories against Bournemouth and Gillingham, but it has been a struggle ever since. They have picked up only two points from a possible 21 in the Premier League thanks to home draws against Everton and West Ham, with Hammers fans venting their anger at the board as the team slipped in the bottom three. There is some positivity for the London club following a confident display at Liverpool on Monday, however, they face a Southampton outfit who had won four successive away games before their own Anfield mauling last time out.

Can Chelsea bounce back?

Chelsea were beaten 3-0 at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League in midweek
Chelsea were beaten 3-0 at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League in midweek (Mike Egerton/PA)

Frank Lampard's side were thoroughly outplayed during their 3-0 first-leg defeat at home to Bayern Munich on Tuesday and he will need to pick up his players following the masterclass by the Bavarian outfit. Chelsea return to domestic football by travelling to a Bournemouth team who are in a battle for safety, sitting just two points above the relegation zone. The Blues have failed to win any of their last three away games in the Premier League but have been stronger on the road than at Stamford Bridge this season, while Eddie Howe's side have won their last two at the Vitality Stadium. It will be an intriguing clash, especially after Bournemouth completed the double over Chelsea last season and it is hard to call who will come out on top on the south coast.

Battle for Europe

Chelsea boosted their top-four chances when they beat Tottenham 2-1 at Stamford Bridge last week to open up a three-point gap to fifth-placed Manchester United. However, only five points separate the Red Devils and 11th-placed Everton as the battle for the Europa League spots intensifies. On Sunday, United travel to Everton, who defeated them 4-0 in this fixture last season, while Spurs host Wolves – with the two teams sitting sixth and eighth respectively. Sheffield United and Arsenal are not in action due to Aston Villa and Manchester City's involvement in the Carabao Cup final, while in-form Burnley could jump up to eighth place with victory at Newcastle on Saturday.

body check tags ::
Share this article now:
New Instagram promo
Ayoze Perez in action for Leicester City on January 22, 2020
Read Next:
Brendan Rodgers "wouldn't be surprised" to see Ayoze Perez earn Spain call-up
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
Read more about Liverpool Football

rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool28261164204479
2Manchester CityMan City27183668293957
3Leicester CityLeicester28155854282650
4Chelsea2813694739845
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd28119842301242
6Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28101264134742
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs28117104639740
8Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd27101072925440
9Burnley28115123339-638
10Arsenal2781363936337
11Everton28107113742-537
12Crystal Palace2899102532-736
13Southampton28104143551-1634
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2888122441-1732
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton28610123240-828
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2876153549-1427
17Watford2869132743-1627
18Bournemouth2876152845-1727
19Aston Villa2774163452-1825
20Norwich CityNorwich2856172551-2621

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!