There is a quick turnaround in the Premier League as Matchweek 21 gets under way on Saturday. Here are five key things to look out for.
Liverpool and Chelsea revivals under way?
Liverpool and Chelsea start the Matchweek aiming to reignite their pursuit of a top-six or a top-four finish.
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Both teams are struggling for form, with Liverpool losing their last two league matches and Chelsea winning one of their last four.
Jurgen Klopp will hope that in his 1,000th professional match as a manager, 411 of which will have been at Liverpool, his strong record against Chelsea will continue. He has won nine and drawn six of his 19 Premier League matches with them.
For Graham Potter, he will hope that Sunday's victory over Crystal Palace marks a turning point. Back-to-back wins for the first time since October would lift Chelsea above Liverpool, for whom three points would return them to sixth.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 |
Liverpool
LIV
|
38 | +28 | 67 |
| 6 |
Brighton
BHA
|
38 | +19 | 62 |
| 7 |
Aston Villa
AVL
|
38 | +5 | 61 |
| 8 |
Spurs
TOT
|
38 | +7 | 60 |
| 9 |
Brentford
BRE
|
38 | +12 | 59 |
| 10 |
Fulham
FUL
|
38 | +2 | 52 |
Will Moyes or Lampard reign supreme?
Locked on 15 points and separated only by goal difference in the bottom three, Everton's trip to West Ham United on Saturday has big implications in the relegation battle.
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For both teams three crucial points would take them out of the relegation zone and end some wretched form.
West Ham have lost six of their last seven in the league with the only match without defeat a 2-2 draw against Leeds earlier this month, while Everton have lost seven of the their last eight.
This is the first time they have met in the bottom three since a 2-2 draw at Upton Park in 1995.
The fact that it is David Moyes' 641st match as a Premier League manager, taking him joint-third with former Hammers boss Harry Redknapp, is less significant than the result. Widespread media reports suggest a defeat would lead to Moyes not adding to his tally at West Ham.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 |
Nott'm Forest
NFO
|
38 | -30 | 38 |
| 17 |
Everton
EVE
|
38 | -23 | 36 |
| 18 |
Leicester
LEI
|
38 | -17 | 34 |
| 19 |
Leeds
LEE
|
38 | -30 | 31 |
| 20 |
Southampton
SOU
|
38 | -37 | 25 |
Indeed, one of only three league wins claimed by Frank Lampard's side this season came when they beat West Ham 1-0 at Goodison Park in September.
However Moyes' record against his former club gives room for optimism as he has guided West Ham to three victories in their last five contests with the Toffees.
Read: Why 2022/23 relegation battle could be closest ever
Battle of the promoted clubs
Another important match at the bottom of the table takes place on Saturday when AFC Bournemouth host Nottingham Forest.
If Forest can keep their sixth clean sheet of 2022/23, statistics suggest they will claim three points as all five of Forest's Premier League victories this season have been to nil.
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Having been unbeaten in their first six Premier League matches under Gary O'Neil, the Cherries have lost eight of their last nine, with a 3-0 win over Everton coming between two runs of four straight defeats.
While Forest are looking to win a third straight top-flight match for the first time since May 1999, O'Neil's side will be aiming to avoid a club record five consecutive Premier League defeats without scoring.
Twists and turns at the top?
Manchester City will be confident of moving to within two points of leaders Arsenal when they host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.
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An incredible 4-2 comeback win against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday meant City reached a half-century of Premier League goals this season, the highest in the competition.
Wolves, who have won two and drawn one of their four matches under new head coach Julen Lopetegui, are the lowest scorers in 2022/23 with a total of only 12 goals.
City are five points behind Arsenal and will have played two matches more by the time the Gunners host third-placed Manchester United on Sunday.
Read: Guardiola - We need to have Arsenal's fire
A win for United, who are the only team to beat Mikel Arteta's men this season, would secure not only a second ever league double over Arsenal, but also take them to within five points of the leaders.
Newcastle United, currently in fourth on 38 points, head to Crystal Palace unbeaten in the Premier League since August and looking to make it 10 points from a possible 12 in the capital in 2022/23.
