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LONDON. — The closest English top-flight soccer title race in 33 years speeds towards its conclusion this weekend, with Manchester City carrying the advantage ahead of a thorny trip to Everton today.
Leaders Liverpool’s 2-0 loss at home to second-place Chelsea last weekend means that City will probably be assured of a second title in three seasons if they win their three remaining matches.
City trail Liverpool by three points but have a game in hand and a superior goal difference (+58 to +50), and yet with the teams so tightly bunched, the race is far from run.
Not since 1981 have the top three been so close together at this stage of the season and only twice in the English Premier League era (1999 and 2008) have three teams been in mathematical title contention at this point.
With Chelsea not hosting Norwich City until tomorrow and Liverpool visiting Crystal Palace on Monday, City can take over at the top by prevailing at Goodison Park.
However, while Everton now trail Arsenal by four points in the race for the fourth and final Champions League place, they have lost at home only twice this season.
“They are at home in front of their fans, and they are always good at home,” City’s Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho told the club website.
“The atmosphere is also good there, and they will play with a lot of intensity. We have to be ready for that. It will be a very tough game.”
Chelsea saw their hopes of a trophy double dashed last Wednesday when they lost 3-1 at home to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals. Two points off the summit, Jose Mourinho’s side need both Liverpool and City to slip up if they are to claim the title, but goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer says that they have no option but to keep on fighting.
“We need to put the others under pressure,” said the Australian, whose side will go top if they overcome third-bottom Norwich.
“We have to pick ourselves up from this disappointment and realise we must keep banging on the door with the game against Norwich on Sunday. We must make sure we pick up three points so we can capitalise on any slip-ups.”
Having stretched their lead over Everton with a breezy 3-0 success against Newcastle United on Monday, Arsenal can rubber-stamp a top-four finish if they win at home to West Bromwich Albion tomorrow.
Bacary Sagna is an injury doubt for Arsenal’s visit of West Brom tomorrow.
The Frenchman is rated as “50/50” because of a knee problem and could be replaced by Carl Jenkinson for the clash with Pepe Mel’s side.
Fixtures
Today (all 4pm unless otherwise stated): Aston Villa v Hull City, Everton v Manchester City (6:30pm), Manchester United v Sunderland, Newcastle United v Cardiff City, Stoke City v Fulham, Swansea City v Southampton, West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (1:45pm)
Tomorrow: Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (2:30pm), Chelsea v Norwich City (5pm)
Monday (9pm): Crystal Palace v Liverpool
Note: Top four teams qualify for next season’s Champions League; fifth-place team qualifies for Europa League; bottom three teams relegated to Championship. — AFP.
Online Reporter