If you think it’s exciting at the top of the Premier League, take a look at the bottom.
Ahead of another full programme of football games this weekend, only one point separates the bottom four.
The betting odds on who will survive are just as close, meaning there’s almost as much focus on the basement battlers as there is on the championship contenders.
WEEK 22 SATURDAY:
Liverpool vs Swansea
After their 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, Liverpool’s intense pressing game should have the capacity to blow Swansea away.
It gives you an indication of how difficult Paul Clement’s new job is when you consider Swansea have conceded 49 goals in their 21 league games so far this season.
This has the potential to be as one-sided as contests go.
Bournemouth vs Watford
Both these clubs have a little bit of comfort but cannot afford to be lax.
After taking the lead at Hull last weekend, the Cherries were sloppy in slipping to a 3-1 defeat.
Watford need a pick-me-up after a stuttering period and are in genuine danger of being sucked into the relegation dogfight should they fail to improve quickly.
Crystal Palace vs Everton
‘Big Sam’ Allardyce got off the mark with a midweek FA Cup win against battling Bolton and now needs to break his league duck, especially as the Eagles are dangling above the drop zone on goal difference.
For Everton, how buoyant will they be after their crushing of Manchester City!
Of course, this will be a very different test for the Toffees who outran and out-maneuvered City and will now come up against a side who will hope to employ similar tactics.
Middlesbrough vs West Ham United
It said much that Boro manager Aitor Karanka was delighted with his side’s goalless draw at Watford last weekend.
It was another point gained on the road for the newly promoted Teesiders as they bid to consolidate themselves in the top flight.
Away from the Dimitri Payet saga, West Ham are slowly recovering some of the swagger from last season and Slaven Bilic deserves better from the Frenchman who he has helped become a star name.
Stoke City vs Manchester United
After their 1-1 draw with Liverpool ended United’s winning run, Jose Mourinho’s side now need to embark on another such run to up their chase for a top four spot.
They won’t find it easy at a Stoke side where a 2-0 defeat last season was arguably the lowest point in Louis van Gaal’s reign.
Inconsistency has plagued Stoke all season but they were a class above Sunderland last weekend and a trip to the Potteries is never easy.
West Bromwich Albion vs Sunderland
Sunderland supporters keep going in the face of adversity but there are only so many times you can bounce back from being abject, as they were against Stoke.
Wearsiders naturally expected more last weekend on the back of a promising 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
Baggies’ boss Tony Pulis admitted his side needed a lift after their 4-0 reverse at Spurs last time out – a home clash with Sunderland could be the perfect antidote.
WEEK 22 SUNDAY:
Southampton vs Leicester City
Before they resume their Champions League adventure next month, reigning champions Leicester need to secure some domestic joy.
Their loss of N’Golo Kante was proven incalculable but the Foxes still have much to offer as they proved against Chelsea last weekend – despite a 3-0 defeat.
The Saints may just well have one eye on the second leg of their League Cup semi-final by the time this kicks off.
Arsenal vs Burnley
Arsenal were fortunate to win at Turf Moor in October but will know Burnley at home are very different to the team that shows up on their travels.
Keeping within touching distance at the top is all Arsene Wenger’s men can do right now and a home win should be more than achievable.
If it is still deadlocked in the closing stages though, Burnley have the doggedness to frustrate the Gunners.
WEEK 22 MONDAY:
Chelsea vs Hull City
If ever a fixture looked like a home banker this is it.
The leaders have a commanding seven-point lead and, while Hull boss Marco Silva has made an immediate impression with the Tigers, even he would consider anything at the Bridge as a bonus.
Chelsea have reacted to the Diego Costa situation on the front foot and, with or without him, seem to have recaptured the spirit in the squad from two seasons ago.
They have already picked up more points this season (52) than they managed in the whole of last season (50).
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