With just four weeks remaining in the season, the top five clubs in the Premier League table are still jockeying for position. As many as three clubs—Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City—are still vying for the league title. Arsenal and Everton can only dream of a UEFA Champions League berth.
Here are the updated standings, fixtures and predictions ahead of this weekend's action.
1. Liverpool: 77 points (24-5-5)
Next Match: at Norwich City on Sunday, April 20, 7:00 a.m. ET
Two destinies will collide in Carrow Road this Sunday. For Liverpool, the dream of ending the club's 24-year Premier League title drought is now a reality. Should the Reds win their remaining matches, captain Steven Gerrard will lift the one trophy that's eluded his illustrious career. Norwich City face a different reality of their own. The Canaries are just two points from safety and the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal remain on their schedule.
Projected Lineup (4-3-3): Mignolet; Flanagan, Sakho, Skrtel, Johnson; Coutinho, Gerrard, Allen; Moses, Suarez, Sterling
Prediction: Norwich City 1 - 2 Liverpool
2. Chelsea: 75 points (23-5-6)
Next Match: vs. Sunderland on Saturday, April 19, 12:30 p.m. ET
Like Liverpool, Chelsea's destiny remains in their own hands. Should the club win its four remaining matches, they will be crowned as Premier League champions. A minimal test awaits the Blues this Saturday as Sunderland visit Stamford Bridge. The Black Cats did, however, eliminate Chelsea in the League Cup semifinals. Even worse, they are the only club to allow Jozy Altidore to score a Premier League goal this season.
Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Cech; Cole, Terry, Cahill, Ivanovic; Lampard, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Salah; Ba
Prediction: Chelsea 1 - 0 Sunderland
3. Manchester City: 71 points (22-6-5)
Next match: vs. West Bromwich Albion on Monday, April 21, 3:00 p.m. ET
Manchester City suffered a shocking result on Wednesday, drawing with Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium. Unable to defeat the worst club in the Premier League at home, the Citizens now find themselves on the outside of a three-horse race to the summit of English football. They must now rely on outside help to capture their fourth domestic title.
Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Hart; Clichy, Demichelis, Kompany, Zabaleta; Garcia, Fernandinho; Silva, Aguero, Nasri; Jovetic
Prediction: Manchester City 3 - 1 West Bromwich Albion
4. Arsenal: 67 points (20-7-7)
Next Match: at Hull City, Sunday, April 20, 9:05 am E.T.
Arsenal's Champions League dreams were resuscitated after Everton were defeated at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Now, Arsene Wenger holds the keys to what he considers a perfect season: A top four finish and a piece of silverware to appease the supporters. In order to lift said trophy, Arsenal will have to defeat Hull City in the FA Cup final later this year. The two sides will be able to feature in a 90-minute dress rehearsal this Sunday at KC Stadium.
Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Vermaelen, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Sagna; Flamini, Arteta; Podolski, Cazorla, Ramsey; Giroud
Prediction: Hull City 1 - 1 Arsenal
5. Everton: 66 points (19-6-9)
Next Match: vs. Manchester United, Sunday, April 20, 11:10 a.m. ET
Unable to handle Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on Wednesday, Everton will now look to rebound against Manchester United. Last December, the Toffees were able to capture their first league victory at Old Trafford since 1992. A Bryan Oviedo match-winner in the 86' lifted Everton to a 1-0 victory. Now, a revitalized United side that has won its last two league matches by a combined score of 8-1 will look to exact revenge on Sunday.
Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Howard; Baines, Distin, Stones, Coleman; Barry, McCarthy; Mirallas, Barkley, Naismith; Lukaku
Prediction: Everton 2 - 1 Manchester United
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