Struggling Manchester City travel to Aston Villa on Saturday desperately seeking to halt their dramatic slide, while Tottenham host Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday.
City lost 1-0 away to Aston Villa last December but that proved to be their final defeat of the season as they romped to a fourth straight Premier League title.
That loss for Pep Guardiola’s side came after three straight draws – which was then a slump by City’s sky-high standards.
This time they travel to Birmingham in a deep rut, with eight defeats from their past 11 matches in all competitions.
City’s chances of winning a fifth straight English top-flight title appear to be over but they must somehow halt their astonishing slide.
Guardiola took the blame after last week’s painful 2-1 derby defeat to Manchester United, saying he was not “good enough”, though Phil Foden said the players still believed in their boss.
Fifth-placed City, nine points behind Liverpool having played a game more, have lost five of their past seven Premier League games, as many as they had in their previous 67 matches combined.
Seventh-placed Villa have been inconsistent but injury-hit City have lost the habit of winning – suffering an apparent collective crisis of confidence.
Arne Slot has made replacing Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager look easy. But is he about to face his first major challenge?
‘I’m not good enough’: Guardiola speaks on Man City’s woes
Earlier this month, the Reds were nine points clear at the top of the Premier League and seemingly on course for a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.
But they could kick off at Tottenham on Sunday behind Chelsea, who are seeking a sixth straight league win at struggling Everton earlier in the day.
Liverpool have drawn their past two league matches, against Newcastle and Fulham, but defeated Southampton in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals this week to stay on track for the first trophy of Slot’s reign.
They are still firm favourites to win the league but Chelsea are gathering momentum under new manager Enzo Maresca, AFP reported.
It is difficult to predict which Tottenham team will turn up on Sunday after seven wins and seven defeats in their 16 league games so far.
Spurs host Liverpool as Arsenal face Newcastle in Carabao Cup semi-finals
But one thing is for sure – Ange Postecoglou’s team will not sit back – only Chelsea have scored more than their tally of 36 league goals this season.
Below are the Premier League fixtures slated for the weekend:
Saturday
Aston Villa v Manchester City
Brentford v Nottingham Forest
Ipswich v Newcastle
West Ham v Brighton
Crystal Palace v Arsenal
Sunday
Everton v Chelsea
Fulham v Southampton
Leicester v Wolves
Manchester United v Bournemouth
Tottenham v Liverpool
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