Liverpool’s charge towards the Premier League title has slowed ahead of a trip to Manchester City on Sunday, giving Arsenal hope of closing in on the leaders.
Arsenal can move to within five points of the Reds should they see off lowly West Ham at the Emirates Stadium.
Behind the top two, the race is on for a place in next season’s Champions League.
Only six points separate third-placed Nottingham Forest from Newcastle in seventh before they face off at St James’ Park.
Liverpool appeared to be cruising towards a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.
However, two 2-2 draws at Everton and Aston Villa in the past 10 days have brought the title race alive again.
But Manchester City, the dominant force in English football during the last decade, were outclassed by Real Madrid in midweek as they crashed out of the Champions League before the last 16 stage for the first time since the 2012/13 season.
The English champions may also be without Erling Haaland, who did not get off the bench at the Santiago Bernabeu due to injury.
But Pep Guardiola’s men showed what they are still capable of in a 4-0 thrashing of Newcastle last week and are in need of points themselves in the top-four race.
Mbappe nets hat-trick as Real Madrid knock Man City out of Champions League
Arsenal have the chance to up the pressure when they face West Ham 24 hours earlier.
The Gunners will be without a recognised striker for the rest of the season but have won 23 points from a possible 27 to remain in the race.
Chelsea also need to bounce back quickly if they are to retain hope of Champions League football next season.
The Blues flirted with a title challenge towards the end of 2024 but have won just twice in their last nine league games and crashed out of the FA Cup.
Manager Enzo Maresca said his side’s meek 3-0 defeat by Brighton last weekend was the worst performance of his tenure to date, amid concerns star man Cole Palmer could leave without the lure of the Champions League.
Chelsea travel to Aston Villa on Saturday, whose own hopes of a top-four finish are starting to fade.
Unai Emery’s men pushed Liverpool all the way in a four-goal thriller on Wednesday but find themselves down in ninth, five points off the top four, due to an inconsistent season.
See the Premier League fixtures scheduled for the weekend below:
Friday
Leicester v Brentford
Saturday
Everton v Manchester United
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Ipswich v Tottenham
Southampton v Brighton
Bournemouth v Wolves
Arsenal v West Ham
Aston Villa v Chelsea
Sunday
Newcastle v Nottingham Forest
Man City v Liverpool
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