The Premier League season is approaching its run-in, with three teams involved in a pulsating title race in Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Battling to be crowned champions of England, the focus has been on games against each other, but plenty of teams have their own ambitions, and will not roll over for the top three.
Here are six teams that could disrupt and change the look of the title race.
Tottenham: Man City (h) April 20, Arsenal (h) April 27, Liverpool (a) May 4
Tottenham’s final fixtures of the season include facing all three title contenders back-to-back in late April and early May. Spurs face Manchester City and Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, before heading to Anfield. With their sights set on Champions League qualification and having not lost to any of the top three in the league so far this season, Ange Postecoglou’s resurgent Spurs could take points off at least one of them.
Aston Villa: Man City (a) April 3, Arsenal (a) April 13, Liverpool (h) May 11
Unai Emery’s side have been in the top four for most of this season, but are now under being chased all the way by Tottenham. In April they travel to both the Etihad and the Emirates and then host Liverpool in the penultimate game of the season – Jurgen Klopp’s final league away game as Reds’ manager. Villa have beaten both Manchester City and Arsenal at Villa Park this season and could have a further say in where the title ends up.
Brighton Liverpool (a) March 31, Arsenal (h) April 6, Man City (h) tba
Brighton’s form has stuttered recently, and are on the brink of exiting the Europa League, but they can still have a say in the title race. So far this season they have drawn with Liverpool, but lost away against both Arsenal and City. Brighton last beat City three years ago, but beat both Arsenal and Liverpool last season so always have a chance of upsetting one of the big boys. Kaoru Mitoma is out for the rest of the season, but Brighton have plenty of talented players, and when it all comes together they can beat superior opposition.
Manchester United: Liverpool (h) April 17, Arsenal (h) May 11
United recently lost to rivals City at the Etihad but still have home meetings with Liverpool and Arsenal to come. Erik ten Hag’s side will struggle to finish in the top four, but could affect the title race, with Arsenal featuring in the penultimate game of the season at Old Trafford. United got a point at Anfield in December and their fierce rivalry means they could yet spoil Jurgen Klopp’s final game at Old Trafford.
Everton : Liverpool (h) tba, Arsenal (a) May 19
Everton have been battling against relegation all season and would be expected to struggle against all three title contenders, and have lost all four of their games against them so far this season. But Sean Dyche’s men might be scrapping desperately to stay up when they visit Arsenal on the final day of the season, and still have to face Liverpool at home, with all the unpredictability and passion that a Merseyside derby brings. Could yet have a say in the title race if it comes down to the wire.
Fulham: Liverpool (h) April 20, Manchester City (h) May 11
Marco Silva’s men host both Liverpool and Manchester City in the closing stages of the season. Whilst losing both away games, they have proven they are no pushovers, taking four points off Arsenal this season. They took Liverpool to the wire over two-legs in the Carabao Cup semi finals and were going toe-to-toe with City in the reverse fixture, until a controversial Nathan Ake turned the tide. They could spring a shock that no one sees coming.
