Premier League

Brighton manager Chris Hughton would be first to admit his players have overachieved in their maiden season as a Premier League club. That said, the Seagulls are still not safe from the threat of the drop. Victory over Arsenal for the first time in 36 years earlier this month received so many plaudits and rightly so. Despite the Gunners indifferent form lately, that is still a major coup. However, they have since lost to Everton in the league and have also been eliminated from the FA Cup. This weekend they will be aiming to get back on track when Leicester visit the south coast. The Foxes have been picking up points here and there most weeks following a torrid start. Claude Puel’s men are now just eight points adrift of sixth-placed Arsenal and won’t give up their chase without a fight.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has resembled a little lost boy at Old Trafford on occasions this season. He doesn’t appear to have the desire or passion he was renowned for when in charge of Chelsea. United this week cancelled the contract of Zlatan Ibrahimovic who has elected to join LA Galaxy. The Reds still have a lot to play for this season including an FA Cup semi-final against Spurs in three weeks’ time. Opponents Swansea are one of a host of clubs still trying to preserve their top-flight status for next season. They are one of the form teams down at the bottom end.

Newcastle pulled off their biggest win of the season before the international break with a 3-0 whitewash of Southampton – a result that, ultimately, cost Saints’ former manager Mauricio Pellegrino his job. What it has done for Rafa Benitez’s side, though, is open up a four-point cushion over the Saints who remain in the bottom three. Newcastle could take a huge leap towards securing their safety this weekend when Huddersfield visit the north east. The Terriers aren’t exempt from trouble either, far from it. They are a point closer to the drop zone than this weekend’s  opponents and have only amassed seven points in the league since the turn of the year. Defeat at St James’ Park could leave David Wagner’s men scrapping for their lives.

Crystal Palace will hope to pick up where they left off prior to the international break. The Eagles picked up a huge three points with victory at Huddersfield last time out to ease their relegation fears. Currently two points above the drop zone, they face a tough task in extending their advantage this weekend with Liverpool the visitors to Selhurst Park. Jurgen Klopp’s side have their own battle on their hands as they strive to finish best of the rest behind champions-elect Manchester City. The Anfield men are third, two points adrift of arch-rivals Manchester United. Liverpool swept Watford away with ease in their last outing a fortnight ago and will be travel south in confident mood. The hosts, however, have been boosted by the return of their talisman Wilfried Zaha.

If Chelsea are to stay in the hunt for a top-four finish and seal automatic qualification for next season’s Champions League, then a loss at home to Spurs this weekend is unthinkable. Currently fifth, they are five points adrift of their opponents and were that gap to extend to eight at Stamford Bridge, it would be game over for Antonio Conte’s men. Chelsea recovered well from their recent exit to Barcelona in the Champions League with an extra-time victory at Leicester and secure their place in the FA Cup semi-finals where they’ll now meet 
Southampton. Conte himself has said he hopes to make amends for last season’s defeat to Arsenal in the final by going on to lift the trophy in May. Much debate continues to surround what the future may hold for the likeable Italian at 
Chelsea. However, a lot of that uncertainty comes from the man himself. Spurs know they can pretty much cement their place in the top four with victory on Sunday. However, Spurs fans are only too aware their record at the Bridge hasn’t been the kindest to them over the years. If they are to pick up maximum points then they will have to do so without England striker Harry Kane. Mauricio 
Pochettino has done his best to allay fears that Kane is set to sit out the rest of the campaign with an ankle injury. The Argentinian has revealed he expects the 24-year-old to be back in contention for a first-team return in the next two to three weeks. Given the club also has an FA Cup semi-final tie with Manchester United looming, Kane’s presence would be a welcome boost. The sides last met on the second weekend of the season in August with Chelsea prevailing 2-1 at Wembley, an outcome Spurs felt incredibly hard done by. Another Blues victory on Sunday would mean the race for the top four is well and truly on.

Watford have shipped eight goals in their previous two league outings. They also failed to score in either of those matches and have only been able to muster two since their memorable 4-1 triumph over Chelsea at the beginning of February. They welcome a Bournemouth side this weekend who are level with the Cherries on 36 points. While it isn’t mathematically impossible for either of these sides to be dragged into the relegation dogfight, it won’t happen. The fans can be rest assured. Both clubs have played some neat attacking football this term and, if the truth be told, will probably harbour some disappointment they haven’t amassed more points for their efforts. Both Eddie Howe and Javi Gracia will be hounding their players for another three points.

Ten points from safety with just 21 available. The outlook is bleak to say the least for West Brom and their supporters. With games against Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool on the horizon, it’s difficult to see just how they can get themselves out of this mess. If they are to offer up a glimmer of hope then they simply must take all three points at home to Burnley this weekend. Easier said than done. Sean Dyche’s men have been a revelation this year and thoroughly deserve all the plaudits they get as they bid for a top-seven finish.

Arsenal’s hopes of salvaging anything from an extremely disappointing season now rests solely on winning the Europa League. The best the Gunners can hope to finish in the Premier League is sixth. That means winning the Europa League is the only way they can qualify for next season’s Champions League. However, with a tricky quarter-final clash with CSKA Moscow to negotiate past first, their place amongst Europe’s elite next season remains very much in the balance. This weekend’s visit of Stoke is just the kind of opponent Arsenal fans would have lapped up had they been in the midst of a title race. Instead, it’s very much the Potters who have everything to lose as they try to haul themselves out of the relegation zone. Stoke will fancy their chances in the capital this weekend and rightly so.

Everton supporters will be keen to see the back of this season. Despite a disastrous start under the stewardship of Ronald Koeman and the steady improvement since Sam Allardyce took over in November, things haven’t really progressed as much as those supporting the blue half of Merseyside would have envisaged. The Toffees are next in line as they attempt to conquer Manchester City. With Pep Guardiola’s side 16 points in the clear, their third Premier League crown in six years is edging ever nearer. Oh how they would love to wrap things up against old foes and city rivals United next weekend. Everton can expect a tough evening.

The unsavoury scenes at the the home of West Ham a couple of weeks ago has been well documented. And rightly so. However, all the focus should return to Saturday’s mouthwatering match-up between relegation-threatened sides West Ham and Southampton. Just two points separates the teams, with Saints currently occupying the final relegation spot in 18th. A draw doesn’t really suit either club so it would be fair to assume that both David Moyes and newly-appointed Mark Hughes will show their intent to win the game with their respective team line-ups. Defeat for either side could prove catastrophic given the likes of Newcastle and Swansea are beginning to find a bit of form at the wrong end of the table.