How strong will Pep and Slot become?
Man City beat Arsenal 2-0 in their last game before the international break to win the Carabao Cup.
Man City vs Liverpool – Saturday, 12.45pm kick-off
Both Man City and Liverpool still have a good chance of winning this season. So it will be interesting to see whether Pep Guardiola and Arne Slott continue their form at the Etihad this Saturday lunchtime.
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A look back at some of Liverpool’s most iconic goals against Manchester City in the Premier League
City, who have already won their first trophy of the season by defeating Arsenal in the League Cup final last month, could be aiming for a domestic treble at the end of May. And following the club’s recent exit from the Champions League, Guardiola will spend a valuable week with his players as they prepare for their crucial next league game against Chelsea on April 12th.
Sunday, April 12th 4pm
4:30pm kickoff
City should therefore field their strongest lineup this weekend, but that may not be the case for the visiting team. There is a possibility of winning the FA Cup and Champions League this season, but it may seem unlikely.
But with Alisson Becker, Jeremy Frimpong and Mohamed Salah all injury doubts, Slott faces a further selection dilemma ahead of the trip to Manchester, while the Dutchman must also factor in Wednesday’s Champions League last-eight game against Paris Saint-Germain and the visit of Fulham three days later as the Reds aim to return to Europe’s top club competition next season.
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A look back at some of Manchester City’s most iconic goals against Liverpool in the Premier League
Three awkward matches in three different competitions in a taxing seven days will almost certainly mean that Slott will have to juggle playing resources at the Etihad, and there is a strong possibility of handing the initiative to the hosts in what is sure to be a close match.
rich morgan
Dowman in the spotlight as Gunners look to eliminate injury concerns
Max Dauman became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history against Everton last month.
Southampton vs Arsenal – Saturday, 8pm kick-off
If Mikel Arteta had spent his international break mulling over Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Man City, his mood would not have improved as injury problems across the squad increased.
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Southampton manager Tonda Eckert looks ahead to FA Cup quarter-final match against Arsenal
The Gunners are up to double figures in terms of players who are missing or questionable with fitness issues ahead of this weekend. Some injured players may be able to return at Southampton, but Arteta will also be cautious in how he manages his resources ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at Sporting.
If Arsenal are to get back on track to winning the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble, finding a balance between their squad and players will be key.
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James Green looks at Arsenal’s list of players withdrawn from international duty and assesses whether Premier League leaders are at risk of injury
Will this pave the way for 16-year-old Max Doman to start? St Mary’s will be the perfect venue for England’s latest teenage prodigy to build on his recent goals for the country’s Under-19s. It was also the home base of Theo Walcott when he made his breakthrough as a 16-year-old.
Southampton’s own choices will also be interesting. They are on a 14-game unbeaten run and are aiming for a place in the Championship play-offs, with a big game against Wrexham on Tuesday. How both managers prioritize this tie could be the deciding factor.
peter smith
Only a fist fight will allay the growing doubts in support of the Blues.
After a bright start at Stamford Bridge, Liam Rosenier’s Chelsea have slumped in recent weeks.
Chelsea vs Port Vale – Saturday, 5.15pm kick-off
There is little doubt that Chelsea will beat Port Vale at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night. The Blues have won each of their past 37 draws against lower-league opponents since shocking Bradford City in the 2015 FA Cup fourth round.
They went on to win the Premier League that year, so such a disastrous afternoon may be dismissed as a one-off. Liam Rosenior is in dire need of trust from the bank, but a four-game losing streak doesn’t give him that luxury.
It will be nothing but dominance and quality performances that will reassure those at Stamford Bridge against a team 61 places below English football, who were thrashed 4-0 by Wycombe in League One last weekend, but most importantly, they have nothing to lose.
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Marc Cucurella becomes the second senior Chelsea player to call into question the direction of the club over comments made on international duty this week.
Rosenior will likely give game time to some of his national team members to keep them fresh and avoid rushing key players back after the intercontinental struggles during the international break.
This will become inconsequential once Manchester City roll into west London once a week on Sunday, broadcast live on Sky Sports, but before that, Rosenior needs anything at all to liven up the atmosphere around Stamford Bridge.
Ron Walker
Relegation rivals aim for promotion to Wembley
Nuno Espirito Santo has only lost three times in 2026, but his West Ham team remains in the bottom three of the Premier League.
West Ham vs Leeds – Sunday, 4.30pm kick-off
Remaining in the Premier League is a top priority for West Ham and Leeds, but a morale-boosting victory over their relegation rivals with a place in the FA Cup semi-finals cannot be underestimated.
With six games left, the difference between the two teams is just four points, and the two teams will meet on the final day in what could be the season-clinching game. Sunday’s draw will be an opportunity to make a statement before the run-in begins.
West Ham have not reached the FA Cup semi-finals since 2006, when they famously lost to Liverpool in one of the competition’s great finals. Leeds’ bid to reach the top four was even longer. It’s been about 40 years since they reached the semifinals in 1987, and it’s already rare for them to make it this far.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s Hammers have lost just three of their last 10 games, to Aston Villa, Liverpool and Chelsea, and will be hoping winger Crisencio Somerville, who played a key role in that win, will quickly return to fitness following a calf injury.
Leeds’ problems have been at the top end of the pitch recently, and although they beat Norwich City by three points last week, they have failed to score in their last four league games.
Following the international break, this match is much more than just a trip to Wembley with a practice match just around the corner.
david richardson
