With Liverpool in League Cup final action against Chelsea on Sunday, the chasing pack have a chance to close the gap on the English Premier League leaders.
Manchester City can move within one point of Jurgen Klopp’s team if they win their game in hand at Bournemouth, while Arsenal must beat Newcastle to stay in touch with the title pacesetters.
Declan Rice has urged Arsenal to use the frustration from their surprise Champions League last-16 first-leg loss at Porto to fuel their bid for Premier League glory.
Mikel Arteta’s third-placed side will be just two points behind Liverpool if they beat Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, but a defeat would be a major blow to their bid for a first title since 2004.
Manchester City have no concerns over Erling Haaland’s form, according to the Norway striker’s close friend and teammate Oscar Bobb.
After scoring in just one of his previous seven matches – two goals against Everton – Haaland silenced his critics with a priceless winner against Brentford on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old broke Brentford’s resistance in the second half at the Etihad Stadium with his 22nd goal in all competitions this season.
That kept City hot on Liverpool’s heels in their chase for an unprecedented fourth successive English Premier League crown.
To make history, City boss Pep Guardiola will need Haaland at his sparkling best, but he fell below his own stellar standards when he missed several clear-cut chances in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea.
After Jim Ratcliffe finally completed his purchase of a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United this week, the British billionaire boldly declared his desire to knock Liverpool and Manchester City off their perch.
But even Ratcliffe, 71, acknowledged it will take time to put United in position for a first title since 2013.
United, currently five points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, have little margin for error as Fulham visit Old Trafford on Saturday to kick off the Ratcliffe era.
European Leagues Fixtures:
English Premier League:
On Saturday: Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest, Brighton vs Everton, Crystal Palace vs Burnley, Manchester United vs Fulham (all matches 8.30pm); Bournemouth vs Manchester City (11pm); Arsenal vs Newcastle United (1.30am, Sunday);
On Sunday: Wolves vs Sheffield United (7pm);
On Monday: West Ham vs Brentford (1.30am, Tuesday).
Spanish League Fixture:
On Saturday: Granada vs Valencia (6.30pm); Barcelona vs Getafe (8.45pm); Alaves vs Real Mallorca (11pm);
On Sunday: Almeira vs Atletico Madrid (1.30 am); Cadiz vs Celta Vigo (6.30pm); Real Betis vs Athletic Bilbao (8.45pm), Las Palmas vs Ossasuna (11pm);
On Monday: Real Madrid vs Sevilla (1.30am);
On Tuesday: Girona vs Rayo Vallecano (1.30am).
Italian League Fixture:
On Saturday: Sassuolo vs Empoli (7.30pm); Salernitana vs Monza (10.30pm);
On Sunday: Genoa vs Udinese (1.45am); Juventus vs Frosinone (5pm); Cagliari vs Napoli (7.30pm), Lecce vs Inter (10.30pm);
On Monday: AC Milan vs Atalanta (1.15am); Roma vs Torino (11pm);
On Tuesday: Fiorentina vs Lazio (1.15am).