As the Premier League hurtles towards its final games with the title race, top four and relegation places all still to play for, the lack of action this Saturday is noticeable.
The FA Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool – in the historic competition’s 150th anniversary year – is the only match being played tomorrow that involves Premier League clubs.
In the Football League, the only games are Sheffield United versus Nottingham Forest and Mansfield Town against Northampton Town in the Championship and League Two play-offs respectively.
The regular Football League season has already finished, but the as-yet unfinished Premier League campaign has to wait until Sunday to get back underway because of the FA Cup final.
There is a long-standing precedent that no top flight matches are to be played on FA Cup final day, a tradition originating in the since-diminished reverence in which the tournament was originally held.
As a result, this weekend’s Premier League action takes place on Sunday and Monday only.
Premier League games on TV this weekend
- Tottenham vs Burnley – Sun 15 May, 12pm on BT Sport 1HD
- West Ham vs Manchester City – Sun 15 May, 2pm on Sky Sports
- Everton vs Brentford – Sun 15 May, 4.30pm on Sky Sports
- Newcastle vs Arsenal – Mon 16 May, 8pm on Sky Sports
Tottenham host Burnley in the early kick-off in a clash with ramifications at both ends of the table. A Spurs win would pile yet more pressure on Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal after Wednesday’s north London derby riot, while three points from this game in hand would lift Burnley three points clear of the drop with two more games to play.
Speaking of the Gunners, their visit to in-form Newcastle on Monday night could make or break their top four chances.
For 18th placed Leeds, Brighton at home offers a good opportunity to haul themselves out of the bottom three – depending on Burnley’s result, of course.
Aston Villa and Crystal Palace may have nothing but pride to play for, but their clash at Villa Park may tell us about where both these sides are heading next season.
At Vicarage Road, the penultimate game of Roy Hodgson’s career sees Watford face Leicester; the Foxes will be looking to sweep aside their second relegated opponent in four days, having beaten Norwich 3-0 on Wednesday.
More on FA Cup Final
It’s sixth versus first at the London Stadium, where victory for Manchester City over West Ham would all but seal the title and sink Liverpool’s quadruple hopes. Expect ex-Everton and Manchester United gaffer David Moyes to have his Hammers fired up.
Wolves can still seal seventh and a place in next year’s Europa Conference League – a routine win against already-relegated Norwich is a safe bet on paper.
Lastly, Sunday’s late kick-off sees Everton host Brentford. Frank Lampard’s men are still not safe and could be back in the bottom three if Burnley and Leeds both win. They’ll be hoping already-safe Brentford are on the beach.
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