Premier League Matchday 33: Top-four battle continues to rage

The race for Champions League qualification takes centre stage this weekend with both Tottenham and Arsenal facing must-win games.

There are only six Premier League matches on the menu due to the FA Cup semi-finals taking place at Wembley. 

Tottenham vs Brighton (Saturday, 12.30pm, BT Sport)

In-form Tottenham welcome Brighton to North London looking to further strengthen their grip on fourth place.

Spurs have won all four of their Premier League home games against the Seagulls and are looking for a fifth consecutive win for the first time since December 2018.

Tottenham talisman Harry Kane enjoys facing the visitors. 

The England striker has netted goals in his last three games against the Seagulls, while Dejan Kulusevski is looking to become the first player to assist seven goals in his first 10 Premier League outings, having managed six in nine so far.

But Graham Potter’s side will be full of confidence after doing Spurs a favour by winning 2-1 at Arsenal last weekend.

Manchester United vs Norwich (Saturday, 3pm)

Two teams enduring miserable campaigns meet at Old Trafford when Manchester United host rock-bottom Norwich.

Ralf Rangnick’s men lost 1-0 to Everton last time out and are looking to avoid back-to-back league defeats for the first time in his short reign.

But they have won each of their last four games against Norwich as well as 10 of the last 12 at Old Trafford.

Dean Smith led Aston Villa to a 1-0 victory over the Red Devils last September before his sacking at Villa Park and subsequent appointment at Carrow Road.

Southampton vs Arsenal (Saturday, 3pm)

Three points are a must for Arsenal at Southampton as they look to kick-start their stuttering challenge for a top-four spot.

Back-to-back defeats to Crystal Palace and Brighton have handed rivals Spurs the initiative and left the Gunners three points behind their North London rivals.

But they have won on each of their past two visits to St Mary’s and the Saints come into this game on the back of an embarrassing 6-0 defeat to Chelsea.

The South Coast may be the perfect venue for Alexandre Lacazette to find his scoring boots, having found the net five times in his past six games against Southampton.

Watford vs Brentford (Saturday, 3pm)

It is not quite last-chance saloon for Watford in their quest to avoid relegation but defeat at home to resurgent Brentford will leave them with a mountain to climb.

The Hornets sit 19th and six points from safety having played a game more than both Burnley and Everton, the sides directly above them.

But the Bees have not triumphed in any of their last seven games at Vicarage Road, nor have they won three top-flight matches in a row since September 1946.

They will never get a better chance to end those runs, with Roy Hodgson tasting defeat in all four of his home games at Watford boss.

Newcastle vs Leicester (Sunday, 2.15pm, Sky Sports)

Leicester head to St James' Park in high spirits after booking their place in the Europa Conference League semi-finals. 

And they will fancy their chances of picking up three points having beaten Newcastle in nine of their last 12 top-flight meetings. 

In a further boost for Brendan Rodgers' men, the Foxes have also won each of their last five league away games against the Magpies. 

West Ham vs Burnley (Sunday, 2.15pm)

With a place in the Europa League semi-finals in the bag, West Ham return to league action looking to continue their push for a top-six finish. 

But while David Moyes' men will be on cloud nine, relegation-haunted Burnley will take heart from the fact the Hammers have failed to score in five of their last eight Premier League games against them. 

And the visitors, who sacked boss Sean Dyche today, have won two of their last four top-flight away games against the East Londoners, suggesting an upset could be on the cards. 

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