It could be a decisive weekend in the English Premier League title race this weekend, with the quirk of the EPL leaders not even being in action.
Manchester City took advantage of slip-ups from both Arsenal and Liverpool a week ago to edge back to the top of the table.
Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions now have the FA Cup in their sights, as they tackle Chelsea in the Wembley semi-finals as Manchester United tackle Championship side Coventry in the other last four clash.
It’s a chance for the two sides in red to hit back, then, but they both know the remaining margin for error is vanishingly small.
Liverpool must wait until the final fixture of the seven-match weekend programme, when they make the trip to Fulham.
It’s a fine opportunity for Jurgen Klopp’s Reds to reset the dial for one last push at Craven Cottage, although the inconsistent hosts can pack a punch on their day.
Arsenal face a spookily similar assignment when they go to Wolves for the Saturday night kick off at Molineux.
Mikel Arteta’s side are level on points with the Merseysiders but ahead by eight on goal difference, with both two points back from imposing City after their respective defeats last weekend.
All eyes are on the wrong end of the EPL table elsewhere on Saturday.
Bottom two Sheffield United and Burnley are both in the last chance saloon coming into their Bramall Lane battle.
Defeat for either would all but guarantee their instant relegation back to the second tier, although the Clarets could keep the survival dream alive if they can snatch all three points in South Yorkshire.
Luton have a pivotal home tie with Brentford at Kenilworth Road.
The Hatters are just a point shy of safety – in part thanks to points deductions elsewhere – and are guaranteed to take the fight to the London side who have perked up recently to go four unbeaten.
Three other Sunday fixtures kick off at lunchtime with an epic contest between the two sides immediately above Rob Edwards’ underdogs.
Everton and Nottingham Forest meet at Goodison Park amid the swirling uncertainty of their financial fair play issues, with both at serious risk of slipping back into the drop zone.
Back towards the top, Aston Villa have the chance to secure a six-point cushion in fourth place as they host Bournemouth.
Tottenham, without a game themselves, will be left with two games in hand, meaning Unai Emery’s impressive side need to keep up the heat to stand a chance of Uefa Champions League qualification come May.
West Ham are most likely aiming for sixth at best, as they struggle to juggle domestic and continental commitments at the sharp end of the campaign.
It’s a short trip south of the River Thames for David Moyes and Co this weekend, with home side Crystal Palace fresh from their heroic victory over Liverpool at Anfield a week ago.
Predictions for this weekend’s EPL fixtures
Luton Town v Brentford
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Sheffield United v Burnley
| Result prediction | Sheffield United to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Sheffield United to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | O. McBurnie(Sheffield United) |
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Everton v Nottingham Forest
| Result prediction | Nottingham Forest to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Nottingham Forest / Nottingham Forest to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | C. Wood(Nottingham Forest) |
Aston Villa v AFC Bournemouth
| Result prediction | Aston Villa to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Aston Villa to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | O. Watkins(Aston Villa) D. Solanke(AFC Bournemouth) |
Crystal Palace v West Ham United
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Crystal Palace / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | J. Mateta(Crystal Palace) |
Fulham v Liverpool
| Result prediction | Fulham to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Fulham to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | Rodrigo Muniz(Fulham) L. Díaz(Liverpool) |
Arsenal v Chelsea
| Result prediction | Chelsea to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Chelsea / Chelsea to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | C. Palmer(Chelsea) |
Wolverhampton Wanderers v AFC Bournemouth
| Result prediction | AFC Bournemouth to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / AFC Bournemouth to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | D. Solanke(AFC Bournemouth) |
Crystal Palace v Newcastle United
| Result prediction | Newcastle United to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | draw / Newcastle United to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | J. Mateta(Crystal Palace) A. Isak(Newcastle United) |
Everton v Liverpool
| Result prediction | Liverpool to win |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Liverpool / Liverpool to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | L. Díaz(Liverpool) |
Manchester United v Sheffield United
| Result prediction | Manchester United to win |
| Over/Under prediction | over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Manchester United / Manchester United to win |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | Bruno Fernandes(Manchester United) O. McBurnie(Sheffield United) |