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Publish dateSaturday 13 April 2019 - 13:27
Story Code : 1150

Danger looms for Man City, Liverpool in titanic title race

Manchester City and Liverpool resume their epic battle for the Premier League title on Sunday after a midweek of contrasting Champions League fortunes, with both sides facing perilous fixtures.
Danger looms for Man City, Liverpool in titanic title race
City travels to Crystal Palace trailing Jurgen Klopp's men by two points, but still with the title in its hands thanks to a game in hand, AFP reported.
However, the visit to Selhurst Park kicks off a tough run of fixtures in which Pep Guardiola's men host Tottenham twice, play Manchester United at Old Trafford and face a tricky trip to Burnley.
The 1-0 defeat at Spurs in Tuesday's first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal snapped a 14-game winning streak and means Guardiola has huge calls to make with his team selection this weekend.
If he has one eye on Wednesday's second leg on home soil, Palace could hurt City and hand Liverpool a title boost.
Roy Hodgson's men inflicted City's only home defeat of the campaign in December and also ended the champion’s record 18-game winning run in the Premier League last season.
 
Gerrard's slip
 
Victory for City to go back on top would flip the pressure onto Liverpool's shoulders just minutes before it kicks off against Chelsea at Anfield.
The Londoners' visit evokes memories of the last time Liverpool, which took a big step toward the Champions League semifinals by beating Porto 2-0 at home in midweek, went close to ending its long wait for a league title.
Then under Brendan Rodgers, the Reds were three games away from glory in 2014 until captain Steven Gerrard's now infamous slip allowed Demba Ba to score the opening goal in a gutting 2-0 Chelsea victory.
Chelsea are the only visiting side to have won at Anfield this season thanks to a wonderful Eden Hazard solo goal that sealed a 2-1 victory in the League Cup back in September.
Ominously for Liverpool, the Belgian was back to his best on Monday, scoring both goals – including another incredible individual effort – in a 2-0 win over West Ham that lifted Chelsea into third.
 
Spurs look to Son
 
Chelsea is likely to be back down in fourth spot by the time it kicks off, as Tottenham hosts already relegated Huddersfield today.
Mauricio Pochettino's men have to be wary of a Champions League hangover and need to prepare for another period without striker Harry Kane as they aim to qualify for next season's edition of Europe's top competition.
The England captain is expected to miss the rest of the season after injuring the same left ankle that forced him to miss seven matches earlier this year in the win over City on Tuesday.
Son Heung-min helped fill the void left by Kane back then and scored the winner against City in midweek.
Four of Tottenham's remaining six games are at their new stadium, but much will depend on the South Korean as the club attempts to ensure Champions League football next season.
 
Search for form
 
Manchester United is just as desperate to be in the top four but defeats to Arsenal and Wolves during a run of four losses in five games in all competitions have seen Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men slip back down to sixth.
They have also been knocked out of the FA Cup and are on the brink of Champions League elimination after losing 1-0 to Barcelona at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
A reaction at home to mid-table West Ham today is an absolute must if United is to remain in contention for the top four, with a tough run of Everton, City and Chelsea to come in its following three Premier League games.
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Source : IranDaily
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