Overview
- Arsenal hold a six-point lead and can push it to nine against Sunderland, with Mikel Arteta calling it a tough test as Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard remain out, Jurrien Timber returns, and Mikel Merino faces months out.
- Manchester City visit Liverpool with Pep Guardiola emphasising mental fortitude and declining to confirm an Erling Haaland start, as City trail by six and have struggled at Anfield.
- Liverpool manager Arne Slot frames the game as a measure of progress since November’s 3-0 loss at the Etihad, with Jeremie Frimpong ruled out and Joe Gomez in contention.
- Manchester United have won three straight under Michael Carrick to rise to fourth and host Tottenham on Saturday, with Matthijs de Ligt still out and Mason Mount a doubt.
- Spurs list nine confirmed absentees but expect Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven to be fit, while Romero’s recent Instagram outburst has reportedly put him back on Atlético Madrid’s radar.