Arsenal are firmly back in control of the Premier League title race and a win at struggling West Ham on Sunday could all but seal the Gunners’ first English title in 22 years.
Manchester City stormed back into contention last month but a costly 3-3 draw at Everton earlier this week might ultimately prove fatal to their chances.
Tottenham host Leeds knowing a win, combined with dropped points for West Ham, would move them to within touching distance of safety after a tumultuous season.
A major wobble from Arsenal allowed Manchester City back into the title race but consecutive league wins have lifted the mood at the north London club.
Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid at a pulsating Emirates Stadium, which secured a place in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), added to the feelgood factor.
Arsenal are five points clear of City, who have a game in hand, with matches to come against West Ham, Burnley, and Crystal Palace.
The relegation-threatened Hammers have not beaten their London rivals at home in the league since 2019, but they are now fighting for their lives.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, a key member of the club’s last title-winning side in 2004, fears the game at the London Stadium could be a potential banana skin.
Henry told Sky Sports: “I always thought that City might drop points against Everton and my worry was West Ham away.
“So I’m going to stay in my lane and not celebrate too early because nothing is done, but I could see that happening.”
Aston Villa crush Nottingham Forest to reach Europa League final against Freiburg
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s Premier League season has imploded, with six straight defeats all but ending their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
The Blues, under interim boss Calum McFarlane, still have a chance to end the season on a high if they beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final but their league form is an embarrassment.
Ninth-placed Chelsea have not won in the Premier League since early March and have scored just one goal in their past six top-flight matches – in Monday’s 3-1 defeat by Nottingham Forest.
The west London side face a tough assignment this weekend as they take on Liverpool, with Arne Slot’s men close to securing qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Below are the Premier League fixtures scheduled for the weekend:
Saturday
Liverpool v Chelsea
Brighton v Wolves
Fulham v Bournemouth
Sunderland v Manchester United
Manchester City v Brentford
Sunday
Burnley v Aston Villa
Crystal Palace v Everton
Nottingham Forest v Newcastle
West Ham v Arsenal
Monday
Tottenham v Leeds
- EPL fixtures: Arsenal face West Ham as Liverpool host Chelsea - May 8, 2026
- Oil prices soar over US-Iran clashes - May 8, 2026
- Stock market investors lose N1.92trn over CBN foreign subsidiary rule - May 8, 2026
