Manchester City and Liverpool must quickly turn their focus from Champions League glory to the battle for the Premier League title, with no room for error in tricky away trips on Saturday.
City, who hold a one-point advantage at the top of the table with five games remaining, travel to Leeds, who are also in need of the points to guarantee survival.
Liverpool can go top for a few hours at least if they win at Newcastle, but the Magpies have won their last six home games to storm into the top half of the table since beginning to splash the cash of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund in January.
The Premier League’s top two remain on course to end their season with another showdown in the Champions League final after seeing off Spanish opposition in contrasting fashion in midweek.
City should have put Real Madrid out of sight in a thrilling 4-3 win over the 13-time European champions, while Goliath got the better of David as Liverpool beat Villarreal 2-0.
Champions League considerations could play a major role in the team selection of both title contenders.
READ ALSO: Liverpool beat Villarreal 2-0 in UCL semi-final
According to AFP, Jurgen Klopp gave Liverpool fans even more cause for celebration by extending his contract at Anfield for a further two years to 2026 on Thursday.
However, the German is far from happy at the scheduling of a lunchtime kick-off just three days after a Champions League semi-final.
“It’s brutal but it’s fine. It’s the best situation you can have.
“Just go for the next one and try to play the best football you can,” Klopp said.
Below are the Premier League fixtures slated for the weekend (all times GMT):
Saturday
Newcastle v Liverpool (1130), Southampton v Crystal Palace, Aston Villa v Norwich, Wolves v Brighton, Watford v Burnley (all 1400), Leeds v Manchester City (1630).
Sunday
Everton v Chelsea, Tottenham v Leicester (both 1300), West Ham v Arsenal (1530).
Monday
Manchester United v Brentford (1900).
