Man United, Reds on Euro hunt
London, April 21: Ashley Young has challenged Manchester United to storm to the finish line in the race to make the Premier League’s top four, while Liverpool aim to take another step towards the Champions League.
Significantly, the FA Cup semi-final features Arsenal and Manchester City and their leave of absence in the league means United have a golden opportunity to close the gap on the top four. Jose Mourinho’s fifthplaced side breathed new life into their Champions League push with an impressive 2-0 victory over Chelsea last weekend and a win at Burnley on Sunday would leave them only one point behind fourth-placed City.
Liverpool are one of the teams United hope to catch, but their bitter rivals show no signs of slipping despite a growing injury list.
Fuelled by the superb form of Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, Jurgen Klopp’s thirdplaced side have won five times during a sevenmatch unbeaten run.
A victory over resurgent Crystal Palace at Anfield on Sunday would allow Liverpool to retain at least a six-point lead over fifth place and hold onto a direct qualification spot for the Champions League.
Basement dwellers Second bottom Middlesbrough are six points from safety and without a win in 16 games as they head to Bournemouth, who are seven points above the bottom three.
Time is also running out for third bottom Swansea, who host Stoke on Saturday, after five defeats in their last six matches left them two points from safety.
Hull, two points above Swansea but beaten in their last two games, would do their survival hopes a power of good if they beat Watford at the KCOM Stadium.
Fixtures (7:30 pm unless stated): Saturday: Bournemouth vs Middlesbrough, Hull vs Watford, Swansea vs Stoke, West Ham v Everton. Sunday: Burnley vs Manchester United (6:45 pm), Liverpool vs Crystal Palace (9:00 PM)