Champions League hopes add spice to Everton-Man United Premiership clash

MANCHESTER (Reuters) – The tight and unpredictable battle for Champions League places provides Everton and Manchester United with some extra motivation for their Premier League clash at Goodison Park on Sunday.

The top three places in the table look secure for Liverpool, Manchester City and Leicester City, but the fourth spot, currently occupied by Chelsea, remains tantalizingly within reach for several clubs, including Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United.

Adding to the intrigue, Manchester City’s two-year UEFA ban from European soccer, which it is appealing, could allow fifth place to claim a spot in the continent’s premier club competition.

United is currently fifth, just three points behind Chelsea, and although Everton is 11th, it could reduce the gap to United to just two points with a victory.

Everton’s Brazilian forward Richarlison says that the Champions League was a definite target for the team and remains so despite Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at Arsenal.

“Since the start of the season, our objective has been to qualify for the Champions League,” he said. “With the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti we have improved. Unfortunately we lost an important game against Arsenal and we wanted to use that game to climb up the table.

“But on Sunday we have another important game, against a direct rival for one of these positions, and we are going to give our all in this game to try and climb the table.”

United is desperate to get back among the elite and despite some ups and downs this season, as Solskjaer integrates youngsters and tries to rebuild the side, it remains in contention.

“We’re a big club, have got good finances but the longer you’re out the more you suffer,” said Solskjaer this week.

“So it’s an ambition to get back into the Champions League – for footballing reasons and financially it’ll help the club,” he said.

Leader Liverpool could set a new top-flight record for consecutive wins if it beats Watford away on Saturday.

Monday’s victory over West Ham United equaled Manchester City’s record of 18 straight Premier League wins between August and December 2017.

“It’s so special. The numbers are incredible, so difficult. I said we wanted to write our own stories, create our own history,” said manager Jurgen Klopp.

Another game with potential implications for Champions League places sees Spurs take on Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, while Chelsea travels to struggling Bournemouth on Saturday.

Manchester City is in action against Aston Villa on Sunday in the League Cup final.

On TV: English Premier League Round 28: Friday: Norwich City vs Leicester City (live on Sport 2 at 10 p.m.).

Saturday: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Crystal Palace (live on Sport 1 at 2:30 p.m.); AFC Bournemouth vs Chelsea (live on Sport 1 at 5 p.m.); Watford vs Liverpool (live on Sport 1 at 7:30 p.m.). Sunday: Everton vs Manchester United (live on Sport 1 at 4 p.m.); Tottenham Hotspur vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (live on Sport 2 at 4 p.m.).

League Cup final: Manchester City vs Aston Villa (live on Sport 2 at 6:30 p.m.).