Liverpool look to keep title hopes alive
LONDON (AP):
LIVERPOOL HEAD to Aston Villa today looking to keep alive the English Premier League title race with Manchester City. Liverpool lost ground over the weekend because of their 1-1 draw with Tottenham and are three points behind City with an inferior goal difference with three games remaining.
Both of the title rivals are in action in midweek, with City at Wolverhampton tomorrow. If Liverpool lose against the team managed by Anfield great Steven Gerrard, City could move six points clear with two games left by beating Wolves. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp must weigh up whether to give any of his players a rest amid a hectic schedule, with the FA Cup final against Chelsea coming up on Saturday. Aston Villa are in 11th place.
SPAIN
Real Betis visit mid-table Valencia looking to end a four-game winless streak in the league and keep alive their chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season. Manuel Pellegrini’s team lost two of their last four league games and sit in fifth place, six points behind fourth-place Atlético Madrid with three rounds to go.
It will be a rematch of the Copa del Rey final that Betis won against Valencia in a penalty shoot-out last month. Barcelona host Celta Vigo trying to secure second place and a berth in the Spanish Super Cup. The Catalan club is four points in front of third-place Sevilla. Granada will try to move further away from the relegation zone when they host eighth-place Athletic Bilbao. Granada are two points from safety.