Spurs’ Harry is keen to Kane slack United
THE Premier League heads to the final 10 games with five teams chasing topfour spots behind Chelsea and Manchester City, while Tottenham seek another win at Old Trafford.
After a break for the FA Cup, the Premier League returns this weekend with more focus on the top four than the title.
The championship is Chelsea’s to lose with holders Manchester City favoured for second. That leaves five teams fighting for the remaining two Champions League places with 10 games left.
Arsenal are third on 54 points ahead of Manchester United (53), Liverpool (51), Tottenham (50) and Southampton (49).
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger recently said 72 points would be enough, while United boss Louis van Gaal called the battle a “rat race”.
Two of the contenders meet on Sunday when United host Tottenham. Van Gaal’s team must shake off Monday’s loss to Arsenal in the FA Cup if they are to avoid a third straight home loss to Tottenham.
Spurs come off a 2-1 win over QPR on Saturday in the only league match last weekend.
“There are a lot of top teams up there and and whoever can put a run together will be right there,” Harry Kane said after scoring both Tottenham goals.
Arsenal look to build on their win at Old Trafford when they host slumping West Ham tomorrow. The Gunners have climbed to third by winning seven of eight in the league.
Although West Ham have won just once in 11, they’ve taken points from those at the top of the table.
“We have shown a lot of things this season as a team, especially when we play against teams at the highest level like Manchester City and Liverpool or Tottenham,” Hammers midfielder Alex Song said on the club’s website. “We’ve done very well and we need to continue to improve in this way”.
Surging Liverpool look to improve their unbeaten league streak to 13 when they visit Swansea, while Southampton are at Chelsea.
The Saints took advantage of last weekend’s break by going to Switzerland for some team bonding.
“We’re playing Chelsea and it’s going to be a tough game whether we went to Dubai, Scotland or Switzerland,” Kelvin Davis said on the club’s website. “We know the run-in towards the end of the season and we want to achieve as much as we can.” Chelsea, meanwhile, must find a way to overcome Wednesday’s shock exit from the Champions League.
The Blues twice led 10-man PSG at home before a 2-2 draw after extra-time sent them out on away goals.
“It’s a pity we don’t play tomorrow,” manager Jose Mourinho said after the match. “In football you win, you lose, you have good and bad days, but something I never had was fear or a lack of desire to not be in a match or a competition.
“I want to play Sunday and from now until then I have to read the situation, feel the players and feel the ones that are ready for that.
“That was my message for the players. Don’t cry, don’t smile. See you tomorrow at one o’clock. Let’s go for Sunday.”
Manchester City also visit Burnley, Crystal Palace host QPR, Leicester face Hull, Aston Villa are at Sunderland, West Brom play Stoke and Newcastle visit Everton. – Sapa-dpa