With league-leaders Arsenal and second-placed Manchester City occupied by Sunday’s League Cup final, this Premier League weekend turns the spotlight onto the relegation scramble and a congested top-four race.

Arsenal sit top on 70 points, followed by Manchester City (61) and Manchester United (54). Chasing the remaining Champions League position are Aston Villa (51), Liverpool (49), Chelsea (48) and Brentford (45).

Lower down, the relegation picture remains volatile. Burnley, with 20 points, and Wolves (17) anchor the table, while Nottingham Forest (29), West Ham United (29), Tottenham Hotspur (30) and Leeds United (32) remain perilously close to the drop.

Manchester United travel south to Bournemouth riding strong momentum after climbing to third while the home side are 13 points behind them in 10th.

Reigning champions Liverpool head to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday sitting fifth on 49 points, two points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, and hoping to close in on a Champions League place.

Leeds, who host Brentford on Saturday, are 15th on 32 points, three above the drop zone, with their poor goal difference (-11) keeping them vulnerable in the relegation battle.

On Sunday, Spurs host Nottingham Forest in a high-stakes encounter.

At the same time on Sunday, West Ham United travel to Aston Villa. The hosts hold fourth place with 51 points, two ahead of Liverpool, but their form has dipped with losses in their last three games and only two wins from their last 10. (Daily Trust)