Manchester City is grappling with injuries and aims to halt its losing streak in its last Premier League match before the international break. It faces Brighton this Saturday, seeking to close the gap between league leaders Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola’s usually dominant team has suffered three consecutive defeats, marking a sharp departure from their usual form. Despite these challenges, midfielder Bernardo Silva highlighted that while injuries have impacted the team, the upcoming break is timely, offering much-needed rest ahead of crucial fixtures.
In contrast, under Arne Slot’s leadership, Liverpool has soared, winning 14 of their first 16 games in all competitions. Slot dismissed suggestions that his job has been easy, stressing the continuous need for high intensity and consistency to maintain their winning streak. Liverpool’s next challenge is Aston Villa at home on Saturday, as they look to extend their strong run despite a tough fixture list ahead.
Meanwhile, Arsenal faces a critical match against Chelsea on Sunday. With only one point from their last three league games and a recent 1-0 Champions League defeat to Inter Milan, pressure mounts on Mikel Arteta’s side. A loss to Chelsea and a Liverpool win could push Arsenal 10 points behind, significantly hindering their title hopes. Thierry Henry expressed concerns on CBS Sports about Arsenal’s chances, noting the difficulty of catching up if they fall further behind.
Elsewhere, Ruud van Nistelrooy will manage his last game as interim coach for Manchester United, and Wolves, still seeking their first win, will meet Southampton.