Premier League Gameweek 36 delivers two fixtures with genuine table implications this weekend, and the most compelling of the lot is Saturday's lunchtime collision between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield. A day later, Arsenal travel to the London Stadium to face a West Ham side that has made life difficult for the Gunners before. With the title race and European spots still very much alive, there is a lot riding on the next 90 minutes of football for both sets of supporters on either side of these matchups.
Liverpool vs Chelsea — Saturday 9 May, 12:30 BST
Liverpool go into this fixture knowing that anything other than a win begins to complicate what should be a straightforward end to the season. Arne Slot's side have been the Premier League's most consistent team for the majority of the campaign, and their home form in particular has been formidable. Mohamed Salah, now seemingly certain to see out this season before his future is determined, has been in the sort of form that reminded everyone why his contract extension felt so urgent earlier in the year. Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, have shown enough moments of quality to cause problems but have lacked the consistency to string results together when it matters. Their away record is unconvincing. Anfield is not a venue where unconvincing away records tend to improve. Liverpool should win this, though Chelsea will make it uncomfortable if they can get their press to function properly from the first whistle. Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea.
West Ham vs Arsenal — Sunday 10 May, 16:30 BST
Arsenal need to keep winning to maintain pressure on whoever is above them, and a trip to West Ham is trickier than the fixture looks on paper. The Hammers have nothing to play for in terms of survival, which sometimes makes them a dangerous opponent — the pressure is off and individuals can express themselves without consequence. Graham Potter's side have shown they can hurt teams on the counter, and Arsenal have occasionally looked vulnerable to exactly that kind of attack when they push forward aggressively. Arteta will be well aware of the threat. The key battle is in midfield: if Arsenal can control possession and limit West Ham's transitions, the quality difference should tell. But if they cede the ball carelessly and allow West Ham to play on the break, this could get messy. Arsenal's European ambitions make the result a necessity. Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Arsenal.
The Wider Gameweek Picture
Elsewhere, Sunderland host Manchester United on Saturday — a fixture that has quietly become significant for United's season after yet another inconsistent run of results. Nottingham Forest take on Newcastle on Sunday with both clubs still competing for a European spot, which makes the St James' Park-in-exile clash at the City Ground a proper contest. Manchester City host Brentford and will be expected to win, though Brentford's organisation has frustrated City before. The weekend's full programme of fixtures will significantly clarify the landscape heading into the final two gameweeks of the season, and with so many positions still in play, the picture may look very different by Sunday evening.
Key Players to Watch
Salah at Anfield is always the first name on any watchlist, but the individual battles elsewhere are equally worth following. Cole Palmer's involvement against Liverpool will tell you a lot about Chelsea's intentions — if he is involved and energetic, they will compete; if he is subdued, it becomes a long afternoon. For Arsenal, Martin Odegaard's form in the past fortnight has been quietly encouraging after a difficult mid-season stretch, and he will be the one who unlocks West Ham's defence if Arsenal are to get the three points they need.
Gameweek 36 key fixtures: Liverpool vs Chelsea — Sat 9 May, 12:30 BST (TNT Sports). West Ham vs Arsenal — Sun 10 May, 16:30 BST (Sky Sports). Also: Sunderland vs Man Utd (Sat, 15:00), Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle (Sun, 14:00), Man City vs Brentford (Sat, 17:30).
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