The Premier League’s top dogs and bottom dwellers have the chance to create separation at both ends of the table when Week 25 hits in the Premier League.
Here are the best stories going this weekend in England and Wales.
[ MORE: PL schedule, stream links ]
The Etihad Stadium’s really, really, really big show
Manchester City vs. Leicester City — 7:45 a.m. ET Saturday (NBCSN) — FULL PREVIEW
When the Premier League schedule makers put this one atop the weekend slate, were they expecting it to be a title clash? The visitors enter City’s den with a three-point lead in the chase for a PL title. Both clubs have 12 points from their last six matches, and Leicester has five clean sheets in that stretch. Your move, Aguero.
Two giants scratching their heads in London
Chelsea vs. Manchester United — 11 a.m. ET Sunday (NBCSN)
The hosts with the most points last season now are quietly unbeaten in six, albeit with just a pair of wins. This wasn’t how a title defense was supposed to look, but it would feel much better if the Blues could top their old rivals at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. That said, United looked fantastic in unloading on Stoke City midweek, and could be geared up to take advantage of a wide-open Top Four race.
[ MORE: Latest Premier League standings | Schedule | Stats ]
Can Klopp and the Kop help Liverpool right its ship?
Liverpool vs. Sunderland — 10 a.m. ET Saturday (USA)
Don’t look now, but the Reds have managed just one win in their last five Premier League matches. That stretch includes a 0-0 draw with Arsenal and failed tests against West Ham United, Manchester United and Leicester City. Given the fixtures this weekend, a loss to Sunderland could see Jurgen Klopp’s crew in the bottom half.
A pair of relegation scraps could make the picture even clearer
Newcastle United vs. West Bromwich Albion — 10 a.m. ET Saturday (Premier League Extra Time)
Aston Villa vs. Norwich City— 10 a.m. ET Saturday (Premier League Extra Time)
Villa will be 13 points adrift and Newcastle five if Norwich and West Brom manage to nab three points each on Saturday. Given Sunderland’s plight at Anfield on Sunday, all three could be staring down only the greatest of escapes after the PL weekend.
[ WATCH LIVE: Stream every PL game via Live Extra ]
Can anyone slow down Spurs?
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Watford -- 10 a.m. ET Saturday (NBCSN) — FULL PREVIEW
Saturday’s visitors to White Hart Lane are coming off a 0-0 draw against Chelsea, but Quique Flores’ Watford has a heck of a task in slowing down a Spurs side that has scored 3, 3, and 4 goals in its last three outings (wins over Norwich, Palace and Sunderland. If Leicester and Man City draw, Spurs could be within three points of the top of the table at the end of the weekend.