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With the Premier League title already won and the European spots all-but decided, the main focus for gameweek 36 and the rest of the season is the battle for Premier League survival.
Here are the pick of the fixtures taking place in the Premier League:
Liverpool v Stoke (Saturday, 12:30 PM kick-off)
The early kick-off in the top-flight sees Champions League semi-finalists Liverpool host relegation-threatened Stoke City at Anfield.
Liverpool head into this clash with one eye on Wednesday Champions League semi-final second leg against Roma, a clash the Reds have a 5-2 advantage. Despite the advantage, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp looks set to rotate his squad. The visit may need the home side to rest some key players, as the Reds are unbeaten in 19 home games in the Premier League. Klopp’s side have also been impressive in front of goal of late, scoring at least two goals in 15 of their last 18 top-flight outings.
Stoke head into this clash are major underdogs to record a win. However, the Potters are desperately in need of a shock win to aid their survival bid. Paul Lambert’s visitors are four points from safety, having played a game more than 17th place Swansea. If results go against the visitors, they could suffer relegation this weekend. One of the Potters main problems of late is that they have struggled for wins on their travels in the top-flight, as the Staffordshire outfit have failed to win in their last 12 league games on the road.
Southampton v Bournemouth (Saturday, kick-off 3 PM)
Southampton are currently 18th place in the table, four points from safety heading into south coast derby against Bournemouth at St Marys.
The Saints have failed to win in their last eight matches in the top-flight, while winning one of their last 21 league outings. The south coast side have struggled to win at St Marys, having failed to win any of their last nine league games on home soil. In fact, the Saints have lost four of their last five league encounters on home soil. They have at least kept clean in their last four home games against Bournemouth.
Bournemouth heads to their south coast neighbours 11th in the Premier League. Eddie Howe’s team will still be eying up a top-half finish this season. However, winning just once in their last nine league games has not helped their chances of a top-ten finish. The Cherries have also won just once in their last 11 away outings in the league.
Swansea v Chelsea (Saturday, 5:30 PM)
A home win for Swansea against Chelsea at the Liberty Stadium would be a massive step towards safety for the Swans, who are four points clear of the relegation zone.
However, Carlos Carvalhal’s team have struggled for wins of late in the top-flight, as the Welsh side are winless in their last five outings. The home side have struggled for goals this season and no team has scored fewer goals than the visitors in the top-flight. There is a recent positive for the Swans, as they are unbeaten in five league games at the Liberty Stadium, recording four wins and a draw.
Chelsea head into this clash fifth-place and five points behind Tottenham who occupy the last Champions League spot. The Blues looked to be out of the race for the top-four until recent victories over Southampton and Burnley. The visitors have a good recent record against the Swans, as they have lost one of the last 11 meetings in all competitions.
This weekend’s other Premier League fixtures (Kick-off 3 PM Unless stated)
Saturday
Burnley v Brighton
Crystal Palace v Leicester
Huddersfield v Everton
Newcastle v West Brom
Sunday
West Ham v Manchester United (Kick-off 2:15 PM)
Manchester United v Arsenal (Kick-off 4:30)
Who will pick up crucial Premier League wins this weekend?
