The Premier League campaign is entering the final stretch. Liverpool are pushing hard to make the title race interesting even though Manchester City looked like they were going to run away with it at one point. United, Arsenal, West Ham and a few others will target a place in next season’s Champions League, and a whole bunch of clubs will fight just to remain in the division. Every point counts now. Every mistake will hurt. Simply put, there must be no excuses!League leaders will play Everton at Goodison Park in the late game on Saturday, knowing that only a win would be good enough in the title race. Liverpool are now just three points behind the reigning champions, and every point won or dropped could prove decisive.But rather than looking over their shoulders, Manchester City defender John Stones says that Pep Guardiola’s team is focussing on the fact that they are deservedly top.”We are definitely relishing the position that we have got ourselves in. We are top of the league, reigning champions. There are a lot of positives. We have got to keep focusing on how we play, what we are doing and not get sidetracked in our thinking.”John Stones: “I’m enjoying it [#ManCity] more than ever. Everyone wants to play every game, but with our schedule and number of games in a season, I don’t think it’s physically possible. Would I like to play more? Of course, every player in our dressing room would say that…”— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) February 25, 2022 It will be a special day for Stones as he returns to the stadium, where he spent three and a half years after joining from Burnley.”I have got a lot of fond memories and friends that I still stay in contact with. The fans, the stadium, everything has a special feeling about it for me personally. It brings back memories of playing there, good and bad and all the things that have taken me on my journey to where I am now which I am so thankful for. It is always a special occasion for me and my family when I go back.”Everton are still figuring things out with their new manager Frank Lampard, but they’ll have to do it quickly. It’s been a terrible season for the Toffees so far, and it will get even worse if they don’t start to accumulate points with regularity.Today’s matches will impact both ends of the Premier League standings, with relegation strugglers Newcastle, Burnley, Watford all in action – not to mention Everton, Leeds and Brentford, who also can’t afford to relax.Fighting talk from Marcelo Bielsa during his press conference this morning💪🏽 #LUFC pic.twitter.com/9XkwB20ZiT— Leeds United News (@LeedsUnitedYEP) February 25, 2022 Marcelo Bielsa’s Whites have conceded 16 goals in their last four games and have last won over a month ago. They will have to do their best to repeat Burnley’s trick and beat Tottenham today. You never know which Spurs’ side will come out of the dressing room on any given day. They are so difficult to predict. Manchester United were suffering and only barely hanging on when subjected to a trademark Atletico Madrid barrage when the two teams met in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. That day, Anthony Elanga saved the day and scored with his first touch to salvage a 1-1 draw to take into the return match. However, in domestic competition, a draw won’t do. The Red Devils must give Watford hell.Ralf Rangnick on Marcus Rashford’s form:”I am pretty sure he is not happy with his performance right now but it doesn’t help if we discuss that every week and talk about our thoughts about what it might be.” 😔 pic.twitter.com/b2i2022GSs— GOAL (@goal) February 25, 2022 The Hornets arrive to Old Trafford on the back of a grim home reverse at the hands of Roy Hodgson’s old club Crystal Palace. It was one of those must-win games for the Premier League’s second-bottom side, but despite the defeat – there is hope. Earlier in the season, Watford got their best win of the campaign when they humiliated Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer’s United by scoring four. It was to be the Norwegian’s last game in charge of the club.Although the home team will be expected to win, it wouldn’t be the first time Ralf Rangnick and his players let their fans down. Except – no excuse would be good enough today.PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 27FridaySouthampton – Norwich 2-0 (1-0)/Adams 36, Romeu 88/Saturday15:30: (4.20) Leeds (3.50) Tottenham (1.88)18:00: (1.35) Man.Utd. (4.90) Watford (9.50)18:00: (2.40) Brighton (3.20) Aston Villa (3.35)18:00: (2.60) Brentford (3.10) Newcastle (3.10)18:00: (2.00) Crystal Palace (3.50) Burnley (4.10)20:30: (10.0) Everton (6.25) Man.City (1.30)Sunday17:00: (2.20) West Ham (3.15) Wolverhampton (3.90)Arsenal – Liverpool CANCELEDChelsea – Leicester City CANCELED***odds are subject to change
