The Premier League fights for survival and the fourth place are on fire. Manchester United were defeated by West Ham, thus giving Liverpool a chance to qualify for the Champions League despite the disastrous first part of the season. Liverpool, but also Brighton, who would significantly increase the chances of snatching the last ticket to the elite European competition from the island giants right in front of their noses if they beat Everton in front of their fans tonight.By all accounts, the current season will be historic for Brighton, since they are close to the first ever qualification for European club competitions. The Seagulls sit seventh, which guarantees participation in the Conference League, they have a point more and three games less than the eighth-placed Aston Villa, and it is difficult to imagine that Brighton will fall back in the table. It is more realistic, however, that they progress, since they still need to play two remaining games, including tonight’s with Everton in the regular, 35th round.If they win all three matches, Robert De Zerbi’s team will overtake United in the standings, although two very difficult duels await them in the remaining matches, as they visit Newcastle and welcome Manchester City. It won’t be easy with Everton either, because we have entered the part of the season when you would rather have a team from the middle of the table as a rival than from the relegation zone, even though you outclassed them in the first part of the season (4-1 at Goodison Park).Pep will win the Champions League – the curse is lifted!”This is a completely different situation. When we defeated Everton, they were a completely different team. In the final part of the season, the games are always more difficult. And this one will be very difficult, because they are a strong team. But we want to achieve our goal,” De Zerbi said at the conference.”It is clear to everyone that we are competing with big teams like Tottenham, Aston Villa and Liverpool for Europe. Right now we deserve to be in the best position,” said the Italian about the goal he set for the team. The change of coach did not bring much to Everton. Sean Dyche has won just three of his 14 games, the last coming in mid-March against Brentford. Since then, only four points in seven matches. The Toffees are in the penultimate place with 29 points and are getting closer to relegation from the Premier League, their first since the elite level of English football has been played under this name.On the previous two occasions, Everton returned from the far south of England undefeated (0-2, 0-0), but this season’s performance on the road does not indicate that they will avoid defeat at the AMEX for the third time in a row. The club from Liverpool has not won any of the last 18 Premier League games on the side against teams from the upper part of the table. Interestingly, the last such triumph came against none other than Brighton in August 2021.Arsenal say it ain’t over yet: Gunners survive a rampage at St James’ ParkHowever, the Seagulls have kept a clean sheet in nine league games in front of their fans this season, less than only Manchester United (ten), and they have won eight of the last ten matches at the AMEX in all competitions… The statistics, therefore, are not in Everton’s favor.On the other hand, Southampton have nothing going in their favor and only math keeps them alive. And it won’t last long unless Nottingham Forest win at the City Ground tonight.It sounds strange, but the Saints dropped a huge two points against Arsenal, the only team they have remained unbeaten against in the last six rounds. They have 24 points, six away from the safe zone, and they still have duels against Fulham, Brighton and Liverpool. So, practically – mission impossible. And that’s why the club executives at St. Mary’s are already making plans to return to the Premier League as soon as possible, although with a victory over Forest they would fuel the hope that by some miracle they can still survive.Definitely deplorable De Gea!Despite the fact that Forest have won only one of the previous 13 games, they still have a real chance to remain among the elite; the Tricky Trees are in the relegation zone, but equal on points with Leeds and Leicester. Therefore, a win over Southampton is imperative, and the fans are encouraged by the fact that their favourites won 10 out of 12 points at home against teams fighting for survival.Before the mentioned teams, Fulham and Leicester will take the field. With three consecutive defeats, the London club lost all ambition for a potential placement in Europe, while the Foxes escaped from the danger zone with five points from the last three games, from which they would further distance themselves with a possible triumph over a not overly motivated rival.Fulham coach Marco Silva will not be able to count on Andreas Pereira and Tim Ream, who suffered serious injuries against Manchester City, but also on Aleksandar Mitrović, who will sit out the last of his eight suspension matches today.Leicester City defender Daniel Amartey 🇬🇭 is attracting interest from Italian giants AC Milan. He is yet to make an appearance since the Foxes appointed new coach Dean Smith. pic.twitter.com/i0coIwiYgF— Ibrahim Sannie Daara (@SannieDaara) May 3, 2023 PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 35SaturdayWolverhampton – Aston Villa 1-0 (1-0)/Toti 9/Bournemouth – Chelsea 1-3 (1-1)/Vina 21 – Gallagher 9 – Badiashile 82/Tottenham – Crystal Palace 1-0 (1-0)/Kane 45+1/Manchester City – Leeds United 2-1 (2-0)/Gundogan 19, 27 – Rodrigo 85/Liverpool – Brentford 1-0 (1-0)/Salah 13/SundayNewcastle – Arsenal 0-2 (0-1)/Odegaard 14, Schar og 71/West Ham – Man Utd 1-0 (0-0)/Benrahma 27/Monday17.00: (2.70) Fulham (3.35) Leicester (2.68)19.30: (1.40) Brighton (5.20) Everton (10.0)22.00: (2.19) Nott.Forest (3.35) Southampton (3.45)***odds are subject to change***
