Top two go head-to-head as Blues bid for boost – Premier League talking points

Leaders Manchester City face a tantalising showdown with title rivals Liverpool in the pick of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures.

Elsewhere, Chelsea will bid to end another turbulent week on a high, while lowly Everton are among a handful of relegation-threatened sides scrapping for points.

Here, the PA news agency picks out some of the main top-flight talking points.

Many declared the title race over months ago when Manchester City were a staggering 11 points clear of Liverpool. Even the most optimistic Reds fan is unlikely to have envisaged the current state of play. Jurgen Klopp’s men have won a remarkable 10 league games in a row and have genuine prospects of an unprecedented quadruple. They now sit just a single point behind City – and hold a superior goal difference. Pep Guardiola’s team are slight favourites going into Sunday’s mouthwatering clash and have history on their side. City have lost only one of their previous 12 top-flight encounters with Liverpool at Etihad Stadium.

Much of the recent focus at Chelsea has been on off-the-field matters due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding the club’s ownership. Yet turmoil has transferred on to the pitch during a chaotic seven days. Thomas Tuchel’s side suffered a shock 4-1 thrashing at home to west London rivals Brentford last weekend and sit on the verge of Champions League elimination following Wednesday evening’s 3-1 quarter-final first-leg humbling at the hands of Real Madrid. The Blues’ European salvage operation takes place at the Bernabeu on Tuesday. Before then, they must ensure their tight grip on a top-four spot does not loosen at Southampton on Saturday.

Everton are in danger of dropping into the relegation zone for the first time this season. Seven