Liverpool host Manchester Metropolis in a defining second within the Premier League title race as Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola conclude their top-flight rivalry on Sunday. Free-scoring Arsenal can go high for at the very least a day after they host Brentford, whereas Aston Villa face Tottenham in a significant showdown within the battle for a top-four end. AFP Sport appears to be like at three speaking factors forward of the weekend’s motion:

Another sleepless evening for GuardiolaManchester Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola faces one final sleepless evening as he wrestles with the issues posed by his nice rival Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp’s bombshell revelation that he’ll stop as Liverpool supervisor on the finish of this season has given further gravitas to Sunday’s essential conflict with Metropolis at Anfield.

Though Guardiola has gained 5 of the final six Premier League crowns, Klopp has been a continuing thorn in his facet, with Liverpool’s 2020 title the one break in Metropolis’s dynastic reign.

Guardiola revealed the depth of his respect for Klopp when he admitted the German’s departure would make it simpler for him to calm down earlier than conferences with Liverpool.

“I’ll sleep higher. The video games towards Liverpool have nearly been a nightmare,” stated Guardiola, whose second positioned workforce are one level behind leaders Liverpool with 11 video games remaining.

Though Klopp and Guardiola additionally confronted off throughout spells with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich respectively, their time within the Premier League elevated their battle for supremacy to new heights.

The pair have met 15 occasions within the Premier League since 2016, with Klopp incomes 4 victories and Guardiola claiming 5 wins.

Nevertheless, beating Liverpool at Anfield in entrance of a crowd is among the few feats nonetheless to elude Guardiola as Metropolis boss.

The English champions solely victory away to Liverpool since 2003 got here behind closed doorways three years in the past.

With a lot at stake this weekend, Guardiola could have been shifting restlessly underneath his quilt this week as he plots yet another memorable second at Klopp’s expense.

Arsenal don’t have any margin for errorDeclan Rice has warned Arsenal they don’t have any margin for error within the chase to win a primary Premier League title since 2004.

After ending 2023 with damaging defeats towards West Ham and Fulham, Mikel Arteta’s males have responded with seven successive league victories.

Sheffield United have been crushed 6-0 at Bramall Lane on Monday, shifting Mikel Arteta’s third positioned facet again inside two factors of Liverpool.

With Liverpool and Metropolis assembly on Sunday, Arsenal can quickly seize pole place in the event that they beat Brentford on the Emirates Stadium 24 hours earlier.

“It has been a hell of a comeback because the Christmas interval, after we misplaced two in a row,” Arsenal midfielder Rice stated.

“However it’s the Premier League, it is advisable be on it each single recreation. You may’t have any slip-ups.

“In the event you take a look at the 2 different groups on the high, they do not seem like they’ll slip up anytime quickly.”

Villa fuelled by European dreamsAston Villa face high 4 rivals Tottenham on Sunday bidding to take an enormous step in the direction of enjoying within the Champions League for the primary time in 41 years.

Villa’s unexpectedly spectacular marketing campaign has raised hopes of a return to Europe’s elite membership competitors, a stage they final performed at as holders in 1982-83 after Tony Barton’s workforce gained the match the earlier 12 months.

Over 4 a long time later, Unai Emery’s fourth-placed facet are 5 factors forward of Tottenham in fifth and a victory at Villa Park would put them firmly on observe to complete within the high 4.

“The Premier League is 38 matches and we are actually within the fourth place and it’s a excellent alternative to attempt to compete,” Emery stated.

“If we need to increase our ranges, enjoying necessary video games, you will need to play matches like this week.”

(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)