Premier League battle for Europe enters final stretch
Madrid Desk, Jul 22 (efe-epa).- The Premier League’s Wednesday night action promises two key games in the battle for Europe and will see Liverpool lift the trophy for the first time in 30 years as the team plays their last game at Anfield this season.
The action kicks off at Old Trafford as Manchester United host West Ham, who have mathematically secured their survival in the Premier League thanks to goal difference.
In the pre-match presser on Tuesday, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær said he recognized West Ham’s recent good form and said the team was focused on the next two games, with a trip to fellow European hopefuls Leicester City next week.
Man. U have gone unbeaten in the league since returning after the Covid-19 lockdown.
“Of course if we can get through unbeaten, then that’s us in the Champions League next year. Now all eyes are on West Ham. We know their threats and how well they’ve played lately. We just have to focus on that,” the Norwegian said.
The northern English side had a wobble at the weekend, however, when Chelsea beat them 3-1 to secure a place in the FA Cup final against Arsenal. The talk after the match revolved mainly around mistakes made by Manchester United’s keeper David de Gea.
Solskjær did not go into details as to whether the Spanish international would feature against West Ham, or whether his understudy Sergio Romero could stand in.
A win against West Ham would see Manchester United move up to third but their chances of staying there depend on the other Wednesday night fixture, as Chelsea travel to Anfield.
While Liverpool will lift the trophy whatever the outcome of the match, Chelsea will be desperate to keep Manchester United at an arm’s length in the league before the decisive final round of fixtures on Sunday.
With Liverpool and Manchester City having already secured their place in the coveted competition next season, the final two slots are all in the touching distance of Chelsea, Leicester City and Manchester United, whose match on Sunday could well be a nail-biting decider.
