With the significant European nights sucking much of the juice from the Premier League clubs, the big teams will have to rely more on talent than tenacity in their domestic league to keep their top-four chances alive.
Matchweek 26 of the PL poses a challenge for the top teams now as managers struggle to find the perfect shuffle in their squad for the gruelling weekend fixtures.
However, we bring you some important numbers that can help you predict the outcomes.
Leicester City vs Arsenal
Leicester City cannot play Arsenal at a more opportune time. The Gunners are going through a rough patch yet again, losing three of their last five matches whereas the Foxes have won thrice in the same number of matches.
Past records, however, have the Gunners in a suitable position with the North London club winning 16 of their 29 encounters with Leicester City and losing only five times.
However, Arsenal's record at the King Power Stadium in their last five visits have been discouraging to say the least.
| Last 4 encounters at King Power Stadium | ||
| Leicester City | Metrics | Arsenal |
| 3 | Wins | 1 |
| 1 | Draws | 1 |
Chelsea vs Manchester United
Rivalries cannot get any better than this. Chelsea and Manchester United will face each other at a moment in the league where every three-point matters extremely for each side. Six points separate second-placed United and fifth-placed Chelsea and a home win for the Blues will spring them back into the top four. Chelsea's midweek away win against Atletico Madrid should also serve as a huge motivation for them.
Despite United's higher position in the league table, Chelsea have been in a better form of late, winning four of their last five matches while the Red Devils have won twice and drawn thrice.
However, the head-to-head between Chelsea and United suggest it is going to be a tough battle this weekend.
| Head-to-Head | ||
| Chelsea | Metric | Manchester United |
| 57 | Matches | 57 |
| 18 | Wins | 17 |
| 22 | Draws | 22 |
Manchester City vs West Ham United
With a 10-point lead at the top of the table, Manchester City have little to worry about the title race now, but their party can rightly be spoiled by an in-form West Ham United side.
While the Hammers trail the Cityzens by 9-23 in the head-to-head stats, David Moyes' men have been quite brilliant in the league this season. While City come to the fixture at the back of a 5-0 win, West Ham have won four of their last five matches as well.
With the names that Manchester City have in their squad, Pep Guardiola's men remain the favourites to win the game and nothing makes it clearer than the head-to-head record of the two teams.
| Head-to-Head | ||
| Manchester City | Metrics | West Ham United |
| 39 | Matches | 39 |
| 23 | Wins | 9 |
| 7 | Draws | 7 |
Sheffield United vs Liverpool
Sheffield United hosting Liverpool should have been a pretty another straightforward win for the Reds on another occasion, but Liverpool's current form has kept everyone guessing.
While Liverpool lead Sheffield 5-2 in head-to-head, both the teams come to the fixture at the back of one win and four losses in their last five matches.
| Results of last 5 EPL matches | ||
| Sheffield United | Metrics | Liverpool |
| 1 | Wins | 1 |
| 0 | Draws | 0 |
| 4 | Losses | 4 |
To further make things dicey for Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have managed just one win in their last four encounters at the Bramall Lane.
Feature Image Courtesy: ATTILA KISBENEDEK / AFP
