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E-mail Xinhua, April 1, 2025
The Premier League returns to action after the international break and the weekend's FA Cup quarterfinals with a full set of midweek fixtures - three of which will be played on Tuesday, with six on Wednesday and a Chelsea-Tottenham derby on Thursday night.
Arsenal is at home to Fulham on Tuesday night, aiming to close Liverpool's 12-point lead at the top of the table and strengthen its grip on second place.
Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk (L) speaks with head coach Arne Slot during the English Football League Cup Final match between Liverpool FC and Newcastle United FC in London, Britain, on March 16, 2025. (Xinhua)
The main interest ahead of the game is to see whether Bukayo Saka will return after a long injury lay-off with a hamstring injury. Arsenal is still without Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, and the England forward's return to fitness could be a huge factor in Arsenal's upcoming UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against Real Madrid.
Fulham travels to north London with the disappointment at seeing its hopes of FA Cup glory ended at the quarterfinal stage for the fifth time after a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.
Nottingham Forest progressed to the semifinals of the FA Cup after a penalty shootout on Saturday, but the players have little time to recover ahead of a game at home to Manchester United.
Top scorer Chris Wood is again likely to miss out for Forest with a hip problem, while Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro will be back to add to coach Ruben Amorim's options in defense for United.
Wolverhampton Wanderers has the chance to just about ensure top-flight survival with a home game against West Ham. Wolves has a nine-point cushion over Ipswich Town and Leicester City, and with those sides traveling to play Bournemouth and Manchester City respectively on Wednesday, extending that lead to 12 points would probably be decisive.
Wednesday's big game is the Merseyside derby at Anfield between Liverpool and Everton, while Brighton will look to bounce back from its FA Cup disappointment at home to Aston Villa, Newcastle United entertains a Brentford side in excellent form away from home, and Crystal Palace visits rock-bottom Southampton.
