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The second weekend of March brings an exciting round of Premier League action. The standout fixture in terms of league standings is the clash between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City. Forest has been the season’s surprise package but has managed only one point in their last three games. Meanwhile, City is showing signs of resurgence and remains in contention for a top-four finish.
A few years ago, Manchester United vs. Arsenal would have been a marquee matchup, but this time the stakes are different. The Red Devils, currently sitting in 14th place, are far from the European spots, with the Europa League their only remaining path to Champions League qualification. The Gunners, on the other hand, need to secure second place, given their 13-point gap behind leaders Liverpool. The league frontrunners, Liverpool, will host Southampton at Anfield in a classic top vs. bottom encounter. With a solid lead in the title race and a Champions League second leg against PSG looming, Arne Slot is likely to rotate his squad to manage their workload.
Similarly, Chelsea will have one eye on the Conference League when they take on Leicester, a side struggling and at risk of relegation. Expect an entertaining, high-scoring affair between Brighton and Fulham, who are separated by just one point in eighth and ninth place, both vying for a European spot. Aston Villa, meanwhile, faces a challenging away match against Brentford as they continue their push for European qualification.
Wolverhampton has a golden opportunity to widen the gap from the relegation zone as they take on Everton at home. The matchday wraps up with Crystal Palace vs. Ipswich and Tottenham vs. Bournemouth. Despite their recent dip in form, Bournemouth remains in the hunt for a top-six finish.
