WITH the international break over, Premier League clubs will be focusing on how they can end the season on a high.
There are no more distractions, with it now only being club football until the campaign is over.
So we asked our friends at Football Whispers to analyse how each club is shaping-up and what they have to play for as they go into the home straight.
Arsenal (6th)
Run-in
April 1: Stoke (H)
April 8: Southampton (H)
April 15: Newcastle (A)
April 22: West Ham (H)
April 29: Man United (A)
May 5: Burnley (H)
May 13: Huddersfield (A)
TBC: Leicester (A)
What’s to play for?
The Gunners are currently 13 points off the top four, so qualifying for the Champions League through the league is unlikely.
The best chance of saving their season would be by winning the Europa League. If they don’t do that, Arsene Wenger may finally be on his way out of the Emirates.
Injury status
Jack Wilshere and Sead Kolasinac picked up knocks on international duty, but won’t be long-term absentees.
Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette are on their way back, while Santi Cazorla will be out for the run-in.
Bournemouth (10th)
Run-in
March 31: Watford (A)
April 7: Crystal Palace (H)
April 14: Liverpool (A)
April 18: Man United (H)
April 28: Southampton (A)
May 5: Swansea (H)
May 13: Burnley (A)
What’s to play for?
The Cherries are eight points clear of the bottom three and should have enough to stay up. A good run could see them stay in the top half.
Their highest-ever finish was last season’s ninth, but replicating or improving on that looks unlikely.
Injury status
Harry Arter and Asmir Begovic both dropped out of international duty because of injuries, but shouldn’t be out for too long. They could even return against Watford.
Simon Francis and Adam Smith are also being assessed. Tyrone Mings is a longer-term absentee with a back issue.
Brighton (12th)
Run-in
March 31: Leicester (H)
April 7: Huddersfield (H)
April 14: Crystal Palace (A)
April 17: Tottenham (H)
April 28: Burnley (A)
May 5: Man United (H)
May 13: Liverpool (A)
TBC: Man City (A)
What’s to play for?
Brighton are only six points clear of the drop zone, but there are definitely worse teams than the Seagulls in the league.
Relegation would be a surprise given where they are right now, and a mid-table place looks likely.
Their best ever finish in the top flight is 13th, Chris Hughton’s side are on course to better that.
Injury status
Steve Sidwell is the only long-term absentee for their run-in, with back and ankle issues. Dale Stephens may miss the Leicester match with a hamstring injury.
Burnley (7th)
Run-in
March 31: West Brom (A)
April 7: Watford (A)
April 14: Leicester (H)
April 19: Chelsea (H)
April 22: Stoke (A)
April 28: Brighton (H)
May 5: Arsenal (A)
May 13: Bournemouth (H)
What’s to play for?
After a poor run of form, the Clarets are now unbeaten in three and are just five points off sixth.
If Chelsea, Manchester United or Tottenham win the FA Cup, they will have European football at Turf Moor next season should they stay in seventh.
Injury status
Sean Dyche will be without Steven Defour and Robbie Brady, who’ve both suffered season-ending knee injuries.
Chelsea (5th)
Run-in
April 1: Tottenham (H)
April 8: West Ham (H)
April 14: Southampton (A)
April 19: Burnley (A)
April 28: Swansea (A)
May 5: Liverpool (H)
May 13: Newcastle (A)
TBC: Huddersfield
What’s to play for?
There is currently a five-point gap between the Blues and fourth-placed Tottenham and a real risk the champions could finish outside the top four and fail to qualify for the Champions League.
They’ll need to beat Spurs this weekend to try to narrow that difference.
The FA Cup is the only trophy they can win this season. Antonio Conte’s men face Southampton in the semi-final.
Injury status
Andreas Christensen and Thibaut Courtois were sent home from international duty with injuries and could miss the Spurs match.
Ross Barkley is still not fully fit, while David Luiz is three weeks away. Ethan Ampadu is out for the season.
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Crystal Palace (16th)
Run-in
March 31: Liverpool (H)
April 7: Bournemouth (A)
April 14: Brighton (H)
April 21: Watford (A)
April 28: Leicester (H)
May 5: Stoke (A)
May 13: West Brom (H)
What’s to play for?
The Eagles were always going to be in a relegation battle after failing to score or pick up a single point from their first seven games.
Roy Hodgson has given them a fighting chance of survival, but they are still right in the mix and are only two points clear of 18th.
Injury status
Crystal Palace will have to fight for survival without a number of their key players who are out for the season, including Bakary Sako, Jason Puncheon and Scott Dann.
Star man Wilfried Zaha picked up a knock against Huddersfield and didn’t feature for the Ivory Coast but should be back in action for Palace this weekend.
Everton (9th)
Run-in
March 31: Man City (H)
April 7: Liverpool (A)
April 14: Swansea (A)
April 23: Newcastle (H)
April 28: Huddersfield (A)
May 5: Southampton (H)
May 13: West Ham (A)
What’s to play for?
Everton are only three points from seventh, but they have played one game more than Burnley and Leicester, who sit above them.
They have an outside chance of equalling last season’s finish, but realistically, ending the season in the top half would be a good achievement for the Toffees after their poor start to 2017/18.
Injury status
James McCarthy (broken leg) and Gylfi Sigurdsson (knee) are likely to miss the rest of the season, while it is also doubtful that Eliaquim Mangala (knee) will return before the end of the campaign.
Huddersfield (15th)
Run-in
March 31: Newcastle (A)
April 7: Brighton (A)
April 14: Watford (H)
April 28: Everton (H)
May 5: Man City (A)
May 13: Arsenal (H)
TBC: Chelsea (A)
What’s to play for?
Huddersfield are in a relegation battle and have to play Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea in the run-in.
They’re currently just three points away from the relegation zone and will need to beat the teams around them, like Newcastle and Brighton, to stay up.
Injury status
Aaron Mooy and Philip Billing have both returned from international duty with knocks and will be assessed before the game with Newcastle.
Midfielder Danny Williams is out for the season after suffering a fractured fibula.
Leicester (8th)
Run-in
March 31: Brighton (A)
April 7: Newcastle (H)
April 14: Burnley (A)
April 19: Southampton (H)
April 28: Crystal Palace (A)
May 5: West Ham (H)
May 13: Tottenham (A)
TBC: Arsenal (H)
What’s to play for?
The Foxes aren’t in relegation trouble and will battle Burnley and Everton to be the best team outside the top six.
Injury status
Kelechi Iheanacho broke his hand on international duty with Nigeria, but should be fit to play against Brighton.
Harry Maguire missed England’s game with Italy, but is back in contention.
Daniel Amartey will recover from his hamstring injury by the Newcastle match on April 7 if he doesn’t have any setbacks.
Liverpool (3rd)
Run-in
March 31: Crystal Palace (A)
April 7: Everton (H)
April 14: Bournemouth (H)
April 22: West Brom (A)
April 28: Stoke (H)
May 5: Chelsea (A)
May 13: Brighton (H)
What’s to play for?
Securing a top-four spot will be Jurgen Klopp’s priority. Liverpool are seven points clear of fifth-placed Chelsea, but have played a game more.
The Reds also have a tasty Champions League quarter final with Manchester City to look forward to.
Injury status
Joe Gomez was struck down with an ankle injury while on England duty and that could hand Nathaniel Clyne his first appearance of the season.
The right-back’s been suffering with back problems but did play 90 minutes for Liverpool Under-23s last week.
Manchester City (1st)
Run-in
March 31: Everton (A)
April 7: Man United (H)
April 14: Tottenham (A)
April 22: Swansea (H)
April 29: West Ham (A)
May 5: Huddersfield (H)
May 13: Southampton (A)
TBC: Brighton (H)
What’s to play for?
Sitting 16 points clear of second-placed Manchester United, it looks like the title is heading to the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola’s City will be focusing on trying to win their first Champions League trophy.
Injury status
Sergio Aguero missed Argentina’s international games against Italy and Spain through a knee injury but should be fit this weekend.
Fabian Delph is doubtful, but not too far off, after a muscle injury, while long-term absentee Benjamin Mendy is nearly back from a knee injury.
Manchester United (2nd)
Run-in
March 31: Swansea (H)
April 7: Man City (A)
April 15: West Brom (H)
April 18: Bournemouth (A)
April 29: Arsenal (H)
May 5: Brighton (A)
May 13: Watford (H)
TBC: West Ham (A)
What’s to play for?
Realistically, the title is out of reach, but the Red Devils are nine points clear of fifth, so a top-four finish shouldn’t be an issue.
Their best hope of glory this season is the FA Cup, and they face Tottenham in their semi-final next month.
Perhaps the biggest issue for Jose Mourinho is sorting out what is going on with record buy Paul Pogba, who’s been out of form.
Injury status
Sergio Romero went off in Argentina’s 6-1 humiliation to Spain, but his knee injury is not believed to be serious.
Scott McTominay picked up an ankle knock with Scotland but it appears to be a minor issue. Daley Blind is the only long-term absence due to an ankle ligament issue.
Newcastle (13th)
March 31: Huddersfield (H)
April 7: Leicester (A)
April 15: Arsenal (H)
April 23: Everton (A)
April 28: West Brom (H)
May 5: Watford (A)
May 13: Chelsea (H)
TBC: Tottenham (A)
What’s to play for?
The Magpies are just four points above the drop zone.
Tricky ties against Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs will determine whether they finish mid-table or fall into the bottom three.
Injury status
The groin issue Matt Ritchie picked up while playing for Scotland isn’t serious and he is in contention to play against Huddersfield.
It is unknown when Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot will return from shoulder and back problems respectively.
Jesus Gamez is currently struggling with an ankle knock and is unlikely to play for the club again, with his contract up in the summer.
Southampton (18th)
Run-in
March 31: West Ham (A)
April 8: Arsenal (A)
April 14: Chelsea (H)
April 19: Leicester (A)
April 28: Bournemouth (H)
May 5: Everton (A)
May 13: Man City (H)
TBC: Swansea (A)
What’s to play for?
Mark Hughes has replaced Mauricio Pellegrino but Saints find themselves in real trouble towards the foot of the Premier League.
They’re currently in 18th, two points from safety, and in serious danger of going down. They’ll be focused on survival despite being in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Injury status
Hughes will have Charlie Austin back as he battles to save Southampton.
Ryan Bertrand pulled out of the England squad with a back problem but his withdrawal was only precautionary.
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Stoke (19th)
Run-in
April 1: Arsenal (A)
April 7: Tottenham (H)
April 16: West Ham (A)
April 22: Burnley (H)
April 28: Liverpool (A)
May 5: Crystal Palace (H)
May 13: Swansea (A)
What’s to play for?
Paul Lambert’s side are four points from safety, fail to pick up something in their next two games against Arsenal and Tottenham and they could be left adrift in the bottom three.
Their matches against fellow strugglers Crystal Palace and Swansea will be crucial if they don’t come too late.
Injury status
Stoke will be without Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting (muscle) and Geoff Cameron (hamstring) for the next few games, with the two some way off a first-team return. Lee Grant is also out with a broken wrist.
Swansea (14th)
Run-in
March 31: Man United (A)
April 7: West Brom (A)
April 14:- Everton (H)
April 22: Man City (A)
April 28: Chelsea (H)
May 5: Bournemouth (A)
May 13: Stoke (H)
TBC: Southampton (H)
What’s to play for?
Premier League survival is undoubtedly Swansea’s goal.
But Carlos Carvalhal has transformed the Swans and they’re looking up, rather than down, despite only sitting three points clear of 18th.
Injury status
Carvalhal has two players missing for the season, with Leroy Fer’s achilles and Wilfried Bony’s ACL ruling them out.
Tottenham (4th)
Run-in
April 1: Chelsea (A)
April 7: Stoke (A)
April 14: Man City (H)
April 17: Brighton (A)
April 30: Watford (H)
May 5: West Brom (A)
May 13: Leicester (H)
TBC: Newcastle (H)
What’s to play for?
Tottenham are five points clear of Chelsea in fourth and face the Blues next.
A defeat would close the gap, but victory would all but secure their participation in the Champions League next season.
They’ve got a chance of silverware too, coming up against Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Injury status
Harry Kane should return in a few weeks, although Mauricio Pochettino suggested he could play against Chelsea. Whether that’s true or just mind games is yet to be seen.
Harry Winks withdrew from England’s Under-21 squad with an ankle injury.
Watford (11th)
Run-in
March 31: Bournemouth (H)
April 7: Burnley (H)
April 14: Huddersfield (A)
April 21: Crystal Palace (H)
April 30: Tottenham (A)
May 5: Newcastle (H)
May 13: Man United (A)
What’s to play for?
The Hornets are eight points clear of the drop and shouldn’t be drawn into a relegation battle.
They’ll be hoping to finish the season in mid-table obscurity.
Watford’s final two away games are tricky, at Wembley and Old Trafford.
Injury status
Watford have had an injury-ridden season, and it’s no different at the moment.
Gerard Deulofeu (broken foot), Christian Kabasele (hamstring), Tom Cleverley (hamstring), Younes Kaboul (metatarsal), Tommie Hoban (ACL) and Nathaniel Chalobah (knee) are all out.
West Brom (20th)
Run-in
March 31: Burnley (H)
April 7: Swansea (H)
April 15: Man United (A)
April 22: Liverpool (H)
April 28: Newcastle (A)
May 5: Tottenham (H)
May 13: Crystal Palace (A)
What’s to play for?
If West Brom want to stay up, they need to start winning games immediately.
They’re currently ten points from safety and time is running out.
Injury status
Gareth Barry (knee), Daniel Sturridge (hamstring) and Nacer Chadli (thigh) could be set to return from injuries this weekend, which will be a massive boost for Alan Pardew.
James Morrison should be back from an achilles injury in mid-April.
West Ham (17th)
Run-in
March 31: Southampton (H)
April 8: Chelsea (A)
April 16: Stoke (H)
April 22: Arsenal (A)
April 29: Man City (H)
May 5: Leicester (A)
May 13: Everton (H)
TBC: Man United (H)
What’s to play for?
It’s all about Premier League survival for the Hammers and they have got a tough run-in.
They still have to face Chelsea, Arsenal and the two Manchester clubs. Sitting just one place clear of the relegation zone, David Moyes will be worried.
A loss to Southampton this weekend would see them fall into the bottom three.
Injury status
Manuel Lanzini needs to be assessed after picking up a knock for Argentina.
Sam Byram (ankle), Pedro Obiang and Winston Reid (both MCL knee ligament) are out for the season, while Andy Carroll (broken foot) is still a month away.
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