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Premier League preview: Will Spurs manager Igor Tudor be sacked after Liverpool game?
The Premier League is a wounded animal after all six of the English top flight’s sides failed to win the first legs of their respective Champions League round of 16 ties.
Now it is time for these teams to dust themselves down and return to domestic matters where at both ends of the table, each game matters as the finishing straight comes into view.
Here are the key storylines heading into this weekend’s Premier League matches.
Spurs manager Igor Tudor has lost control ahead of Liverpool trip
Tottenham fans are in hiding. Since Igor Tudor arrived in February, things have gone from bad to worse.
No wins in four matches, and Tuesday’s loss to Atletico Madrid was the worst of the lot.
Tudor has already lost control of Spurs. His decision to start Antonin Kinsky in goal backfired with a nightmarish 17 minutes, conceding three goals and being substituted for Guglielmo Vicario.
Tudor threw more fuel to the fire in the game’s aftermath, claiming he made the right decision to start Kinsky and then backtracking.
He then said his role as Spurs manager is ‘not a topic for me.’ Surely Tudor knows he’s on borrowed time.
The players have no faith in him, the fans have lost their faith, and judging by his conduct in media engagements, Tudor has no confidence in delivering Premier League safety.
Up next, a tough trip to Liverpool who will want to put Spurs to the sword.
If Spurs lose, then Tudor will have to be sacked, putting Spurs in more chaos, and that’s before possibly dropping into the relegation zone if results elsewhere go against them.
How West Ham can beat vulnerable Manchester City
West Ham United’s clash with Manchester City will have implications for both ends of the table.
West Ham, despite occupying a relegation place, are on the charge, losing just one of their last five league games, and now level on points with Nottingham Forest in 17th, with just goal difference separating the pair.
Facing City at the London Stadium on the surface is a daunting task, but the Hammers should not lose all hope before kick off.
City were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Real Madrid in midweek, and Pep Guardiola will want to make sure that was a blip. Expect no left field team selections, and a full strength side with Arsenal having played two and a half hours before.
However, while City will be a juggernaut, if West Ham can keep the game within their grasp at halftime, then they have a chance.
As has often been the case this season, City drop off in the second half and at times have put themselves in tough positions, which sometimes have resulted in defeat.
Therefore, under the east London lights, West Ham will need to save their best until the second half to take advantage of possible City drop off, and send shockwaves at the bottom and top of the table.
Manchester United and Aston Villa meet in crucial Champions League battle
At Old Trafford, there is a huge game in the race for Champions League football between Manchester United and Aston Villa.
Interim United manager Michael Carrick suffered his first defeat against Newcastle United, but if there is one team to bounce back against, Villa may be the one.
The Villains got their first win in five games on Thursday, a 1-0 victory in the first league of their Europa League round of 16 tie against Lille, but the challenge now is whether they can get themselves up for a crucial clash with United on a three-day turnaround.
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Villa have failed to beat the likes of Newcastle, Wolves and Leeds, teams which they should be beating, and this poor run of form has seen their title aspirations swiftly vanish.
Unai Emery’s team will not be facing the United from earlier in the season which was one in disarray, they now face an opponent full of confidence and has brought optimism to Old Trafford with the fans making it a hostile atmosphere, something which has not been heard at the Theatre of Dreams for a long time.
Can Leeds United get first league win since February 6?
With Spurs in free fall, the other teams involved in the Premier League relegation battle need to take advantage.
One of those is Leeds United who have hit a brick wall. The Whites have not won a league since a 3-1 win against Nottingham Forest at the start of February.
If Leeds are to stay in the Premier League, wins need to come sooner rather than later.
Up next is a trip to Crystal Palace, a team in a state of purgatory due to issues away from the pitch, most notably the impending departure of manager Oliver Glasner.
Selhurst Park will be a tough arena for Leeds, but after Palace drew 0-0 with AEK Larnaca, Daniel Farke will be hoping his team can carry the confidence from the FA Cup win over Norwich City last week to beat a Palace side which are a victim of going hot and cold on a regular basis.
How to watch the Premier League in Canada
Soccer fans in Canada can watch every Premier League match during the 2025-26 season on DAZN.
With Fubo Sports on DAZN, Canadians can catch Premier League action as well as Serie A. Additionally, DAZN is the home of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Bundesliga and more.
For pricing information and to sign up to watch, click here.
