Premier League preview: It's now or never for Spurs as relegation battle takes centre stage

The Premier League clawed back some credibility in this week's Champions League second legs, with Arsenal and Liverpool both progressing to the last eight, but attention shifts back to domestic action this weekend in the final round before March's international break. 

With Arsenal and Manchester City putting their title duel on hold for the Carabao Cup Final, the focus is on the battle at the other end, with a huge game in North London that could determine the relegation places. 

Here are the key storylines heading into this weekend’s Premier League matches.

Spurs relegation D-day 

Whisper it quietly, but there have been some small green shoots of optimism in the last week at Tottenham, following two vastly improved performances in their last two games. 

Richarlison's late equaliser at Anfield on Sunday was no more than Spurs deserved after a much-improved display against Liverpool, and they followed that up by showing some fight and getting a first win under Igor Tudor as they beat Atletico Madrid in the Champions League - even if it wasn't enough to save the tie.

They are baby steps, but they need to turn into more giant strides because this weekend is a huge one for the club. On Sunday, they host fellow relegation candidates Nottingham Forest, with a point separating the two sides in the scrap at the bottom. 

Beat Forest, and a collective sigh will ring round North London, as he could be the catalyst to stop the rot and just play out the rest of this torrid campaign. 

However, lose against a side who are winless in their last seven and struggling to score goals, then the walls could well come crashing down on Tudor, and panic stations may be reached by all at the club. 

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Claret and blue bash 

There's a meeting of claret and blue in Birmingham as Aston Villa host West Ham, both with two very different agendas. 

The Hammers go there as the team in better form, with only one defeat in their last six and having held Manchester City to a draw last week, as they look to fight their way out of the bottom three.

Villa, on the other hand, have lost their last three and managed only two home wins in 2026, putting their Champions League hopes in real jeopardy with eight rounds left to play. 

Earlier in the season, Unai Emery's men won 3-2 at the London Stadium, and the game has a feel like we could see more of the same, with both needing the win and fight for what's left to play for in the final few weeks of the campaign.

Derby day in the North-east 

A highlight in the Premier League calendar as St James' Park hosts its first Tyne-Wear derby for a decade - almost to the day infact - when Newcastle host Sunderland. 

It was the Black Cats who drew first blood in the fixture this season, winning 1-0 at the Stadium of Light in November, but they head across the divide in a much poorer run of form this time around.

Last weekend's home defeat to Brighton was their fourth loss in six games, and although their top-flight status has been secured, it's not ideal going into their biggest away day of the season. 

Newcastle's victory over Chelsea last week means it's back-to-back league wins for Eddie Howe, and they are back in the top half and eyeing a European place, especially after their Champions League adventure ended with a humbling in Barcelona. 

They'll be looking to continue that charge by gaining revenge on their rivals, in what's bound to be a feverish atmosphere on the Toon. 

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 .