LONDON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- This weekend in England sees a split in fixtures between the quarterfinals of the FA Cup and a handful of Premier League games.
Manchester United entertains Liverpool in the FA Cup, with Erik ten Hag's side needing a win against their traditional rivals to save their season - and perhaps the coach's job - at the end of it.
Liverpool impressed in a 6-1 UEFA Europa League win over Sparta Prague on Thursday, with the game all but over after the first 15 minutes as they led 4-0, and their energy will be a huge factor against a United defence still missing the injured Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.
A win for Liverpool would keep alive their hopes of adding the FA Cup to the Carabao Cup they won earlier this season, along with their dreams of winning the Premier League and the Europa League in Jurgen Klopp's farewell campaign.
Manchester City faces Newcastle United on Saturday, with Jack Grealish and Kevin de Bruyne injury doubts for Pep Guardiola's side, while Newcastle is without key players such as Anthony Gordon, Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier for the difficult visit to the Etihad Stadium.
Chelsea plays at home to second-tier leaders Leicester City, whose main focus could be on securing a quick return to the top flight, and that could aid Mauricio Pochettino as he attempts to guide Chelsea to a second major final in what has otherwise been a difficult debut season.
Wolves entertains promotion-chasing Coventry in the fourth quarterfinal, and Gary O'Neil's men should view this as a chance to book a visit to Wembley against another rival looking for promotion to the top flight and likely to rest players.
Tottenham's 4-0 win at Aston Villa kept their top-four hopes in the Premier League alive last weekend, and they could move into fourth place on Saturday if they take all three points from a difficult visit to Fulham.
James Maddison's goal at Villa Park a week ago was vital to Spurs' win and the England midfielder has returned after an injury lay-off at just the right time.
Aston Villa visits West Ham on Sunday without the suspended John McGinn, while West Ham coach David Moyes has to make a decision over Kalvin Phillips, who has just been dropped from the England squad and has struggled for form since his move to east London.
The two remaining games are vital in the battle to avoid relegation, with Brentford needing to end a run of four defeats from five games away to a Burnley side that looks doomed to the drop after suffering 11 home defeats this season.
Luton Town surrendered a three-goal lead away to Bournemouth in midweek but could move out of the relegation zone if they beat Nottingham Forest, who is just three points above them. A Luton win would lift them above Forest on goal difference, while the threat of a points penalty for breaching financial fair play rules still hangs over a Forest side that has failed to score in their last three games, losing 1-0 each time. ■
