LONDON, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The FA Cup semifinals between Manchester City and Southampton and Chelsea and Leeds United will take center stage in England over the weekend, but there are still some vital Premier League matches to be played - one of which has a direct bearing on the title race, with three others key to the struggle to avoid relegation.
City's 1-0 win over Burnley on Wednesday night condemned the Clarets to relegation, while lifting Pep Guardiola's side to the top of the Premier League over Arsenal on goals scored.
The Gunners can return to the top of the table when they entertain Newcastle United on Saturday evening at almost the same time City and Southampton lock horns at Wembley.
Arsenal has looked tired in recent games and is missing the inspiration of Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino, but Newcastle United is also struggling after three consecutive defeats ended the club's chances of playing in Europe next season and put Eddie Howe's job in serious danger.
While Arsenal not only has to win, but score as many goals as possible to boost the goal difference, coach Mikel Arteta also has a difficult juggling act with his side traveling to play Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night, where he will need his star players in the best possible shape for what is likely to be an intense night in the Metropolitano Stadium.
Midweek results saw both Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers' relegation confirmed, but Wolves have a big say in who will join them in the second tier when Tottenham visits Molineux on Saturday.
Tottenham travels third from bottom after the heartbreak of conceding a late equalizer to Brighton last Saturday, although the players should take heart from an improved display under new coach Roberto de Zerbi.
Spurs play at the same time as West Ham, which is two points above them in the table, and faces Everton in another vital game where Toffees' head coach David Moyes will be the focus of attention.
A former West Ham boss, Moyes was much-criticized in his time in east London, but his team now travels with a chance of qualifying for Europe next season while dropping West Ham into the bottom three.
Nottingham Forest sits five points above Tottenham and could all but ensure survival with a win away to Sunderland on Friday night, although the Black Cats have only three defeats at the Stadium of Light all campaign.
Liverpool can close in on a top-five finish with a home win against Crystal Palace, who could also be more focused on next week's Conference League semifinal, while Aston Villa visits a Fulham side whose European options seem to have evaporated after just one win in the last five.
Finally, Manchester United is at home to a Brentford side that could climb up to sixth with a win on Monday night. ■
