07/02/2026

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SATURDAY | FEB 7, 2026

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Litmus test for Pep City confront Anfield hoodoo as Arsenal eye Premier League crown

Liverpool manager Arne Slot (left) and Man City manager Pep Guardiola interact before the Premier League match at Etihad Stadium last year. – AFPPIC

A RSENAL could take another giant step towards the Premier League title with victory over Sunderland today (11pm Malaysian time) before Manchester City face a daunting trip to Liverpool. The Gunners already enjoy a six-point lead at the top of the table as they close in on a first title since 2003/04. Despite an excellent first season back in the top-flight for Sunderland, Arsenal will expect to take care of business at the Emirates and stretch their lead to nine points 24 hours before City make their annual dreaded trip to Anfield. The latest in a series of second half-col lapses at Tottenham last weekend to blow a two-goal lead leaves City with precious little margin for error left in the title race. City’s only victory away to Liverpool since 2003 came in an empty stadium during Coronavirus restrictions in 2021. The form of Pep Guardiola’s men on the road does little to inspire confidence they can end that barren run on Sunday. Boasting identical home records, the six point deficit to Arsenal comes from the differ ence between the sides away from home. However, Liverpool boss Arne Slot remains wary of a City squad that beat his side 3-0 ear lier in the season and were able to cruise into the League Cup final over Newcastle despite

for a place in next season’s Champions League. The strong performance of English sides in European competition is almost certain to mean fifth is enough for Champions League qualification. Just seven points separate third placed Villa from Liverpool in sixth. After defying the odds to keep pace in the title race for most of the season, back-to-back home defeats to Everton and Brentford have Villa looking over their shoulder. A midfield injury crisis has robbed Emery of captain John McGinn, Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara for the forseeable future. Villa need to get back to winning ways away at Bournemouth, while United and Chelsea look to maintain their charge up the table. United host struggling Tottenham looking a fourth consecutive win since Michael Carrick took charge, while Chelsea visit Wolves. Two of the Premier League’s out-of-form sides clash when Crystal Palace visit Brighton. Winless in 12 games, Palace twice broke their transfer record in the winter window, splashing out more than £80 million (RM432m) on Jorgen Strand Larsen and Brennan Johnson as they panic about being dragged into a relegation battle. “I’m here to bring energy, goals and to try and do the best for the club,” said Strand Larsen. “I think that we are a perfect match.” The Eagles have a nine-point cushion over

Guardiola making five changes in midweek. “That tells you, combined with the game we played against them, what a force City still is and always will be,” said Slot. Midfielder Tijjani Reijnders believes City’s margin for error has gone after dropping points in five of their last six games and know they can no longer afford mistakes. “For sure it will be a big match and we have to be ready and show what we can do,” Slot said. “We can’t afford any more slip-ups. We want to win every game and this game won’t be different for us.” City eased past Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium, winning the second leg 3-1 with two goals from Omar Marmoush and one from the impressive Reijnders. All three goals came in the first half and, although Anthony Elanga pulled one back as City again slackened off after the break, they had done more than enough on this occasion. They will now face title rivals Arsenal in the final at Wembley next month. Reijnders said: “It’s a step closer to the tro phy and we are very hungry. It would be nice for me, personally, to win my first trophy here at Manchester City. It’s amazing.” Aston Villa remain the best of the rest behind the top two but a dip in form for Unai Emery’s men has allowed Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool to bunch up in the race

P R EMIE R LEAGUE

TODAY (11pm unless stated) Man Utd vs S purs (8.30pm) Arsenal vs S underland Bournemouth vs Aston Villa Burnley vs West Ham Fulham vs Everton Wolves vs Chelsea TOMO RR OW Newcastle vs Brentford (1.30am) Brighton vs Palace (10pm) MONDAY Liverpool vs Man City (12.30am)

the relegation zone, but that could be reduced to six by the time they kick-off with West Ham visiting struggling Burnley today. Brighton are only two points better off after winning one of their last 11 League games to blow up their hopes of European qualification. – AFP/The Independent

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