After the excitement of Chelsea and Liverpool’s progression to the semifinals of the Champions League, attention this weekend turns to the FA Cup and the battle for survival in the Premiership.
With Chelsea 11 points clear with six games to go, Arsenal, who take on Blackburn, and Manchester United, who face Newcastle, know that the Cup offers them their only remaining chance of silverware this season.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said his side’s match with Blackburn on Saturday would be a physical affair.
”They [Blackburn] are [physical],” he said.
”But that is not a reproach because you do not want a team to be soft. They are tough, committed and resilient. You expect them to be like that.”
Wenger said the Gunners would have to cope with the physical side but also use guile to break down their defence.
”I feel the pace of our passing and our runs behind will be important,” he said.
”But they are good at pressing, defending and have a tight midfield. The way we tackle and defend set-pieces will be important. We do not want to get caught out by crosses.”
United go into their clash with Newcastle on Sunday with the criticism of their captain Roy Keane still ringing in their ears.
Everyone at this club needs to look at themselves and ask whether they are giving 100%,” Keane said. ”I am not sure all the players can say they are.
”It is not about individuals. You can have the most talented players in the world but if you do not play as a team, I guarantee you will win absolutely nothing.
”Every player should be fighting for their place at this club,” he said.
”We should go into Sunday’s game looking to win it, but we should do that in every game.”
Most of the action in the Premiership will centre on the relegation battle with West Bromwich Albion, a point clear of the bottom three, the only one of the threatened teams not in action.
Bottom plays second from bottom as Norwich City, three points adrift at the foot of the table, meet Crystal Palace at Carrow Road.
”There are still four or five teams involved,” Worthington said.
”It is very tight. There is a real dogfight.”
Southampton, meanwhile, just a point behind West Brom, and one better off than Palace, have the chance to move out of the bottom three when they take on Aston Villa at St Mary’s.
The race for fourth spot and the last Champions League berth continues as Liverpool look to take advantage of a week off for Everton by beating Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
The Reds will be hoping to maintain momentum after their heroic progress to the last four in Europe.
Birmingham City take on Portsmouth, Charlton face Bolton Wanderers and Fulham meet Manchester City in Saturday’s other matches. – Sapa-DPA