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Chelsea, Spurs in top four crunch, Everton face Arsenal test

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AFP London
Last Updated : Feb 21 2020 | 9:28 AM IST

All eyes will be on Stamford Bridge and the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League this weekend as the battle to qualify for next season's Champions League heats up, while runaway leaders Liverpool can take another step towards the title.

With the league's first winter break done and dusted, it is full steam ahead for the clubs fighting to secure the lucrative Champions League berths behind champions-elect Liverpool.

Any London derby between Chelsea and Tottenham is a feisty occasion, but there is an extra spice to the rivals' latest meeting as they are in direct competition for a European place.

Fourth placed Chelsea are just one point ahead of fifth placed Tottenham and a victory for Jose Mourinho's men would take them above his former club.

Chelsea are reeling from a lacklustre 2-0 home defeat against Manchester United on Monday, but injury-hit Tottenham were beaten 1-0 by Leipzig in the Champions League last 16 first leg on Wednesday.

Hampered by their continued failure to turn possession in tangible rewards, Chelsea have won one of their last six league games, and none of their last four, leading to reports Blues boss Frank Lampard might find his position under scrutiny if they don't qualify for the Champions League.

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Lampard's decision to drop Kepa Arrizabalaga for the last three games is said to have frustrated the Chelsea hierarchy, who made the Spaniard the world's most expensive goalkeeper less than two years ago.

It is the kind of delicate and potentially damaging issue Mourinho had plenty of experience negotiating during his two spells as Chelsea manager.

There is respect between Mourinho and Lampard from their successful time together at Chelsea, but sympathy will be in short supply this weekend given what is at stake for both men.

Tottenham have won their last three league games to close the gap on Chelsea, but injuries to Harry Kane and Son Heung-min have left Mourinho without a senior striker.

- 'Take responsibility' -
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"We have people with different qualities upfront now. We have to keep the belief that people will step up for making goals."
Fixtures (1500 GMT unless stated)
Saturday Burnley v Bournemouth, Chelsea v Tottenham (1230 GMT), Crystal Palace v Newcastle, Leicester v Manchester City (1730 GMT), Sheffield United v Brighton, Southampton v Aston Villa
Sunday Arsenal v Everton (1630 GMT), Manchester United v Watford (1400 GMT), Wolves v Norwich (1400 GMT)

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First Published: Feb 21 2020 | 9:28 AM IST

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