Preview: Man City purpose to reclaim high spot, Real Madrid, PSG in motion

The defence of the Premier League title remains to be in Manchester City’s palms because the champions host Brighton needing to reclaim the highest spot from Liverpool. Pep Guardiola’s facet noticed one path to a trophy finish by dropping the FA Cup semifinal to Liverpool on Saturday. But a double can nonetheless be received with a Champions League semifinal assembly towards Real Madrid to come back subsequent week. Guardiola will hope playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, who have been unused substitutes at Wembley as a result of harm, will probably be match to return towards mid-table Brighton. Defender Kyle Walker was additionally not concerned towards Liverpool and has not recovered from his ankle downside. The metropolis is 2 factors behind Liverpool earlier than enjoying Brighton, which has crushed Tottenham and Arsenal in latest video games. The pursuit of the 4 Champions League locations is the main target of one other of Wednesday’s matches. Arsenal heads throughout London to third-place Chelsea after back-to-back losses that noticed Mikel Arteta’s facet slip to the sixth spot. At the opposite finish of the standings, Everton will look to maneuver six factors away from the relegation zone by beating Leicester. Newcastle and Crystal Palace meet at St. James’ Park, with each 12 factors above the drop zone.

SPAIN

Real Madrid visits Osasuna trying to transfer a step nearer to its second Spanish league crown in three seasons. Victory would give Carlo Ancelotti’s group an opportunity to clinch the title subsequent weekend towards Espanyol, relying on different outcomes. Madrid has a 15-point lead with six rounds to go. Second-place Barcelona, which has a recreation in hand, is tied on factors with Sevilla and Atlético Madrid. Ancelotti will be unable to rely on midfielder Casemiro due to well being causes, and veteran Luka Modric will probably be rested. Fourth-place Atlético hosts relegation-threatened Granada, whereas midtable Celta Vigo performs Getafe.

ITALY

Dušan Vlahović will once more face his former group as Juventus hosts Fiorentina within the second leg of their Italian Cup semifinal. Vlahović failed to attain within the first leg, which Juventus received 1-0 within the ahead’s first return to Florence since his acrimonious departure in January. But the 22-year-old has three objectives in his previous 4 matches. Defending champion Juventus has received the Italian Cup a document 14 instances. Fiorentina claimed the final of its six triumphs in 2001. The winner will face defending Serie A champion Inter Milan on May 11 after the Nerazzurri beat AC Milan 3-0 on Tuesday.

GERMANY

Leipzig hosts Union Berlin for a spot within the German Cup last towards Freiburg, which defeated Hamburger SV 3-1 within the first semifinal on Tuesday. Leipzig, which remains to be searching for its first main title, is hoping to go one higher than final yr when it was crushed within the last by Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund and fellow heavyweight Bayern Munich have been knocked out already, permitting the remaining groups an actual probability of lifting the trophy in Berlin’s Olympiastadion on May 21. Leipzig and Union are in good kind. Union has received its final three Bundesliga video games and is pushing for European qualification once more, whereas Leipzig is on a 14-game unbeaten run throughout all competitions. Leipzig was solely based in 2009 and has by no means confronted Union within the cup. They’ve performed 9 instances within the Bundesliga and second division, with Leipzig successful 5 of these video games and Union three. Leipzig received all 4 at residence, nonetheless, and can count on to succeed in its third last in 4 years.

FRANCE

Paris Saint-Germain can clinch a record-equaling tenth league crown if it betters second-place Marseille’s end result. PSG holds a 15-point lead. It can be a part of Marseille and Saint-Etienne on 10 titles if it wins at Anger and second-place Marseille fails to beat Nantes. A draw is sufficient if Marseille loses. If either side win then PSG will formally want one level, though it has a vastly superior aim distinction. Record seven-time Golden Ball winner Lionel Messi and different key gamers will miss PSG’s match. Messi has a swollen Achilles tendon on his famed left foot, whereas midfielder Marco Verratti (swollen left knee) and central defender Presnel Kimpembe (sore proper knee) are sidelined. Neymar is suspended. At the underside of the desk, Nineteenth-place Bordeaux desperately wants a house win towards Seventeenth-place Saint-Etienne. Bordeaux has conceded a league-high 77 objectives this season.