Manchester United will be looking to take another giant stride towards Champions League qualification when they travel to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.
Following back-to-back defeats, United, who defeated the Cherries 3-0 at OId Trafford back in January, got themselves back on track with a routine 2-0 win over Wolves last weekend. Goals either side of half-time from Anthony Martial and Alejandro Garnacho sealed a much-needed win for Erik ten Hag's side, who are now, at the time of writing, level on points with third-placed Newcastle United.
However, the four-point cushion that they had opened up on fifth-placed Liverpool was reduced back to one just over 48 hours later. The Merseysiders made light work of relegation-threatened Leicester City on Monday night, winning 3-0 at the King Power Stadium to move back to within touching distance of Ten Hag's troops.
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Crucially, however, United have three games left in comparison to Liverpool's two. The Reds' run to the FA Cup final meant their clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford, originally scheduled to take place in April, has been pushed back until next week, marking their game in hand.
By that juncture, Liverpool will have just one game left, visiting already-relegated Southampton on the final day of the season a week on Sunday. It means this forthcoming weekend's fixtures could have a massive say in the battle to achieve a top-four finish.
United travel to Bournemouth while Liverpool host Aston Villa, with both fixtures kicking off at 3pm on Saturday. It means that if United win and Liverpool win, they will remain just one point apart in the standings, meaning the Reds would wrap up a top-four berth with another win against Chelsea next Thursday.
But if United's away day struggles curse Ten Hag's troops again and Liverpool win, the Merseysiders will climb above the Reds, moving two points clear. That would mean United would be under stern pressure in their final two matches to get the six points they need that will guarantee a top-four spot.
United have regularly struggled on the road this season, losing eight of their 18 away games. They have lost each of their last two away league games without scoring and have won just one of their last six on their travels.
Though Bournemouth have nothing but pride to play for in their two remaining fixtures, you can guarantee that they will want to take a famous scalp in their final home game of the season. On the flip side, the Reds have been excellent at home this season and their final two matches are at Old Trafford, meaning they will be confident of holding onto a Champions League spot regardless of what happens at the Vitality Stadium.
Nevertheless, after losing their final away game of last season, going down 1-0 to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on the final day of the campaign, they will be looking to avoid consecutive defeats in their final away league game of a campaign for the first time since 1992. United, as outlined above, have struggled away from home all season and another defeat against the Cherries would leave them applying unnecessary pressure ahead of their last two games, though their destiny would still be in their own hands.
Regardless of what Liverpool do in their last two games, United know six points from a possible nine will be enough for them to clinch a top-four berth. They need to hit 72 points to be guaranteed a place in the Champions League and with three winnable fixtures left they should be able to hit that magic number without too much fuss.
Defeat on the south coast, however, would put plenty of pressure on their clashes with Chelsea and Fulham next week. Ten Hag and United's fans could do without that.
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