When you come to look at the Premier League table, you could probably only pick out five or six teams not engaged in the scrap for either Champions League places or survival - now even the title once more.
Chelsea's position inside the top four looks more or less secure, whilst Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton sit slightly short of the European challengers; in the meantime, Leicester City and Aston Villa are securely above the survival contest. Otherwise, there are battles scattered everywhere.
It is a real logistical headache trying to decipher the permutations by the week - both at the top and at the bottom of the table. The multitude of postponements around the turn of the year prompted disarray in terms of games in hand, such that even Crystal Palace, in 11th, are at minor risk of being dragged amongst the relegation contenders.
The favourites for both top four places and relegation are changing on a continual basis. It was Ralf Rangnick's Manchester United that seemed in pole position for fourth-place after the 4-2 triumph at Elland Road last Sunday, only for Arsenal to win the first of three games in hand against Wolves - also a top four contender - right at the death to close the gap to only a single point heading into the weekend's fixtures. Tottenham Hotspur, meanwhile, followed up surprise victory against Manchester City with a fourth defeat in five matches against 18th-place Burnley. 'Spursy' - the consensus.
Sean Dyche's side coming out on top against a side of Spurs' stature is an encapsulation of the bottom of the table. Each of the relegation-threatened teams have managed to show glimpses of promise, with Newcastle United extending their unbeaten league run to six matches and now hot on the heels of and poised to challenge Everton, Leeds United and Brentford. A consequence of Newcastle's resurgence is that Norwich City and Watford risk being rendered stragglers at the rear of the standings.
Down in 19th, Watford are four points from safety heading to Old Trafford on Saturday, with sides ahead having played one or two games less, thus advantaged. Xisco Munoz was sacked earlier in the season and Claudio Ranieri has already been and gone too, never achieving liftoff having inflicted 4-1 defeat on United at Vicarage Road early in his brief tenure. Roy Hodgson did oversee his side beating Aston Villa last weekend, though his third loss in five matches in charge - an emphatic 4-1 against Palace - in midweek was a reality check. It is getting to a now or never stage for Watford. They will be hungry.
Rangnick has still only seen his United side lose once since taking charge, with back-to-back league wins bolstering the confidence of his team after three consecutive regulation time draws followed the winter break. The goals have started to flow in the league, with two and four goal hauls respectively. However, the midweek draw against Atletico was of concern due to the underperformance on an attacking front.
Anthony Elanga scored from the bench for the second consecutive match at the Wanda Metropolitano, saving a result and possibly warranting a starting place against Watford, especially given Marcus Rashford's sub-par form. "I know he is not happy with his performance right now," Rangnick said on the subject of the latter.
"The situation is exactly the same" in terms of team news, Rangnick confirmed. Edinson Cavani "hasn't been training so he won't be available" - the 39th time he has missed out on the matchday squad since joining United. Meanwhile, Scott McTominay "is still ill" and has also been absent from training, with scope for Nemanja Matic to possibly start given the imbalance of United's starting midfield in midweek.
Given United have won their past 10 matches at home to Watford, the money will certainly be on a home victory. However, nothing seems a given with United at present.
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