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Premier League and FA Cup questions: Will Arsenal avoid early summer start? Will City break records?

Arsene Wenger saw his side throw away a one-goal lead
Image: Arsene Wenger's Arsenal are in danger of finishing seventh in the Premier League

Will Arsenal avoid an early summer start to their 2018/19 season? And how many records can Man City break before the end of the season?

We answer those questions and much, much more ahead of a busy weekend across the Premier League and FA Cup.

We have West Brom v Liverpool for you live on Sky Sports Premier League on Saturday, before Arsenal v West Ham and Man City v Swansea on Super Sunday, and Everton v Newcastle on Monday Night Football.

Will Liverpool steal a march on Man Utd in the race for second? West Brom v Liverpool, Saturday from 11.30am, Sky Sports Premier League

With Man Utd in FA Cup action on Saturday, Liverpool can leapfrog their rivals into second, albeit having played two more games than Jose Mourinho's side.

All top four sides will qualify for the group stage of the Champions League next season, but it's a matter of pride for Jurgen Klopp to finish above United, and a few million quid in prize money to boot.

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Highlights: Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth

It's all about progress for Klopp at Anfield; they're a good bet to improve on their fourth-place finish of last year, and need seven points from the last four games to beat last season's tally of 76.

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West Brom, meanwhile, could move to within six points of safety with three games remaining if they win and Swansea lose at Man City on Sunday. Survival is unlikely, but Darren Moore has at least brought some hope back to The Hawthorns.

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Will Palace gain a psychological edge in their survival bid? Watford v Crystal Palace, Saturday 3pm

Again, with Southampton in FA Cup action, Palace can put further daylight between themselves and the drop zone with victory at Watford.

They will be on a high after their win over rivals Brighton at Selhurst Park last weekend, and Palace have proven something of a bogey team for Watford at Vicarage Road in recent years.

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Highlights: Crystal Palace 3-2 Brighton

Watford are winless in their last six home games with the Eagles, dating back to 2009, and Palace also won the reverse fixture in dramatic fashion in December, with two last-gasp goals giving them a 2-1 win.

Make no mistake, games in hand or not, Palace will gain a mental edge over Southampton with a win, and not forgetting Stoke, who play on Sunday.

Will Arsenal avoid an early summer start? Arsenal v West Ham, Sunday from 1pm, Sky Sports Premier League

Warning, Arsenal fans: If you finish seventh and Southampton do not win the FA Cup, your season will start on July 26.

Burnley, in seventh, are currently two points behind Arsenal with five games remaining, and if Saints aren't victorious at Wembley in May, the Europa League spot drops down to seventh place, going in at the second qualifying round.

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Highlights: Newcastle 2-1 Arsenal

Arsenal have already announced pre-season fixtures in the International Champions Cup, and are actually due to play Atletico Madrid in Singapore on July 2. These plans will surely be scrapped if they are to be involved in the Europa League at such an early stage.

It has been a dismal season domestically for the Gunners, but if they're not careful, it could get a whole lot worse.

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Will Burnley make away-day history? Stoke v Burnley, Sunday 1.30pm

After picking up wins at West Ham, West Brom and Watford, Burnley are looking to win four on the trot away from home in the top flight for the first time since 1961.

They have a nice nine-point cushion over Leicester in the race for seventh, meaning European football for the first time since the 1960s if Southampton don't win the FA Cup.

Kevin Long celebrates with teammate Jack Cork after doubling Burnley's lead at Turf Moor
Image: Burnley could earn a top six finish this term under Sean Dyche

It's all smiles and positivity for Burnley, but for Stoke, their 10-season run in the Premier League looks in grave danger of ending.

This would have been earmarked as a must-win for Paul Lambert's men, who could move to within two points of 17th-place Swansea if they win and the Welsh side lose at Manchester City.

Will champions City take first steps to breaking three more major records? Man City v Swansea, Sunday from 4pm, Sky Sports Premier League

The Premier League is in the bag, and now City will be setting their sights on a host of records to go with it.

They need three victories to break Chelsea's 30-game win record from 2016/17, they're nine points off breaking Chelsea's points record of 95 in 2004/05, and need 11 goals to break the goals record, also set by Chelsea with 103 (2009/10).

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We take a look back at some of Manchester City's most memorable moments after being crowned Premier League champions

With five games remaining, 15 points to play for, these three records are clearly in sight.

First up are Swansea, who themselves are desperate to maintain their seven-year stay in the top flight.

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How high can Newcastle finish? Everton v Newcastle, Monday Night Football from 7pm, Sky Sports Premier League

Back in mid-December, nobody would have given Newcastle a hope of a top-half finish, but 16 points out of a possible 21 and just one defeat in nine means even a top-eight place is on the cards.

Newcastle are currently in 10th, two points behind eighth-place Leicester, and can leapfrog opponents Everton into ninth with a victory at Goodison Park on Monday Night Football.

Jamaal Lascelles organises the Newcastle wall before a freekick during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal
Image: Newcastle have enjoyed fine form of late in the Premier League

For Everton, these final four games may well be the start of a farewell for manager Sam Allardyce. The fans' survey, put out on Tuesday, says a lot about the Everton board's intentions, and Allardyce is among the favourites to the next Premier League manager out of the door.

The mood isn't great, and Newcastle can capitalise.

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Will Spurs make 'home' advantage count and finally take silverware? Man Utd v Tottenham, FA Cup semi-final, Saturday 5.15pm

If you believe some, Mauricio Pochettino cannot be considered a success until he lifts a pot at Spurs. His Premier League exploits aside, Spurs have struggled when it matters in cup competitions in recent years, but have a big chance to make 'home' advantage matter on Saturday.

Christian Eriksen celebrates with Dele Alli after pulling a goal back for Tottenham during the Premier League match against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium
Image: Tottenham will be looking to make 'home advantage' against Manchester United

They recently dominated Mourinho's side in the Premier League at Wembley, but with this representing the last chance for the United boss to salvage success having looked up at Man City all season, we should be in for a thrilling affair.

If Spurs win, they may fancy their chances of beating Chelsea in the final, should they overcome Southampton, having ended their Stamford Bridge hoodoo earlier this month.

Will Antonio Conte bow out with a trophy? Chelsea v Southampton, FA Cup semi-final, Sunday 3pm

The consensus is the Italian will be on his way out of the Premier League this summer, and after an indifferent run of results in the Premier League, the FA Cup is all Conte has left to salvage.

Antonio Conte
Image: Antonio Conte's Chelsea have been in indifferent form of late

Conte will be desperate to make amends for his last FA Cup appearance at Wembley, a 2-1 defeat in last season's final against Arsenal, having already strolled to the league title.

The FA Cup is huge, but Southampton currently have bigger fish to fry. Once seen as the model mid-table Premier League club, they are now at real risk of dropping down to the second tier. Just six days after Wembley, they have a relegation six-pointer against Swansea in south Wales.

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