There are big days in the football season and there are big days in the football season. In the Premier League, Sunday is very much the latter.

The two teams going for the title are in action and while they are each favorites in their respective games, they both have an intriguing challenge to negotiate. In addition, they play one after another.

Elsewhere, there’s a derby from Spain, a key game in Italy and a showdown between the top two in France.

All kick-offs are in Eastern time. Enjoy your weekend and enjoy the games.

 

AC Milan vs. Lazio

Saturday, April 13, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+ (7-day free trial)

The tension appears to be getting to teams in the race to finish in the top four in Italy. Milan and Lazio will be out to relieve some of that with a result in a big game on Saturday.

Milan have been in especially poor form as of late, with just one point from the last 12 available enough to see them looking nervously over their shoulder. While they still occupy fourth, suddenly there are four teams behind them within three points.

They are Atalanta, Roma, Torino and Lazio. The latter of that quartet also come into this game looking for an end-of-season spark, as they backed up a shock loss to SPAL a fortnight ago with a frustrating draw at home to Sassuolo last weekend. They do have a game in hand on the rest of the teams in this top-four race, though.

For Lazio, a win puts them in command in the chase for fourth. Against a Milan team that’s still lacking in identity and consistency, they will see this as a huge opportunity.

 

Sevilla vs. Real Betis

Saturday, April 13, 2:45 p.m. ET, 2:45pm, beIN SPORTS en Español, Sling Latino, Sling World Sports, Fanatiz and fuboTV (free trial)

Recent matches between Sevilla and Real Betis in the Andalusian derby have been among European football’s most entertaining in recent seasons. There’s no reason why this one won’t follow a similar pattern.

Earlier in the campaign the match was a memorable one for Betis. Their veteran midfield Joaquin, clearly not fully fit, came off the bench and scored the winning goal in a 1-0 win, much to his delight and that of the Betis fans.

Betis were unable to kick on from that huge win and are languishing down in mid-table in La Liga going into this one. If they are to thrust themselves into the conversation for European places, they need an upturn in form quickly, although they area capable, having won at 5-3 at the Sanchez Pizjuan last season.

Sevilla appear to be finding a groove at the perfect time though, as they look to hunt down Getafe, who are a point clear in fourth spot. While they too have been unconvincing at home this term, they remain a fearsome prospect on home soil, especially with a Champions League spot in their sights.

 

Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City

Sunday, April 14, 9:05 a.m. ET, NBCSN, Universo, fuboTV, Sling Blue and PlayStation Vue (free trial)

The first of the two crucial Premier League matches on Sunday comes from Selhurst Park, as Manchester City seek to go back to the summit of the table with a win over Crystal Palace.

City’s attention has been away from the top flight as of late, as they’ve continued their pursuit of silverware in the FA Cup and the Champions League. In the former, they progressed at the expense of Brighton in the semi-finals, although in the latter they were short of their best, losing 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur.

This trip to south London feels like another potential banana skin for City. Palace came close to beating them a year ago, as the host saw a last-gasp penalty saved, and at the Etihad earlier in the season the Eagles produced a brilliant display, stunning Pep Guardiola’s side 3-2.

Although Palace have toiled on home soil this season—they’ve scored just 13 times in their 16 matches at Selhurst Park—they have the players who can exploit the space City will inevitably leave. You certainly feel the visitors will need to play well to get over the line in this fixture.

 

Liverpool vs. Chelsea

Sunday, April 14, 11:30 a.m. ET, NBCSN, Telemundo, fuboTV, Sling Blue and PlayStation Vue (free trial)

With City playing immediately before Liverpool, the atmosphere at Anfield is likely to be eerie as the team prepares for their showdown with Chelsea.

The Reds have picked up some huge wins in their pursuit of the Premier League prize in recent outings, with late goals needed in victories over Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton. While they may not have played at their best in those matches, the momentum accrued from those types of wins has helped instill belief.

Chelsea go to Anfield as big underdogs, although their form has picked up in recent weeks following a tough winter. In Eden Hazard, they have arguably the best player in the league on their books too and the Reds will need to be wary of a man who has tormented them so many times previously.

Even so, Liverpool will look at Chelsea’s defense and midfield and see major weaknesses to exploit. If Jurgen Klopp’s side come away from this game with three points, it’s difficult to see where they slip up in their remaining games.

 

Lille vs. Paris Saint-Germain

Sunday, April 14, 3 p.m. ET, beIN SPORTS Connect, Sling Latino, Sling World Sports, Fanatiz and fuboTV (free trial)

While it’s a case if when and not if PSG are crowned French champions—they can officially win the title with a positive result this weekend—this match with Lille should be a fine way to finish the weekend.

The home side have enjoyed an excellent campaign to this point. Given Lille were in a serious scrap for their top-flight status last season, to be in the hunt for second is remarkable. While they sit 20 points behind PSG heading into this encounter, they have a five-point advantage on second-placed Lyon.

A loss here coupled with a win for Lyon earlier in the weekend would make second spot a little less secure. However, Lille are likely to approach this encounter with the same enterprise we’ve seen from them this season, with Nicolas Pepe always likely to light up a game.

Of course, PSG are still the big favorites to win this one and have the best player in the league in Kylian Mbappe. While it’s a match that may mean little in the grand scheme of the season, if both sides perform to their best then it should be a fascinating 90 minutes.