After almost two weeks off for an international break, the Premier League is back with a bang as the calendar turns to April. Not only is there a game involving recent league champions, but the race for the top four has a couple pivotal fixtures this weekend. Same goes for the relegation race, where there are nine teams separated by just four points.

And, what a way to kick off the weekend. Manchester City, which is now eight points behind Arsenal at the top, hosts Liverpool. Inconsistency is the story of the Liverpool campaign, which limped into the international break with a loss at Bournemouth and elimination in the UEFA Champions League. A top-four finish looks increasingly more challenging. Meanwhile, Manchester City needs to make up points on Arsenal, even though the defending champions have a home game against the Gunners. Plus, Guardiola’s side has a game in hand.

Given Liverpool’s struggles, the Brighton-Brentford game has a legitimate chance to set the path for one of those relatively small clubs to get into European play.

Then, if getting into the UEFA Champions League is the goal, look no farther than Manchester United’s trip to Newcastle. Only three points separate the third and fifth placed teams in the table. Plus, it is a rematch of the League Cup Final that Manchester United won.

NBC coverage

Rebecca Lowe is the host of the weekend’s coverage alongside Tim Howard and Robbie Mustoe. Then, on Monday, Mustoe stays as an analyst with Paul Burmeister and Danny Higginbotham joining him.

There are five kickoffs during the 10 a.m. window on Saturday. As a result, GOAL RUSH is the neutrals’ friend. You can follow one game but get live updates on goals, saves and major moments from the other grounds. Goal Rush is available exclusively on Peacock.

You can also watch select games this weekend in 4K. Watching the Premier League in 4K is a treat, but make sure you have the right subscriptions and hardware to watch the English top flight in higher resolution.

EPL Commentators on NBC: Matchday 29

All of the following kickoff times are US Eastern Time.

Saturday, April 1

7:30 a.m. — Manchester City vs. Liverpool. Peacock Premium — Peter Drury and Graeme Le Saux.

10 a.m. — Arsenal vs. Leeds United. USA Network, Universo, fubo TV, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV. — Seb Hutchinson and Matt Upson.

10 a.m. — Bournemouth vs. Fulham. Peacock Premium — Gary Taphouse and Tony Gale.

10 a.m. — Brighton and Hove Albion vs. Brentford. Peacock Premium — Andy Bishop and Efan Ekoku.

10 a.m. — Crystal Palace vs. Leicester City. Peacock Premium — Jonathan Beck and Garry Birtles.

10 a.m. — Nottingham Forest vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers. Peacock Premium — Paul Gilmour and Dave Edwards.

12:30 p.m. — Chelsea vs. Aston Villa. USA Network, Universo, fubo TV, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV. — IN 4K. — Jim Proudfoot and Andy Townsend.

Sunday, April 2

9 a.m. — West Ham vs. Southampton. USA Network, fubo TV, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV. — Joe Speight and Matt Holland.

11:30 a.m. — Newcastle vs. Manchester United. USA Network, Telemundo, fubo TV, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV. — IN 4K. — Peter Drury and Graeme Le Saux.

Monday, April 3

3 p.m. — Everton vs. Tottenham Hotspur. USA Network, Universo, fubo TV, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV. — Martin Tyler and Stephen Warnock.

PHOTO: IMAGO / News Images