Stoke City, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, West Ham United and Leicester City are all desperately searching for the win which will seal Premier League safety.
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes and West Ham boss Slaven Bilic
With four games to go Stoke sit 11th on 39 points, followed by Palace, the Cherries and Hammers all on 38 points and Foxes on 37 – although Craig Shakespeare’s side do have an extra game in hand.
Recent wins for Hull and Swansea have got those clubs looking over their shoulders nervously with the magic 40 point mark within touching distance.
The Premier League is an unpredictable beast at times and nerves can wreak havoc on performances as much as they might inspire.
Going into the weekend’s fixtures something will have to give at the Bet 365 Stadium where Stoke entertain West Ham.
A draw could more or less secure survival for both but to play for one would be a risky strategy for Slaven Bilic as it would leave them on 39 points with tough games against Spurs, Liverpool and Burnley to come.
Bilic and Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce
Palace had been on a terrific run until the narrow defeat to Spurs but still need one more win. They entertain Burnley and should they lose it would squeeze the battle for the drop even more. Win and the Eagles are safe and it is another successful rescue mission for Sam Allardyce.
Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth have destiny very much in their own hands this weekend too with a trip to basement side Sunderland.
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe
Win and they are safe, lose and they have three more shots at it against direct rivals Stoke, Burnley and Leicester.
On the subject of the Foxes, they will want to get their safety secured sooner rather than later with games against Spurs and Manchester City looming on the horizon.
Before that they travel to West Bromwich Albion and entertain Watford – both winnable.
And should they fail to win any of those they will face one last chance against Bournemouth on the final day in what could be a crunch decider depending on results.
Buckle up, it’s squeaky bum time.
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