Liverpool first and City last as the duo continues to hunt each other in the run-in as the race for glory clash with that of survival

Liverpool has won 20 of their last 24 games and faces Newcastle United in the first and early kick-off of the Premier League games this weekend, game that could be termed the battle of the most in form teams in the division since the turn of the year.

Liverpool and Manchester City face tricky tests in their respective Premier League games this weekend.

Since the start of the new year, only Liverpool, who have amassed 35 points have earned more than Newcastle United’s 29. The Magpies has enjoyed a massive turnaround which will make a in form Liverpool side worry of the threat they face.

Giving Eddie Howe side will also be playing at the Saint James' where they are unbeaten and won all but one of their games since the start of the new year.

Liverpool sure have a lot to worry about going into the match at Newcastle United. Bring the more ambitious side, and even though the host have nothing to lose, they will be looking to leave a statement as they are being touted as a team to join the heavyweights in the coming season after the success of the Saudi led takeover.

Liverpool's invincible record of unbeaten in their last ten meetings with Newcastle United will not affect the outcome of this one, though they are the favourites for the points, but this will be the toughest trip they have made to the Tyneside in recent times.

Liverpool have won only two of their last five visits to the Saint James' with the last one ending in a draw. The first of that run was the last time Newcastle United have won a game against Liverpool, a 2-0 win in 2015 thanks to a Martin Skrtel own goal and another from Georginio Wijnaldum, who had moved to Liverpool and left for PSG..

Heading into this game, the host have won all of their last four games, and Liverpool also have the same number of wins in as many games.

Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser, Isaac Hayden and Jamal Lewis will miss the game due to injury which might have ended their season early while Liverpool will be without Roberto Firmino. Kurtis Jones and Kostas Tsimikas are also doubt for the game.

A win will see Liverpool leapfrog Manchester City to the top of the standings with two points. Pep Guardiola side will not be in action until later in the day at Elland Road.

Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

A Newcastle United win however will change nothing on the log as they will move from 43 points to 46, which is still three short of Wolverhampton Wonderers, who also has the better goal difference.

City travel to Elland Road in the last kickoff on Saturday but will hope that Liverpool had dropped points against Newcastle before they kickoff because that is one of the games Pep Guardiola and his side will be hoping for their rival to fail.

Nonetheless they have a battle of their own against a side whose survival from relegation is not yet assured. Leeds United will be looking for upsets where they can get it as their run of games appears to be very tough, as they continue to push for survival.

It is very unusual for a team like Leeds United to give their all for maximum points against Manchester City at the risk of fatigue when they have other games coming up but Jesse Marsch and his side are left with no choice at this stage of the season.

After the game against City, they travel to the Emirates to face top four hopefuls, Arsenal and after that they return home to host Chelsea. Tough games they will be looking to nick something off anyone there for the taking.

Manchester City also knows how important every game is now as they are neck to neck with Liverpool in the race for the title and they will also be wary of fatigue as they have a very important Champions League semi final second leg trip to the Bernabéu to face Real Madrid on Wednesday.

They also have a lot of important players out injured and can not risk injuries to the ones they have available. Leeds United will also be aware of this so they might feel it could be one of their lucky days.

The host beat City 2-1 at the Ethiad last season with 10men but that win will do little to inspire a deja Vu as a good member of that win, including the manager, Marcelo Bielsa are not around anymore.

Leeds United's season has been impacted by injuries to their important players and earlier in the season they were beaten 7-0 by a rampant City at the Ethiad, which is the biggest defeat suffered by the then manager, Marcelo Bielsa.

It could be time for a revenge for United but they will be more concerned with avoiding a big defeat as Manchester City could become unplayable on their day.

John Stones and Kyle Walker are doubts for the game. The former pulled out in the early minutes of the win over Madrid in Mid-week while the later has been on the sideline since his injury against Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Leeds also has a lot of players missing as the case has been for them all season. Patrick Bamford, Tyler Roberts, Adam Forshaw and Junior Firpo could have played their last games this season while Mateusz Klich is also an injury doubt.

A win for City will help them keep their place at the top of the league nonetheless results elsewhere. Leeds will still be able to keep their place even with a loss but their run of games is not looking good on them so they might as well go all out for it against City.

Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi