Premier League Saturday preview: Pivotal day in Champions League race

Saturday sees two huge games in the battle to qualify for the Champions League.

After Liverpool host Newcastle at lunchtime, West Ham and Chelsea meet in a mouthwatering London derby.

We have all the info you need ahead of those games, as well as a preview of Brighton’s visit to Sheffield United.

Liverpool vs Newcastle (12.30pm, BT Sport)

Liverpool remain in the hunt for a Champions League qualifying spot — but anything other than victory over Newcastle will harm their chances greatly.

The Reds are two points behind Chelsea and West Ham, who sit fourth and fifth respectively and play each other in a huge clash later in the day.

Liverpool must take advantage of one of their rivals dropping points and put in-form Newcastle to the sword — not that it will be easy against Steve Bruce’s rejuvenated Magpies.

Back-to-back wins over Burnley and the Hammers have all but secured another season of top-flight football on Tyneside, with Allan Saint-Maximin’s return proving key.

But Saint-Maximin (ankle) is a doubt for this clash after picking up a knock in the 3-2 victory against West Ham, while Liverpool are sweating on the fitness of Nat Phillips (hamstring) but may welcome back Curtis Jones (muscle strain).

West Ham vs Chelsea (5.30pm, Sky Sports)

West Ham and Chelsea meet in a London derby with huge ramifications in the race for the Champions League.

Both on 55 points with six games left to play, only the Blues’ superior goal difference is keeping them above their unexpected rivals for a top-four spot.

Thomas Tuchel has yet to lose an away game as Chelsea boss. But the Hammers have won three of their last five home games against the West London side and only Manchester City have a better home record than them this season.

Jesse Lingard can become just the second Hammers player to score in six Premier League games in a row, while only three players have managed more than his 12 goal involvements (nine goals and three assists) in their first 10 games for a new club.

The Hammers will definitely be without Craig Dawson (suspended), Declan Rice (knee) and Michail Antonio (thigh), with doubts over Aaron Creswell (thigh) and Arthur Masuaku (knee). Chelsea look likely to have a fully-fit squad.

Sheffield United vs Brighton (8pm, Sky Sports)

Brighton will all but secure their place in the Premier League if they can end a 16-year wait for three points at Sheffield United.

Victory for the Seagulls would move them 10 points clear of Fulham and 13 clear of West Brom with five games remaining — albeit the Baggies have two games in hand.

An impressive goalless draw at Chelsea made it one defeat in five games for Graham Potter’s side and they will head to Yorkshire confident of inflicting a 13th home defeat of the season on the relegated Blades.

Paul Heckingbottom has yet to avoid defeat in four games since taking over on a temporary basis from Chris Wilder and another loss would be their 27th of the campaign — the most the club has ever recorded.

Percy Tau (quarantine) is available for Brighton, who will be without the suspended Ben White, while the Blades' injury list remains unchanged.