Premier League Preview: Big questions ahead of big Premier League weekend

The weekend is upon us. The master will fight out a cup final while hoping his pupil drops points days later. Is this Arteta's biggest e...

The weekend is upon us. The master will fight out a cup final while hoping his pupil drops points days later. Is this Arteta's biggest ever weekend? (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Not a lot of people expected a different result at the Etihad on Wednesday night. The game was routine for Manchester City. Now, the Cityzens need Arsenal to drop points for it to matter.

Phil Foden inspired Manchester City to a dominant 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, with Pep Guardiola ringing in six changes ahead of the FA Cup final this weekend. Foden assisted City's first two goals in the first half to calm the Etihad nerves.

Manchester City went into the game, sitting in second spot, five points behind league leaders Arsenal. Antoine Semenyo benefited from Foden's intelligent pass to score after the hour mark. Omar Marmoush added the second just before halftime.

Savinho added the third in the second half as City closed the gap on the Gunners to just 2 points. Manchester City's next league game is a tricky one at Bournemouth next Tuesday; if Arsenal had played a day earlier, it would be City's turn to respond.

It's time to ask questions ahead of the weekend. Liverpool starts it against Aston Villa. It's another tale of two poor teams. The main conversation around it has been about the position of Arne Slot. The Dutchman insists he will be in the Liverpool dugout next season; too many Liverpool ultras don't believe him.

Unai Emery has checked out of the Premier League. The Villa boss has his priorities in Europe, where he can qualify for the Champions League via the Europa League. Villa is up against Freiburg in the final. Does this hand Liverpool a free pass?

Arsenal and City both don't play until Monday and Tuesday, respectively. City could have won the FA Cup by then; Arsenal could extend their advantage at the top to five points by the time City kicks off against Bournemouth. Would the Gunners win the league without kicking a ball on the final day?

There's a major matter of the relegation fight. West Ham and Tottenham are both in it and must both win to keep things alive. Spurs missed a huge chance to go four clear of West Ham in the race against the drop after dropping points at home to Leeds United. Will this weekend confirm the relegation candidate?

The Hammers will be away to Newcastle on Sunday, with only a win on their minds. Chelsea will play the FA Cup final on Saturday, which means Spurs will have to wait until Tuesday to have a chance to respond to whatever West Ham does on Sunday.

There's a fair fight for Bournemouth, Brighton, and Brentford, who all want to achieve European football next season. Will any of them get the desired result to achieve that? Bear in mind that one of those three could decide the Premier League title while seeking a European dream.