Stagnant
Tottenham's form heading into tonight's home clash against Nottingham Forest makes for some grim reading.
Since beating Manchester City 4-0 on November 23, Spurs have won just 18 points from the 60 they had available.
Only five wins have come during that time, with 12 ending in defeat.
European qualification is out of the question, unless they win the Europa League next month.
Defeat to Forest would only add more pressure on the continental campaign, so it's a huge night ahead for the north London side.
Unexpected
Nuno Espirito Santo admits he's been left surprised with how poor Tottenham's season has been.
Although there's 16 points between them and the bottom three, Spurs are 16th in the table with just 11 wins.
Defeat to Forest tonight, live on talkSPORT, would be their 18th of the campaign.
And opposition boss Espirito Santo has been shocked by their shortcomings given the quality within their squad.
"I think this season there are things that were not expected, and the Spurs situation is clearly one of them.
"All the teams have problems, some more than others. I'm not deeply informed on the Spurs situation, but we are talking about a big club full of talented players.
"They have a good manager that in previous seasons did fantastically well. It happens, and it's happened to many teams."
Furious
Jamie Vardy has posted an emotional statement on Instagram after Leicester were relegated back to the Championship.
The striker has been at the Foxes since 2012 and won the Premier League title with them but now faced a second relegation in three years.
Taking to Instagram the day after their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, he revealed his anger and frustration with what has been a dismal season.
"At this point, I don’t even know what to say. No words I have can ever express my feelings of anger and sadness with the way this season has gone. There are no excuses.
"Collectively, as players and as a club, we failed. There is simply no hiding, and I refuse to entertain any suggestion of doing so.
"Having been at this club for so long, we’ve experienced so many highs and successes — and this season has been nothing but miserable and for me personally, a total embarrassment.
"It hurts, and I know you’re feeling it too.
"To the fans: I’m sorry. Sorry we haven’t performed, and sorry we end the 2025 season with such a s**t show."
Gone, but not forgotten
Virgil van Dijk says Trent Alexander-Arnold will 'always be remembered' at Liverpool if leaves the club in the summer.
Alexander-Arnold is yet to sign a new contract and looks set to join Real Madrid for next season.
The right-back has been at the Reds for 21 years and won every major trophy possible, with Van Dijk not looking to hold any grudges.
"Whatever may happen in the future for him, that's something that he has to resolve with himself and the family.
"But he's a Liverpool player at this point and he's important for our team.
"Since I joined the club, he has been a fantastic player and there's a lot of good things that he will always be remembered for if he decides to leave.
"But listen, at this point, we don't know as a group what's going to happen.
"He is already under a lot of pressure already I think so there is no point for me to put him on the spot whatsoever."
'It can kill you'
talkSPORT's Scott Minto believes the pressure of playing for Manchester United is getting to Rasmus Hojlund.
Hojlund has scored just three goals in 28 Premier League matches this season as United continue to languish in 14th.
He has 24 goals from 88 club appearances since signing in 2023, and former Chelsea defender Minto believe they need a new striker.
"I think it goes to show how Rasmus Hojlund is feeling right now. We saw Alan Shearer, obviously one of the very best, say he looks a broken man.
"I've been saying on the talkSPORT All Access podcast for over 12 months now, there are certain clubs and certain positions, where you can't risk potential, you have to have ready-made.
"United, whatever people say, wherever they are in the league, are the biggest club in this country.
"The pressure, the weight of that shirt, especially in such a crucial position, it can kill you, it can break you. And he does look a broken man at the moment.
"He's still trying to do the right things but the bottom line is, Manchester United need to bring in a striker next season, and they need to be ready-made, if not world-class, then close to world-class."
Not done yet
Dominic Solanke believes Tottenham are '100 per cent' capable of winning the Europa League but wants to build more momentum with greater consistency in the Premier League.
Spurs produced one of the finest displays of the Ange Postecoglou era on Thursday to claim a 1-0 victory away to Eintracht Frankfurt and book a semi-final showdown with Bodo/Glimt next month.
Before Tottenham play only their second European last-four encounter for 40 years, Postecoglou's side host Nottingham Forest on Monday before a trip to Liverpool on Sunday and midweek match-winner Solanke wants to arrest the club's poor domestic form.
Asked if Spurs can win the Europa League, Solanke insisted: "100 per cent. When we've got everyone fit, we believe we can beat anyone.
"This cup was something we had our eyes on from the start of the season. We're not far off it now so hopefully we can keep producing these performances in the cup and league throughout the rest of the season and kick on.
"We all know we need to be more consistent from game to game. When you have a game like this, you need to go out there and show no fear and get the job done.
"There's no second chances in knock-out football so we knew we had to go and get the job done and that's what we did."
Opposition
Aston Villa chairman Nassef Sawiris has bemoaned the financial rules in the Premier League.
Since a consortium involving Sawiris and Wes Edens bought a 55 per cent stake at Villa in 2018, the club have received vital funding.
However, strict financial rules have led them to selling young players in a bid to become profitable and avoid sanctions.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Sawiris complained about the current regulations and how they appear to aid 'Big Six' sides.
"The Premier League is under the impression that what makes it great is Manchester United and Liverpool and Chelsea and Arsenal, so they have to cater for these guys.
"But what makes the Premier League great is that Manchester United get their butts kicked by Brighton."
Also mentioned in the interview is Aston Villa's plans to increase their capacity at Villa Park.
It currently holds around 42,640 fans but could be boosted to more than 50,000 as Sawiris eyes a £100million investment into the team.
Despite this, the stadium's development remains pending as local officials work towards the expansion of rail links.
Decision
Graeme Souness believes Trent Alexander-Arnold is the easiest player to let go from Liverpool this summer.
The defender's contract expires in June and he looks set to complete a move to Real Madrid ahead of next season.
Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk also faced uncertain futures but have signed new deals at Liverpool beyond the summer.
Reds legend Souness spoke to talkSPORT Breakfast about Alexander-Arnold's pending exit and how he could be easier to replace.
"I fully get why Trent would maybe fancy another challenge, he's been at that club since he was a boy," he said.
"Who's to say, he's at an age where he can go away, not fancy wherever he goes and comes back and rejoins Liverpool?
"But out of the three players not that you'd have to pick and want to pick, but he'd be the one you'd sacrifice.
"Similarly because I feel you've got Conor Bradley who's ready, he just needs to keep himself fit but he's maybe just growing into his body.
"The other two, there is no obvious replacement for Salah, no obvious replacement for Van Dijk."
Time for change
Gary Neville believes there's more work to be done to close the gap between the Premier League and the Championship.
Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town are all set to be relegated after just one season in the top flight.
The former two clubs have already had their relegations confirmed whilst Ipswich look all but set to go down with them.
It's highlighted the immense struggles that promoted sides face when they reach the Premier League amid the sheer difference in finances
Manchester United legend and Salford City co-owner Neville has called for change to bring more balance between the leagues.
"There's no doubt it's becoming more fixed, the Premier League, that's a fact," he told Sky Sports.
"Not necessarily the three same teams going up and down, but it's becoming more and more difficult the same five or six teams going up and down, it's becoming more difficult for teams to become permanent or semi-permanent in the Premier League.
"There are some clubs who have done it successfully, but you always get the feeling that there are certain clubs at the start of the season who have got a chance of going down, and some no chance of going down.
"I think that's becoming more fixed, and that's definitely something to be concerned about. One thing we always talk about with the Premier League is the competitive nature of the entire league, and we can't ever lose that.
"The relegation and promotion is something that over in this country we sort of cherish. Anybody can come from step six, seven, eight in the pyramid all the way through to the Premier League.
"Luton I think have gone from the National League up to the Premier League in the last few years, so that's a great story. But it's becoming more of an exception as the years go by.
"So it's something we need to keep an eye on, the disparity between the finances of the Premier League and Championship are there for all to see.
"The parachute payments put real pressure on clubs in the Championship to have to try and compete.
"Big challenges and I think there is something needed, but I don't think that's for today. I think that the authorities, there's a regulator coming in, there are negotiations ongoing between the Premier League and the EFL.
"Hopefully they do become concluded at some point in the future, because I'd like to see it just balance out a bit more than it currently is."
Time for change
talkSPORT's Gabby Agbonlahor believes Leicester City should make a managerial change now following their Premier League relegation.
Ruud van Nistelrooy replaced Steve Cooper in November but has won just two of his 20 league matches, losing 16 of them.
Van Nistelrooy will hold talks with the Foxes board over his future this week, but Agbonlahor thinks he needs to leave.
"I would sack him today," he said on talkSPORT Breakfast. "I think they were 16th when Steve Cooper left, now they're relegated with five games to go.
"It's been an absolute nightmare, he's won two games in the Premier League, it hasn't worked.
"Sometimes as an owner, you probably think, 'Big name, Van Nistelrooy.' But it hasn't worked, what's the point in being there?
"You're not going to be there next season. I would make a change now. I said it with Southampton as well, make a change now so you can look at the players that are left.
"Four or five games left, see who you want next season, play them for the rest of the season now.
"The players that you know are going to leave in the summer, don't play them. But, it's not worked with Van Nistelrooy."
Big boost
Pedro Neto believes Chelsea deserved the late 2-1 win at Fulham that boosted their Champions League qualification hopes.
Fulham led through Alex Iwobi but a first Premier League goal from substitute Tyrique George had the visiting Blues level.
Neto then struck the winner in stoppage-time with an excellent finish and has lauded his side's desire to win all three points.
"It could be a good part of the season for us," Neto told the Chelsea website.
"We showed the character. To be honest I have no words to describe what this team has done.
"It’s not easy to spend all season in the top four and then be out of it before this game, but the character the team showed is really good.
"We have to think about Everton next week and winning against them too. The belief has always been there, even in the bad moments.
"Everyone has bad moments and what you have to do is continue like this. Sometimes the game is not about the quality, it is about the spirit, and that is what we showed today.
"The mentality we have and the group that we are, and I think that we deserved it today."
Optimism
Mikel Arteta is hopeful of Bukayo Saka returning to action as soon as possible after his injury against Ipswich Town.
Saka was fouled by Leif Davis during the Gunners' 4-0 win on Sunday, with the latter being sent off for his nasty challenge.
The Arsenal winger was substituted and seen with an ice pack on his leg in the second half, but Arteta says it isn't too serious.
"I don't think it is intentional but it was dangerous," Arteta said.
"I do [worry] with the numbers that we have right now, especially when the player has his back to goal.
"Because that is the moment when the foot is planted, your weight is there, and you cannot really react.
"He cuts him from the back. The referee made a decision, and that it is clear. He was a bit sore, but it's nothing serious, so it's good."
'We weren't good enough'
Christian Eriksen has lamented Manchester United's efforts in the final third following their 1-0 defeat at home to Wolves.
A dramatic and morale-boosting Europa League win over Lyon on Thursday wasn't enough to distract United from their league form.
They fell to a 15th defeat of the season after an excellent Wolves free-kick from Pablo Sarabia at Old Trafford.
United, who sit 14th, will soon finish with their worst ever points tally in the Premier League.
And Eriksen has reflected on another dismal result that has seen Wolves complete a league double over them.
"I think it was pretty easy to get over. I think obviously we changed a lot of the team from Thursday... We had our chances [on Sunday].
"No matter if we played Thursday or not, I think we had enough energy to win the game and, in the end, it was just small details.
"We weren't good enough in the last end. It is football, in a nutshell.
"Sometimes if you have a good game but don't score any goals, then the opposition will always have a chance to take the lead and take the win. Unfortunately, they did that."
Slowly but surely
With a little over a month left of the Premier League season, the top and bottom ends of the table are shaping up even further.
Liverpool are on the verge of becoming champions after their 1-0 win at Leicester City on Sunday.
They will be crowned as title winners on Wednesday if second-placed Arsenal lose at home to Crystal Palace.
Leicester have been relegated from the Premier League and will join Southampton in the Championship next season.
Ipswich Town are still mathematically safe from the drop for now, but 15 points adrift of safety and look set for relegation too.
Although top spot and the bottom three are all but confirmed, there is still an intriguing battle for European qualification.
A stoppage-time winner from Pedro Neto gave Chelsea a huge 2-1 win at Fulham to put them in the final Champions League spot.
However, Nottingham Forest will overtake them with a win against Tottenham tonight, live on talkSPORT.
There are just two points separating Newcastle in third and Aston Villa in seventh ahead of the final weeks.
How much?
Tyler Dibling has laughed off his £100million price tag and revealed how his Southampton teammates have been teasing him about it.
Saints have reportedly slapped the eye-watering fee on their exciting 19-year-old winger in a bid to keep hold of him after relegation from the Premier League.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, in particular, has been ribbing Dibling by joking his price goes down every time he misses a shot.
"There's a few nicknames going around," said the England Under-21 international. "It is all jokes. Nobody takes it seriously. It's just a number. It's all fun.
"'Rambo' loves it to be fair. I'll miss a shot in training and he'll just go '90 million' or '80 million' as it goes down.
"It's all good fun but I'm just trying to practice every day and to get better."
Dibling has been linked with Newcastle and Manchester United while a host of Bundesliga clubs have also shown an interest.
But he added: "I don't try to think about it and just go in to train every day and work hard and train the best I can.
"At the end of the day, I love Southampton. I have been here since I was eight. It is such a great team and I am working to do big things with them."
talkSPORT understands
Ruud van Nistelrooy will hold talks with the Leicester City board next week over his future at the club.
Leicester's immediate return to the Championship was confirmed today with the Foxes failing to beat Liverpool at the King Power Stadium.
When asked about his future after the 1-0 defeat, Van Nistelrooy said: "I'm working, as I say, in the coming weeks, it's my job to do everything in the interest of Leicester City Football Club.
"And that's what I'm doing with young talent joining the first-team training, second appearance of Monga in the Premier League at 15 years old, a lot of young players starting and playing excellent games and it's all a benefit for their development into next season and that's my job for now.
"Of course, I'm waiting on the clarity of the club, how they want to continue."
When asked if he wants to lead Leicester back to the Premier League, he replied: "It's what I'm doing now, it's what I'm doing and it's the goal to lead the club in the best way possible. But of course I have to wait on how the club sees things and then take it from there."
He added: "I'm doing my job with the responsibility to do the best for the football club for now until the end of the season. I'm waiting on the direction the club wants to go and see if we can get aligned on that."
Not good enough
Leicester's Conor Coady admitted that the Foxes just haven't had the quality to remain in the Premier League this season.
In an honest interview with Sky Sports, Coady said: "Listen, we've not been good enough all year. We haven't.
"If we look at today, I thought we played and we nullified Liverpool quite well, they're a world-class side.
"But if we look back at the season, it hasn't been anywhere near good enough from a club point of view.
"But we have to look at ourselves in the mirror. We have to now. What's happened has happened.
"And we have to try to put the club in a better position come the summer. That's what we have to try and do.
"We took a bit of stick, we will take on keeping stick because it's deservedly so. From minute one this season, we haven't been able to fully compete in the Premier League.
"You need to be or it will eat you up and spit you out. It's something we have to look at, because we're devastated."
'I'm not going to speak on it'
Trent Alexander-Arnold has refused to speak about his future at Liverpool after his game-winning goal.
talkSPORT understands that Alexander-Arnold has agreed to join Real Madrid at the end of his contract this summer.
However, after his passionate celebration this afternoon, could it have hinted at a potential U-turn?
Speaking to Sky Sports post-match, he said: "I'm not going to speak on my situation or go into details.
"These days are always special, scoring goals, winning games, being close to winning titles - they are special moments that will live with me forever. And I'm glad to be part of it."
He was also pushed to the front of the celebrations in front of the Liverpool fans after the whistle by his teammates.
On that, he added: "[Virgil] pushed me to the front to soak it in to get close and personal - the away fans are amazing.
"They've pushed us every game. They helped us win the game. As much as we do it for ourselves and our families, we do it for the fans.
"They're the ones who spend the money and travel to games, it's the least they deserve.
"To be so close to winning a league title - a first one in front of fans, which is what we're missing - is very special."