City's festive gift Recent league slump has given chasing pack a chance to dream at Christmas

It’s 19 May 2024. You’ve got Liverpool v Wolves on the big telly, you’ve wheeled in the small, very old one from the bedroom for Manchester City v West Ham, Arsenal v Everton is on the iPad, Graham Potter’s Palace (fresh from his bruising 44-day stint at Manchester United) v Villa is on your phone and Sheffi eld United v Spurs is on the radio.

- Max Rushden

 All five could still win the title. It’s unprecedented. Sean Dyche’s Everton could still get into Europe with a win at the Emirates.

And that’s before we’ve considered Burnley v Forest – winner takes all to stay up after Vincent Kompany’s side won six of their last eight. Forest caretaker manager Martin O’Neill has been given five games to save them after Julen Lopetegui’s disastrous and short-lived run in charge since February. Rúben Neves, Jordan Henderson, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté all start for Newcastle at Brentford. Eddie Howe’s side need a win and results to go their way to get fifth – which may still be enough to qualify for the Champions League.

There’s very little to play for at the Amex, but all eyes are on Roberto De Zerbi’s return as Manchester United manager. As for Jadon Sancho, 10 goal involvements in his last 10 games is some return from him. Meanwhile, interim-interim-interim Frank Lampard has called on Ivan Toney to help his Chelsea side leapfrog Bournemouth for the Europa Conference League spot to secure his seat on the plane for Germany.

You’d suggest most of the above is ridiculous until you recall last year. Sam Allardyce at Leeds, Lampard’s actual return, and Roy Hodgson turning into an Ardiles/Keegan hybrid at Palace for a few games.