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DPA
London
Champions Manchester City will be hoping to build on the momentum of their League Cup win as the Premier League title race heads towards its final phase.
One point behind Liverpool at the top, City host West Ham on Wednesday, fresh from victory over Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out at Wembley on Sunday. Manager Pep Guardiola said winning trophies could only help his side but injuries may yet play a role in the destination of the title.
Fernandinho and Aymeric Laporte are expected to miss the West Ham game after being hurt at the weekend.
“Fernandinho and Laporte will be some weeks out,” Guardiola said.
“Winning this game is good for the enthusiasm for the next games. But we are going to suffer for the next competitions, especially in the Champions League and Premier League.”
The absence of Fernandinho, in particular, is a concern since City’s only two league losses this season came when the Brazilian was missing.
Liverpool’s goalless draw at Manchester United on Sunday put them back on top of the table, one point clear with 11 games to go.
But Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp will want much more from his side as an attacking force when they welcome Watford to Anfield on Wednesday. Klopp will check on the fitness of Roberto Firmino, who had to come off against United with an ankle problem, though Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to return at full back.
Liverpool dominated possession against United and though they failed to fire in attack, Klopp said they should take belief into their match with Watford.
“It’s still a point and now we have to use that,” Klopp said.  “We will play on Wednesday again against a team full of confidence with Watford scoring five at Cardiff, coming now to Liverpool in a brilliant atmosphere. We have to be ready again and we try everything to be ready again.”
Tottenham, six points off the top in third place but beaten at the weekend, will try to bounce back by winning at Chelsea in the pick of the midweek games.
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is under pressure after keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga apparently refused to be substituted late in the cup final though parties later claimed it was a misunderstanding.
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26/02/2019
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