LONDON, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The 36th round of Premier League matches this weekend is set to have a major impact on both the title race and the relegation battle, with league leader Arsenal traveling to third-bottom West Ham United on Sunday in a match both sides need to win.

Arsenal's victory over Fulham last weekend, combined with Manchester City's draw away to Everton, means Arsenal has a five-point lead at the top of the table. Although Manchester City has a game in hand, the equation is simple: if Mikel Arteta's side wins its three remaining matches, Arsenal will be champion.

The north London club also remains in contention for a Premier League and Champions League double after battling past Atletico Madrid on Wednesday to reach the Champions League final, and morale is high at the Emirates Stadium.

Things went badly wrong for West Ham last weekend, however, as a 3-0 defeat away to Brentford came at the worst possible time, with Tottenham producing a surprise 2-0 win away to Aston Villa to move above West Ham and out of the bottom three.

The situation at the London Stadium is suddenly desperate, because if West Ham loses and Tottenham wins at home to a Leeds United side that has all but secured survival, which would be confirmed if West Ham fails to win, West Ham could find itself five points adrift with only six left to play for.

Manchester City is at home to Brentford on Saturday evening, and the situation is again clear for Pep Guardiola's side: it needs to win to keep the pressure on Arsenal and hope the league leader slips up.

Rodri is a doubt ahead of the game, while Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol are both out against a Brentford side that sits seventh in the standings and is looking to qualify for Europe for the first time in its history.

The weekend kicks off with Liverpool at home to Chelsea, which arrives at Anfield on the back of six consecutive Premier League defeats that have left its European hopes in tatters, although victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final would secure a place in the Europa League.

Liverpool is without Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike, but Alexander Isak could feature as Liverpool looks to secure a Champions League spot.

Bournemouth takes a 15-match unbeaten Premier League run to Fulham, with Andoni Iraola's side sixth in the table and still in with a chance of Champions League qualification.

Aston Villa travels to second-bottom, managerless Burnley after beating Nottingham Forest to book its place in this season's Europa League final, while Nottingham Forest is at home to Newcastle United on Sunday with the consolation of knowing a win will secure Premier League survival, although that could come sooner if West Ham loses to Arsenal.

Elsewhere, Everton must win at Crystal Palace to keep its European hopes alive, while three points at home to already relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers would probably lift Brighton into the top seven. ■