The Premier League is back this weekend with some huge games. Read our predictions here…
It was a dismal week for England’s top teams in the Champions League with four defeats and two draws.
The return legs are next week but no-one can take their foot off the pedal in the Premier League with some big games at the top and bottom of the table this weekend.
Arsenal will hope to strengthen their grip on first place while their North London rivals Tottenham face another tricky away fixture.
Here, we look at the weekend games and offer some predictions.
SATURDAY
Burnley v Bournemouth (3pm)Burnley’s largely miserable season in the Premier League is almost over and their yo-yo existence will continue with relegation back to the Championship. One league win since October tells its own story: the Clarets simply aren’t good enough for this level and they will have to adopt a different approach when they do return. Bournemouth have not lost in the league since January 3, although their progress has been stunted by too many draws (four in their last five games). It’s not much of a stretch to imagine they will return to winning ways at Turf Moor.Prediction: Burnley 1-2 Bournemouth
Sunderland v Brighton (3pm)Sunderland’s win at Leeds in their last league game all but confirmed their place in the top flight next season. Regis Le Bris’ side promptly lost all that feelgood factor with a dreadful defeat at League One strugglers Port Vale in the FA Cup. In truth, the Wearsiders haven’t shown their early-season form for some weeks, not helped by a lengthy injury list. Brighton will see this as an opportunity as they look to bounce back from a frustrating defeat to Arsenal.Prediction: Sunderland 0-2 Brighton
Arsenal v Everton (5.30pm)Arsenal’s late goal in Leverkusen in midweek prevented a second defeat in 25 games and kept their quadruple hopes very much alive. The trophy they want most is the Premier League and they have the chance to go 10 points clear – for a few hours at least – when they take on Everton at the Emirates. Arsenal have not lost at home to the Toffees since 2021 and it’s hard to see that record changing despite Everton recording back-to-back wins over Newcastle and Burnley. Everton don’t concede many, however, so it could be tight.Prediction: Arsenal 1-0 Everton
Chelsea v Newcastle (5.30pm)Newcastle did their utmost to uphold the reputation of the self-proclaimed ‘best league in the world’ with a 1-1 draw against Barcelona that would have been even better had it not been for Lamine Yamal’s last-gasp penalty. The Magpies continue to flourish in Europe but their league form remains a concern with just two wins since January 7. They will face a Chelsea side smarting from their late collapse in France that means they have it all to do against PSG in the return game. It’s likely Liam Rosenior will rotate his squad in a bid to keep players fresh. Eddie Howe would like to do the same but has fewer quality resources at his disposal. Chelsea’s squad depth is greater than Newcastle’s, so…Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle
West Ham v Manchester City (8pm)On paper, this seems a good time to play City. Having lost 3-0 to Real Madrid last night, Pep Guardiola is likely to rest several big-names and rely on the midweek substitutes to guide his side to victory and keep pace with Arsenal. The likes of Phil Foden, John Stones, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Omar Marmoush are still pretty decent, though! West Ham are in desperate need of points but for different reasons. They will start the evening just inside the relegation zone, level on points with Nottingham Forest and one behind Tottenham. The Hammers have been much improved of late and we think they will push City all the way.Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Manchester City
SUNDAY
Crystal Palace v Leeds (2pm)Many observers thought Leeds were out of trouble. Daniel Farke appeared to have found a formula to compete in the top flight but the fact is they have won just two league games this side of Christmas. The West Yorkshire club are three points above the drop zone and again looking over their shoulder. Palace were in a similar position a few weeks ago but wins over Brighton, Wolves and Spurs have seen them climb up to the relative security of lower mid-table. Palace have too much to go down, but Leeds…?Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-0 Leeds
Manchester United v Aston Villa (2pm)Who would have thought United would be pushing for a top-three finish when Ruben Amorim was still fumbling around with his 3-4-3 formation. Michael Carrick’s United are a different beast and, even though they were unfortunate to lose at Newcastle last time out, they remain very much on an upward trajectory. The lack of European football helps and they will come into this game with fresh legs. Villa go to Lille tonight and will arrive at Old Trafford fatigued and battle weary. That gives the hosts the edge.Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Aston Villa
Nottingham Forest v Fulham (2pm)We are not yet at the stage where a game is classed as ‘must win’ but there are also certain fixtures on the calendar that will have a ring around them. This one falls into that category for a Forest side that have taken just one point from Vitor Pereira’s first four league games in charge. That was a well-deserved 2-2 draw at Manchester City last time out, a result and performance that will give them confidence of doing some damage against a Fulham side still harbouring hopes of European football next season. The Cottagers were beaten by West Ham last time out but are a dangerous team away from home where they can better utilise their pace on the break.Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Fulham
Liverpool v Tottenham (4.30pm)Tottenham… where to begin. It seems like Igor Tudor will be in the dugout this weekend, which is a surprise in itself given the team’s dire performance since his arrival. Add in the shabby treatment of Antonin Kinsky in the shambolic 5-2 defeat at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night and even the Croatian himself must have been expecting the boot. Another heavy defeat at Anfield will surely put him out of his misery and it’s hard to see any other outcome. Micky van de Ven is suspended while defensive partner Cristian Romero – one Spurs player it is hard to feel any sympathy for – suffered a nasty clash of heads in Spain. If the Argentine is forced out, it will be another makeshift Spurs defence which will play into the hands of a Liverpool team still scrabbling around for top form. Arne Slot’s side were disappointing at Galatasaray in midweek but will see this game as an excellent chance to strengthen their top-four claims.Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Tottenham
MONDAY
Brentford v Wolves (8pm)Monday night’s FA Cup exit at West Ham shouldn’t detract from what has been an excellent season for Brentford. Keith Andrews’ men remain very much in the hunt for a Europa League spot and will fancy their chances against a Wolves side that has taken four points from 14 league games away from Molineux. Yes, they have been better recently, back-to-back home wins over Aston Villa and Liverpool ending any fears of being the worst Premier League side in history, but they remain short on quality.Prediction: Brentford 2-0 Wolves
