The Premier League took pause over the weekend just gone. The FA Cup was in full swing with many top division sides still competing. Following the midweek league action at the beginning of March, there was no movement at either end, but the plot has thickened enormously. Arsenal are keeping top spot warm with Manchester City in behind. Manchester United complete the top three. It’s still unchanged at the other end with Wolves, Burnley and West Ham occupying them slots.

This weekend will see fixtures run from Saturday to Monday. First up is two fixtures at 3pm (GMT). Burnley will welcome Bournemouth and Sunderland will host Brighton. We then have two fixtures at 5:30pm with Arsenal taking on Everton and Chelsea up against Newcastle. To close out the day will be West Ham taking on Manchester City, kick off at 8pm. Sunday will see four fixtures take place with three kicking off at 2pm. Crystal Palace will play Leeds, Aston Villa will travel to Manchester United and Nottingham Forest will play Fulham. At 4:30pm will be Liverpool battling Tottenham Hotspur. Finally, on Monday night, we have Brentford vs Wolves.

Burnley vs Bournemouth

Scott Parker is going to need to steady the ship after showing small signs of improvement. They did pick up four points in two games prior to the Brentford fixture, but now it’s two defeats in a row. Safety is just slipping further out of reach, but not in an unattainable zone yet. They’re nine points behind West Ham and Forest and only three ahead of Wolves. Parker will want to avoid finishing rock bottom on top of trying to survive. What does he need to do? Win. Pure and simple. Points are everything at this stage. In terms of scoring goals to get the wins, Burnley have been quite proficient. They’ve scored seven goals in their last five league games, but they’re still conceding too many. 11 in five games makes for grim viewing. They need to find a way to balance scoring goals without compromising defensive stability.

Bournemouth have turned over a new leaf since the beginning of the year. They’ve lost just once, in the Premiership, since Arsenal beat them at the start of 2026. That’s nine games unbeaten now. The concern for Andoni Iraola is that the Cherries’ can’t stop drawing games. As of today, they’ve got three in a row. That brings the grand total to 13 for the season, the next highest is 10. Bournemouth are dreaming of European action next season, but they’re going to have to find a way to tip the scales in their favour. They’ve only won three games away from home, which makes this fixture slightly more awkward. When Bournemouth are on their travels, they’re a very entertaining team. Only three teams have scored more away from home, but only one team has conceded more.

Both of these sides have been involved in some incredible games this season, but it was just a 1-1 draw last time out. I do feel like another draw is on the horizon.

Predicted Result: Burnley 2-2 Bournemouth

Sunderland vs Brighton

Having been dumped out of the FA Cup by Port Vale, Sunderland will want the return of the Premier League as soon as possible. They need a win to try and wash out that defeat to the bottom dwelling League One side. It seems like Sunderland’s mid-season demons have been exorcised as they’re now unbeaten in two league fixtures. They picked up a huge win over Leeds in the last round and were able to hold Bournemouth to a draw before that. Two extremely difficult away ties and they collected four points from them. Regis Le Bris’ side were never going to be relegation contenders, but they’ve now reached the sacred threshold of 40 points. The target for any relegation threatened team to hit. They return to the Stadium of Light which has seen them lose just twice, but those came in their previous two home fixtures. Sunderland will want to stop that little rut on home soil.

Brighton will be extremely disappointed they weren’t able to pick up a point against Arsenal, the Seagulls were the better side. Fabian Hurzeler’s side were on a two game winning streak, but the Gunners dented hopes for European football. If 7th is the magic number, they need seven points. But, here’s where it gets difficult for Brighton. Their away form is some of the worst in the league with only three teams picking up less points. They’ve won a meagre three games out of 14. For a team that takes pride in how they play football, they’re certainly not picking up the results to reflect that.

Part of me thinks of Sunderland and immediately think of draws. Three teams have drawn 10 games in the league this season, Leeds is one and the other two are here before us. However, I do think Sunderland will just about edge this one.

Predicted Result: Sunderland 1-0 Brighton

Arsenal vs Everton

It’s been a long old slog for Arsenal this season and the performances are starting to reflect that, not necessarily the results though. We’re midway through March and the Gunners are still competing in four competitions. Most recently they picked up a 1-1 draw away to Bayer Leverkusen. Not a terrible result, but the performance left much to be desired. However, Mikel Arteta’s men are on a three game winning streak in the league and have extended their lead at the top to seven points. This could become 10 before Manchester City kick a ball. The North London side have still only lost once at the Emirates, but have succumbed to two draws. The odds are stacked in their favour.

Everton have been a mischievous team this season. They look thoroughly underwhelming at the Hill-Dickinson Stadium, but look like a title chasing side when they’re on their travels. They have the 4th best record in the league and haven’t lost away from home since December 13th. That’s six games unbeaten. This has placed them 8th in the table, which begs the question, where could they be if they sorted out their home form? They sit one point off of 7th and five points behind Liverpool. Only two teams have conceded less than David Moyes’ men, Arsenal and Manchester City. On the flip side, no team in the top 10 has scored less than the Toffee’s. Clearly they’ve mastered the ability to control a match.

Everton can absolutely take advantage of Arsenal’s hectic schedule. However, the Emirates is a tough place for any side to visit and Everton might not have enough offensive quality to break down the Gunners defence. Arteta’s men will walk away with a slender win.

Predicted Result: Arsenal 1-0 Everton

Chelsea vs Newcastle

Liam Rosenior has experienced his first defeat outside of Arsenal. Despite facing the Gunners three times, he lost all of them. However, he had remained undefeated against all other competitors. That was until PSG showed up and thumped them 5-2. Rosenior can’t be too disheartened at that as his side did actually play quite well on the night, they just couldn’t prevent PSG’s clinical finishing. But, there’s still a job to be done in the Premier League. They’ll be thankful of returning to winning ways against Aston Villa last time out as it halted a three game run without a win. They beat Villa 4-1, which is a huge result in the battle for top four. The Blues now sit three points behind Villa and United who occupy fourth and third.

Newcastle actually had a pretty decent Champions League result, holding Barcelona to a 1-1 draw. They’ll be disappointed they didn’t take the win, but a correct penalty decision brought the tie level. If they can perform like that against the Spanish giants, then they must be able to translate that to the league. The fact is, they’ve got two wins in their last five with three losses. They currently sit 12th in the league which isn’t favourable for their hopes of European football next season, but they’re only five points behind Brentford in 7th. But, if Eddie Howe wants to achieve any sort of objective this season then has to improve his sides away form. It’s the fourth worst in the entire division, winning just three times. For a team whose target this season was to make top four, picking up just 13 points on the road is disastrous.

Despite one side losing 5-2 in the week and the other drawing 1-1, I feel like the former will be the champion in this tie. I can sense Chelsea getting back to winning ways very quickly.

Predicted Result: Chelsea 3-1 Newcastle

West Ham vs Manchester City

The Hammers are showing the league that they’re not to be messed with, despite their positioning in the table. They looked down and out a couple of months ago, but the transformation has been incredible to watch. Nuno Espírito Santo has found his formula and it works most of the time. In all competitions, they’ve only lost once in their last five. That includes beating Brentford in the FA Cup to reach the quarter finals. Even in the league, they’ve only lost once in their last five. Picking up two wins in the process. This has catapulted them right under the nose of Spurs, who sit just a point ahead. The East London side are level on points with Nottingham Forest. Now is the chance for West Ham to grab a statement win and escape the relegation zone. Home form has also improved immensely, having not lost at the London Stadium since January 24th, in the league.

Manchester City had an alarming midweek clash against Real Madrid. They were thumped 3-0 and it could’ve been much worse. Vinicius Jr even missed a penalty. Madrid were missing the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo. Despite a comfortable win over Newcastle in the FA Cup, they actually dropped points in their last Premier League fixture. This coincided with Arsenal beating Brighton, meaning that the gap is now seven points. Even if City win their game in hand and beat Arsenal, they will still sit a point behind. Pep Guardiola has his work cut out now. City’s whole season could collapse before this month is out. Failure to beat West Ham will leave Arsenal wide open to claim a 10 point advantage in the league. They need four goals to knock Madrid out of the Champions League otherwise they’ll be facing elimination and Arsenal could beat them in the EFL Cup final. But, the reverse is also possible and that could be massive for the club in their hunt for trophies.

I think that defeat to Madrid will have sucked some of the soul out of the players. They didn’t expect to get thumped so heavily and I don’t think they’ll have mentally recovered when they come to face a side battling relegation. I don’t think City will lose, but they won’t win.

Predicted Result: West Ham 1-1 City

Crystal Palace vs Leeds

Palace have shown marginal improvements over the last few weeks. Oliver Glasner’s side went two months without a win in the league which seriously dented any hopes of European football next season. It got to a point where Palace were getting dragged into a relegation battle. However, they’ve left those concerns behind after a series of positive results. After two months without a win, they’ve recorded three since February 8th. Home form is still punishing the South London side as only five teams have a worse record. The Eagles’ have dropped points in 11 of the 14 games at Selhurst Park, something that Glasner will need to improve as the season comes to a close.

Leeds haven’t had such a good few weeks and are casually slipping into a relegation scrap again. Since January 26th, Daniel Farke’s team have won just a single game in the league. That’s seven games and just one win. They sit 15th, but are just three points ahead of West Ham. Goal difference will likely keep the West Yorkshire side safe from dropping into the relegation zone, unless something extreme happens in this fixture and between West Ham vs Manchester City. If they are going to survive, away form will need improving and they have a chance to do that immediately. They’ve got the third worst record in the league, having won just one game on the road.

I’m backing Palace to continue their good form here, I just feel that Leeds have lost that momentum.

Predicted Result: Palace 2-1 Leeds

Manchester United vs Aston Villa

Michael Carrick has transformed United since his arrival in January. He’s cracked into the top four and gone one further by claiming third spot. Carrick was unbeaten until he took his team to St James Park. Newcastle managed to grab a late winner and forced through a 2-1 victory. It’s still six wins from eight for the United legend. The concern it does raise is how his side react to playing more than once in a week. Every time they’ve played at the weekend and then during the week, they’ve dropped points. The draw away to West Ham and now the defeat to Newcastle. Luckily, they’ll likely not have to do that again for the rest of the season. They’ll be happy to return to Old Trafford, a stadium that Carrick has a 100% record at since his return.

Villa are level on points with United, but have an inferior goal difference. The Villans have the worst goal difference in the top six, which will make it difficult to see them claim a top four spot. What makes things even harder is that they’re on a two game losing streak. In fact, Unai Emery’s men have won just a single game in their last five league outings. Their away form is still respectable, being the 6th best in the division, but haven’t won outside of Villa Park since January 25th.

United are normally at their best when they’ve had a week off and they’ve had just that. Villa had to travel to Lille during the week, which is a tough away day. I can see United’s fresh legs getting one over on Villa.

Predicted Result: United 2-0 Villa

Nottingham Forest vs Fulham

Forest are just about keeping their noses out of the relegation zone, but the Hammers are hot on their heels. They’re actually level on points, but Forest have a superior goal difference. Just one win for the Nottinghamshire side will see them leapfrog Spurs and catch up to Palace, if other results go in their favour. Vitor Pereira’s side are in a slump though, despite going to the Etihad and leaving with a point in their last league fixture. But, it’s just two points in five games for the relegation threatened side. Actually, it’s just the one win since January 25th. Six matches without a win, the kind of streak that will relegate a side.

Fulham are in the middle of the pack and that kind of sums up how they’ve been this season. The bad has balanced out the good and it’s left them teetering on the edge of a good campaign. European football is not out of the question, but they’re going to have to find four points without reply. What doesn’t teeter on the edge is Fulham’s results. They swing between wins and losses more so than any other side in the league. They’ve played out four draws, which is the lowest in the division. They haven’t actually drawn a game since January 4th, a 2-2 draw against Liverpool. The draws aren’t important, but it does show a lack of control over a match. Playing on fine margins is dangerous.

Despite what I’ve said about Fulham and their draws, I think they get their fifth in this fixture.

Predicted Result: Forest 1-1 Fulham

Liverpool vs Spurs

Liverpool were finding a bit of rhythm in the league after losing to Manchester City a month or so ago. They’d won three league games in a row and found themselves qualifying for the 5th round of the FA Cup. However, they’ve since lost to Wolves in the Premiership, knocked them out of the FA Cup and then lost to Galatasaray in the Champions League. Arne Slot has seen his side wobble too many times this season and now would be the worst time to revisit some of that sketchy form. They need to get back to winning ways in the league as they fight for top four. In addition to this, they’ll have to work that bit harder to overcome Galatasaray in the Champions League.

I’m not sure where to begin with Spurs. They’re still without a win in any domestic competition in 2026, the only side in the Premier League to hold that achievement. They’ve lost five league games in a row, something they haven’t done since 2004. The Champions League did give the club some respite earlier in the year, but that changed on Tuesday night when they were thumped 5-2 by Atletico Madrid. They’d need something special next week to find a way to qualify now. The focus in the league is survival. They sit just one point above the relegation zone with West Ham and Forest ready to leapfrog the North London side. A damning statistic to read is that Arsenal are one win away from tripling Spurs’ win tally for the season. The latter have just seven whereas their noisy neighbours have 20. Injuries are without a doubt playing their part, but it feels like they can’t accept they’re in a relegation battle. Put your pride to one side and dig deep.

For me, I can’t see a world where Liverpool don’t beat Spurs. Spurs could be without 13 players for this trip, a game they’d struggle to win even with those 13 players available anyway.

Predicted Result: Liverpool 4-1 Spurs

Brentford vs Wolves

Brentford have been the surprise package this season. They’re up in 7th and have a real chance of locking that spot down. While only being a point better off than Everton, Keith Andrews’ side have that consistency. They were eliminated from the FA Cup in their last run out, but have won seven of their last 13 matches in the league. Home form has dipped slightly, but have still only lost three. However, one of those defeats came in their last home fixture, so they’ll be looking to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

Wolves have been the surprise package since 2026 began. 2025 was a complete disaster and they could barely find a point, let alone a win. Fast forward to the present day and they have three. It doesn’t sound like a great deal, but you have to understand it within the context of their season. It’s actually two wins in a row now after beating Liverpool and Aston Villa. On the flip side, they still haven’t won an away game this season and they now have to face a side who are very good on home soil. Survival is out of the question for Wolves unless a miracle occurs, but they’ve been a nuisance for teams up and down the division. That’s all you can really ask from them.

Despite Wolves adopting the moniker ‘plucky’, they’ve will face a challenge here that they won’t overcome. Brentford will likely cruise to a win.

Predicted Result: Brentford 2-0 Wolves