Premier League action returns after a weekend off. In its place was the FA Cup. This saw teams up and down the football pyramid face off to earn a place in the 5th round. However, between the two weekends we saw Wolves hold Arsenal to a draw. This means that Arsenal are five points clear, but Manchester City now have a game in hand. Aston Villa are eight points behind Arsenal. The bottom three are also non-movers with Wolves, Burnley and West Ham.

This weekend will see action on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Three games will kick us off on Saturday afternoon. Aston Villa will host Leeds, Brighton will travel to Brentford and Chelsea will go up against Burnley. All these fixtures will kick off at 3pm (GMT). Following this will be a 5:30pm kick off between West Ham and Bournemouth. To conclude Saturday’s action will be Manchester City facing off against Newcastle. On Sunday we’ll begin with three games kicking off at 2pm. Crystal Palace will be up against Wolves, Nottingham Forest will welcome Liverpool and Sunderland will play Fulham. The North London derby will round off Sunday’s action. Tottenham will play the host this time. To conclude GW27 will be Everton vs Manchester United on Monday night, kick off at 8pm.

Aston Villa vs Leeds

Villa had a disappointing weekend as they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Newcastle. However, they were able to return to winning ways in the Premier League. They beat Brighton by a goal to nil, ending a two game streak without a win. It doesn’t sound like much, but things can spiral quickly, so it’s important you nip it in the bud. They sit eight points off the top, but more importantly, they sustained their five point gap over 4th spot. This means they’re six points free from dropping out of the top 4. Unai Emery will want to rack up as many wins as possible in the next few weeks as the chasing pack are in form. Villa will also be happy that the win over Brighton was at Villa Park as they had previously lost two games in a row, on home soil.

Leeds are still trying to break free from the relegation battle, but keep getting pegged back. Despite two wins in their last five league fixtures, there’s three games of dropped points. Daniel Farke has positioned his side to really accelerate away from their relegation rivals. West Ham, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest are chasing the West Yorkshire side. Leeds sit six points clear of West Ham, three ahead of Forest and one point over Spurs. Looking forward though, they can rise to 13th with a win. But, that’s going to be tough considering their away form. They’ve only got a single win to their name with only one side conceding more, Burnley. Having said that, they’re unbeaten in two away fixtures after they held Chelsea to a 2-2 draw.

Things won’t be easy for Villa, but I do feel as though they’ll squeak past Leeds.

Predicted Result: Villa 1-0 Leeds

Brentford vs Brighton

Brentford have been electric in recent months. There was a potential banana skin against Macclesfield, in the FA Cup, but they were able to sneak past them. In the league it’s been almost perfect for the Middlesex side. They held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw last week which proved how serious they are as a side. They’ve lost just twice, in the Premiership, since December 14th. That’s 11 games, winning six of them. It’s a hugely impressive return and they sit 7th in the table because of it, with a tiny bit of breathing space. Everton are three points off, but Brentford have a superior goal difference. Keith Andrews’ side have actually had a very good season overall, as they’ve still only lost twice at Gtech Community Stadium. It’s the 6th best return in the Premier League.

Brighton would like to be in Brentford’s position, but they’re seriously struggling. They’ve only won once in 2026, in the league. 13 matches, one win. Fabian Hurzeler will certainly be feeling the pressure as his side are genuinely in danger of getting dragged into a relegation battle. They sit just a point ahead of Leeds, meaning they’re just seven points of clear of West Ham. What’s unfortunate is that the Seagulls will be away from home and they’ve won only two games under those conditions. Although, they are popular with a draw as no side in the division has achieved more. 10 in total. Hurzeler knows his position is on the verge of being compromised, but he’s always pushed through since his arrival.

I do feel as though Brentford will add to the misery surrounding Brighton, I can’t see the away side getting a win, not even a point.

Predicted Result: Brentford 2-0 Brighton

Chelsea vs Burnley

Liam Rosenior’s men have enjoyed their football of late. Big wins, great performances and a steady climb back up the table. However, their last league match was a reminder that it won’t all be plain sailing for Chelsea. The 2-2 draw at home against Leeds was a shock to the system, but it’ll likely be just a blip on their path. They proved that to be the case after they demolished Hull City 4-0 in the FA Cup. The Blues will be at Stamford Bridge again, a stadium that has seen them struggle. They’re 11th in the table for that metric. Even their previous win at home required a last minute winner after falling 2-0 down to West Ham. Rosenior knows that the wins need to keep coming if they want access to the top four. Manchester United are in brilliant form and don’t look to be giving up their position.

Burnley were effectively down and out prior to the fixture against Crystal Palace. However, they fought hard for a 3-2 win, injecting some hope into the squad. They’re still six points behind West Ham and nine points behind Forest, but that win keeps things alive. To be fair, they’ve only lost twice in their last five league fixtures, which is huge turnaround from their form last year. Within their last three fixtures on the road, Burnley have beaten Palace and have drawn with Liverpool. Scott Parker’s men are fighting for survival and that means they can catch teams out with how resilient they are.

Chelsea could fall victim to Burnley’s resilience, but I see that as unlikely. This won’t be the fixture that helps Burnley on their journey to survival.

Predicted Result: Chelsea 3-0 Burnley

West Ham vs Bournemouth

The Hammers have made the relegation battle very competitive. There was a moment that they looked like they’d fall away and the bottom three would just be Wolves, Burnley and West Ham without any drama. However, recent weeks have given West Ham a lifeline. They’ve endured a season of pain, but Nuno Espírito Santo has found a working formula and it could result in survival. The East London side have lost just once in their last five league fixtures, winning three of them. It’s brought them to within three points of safety. It’s also forced Forest, Spurs and Leeds into more frantic results. They need to keep chipping away at the deficit and eventually the walls will come crashing down for one of the teams above them.

Bournemouth have also overseen a switch up in form. Throughout November and December, the Cherries didn’t win a single game. It saw them pretty much free-fall through the table and they landed in 15th. Since Antoine Semenyo’s departure, the ship has been steadied and they’re now navigating through calmer waters. Andoni Iraola has pushed his side into 9th with a real possibility of pushing into 8th. They’re still in danger of getting removed from the top 10 with a loss, but that’s small change from where they once were. The side from Dorset are now unbeaten in six league fixtures, winning four of them.

West Ham are fighting for survival and Bournemouth have found their swagger again. After recently holding United to a draw, I can see the Hammers repeating that here.

Predicted Result: West Ham 2-2 Bournemouth

Manchester City vs Newcastle

Pep Guardiola’s side were able to sit back and watch Arsenal stumble against Wolves in the week. They remain five points behind, but now City have a game in hand to hang over the head of their rival. It’s now two wins in a row for the Citizens after they beat Liverpool and Fulham. They were also able to sweep aside Salford City in the FA Cup as well. There’s certainly some momentum building up north and that will certainly be of concern to Arsenal. Pep has been here before and knows how to navigate his side towards glory. City have the best home form in the league and that will give them another advantage here. Although, it is still just three wins in five league games, proving there is still some frailty in the side.

Newcastle enjoyed their trip to Azerbaijan in the week. They crushed Qarabag 6-1, Anthony Gordon scoring four of the goals. This has pretty much booked their place in the next round of the Champions League. However, attention must turn back to the league and they’ve got another meeting with City. So far Eddie Howe has faced Pep three times. There’s another two meetings on the way as they also play against each other in the FA Cup 5th round. Newcastle have beaten City in the league this season, but were dispatched in the EFL Cup. The Geordie’s are struggling for form in the league as they’ve only won once in their previous five league fixtures. Although, that win came in GW26 against Spurs, which was away from home.

As much as Newcastle have caused City problems in the past, I don’t think they will this time. That midweek trip to Azerbaijan will be taxing for the Newcastle squad. They’ll face a City side that has had a week’s rest, even longer for some players.

Predicted Result: City 3-1 Newcastle

Crystal Palace vs Wolves

Palace face another relegation battling team, even though Wolves are pretty much confirmed to go down. The South London side suffered an embarrassing defeat at home to Burnley last week. After going 2-0 up, they somehow blew the lead and ended up losing 3-2. Oliver Glasner will have a task on his hands to galvanise the team ahead of another home fixture. They also couldn’t find a way past Zrinjski Mostar in the Conference League on Thursday night. An unsuccessful round trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina will add misery to the already fatigued squad. Palace still sit 13th in the league, which isn’t terrible, but they’re only eight points clear of West Ham. Glasner has to halt the slide one way or another.

Wolves picked up an unexpected 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Wednesday night. They played like a team that had fight about them and that could catch Palace out. You look at the table and assume Wolves have given up, but that’s not the case. The fans, the players and the club want to make sure they enjoy what life they have left in the league. That started by taking points off Arsenal, which they thoroughly enjoyed. In all competitions, Wolves have lost just three times since the turn of the year. That came in a three game block a few weeks ago. That’s 10 games and just three defeats, an entirely different world of form compared to 2025. Rob Edwards has found some gems hidden away in the academy and he’s used them to add some mystery to the team.

I genuinely think this is another game that Wolves will get a surprise result out of. They find it extremely tough to find wins, so a draw will likely be on the cards if they are to do anything.

Predicted Result: Palace 0-0 Wolves

Forest vs Liverpool

The last time Forest faced Liverpool, they won 3-0, at Anfield. Sean Dyche had recently been integrated into the club and things looked up. Fast forward to the reverse fixture and Forest have another new manager. Vitor Pereira was appointed on Sunday and that makes it the clubs fourth manager of the season. Pereira’s last stint was at Wolves, where he left the club in November 2025. This will be his first league game, so the players will likely raise their standards. Forest sit 17th in the league and have West Ham hot on their heels. They need wins desperately, especially as they haven’t won in their last three games. Two draws and a defeat has allowed the Hammers to catch up. But, a win can see them leapfrog Spurs and potentially Leeds as well.

Liverpool ended Sunderland’s unbeaten run at the Stadium of Light. They came through with a 1-0 win and that seriously aided their ambitions to make top four. They sit three points behind United now. However, it’s not been an easy ride for Arne Slot as that win is just one of just two in their last five league fixtures. So there’s still some serious problems, especially away from Anfield. They’ve won just five times on their travels, dropping points in eight games. If Slot wants to boost his side’s chances of finishing in the top four then he has to address how they’re constantly drawing games. Since January 1st, they’ve drawn four times. It’s great to not lose a match, but his team needs to find a way to kill games off.

Forest will have that new manager bounce, but were on their travels in the week. They beat Fenerbache 3-0 which is a fantastic result, but that’s a long round-trip to make. Liverpool can capitalise on that, something I think they will do.

Predicted Result: Forest 1-2 Liverpool

Sunderland vs Fulham

Sunderland’s invincibility at the Stadium of Light was broken last week as Liverpool claimed victory. That means Regis Le Bris side join the rest of the league with losing at home. It’s still some record and it’ll certainly give his side a boost whenever they have a home fixture. Something which they have this weekend. Sunderland are struggling somewhat, but still have their hopes set on achieving European football. But, they need to find that grit they had earlier in the season. It’s two defeats on the bounce now, so there’ll be a determination to stop that becoming three. The Black Cats sit 11th in the league, but only a point separates them to 8th. This will give encouragement and will keep the dream alive, if they can win.

Fulham were doing really well in the league. Marco Silva had seemingly forced his side to turn a corner, but they’ve crawled back into their shell. Fulham had rose to 6th in the league, but they’ve now fallen to 12th. That comes off the back of three defeats in a row. There was some respite in the FA Cup as they were able to snatch a win out of the jaws of defeat, beating Stoke 2-1. Silva will be hoping his side can redeem themselves with a win over Sunderland, but form away from Craven Cottage leaves a lot to be desired. They’re 15th in the league for that statistic, winning just three times on the road. Only Burnley and Wolves have lost more matches away from home than Fulham.

I think Sunderland will return to winning ways at the Stadium of Light. Fulham are in a bad patch of form and a difficult away ground is not what you need on the horizon. This is something that Sunderland can benefit from.

Predicted Result: Sunderland 1-0 Fulham

Tottenham vs Arsenal

The second edition of the North London derby, but this time the importance has tripled. Tottenham are genuinely in a relegation battle. Thomas Frank wasn’t seen as the guy to guide Spurs through that, so he was sacked. Igor Tudor will be the temporary replacement to see Spurs through to the end of the season. His first game is the North London derby, if he can win that then he’ll be an extremely popular figure. Outside of them just beating Arsenal, the three points could create some distance between them and West Ham. Five points separate the two London clubs right now. Injuries are stacking up for Tudor which is something he’ll have to navigate. They were without 12 players, but Dominic Solanke has also been ruled out. This makes it 13 first team players out with an injury or suspension. That’s an unfathomable position to be in. This explains why Spurs haven’t won in the league since December 28th.

Arsenal suffered a serious setback against Wolves in the week. After leading 2-0, they surrendered that advantage and eventually drew 2-2. This comes as another disappointing result that has plagued the squad since the turn of the year. They’ve won just two games, in the league, since they beat Bournemouth 3-2 on January 3rd. That is not title winning form and serious questions will be asked of Mikel Arteta, as they already have been. If Arsenal were to lose or draw against Spurs then I dread to think of the fallout. However, they can still take confidence from the fact they’ve only lost three times this season in the league and we’re on the 27th game week. Arteta knows what a win will do for his side.

As much as the new manager bounce will rejuvenate this Spurs side, they simply have too many first team players out. It’s going to be seriously rotated with new partnerships all over the pitch. If Arteta can’t engineer a victory against such a depleted side then the Premier League title may as well be handed over to City.

Predicted Result: Spurs 1-2 Arsenal

Everton vs Manchester United

David Moyes’ Everton still baffle me. On the one hand they can seemingly go toe-to-toe with anyone in the league, but on the other, they can lose at any given opportunity. It’s really hard to predict an Everton game. They’ve lost just once in their last five league fixtures, but it was the last game that they lost. 2-1 at home to Bournemouth. It’s their form at the Hill-Dickinson Stadium that’s holding this side back. They’re 14th in the league for home form. Compare that to being 5th in the league for the away metric. Only Arsenal have won more games on their travels than Everton. Everton actually sit 8th in the league right now, but will struggle to climb any higher unless there’s a big goal difference swing between them and Brentford. However, every win will matter.

Manchester United actually lost in the reverse fixture, but that was pre-Michael Carrick. The United legend has transformed the team into winners and it’s boding well for their ambitions of featuring in the Champions League next season. However, a reality check was dished out by West Ham last week. The Hammers held Carrick’s side to a 1-1 draw, they even needed Benjamin Sesko to rescue that point late on. That does mean Carrick is still unbeaten since his arrival, winning four games in a row. The Red Devil’s have scored 11 goals in those five matches, conceding just five times. The statistics speak for themselves, United are in hot form, even with that draw against West Ham.

As much as United have been extremely good, this is the kind of game that can trip up any side and I feel as though Everton will provide that. The Toffee’s haven’t played since February 10th, plenty of rest for Moyes’ side.

Predicted Result: Everton 1-1 United