With each matchday come results that have a major influence on placings in the Premier League. All positions remain up for grabs at both the top end of the division and at the bottom. However, as the weeks continue to tick by, there’s less time for teams to make their move, be it for top spot, European football qualification or for safety. Matchday 25 saw Spurs edge out Manchester United, Arsenal find a way to win against Leicester City without a striker and Manchester City defeat Newcastle 4-0. With more huge games to play this weekend, the picture in the Premier League could change once again.
Friday, February 21
Leicester City vs Brentford
Leicester City are a team bang out of form, and bang in trouble. Although, you may not have believed it when they played Arsenal, as it was 0-0 until Mikel Arteta subbed stand-in striker Mikel Merino on to change the game for the Gunners. The Foxes are at home again this weekend in Leicester vs Brentford, but they’re coming up against an away side that has won two of their last three on the road, defeating West Ham at the London Stadium last weekend. Thomas Frank’s side are well well-drilled, and Leicester need to start firing in front of goal if they’re to stand a chance.
Saturday, February 22
Everton vs Manchester United
There are some excellent games this weekend, but Everton vs Manchester United could be the pick of the fixture list. It’s the final time Manchester United will visit Goodison Park, and they will not only come up against an in-form Everton team, but they will also come up against their former manager, David Moyes. Under Moyes, Everton are organised, confident, and effective in both boxes. United lack all of that; they’re out of form, and they have an injury crisis on their hands. It’s not often in the past that Everton have started as clear favourites to win this fixture, but they do here.
Arsenal vs West Ham United
In normal circumstances, you’d maybe look at Arsenal vs West Ham, check the form of the two teams and the league positions, and think it will be a home win. However, while Arsenal are in form and second in the league, and West Ham are out of form and at the wrong end of the table, there’s one thing to bear in mind: Arsenal don’t have a fit striker. The Gunners struggled to be effective in the final third against Leicester until Mikel Merino came on and deputised through the middle, so it will be interesting to see how Mikel Arteta plays it when choosing his front three. This could be the deciding factor.
Bournemouth vs Wolves
Who would’ve thought that third place in the Premier League would be up for grabs for Bournemouth this season? Well, it is, and a win against a struggling Wolves team could see them finish the weekend there if other results go their way. Bournemouth vs Wolves, on current form and recent results, should be a home win for the Cherries and another step towards qualifying for European football. Wolves, though, are fighting for their lives, and they pushed league leaders Liverpool all the way last weekend. They’ll make Andoni Iraola’s side work hard for a result, at the very least.
Fulham vs Crystal Palace
Fulham vs Crystal Palace is a London derby that could be renamed the Joachim Andersen derby, with the centre-back joining Fulham from Crystal Palace in the summer. Fulham are another team impressing in the Premier League this season, and they’ve won their last two games and three of their previous four. Palace, who are comfortably midtable, have won three of their last five, and with Jean-Philippe Matata leading the line, have what it takes to defeat anyone on their day. Marco Silva hopes his team prevents it from being Palace’s day, as they have many other sides this term.
Ipswich Town vs Spurs
The clash between Ipswich Town and Spurs at Portman Road is an intriguing one. Kieran McKenna’s team need points and ideally wins. Spurs, who also need to pick up points, are in the position where they’ve won two Premier League games in a row for only the second time this season, and they could make it three against Ipswich. Therefore, a lot is riding on Ipswich vs Spurs for both teams. Staying in the top flight is not beyond the Tractor Boys if they can collect some points, and, believe it or not, a late push for European football qualification is not beyond Spurs if they, too, pick up points.
Southampton vs Brighton
Southampton vs Brighton is another fixture that involved a team threatened with relegation. The Saints’ situation has been desperate for a long time, and they remain ten points from safety, with the hope of pulling a great escape fading fast. They’re in must-win territory, and they’re playing a Brighton team who, after a 7-0 reverse at the hands of Nottingham Forest, defeated Chelsea 3-0 with ease. The Seagulls look like they’re taking flight once again, and qualifying for Europe is well within their reach. It could be a bad time for Ivan Juric’s side to come up against them. The hope will be that Brighton have another bad away day.
Aston Villa vs Chelsea
Aston Villa taking on Chelsea has been made more interesting by the fact that Villa have just pushed Liverpool all the way midweek in a 2-2 draw at Villa Park, and Chelsea have had a free week. This puts an intriguing spin on Aston Villa vs Chelsea. Will Villa be tired after putting everything into the highly competitive midweek game? And will this benefit Chelsea? Villa are the draw specialists of late, drawing four of their last five. Chelsea’s form has become patchy, and they were soundly beaten last time out. The winner could be the team that takes control of the fixture early.
Sunday, February 23
Newcastle United vs Nottingham Forest
Sunday’s Premier League action is often dubbed “Super Sunday”, and this Sunday, it really lives up to its billing. At least on paper, anyway. The action kicks off at St. James’ Park with Newcastle United vs Nottingham Forest, a match between two teams aiming to end the season with European football, and potentially Champions League football, in the bag for next term. The away side are six points ahead of the Magpies in third, so a win for them either pulls them clear further or it could see Eddie Howe’s team close the gap. Interestingly, both teams haven’t been at their best in their last three games.
Manchester City vs Liverpool
And here it is. The big one. Manchester City vs Liverpool. In the past, this has been a battle between the two teams in the title race. Now it’s the away side looking to cement their position in first and the home side trying to hold on to fourth. Both teams come into this one after disappointing midweek results. City were comfortably outclassed by Real Madrid in the Champions League and knocked out of the competition, while Liverpool drew 2-2 at Villa Park. But all that will go out of the window in the Sunday showpiece. City will desperately hope Erling Haaland is fit to start.
