Premier League

Football writer Alex Keble analyses where this weekend's fixtures could be won and lost, including:

- Can Spurs build on their Brighton performance?

- Can Arsenal capitalise on Magpies’ poor form to reclaim top spot?

- Can Gibbs-White help Forest in one of their most winnable remaining games?

- Will Villa’s Europa League focus help Fulham recover their goalscoring touch?

- Can Liverpool get the three points they need to all-but secure UCL football?

- Can Brentford get the high-profile win they need to get back on track?

- Can West Ham afford to drop points this weekend and still avoid final-day nerves?

Can Spurs build on their Brighton performance?

It’s become a cliche to say it every Matchweek but it’s always true: this is the biggest game of Tottenham Hotspur's season so far.

The 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend saw a much-improved performance by Spurs, who pressed effectively and played with an energy befitting of a Roberto De Zerbi team.

Add to that Xavi Simons excelling on the left wing and Rodrigo Bentancur solidifying central midfield on his return, it was almost a perfect home debut for De Zerbi.

Almost. When Brighton’s stoppage-time equaliser went in, several Spurs players sank to the turf, devastated to have lost the points Spurs desperately needed to relaunch their fight against the drop.

Watch Rutter's equaliser v Spurs

Moments like that can badly affect confidence, and there is always the possibility that such a crushing blow will leave Spurs in a weakened position for the trip to Molineux.

De Zerbi is convinced that that will not happen.

“I am proud of their performance. They have to be stronger, focused and come to training ground on Monday afternoon with a smile, otherwise they go home,” De Zerbi said after the game.

“I have no time to see negative people or to see sad players or sad assistants… I don’t like people who cry and who think in negative way."

Having also told reporters that Spurs are capable of winning five out of five remaining games, it’s clear that De Zerbi believes his squad will take the positives from the performance – and carry them into this weekend’s game.

Wolverhampton Wanderers were relegated on Monday night, which could mean they're free to play without pressure. It won’t be an easy game for Spurs, but then none of them ever are these days.

Failure to beat the Premier League’s bottom club, especially coming immediately after the Brighton draw, could leave Spurs feeling low, and that’s before considering the fact that their relegation rivals are in such good form.

Leeds United, West Ham United, and Nottingham Forest have lost just one of their last 13 combined Premier League games, winning five.

Spurs still haven’t won a league game in 2026. The 15-game winless run simply has to end on Saturday.

Can Arsenal capitalise on Magpies’ poor form to reclaim top spot?

For the first time since October, Arsenal are not top of the Premier League table. That could spread panic among the supporters, especially after the 2-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium made it one win from six in all competitions – and allowed Manchester City to reel in the Gunners.

But that negative spin on events is not how Mikel Arteta will see it. Arsenal are locked in a straight shootout with Man City now and Arsenal, despite all the noise, have two particular advantages.

First of all, their remaining fixtures look easier than City’s. Aside from a thorny trip to West Ham that comes just after the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid, Arsenal have a sequence of matches they will expect to win.

Indeed they won the reverse fixture against all five opponents earlier this campaign. So, one step at a time, Arsenal ought to be able to channel the energy, tenacity, and quality of their display at Man City into winning all of their remaining matches.

There’s a second reason for optimism: Arsenal play twice more, at home to Newcastle United and Fulham, before Man City next play in the Premier League.

If they can win – and do so comfortably, lowering the tension and the angst – then all the pressure goes onto City, who will be six points behind again.

The first part of that task ought to be the easiest.

Newcastle have lost their last four matches in all competitions and have lost five of their last seven in the Premier League.

Although, their last two wins in that time were against Manchester United and Chelsea, suggesting Eddie Howe’s side are at their best when allowed to play reactive football as the under-dogs.

Nevertheless, Arsenal should consider themselves clear favourites.

Momentum in this season’s title race has swung back and forth too many times to count. A confident win on Saturday could change the narrative once again.

Can Gibbs-White help Forest in one of their most winnable remaining games?

Morgan Gibbs-White’s hat-trick at home to Burnley last weekend, inspiring a comeback from 1-0 to a 4-1 victory, has the potential to be a famous game in the club’s recent history.

However, the magnitude of that feat depends on whether Forest use it as a launch pad to avoid the drop.

This weekend’s visit to the Stadium of Light could ultimately decide whether or not Vitor Pereira’s side stay above the dotted line.

If that sounds dramatic, then consider Forest’s remaining fixtures: Chelsea (A), Newcastle (H), Man Utd (A) and AFC Bournemouth (H).

The aim ought to be for 40 points (at least), meaning four more for Forest, and with trips to Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford to come Pereira’s team might be running out of opportunities to get that victory.

Sunderland, however, have won three of their last five Premier League games and appear to be gaining momentum over the final weeks of the campaign.

On the other hand, the ease with which Morgan Rogers and John McGinn stormed through the centre of the pitch in Aston Villa’s 4-3 win last weekend suggests Gibbs-White will find space to pick up where he left off.

Forest have gone seven games unbeaten in all competitions. With Gibbs-White in form, they have all the tools they need to claim another priceless away win and move within a point of the 40-mark.

Will Villa’s Europa League focus help Fulham recover their goalscoring touch?

Tammy Abraham’s stoppage-time winner against Sunderland has likely secured Champions League football for Villa, who hold an eight-point lead in the top five and have a game in hand.

Watch Abraham's winner v Sunderland

It would take excellent form for anyone to catch them in at this point, which perhaps allows Unai Emery to rotate his side in preparation for the UEFA Europa League semi-finals next week.

It’s a good time, then, for Fulham to be facing Villa, and a good opportunity to get back to scoring ways. Marco Silva’s side have drawn a blank in five of their last six matches, four of which were in the Premier League.

Villa’s defence collapsed spectacularly in the second half against Sunderland, hinting that Alex Iwobi, Josh King and Samuel Chukwueze – Fulham’s most lively players through this barren spell – might find the space required to play through-balls behind Emery’s backline.

Marco Silva will certainly hope so. It’s fair to say that defeat on Saturday will virtually end their European chances because, with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium next, Fulham need points on the board if they are to leapfrog four teams into eighth.

We are getting to the point of the season when what matters isn’t the opponent’s position in the league table, nor the quality they have shown over the whole season, but rather what they have left to play for and where their focus lies.

For that reason, Villa at home classes as one of Fulham’s most winnable remaining games.

Can Liverpool get the three points they need to all-but secure UCL football?

Three points behind Villa are Liverpool, who may need as little as one more victory to secure Champions League football, that is unless Chelsea, Brentford, or Bournemouth suddenly put together a long winning streak.

Liverpool are firmly in the driving seat then, despite facing a tough set of games after this weekend. Man Utd (A), Chelsea (H), Villa (A), and Brentford (H) is not easy, although Villa could be preparing for a Europa League final three days later when they meet.

Nevertheless, there aren’t too many opportunities there for three points, piling pressure onto the visit of Palace.

Oliver Glasner may choose to rotate his first XI, given that Palace play Shahktar Donetsk in the UEFA Conference League the following Thursday, but Palace have come into form at just the right time – and are always a counter-attacking threat against clubs who like to dominate possession.

Indeed, Palace are unbeaten in their last four matches against Liverpool, including a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park in the Premier League earlier this season and a 3-0 victory at Anfield in the EFL Cup.

Palace know how to navigate this fixture. But Liverpool cannot afford to drop points.

Can Brentford get the high-profile win they need to get back on track?

Five consecutive draws has left Brentford in a frustrated position.

Clearly they have not played badly of late, but they have come agonisingly close to taking a commanding position in the race for European football – only to fall short one too many times.

Keith Andrews’ side have dropped to ninth in the table, just two points shy of sixth – which could be a Champions League spot – and three points above 12th.

In order to end the campaign on a high Brentford must start claiming big scalps.

They still have to travel to Old Trafford, the Etihad and Anfield; even if they beat West Ham and Palace at home, there is a good chance Brentford will need to take points unexpectedly on their travels to take seventh or eighth.

And a win at Old Trafford could be transformative, providing a surge of energy and confidence at a crucial moment.

Can West Ham afford to drop points this weekend and still avoid final-day nerves?

Monday night’s 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace was a valuable point for West Ham. In the last 30 minutes, Nuno Espirito Santo became happy to settle for a point, introducing defensive substitutes and a cautious approach in the final stages.

It will be interesting to see whether Nuno has the same attitude on Saturday, should the scores be level in the second half.

On the one hand, West Ham’s two-point advantage over Spurs gives them some leeway.

On the other, this might be their final realistic chance of winning at home before the nerve-shredding final day showdown with Leeds.

That Leeds have moved clear of the drop zone is great news for West Ham fans, although it goes without saying that everybody wants to avoid fighting for safety on Matchweek 38.

Before then, West Ham have only Everton and Arsenal at the London Stadium.

So, fail to win on Saturday and Nuno’s side may have to rely exclusively on their away form to get out of trouble.

Football writer Ben Bloom has predicted the line-ups of Premier League clubs in action in Matchweek 32. More teams will be added throughout Friday as managers hold their pre-match press conferences.

See: Injury updates for every club and player

See: Who's suspended or close to a ban

West Ham v Wolves predicted line-ups

West Ham: West Ham have a few unknowns for this Friday night encounter, with Crysencio Summerville, Jean-Clair Todibo and Callum Wilson all requiring late assessment. Nuno Espirito Santo has suggested he is “positive” the trio will be available. Star man Summerville has not featured for a month so may well return on the bench, if at all. Konstantinos Mavropanos is clear of concussion protocol, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka is belatedly back from international duty after missing the FA Cup defeat against Leeds.

Wolves: A win here could see Wolves move off the bottom of the table. Sam Johnstone and Matt Doherty are both out, but neither would have been likely starters. Rob Edwards’ side are unbeaten in three Premier League games so few changes appear necessary. Tolu Arokodare and Angel Gomes seem the most obvious alternatives if the manager does opt for a different line-up to the last one Wolves put out before the international break.

Arsenal v Bournemouth predicted line-ups

Arsenal: Riccardo Calafiori, Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard did not train with the main squad on Thursday, but Mikel Arteta suggested at Friday’s press conference that “there have been changes” since then. Asked whether that quartet will be available this weekend, he replied: “I don’t know. Some of them.” That was not particularly helpful for predicted line-up purposes, but Arteta did confirm Eberechi Eze is fit to play, while Piero Hincapie is out.

Bournemouth: Justin Kluivert and Lewis Cook are Bournemouth’s only absentees, with Tyler Adams, Ben Gannon-Doak, Julio Soler, Alex Jimenez and Eli Junior Kroupi all recovering from issues over the international break. Kroupi scored off the bench last time out and could well be battling Amine Adli for a place in the starting XI.

Burnley v Brighton predicted line-ups

Burnley: Burnley will be without two men who started their last match at Fulham, with Hannibal Mejbri injured and Josh Laurent suspended. Scott Parker must decide whether to continue with a back four or revert to the three he has often used this season. If he opts for the latter then one of Joe Worrall or Axel Tuanzebe could be recalled.

Brighton: Brighton will need to replace the suspended Lewis Dunk, with Olivier Boscagli the most likely candidate to do so. James Milner continues to keep Yasin Ayari and Carlos Baleba out of the team, and will hope to retain his spot. Jack Hinshelwood is available after withdrawing from England U21 duty with a minor knee issue. Assuming Hinshelwood starts, that could leave Yankuba Minteh and Kaoru Mitoma fighting for one spot unless Diego Gomez is benched for this last match before the accumulated yellow card tally resets; the Paraguayan is one booking away from a two-game ban.

Liverpool v Fulham predicted line-ups

Liverpool: Giorgi Mamardashvili will again deputise in goal for the injured Alisson. Mohamed Salah will be hoping for a recall after he was an unused substitute for the midweek UEFA Champions League defeat at Paris Saint-Germain, but one of him, Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz could miss out. Arne Slot did suggest he was “worried” about Jeremie Frimpong’s ability to play again so soon after the PSG game, which could mean a right-back return for Dominik Szoboszlai. Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones offer rotation options.

Fulham: Kenny Tete has been ruled out, which should see Timothy Castagne continue at right-back, while Calvin Bassey has been passed fit after missing the international break with a back issue. Further up the pitch, Marco Silva has a number of head-to-heads to choose between: Joshua King or Emile Smith Rowe, Oscar Bobb or Samuel Chukwueze, and Raul Jimenez or Rodrigo Muniz.

Crystal Palace v Newcastle predicted line-ups

Crystal Palace: Oliver Glasner must be tempted to make minimal changes to the team that beat Fiorentina in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday. Jean-Philippe Mateta scored in that win, but Jorgen Strand Larsen returns from suspension here and will expect to lead the line again. Yeremy Pino caught the eye off the bench so could earn a start, especially with Evann Guessand seemingly in discomfort when he departed. Adam Wharton started after recovering from the groin injury he picked up during the international break, but it remains to be seen whether he can play two games in quick succession. Will Hughes and Jefferson Lerma are alternatives.

Newcastle: Newcastle will be without Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar for this match, but Lewis Miley is available again and Sven Botman is expected to play wearing a mask following a facial fracture against Sunderland. Nick Woltemade could feature behind a central striker as he has done of late, with Anthony Gordon scoring when leading the line in Newcastle’s last three Premier League games.

Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa predicted line-ups

Nottingham Forest: Vitor Pereira clearly had an eye on the quest for Premier League survival when he made nine changes for Thursday’s UEFA Europa League draw at Porto. Expect him to return to full strength here. It would be a shock if Chris Wood starts again, having played for the first time after almost six months out in midweek. Elliot Anderson was suspended for the Porto trip, but will return alongside various others who were rested. The same XI that beat Tottenham before the international break seems highly likely.

Aston Villa team news to follow

Sunderland v Spurs predicted line-ups

Sunderland: In name-checking his long-term absentees, plus Dan Ballard – all of whom remain out – Regis Le Bris implied that Robin Roefs will be fine to return in goal after missing Sunderland’s last three Premier League games. There are multiple options available along the back line, while Chris Rigg and Chemsdine Talbi could be fighting for one spot higher up the pitch.

Spurs: Roberto De Zerbi will be without Guglielmo Vicario for his first game in charge, with Antonin Kinsky set to start in goal. Spurs’ various longer-term absentees remain unavailable, including Mohammed Kudus, who may now require surgery. De Zerbi did not mention Pape Matar Sarr or Mathys Tel in his pre-match press conference after both players experienced injury issues during the international break. The new manager has a number of attacking options at his disposal, and may seek a way to start both Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.

Chelsea v Man City predicted line-ups

Chelsea: Liam Rosenior has confirmed Enzo Fernandez will be unavailable for selection due to a club-imposed suspension. Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill and Jamie Gittens are also out due to injury. Romeo Lavia has started the last two games, but will battle with Andrey Santos and Moises Caicedo for two central midfield spots. Fernandez’s absence suggests the same front four that started against Port Vale last weekend, unless Alejandro Garnacho can force his way in.

Man City: Ruben Dias has joined Josko Gvardiol on City’s list of absentees, while John Stones appears unlikely to play given Pep Guardiola said the Englishman would “maybe do partial training” on Friday. City were largely unchanged when beating Arsenal and Liverpool in their last two cup outings, and Pep Guardiola could well keep things broadly the same here. Jeremy Doku has not started a league game since January, but may do so here at the expense of Phil Foden or Omar Marmoush.

Man Utd v Leeds predicted line-ups

Man Utd: Michael Carrick faces a defensive headache, with Harry Maguire suspended after seeing red last time out. Lisandro Martinez is back in training, but has not played since February, leaving Carrick to decide between him, Ayden Heaven or asking the likes of Noussair Mazraoui or Luke Shaw to shift from their regular positions to centre-back. Further up the pitch, the perennial Amad Diallo or Benjamin Sesko dilemma remains, although Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo both withdrew from international duty so Mason Mount could also come into the equation.

Football writer Alex Keble analyses where this weekend's fixtures could be won and lost, including:

- Will De Zerbi tweak his methods to save Spurs from relegation?

- Do Arsenal’s title hopes rest on victory against Bournemouth?

- Are Man City beginning a classic spring winning streak?

- Are West Ham facing Wolves at just the wrong moment?

- Will the winner of Brentford v Everton mount a top-five challenge?

- Can in-form Brighton take control of the Europa League race?

- Will Fulham capitalise on Liverpool’s form and PSG distraction?

- Can Newcastle benefit from free midweeks and mount a European charge?

- Will Forest or Villa rediscover their pre-international break momentum?

- Are Leeds falling deeper into relegation trouble?

Will De Zerbi tweak his methods to save Spurs from relegation?

Tottenham Hotspur have have turned to Roberto De Zerbi, whose brand of adventurous attacking football marks a significant shift in style away from previous head coaches Igor Tudor and Thomas Frank and back towards – or maybe even beyond – Ange Postecoglou.

Any appointment at this stage of the campaign inevitably comes with risks and this one is no different. De Zerbi has recent experience of taking charge of a Premier League club after a season has started, arriving at Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022 with the club on four wins from their first six Premier League matches.

They didn’t win any of their opening five under De Zerbi, perhaps because of the seismic shift in training method and tactics. In an interview with The Telegraph in 2023 Brighton captain Lewis Dunk described the first couple of weeks under De Zerbi as “horrendous,” “baffling,” and “carnage.”

However, that does not mean De Zerbi and Spurs face the same fate. The new manager is likely to temper some of his more idiosyncratic methods given Spurs' predicament, possibly finding a more pragmatic or simplified way of playing to yield results faster.

His cause is helped by Sunderland losing each of their last three Premier League home games, although their decline in form in 2026 was mostly due to exhaustion, meaning Regis Le Bris’ team – who are also buoyed by beating rivals Newcastle United in their last match – may have benefitted more than most from the three-week break.

If Spurs can hit the ground running under De Zerbi they could quickly move clear of the drop zone and begin preparing for the long-term under the new manager. But if it’s a chaotic and end-to-end game at the Stadium Light, and if the result goes against them, Spurs will be under more pressure than ever.

Do Arsenal’s title hopes rest on victory against Bournemouth?

The early kick-off on Saturday is surely the weekend’s biggest game. It is no exaggeration to say that Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes could ultimately be decided here in what promises to be a sliding doors moment.

It barely feels plausible that Arsenal’s most recent Premier League match was the 2-0 victory over Everton, when Max Dowman scored that brilliant late goal. It feels like a lifetime ago, and indeed in the 28 days between the two league matches the mood regarding Arsenal has changed considerably.

Defeats in the EFL Cup and FA Cup had sparked talk of a wobble, giving fresh hope to Manchester City supporters. But as many Gunners fans have pointed out there was similar negativity from outside the club back in 2004 when Arsene Wenger’s side crashed out of the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League in consecutive matches – only for Arsenal to go on to become Invincibles.

So, there has been no great disaster yet; no genuine reason to fear that their nine-point lead in the title race is under threat. Mikel Arteta and his players will know that they can remain firmly in the driving seat.

But nerves are inevitable at this juncture and the tension will go through the roof should Arsenal fail to beat Bournemouth this weekend. Defeat would put the title race in Man City’s hands. Even a draw would feel like an enormous momentum swing.

It could well happen. Bournemouth are on an 11-game unbeaten run in the Premier League and have won two of their last three league games against Arsenal.

Are Man City beginning a classic spring winning streak?

What most stands out from Man City’s impressive victories against Arsenal in the EFL Cup final and Liverpool in the FA Cup is the tactical adjustments that Pep Guardiola has made to reinvigorate his side.

After a long season of trial and error there is a sense Man City have finally found the right formula. Bernardo Silva playing in a deeper role alongside Rodri has stabilised their central midfield and brought back control of possession, in turn creating space for Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki to play in the same side.

Without Champions League distraction, Man City may now feel ready to go on a typical spring run and win all of their final eight Premier League matches, a sequence that would then require Arsenal to avoid defeat in all of their six league games that aren’t against City.

It is doable, not least because Man City are always so strong around this time of year. They have won 28 of their last 31 Premier League games in April.

Add to that Erling Haaland’s return to form with a hat-trick in the FA Cup and Arsenal fans may begin to feel worried.

Chelsea’s certainly will. Liam Rosenior’s side have won just four of their last 11 matches in all competitions – and three of those were against EFL clubs in the FA Cup.

Are West Ham facing Wolves at just the wrong moment?

On paper, this is West Ham United’s most winnable remaining game, meaning they are presented with a golden opportunity to climb out of the relegation places on Saturday and heap pressure onto Nottingham Forest and Spurs, who both play on Sunday.

West Ham have lost only one of their last six home Premier League games and could be boosted by the return of Crysensio Summerville this weekend. Optimism is relatively high considering their league position.

However, the league table does not reflect Wolverhampton Wanderers' quality. They have only lost four of their last 13 matches in the Premier League and only Arsenal (11), Man City (11), and Brighton (12) have conceded fewer goals in that time than their 15.

Wolves have also won seven points from their last three matches. The timing of this fixture is very unfortunate for the hosts.

Will the winner of Brentford v Everton mount a top-five challenge?

As Chelsea and Liverpool struggle, there are two clubs emerging with an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League. Both are locked on 46 points, just two shy of Chelsea, and they happen to be playing each other this weekend at the Gtech Community Stadium.

It’s a huge six-pointer – yet the form guide only points one way.

Brentford have drawn each of their last three Premier League games and won just one of their last six, suggesting they are beginning to decline towards the mean, whereas Everton’s momentum just keeps building.

Since Matchweek 19 in the Premier League only Arsenal (28) and Manchester United (26) have collected more points than Everton (21), who have won three of their last four matches in the competition.

Can in-form Brighton take control of the Europa League race?

Just four points separate seventh (a guaranteed European place) and 13th and the current leader of that pack, Brentford, are just three points behind Liverpool in what looks certain to be the fifth Champions League spot.

That means there are seven non-"Big Six" clubs who will all believe they can qualify for Europe this season and, with seven matches left, it means anyone who can put a serious run together will surely make it.

Brighton have two advantages in the race. The first is that they are already on said run, having won four of their last five Premier League matches. The second is that according to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), a Fantasy Premier League tool based on a complex algorithm that generates a rank for the perceived difficulty of a team's opponent, ranked from 1 (easy) to 5 (hard) – only Leeds United have an ‘easier’ set of games than Brighton.

Team Current position Points Ave. FDR per match Ave. points total of opponents Brentford 7th 46 3.4 46.1 Everton 8th 46 2.7 42.4 Fulham 9th 44 3.3 45.7 Brighton 10th 43 2.6 35.0 Sunderland 11th 43 2.7 40.3 Newcastle 12th 42 3.1 42.7 Bournemouth 13th 42 3.4 45.9

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The FDRs say this weekend’s trip to Burnley is the simplest of the lot. Win at Turf Moor and Fabian Hurzeler’s side will believe they can go the distance.

Will Fulham capitalise on Liverpool’s form and PSG distraction?

Liverpool are also in danger of being dragged into that enormous middle tier of clubs vying for Europe, and certainly would be had they not begun the campaign with those five wins from five, characterised by late winners.

Since (and including) Matchweek 6, Liverpool have lost (10) more league games than they’ve won (9) and 11 clubs have won more points than their 34.

One of those clubs is Fulham, who are now only five points behind Arne Slot’s side and can close the gap rapidly with a famous win at Anfield.

The chances of that happening improve significantly with the game sandwiched between two legs of a Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Tiredness could be a factor, as it has been throughout the season: Liverpool rank 19th for high-intensity pressures applied in the opponent’s half in the Premier League and 20th for high-intensity pressures applied in the middle third, 289 fewer than any other side.

But Liverpool cannot afford to take their foot off the gas. A place in the Champions League, or in Europe at all, is not guaranteed.

Can Newcastle benefit from free midweeks and mount a European charge?

The three-week break since the last round of Premier League matches could have a profound impact on any number of teams, but Newcastle fans will be the most hopeful of a positive change.

Certainly nobody needed the break quite like Newcastle did. Eddie Howe’s side have lost six of their last nine Premier League games, the joint-most of any side (along with Spurs) since the start of this run on 25 January.

It is widely acknowledged that the team struggled with the demands of juggling Premier League and Champions League football: Newcastle have won 13 points from 12 Premier League matches following a Champions League game (1.1 per game), compared with 29 points from their other 19 games (1.5).

That isn’t a problem anymore. Newcastle have almost a clean bill of health following the break and no longer have any midweek cup games to think about.

Howe is left with seven matches, and free midweeks, to focus solely on propelling Newcastle back up the table. The gap to fifth is only six points, so if Newcastle can go on a run – starting at Selhurst Park – it could yet be a successful domestic campaign.

Will Forest or Villa rediscover their pre-international break momentum?

On Sunday afternoon we find two clubs who very much did not need the break. In fact, there is a danger that momentum was halted.

Both Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest enjoyed big wins three weeks ago, Villa getting their first in five Premier League matches and Forest their first in the competition under Vitor Pereira.

In the 3-0 win at Spurs it looked as though Pereira’s Forest had finally landed.

Villa’s return to form can be put down to their captain John McGinn coming back from injury. They have won 14 of their 23 Premier League games in which McGinn has started this season (61 per cent) and two of their eight when he has not (25 per cent).

Defeat for either could see all that good will evaporate.

Are Leeds falling deeper into relegation trouble?

The Monday night game looks ominous for the visitors.

Man Utd have won all five of their Premier League games at Old Trafford since Michael Carrick took charge and have taken 29 points since Christmas Day, a record bettered only by Arsenal (31).

Watch: How FOUR signings transformed Man Utd

Meanwhile Leeds have failed to score in each of their last four Premier League games.

They remain very tough to break down – conceding just twice across those four matches – but nevertheless the four-point gap to 18th could easily shorten this weekend.

Of course, each challenge is also an opportunity. The rivalry between these clubs means that a victory for Leeds at Old Trafford could be the catalyst for survival.

Football writer Alex Keble looks into which teams - on paper - have the best fixtures from now until the end of the season.

After an extended break for international fixtures and FA Cup matches, the Premier League returns this weekend with the start of The Run In – and it’s hard to recall a season when so much was on the line with so few matches remaining.

The title, the race for European places and the relegation battle are all yet to be decided.

Here, we compare each team’s remaining matches to find out who has (in theory) the best and worst set of games, using two measures: an average of the points won by each club’s remaining opponents, and the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), a Fantasy Premier League tool based on a complex algorithm that generates a rank for the perceived difficulty of a team's opponent, ranked from 1 (easy) to 5 (hard).

The FDR results suggest that AFC Bournemouth, Brentford, Burnley and Crystal Palace have the toughest remaining games, while Leeds United have the easiest.

Average FDR of teams' remaining matches

Team Ave. FDR per match Total FDR Current position Leeds 2.4 17 15th Wolves 2.6 18 20th Brighton 2.6 18 10th Sunderland 2.7 19 11th Everton 2.7 19 8th West Ham 2.9 20 18th Spurs 2.9 20 17th Nott'm Forest 2.9 20 16th Man Utd 2.9 20 3rd Man City* 2.9 23 2nd Aston Villa 2.9 20 4th Arsenal 2.9 20 1st Chelsea 3.0 21 6th Newcastle 3.1 22 12th Liverpool 3.3 23 5th Fulham 3.3 23 9th Crystal Palace* 3.4 27 14th Burnley 3.4 24 19th Brentford 3.4 24 7th Bournemouth 3.4 24 13th

*Man City and Crystal Palace have eight matches left, all other teams have seven

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However, calculating the average points tally of the remaining opponents of every club reveals a slightly different order. This suggests Palace have the toughest set of fixtures because their remaining opponents have the highest number of average points (48.1), closely followed by Liverpool (47.4), but Leeds still have the "easiest" remaining matches by this measure (33.7).

Average opposition points of teams' remaining matches

Club Ave. points total of opponents FDR ave. Leeds 33.7 2.4 Wolves 34.6 2.6 Brighton 35.0 2.6 Aston Villa 39.9 2.9 Arsenal 40.0 2.9 Sunderland 40.3 2.7 Spurs 40.6 2.9 West Ham 41.9 2.9 Man Utd 42.0 2.9 Everton 42.4 2.7 Newcastle 42.7 3.1 Nott'm Forest 43.4 2.9 Burnley 44.3 3.4 Chelsea 44.7 3.0 Man City 45.6 2.9 Fulham 45.7 3.3 Bournemouth 45.9 3.4 Brentford 46.1 3.4 Liverpool 47.4 3.3 Crystal Palace 48.1 3.4

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Title race: Arsenal's schedule looks more favourable than Man City's

Until recently there was a noticeable gap between Arsenal and Manchester City but the latest FDR update has reduced that to nothing, with both clubs facing a 2.9 average.

However, this is not reflected in the points totals, with Arsenal’s opponents averaging 40.0 points compared to 45.6 points for Man City. This is a significant difference, reflecting the fact that the highest-ranking club the Gunners will face, other than Man City in their head-to-head encounter on 19 April, is Fulham in ninth place.

Man City face five of the current top seven but while that would seem to be a substantially more challenging set of games, the FDR indicates the recent form guide of these clubs suggests we might want to ignore the league table.

Nevertheless, Arsenal’s current healthy lead leaves them with the advantage overall.

Race to Champions League: Villa and Man Utd appear favourites as Chelsea and Liverpool face uphill task

Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are challenging for (most likely) two Champions League places, and at the moment the FDR and average points total of their opponents (APO) reveal clear favourites.

Liverpool rank second-highest on FDR (3.3) and APO (47.4), which is discouraging considering Arne Slot’s side have won just two of their last seven matches in all competitions.

Chelsea, too, are not in the best form (four wins from 11, three of which were against lower-league opposition) and also have tough remaining games, ranking seventh for APO (44.7) and eighth for FDR (3.0).

This is good news for fans of Man Utd, who are already threatening to pull away, and especially Villa.

Only three clubs have a lower APO or FDR score than Unai Emery’s side (39.9 and 2.9 respectively) while Man Utd are in the top half on both measures (42.0 and 2.9).

Villa have some of the most straightforward games; Liverpool and Chelsea have among the most challenging. Nowhere else do the FDR and APO scores seem more instructive than in the tight race for Champions League football.

Relegation battle: Leeds are best placed in extremely close contest

Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest all have the same FDR score (2.9) and the difference between their APO scores is fairly negligible, too, although Spurs look to be in a better position than Forest in particular.

Average opposition points of teams' remaining matches

Club Ave. points total of opponents FDR ave. Current position Leeds 33.7 2.4 15th Spurs 40.6 2.9 17th West Ham 41.9 2.9 18th Nott'm Forest 43.4 2.9 16th

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Leeds, on the other hand, appear to have a good advantage. They have the lowest score in the whole division for both categories, thanks to home games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley, as well as a six-pointer against West Ham on the final day.

Spurs, West Ham, and Forest all have one "red" fixture (the second-most difficult) and only Forest, with one, have fewer than two games against fellow relegation candidates.

It is likely to go to the wire.

Other European places: Brighton stand out in congested race

Just four points separates seventh place from 13th in the Premier League, and with seventh (and maybe even eighth) spot earning European qualification, a huge number of mid-table teams still have something to fight for.

Any club able to put together a late string of wins stands an excellent chance, meaning the FDR and APO scores could prove particularly insightful.

Average opposition points of teams' remaining matches

Club Ave. points total of opponents FDR ave. Current position Brighton 35.0 2.6 10th Sunderland 40.3 2.7 11th Everton 42.4 2.7 8th Newcastle 42.7 3.1 12th Fulham 45.7 3.3 9th Bournemouth 45.9 3.4 13th Brentford 46.1 3.4 7th

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Brighton & Hove Albion have the joint-second easiest fixtures in the competition, which suggests they can build on their recent run (four wins from five in the Premier League) to make up the three-point gap to seventh place.

At the other end, Brentford have been riding high this season but three consecutive draws has allowed others back in, and unfortunately for Keith Andrews’ side they have the joint-highest FDR score and the third-highest APO.

Elsewhere, Everton appear to have simpler games and, like Brighton, already have momentum behind them, whereas Fulham, Bournemouth, and Newcastle United face tough run-ins.

Wolves might not finish bottom of the league

The notable upturn under Rob Edwards has brought Wolves to within just three points of Burnley in 19th, and analysis of FDR and APO tells us they have a good chance of reeling Scott Parker's side in.

Only Leeds have a lower FDR or APO score than Wolves’ 2.6 and 34.6. They face four clubs currently in the relegation battle, including Burnley on the final day, giving Edwards’ team a good shot at climbing off the foot of the table.

Considering Wolves had two points from 11 games when the new head coach arrived, this is a target well worth aiming for as the club prepare for a Championship promotion battle next season… probably.

Seven wins from seven would take Wolves up to 38 points, enough to survive the drop in 25 of the 31 Premier League seasons in the 20-club era. Wolves’ fixtures are inviting. If nothing else, FDR and APO analysis increases the odds, however small, that the 2025/26 season crescendos with the greatest of all great escapes.

Also in this series

It was a big day at both ends of the Premier League as Nottingham Forest beat relegation rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa boosted their UEFA Champions League chances with a win over 18th-placed West Ham United.

Spurs remain just a point above their London neighbours, after suffering a 3-0 home defeat against Forest, which ensured Igor Tudor’s side are now 13 league games without a win.

Elsewhere, Sunderland recorded an historic 2-1 win at rivals Newcastle United with a stirring second-half comeback at St James' Park.

Forest secured a big win for their hopes of avoiding relegation with a vital victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tudor is still searching for his first Premier League win since taking interim charge at Spurs as their winless league run in 2026 continued.

That result, allied with Villa's 2-0 home win over West Ham, sees Forest leapfrog Spurs and move three points clear of West Ham in the battle to avoid the drop.

With Spurs boss Tudor absent from media duties for personal reasons, coach Bruno Saltor gave the post-match analysis: "It hurts us, it is painful, really painful, but the fans were outstanding today - from before the game until the end of the game," he said.

"We need to carry on because we care, we care for Spurs, we are family and want to get out of this situation. I am 100 per cent sure we can get through this situation."

Forest’s Igor Jesus had narrowly avoided an own goal when he headed against his own post early on but he struck a vital blow at the right end when he headed in Neco Williams’ corner at the far post on the stroke of half-time.

The visitors added a second through Morgan Gibbs-White’s effort after a darting run down the left from Callum Hudson-Odoi on 62 minutes.

Watch: Gibbs-White's crucial goal v Spurs

Substitute Taiwo Awoniyi capped a memorable afternoon for Vitor Pereira’s side in the 87th minute when he volleyed in a brilliant cross from Williams at the far post.

With that delivery, Williams became only the fourth defender this season to register two or more assists in a single Premier League game.

Elliot Anderson also excelled for Forest, creating the most chances (three), completing more passes (38), winning possession more often (nine) and making more tackles (six) than any of his team-mates.

Watch: Pereira's post-match celebrations

Speaking afterwards, Pereira, who claimed his first league win as Forest head coach, hailed the spirit of his team, saying: "They have the spirit to face this kind of game. It is not just about this game, it is about the next seven games and we need to have this personality.

"We are alive, we are committed and we are ready to fight."

At Villa Park, Unai Emery’s men struck early when a cleverly worked free-kick culminated in John McGinn finishing beautifully from the edge of the area.

Watch: McGinn's pinpoint finish

West Ham were fortunate not to have been further behind at the break. Konstantinos Mavropanos bravely cleared off the line from Morgan Rogers while VAR overturned Paul Tierney’s decision to award Villa a penalty after Mavropanos had challenged Ollie Watkins.

Villa's second came when Watkins seized on the rebound after Mads Hermansen had saved Rogers’ initial effort in the 68th minute.

On the result, Watkins said: “It’s massive for us with it being the last game going into the international break and all the teams around us playing before and them dropping points. We knew the job in hand and we have taken it and maximised our opportunity to try and get into the Champions League places."

Next up for West Ham in the Premier League is a huge home match against bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

A second-half turnaround with goals from Chemsdine Talbi and Brian Brobbey saw the Black Cats leapfrog Eddie Howe’s side in the Premier League table.

Sunderland, who beat Newcastle in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, are now 11 matches unbeaten against the Magpies, the longest undefeated sequence by either side in the history of this fixture.

Sunday's derby started in the worst possible way for Sunderland when Melker Ellborg and Luke O’Nien gifted possession to Nick Woltemade after 10 minutes, and he found Anthony Gordon, who clinically punished the mistake.

It was Gordon's 10th goal across all competitions for Newcastle in 2026, with only Chelsea’s Joao Pedro (11) netting more among Premier League players this year.

The Magpies were made to regret not building on their lead when Sunderland levelled early in the second half. Aaron Ramsdale was unable to get enough distance on a punch from a corner and Talbi smashed in the loose ball after Dan Burn had blocked Habib Diarra’s initial effort.

Newcastle thought they had regained the lead when Malick Thiaw headed in Hall’s corner, but the goal was disallowed, with Jacob Murphy in an offside position and impeding Ellborg’s view.

Then Brobbey dramatically struck his sixth goal of the season, converting Enzo Le Fee’s cross from close range after Ramsdale had saved his initial effort.

Watch: Brobbey's dramatic LATE winner

Timed at 89 minutes and 45 seconds, it was the latest winning goal in this fixture in Premier League history, sparking wild celebrations in the stands and at the final whistle.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Nottingham Forest Match Preview & Report | 2025/2026  Premier League

Football writer Adrian Clarke identifies the key players, team tactics and where matches could be won and lost in Matchweek 31.

Team analysis: Tottenham Hotspur v Nottingham Forest

A huge ‘six-pointer’

When Nottingham Forest accrued 65 points to finish seventh last season, their highest position since 1995, few would have expected a nervy fight for Premier League safety less than a year on.

The same, of course, applies to UEFA Europa League holders Spurs, who have spent just one season (1977/78) outside of the top flight since 1950.

Yet, here we are.

Separated by a solitary point, and both staring down the barrel of relegation, nerves will be frayed when they face one another in Matchweek 31.

Finding a way to win this pivotal contest is absolutely imperative for both clubs.

Spurs, winless in 12 Premier League matches in 2026, have collected just two victories since 26 October – and have won on home turf just twice all season.

But they did record a morale-boosting 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in midweek, giving Tudor his first win as Spurs head coach.

Just a point behind them, outside the relegation zone on goal difference ahead of fast-improving West Ham United, are Nottingham Forest.

Vitor Pereira, their fourth permanent head coach of the season, is looking for his first league win at the fifth attempt.

But like Spurs, Forest will bring some confidence into this contest after beating Midtjylland 2-1 on Thursday night and qualifying for the Europa League quarter-finals following a penalty shootout triumph.

With the rejuvenated Hammers winning four of their last nine matches and in great form, this league fixture feels like a "must-win" for both teams.

Spurs and Forest's remaining PL fixtures

MW Spurs Forest 31 NFO (H) TOT (A) 32 SUN (A) AVL (H) 33 BHA (H) BUR (H) 34 WOL (A) SUN (A) 35 AVL (A) CHE (A) 36 LEE (H) NEW (H) 37 CHE (A) MUN (A) 38 EVE (H) BOU (H)

Can Richarlison save Spurs?

He has started fewer than half of Spurs’ top-flight games, yet Richarlison has still scored more than double the number of goals (nine) than any team-mate.

All non-penalty strikes, only three Premier League forwards have scored as often, at a faster rate than the Brazilian.

How Richarlison's minutes per goal rate compares*

Player Mins/goal Erling Haaland 109.91 Igor Thiago 134.95 Benjamin Sesko 145.89 Richarlison 159.67 Joao Pedro 160.36

*Minimum nine non-penalty goals

Crucially, the 28-year-old has previous experience of relegation battles.

Back in 2021/22, he scored six goals in the last nine matches to help save Everton from the drop.

His last-minute equaliser at home to Leicester City, a self-made winner against Chelsea, and his precious equaliser in the 3-2 comeback win against Crystal Palace, have assured Richarlison a place in Merseyside folklore.

With those under-pressure contributions on his CV, and two goals in his last three appearances helping matters, Tudor will surely start the Brazil international against Forest.

From a tactical perspective it will be fascinating to see if Tudor uses Richarlison as part of a front two, alongside Randal Kolo Muani. Fellow forward Dominic Solanke is an injury doubt due to a hip injury.

His 4-4-2 worked well at Anfield last time out, when 21.3 per cent of Spurs’ passes were long; a figure way above their season average of 12 per cent.

Their equaliser stemmed from a long punt forward from 'keeper Guglielmo Vicario for Kolo Muani, who set up Richarlison to score, as you can see in the image below.

They will have far more possession this weekend against counter-attacking Forest, but going direct is an option they can certainly turn to.

In a campaign where Spurs' strikers have consistently struggled to be available, Richarlison has been their chief goal threat.

Offering a physical presence, and a knack for getting on the end of big chances, the Brazilian has to be a shoo-in to start on Sunday.

Spurs attacking stats 2025/26

Shots Shots inside the box Richarlison 44 Richarlison 40 Simons 36 Tel 17 Kudus 26 Kudus 16

Big chances Chances created in open play Richarlison 12 Richarlison 94 Kolo Muani 5 Kudus 57 Odobert 4 Kolo Muani 54

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Why have Forest’s goals dried up?

Scoring just 28 times, Nottingham Forest have blanked in 14 of their 30 matches so far; an unwanted Premier League high.

For obvious reasons, Chris Wood’s prolonged absence has been keenly felt.

The New Zealander, who netted 20 league goals last season, scored twice early on in the campaign but has been out since mid-October.

His replacement, Igor Jesus, has netted just twice in 29 appearances.

Across their last seven, winless top-flight matches, Forest have actually peppered the opposition goal with 111 shots; the fourth-highest number during this period.

Forest attacking stats ranked this season

Stats Total (PL rank) Games played 7 Shots 11 (4th) Shots on target 26.1% (17th) Shot conversion rate 4.5% (20th) xG per shot 0.07 (20th)

Scoring from just five of those attempts, it has been a story of high volume but low quality when it comes to chance creation and finishing.

An xG per shot of just 0.07 (ranked 20th) highlights a dearth of clear-cut opportunities, so their 4.5 per cent conversion rate - also a division-wide low during the last seven matches – is no surprise.

Taking too many hopeful shots from outside the box has been an issue.

Across 2025/26, Forest’s 155 attempts from 18+ yards ranks them fourth in the division, but just 2.58 per cent of those have found the back of the net (four).

Recently, at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool, they attempted a combined 30 shots from long distance, failing to score in either match.

With attacking midfielders, wingers and full-backs creating very little in terms of big chances, there has been an air of desperation.

Forest's average shots outside the box

Matchweeks Shots outside the box/match 1-23 4.34 24-30 7.85

Looking at it a different way, shooting from long range could bear fruit, for both sides, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Vicario has conceded 11 times from outside the box, and has the second-worst save percentage in that department of the 33 goalkeepers used this season.

Forest stoppers Matz Sels, and John Victor, have also struggled to keep out long shots this season.

Goalkeepers in the PL long-shot saves compared

Goals conceded outside box Lowest save % shots outside box Vicario (TOT) 11 Victor (NFO) 0% Sels (NFO) 7 Vicario (TOT) 64.52% Donnarumma (MCI) 7 Bayindir (MUN) 66.67% Verbruggen (BHA) 7 Raya (ARS) 68.42% Petrovic (BOU) 7 Johnstone (WOL) 68.42%

What tactics will the managers deploy?

Vitor Pereira’s pre-match preparations will be difficult, as he cannot be sure which formation Spurs will deploy.

Tudor has used three shapes in four Premier League games in charge; which becomes five differing systems in six matches when you add the 3-4-3 and 4-2-3-1 used across the two legs against Atletico Madrid.

Tudor’s formations

Match Formation Spurs 1-4 Arsenal 3-5-2 Fulham 2-1 Spurs 4-4-2 Spurs 1-3 Crystal Palace 3-4-2-1 Liverpool 1-1 Spurs 4-4-2

Having lost all three matches when starting with a three-man rearguard, four at the back is the likely choice.

With Richarlison and Kolo Muani available, 4-4-2 is the front runner, especially on the back of an encouraging 1-1 draw at Liverpool.

After impressing in a 3-2 success against Atletico Madrid in midweek, Xavi Simons will also come under consideration as a No 10.

If he is included in the starting XI in his favoured role, Tudor will opt for 4-2-3-1.

Pereira has mixed up his tactical approach since taking over at the City Ground too, switching to a back three against Manchester City and Midtjylland.

Yet 4-2-3-1 is his go-to formation, and that will effectively match up with their opponents’ style.

Forest will certainly encounter a fitter, more industrious side than the one they swept aside 3-0 in December on home turf.

Under Thomas Frank, Spurs ran 105.36km that day, but since Tudor came in their athleticism has increased greatly.

Three of Spurs’ top five distances covered have come under the Croat, with the other match impacted by a 38th-minute red card.

Spurs' distance covered in four Premier League matches under Tudor

Opponent Distance ran (km) Liverpool 117.82 Fulham 116.10 Arsenal 113.34 Crystal Palace* 105.33 Average under Frank 108.63

*Played with 10 men from 38th minute

Can Gibbs-White galvanise Forest?

Whenever talismanic No 10 Morgan Gibbs-White ticks, Forest look a significantly better side.

Likely to sit behind Igor Jesus as a central attacking midfielder, Pereira’s side will look to get the 26-year-old onto the ball as often as possible.

Creatively, Gibbs-White has been disappointing this season, creating just three big chances and managing only two assists.

In 2024/25, he laid on 10 big chances and produced eight assists.

That said, the England international still tops the Forest rankings in all the attacking metrics.

Forest attacking stats 2025/26

Shots Goals Morgan Gibbs-White 64 Morgan Gibbs-White 8 Igor Jesus 53 Callum Hudson-Odoi 3 Elliot Anderson 36 Five players 2

Big chances Chances created in open play Morgan Gibbs-White 11 Morgan Gibbs-White 41 Chris Wood 4 Callum Hudson-Odoi 37 Igor Jesus 4 Neco Williams 27

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Scoring two headers, one strike from outside the box, from a superb forward run against Aston Villa, and a brilliant back heel at Man City, the attacking midfielder’s range of finishing has been impressive.

Scoring one more goal than he did last season, with eight matches left, Gibbs-White delivered for his side when they needed goals from him.

The question is, will he be Forest’s matchwinner on Sunday afternoon?

With the stakes incredibly high, and the pressure mounting for both clubs, it will be an afternoon where key players on both sides will be expected to step up.

Football writer Alex Keble analyses where this weekend's fixtures could be won and lost, including:

- Can Nuno mastermind another victory against Guardiola?

- Can Timber and Saka find a way past a stubborn Everton defence?

- Will Villa exorcise their demons – or is this the weekend they drop out of the top five?

- Can Tudor’s Spurs react positively after midweek defeat?

- Will explosive Newcastle bring out Chelsea’s more chaotic side?

- Will Palace’s improving form leave Leeds looking over their shoulder again?

- Can Brentford take advantage of a kind run to consolidate seventh?

- Can Pereira finally get a league win before crunch match at Spurs?

- Can Sunderland stay “humble” and put Port Vale defeat behind them?

- Will Bournemouth end up regretting their promoted-club record?

Can Nuno mastermind another victory against Guardiola?

Pep Guardiola will be wary of the threat a Nuno Espirito Santo team can cause. He’s been burnt before.

Nuno has won four of his 13 matches against Guardiola, with only Jurgen Klopp (five) winning more league games against Guardiola in his top-flight career.

That statistic ought to embolden the West Ham United team, who will hope for another Nuno masterclass: a deep block and a counter-attacking set-up that can do a number on Manchester City again.

Most recently, Nuno’s Nottingham Forest won 1-0 in March 2025 with a smash-and-grab result at the City Ground. He also did the double over City as Wolverhampton Wanderers manager in 2019/20, and won 1-0 with Tottenham Hotspur in north London in August 2021.

Forest 1-0 Man City, March 2025 - xG map

Every game was similar in tone, so we know how the pattern of Saturday’s encounter will go. If the result is familiar it will go down as one of the biggest results of the season – at both ends of the table.

Can Timber and Saka find a way past a stubborn Everton defence?

This looks like exactly the kind of fixture that will make fans nervous; that could drag on for a while at 0-0 and prove another big test of Arsenal’s mettle.

Only Arsenal (nine) have won more Premier League away games this season than Everton (seven), who have won four of their last five on the road, at least partly because David Moyes prefers playing the kind of defensive football that could slow Arsenal down and make them reliant on corners.

The trouble is, only three Premier League teams have conceded fewer set-piece goals this season than Everton (six). If the Toffees sit tight in their mid-block 4-4-2, create a suffocating atmosphere, and hold firm at corners, they can feed off the rising tension inside Emirates Stadium.

For Arsenal to win the match they might need to lean heavily on their right side, where the combinations between Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber have looked dangerous of late.

It was Timber’s overlapping runs that caused all the problems in the reverse fixture, and although it took a Viktor Gyokeres penalty for Arsenal to win 1-0, Timber and Saka got into good positions on many occasions.

With Eberechi Eze likely to be squeezed out centrally, this is Arsenal’s best path to victory.

Will Villa exorcise their demons – or is this the weekend they drop out of the top five?

Aston Villa supporters never look forward to this fixture. The club’s record at Old Trafford reads two wins in 37 league games.

Their record runs so deep that the vast majority of Villa supporters were not at all surprised by the final-day defeat last May, when Villa lost out on a place in the UEFA Champions League despite Manchester United’s poor form and UEFA Europa League final defeat days earlier.

It would not surprise them, either, if Man Utd were once again the obstacle that gets in the way of Champions League football.

Defeat on Sunday could mean Villa drop out of the Premier League top five for the first time since late November, signalling, perhaps, that their slide (making it two wins in 10) is set to go on for a while yet.

Of course, a more optimistic angle is to say Villa have a rare opportunity to exorcise their demons. The pain of that 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford still lingers, but it won’t if Villa get their first win on this ground since September 2021, jumping three points above Michael Carrick’s side in the process.

Can Tudor’s Spurs react positively after midweek defeat?

Spurs' 5-2 defeat at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League made it four defeats from four under Igor Tudor and six consecutive losses in all competitions for the first time in Spurs’ entire history.

However, it’s important that Spurs focus on the positives, namely that they remain one point above the relegation zone.

They have also won 66 per cent of their Premier League points away from home (19/29) this season and could be galvanised by a trip to Anfield that allows them to focus on Tudor’s principles.

Not unlike Antonio Conte, Tudor wants his teams to press aggressively but remain defensively robust, usually with three centre-backs in the side.

Arguably that kind of football will work best against the elite clubs, especially if those teams, like Liverpool, are in patchy form.

A huge game in front of a raucous crowd could be just what Spurs need to play with fire in their bellies – and pull off a result that could radically alter the trajectory of their season.

Will explosive Newcastle bring out Chelsea’s more chaotic side?

The most entertaining game of the weekend could be at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea often get dragged into wild end-to-end contests during this period of adaptation to Liam Rosenior’s football.

The central idea is control: since Rosenior took charge, Chelsea have had more sequences of 10+ open-play passes than any other side in the Premier League (173), and they are averaging 21.6 per game under Rosenior, compared to 14.0 before his arrival this season.

But dictating the tempo means Chelsea players are often spread expansively around the pitch, leaving them vulnerable to more explosive pressing sides able to pinch the ball and transition quickly into the final third. That is exactly how Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United side play.

Newcastle have avoided defeat in five of their last seven Premier League games against Chelsea (three wins, two draws and two losses), which will fill them with confidence, as will looking at Chelsea’s recent results: there have been 18 goals in their last three games, including five goals against.

Whatever the outcome it should be a lot of fun - for neutrals, at least.

Will Palace’s improving form leave Leeds looking over their shoulder again?

Crystal Palace have won three of their last five Premier League games, as many as they had in their previous 14, suggesting Oliver Glasner’s side have well and truly turned a corner.

Leeds United may rue their luck at the timing of this fixture, because not only are Palace back on their feet but Daniel Farke’s side are on a run of four league games without a win. It all points towards a result that could plunge Leeds back into trouble.

With so much focus on Spurs, Leeds’ situation has gone a little under the radar, outside the club that is. They are only three points above West Ham in 18th now, and with 40 points looking likely to be the benchmark for safety Leeds may require another three wins from their final nine matches.

In better news, the 3-0 victory against Norwich City in the FA Cup may have provided a psychological boost, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin – who has scored just one goal in his last eight in all competitions – has scored more goals against Palace (seven) than any other side, including a brace in Leeds’ 4-1 win in the reverse fixture.

Calvert-Lewin xG map

Can Brentford take advantage of a kind run to consolidate seventh?

“I think it’s right that players, to a point, and staff, to a point, but definitely fans need to be dreaming about what is possible,” Keith Andrews told Hounslow Herald last week when asked about the possibility of European football.

“We want to achieve as much as we can achieve really by just keeping going. I don’t really like to set targets.”

Andrews wants to take it one game at a time, then, but he appears to have given fans permission to dream. And why shouldn’t they?

Not only are Brentford a point clear in seventh, and four points clear in the top eight (which could be the European places this season), but they have a nice run of matches coming up, starting with the visit of bottom club Wolves.

After that they play Leeds, Everton, Fulham, Man Utd and West Ham: all very inviting, aside from the trip to Old Trafford.

Then again, Wolves have won their last two Premier League games. There are no easy matches at this level, but Brentford have a real opportunity to consolidate their place in the table.

Can Pereira finally get a Premier League win before crunch match at Spurs?

As tension mount at the bottom there is a growing sense that Vitor Pereira simply must pick up his first three points as Forest head coach this weekend.

That’s because what follows is a crunch match against Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: a six-pointer that could end up deciding which of the two clubs, both playing European competition this season, will spend next season in the Championship.

Going into that match with some momentum would help, but so too would arriving in London without a four-game winless run in the Premier League hanging over them.

Forest have to see Fulham at home as a winnable game.

Marco Silva’s side have been superb this season but they are often stumped by low blocks.

Their possession-centric philosophy (only Man City, Chelsea, and Liverpool are averaging more successful passes per game than Fulham’s 400 this season) can look a little flat when they come up against a defensive set-up that lets them hold onto the ball.

West Ham and Leeds have both beaten Fulham this calendar year. Forest will feel they have to grab this opportunity with both hands.

Can Sunderland stay “humble” and put Port Vale defeat behind them?

Sunderland will be keen to make sure the 1-0 defeat to Port Vale in the FA Cup is not a turning point in their season. They must recover as quickly as possible, as Granit Xhaka has said this week.

“We need to stay humble, we know where we’ve come from,” Xhaka told the Sunderland club website, reflecting on hitting the 40-point mark last Matchweek.

“Our target was 40 points. When you achieve the first one, you want more. In this team, we feel that we have the hunger to want more this year.”

Xhaka’s reference to staying “humble” most likely refers to the possibility that Sunderland, like so many teams before them, may find themselves declining slightly now that season targets are met and subsidiary targets, like the FA Cup, are no longer in sight.

Regis Le Bris and his captain Xhaka are clearly determined to avoid that familiar pitfall, starting with Saturday’s visit of Brighton & Hove Albion.

Will Bournemouth end up regretting their promoted-club record?

AFC Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League matches, a record that has reignited their hopes of European football, although Andoni Iraola’s side remain three points shy of Everton in eighth with nine games to go.

If they do miss out, then Iraola and the Bournemouth fans will know where they went wrong. The Cherries have drawn three and lost one of their four Premier League games against promoted teams this season.

That could yet haunt them, and it almost certainly will if they can’t get three points this weekend at Turf Moor, where Burnley are without a win in 10 league games.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke has won the February 2026 Adobe Express Creative Moment of the Month award.

From incredible assists to moments of magic, the Creative Moment of the Month award celebrates the best moments of creativity in the Premier League.

Solanke wins the award for his spectacular “scorpion kick” goal in Spurs’ 2-2 draw against Manchester City on 1 February, his second goal of the game.

Watch: Solanke's Adobe Express Creative Moment of the Month

The move takes its name from the way the player’s leg resembles a scorpion’s tail when striking the ball.

A feat of acrobatic intuition, the rarity of scorpion-kick goals makes them all the more memorable. Examples such as Olivier Giroud for Arsenal against Crystal Palace and Henrikh Mkhitaryan for Manchester United against Sunderland are regarded as stand-out instances in the Premier League.

It was one of five moments of creativity from February shortlisted for the award, which was voted for by Premier League fans.

Now, we're inviting you to show your own creativity. Start by checking out the Premier League Templates in Adobe Express.

Alex Keble reviews Tuesday night's UEFA Champions League last-16, first-leg ties featuring Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Newcastle United 1-1 Barcelona

Lamine Yamal’s last-gasp penalty for Barcelona broke Newcastle United hearts at St James’ Park, denying the home side a famous victory.

For so long Newcastle looked set to pull it off, following a battling performance led by the brilliant Lewis Hall, who kept Yamal quiet and led a flurry of late pressure that eventually told when a superb cross from Jacob Murphy found Harvey Barnes, who guided the ball into the corner to send the home fans into delirium.

Yamal cancelled it out with the last kick of the game, but when the dust settles Newcastle will feel quietly confident they can finish the job at Camp Nou next week.

After a chaotic early period the match settled into a pattern of Barcelona probing with the ball and Newcastle counter-attacking at every opportunity down both flanks – a strategy that bodes well for the second leg.

Barcelona will push even further forward on home ground, leaving even more space behind their high line.

They had plenty of encouragement this evening. That could continue next week – and could yet lead to a place in the quarter-finals.

Before they fly off to Spain they must travel to Chelsea on Saturday in the league.

See: Newcastle report

Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool

A repeat of Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat at Galatasaray in the League Phase back in September has left Arne Slot’s side with it all to do, although they will back themselves to turn things around at Anfield next Wednesday, with the Turkish club's fans banned for the return leg.

Galatasaray always make it difficult on home turf and this was no different. The have only lost two of their 22 home matches in the knockout stages of the European Cup/UEFA Champions League, last tasting defeat in 1973.

It was a deserved win for the hosts in an end-to-end 90 minutes filled with chances – the majority for Galatasaray – and two disallowed goals, one for each side.

Former Southampton and Fulham midfielder Mario Lemina scored the only goal in the seventh minute, meeting a Victor Osimhen header from a corner to stun the Premier League side. It was the 12th time this season in all competitions that Liverpool had lost after conceding the opener, matching their 2015/16 total.

It will have left Slot disappointed, but he will back his players to get the job done in front of only Liverpool fans. After all, Anfield under the lights has provided some of the greatest Champions League nights in the competition’s history.

"I don't think it's possible that if I look at the last two games that so many things can go against us as happened in the last two games, although sometimes I question that if I look at this season," Slot said. "But things will be more normal in a home game for us. And I also think we can improve our performance and that, with the help of our fans, has to lead to a big game in a week."

Before then, they have a chance to return to winning ways at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

See: Liverpool report

Atletico Madrid 5-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Igor Tudor’s difficult start at Tottenham Hotspur continued as his team fell to a 5-2 defeat at Atletico Madrid.

Spurs suffered a horror opening quarter of an hour, conceding three goals in the space of nine minutes.

Antonin Kinsky, selected in goal in place of Guglielmo Vicario, was at fault for the first and third goals and was replaced by Vicario in the 17th minute. In between, Micky Van de Ven suffered an unfortunate slip to allow Antoine Griezmann to make it 2-0.

Vicario was unable to stop a fourth goal from Atletico in the 22nd minute but Spurs pulled one back four minutes later through Pedro Porro.

The youngest-ever Spurs XI in their Champions League knockout history, at 25 years and 24 days, recovered well and almost scored the first goal after the break, only for Atleti’s Julian Alvarez to add the fifth mere seconds after Richarlison’s header had been saved.

Dominic Solanke scored late on to keep Spurs in the tie. They will require a comeback akin to that famous night at Ajax in the semi-final in 2019, when a three-goal deficit was overturned.

See: Spurs report

Arsenal, Chelsea and City in action

Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City will hope for more success in the last 16 on Wednesday night.

Arsenal travel to Bayer Leverkusen in the early 17:30 GMT kick-off, before Paris Saint-Germain host Chelsea and Real Madrid entertain City, both at 20:00.

See: How results affected England's coefficient standings

See also