Premier League Matchday 26 Predictions – Can Arsenal close the gap at the top? | OneFootball

Liverpool travel to Manchester City on a weekend that could have repercussions at both ends of the table.

Here are our predictions for Matchday 26 of the Premier League.

Manchester City vs Liverpool

Liverpool visit the four-time reigning champions on Sunday.

Man City head into the game on the back of elimination from the Champions League in midweek. However, they can take encouragement from their 4-0 win over Newcastle United last Saturday.

They are currently in fourth place, but have Bournemouth, Chelsea and the Magpies breathing down their necks in case of any slip-ups.

Liverpool have won only one of their last four matches in all competitions, and their lead at the top could be cut to five points if Arsenal win their game in hand.

Manchester City 2-3 Liverpool

Leicester City vs Brentford

This weekend’s action kicks off on Friday night with Brentford’s visit to Leicester City.

The Foxes go into this game in 19th place, but a victory will lift them above Wolverhampton Wanderers and out of the bottom three.

They have won only two league games since Ruud van Nistelrooy took over in December and will be aware that time is running out to turn things around.

Brentford have won their last three away games. A victory on Friday will move them into the top 10.

Leicester City 1-2 Brentford

Everton vs Manchester United

Everton are one of the league’s in-form teams, winning four out of their last five and almost putting the threat of relegation to bed.

David Moyes’ return has brought defensive organisation and a knack for finding a way to win games.

Manchester United are currently one place below the Toffees in 15th. The Red Devils have struggled in front of goal this season.

Their visit to Goodison Park could be a torrid experience.

Everton 2-0 Manchester United

Bournemouth vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

Bournemouth currently lie just one point behind Manchester City in the table and could climb into the top four this weekend.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have conceded 54 goals this season, with only Southampton and Leicester letting in more.

Vitor Pereira’s men put up a fight at Liverpool last weekend, but most of their attacking threat comes from Matheus Cunha.

Everything points to a comfortable home win for the Cherries, who are going from strength to strength.

Bournemouth 3-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Arsenal vs West Ham United

Arsenal have made ground on Liverpool at the top of the table, and they will be hoping to cut the gap even further this weekend.

It will be intriguing to see how Mikel Arteta improvises up front. Mikel Merino came on as a substitute to score a late brace at Leicester City last weekend and may start at the Emirates Stadium.

Graham Potter’s side have lost three of their last four, after winning their first game under the new manager.

They come into this game in 16th place, 10 points clear of the relegation places.

Arsenal 2-1 West Ham United

Fulham vs Crystal Palace

Fulham come into this game on the back of impressive victories over Nottingham Forest and Newcastle.

Crystal Palace have put their early-season woes behind them and travel to Craven Cottage on the back of three successive 2-0 away wins in the league.

However, their latest assignment on the road is expected to be the most difficult of the lot.

Fulham 1-1 Crystal Palace

Ipswich Town vs Tottenham Hotspur

Ipswich Town are bidding to do the double over Spurs after an incredible 2-1 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November.

Kieran McKenna’s side are in 18th place going into this weekend. They will take encouragement from their recent draw at Aston Villa.

Tottenham got some reprieve last week with a 1-0 win over Man United. A lack of consistency has been a major issue, and the fixture at Portman Road is not a foregone conclusion.

Ipswich Town 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion

With just two wins and nine points from 25 games, Southampton’s Premier League sojourn looks to be coming to an end.

Brighton & Hove Albion beat Chelsea 3-0 last weekend but have struggled to break down teams in the bottom half.

The reverse fixture at the Amex Stadium ended 1-1 and accounted for one of the Saints’ nine points.

The Seagulls should have enough to win on Saturday and keep their European qualification hopes alive.

Southampton 1-3 Brighton & Hove Albion

Aston Villa vs Chelsea

Villa haven’t won a Premier League game since the middle of January, but have lost only one of their five games during that period.

Unai Emery’s side fought back to earn a thrilling 2-2 draw against Liverpool in midweek. Centre-back Axel Disasi impressed against the Reds but is unavailable against his parent club.

The Blues are having their worst period of the season. After talk of a possible title charge, a top-four finish could be tricky to acheive.

Aston Villa 2-0 Chelsea

Newcastle United vs Nottingham Forest

Newcastle looked to be on an unstoppable charge at the turn of the year, but three defeats in four in the league have dropped them to seventh place.

This game is a must-win if they are to push themselves into the top four.

Forest have also lost two of their last three and will be wary of falling away at the business end of the season.

Newcastle staged a second-half comeback to win 3-1 in the reverse fixture.

Newcastle United 1-2 Nottingham Forest