Premier League Look Ahead
As another week of the Premier League approaches, the league starts to heat up and Matchday 26 is looking like a big week for many across the table. TUXtra’s Max O’Hara gives you this week’s look ahead at some key games in the league.
Leicester City v Brentford: 8pm Friday, Sky Sports Premier League
In the Friday night game, Leicester welcome Brentford to the King Power Stadium in a game that if they win can get them out of the relegation zone.
The Foxes will look to get their first win in the league since beating Tottenham 2-1 on Matchday 23.
Leicester are unbeaten in their last four home league games against Brentford (2W, 2D) and they will want to stay unbeaten against The Bees on Friday night.
Brentford enter the match with a win in their previous game against West Ham where an early goal by Kevin Schade helped bring the three points away from the London Stadium
The previous meeting between both squads this season was a 4-1 win for Brentford which they will want to replicate away at the King Power Stadium.
TUXtra’s prediction for the match is a 2-0 win for Brentford.
Everton v Manchester United: 12.30pm, Saturday BT Sport 1
Two Premier League stalwarts meet for the early kick off on Saturday when Everton welcome Manchester United to Goodison Park.
The Toffees have had a turn in form since David Moyes returned in January with13 points from a possible 18.
The Red Devils have struggled in the league this season even with a change in manager.
Ruben Amorim hasn’t been helped by injuries to Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo recently but overall the team has been poor.
This is a good game for Everton to shock United in an early game as United are slow starters to games especially away from home.
TUXtra’s prediction for the game is 1-1 draw between the teams.
Aston Villa v Chelsea: 5.30pm Saturday, Sky Sports Premier League
An important game in terms of European qualification as Aston Villa host Chelsea at Villa Park.
Villa haven’t won in the league since a 1-0 win against Everton on the 15th of January so they will want to help their chances at qualifying for the Champions League with a win here.
Chelsea have had two back-to-back losses against Brighton in the league and FA Cup in their previous games but did win 2-1 against West Ham at the start of the month.
In their last meeting, Chelsea ran away 3-0 winners thanks to goals from Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer.
This time around Unai Emery’s Villa will want to keep the points at home and send the fans home happy.
TUXtra’s prediction for the game is 2-1 Villa win.
Newcastle v Nottingham Forest: 2pm Sunday, Sky Sports Premier League
Another big game near the top of the table as third place Nottingham Forest travel to St James’ Park to play Newcastle.
Newcastle enter the game after a 4-0 loss to Man City last week and will be looking to get back to winning ways in after suffering three losses in their last five games.
Forest come into the game after a 2-1 loss on the road to Fulham but their previous game was a 7-0 trashing of Brighton with a hattrick from Chris Wood plus goals from Neco Williams, Gibbs-White, Jota Silva and an own goal by Lewis Dunk.
This game will be a strong contest as Forest will want to stay where they are in the league and Newcastle will want to get into those Champions League qualification spots.
TUXtra’s prediction for the game is 2-2 draw between the clubs
Manchester City v Liverpool: 4.30pm Sunday, Sky Sports Premier League
The biggest game of the weekend tail ends Matchday 26 as Liverpool travel away to the Etihad Stadium to face reigning champions Manchester City.
Liverpool come into this after a midweek game against Aston Villa where the points were shared between the two as Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander Arnold helped bring a point back with The Reds.
Manchester City were knocked out of the Champions League midweek against Real Madrid but their previous league game was a 4-0 win against Newcastle with a hattrick from Omar Marmoush and a goal from James McAtee cap off a great performance for The Citizens.
Although right now there’s a 17 point difference between the two this game can easily have implications on the title race if Liverpool drop points here.
TUXtra’s prediction for the game is 3-0 Liverpool win.
There are some great games this week that we can’t wait to see take place and see if our predictions are correct.
