It’s a new week in the Premier League and Matchday 28 has some cracking fixtures. TUXtra’s Max O’Hara gives you this week’s look ahead.
Nottingham Forest v Manchester City: 12.30pm Saturday, TNT Sports 1
A place in the Champions League is on the line as Nottingham Forest welcome Manchester City to the City Ground.
Forest have been the dark horses of the season, finding themselves third in the table but recently have had a drop in form. In their last game, they beat Ipswich Town in the FA Cup.
Manchester City also won in the FA Cup with a 3-1 win against Plymouth Argyle, who knocked out league leaders Liverpool in the last round.
This game should be an intense one with both teams aiming to get Champions League football this season.
TUXtra’s prediction for the game is a 1-1 draw.
Brentford v Aston Villa: 5.30pm Saturday, Sky Sports
Brentford welcome Aston Villa to the Gtech Community Stadium as both teams look to get closer to the European football spots.
Brentford are a very well-coached side under Thomas Frank. Their last game was a 1-1 draw against David Moyes’ Everton. Before that, the Bees were 4-0 winners against a struggling Leicester City side.
Aston Villa enter the match after a great 3-1 win in the Champions League over Club Brugge. With goals from Leon Bailey, star loanee Marco Asensio and an own goal helping their chances of going through to the next round.
Both teams are capable of getting a great win but TUXtra’s prediction is a 2-2 draw.
Tottenham v Bournemouth: 2pm Sunday, Sky Sports
Tottenham look to get back to winning ways as they host the Cherries.
Tottenham have had a poor season with numerous injuries and a toxic atmosphere building around the club and the fans.
After a loss in the midweek to AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands, Ange Postecoglou and his Spurs team will need to find form again.
Bournemouth are having a great season, finding themselves 7th in the table. The Cherries’ last game was a win against Wolves in the FA Cup.
Bournemouth are a well-coached team and are in a better place than Spurs, which is why TUXtra’s prediction is a 2-1 win for Bournemouth.
Manchester United v Arsenal: 4.30pm Sunday, Sky Sports
The biggest game of the weekend takes place on Sunday between two long-term rivals in two very different places in their football journey.
Manchester United are really struggling this season and even with highly-touted Ruben Amorim, they find themselves 14th in the league and out of most competitions this season.
The Red Devils drew 1-1 against Real Sociedad in the round of 16 of the Champions League. Where a Joshua Zirkzee goal wasn’t enough for United. A late penalty conceded by captain Bruno Fernandes meant Amorim’s team left the Anoeta Stadium wanting more.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have had another strong season. They find themselves 2nd in the table currently but they are quite far away from league leaders Liverpool.
The Gunners come into the game after a 7-1 win against PSV, which was in the round of 16 of the Champions League. Arteta’s boys ran riot over the Dutch squad, with a second leg against them still to play.
TUXtra’s prediction for the game is a 1-1 draw, as we think United will be boosted by their home support.
West Ham v Newcastle: 8pm Monday, Sky Sports
Monday night sees Newcastle travel to West Ham as Newcastle look to enter their Carabao Cup final in form. West Ham look to extend their two-game win streak to three.
West Ham enter the game after a 2-0 win against Leicester City. With goals from Tomáš Souček and an own goal from Jannik Vestergaard. They also achieved a surprising 1-0 win against Arsenal, thanks to Jarrod Bowen.
Newcastle will want to find form again in this one after a loss to Brighton last weekend in the FA Cup and a 2-0 loss to league leaders Liverpool in their last league match.
The Magpies will be without Lewis Hall and Anthony Gordon for the game but they will hope to be strong enough to beat the Hammers at the London Stadium.
TUXtra’s prediction for the game is a 2-1 win for West Ham
