Matchweek 26 may just be the weekend that we look back on come May and remember exactly where the title was won. (Please God, let this be the case.) Arsenal’s embarrassing defeat at home to West Ham, followed 24 hours later by Liverpool’s first victory at The Etihad in 10 years, has now opened up an 11-point buffer at the top for Arne Slot’s men. Matchweek 27’s fixtures will take place midweek, prior to the break for the fifth round of the FA Cup at the weekend, and they should not disappoint. A host of intriguing fixtures are sure to help you through the dregs of the workweek, and even though it may be a Tuesday afternoon, why not grab that bottle you’ve hidden in the bottom drawer of your office desk, kick your feet up, and get stuck into some matchweek 27 predictions?
Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Bournemouth
19:30, Tuesday, February 25th, The Amex
Brighton went to Saint Mary’s at the weekend and did exactly what was expected of them. The Seagulls found an early opener through Joao Pedro, before the second-half onslaught ensured that Southampton left the pitch without a shred of dignity at full time, if there was any to begin with. Bournemouth, on the other hand, will be disappointed following a loss at home to Wolves. The Cherries had the misfortune of being reduced to 10 men early doors, before Mattheus Cunha fired the visitors ahead 5 minutes after the sending off. The Cherries were simply unable to find a way through to equalize but cut them some slack—they’ve been brilliant all year. I think this has all the makings of a brilliant game of football, and now because I’ve said that, we’re probably in for a nil-nil shocker of a match. In fairness, Brighton are flying, and at home, but I think this game will have goals, and I back Bournemouth to bounce back after a blip at the weekend.
Prediction: 2-2
First Goal Scorer: Joao Pedro
Anytime Goal Scorers: Justin Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo, Simon Adingra
Crystal Palace vs. Aston Villa
19:30, Tuesday, February 25th, Selhurst Park
I backed Crystal Palace to go to Craven Cottage and scrape a point at the weekend, but they did far more than that. Glasner’s side put in an impressive shift in a convincing 2-nil win over Fulham, making it 4 away wins on the bounce for the Eagles. Aston Villa found themselves behind 1-nil early on at Villa Park thanks to an Enzo Fernandez header, but thanks to some Spanish magic and gaping holes where Filip Jorgensen’s hands should have been, Villa were able to turn it around to win 2-1 at the death. Both of these sides have proven tricky to predict as the season has worn on, as you’re never quite sure which side may turn up. I can see some early Palace fireworks, but given Villa’s current attacking depth, I think that keeping them quiet for 90 minutes may prove to be too tall a task for Glasner’s men.
Prediction: 2-1 Villa
First Goal Scorer: Eberechi Eze
Anytime Goal Scorers: Ollie Watkins, Marco Asensio
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Fulham
19:30, Tuesday, February 25th, Molineux
Mattheus Cunha is some player, isn’t he? He’s single-handedly saving Wolves from relegation, and if he stays fit until the end of the year, I can’t see a world in which any of the current bottom three are able to overtake the Midlands side. The victory against Bournemouth at the Vitality (albeit against 10 men for over an hour) will be a massive confidence booster, and returning to the Black Country on Tuesday should provide another boost in itself. Fulham were incredibly disappointing in their 2-nil loss to Palace at the weekend, and after watching just how lacklustre Marco Silva’s side appeared, I’m struggling to see them taking anything from Tuesday night.
Prediction: 1-0 Wolves
Only Goal Scorer: Mattheus Cunha
Chelsea vs. Southampton
20:15, Tuesday, February 25th, Stamford Bridge
After being battered 4-nil at home to make it 21 losses from 26, what better way to celebrate than by traveling to the Bridge to take on Chelsea 72 hours later? This league isn’t for the faint of heart, is it? Good news for Southampton: the heart was ripped out by about mid-October, so no harm done there. Chelsea will be fuming at the concession of the late winner at Villa Park on Saturday, and tomorrow night should, for all intents and purposes, be a good opportunity to boost the goal difference as the race for top 4 intensifies.
Prediction: 5-0 Chelsea
First Goal Scorer: Cole Palmer (x3)
Anytime Goal Scorers: Pedro Neto, Levi Colwill
Brentford vs. Everton
19:30, Wednesday, February 26th, GTech Community Stadium
Before getting too deep into the prediction, I’d like to ask all 10 people that read this weekly to spare a thought for my Evertonian mate Andy, who, after watching the Toffees be robbed blind by the PGMOL at the weekend, now has to pass a kidney stone—You’ll Never Piss Alone. Brentford were brilliant on Friday evening in their 4-nil demolition of Leicester City away from home. Bryan Mbuemo and Yoanne Wissa showed just how irrepressible they can be on their day, and while the performance from the Foxes on the night was nothing short of insulting to the supporters who sat in the piss-pouring rain, Thomas Frank and Brentford once again demonstrated the consistency that has kept them in the league. The Toffees jumped out to a first-half 2-nil lead over Manchester United, before two worldies from United’s only two attacks of the game leveled the score late on. Ashley Young was then assaulted by two bumbling assailants in the United penalty area with seconds remaining, before Stockley Park decided that they had seen enough and felt like arbitrarily overturning the penalty and heading home. As it stands, I can’t see much between the two sides—Everton are in a great run of form, and Brentford are always decent at home.
Prediction: 1-1
First Goal Scorer: Bryan Mbuemo
Anytime Goal Scorer: Jack Harrison
Manchester United vs. Ipswich Town
19:30, Wednesday, February 26th, Old Trafford
Sir Jim the terrible has now determined that the lunches provided to employees of the club are more of a financial burden than paying Harry Maguire’s weekly wage—therefore, until further notice, Christmas bonuses and decent meals for the working class are canceled. The beatings will continue until morale improves, eh, Jimbo? United’s 15th, Ipswich is 17th—they’re both bad at football if you really want to simplify it to an elementary level. It would be so amusing to watch Ipswich go there and beat them; they’ve been abhorrent at Old Trafford this season, but I think that’s a tough ask of Kieran McKenna’s side. They were battered by Spurs at the weekend, and it seems the pace of the league has begun to overwhelm them—much like it did Luton Town last year. I’d be surprised if they’re able to take something from this game, but one can hope.
Prediction: 2-1 United
First Goal Scorer: Marie Antoinette
Anytime Goal Scorers: Ebeneezer Scrooge, Liam Delap
Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal
19:30, Wednesday, February 26th, The City Ground
It seems as though every time I choose Arteta’s side to win games, they embarrass themselves in spectacular fashion—so be forewarned, this is a trend that I will continue until the end of the year—hell, maybe forever. The dumpster fire that Saturday quickly became at the Emirates was some of the most enjoyable viewing I’ve experienced in the last 10 years, and it’s a day that I have a feeling I may remember for a very long time. I thought Forest, on the other hand, showed outstanding character after going behind 4-1 before the half at Saint James’ Park on Sunday. As we all know, SJP can eat teams alive, and after the 4th went in, I began to fear the worst for Nuno’s side. The Tricky Trees responded with a valiant fight in the second 45, pulling it back to 4-3 shortly before added time. While Forest weren’t able to claw it all the way back, it’s a performance that I believe illustrated the backbone of Nuno’s men, and if I were a Forest supporter, I’d be proud of that fact alone. We all know what I think is really going to happen on Wednesday, I just can’t say it.
Prediction: 2-1 Arsenal
First Goal Scorer: Gabriel
Anytime Goal Scorers: Saliba, Chris Wood
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester City
19:30, Wednesday, February 26th, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Big Ange has seemed to have triaged the nightmare that Spurs’ season was beginning to appear to be a fortnight ago. A convincing win on the road at Ipswich, coupled with key players slowly but surely returning each week, will have done the world of good, and the free-flowing football that we came to expect from Spurs throughout last year seems to be returning. On the other hand, Pep and City suffered a difficult week. They were dumped out of the Champions League in Madrid on Wednesday evening, before returning to the Etihad to be beaten 2-nil by Liverpool at the weekend. Although Pep’s side enjoyed the lion’s share of possession on Sunday, they were unable to carve out any significant chances, and looked incredibly vulnerable to the counter throughout the 90 minutes. Add this to the fact that their record against Spurs in recent times is less than stellar, and I think all the ingredients are there for a Big Ange smile in a press conference.
Prediction: 3-1 Spurs
First Goal Scorer: Son Heung-Min
Anytime Goal Scorers: Phil Foden, Brennan Johnson, James Maddison
Liverpool vs. Newcastle
20:15, Wednesday, February 26th, Anfield
Arne Slot’s Reds return to Anfield following the carnival that was Sunday at the Etihad. A brilliant performance, capped by the away end belting out “And now you’re gonna believe us” in the game’s dying embers, seemed to have made all the anguish I’ve felt at the hands of this football club in the Premier League down the years worth it. If you could bottle that feeling and sell it, you’d be the wealthiest man on the face of the planet, and that’s why we love footy. That being said, I pray we don’t find a way to undo all of that joy come Wednesday. Newcastle are a great side, and Isak always terrorizes us, but I have a feeling that the atmosphere at Anfield is going to be feral. We showed just how good we can be when everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet on Sunday, and I’ve got a feeling that Wednesday is going to be a continuation of the party that started in Manchester on Sunday.
Prediction: 3-1 Liverpool
First Goal Scorer: Mohamed Salah (x2)
Anytime Goal Scorers: Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo
West Ham United vs. Leicester City
20:00, Thursday, February 27th, London Stadium
After the favor done by Graham Potter and the Irons on Saturday, I’m tempted to never slag off the London Stadium ever again, but I can’t—it’s just too much of a monstrosity. The Hammers return to the corporate eyesore on Thursday evening to take on the floundering Foxes. I can’t put into words how surprised and impressed I was with Potter’s side on Saturday afternoon. The cohesion and togetherness while defending wave after wave of Arsenal attack was brilliant, and Mohammed Kudus, while not on the scoresheet, was my Man of the Match. Leicester were so, so poor on Friday night against Brentford, and while the scoreline may not be as lopsided this Thursday, there’s only one way that I see this one ending.
Prediction: 2-0 West Ham
First Goal Scorer: Mohammed Kudus
Anytime Goal Scorer: Jarrod Bowen
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