Manchester United vs. Everton

Old Trafford, Saturday, 12:30pm Local, 7:30am Eastern

The weekend opens at Old Trafford, where Manchester United will try to shake off their Derby defeat and regroup to chase a Champions League spot. Their opposition, Everton, is much friendlier than last weekends’, but the Red Devils will need to be wary just the same. Despite a Marcus Rashford wonder goal, Erik Ten Hag’s side looked blunt overall, looking lost without Rasmus Højlund to lead the line. While the Toffees have been abject in front of goal, they showed signs of life in their last match, and United have a cobbled together defense. This match may end up closer than the league positions suggest.

The story (minus points deductions) of Everton’s season has all come down to the club’s inability to put the ball in the back of the net. More often than not, the Toffees have looked incapable of creating opportunities, but last weekend’s performance showed that they have some teeth, with West Ham’s keeper forced to pull out the showing of a lifetime to earn the win. The scoring burden often falls to Beto and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and truthfully neither have been good enough this season. Everton need to solve their scoring woes to survive.

Bournemouth vs. Sheffield United

Vitality Stadium, Saturday, 3pm Local, 10am Eastern

When these clubs last met, it was a critical clash at the bottom of the table. Fast forward to this weekend, and Bournemouth have pulled themselves well clear of danger, but Sheffield United have… not. While the Cherries are effectively (if not mathematically) safe, last weekend was Andoni Iraola’s first win of the calendar year so the South Coast club still has plenty of room for improvement. Dominic Solanke, Antoine Semenyo, and Justin Kluivert should prove more than enough for Sheffield United, who haven’t looked capable of keeping sides out at all.

The Blades were lucky to come away from their match last weekend having only conceded in the single digits, and their season has realistically been over for several weeks. The side came into the league ill-prepared, having sold their best players, and they’ve never found their footing. While Bournemouth aren’t quite as dangerous as Arsenal, they bring plenty of speed and finishing acumen to the table, and it’s hard to imagine anything but another uncomfortable fixture for the Yorkshire side.

Crystal Palace vs. Luton Town

Selhurst Park, Saturday, 3pm Local, 10am Eastern

The Oliver Glasner era is still in its infancy, but the Austrian coach has the opportunity to add a second victory against a suddenly slightly dodgy Luton side. Eberechi Eze returned last weekend, slightly sooner than expected and subsequently scored a wonderful freekick in Palace’s defeat. Eze is a fundamental piece to the Eagles’ success this season, and realistically the South London side only need a few more victories to guarantee another year in the top flight. While the Hatters aren’t pushovers, Glasner will be hopeful that his side can earn 3 points at home.

There are still potential points deductions to muddle through, but - as it stands - Luton are set to be relegated. Rob Edwards’ team has given a good account of themselves but could really do with a mood boosting result. Palace, still learning a new manager’s style, could provide that opportunity. The Hatters also suddenly find themselves in injury trouble with the talismanic Elijah Adebayo ruled out once again and joined on the sidelines by Jacob Brown, and Albert Sambi Lokonga, with several other names still being assessed. A win for Luton would send tantalizing ripples through the relegation battle.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Fulham

Molineux, Saturday, 3pm Local, 10am Eastern

There isn’t much of a true midtable in the season’s Premier League, but Wolves at Fulham are 2 of the only sides who find themselves comfortably safe at this stage of the campaign with little chance of pushing for the European places. After a rocky start, Gary O’Neil’s Wolves have been incredibly solid, consistently putting in competent performances and capable of challenging any side in the division. A few of their first choice attacking options are still missing, but Pedro Neto and Pablo Sarabia have gamely covered, and the Midlands side is - somehow - otherwise healthy. This match is a true coin toss, but O’Neil will hope home field advantage can play its part.

Marco Silva has Fulham safe again, an accomplishment that shouldn’t be minimized after the Cottagers spent so many years unable to string together multiple seasons in the Premier League. While their points total isn’t astronomically high, they’re well organized and look more potent offensively in recent weeks thanks to the improved Rodrigo Muniz and the surprisingly clinical Adama Traoré. While there’s no clear favorite, this match should be a very fun, relatively low stakes watch, which is a rare treat at this stage of the campaign.

Arsenal vs. Brentford

Emirates Stadium, Saturday, 5:30pm Local, 12:30pm Eastern

It’s Arsenal’s turn to go first this weekend, and Mikel Arteta will be desperate to heap pressure on Manchester City and Liverpool ahead of their clash on Sunday. The Gunners should be well set up to do just that, with a revitalized offense ready to make life difficult for Brentford. The North London side scored a cool 6 against Sheffield United in their last match, and frankly it could have been much more. Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, and Declan Rice have discovered a sort of alchemy that seems to consistently result in pull back goals, reminiscent of City a few years ago. If Arsenal have serious title aspirations, they can’t afford anything but all 3 points in this home fixture.

After a few poor results, the Bees notched a valuable draw against Chelsea last weekend. While Thomas Frank’s side really needs wins not draws, it showed that Brentford still can put in the kind of performances that have kept them up comfortably since their promotion from the Championship. Ivan Toney and Yoane Wissa provide clear attacking avenues even with Bryan Mbeumo missing, but fans of the West London sides will be wary of their club’s leaky defense. Their best hope will be a stubborn backline and staying ready and coiled to hit Arsenal on the break.

Aston Villa vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Villa Park, Sunday, 1pm Local, 9am Eastern

In their first contest this season, Aston Villa came from behind to pip Spurs 2-1 - a result which compounded an awful run for the North London side. Villa are in good form, having clocked 3 league wins in a row. A concern for the Birmingham side, however, is the return of European football, and their injured side battled to a 0-0 draw in Amsterdam on Thursday. Their opponents have no such concerns, and this late in the season fatigue could make a big impact. On the bright side, Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey are in great form and Tottenham haven’t kept a clean sheet in the league since December 15th. In a huge clash for the top 4, a solid defense could make all the difference.

Spurs left it late but ultimately ran out 3-1 winners over Crystal Palace last weekend. Ange Postecoglou’s side has been far less consistent in the new year, but come into this contest with a solid buffer over Manchester United in 6th. In a campaign where 5th might or might not be good enough for a spot in the Champions League, both sides will be desperate to get the guaranteed place that 4th provides. Son Heung-min looks fully up to speed after his jaunt to the Asian Cup, and Timo Werner - whose signing was maligned - seems to be fitting in well to the front line. Spurs bring plenty of firepower to Birmingham, but they need to create chances without exposing their own defense.

Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Nottingham Forest

Amex Stadium, Sunday, 2pm Local, 10am Eastern

Both teams in this matchup come in with discontent bubbling under the surface. Brighton look a shadow of themselves from earlier in the season, and they were humbled in the Europa League this week. The Seagulls squad is stretched to be sure, but more worryingly it’s just not clicking. Evan Ferguson hasn’t exploded like many expected, and many of Brighton’s absences come from their frontline. Roberto De Zerbi is still very well thought of, but the Italian manager could really use a win. Forest are balancing precariously over the drop zone, so the Seagulls have very little excuse not to win at home.

Supporters, coaches, and even the owner of Nottingham Forest may still be stinging from their loss last weekend - one that came with a shade of controversy - but they’ll need to shake it off before their trip to the South Coast. Nuno Espírito Santo’s team is only 4 points above the drop with a likely points deduction looming, so building up that buffer between themselves and the relegation zone is imperative for their survival. They have a maddening amount of quality that just hasn’t quite gelled, but on their day Anthony Elanga, Taiwo Awoniyi, Morgan Gibb-White, and Callum Hudson-Odoi can all be game changers.

West Ham United vs. Burnley

London Stadium, Sunday, 2pm Local, 10am Eastern

Despite losing in the Europa League in midweek, West Ham have looked vastly improved in recent weeks, with Lucas Paquetá’s return galvanizing the East London side. Their defense is still a bit fragile, but there is a confidence and capacity in their attacking play which may well have Burnley quaking in fear. In fact, the Hammers could prove particularly dangerous to Vincent Kompany’s side as they will be totally comfortable ceding possession to the Clarets, confident in their ability to turn over the young side and produce clinical counters. David Moyes will want to instill some confidence in his side before their do or die return leg against Freiburg - Burnley could be in trouble on Sunday afternoon.

Not that Burnley have really been out of trouble at all this campaign, which - barring a miracle - is destined for relegation. There’s little more to say about Burnley that hasn’t already been said. They have some solid prospects for the future, but the personnel combined with their style of play makes for an easy mark for nearly every other club in the division. Kompany seems to be untouchable due to an ownership content to try and bounce straight back up, and fans seemed well and truly resigned. For the sake of the supporters, I hope the Clarets put together a run at some point this season - but the London Stadium doesn’t seem a likely place for that to start.

Liverpool vs. Manchester City

Anfield, Sunday, 3:45pm Local, 11:45am Eastern

In what is one of the most highly-anticipated matches of the season, Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. The showdown has massive title implications, with the winner guaranteed to end the weekend in 1st. A draw opens the door for Arsenal to leapfrog both if they can win their contest with Brentford. Liverpool are still thinned out with injuries, but Dominik Szoboszlai, Darwin Núñez, and Mohamed Salah all played in midweek and will be available. The Reds can field a solid first 11 in attack and midfield, but will struggle for depth and - despite the quality of their deputies - Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson can’t be replaced. 

In their final showdown in the Premier League, Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola will have the eyes of millions tuned in to see the fireworks. City have been pocketing result after result, though they’ve been unconvincing in recent performances (and uncharacteristically leaky). At Anfield, Liverpool have often been able to make Guardiola’s side uncomfortable, unsettling their finely tuned tactics with intense pressing and line breaking passes. The Champions have an almost laughably strong squad, and Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland are both in form. This crucial tie comes down to method versus magic, and if one prevails they’ll be a clear title favorite on Monday morning.

Chelsea vs. Newcastle United

Stamford Bridge, Monday, 8pm Local, 4pm Eastern

The weekend closes with a Monday night clash in West London, where sputtering Chelsea host unpredictable Newcastle. Mauricio Pochettino’s side has only won 1 of its last 6 league matches, drawing their last contest 2-2 with Brentford. They have an incredible slew of talent, but the individual potential of the players hasn’t translated into cohesive or consistent performances. Newcastle handled Wolves 3-0 last weekend, but that’s the first league clean sheet the Magpies have posted since the middle of December. Chelsea should have opportunities to score, but they’ll need their somewhat flaky players to step up.

Eddie Howe’s side hasn’t looked close to its imperious best from last season, and their results have been rocky. However, the Tyneside club is still capable of pulling shockingly clinical performances together such as last week's handling of Wolves or their dismantling of Aston Villa (for the second time) a few weeks ago. While the Magpies are still without Callum Wilson and a few other key faces, their injury list looks manageable after some dark days. Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Miguel Almirón, and Harvey Barnes should all be available, and that raft of talent could easily prove too much for Chelsea.