'The Game Plan' Game week 23

Saturday's matches

West Ham v Sunderland

18th-placed West Ham welcome 9th-placed Sunderland to the London Stadium in Saturday’s lunchtime kicko-ff, with both sides looking to build momentum after much-needed league victories. The Hammers arrive buoyed by a 2–1 win last time out, a result that finally ended a 10-game winless run and reignited belief in their fight for survival.

Sunderland also claimed a 2–1 victory in their previous outing, ending a run of four consecutive draws and securing their first league win in five matches. Sitting comfortably in mid-table, the visitors will be eager to turn that result into back-to-back wins and push closer to the top half.

Sunderland are boosted by the return of AFCON winner El Hadji Malick, adding energy and experience to their squad, while West Ham welcome back Lucas Paquetá, fit again after a back injury and expected to be central to their creative threat.

With West Ham desperate for points and Sunderland aiming to kick on, this promises to be a competitive and finely balanced contest.

Last meeting: Sunderland 2 - 1 West Ham

Score prediction: West Ham 1 - 1 Sunderland

Burnley v Tottenham

19th-placed Burnley host 14th-placed Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor, and while the gap in the table may appear modest, the two sides are separated by a sizeable 13 points. Burnley come into the match with renewed belief after ending a long winless run by grinding out back-to-back draws against Manchester United and Liverpool, results that will feel like small victories for a side battling relegation.

Those performances will encourage the Clarets to push for more against an inconsistent Spurs team that has lost its last two league matches and faced growing unrest from its own supporters. Boos have echoed around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, underlining the pressure building on manager Thomas Frank.

Frank will still be in the dugout for Saturday’s clash, but the stakes are high. Anything less than victory against a team rooted in the relegation zone could further test the patience of fans and hierarchy alike, potentially bringing his Tottenham tenure to a premature end.

Last meeting: Tottenham 3 - 0 Burnley

Score prediction: Burnley 1 - 2 Tottenham

Fulham v Brighton

European-chasing Fulham (11th) and Brighton (12th) are separated by just one point and one place as both look to climb the table and rejoin the race for European football qualification.

Fulham saw their six-game unbeaten run ended by a narrow 1–0 defeat to Leeds last time out, a result that dropped them to 11th but still leaves them only four points behind fifth-placed Manchester United. Marco Silva’s side will take encouragement from that proximity and the return of key personnel.

Brighton’s momentum has stalled badly. They have won just one of their last nine Premier League matches (D5 L3), a slump that has seen them slide from fifth down to 12th and lose ground in the European chase.

Fulham are boosted by the return of Nigerian trio Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze from AFCON duty. Brighton, however, remain without Solly March, Adam Webster and Stefanos Tzimas, all side-lined with knee injuries, which continues to test their squad depth.

Last meeting: Brighton 1 v 1 Fulham

Score prediction: Fulham 2 v 1 Brighton

Manchester City v Wolves

The Etihad Stadium hosts a clash of extremes as second-placed Manchester City welcome bottom-of-the-table Wolves, though recent form suggests a far closer contest than the league positions imply.

City arrive under unusual pressure, winless in their last four league matches (D3 L1), with even talisman Erling Haaland enduring a rare drought, scoring just once in his last eight appearances. Pep Guardiola’s side have looked short of defensive solidity and fluency throughout the team in recent weeks, this fixture offers a timely chance to reset.

Wolves, by contrast, are enjoying a mini-revival. They are unbeaten in their last four games (D3 W1), collecting as many points in that run as they managed in their previous 22 matches combined. Despite remaining rooted to the bottom of the table, confidence is slowly returning, and their resilience has been clear.

A City victory would cut the gap to leaders Arsenal to four points and crank up the title pressure, while Wolves know another positive result could be crucial in their fight for survival.

Last meeting: Wolves 0 - 4 Manchester City

Score prediction: Manchester City 4 - 0 Wolves

Bournemouth v Liverpool

The Vitality Stadium sets the scene for an intriguing clash as fourth-placed champions Liverpool travel south to face 13th-placed Bournemouth, with both sides known for serving up open, high-tempo encounters this season.

Bournemouth’s campaign has been defined by fine margins rather than results. The Cherries have won just one of their last 13 Premier League matches (D6 L6), that solitary success coming via a dramatic last-gasp 3–2 victory over Tottenham. Andoni Iraola’s side have remained competitive in most games but have struggled to turn performances into wins, leaving them hovering in mid-table rather than pushing higher.

Liverpool arrive in strong overall form, Arne Slot’s men are unbeaten in their last 10 league games (W4 D6), yet four consecutive draws have stalled their momentum in the title race. While goals have not been a major issue, the Reds have slacked defensively, something they’ll be keen to address here.

With Bournemouth eager to rediscover winning form and Liverpool looking to turn draws into victories, expect another lively, end-to-end contest on the south coast.

Last meeting: Liverpool 4 - 2 Bournemouth

Score prediction: Bournemouth 3 - 3 Liverpool

Sunday's matches

Brentford v Nottingham Forest

Brentford and Nottingham Forest meet at the Gtech Community Stadium with very different objectives shaping the contest. The Gtech has been a fortress for the Bees this season: they’ve lost just once there in ten league matches and are unbeaten in their last seven home games, form that has kept them firmly in the European conversation.

Keith Andrew’s side currently sit eighth, eyeing a potential push for continental football, and are boosted by the return of Jordan Henderson from an ankle injury as well as Frank Onyeka, back after AFCON duty, strengthening an already energetic midfield.

Forest, meanwhile, arrive with survival on their minds. Sitting 17th and five points clear of the relegation zone, they know results like this are vital to maintain breathing space. Sean Dyche may be without key figures Igor Jesus and Murillo, both doubts after picking up knocks last time out, which could test Forest’s resilience at a venue where points are hard to come by.

With home dominance against away-day nerves, this fixture sets up as a classic clash of ambition versus necessity.

Last meeting: Nottingham Forest 0 v 2 Brentford

Score prediction: Brentford 2 v 2 Nottingham Forest

Crystal Palace v Chelsea

Crystal Palace and Chelsea meet at Selhurst Park for the 50th encounter between the two clubs in all competitions, a fixture that has historically favoured the visitors. Chelsea have won 31 of those meetings, with Palace managing just six victories and 12 draws.

Palace arrive amid a difficult period. They have endured a turbulent six weeks, losing captain Marc Guéhi to Manchester City, dealing with growing tension between the manager and board, and extending a seven-game winless run in all competitions (D5 L2). Confidence has dipped, and Selhurst Park has reflected the frustration surrounding the club.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are showing early signs of momentum under new head coach Liam Rosenior. The Blues are aiming for back-to-back league wins for the first time since November after a controlled 2–0 victory over Brentford last time out. That result offered encouragement as Chelsea look to climb back towards the Champions League places.

The reverse fixture earlier this season ended in a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge, but with Palace struggling and Chelsea improving, the visitors will fancy their chances.

Last meeting: Nottingham Forest 0 v 2 Brentford

Score prediction: Crystal Palace 1 v 2 Chelsea

Newcastle United v Aston Villa

Eighth-placed Newcastle welcome third-placed Aston Villa to St James’ Park with both sides targeting just their second league win of 2026 after stuttering starts to the calendar year.

Newcastle’s home form has been a major strength. Eddie Howe’s side are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League matches at St James’ Park (W6 D2) and have scored at least twice in each of those games, making Tyneside one of the toughest venues in the division.

Villa arrive with impressive numbers on their travels. Unai Emery’s men have collected the second-most away points in the league this season (18), despite holding a slightly negative goal difference of minus one on the road a testament to their resilience and ability to manage tight games away from home.

A victory for Newcastle could see them climb as high as fifth, depending on results elsewhere, while three points for Villa would maintain a double-digit cushion over fourth place and further strengthen their grip on a Champions League spot.

Last meeting: Aston Villa 0 - 0 Newcastle

Predicted score: Newcastle 2 - 2 Aston Villa

Arsenal v Manchester United

League leaders Arsenal welcome a resurgent Manchester United to the Emirates Stadium in what promises to be a crucial clash in the Premier League title race. The Gunners will be aiming to complete a league double over their rivals, having won the reverse fixture 1–0 at Old Trafford in August. Arsenal have been dominant in recent home meetings, winning each of their last fixtures against United at the Emirates, and manager Mikel Arteta boasts an impressive record of eight wins from 12 Premier League encounters with the Red Devils (D2 L2).

One of those rare losses came under Manchester United’s current interim coach Michael Carrick, whose only victory during his previous spell in charge was a thrilling 3–2 win at Old Trafford in December 2021, adding an intriguing subplot to this weekend’s fixture.

Arsenal have drawn their last two league games, unexpectedly dropping four points, but still maintain a seven-point cushion at the top of the table. United, meanwhile, arrive buoyed by a morale-boosting victory over neighbours Manchester City in their last league outing, signalling a return to form after a slightly stuttering start to 2026. They sit just one point behind fourth-placed Liverpool, making this game pivotal in the race for Champions League qualification.

Last meeting: Manchester United 0 - 1 Arsenal

Predicted score: Arsenal 2 - 1 Manchester United