'The Game Plan' - Matchday 22

Saturday Fixtures

Manchester United v Manchester City

Michael Carrick will lead Manchester United out for the first time against their noisy neighbours Manchester City, beginning his second stint as United’s interim manager following his three-game spell in November–December 2021. The clash marks the 175th meeting between the two sides in all competitions with Manchester United leading in wins, 68 to City's 57 with 50 matches finishing as a draw.

City also arrive with a new face in their ranks. Antoine Semenyo has already made an immediate impact, scoring in each of his first two cup appearances since completing his £65 million move from Bournemouth last week.

Both teams come into the derby on the back of three successive league draws and are still searching for their first Premier League win of 2026. Manchester City will be without injured defenders Joško Gvardiol, John Stones and Rúben Dias for the trip to Old Trafford, forcing Pep Guardiola to reshuffle his defensive options.

Manchester United, meanwhile, welcome back Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo following their involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations. Carrick will hope the returning duo can help United capitalise on City’s defensive vulnerabilities as the Red Devils look to gain the upper hand in this latest chapter of the Manchester derby.

Predicted score - Manchester United 1 - 3 Manchester City

Chelsea v Brentford

West London rivals Chelsea and Brentford meet at Stamford Bridge in Liam Rosenior’s first league match in charge of the Blues. He faces a stubborn and resurgent Brentford side who are unbeaten in their last six Premier League games (W4 D2).

Brentford have proven to be awkward opponents in recent seasons. Chelsea have won just one of the last eight meetings between the sides (D4 L3), with that solitary victory coming in a 2–1 win for Brentford in this exact fixture last season.

Chelsea currently sit eighth in the table, with Brentford fifth, but only two points separate the West London rivals. With the season entering a crucial phase, both sides could find themselves battling for one of the final Champions League qualification places come May which is expected of Chelsea and would be a major over achievement for the Bees, but possible.

Predicted score - Chelsea 2 - 2 Brentford

Liverpool v Burnley

Fourth-placed, Champions League–chasing Liverpool welcome relegation-threatened Burnley, who sit 19th, to Anfield as they look to extend their unbeaten run to twelve games in all competitions stretching back to November. Both sides drew their New Year’s fixtures Liverpool against Arsenal and Burnley against Manchester United and will be targeting their first three points of 2026.

Mohamed Salah makes a timely return to the Liverpool squad following the Africa Cup of Nations. However, the Reds remain without strikers Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike and have managed just two goals across their last two matches.

Burnley, meanwhile, arrive in far less encouraging form. Scott Parker’s side are winless in their last 12 league games (D3 L9) and have conceded 26 goals away from home this season. The Clarets are also without several key players for the trip to Merseyside, with Zion Flemming, Jordan Beyer, Mike Trésor, Connor Roberts, Zeki Amdouni and Josh Cullen all unavailable.

Predicted score - Liverpool 3 - 0 Burnley

Leeds v Fulham

Leeds United will be aiming to return to winning ways as they entertain Fulham at Elland Road, having suffered their first defeat in seven matches last time out in a dramatic 4–3 loss to Newcastle, sealed by a last-minute Harvey Barnes winner. Despite that setback, Leeds have been strong at home this season and remain unbeaten in their last four league games at Elland Road (W2 D2).Fulham, meanwhile arrive in confident mood after enjoying a productive spell in the league. Marco Silva’s side are unbeaten in their last six matches, collecting 14 points since December 11, and have quietly climbed into 10th place in the table.

The two sides have met just 34 times in all competitions, with the head-to-head record evenly balanced: Leeds have 11 wins, Fulham 13, and there have been 10 draws. Fulham have also won the last three league meetings between the clubs. The contest could well be decided by one of the two in form attackers, Leeds’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored eight goals in his last nine appearances or Fulham’s Harry Wilson has been directly involved in 11 goals this season, scoring seven and providing four assists.

Predicted score - Leeds 1 - 1 Fulham

Sunderland v Crystal Palace

The Stadium of Light plays host to Sunderland and Crystal Palace as both sides look to end a five-game winless run. The Black Cats have turned their home ground into something of a fortress this season, remaining unbeaten in their 10 Premier League matches at the Stadium of Light (W5 D5). Crystal Palace, however, have enjoyed recent visits to Wearside, winning two and drawing three of their last five trips. Earlier this season, the reverse fixture at Selhurst Park ended in a goalless draw, and the two sides head into this encounter separated by just two points Palace sit 13th on 28 points, with Sunderland 10th on 30.

Crystal Palace are likely to be without captain and central defender Marc Guéhi, who has been left out of the squad as Palace and Manchester City finalise a move for the highly sought-after England international.

Predicted score - Sunderland 2 - 1 Crystal Palace

Nottingham Forest v Arsenal

Nottingham Forest welcome league leaders Arsenal to the City Ground for the 100th meeting between the two clubs. Arsenal hold the historical edge with 50 wins, while Forest have claimed 21 victories, with 28 draws between them.

Forest’s home form has been a concern this season. They have lost six of their ten Premier League matches here and conceded 17 goals — both already exceeding last season’s totals. However, under Sean Dyche, Forest are expected to be compact, disciplined, and difficult to break down, looking to frustrate Arsenal before striking on the counter through players such as Murillo and Elliot Anderson.

Arsenal arrive top of the table despite being held to a goalless draw by Liverpool last time out. Prior to that, Mikel Arteta’s side had won five consecutive league games, scoring 12 goals. A key decision for Arteta will be in attack, with Viktor Gyökeres struggling for goals, while Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are both available. With contrasting styles and plenty at stake this promises a fascinating tactical battle.

Predicted score - Nottingham Forest 0 - 3 Arsenal

Tottenham v West Ham

Fierce London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with both sides underperforming and their managers facing increasing pressure. Both teams were booed off the pitch following their most recent outings, underlining the growing frustration among supporters.

Tottenham’s home form has been a major concern this season, with just two wins from ten league matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium fewer than they have managed away from home. Thomas Frank is still searching for consistency and a clear identity in his side, and discontent among the Spurs faithful is becoming increasingly vocal.

West Ham arrive in even more precarious circumstances. Nuno Espírito Santo’s side are winless in their last ten league matches (D4 L6), sit 18th in the table, and are seven points adrift of safety with 17 games remaining. They have also lost all six of their Premier League London derbies this season.

With pressure mounting on both benches, the spotlight may fall on returning firepower. Dominic Solanke is back in the Tottenham squad after a lengthy layoff, while Callum Wilson returns for West Ham amid reports he was close to having his contract terminated. In a derby charged with tension, one decisive moment could be enough to swing the mood and perhaps cost one of the managers his job.

Predicted score - Tottenham 1 v 2 West Ham

Brighton v Bournemouth

The Amex Stadium hosts a South Coast clash as Brighton welcome Bournemouth, with the two sides separated by just three points and four places in the Premier League table. Brighton sit 11th, with Bournemouth 15th, as both remain part of a growing pack still harbouring hopes of pushing towards the European places.

The sides have met 35 times in all competitions, with the record evenly balanced. Brighton have won 13, Bournemouth 14, and there have been eight draws. Brighton, however, have enjoyed this fixture at home in the Premier League, losing just one of their six matches against Bournemouth at the Amex (W4 D1), including victories in each of the last four.

Both teams have been involved in entertaining, high-scoring games this season, even if consistency has been elusive. Brighton come into the match after a hard-fought 1–1 draw away at Manchester City, while Bournemouth claimed a dramatic 3–2 win over Tottenham thanks to a last-gasp winner. Defensive fragility remains a concern for the visitors, who have conceded at least two goals in every away match since their last road victory.

Predicted score - Brighton 2 - 2 Bournemouth

Wolves v Newcastle

A rejuvenated Wolves welcome Newcastle United to Molineux, aiming to extend their unbeaten Premier League run to four matches in a remarkable upturn in form. Wolves have taken five points from their last three games more than they managed across their previous 22 league matches combined, during which they collected just three points.

Newcastle also arrive in strong form, having won their last three Premier League games and scored nine goals in the process, as they look to make it four victories in a row. The visitors have dominated this fixture in recent years, winning the last four meetings and six of the last eight overall, with the other two ending in draws. Eddie Howe’s side will be keen to continue that impressive run.

The spotlight may fall on two contrasting attacking stories. Wolves’ 18-year-old rising star Mateus Mané has announced himself in style, scoring in each of his last two Premier League appearances. Newcastle, meanwhile, will be hoping Nick Woltemade can rediscover his scoring touch, having failed to find the net in his last six outings for the Magpies.

Predicted score - Wolves 1 v 3 Newcastle

Aston Villa v Everton

High-flying Aston Villa welcome Everton to Villa Park as they aim to maintain pressure on the Premier League’s top two, Manchester City and Arsenal. Villa have been in sensational home form this season, winning their last 11 matches across all competitions and turning Villa Park into a fortress.

Everton arrive in strong away form, winning three of their last five league trips, drawing one, and losing just once. Remarkably, they have kept four clean sheets in those five games the same number they managed across their previous 18 away matches highlighting a newfound resilience under David Moyes.

The reverse fixture at Goodison Park ended in a goalless draw, demonstrating how tightly contested encounters between these sides often are. Jack Grealish's return from suspension will be key for Everton and he will be eager to make an impact against his boyhood club. Everton, however, remain without Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye, who are competing in the African Cup of Nations final with Senegal, limiting their midfield and attacking options.

Predicted score - Aston Villa 4 - 2 Everton