The Premier League serves up a full slate of action this weekend, headlined by a fiery North London derby and a crucial relegation battle. From the title race at the top to the fight for survival at the bottom, here’s a look at all the fixtures and my predictions.
Saturday, February 21
Aston Villa v Leeds United (7pm UAE)
Villa Park is the setting for a clash between two sides in contrasting form. Unai Emery’s Villa scraped past Brighton thanks to a late own goal, a result that was just their second win in six outings. They hold onto third place but are looking over their shoulder. Leeds, meanwhile, are fighting for their lives. Daniel Farke’s side is just outside the drop zone and arrives full of confidence after a stunning comeback to draw 2-2 at Chelsea.
Prediction: Villa 2-1 Leeds
Brentford v Brighton (7pm)
The Bees are dreaming of Europe. A late equalizer against Arsenal kept them firmly in the mix, sitting seventh and just five points off the top four. For Brighton, the season is turning sour. Their defeat to Villa means just one win in 13 matches, leaving them in 14th, but crucially still with a healthy cushion above the bottom three.
Prediction: Brentford 2-0 Brighton
Chelsea v Burnley (7pm)
Chelsea’s four-game winning streak was halted by Leeds, but they remain in the thick of the top-four race. They’ll expect to get back on track against a Burnley side that pulled off a remarkable escape act. The Clarets were 2-0 down to Crystal Palace but stormed back to win 3-2, their first league victory in 17 attempts. Despite the heroics, they are still nine points from safety.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Burnley
West Ham United v Bournemouth (9.30pm)
A classic relegation vs. European push matchup. West Ham’s resurgence hit a cruel snag when they conceded deep into injury time to draw with Manchester United. They remain in the drop zone but are just three points from safety. Bournemouth are flying; their win at Everton means just one league defeat this calendar year. They’ll be a stern test for the Hammers.
Prediction: West Ham 2-2 Bournemouth
Manchester City v Newcastle United (midnight)
The late game sees City look to pile pressure on league leaders Arsenal. A win here would cut the gap to just two points. History and recent form heavily favor the hosts, who have already dismantled Newcastle 5-1 on aggregate in the League Cup this season. Newcastle’s valiant effort in midweek, traveling over 8,000km to Azerbaijan for a Champions League tie, could leave them running on empty at the Etihad.
Prediction: Man City 3-0 Newcastle
Sunday, February 22
Crystal Palace v Wolves (6pm)
A desperate battle at the bottom. Palace slumped to a damaging home defeat to Burnley, a stark reminder that despite their midtable position, they aren’t safe yet. Wolves are in a perilous state. Rooted to the bottom, they are a staggering 17 points from safety. A spirited draw against Arsenal last time out offered a glimmer of hope, but it’s likely too little, too late.
Prediction: Palace 2-1 Wolves
Nottingham Forest v Liverpool (6pm)
Forest will be under new management after the disappointing draw with Wolves cost Sean Dyche his job. Vitor Pereira takes the reins with his side just three points above the drop zone. Liverpool are showing signs of life. A hard-fought 1-0 win over Sunderland, thanks to a Virgil van Dijk header, was just their second league victory of 2026 and tightens the race for Champions League places.
Prediction: Forest 1-2 Liverpool
Sunderland v Fulham (6pm)
Sunderland’s formidable home record finally crumbled against Liverpool, marking their first loss at the Stadium of Light this season. They’ll aim to bounce back against a Fulham side in freefall. The Cottagers’ 3-0 loss to City was their fourth defeat in five games, seeing them slip to 12th and out of European contention.
Prediction: Sunderland 2-0 Fulham
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal (8.30pm)
The weekend’s showpiece. All eyes will be on the Tottenham dugout as interim boss Igor Tudor takes charge for the first time following the sacking of Thomas Frank. Spurs are looking over their shoulder, just five points above the relegation zone. Arsenal’s title charge has hit a speed bump with back-to-back draws, the latest a painful one where they surrendered a 2-0 lead against Wolves. The pressure is on to get back to winning ways in the most hostile of environments.
Prediction: Spurs 1-3 Arsenal
Monday, February 23
Everton v Manchester United (midnight)
The weekend wraps up at Hill Dickinson Stadium, where Everton’s home form has deserted them. Five without a win at home has dented their European hopes, though they remain in the mix. Manchester United’s resurgence under caretaker Michael Carrick continued, albeit barely. A 96th-minute equalizer rescued a point against West Ham to extend his unbeaten start. United sit fourth and will be desperate to solidify their top-four position.
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Man United
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