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Welcome to round 22 of a fascinating English Premier League season that has kept fans guessing. We return from a break in play for the FA Cup with Arsenal in pole position. Mikel Arteta's side are sitting pretty, but have Man City and Aston Villa breathing down their neck. The Gunners visit the City Ground on Saturday evening. Will they secure another vital win?
The curtain goes up at Old Trafford for a mouth-watering Manchester Derby. Man Utd host Man City in a clash you can follow on TV and the best live streaming apps from 12:30 GMT. We then enjoy five matches in the ever-popular 15:00 slot, including Chelsea vs Brentford at Stamford Bridge, Liverpool vs Burnley at Anfield, and Leeds vs Fulham at Elland Road.
Sunday's intriguing double header pairs Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United, before Aston Villa plot to improve their recent form with a home win over a determined Everton. Monday night football comes from Falmer Stadium, with the TV cameras covering Brighton vs Bournemouth.
Keep reading for Frank Monkhouse's data-led predictions.
Man Utd vs Man City, Saturday, 12:30 GMT
Saturday afternoon brings the 197th Manchester Derby, and another exciting 90 minutes awaits. The latest head-to-head stats available on the Flashscore app show Man Utd enter with the lion's share of victories, boasting 79 against the 62 of their rivals, with 55 meetings ending level. Interestingly, Man Utd remained unbeaten in three against Man City last term.
Man City make the short trip from the Etihad Stadium to Old Trafford seeking a win that would move them to within just three points of long-term leaders, and title favourites, Arsenal. Pep Guardiola's side made light work of Exeter in the FA Cup last weekend, scoring a stunning ten goals. Despite that result, Man City have drawn their last three starts at this level.
Man Utd are the home side, but Man City used home advantage to win the previous derby 3-0 back in the summer. The hosts are battling several off-field problems, and I expect Pep to take full advantage. They may have taken three points from the last nine available, but the visitors are on a long unbeaten run, and I expect that to continue with a derby win.
Tip: Man City or draw @ 3/10 (Betway)
Bet explanation: Anything but a home win for Man Utd will boost your betting balance.
Chelsea vs Brentford, Saturday, 15:00 GMT
Moving on to the Saturday, 15:00 starts, and we're at Stamford Bridge for a compelling London derby between Chelsea and Brentford. The Blues are another EPL team with plenty to worry about off the field of play. On the pitch, they're winless in five starts and have dropped to eighth in the table as a result. A home win is crucial to keep fans onside.
Brentford arrive at Stamford Bridge sitting fifth in the table, pushing hard for a top-four finish and a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League. Will the Bees be rubbing shoulders with Europe's elite next season? Four wins and two draws in their last six means they have every chance. Taking three points from the world champions would be a statement win.
Chelsea are the home team, but Brentford are higher in the table and enjoy better recent form. The locals are beginning to look tired following a bumper schedule that saw them win the Club World Cup in the United States before heading into the Premier League season. Despite that, I expect them to grind out a win that would help remove some of the pressure.
Tip: Chelsea win @ 4/6 (Betway)
Bet explanation: If Chelsea out-score Brentford, you'll land a nice profit.
Liverpool vs Burnley, Saturday, 15:00 GMT
Our final pick from Saturday afternoon comes from Anfield, where Liverpool welcome Burnley. Arne Slot's defending champions have been miles off the pace for much of the campaign, but improved results have them back in the race for a place in the top four. Liverpool have won three and drawn three of their previous six Premier League games.
You'll find Burnley in a world of trouble at the wrong end of the division. The visitors are one place above the bottom club, Wolverhampton Wanderers and know the basement boys are fighting back. Wolves are unbeaten in three, piling pressure on the Clarets, who are stuck on an extended winless run, which includes two defeats in their previous three EPL games.
Liverpool are far from a reliable pick for bettors this season as the Reds struggle to reach the dizzy heights of last season. They do appear to have turned a corner and are back on a strong run. Despite ending level in each of their last three, including a goalless draw at the Emirates last time, we're siding with a home win. Add Liverpool to your weekend multiples.
Tip: Liverpool win @ 2/9 (Betway)
Bet explanation: You want to see Liverpool claim victory over Burnley at Anfield.
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal, Saturday, 17:30 GMT
The highlight of Saturday's action comes from the City Ground, where Nottingham Forest and EPL leaders Arsenal go head-to-head from 17:30 GMT. The locals find themselves just one place above the relegation zone. Still, victory in their previous league outing means the Tricky Trees enjoy a seven-point cushion over West Ham United and the drop zone.
Arsenal enjoyed a brief break from the pursuit of Premier League points to thrash Portsmouth 4-1 at Fratton Park in the FA Cup. Last Sunday's trip allowed Arteta to rest some of his regular starters, and the manager was pleased with the result. A rest would've allowed the Gunners to recharge and prepare to focus on their push for the Premier League title.
Nottingham Forest have lost four of their previous five league games, while Arsenal are unbeaten in the same period, winning four and drawing the spare. The home defence has already leaked 21 goals in 21 games, while Arsenal have found the net no fewer than 40 times. That fragile defence and fearsome attack will result in a strong away win for Arsenal.
Tip: Arsenal win @ 11/20 (Betway)
Bet explanation: The final score isn't important here. You need Arsenal to take the three points back to London.
Wolves vs Newcastle, Sunday, 14:00 GMT
Switching our focus to Sunday's double header, we begin at Molineux, where bottom club Wolves hope to continue their fightback. The locals have won just one game all season, conceding 41 goals in the process. Wolves did improve to win one and draw two of their last three, including a 3-0 victory when West Ham United were here earlier this month.
Newcastle United have struggled for consistency this season, but the Magpies have won each of their last three league games. That purple patch began with a 3-1 away win over Burnley last year, before starting 2026 with a 2-0 over Crystal Palace and 4-3 vs Leeds. As a result, the visitors started the weekend in sixth, just a point behind Brentford and the top five.
Wolves and Newcastle have had no trouble finding the net so far this month. The locals bagged four goals in two league games, conceding one at Everton. Newcastle scored six goals in the same period, conceding three. That pushes us towards the specials, and we're betting on Sunday's match to produce more than two goals from both teams combined.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 8/13 (Betway)
Bet explanation: Your bet wins if this match ends with more than two goals scored.
Aston Villa vs Everton, Sunday, 16:30 GMT
Our final prediction comes from Villa Park, and we rate the home team's chances highly. Aston Villa started the round placed third in the Premier League table. They are already ten points inside the top four, meaning a Champions League finish is highly likely. A weekend home win over an opponent from the bottom half would certainly improve their chances.
Everton start the round in 12th place with their form showing eight wins, five draws, and eight defeats. The Toffees have scored 23 goals, but already conceded 25. On closer inspection, we note that they have scored just one more goal than second-from-bottom Burnley. In defence, Everton have conceded fewer goals than neighbours Liverpool, who are fourth.
Everton are a tricky side to predict, often winning games they started as the betting underdog and losing to opponents they're expected to beat. It pays to stick with winning form and consistency at this time of year, and we're pinning our hopes on an important home win for Aston Villa. The locals won 3-2 when last hosting Everton, and I expect something similar.
Tip: Aston Villa win @ 13/20 (Betway)
Bet explanation: If Aston Villa beat Everton, you'll hit the bookies where it hurts.
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.