The Premier League title race continues to intensify as Matchweek 26 approaches, highlighted by a huge clash between rivals Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad.
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Arsenal will hope to close the gap at the top when they welcome West Ham for a London derby, as rejuvenated Everton host Man United in the Moyes derby. Chelsea, winless in their last two, travel to Villa Park to face Aston Villa.
We'll dive into the stats, analyze the odds, and offer strategic insights to help you navigate the potential outcomes of selected games.
Leicester City v Brentford, Friday, 8:00 pm
Leicester City has struggled in recent weeks, exhibiting the worst form in the Premier League with just one win and nine defeats in their last 10 games. However, they've shown resilience at home against Brentford, remaining unbeaten in their last four league matches at the King Power Stadium (W2 D2).
The Foxes are determined to avoid a historic sixth consecutive Premier League defeat and will be further motivated by the prospect of climbing out of the relegation zone with a victory this weekend.
Brentford, on the other hand, boasts impeccable away form, having won their last three games on the road. Historically, encounters between these two sides have consistently produced goals, with both teams scoring in every match since 2021, making the Both Teams to Score market at 1/2 on bet365 an appealing option.
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if both Leicester City and Brentford score at least one during the game. So 1-1, 1-2, 2-1, 2-2 etc. are all winning bets.
Everton v Manchester United, Saturday, 12:30 pm
Goodison Park has become favourable ground for Manchester United, who have won their last two away league games against Everton.
However, Ruben Amorim’s side have been a shadow of themselves and currently sit 15th in the league. Everton are unbeaten in their last five Premier League games (W4 D1) and look revitalised.
With David Moyes winning his last two home games against Manchester United, and also winning his last home game against the Red Devils in charge of Everton, it may be wise to take a wait-and-see approach for this one.
Tip: No bet
Arsenal v West Ham, Saturday, 3:00 pm
Considering Arsenal's recent dominance over West Ham, scoring 11 goals across their last two meetings, it’s surprising to see Over 2.5 goals priced at 33/50 on bet365. Despite dealing with injuries to key attackers, the Gunners have found creative solutions, with Mikel Merino stepping up as a makeshift forward and netting twice in their recent win against Leicester City.
Arsenal will approach this game with added motivation after Liverpool dropped points midweek against Aston Villa, sensing an opportunity to strengthen their hunt. With a 15% conversion rate in the Premier League this season, Mikel Arteta’s side is enjoying its third-most efficient campaign in front of goal, trailing only the 2018/19 (15.6%) and 2004/05 (15.3%) seasons.
West Ham, on the other hand, have struggled defensively under Graham Potter, failing to keep a clean sheet since his arrival. This defensive frailty could lead to another high-scoring encounter at the Emirates. Arsenal’s attacking prowess and West Ham’s vulnerabilities suggest that fans could be in for yet another goal-filled spectacle.
Bet explanation: The bet is winning if 3 or more goals in total are scored, no matter who scores.
Aston Villa v Chelsea, Saturday, 5:30 pm
Chelsea has experienced a dip in form, slipping from a comfortable top-four position to sixth place, with only two victories in their last nine league games. A significant challenge for Enzo Maresca’s team has been their lack of goals, particularly away from home, where they've managed just two goals in their last five Premier League matches.
However, there's reason for optimism, as Chelsea's expected goals (xG) tally during that period was 6.8, suggesting they've been creating opportunities that haven't been converted. Based on these underlying numbers, Chelsea's goalscoring record is likely to improve.
They now face an Aston Villa defense that has been depleted, with Tyrone Mings and Axel Disasi managing the backline. Villa have also recorded just one clean sheet in 2025, indicating vulnerabilities that both teams will look to exploit in this upcoming match. The stage is set for a game where both sides will likely fancy their chances in attack.
Tip: Both Teams to Score @11/25
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if both Aston Villa and Chelsea score at least one during the game. So a 1-1, 1-2, 2-1, 2-2 etc. are all winning bets
Newcastle v Nottingham Forest, Sunday, 2:00 pm
Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest have both seen a dip in momentum recently, but they remain well-positioned to vie for a Champions League spot. This upcoming match presents an enticing betting opportunity, with the Over 2.5 goals and Both Teams to Score markets offering odds of 19/20 on bet365.
While this might seem a bit risky at first glance, a look at their head-to-head history reveals a different story. In their last four encounters, each match has featured at least three goals, with both teams finding the back of the net. Nottingham Forest secured a 3-1 victory at St. James’ Park last season, while Newcastle responded with a similar 3-1 win at the City Ground earlier this season.
As they prepare to clash again, fans can expect an exciting match filled with attacking play and plenty of goal-scoring opportunities.
Tip: Over 2.5 & Yes for Total Goals/Both Teams to Score at 19/20
Bet Explanation: For this bet to win both Newcastle and Nottingham Forest must score and the total number of goals must be at least 3. So 2-1, 3-1, 3-2, etc. are all winning bets.
Manchester City v Liverpool, Sunday, 4:30 pm
Mohamed Salah is reaching legendary status this season, delivering performances that have been nothing short of extraordinary. His goal and assist against Aston Villa midweek saw him join Lionel Messi as the only players to both score and assist in 10 matches within a single season across Europe’s top-five leagues.
The Egyptian King has been particularly devastating against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, contributing to more Premier League goals against them (8 goals, 5 assists) since 2016/17 than any other player. In fact, only Steven Gerrard (14 contributions: 4 goals, 10 assists) has been involved in more goals against City in Premier League history.
Manchester City’s defensive woes add another layer of intrigue. A 3-1 loss at the Bernabeu earlier this week offers little encouragement for a backline that has already conceded 35 Premier League goals this season. Even at their best, City have struggled to contain Salah—how much more so when they are vulnerable? Betting on the Egyptian maestro to shine once again seems like a smart choice.
Tip: Salah to score anytime @7/5
Bet Explanation: This bet wins if Salah scores at any point in the match against Man City. The result wouldn't matter.
Exclusive BetBuilder by Flashscore
Our betting specialists have selected three BetBuilder opportunities from this high-stakes clash, and bet365 has exclusively boosted the total odds for Flashscore users.
Tip: Exclusive BetBuilder from Flashscore
Over 2.5 goals – Manchester City is averaging 3.5 goals per game this season while Liverpool's goal average is 3.4 goals per game. Both teams are the top scorers in the Premier League, so choosing over 2.5 goals seems to be obvious thing.
Over 5 cards – We can expect tough game with emotions running high, similar to the recent ill disciplined Merseyside derby. Both teams average just over four cards per game, but we expect more of a battle in this one.
Over 10.5 shots on target – Two best-shooting Premier League's teams face each other on Sunday. City average 5.92 shots on target per 90 minutes in the Premier League and Liverpool fare even better - 6.12 shots on target per 90 minutes. 10.5 shots on target should be no problem.
The original odds for this BetBuilder were 6/1, but bet365 has exclusively boosted the total odds to 15/2.