Southampton‘s short-lived stay in the Premier League could officially come to an end on Sunday afternoon if they lose to fellow crisis club Tottenham Hotspur in North London.
The Saints are teetering on the brink after an agonising 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace in midweek, before their capital counterparts sank to a 1-0 loss to London rivals Chelsea.
We say: Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Southampton
Expect a slightly weakened Spurs side to take to the field this weekend as Postecoglou prioritises the Europa League, not that it should make much difference to the final scoreline.
As pitiful as Tottenham’s performance was in midweek, a refreshed set of options should comfortably condemn Southampton to their 25th Premier League loss of the season, one that might officially punch their ticket to the 2025-26 Championship.
> Premier League preview: Spurs vs Southampton
> Midfielder banned, Dibling returns: How Southampton could line up against Spurs
> Son dropped amid sweeping changes: Predicted Spurs XI vs. Southampton
> Will Richarlison return to relegate Saints? Spurs injury list for Southampton clash
Chelsea will continue their push for Champions League qualification when they make the short trip to the Gtech Community Stadium for Sunday’s meeting with Brentford.
Enzo Maresca’s side head into matchday 31 in fourth position, while the Bees enter the weekend in 11th place in the Premier League table.
We say: Brentford 2-2 Chelsea
Chelsea will be desperate to end their seven-game winless away league run this weekend, but having had to settle for draws on their last two trips to the Gtech Community Stadium, we think they could experience a familiar result in Sunday’s fixture.
> Premier League preview: Brentford vs Chelsea
> Will James start? Predicted Chelsea XI vs. Brentford
> Frank makes Damsgaard decision: Predicted Brentford XI vs. Chelsea
> Lavia, Fofana updates: Chelsea injury, suspension list for Brentford clash
Potentially just three games away from hoisting the Premier League trophy aloft, Liverpool can clear another title hurdle when they pit their wits against Fulham on Sunday afternoon at Craven Cottage.
Arne Slot’s men rectified some recent errors in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Merseyside rivals Everton, but their hosts could not do the Reds a favour against Arsenal, falling to a 2-1 defeat.
We say: Fulham 1-2 Liverpool
No Liverpool fan should head south brimming with unbridled confidence; hosts Fulham still have plenty to play for, will be working with a day’s extra rest and are not short of options for change up front.
However, there is no way of knowing which version of Silva’s men will show up at home – the stingy or sloppy one – and we still expect the Reds to clear another obstacle on the title path, but not without a fight.
> Premier League preview: Fulham vs Liverpool
> Alisson returns as Salah chases record: Predicted Liverpool XI vs. Fulham
> Attacking changes aplenty: How Fulham could line up against Liverpool
> Alisson availability, Trent latest: Liverpool injury list for Fulham clash
In their first game since Kevin De Bruyne’s emotional exit announcement, Manchester City make the short trip to Old Trafford to battle formerly noisy neighbours Manchester United in the latest instalment of the Manchester derby.
Pep Guardiola’s side returned from the international break with a straightforward 2-0 triumph versus Leicester City in midweek, whereas their hosts lost for the 13th time in the Premier League season away to Nottingham Forest.
We say: Manchester United 0-2 Manchester City
A saying that has and will be repeated many times in football, form can sometimes go out of the window on Manchester derby day, but we are not expecting the unexpected in this Guardiola vs. Amorim head-to-head.
Even with Haaland watching on helplessly, the champions still boast significantly more firepower than their formerly noisy neighbours, whose defensive vulnerabilities at Old Trafford should be exposed again as City paint the city blue.
> Premier League preview: Man Utd vs Man City
> Will De Bruyne start his last derby? Predicted Man City XI vs. Man United
> Amorim’s attacking surprise: How Man United could line up against Man City
> Shaw, Mainoo, Amad updates: Man United injury, suspension news vs. Man City
> Haaland, Rodri, Ake, Akanji, Stones latest: Man City injury list for Man Utd clash
> Manchester derby best stats: Fernandes milestone and unwanted Red Devils record
> Man City vs. Man Utd: Head-to-head record and past meetings
Find out more about upcoming fixtures, odds and offers in our guide to Premier League betting sites.
