Neck and neck in the Premier League table, Newcastle United and Chelsea face off in a potentially season-defining gameweek 36 contest at St James’ Park on Sunday.
The Champions League qualification six-pointer pits the fourth-placed Magpies against Enzo Maresca’s resurgent Blues, whose ongoing three-match winning streak in the competition is the West London club’s second-longest of the 2024-25 season, following a five-game run between November and December 2024.
We say: Newcastle United 3-1 Chelsea
Given that Forest are expected to beat relegated Leicester on Saturday, neither Newcastle nor Chelsea can afford to lose on Sunday.
Despite the Blues’ run of victories and Lavia’s return to fitness giving Maresca’s men a different dimension, the Magpies have shown consistency on home turf for a longer stretch than their opponents, who still have question marks surrounding their away form, regardless of the Fulham win.
Considering Howe’s winning record whenever the Blues visit Tyneside, Isak scoring in four of his previous five matches at St James’ Park and the Swede’s impressive record against Chelsea, the Toon Army are backed to leave Sunday’s lunchtime fixture in higher spirits.
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Aiming to enjoy some domestic success before the end of the campaign, Manchester United welcome West Ham United to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Devils booked their spot in the final of the Europa League on Thursday night, whilst the Hammers have been afforded a full week to dwell on their match with Tottenham Hotspur at the London Stadium.
We say: Manchester United 3-1 West Ham United
After the elation of Europa League success at Old Trafford on Thursday night, we are expecting the feel-good factor to help Man United to victory this weekend.
West Ham’s season has petered out despite the point versus Spurs last Sunday, meaning that defeat in a buoyant Manchester is likely this time around.
> Premier League preview: Man Utd vs West Ham
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Looking to take a major step towards Champions League qualification for the first time this century, Nottingham Forest welcome already-relegated Leicester City to the City Ground for a Premier League clash on Sunday afternoon.
The Tricky Trees secured a point at the base of Crystal Palace earlier in the week, whilst the Foxes managed a rare top-flight success at the King Power Stadium during their last fixture.
We say: Nottingham Forest 2-0 Leicester City
With an away match and a clash with Chelsea on the horizon, Nottingham Forest will be desperate to earn an expected three points against Championship-bound Leicester.
The Foxes put in a convincing display to beat Southampton last time out, but we feel that the visitors will struggle to keep up with the Tricky Trees at the City Ground.
> Premier League preview: Nott’m Forest vs Leicester
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Two London clubs still striving for end-of-season silverware do battle in a Premier League derby on Sunday afternoon, as Tottenham Hotspur welcome Crystal Palace to their headquarters.
With the Lilywhites prioritising Europa League glory and Palace having one eye on the imminent FA Cup final, this all-capital clash may not be the most feisty affair of the season.
We say: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Crystal Palace
Ferocity and flair can normally be expected in London derbies, but surely not this one, as Postecoglou and Glasner’s chief priorities will no doubt be avoiding any more fitness concerns ahead of their respective cup finals.
As a result, another underwhelming affair should be expected at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where both bottom-half clubs will be content with a point.
> Premier League preview: Spurs vs Crystal Palace
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The newly-crowned champions host the perpetual also-rans in Sunday’s Premier League blockbuster, as Liverpool welcome Arsenal for a top-of-the-table battle, albeit one with little riding on it for the Reds.
In contrast, Mikel Arteta’s men could still suffer a catastrophic collapse and miss out on Champions League qualification next season, having recently suffered European heartbreak in Paris yet again.
We say: Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Liverpool and Arsenal have enjoyed a good stalemate in recent times – especially at Anfield – but a trip to the champions was the last thing that the Gunners needed after a massive dose of Parisian pain.
With the Reds back at a vibrant Anfield, likely back to full strength and simply out-gunning Arsenal on the attacking front all season long, Slot’s men should prove why they are champions and why the visitors are not.
> Premier League preview: Liverpool vs Arsenal
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Find out more about upcoming fixtures, odds and offers in our guide to Premier League betting sites.
