The English Premier League puts a week of turmoil behind it as it continues to build towards the sharp end this weekend.
A botched attempt from the EPL’s self-proclaimed ‘big six’ to breakaway and join a European Super League generated a bitter divide between the clubs and stoked a maelstrom of anger from neglected supporters.
Fallout from the staggering self-interest will continue but it’s all eyes on the pitch for eight fixtures between Friday and Monday.
Manchester United continue to cling on in the title race as they tackle old enemy Leeds in a cross-Pennine derby at Elland Road on Sunday.
The pair meet with Marcelo Bielsa’s men in good form, while the Red Devils have won five on the bounce as they try desperately to reel in neighbours Manchester City at the top.
There’s a heavy duty derby on Saturday, too, as West Ham and Chelsea collide at the London Stadium.
The pair are locked on 55 points, either side of the Uefa Champions League qualification divide coming into the weekend.
Liverpool kick off the day’s action as they retain top four ambitions of their own, with Jurgen Klopp’s side playing host to improving Newcastle at Anfield.
Merseyside rivals Everton can close the gap to their neighbours to a single point if they can snaffle three points from their Friday night trip to face bang-average Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Leicester are firmly in the European shake up themselves, despite a ropey run of recent form.
Brendan Rodgers’ men must wait until Monday for their game at the King Power Stadium against Crystal Palace.
The derby drama continues on Sunday in the West Midlands as Aston Villa go up against a West Brom side fighting for their lives in the Premier League relegation zone.
Brighton are also imperiled at the wrong end of the EPL table but have the chance to pick up points on Saturday when they head to Bramall Lane to face relegated Sheffield United.
English Premier League predictions for 23-26 April
Prediction methodology explained: The expected win percentage is based off publicly available odds. For example, if a team’s odds are 2.30, the expected chance of winning is 43%. If the odds are 1.62 the expected chance of winning is 62% and so on. These are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change. Where there is no value listed, the odds were not available at the time of writing.
