The English Premier League continues its fast and furious start to the new year, with a full set of midweek fixtures set to defy the wintry conditions across the country.
It all builds towards Thursday’s monster clash between Arsenal and Liverpool.
First may be playing fourth but there are 14 points separating the current EPL leaders and last season’s champions, not helped by the Reds slipping to successive draws.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have continued on their imposing way, though, with five wins on the spin keeping them out in front.
There has been precious little of that serenity across the capital city at Chelsea, as they prepare for their west London derby at dangerous Fulham.
Boss Enzo Maresca paid the price for speaking his mind last week, becoming the fourth head coach axed by the Blues’ owners.
But they did pinch a last-gasp draw to stun Manchester City on Sunday evening, under the temporary charge of youth coach Calum McFarlane, much like their Wednesday night hosts had done against Liverpool at Craven Cottage earlier in the day.
City were left annoyed by that second successive draw, costing them another vital two points in the Premier League title race.
Pep Guardiola’s side now take on Brighton at the Etihad Stadium, with the Seagulls solidly midtable and hinting at returning towards their impressive early season form.
Not far from the Etihad and we could well witness plenty more January blues, at least for one side, as Manchester United go to Burnley.
Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim launched an alarming public attack on several senior colleagues at his own club as he smarted from a cross-Pennine derby draw to start 2026.
That, coupled with their latest run of one win in five, saw the Portuguese fired on Monday morning after little more than a year in the job, with former midfielder Darren Fletcher stepping in at Turf Moor.
The Clarets, meanwhile, are looking increasingly forlorn in their attempt to avoid another relegation back to the Championship under Scott Parker, with just three victories to their name this season.
And if you think there’s angst in the north west, check out the London Stadium on Tuesday night, as West Ham kick off the matchweek in a relegation showdown with Nottingham Forest.
Hammers chief Nuno Espirito Santo felt compelled to apologise to the supporters after their latest wretched outing started the new year with a whimper and left them four points adrift of safety.
It’s Forest who occupy that final position of sanctuary but Sean Dyche is struggling at the helm there, too, with four defeats in a row leaving them squarely in trouble going into this six-pointer.
Elsewhere on Wednesday the heat is on Tottenham boss Thomas Frank as they go to the south coast to play Bournemouth.
The Dane and his players were once again booed off after yet again failing to claim all three points at home last time out, with an outing at the Vitality Stadium at least reducing the volume of the vitriol should they record a third successive draw or worse.
Sat between the pair in the bottom half are Crystal Palace, who have also gone off the boil in recent weeks.
Unfortunately for the Eagles it’s Unai Emery and his Aston Villa coming to Selhurst Park, fresh from returning to winning ways after their chastening defeat at the hands of Arsenal.
The Villans remain a comfortable third in the Premier League table while their hosts are 14th, albeit still within striking distance of the top half.
We could be in for a cracker in the north east when Newcastle go up against Leeds at St James’ Park.
The Toon Army are upwardly mobile thanks to back-to-back league victories, while Daniel Farke has yanked his side away from danger by virtue of a seven-match unbeaten spell.
Eddie Howe’s men are now a point and a place behind arch-rivals Sunderland, who make the trip south to play Brentford.
The Bees have won three of their last four under the charge of Keith Andrews, leapfrogging the impressive Wearsiders in the process and igniting serious hopes of European qualification in west London.
That thought had crossed the minds of many at Everton until their iffy run of results over the festive period.
David Moyes’ Toffees remain firmly in contention amid a congested midtable, however, with a home game against rock bottom Wolves their next assignment.
The visitors can no longer be completely discounted, having pulled themselves off the canvas at the weekend to seal an emotional first EPL win of the campaign at the expense of West Ham.
Manchester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Result prediction | Manchester City to win |
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Manchester City / Manchester City to win |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | Erling Haaland (Manchester City) |
West Ham United vs Nottingham Forest
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Result prediction | Draw |
| Over/Under prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | West Ham United / Draw |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Newcastle United vs Leeds United
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Result prediction | Newcastle United to win |
| Over/Under prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Newcastle United / Newcastle United to win |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | D. Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United) |
Burnley vs Manchester United
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Result prediction | Draw |
| Over/Under prediction | Under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Manchester United / Draw |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |
Arsenal vs Liverpool
| Category | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Result prediction | Arsenal to win |
| Over/Under prediction | Over 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Draw / Arsenal to win |
| Team to Score prediction | Both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | n/a |