This weekend is a somewhat unusual one as we have a number of Premier League games, but we also have the Carabao Cup Final taking place on Sunday between Newcastle United and Manchester United too.
That will mean a smaller than usual number of games this weekend in the Premier League and with two of the top five playing in the Final on Sunday, it is a chance for those around them to either pull away from them in the table, or claw back some points.
As usual, bet365 Sport will be offering an extensive set of betting markets for all games taking place this weekend involving Premier League teams and you can also enjoy a great selection of In Play bets once the games kick off.
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Over the last few weeks, we have managed to land a good number of tips and predictions so let’s hope the good form can continue into this weekends action.
Here’s what is in store this weekend.
Premier League Fixtures
Friday 24th February
- Fulham v Wolverhampton Wanderers (8.00pm)
Fulham are unbeaten in their last three Premier League games and last weekend’s win over Brighton took them above the Seagulls into sixth place in the table. Wolves did lose last weekend, but they have won three of their last five and now sit outside the relegation zone in 15th place on 23 points, three clear on the drop zone.
However, Fulham have won just one of the last twelve between the two teams and their last win over Wolves in the Premier League was back in March 2012. Goals may be at a premium here though with none of the last 7 games having more than two goals in total in them. With that in mind I think a 1-0 win to Fulham is the best bet here.
Top Tip – Correct Score – Fulham 1-0 Wolves – 7/1
Saturday 25th February
- Everton v Aston Villa
Since Sean Dyche took over as manager, Everton have won two of their three games, both at Goodison Park and both by a 1-0 scoreline. Those two wins, over Arsenal and Leeds have moved Everton out of the drop zone and now they face an Aston Villa side who have lost their last three EPL games after a solid start under Unai Emery.
What will worry the Villa boss is that his team has conceded 11 goals in those three games and while they have scored five themselves, that defensive record is one Everton will seek to take advantage of. The odd thing is, I think Villa have an outstanding record against Everton, winning five of the last seven, drawing the other two and I think they could spring a surprise here too.
Top Tip – Aston Villa to win and both teams to score – yes – 11/2
- Leeds United v Southampton
It is fair to say that this is an absolutely crucial game for both these teams as they occupy the bottom two places in the league table. Both have lost three of their last four games, but crucially Southampton have picked up a win in that run (last week away to Chelsea) while Leeds have only managed to pick up one point in that period.
Southampton’s away form is better than their home in the Premier League this season and Leeds home form is nothing to write home about either. Leeds appointed Javi Gracia in the week but he had a very poor spell as Watford boss and I don’t think he is the man to turn their season around.
Top Tip – Draw – 5/2.
- Leicester City v Arsenal
The Foxes were well beaten last week by Manchester United, but in truth had they taken a number of first half chances, then it would have been much closer. They now face an Arsenal side who got back to winning ways last week away to Aston Villa in what was a much needed three points for Mikel Arteta’s side.
However, apart from last week, Leicester have been in good goalscoring form while Arsenal have had a few poorer results of late and this is going to be another test for the Gunners after they came though the test at Villa. I can see both teams scoring here but I am going to with Arsenal to take the win but only just.
Top Tip – Arsenal to win and both teams to score – yes – 9/4
- West Ham v Nottingham Forest
David Moyes Hammers now find themselves in the drop zone after last weekend saw several of their rivals around them in the table pick up three points. The pressure is now on the Hammers to start picking up wins, beginning here with a home game against a Nottingham Forest side that is starting to find its feet after so many new signings this season.
Forest earned a draw at home to Manchester City last weekend so they will have real confidence here, and I must admit I am confused to see West Ham odds on to win this game, especially given their recent record and performances. I have a sneaky feeling that Forest may well get something from this game too.
Top Tip – Draw – 13/5
- Bournemouth v Manchester City (5.30pm)
Bournemouth will have had the advantage of plenty of time to prepare for this game while City played Red Bull Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday night, but in truth I don’t think it is going to matter a great deal to the result with City having such great strength in depth, especially compared to Bournemouth.
The Cherries have done well to get out of the drop zone but I do feel they are in for a struggle over the rest of the season to stay up and I cannot see them getting anything out of this game against a City side who will know they cannot afford any more slip-ups in the Premier League.
Top Tip – Kevin de Bruyne to score anytime – 9/4
- Crystal Palace v Liverpool (7.45pm)
After being thrashed at home by Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday, Liverpool now face a tough away trip in the Premier League to Selhurst Park to take on a Crystal Palace side that has drawn four of its last five games, losing the other.
Palace are certainly not a team that will be a pushover here and with the Reds away form being generally poor, even despite that win at Newcastle last week, this could well be another tough one for Klopp’s side who just seem to have lost their way defensively at key points in this season.
Top Tip – Crystal Palace to win – 15/4
Sunday 26th February
- Tottenham Hotspurs v Chelsea (1.30pm)
This will be one of the fixtures Spurs fans would have not been looking forward to this season with Chelsea having a superb record against Spurs in recent times. In fact in their last 12 games, Chelsea have won nine, to Tottenham’s one, with two games drawn and Spurs win only came on penalties in the League Cup in 2020.
In fact, Spurs have scored just two goals in their last seven games against Chelsea and they both came in the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge earlier on this season. Antonio Conte remains absent as he recuperates from his Gall Bladder operation in Italy but with Chelsea in a poor run of form, Spurs may never have a better chance to get a win against their London rivals.
Top Tip – Harry Kane to score first – 7/2
Carabao Cup Final
- Newcastle United v Manchester United (4.30pm)
Newcastle United come into this game without their first and second choice goalkeepers due to Nick Pope being suspended and Martin Dubravka cup tied after playing in this competition, ironically for Manchester United earlier in the season.
That means a return to the team somewhat unexpectedly for Loris Karius and you can bet Manchester United, who are in great form of late, will be very keen to test the German stopper, whose own issues have meant he has played very little football since the 2019 Champions League final. With that in mind it is hard to get past a win for Manchester United here, especially with the form they are in.
Top Tip – Manchester United to win – 6/5.
*All matches are 3pm kick off unless otherwise stated. All odds shown were correct with bet365 Sport at the time of writing but may have changed since.
