⛅️ Friday Forecast: Double derby drama and more woe for Liverpool? | OneFootball

We have a mammoth weekend of Premier League action ahead of us with two huge derbies to look forward to ..

💪 Game of the weekend

Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal

It’s north London derby time and this is a fixture that never fails to disappoint.

Arsenal fans are now coming around to the fact that they are in the title race but their goalless draw with Newcastle United saw their lead over Manchester City at the top cut to five points.

With City also in derby action, this could be a weekend where that gap between the top two change again, where that gap is either extended beyond repair or significantly shortened.

There is a sticking point for the Gunners, as they haven’t won at Spurs since 2014. As for Antonio Conte’s side, the thrashing of Crystal Palace last time out ended a run of 10 consecutive games where they have fallen behind first. Will that win at Selhurst Park prove to be a turning point in their season?

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be a melting pot on Sunday and we can’t wait.

📊 Fun fact: Arsenal have won all six of their London derbies this season but haven’t won seven in a row since 2007-08.

🔮 Our prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Arsenal

😨 Potential upset

Brighton and Hove Albion v Liverpool

This time last season, Liverpool were beginning a run that would see get within 10 minutes of lifting the league title. How the picture has changed.

Their fifth defeat of the campaign against Brentford leaves them seven points off the top four ahead of a trip to the in-form side in the division.

Roberto De Zerbi has his team playing some electric football and suddenly the Seagulls have found their way to the back of the net with 10 goals scored in their last two appearances.

They will jump above their opponents with a win on Saturday – and who would rule them out making a claim for the Champions League qualification places?

📊 Fun fact: Liverpool have lost three of their last seven Premier League games, as many as in their previous 37 combined.

🔮 Our prediction: Brighton and Hove Albion 3-1 Liverpool

👍 Big favourites

Newcastle United v Fulham

This might be a reach considering Fulham’s current form and their huge victory over Chelsea on Thursday night.

There aren’t many teams who are feeling as good as the Cottagers right now but Newcastle are definitely one of them.

They have a cup semi-final on the horizon and Eddie Howe has the Magpies dreaming of a European tour next season.

Newcastle have only lost once this season, and that came as a result of a 97th-minute winner at Anfield. The Geordie bandwagon is likely to continue rolling on this weekend.

📊 Fun fact: Newcastle have kept a clean sheet in their last four matches – they have never kept five in a row in their entire history.

🔮 Our prediction: Newcastle United 2-0 Fulham

🤔 Too close to call

Manchester United v Manchester City

City have well and truly been the kings of Manchester when it comes to the derby in recent years.

Pep Guardiola’s side have won the last three meetings between the two teams scoring 12 goals along the way as the blue half maintained its dominance over the red.

But the picture feels a little different heading into the 189th instalment of the Manchester derby, as a win for United on Saturday would see them move to within a point of their neighbours.

There is hope for the hosts that they are closing the quality gap at long last, and their current run of form has them even dreaming of a surprise title tilt.

Erik ten Hag’s men will go into the game of the back of an eight-match winning run with Marcus Rashford having scored in his last six fixtures and all of his last eight at Old Trafford.

With City currently not looking at their impenetrable best, symbolised by the 2-0 EFL Cup quarter-final defeat to Southampton, a game where they failed to have a shot on target for the first time since 2018, this fierce Saturday afternoon clash could go either way.

📊 Fun fact: Manchester United have lost more Premier League home games against Manchester City than they have versus any other opponent (8).

🔮 Our prediction: Manchester United 2-2 Manchester City

🔥 Your Fantasy Football captain should be …

Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)

There may be some more obvious candidates but a lot of the big guns are in derby action this weekend which may restrict their involvement so we’ve gone for one of Brentford’s main hitmen.

The 23-year-old has four goals and one assist to his name so far this season, including the third in the win over Liverpool on January 2.

Coming up against a team that has lost four in their last five in Bournemouth? Mbeumo should be quids-in.

Other predictions

Aston Villa 3-2 Leeds United Everton 1-1 Southampton Nottingham Forest 1-0 Leicester City Wolves 2-1 West Ham Chelsea 1-1 Crystal Palace