⛅️ Friday Forecast: More title race twists and Man Utd in for a shock? | OneFootball

After an exciting week of European action, Premier League football returns and we look at what lies in store this weekend.

💪 Game of the weekend

West Ham v Arsenal

Arsenal haven’t dropped many points this season but after doing so last weekend, the onus is on them to bounce back instantly and keep themselves in the title box seat.

Aside from their three-game blip in early February, they’ve responded to every other league setback this season by picking up three points and with Leicester unlikely to do them any favours against Manchester City, will have to do so again.

West Ham, of course, are also in need of the points for an entirely different reason as they are still just three points above the relegation zone, making this London showdown all the more intriguing but they have won just two of their last 29 meetings with the Gunners.

When visiting the Hammers, be that in the London Stadium or Upton Park, Arsenal have also won 14 and drawn nine of their 26 total meetings in the Premier League era.

They’ll need more of the same or the title race could take another big twist.

📊 Fun fact: Arsenal are the only team in the Premier League this season who have not lost when scoring the first goal (winning 18 and drawing three).

🔮 Our prediction: West Ham 2-3 Arsenal

😨 Potential upset

Nottingham Forest v Manchester United

There are plenty of reasons for Forest fans to be confident of claiming a big scalp in their bid to beat the drop.

Admittedly, that may not be based on recent form given that they’re winless in their last nine and have now slipped into the relegation zone but these are exactly the kind of occasions they’ve lifted their game for at the City Ground.

Liverpool were already humbled on Trentside this season and Man City also slipped up there too, while there is also the added factor of United potentially suffering from the ill effects of a midweek European fixture.

The fact that key man Marcus Rashford (who has more winning goals in the league this season than any other player) is also sidelined with injury gives Forest further hope that they can spring another big surprise.

It can’t go any worse than their last league meeting at home with United anyway. That was in February 1999 when they were thrashed 8-1.

📊 Fun fact: United could beat the same team four times in the same season with victory here – doing so for the third time in their history after Sheffield Wednesday in 1993/94 and Chelsea in 2010/11.

🔮 Our prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Manchester United

👍 Big favourites

Manchester City v Leicester

These are two sides heading in opposite directions.

City are flying high and sent out a dangerous signal in midweek that this could be the year they finally get their hands on the Champions League.

Since losing at Spurs in early February, they have won seven of eight in the league since then, scoring 22 and conceding just six during that span.

Meanwhile, the Foxes look rudderless and heading for the Championship if Dean Smith cannot fix things and fast.

They have also lost 10 of their last 12 against City, who look a sure thing to make that 11 of 13.

📊 Fun fact: Jamie Vardy could become the first Foxes player to reach 300 Premier League appearances and also has more goals in that competition against Pep Guardiola’s City than anyone else, with eight.

🔮 Our prediction: Manchester City 4-0 Leicester

🤔 Too close to call

Aston Villa v Newcastle

Since taking over at Villa Park, only Arsenal have picked up more points and earned more wins than Unai Emery’s side.

He is the managerial revelation in the current campaign which Eddie Howe was for Newcastle in the previous season and they meet in Birmingham this weekend.

The previous meeting between the sides (prior to Emery’s arrival) ended in a 4-0 win for the Magpies and it is extremely unlikely that there will be a repeat performance.

Villa are unbeaten in their last seven and have won six of those, while Newcastle have won their last five in succession.

It really could go any way.

📊 Fun fact: Since promotion in 2019, Villa have won all of their home fixtures against Newcastle by the same scoreline – 2-0.

🔮 Our prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Newcastle

🔥 Your Fantasy Football captain should be …

Harry Kane (Tottenham)

Spurs have a winnable fixture at home to Bournemouth which could see their top scorer fill his boots.

He has scored in 20 different Premier League games this season which is more than any other player (yes, even Erling Haaland who has netted in 18) and also his record for a single campaign, while also putting him within sight of Mo Salah’s all-time record of 24.

Those goals have also helped Spurs pick up 22 points this season, which has been worth more than any other player’s goal haul.

The Tottenham record is 24 from Gareth Bale in 2012/13 and Kane himself in 2014/15. He’s certain to break that and it may come this weekend.

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