Dubai: There are still four matchweeks left in the Premier League, with all to play for at the top and bottom of the table.
Main match – Manchester United – Liverpool
Sunday 3 May – 18:30 (UAE time)
Fans will end their weekend with a real treat on Sunday as Manchester United welcome old rivals Liverpool to Old Trafford in a huge Premier League clash.
Michael Carrick has completely turned the tide for the Red Devils, who now look set to comfortably finish inside the top five and secure Champions League football next season. Sitting third in the Premier League table, United will be desperate to get a win over their bitter rivals for bragging rights, but perhaps more importantly to maintain their lead over Liverpool in the race for top spot.
The Reds have quietly picked up some impressive results in recent weeks, moving ahead of Aston Villa into fourth place on goal difference. Liverpool may feel they still have a lot of work to do in the battle for a top-five finish, but their emphatic win over Crystal Palace last weekend, followed by a dramatic late victory over local rivals Everton, should give them plenty of confidence heading into Sunday’s clash at Old Trafford.
Player Focus – Alexander Isak
With Mohamed Salah ruled out with an hamstring injury in the win over Crystal Palace, Liverpool are likely to turn to Alexander Isak to provide the goals at Old Trafford. Salah has enjoyed an outstanding record against Manchester United over the years, especially away from home, and replacing that impact is no easy task.
Isak has endured a disappointing start to life on Merseyside after suffering a serious injury that kept him out for most of the season, but his goal against Palace last weekend could prove to be a huge moment. Liverpool will be hoping the attack gives the Swedish striker the confidence he needs heading into one of the biggest games of the season.
prediction
Rob: Manchester United 2 Liverpool 2
Shamseer: Manchester United 2 Liverpool 2
Leeds United – Burnley
Friday, May 1 – 11:00 PM (UAE Time)
Leeds United have a huge chance to move closer to Premier League survival when they host already relegated Burnley at Elland Road on Friday, with Daniel Farke’s side unbeaten in five and holding a six-point cushion over 18th-placed Tottenham with four games remaining. While 40 points may not guarantee safety this season, Leeds have built momentum at the right time, picking up nine points from their last five games and dominating the relegated sides with five straight wins and an 18-3 overall record.
Burnley, whose relegation was confirmed after a narrow defeat by Manchester City, arrive in poor form with just one win in 25 league games and three straight defeats, although they will be looking to complete a rare double. Leeds have some concerns with Ilia Gruev ruled out and Gabriel Gudmundsson a doubt, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s slump in form continues despite leading the scoring charts, leaving Noah Okafor as an in-form threat. Burnley are also struggling with shortages but could see some returns, with Zian Flemming, who has flourished on the road, remaining their main attacking focal point.
prediction
Rob: Leeds 3 Burnley 1
Shamseer: Leeds 2 Burnley 1
Brentford vs West Ham
Saturday 2 May – 18:00 (UAE time)
Brentford, currently ninth, still dream of a historic European place but arrive in poor form, without a win in their last seven league games. The Bees are dealing with numerous long-term injuries, including Rico Henry, Vitaly Janelt, Fabio Carvalho and Antoni Milambo, which has disrupted their pace.
West Ham are in a stronger position in the squad, with only Lukasz Fabianski expected to miss out, while Jarrod Bowen remains their main threat as he closes in on a historic Premier League assist. Brentford have historically had the edge in this fixture, winning seven of the nine meetings since 2021, but West Ham’s recent switch to a compact counter-attacking approach, which has yielded seven points from their last three games, could make this a tense and hard-fought contest.
prediction
Rob: Brentford 1 West Ham 1
Shamseer: Brentford 1 West Ham 1
Wolves vs Sunderland
Saturday 2 May – 18:00 (UAE time)
Wolverhampton Wanderers host Sunderland at Molineux on Saturday in a Premier League game with little at stake for the hosts but plenty of pride. Wolves, rooted to the bottom with just 17 points, have already been relegated and are struggling badly, coming into this game on a three-game losing streak without scoring a goal.
Sunderland, sitting comfortably in mid-table with 46 points, will be looking to bounce back strongly from a crushing 5-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest last weekend. The Black Cats also have history on the horizon, having won the reverse fixture 2-0 in October and now aim to complete their first league double over Wolves since 1949-50, adding extra motivation against a side with little to play for beyond regaining pride.
prediction
Rob: Wolves 1 Sunderland 1
Shamseer: Wolves 1 Sunderland 2
Newcastle – Brighton
Saturday 2 May – 18:00 (UAE time)
Newcastle United go into this clash at St James’ Park under serious pressure, desperate to stop a five-game losing streak that has dragged them towards the bottom of the table. Eddie Howe’s side have also failed to score in their last two home games and will be hoping that the return of Anthony Gordon can breathe life back into their attack.
Standing in their way is a confident Brighton side, sixth and unbeaten in their last five league games, in search of a European finish. Even the seagulls have had the upper hand in this match in recent meetings and continue to look dangerous at the counter. With Newcastle dealing with growing defensive concerns and Brighton in strong form, the visitors head into this as slight favorites to pile more pressure on the hosts.
prediction
Rob: Newcastle 1 Brighton 2
Shamseer: Newcastle 1 Brighton 1
Arsenal vs Fulham
Saturday 2 May – 20:30 (UAE Time)
Arsenal host Fulham at the Emirates on Saturday in a high-pressure clash in the title race, with Mikel Arteta’s side looking to move six points clear of Manchester City before their rivals face Everton on Monday. While City will still have two games in hand, this is a huge opportunity for Arsenal to gain a psychological advantage. The Gunners go into this straight off the back of a tough Champions League semi-final first leg draw against Atletico with little time to recover and they simply cannot afford to drop any more points.
Fulham, meanwhile, are chasing European football and sit just two points off sixth, coming off the back of a 1-0 win over Aston Villa, making this a tricky test. Arsenal have fitness concerns, with Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz doubtful, while Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino remain out. Fulham are without Alex Iwobi, Ryan Sessegnon and Kevin, with Kenny Tete also a doubt. Arsenal will continue to take confidence from their outstanding record going into this fixture, having never lost a league game at home to Fulham in 32 attempts.
prediction
Arsenal 1 Fulham 1
Arsenal 1 Fulham 0
Bournemouth – Crystal Palace
Sunday 3 May – 17:00 (UAE time)
Bournemouth have given themselves a real chance of playing European football next season as they sit seventh in the Premier League table at the weekend. Andoni Iraola’s side are currently the most in-form side in the division, having already gone 15 games without defeat, with their last defeat coming on January 3rd. It is understood that confidence will be high on the south coast and they will feel that another win this weekend could put them in a fantastic position to overtake Brighton in sixth.
Crystal Palace still don’t have much to play for in the Premier League, staying comfortably clear of the relegation zone with little chance of pushing into the European places. As a result, most of their focus will now be on their Europa League campaign, where they are just one game away from reaching the final. Palace put themselves in a commanding position with an impressive 3-1 win over Shakhtar in the first leg of their semi-final and Oliver Glasner’s side will be full of confidence as they continue their quest for European silverware.
prediction
Rob: Bournemouth 2 Palace 0
Shamseer: Bournemouth 2 Palace 1
Aston Villa – Spurs
Sunday, May 3 – 10:00 PM (UAE Time)
Aston Villa remain firmly in the battle to secure a top-five finish and with it a place in the Champions League next season, but their attention may also be shifting to Europe. Unai Emery’s side are still competing in the Europa League and the chance to lift their first major trophy in years could become their top priority in the closing weeks of the season. Balancing both competitions will not be easy, although Villa will know that strong league form is still essential if they are to return to Europe’s biggest stage next season.
Tottenham remain stuck in the relegation zone despite Roberto De Zerbi finally picking up his first win as manager last weekend against already-relegated Wolves, a result which also marked Spurs’ first Premier League win of 2026. While the victory offered fans a small boost of hope, results elsewhere did little to help their survival chances, with the same fixture also at West Hamweek. Spurs therefore remain 18th in the table and, with time fast running out, they still look destined for the drop unless they can stage a remarkable turnaround in the final weeks of the season.
prediction
Rob: Villa 1 Spurs 2
Shamseer: Villa 1 Spurs 1
Chelsea – Nottingham Forest
Monday 4 May – 18:00 (UAE time)
Chelsea enjoyed a huge boost under manager Calum McFarlane after securing a place in the FA Cup final with an impressive semi-final win over Leeds, a result many would not have expected based on their recent form. However, their hopes of reaching the Champions League through the league now seem all but gone, leaving the cup race as their main focus for the remainder of the season.
They now face a Nottingham Forest side who will still believe they have work to do to guarantee survival, although confidence in the camp will be high after an excellent win over Aston Villa in the Europa League semi-final.
prediction
Rob: Chelsea 1 Forest 0
Shamsheer: Chelsea 1 Forest 2
Everton – Manchester City
Monday 4 May – 23:00 (UAE time)
Everton remain firmly in the race for a European place and have enjoyed a consistent and impressive season under David Moyes. The Toffees now welcome Manchester City to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Pep Guardiola’s side locked in a tense title battle with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. While City will be expected to take all three points, this has all the makings of a potential banana skin, especially against an Everton side that have proved difficult to break down all season.
prediction
Rob: Everton 2 City 1
Shamseer: Everton 1 City 3
