Premier League predictions this weekend – Matchweek 25

The Six Nations kicked off on Thursday evening; the Winter Olympics are up and running; the T20 World Cup begins on Saturday; Super Bowl XL takes centre stage on Sunday evening; and yet Premier League action could be the highlight of the weekend.

There's a Friday night relegation six-pointer at Elland Road, a Saturday lunchtime ding-dong at Old Trafford, the prospect of an upset at St James' Park, a rivalry renewed at the AMEX, and a heavyweight bout at Anfield.

With five Saturday 3pm kick-offs, including leaders Arsenal and title rivals Aston Villa, it has the makings of a classic Premier League weekend.

Each week, RadioTimes.com Sport Editor Michael Potts and Sport Writer Ned Holmes present their Premier League predictions, including a selection for Upset of the Week, because football isn't played on paper after all.

How many picks will they get right in Matchweek 25?

Premier League predictions this weekend – Matchweek 25

Friday 6th February

Leeds v Nottingham Forest (8pm) Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Premier League

NH: 2-1 Leeds win. This is a massive game. The winner could pull nine points above the relegation zone and the loser may see their cushion cut to just three. Nottingham Forest have the momentum after Leeds' heavy defeat to Arsenal but the raucous Elland Road atmosphere, under the lights, might just make the difference.

MP: 2-1 Nottingham Forest win. I can't help but feel slightly duped by Leeds after watching them dominate Sunderland at the Stadium of Light back in the festive period. Their performances have drastically improved, but their flow of points hasn't. I fancy Sean Dyche's tough Nottingham Forest side to sniff the opportunity to finally climb away from the bottom four.

Saturday 7th February

Man Utd v Tottenham (12:30pm) TNT Sports 1

NH: 2-0 Man Utd win. Michael Carrick's winning start has chased the dark clouds over Man Utd away. They still plague injury-hit Spurs, who have been a better side on the road but may struggle at Old Trafford, which is starting to feel like the Theatre of Dreams again.

MP: 2-1 Man Utd win. It would be the most 'post-Fergie Manchester United' thing for Michael Carrick's side to falter here, because they really shouldn't. This season is suddenly turning into one of the best for the Red Devils in years. Victory here moves that geezer one step closer to shaving his head. Godspeed, United.

Arsenal v Sunderland (3pm) Not televised

NH: 2-0 Arsenal win. Arsenal looked like a team worthy of winning the Premier League as they bounced back in style at Elland Road last weekend. It might not be as fluent against a team as well-drilled as Sunderland but the Black Cats have not been as effective away from the Stadium of Light.

MP: 2-1 Arsenal win. Arsenal haven't had things all their own way, but while previous teams would've lost one and crumbled, this one boasts a resilience that will surely withstand to the end of term. Sunderland's away form hasn't matched their incredible home form and without the injured Granit Xhaka anchoring the midfield, they may just fall short of sneaking a point.

PL: Bournemouth v Aston Villa (3pm) Not televised

NH: 2-1 Aston Villa win. Unai Emery will expect a response from Aston Villa after last weekend's defeat and they'll certainly get chances against an attack-minded Bournemouth side. The Cherries look to be back to their best and it could be a game that's settled by who is more clinical, which may suit the visitors.

MP: 2-0 Aston Villa win. Quashing any fallout after last week's defeat to 10-man Brentford is key for Villa. Everybody has an off day and Brentford are a far tougher nut than most give them credit for. Villa should return to winning ways against a Bournemouth side who are admittedly starting to remember they're actually quite good at football.

PL: Burnley v West Ham (3pm) Not televised

NH: 2-1 West Ham win. West Ham have turned a bit of a corner and have something Burnley don't: multiple goalscoring threats. Though the Clarets have been tough to beat in recent weeks, their lack of attacking quality could prove costly once again.

MP: 3-0 West Ham win. Bold, I know. West Ham have passed through the point of no return in their heads. That seismic defeat to Nottingham Forest a few weeks ago appears to have liberated them and they're suddenly playing with greater freedom. They were breathtaking in the first half against Chelsea, while Burnley produced one of the worst displays of the season against Sunderland. Fans are turning on Scott Parker, and West Ham could capitalise with a resounding victory here.

PL: Fulham v Everton (3pm) Not televised

NH: 1-1 draw. Both teams are quietly enjoying impressive Premier League seasons and three points for either would be a real boost to their European hopes. They're well matched and David Moyes tends to set Everton up to frustrate away from home. Expect the points to be shared.

MP: 0-0 draw. Nobody will remember being at the football match by the end of February.

PL: Wolves v Chelsea (3pm) Not televised

NH: 2-0 Chelsea win. Liam Rosenior needs a bit of calm after a chaotic week for Chelsea. Wolves are a better side under Rob Edwards, though their relegation is nailed on. The Blues can be a little loose early but will have the star power to clinch the victory.

MP: 3-1 Chelsea win. It seems as though Liam Rosenior is operating in a whirlwind at the moment. Every movement is being over-analysed, every performance pulled apart, every result extrapolated beyond all reasonable proportions. However, he's actually enjoyed a really positive start to Chelsea for the most part. Expect a routine win here.

PL: Newcastle v Brentford (5:30pm) Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Premier League

NH: 2-1 Brentford win. UPSET OF THE WEEK. A bruising week for Newcastle could be set to get worse. Brentford's directness and physicality may deliver three points at St James' Park against Eddie Howe's side.

MP: 1-0 Brentford win. Would it be a surprise for Brentford to pick up a victory over Newcastle? I'm not sure. The Bees have been terrific this term, defeating Aston Villa away from home with 10 men last weekend proves how resilient they are. They're an all-or-nothing team (11 wins, 3 draws, 10 losses) and I fancy them to sneak one against a tiring Magpies team lacking vigour and invention.

Sunday 18th January

Brighton v Crystal Palace (2pm) Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Premier League

NH: 1-1 draw. Though Crystal Palace looked to have shaken some of their gloom last weekend, neither they nor Brighton have been able to find full throttle of late. It will be fiery but both sides may feel that avoiding defeat is more important than winning.

MP: 1-0 Brighton win. The M23 Derby (a.k.a. the Glenn Murray Derby) is one of the oddities of football, but I don't hate it. There's genuine beef here between these two locales: one situated by sea, the other by the shores of London. At what stage does Fabian Hurzeler come under pressure? The 32-year-old has failed to get his team motoring this term and they're in danger of finishing bottom of the congested mid-table pack if they can't pick up victories soon. Thankfully for him, they've got Palace next.

Liverpool v Man City (4:30pm) Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Premier League

NH: 2-2 draw. Barnstormer alert. Sunday afternoon's clash at Anfield has all the makings of a proper Premier League ding-dong between two sides with plenty of firepower and some defensive vulnerabilities. These two have had some fantastic battles in recent years and this could be another.

MP: 3-1 Liverpool win. I've gone back and forth between this game finishing 5-5 or with a goalless stalemate and settled for a result miles away from each end of the spectrum. Liverpool have found their goalscoring touch in recent weeks, they looked excellent against Newcastle and Florian Wirtz's late arrival to the party is extremely welcome. I look at City and see a team at the end of a cycle. Supremely talented, yes. But not firing on all cylinders. If they go a goal down, I could see Liverpool piling on the pain.

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