Arsenal heads into Game Week 21 with a comfortable 8-point lead over the rest of the competition, though that buffer can be dwindled down when they face a red-hot United side at the Emirates on Monday morning (AEST).
Elsewhere, Liverpool and Chelsea face off in the “Fallen Giants” Derby, West Ham hosts Everton in the El Sacko and City hopes to bounce back against the Wolves.
We’ve provided our best bets for all 10 Game Week 21 fixtures along with a couple of catch-up games below!
Man United head into this fixture off the back of nine straight victories across all comps, arguably making them the form side in Europe!
Alternatively, the Eagles are residing on Struggle street at the minute, losing four of their last five league fixtures without registering a goal!
Crystal Palace has largely underperformed against quality opponents this season, going winless against all current top-half sides this season (3D, 6L).
Erik ten Hag has the Red Devils purring at the moment, I can see them jumping to an early lead and not looking back.
Two sides desperate for a win are set to meet at the Emptyhad on Friday morning (AEST).
City enters this fixture off the back of 2-1 defeat in the Manchester Derby, after throwing a one-goal advantage away.
Similarly, Tottenham handed their arch-rivals a handy eight-point advantage at the top of the league table, going down without a fight to Arsenal in the North London Derby.
The last time this pair met in Manchester, was also the last time Tottenham played at a world-class level, with the visitors stealing a 3-2 victory with the last kick of the game!
With City conceding in five of their last six league fixtures, I can see another high-scoring affair materialising between this pair, a shoot-off between leading scorers Haaland and Kane a real possibility.
At $1.35, I believe the out-of-form Man City has been priced a huge unders here, so rather than taking on the H2H market, I’ll be backing both strikers to find the back of the net!
When two English giants, Liverpool and Chelsea, who are both currently struggling to find form and sitting in mid-table, face off at Anfield, it’s bound to be a match of redemption.
Both teams are currently out of the top-four picture, with Liverpool stumbling out of the gates in the new year and Chelsea looking like they’ve forgotten how to win.
The Reds desperately need to dip into the transfer market to freshen up their aging midfield, with ball retention becoming a real issue for Klopp’s side.
I’m expecting a cagey affair at Anfield, with a draw looking as the most likely outcome with both sides playing within themselves.
The Saints are looking to build on a recent run of form under new manager Nathan Jones, winning their last three games across all comps.
Meanwhile, Villa is enjoying life under Emery, winning four of their last six EPL fixtures, and climbing to within striking distance of the top half of the table.
Despite beating Everton last time out, the Saints played less than convincing football, with James Ward-Prowse coming to the rescue from the set-piece once again.
Villa is on a real run in the league and I can see that momentum pushing them over the top of this young Saints lineup.
No Graham Potter, no problem.
Brighton are looking like the most well-drilled side in the league at the minute, and are justifiably sitting 7th in the league with two games in hand on the two sides sitting above them.
They’ll be facing arguably the biggest underachievers of the season so far, Leicester City.
The Foxes have lost four straight league fixtures since the World Cup, conceding eight times across the trip while finding the back of the net just once.
The Seagulls come into this fixture off the back of dismantling the Reds 3-0 and will have no issues repeating that feat against the relegation-threatened Foxes.
Speaking of underachievers, West Ham vs Everton has been dubbed the “El Sacko”, with the losing side odds on to show their manager the door.
Their no case to make for either side to win here, arguably there’s more pressure on the Hammers to perform in front of what is sure to be a hostile home crowd.
Everton saw off West Ham 1-0 earlier in the season, and with tensions boiling over at home, a trip to London might be the best thing for them at the minute.
The Cherries have fallen off a cliff since the World Cup, losing four straight league fixtures while failing to register a single goal (0GF, 9GA).
Alternatively, Notts Forest is flying, seven points in the last three PL fixtures has seen them climb free of the drop zone for the time being.
This is a game of two sides traveling on very different trajectories, I plan to cash in on Forest while they’re still shooting up!
New Castle will be looking to consolidate their position inside the top four when they travel to the capital to take on the Eagles.
Crystal Palace took a small step towards the top end of the league and away from the relegation scrap when they secured a point against the in-form Red Devils midweek.
Though, after watching that fixture, it could be argued that Man U dropped points rather than Crystal earning a draw.
A short turnaround may prove too big of a hurdle for Patrick Vieira’s side, who rely largely on the exploits of a few talented players.
I frequently need to remind myself that the Toon have only lost one fixture this season, their football is currently head and shoulders above Crystal’s and I’m backing them to rack up another W here.
I’d had Brentford sitting a close 2nd behind Brighton as the best-coached side in the comp, despite this, the Bees are paying $2.90 to get past a side that hasn’t won in the league since November 6!
The Bees dismantled the Whites 5-2 in game week 6, with in-form striker Ivan Toney taking home the game ball after netting a hattrick in the first hour of play.
Despite Leeds showing form in the domestic Cup, Brentford is a huge step up in class here and should prove to high a hurdle for Jesse Marsh’s side to clear.
Man City will look to put pressure on the league leaders Arsenal with a home victory against the resurgent Wolves.
City enters this fixture off a character-building victory against Tottenham on Friday morning (AEST), a game in which they trailed 2-0 at the half, before bagging four unanswered goals in the last 45.
The Wolves have looked like a new side since the arrival of Julen Lopetegui, suffering just one defeat since the WC break (2W,1D).
Despite defeating the Spurs, Pep Guardiola called out his players’ character and desire to fight in his post-game presser.
I’m expecting City to start their title run here, picking off teams with relative ease.
After getting rested vs Tottenham, both KDB and Foden should re-enter City’s starting XI with a point to prove.
The game of the round arrives early Monday morning (AEST) when Arsenal plays host to MAnchers United.
United is the only side to taste victory over the Gunners this season, exploiting the league leaders on the transition, with both Rashford and Antony cashing in.
The Gunners have only grown in confidence since that defeat, winning 10 of their following 12 games (2D), including a double of arch-rivals Tottenham.
Man U suffered a major blow heading into this fixture, losing transformative midfielder Casemiro to suspension in the dying moments of their draw against Crystal Palace midweek.
The loss of Casemiro tilts this matchup in Arsenal’s favour, though I can see both sides hitting the scoreboard.
Game Week 21 comes to a close with a London Derby between Fulham and Tottenham.
The Spurs have won just one of their last five league fixtures (1D,2L) and are slowly losing sight of the top four.
Meanwhile, Fulham has won four of their last five (1L) and can count themselves unlucky to go down to the Toon last time out, conceding an 89th-minute goal after Mitrovic missed from the penalty spot earlier.
It’s plain to see that the Spurs are void of all confidence, Conte doesn’t believe he has the talent to compete with the top sides in the comp and that lack of belief is rubbing off onto the playing group.
On a positive note, Tottenham can now call on the services of Kulusevski, Richarlison, and Bentancur, with the talented trio starting to get some minutes into their legs.
I’m backing an immediate response from Tottenham following their disgracefully 2nd half performance vs City, with Conte’s side finally start heading in the right direction.