Premier League Week 25 Fixtures: EPL Picks and Predictions

For the second time in a week, Manchester City will have the chance to put pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool.

On Sunday, when City welcome Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium, they will be looking to do a much better job than they did on Tuesday. Pep Guardiola's side were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle United in a shock result that gave the Reds the chance to go seven points clear on Wednesday.

As we gear up for another round of key fixtures, the gap is only five points. Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by a diligent Leicester City side at Anfield on Wednesday; Jurgen Klopp's men head to West Ham United on Monday in what has the potential to be another tricky encounter.

Elsewhere, earlier on Sunday, the Foxes will welcome Manchester United to the King Power Stadium, while Chelsea have the chance to bounce back from their remarkable 4-0 loss to Bournemouth during their home clash with Huddersfield Town.

Premier League Week 25 Fixtures

Saturday, February 2

12:30 p.m.—Tottenham Hotspur vs. Newcastle United (2-0)

3 p.m.—Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Watford (1-0)

3 p.m.—Burnley vs. Southampton (1-1)

3 p.m.—Chelsea vs. Huddersfield (2-0)

3 p.m.—Crystal Palace vs. Fulham (2-1)

3 p.m.—Everton vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (2-2)

5:30 p.m.—Cardiff City vs. Bournemouth (2-2)

Sunday, February 3

2:05 p.m.—Leicester City vs. Manchester United (1-2)

4:15 p.m.—Manchester City vs. Arsenal (3-1)

Monday, February 4

8 p.m.—West Ham United vs. Liverpool (1-2)

Manchester City vs. Arsenal

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When Sergio Aguero slotted City ahead against Newcastle inside the first minute of their match on Tuesday, the champions appeared on course for a straightforward triumph. However, they caved in the second half in a manner that will concern Guardiola.

Not only were they defensively poor, but City also lacked the incisiveness and spark in their attacking play that they have become renowned for. 

Sam Lee of Goal outlined what he believes are some of the issues with Guardiola's setup:

Still, Liverpool let them off the hook by only drawing on Wednesday, and on home soil, City have been peerless this term.

In Arsenal, it's unsure exactly what type of opponent they will be coming up against. The Gunners have shown inconsistency in 2019. A poor performance against Manchester United in the FA Cup fourth round was sandwiched by wins over Chelsea and Cardiff City in the Premier League.

James McNicholas of Gunnerblog was impressed with the way Arsenal battled to victory on Tuesday:

This will represent a much stiffer test, though, especially as City will be desperate to bounce back after Tuesday's defeat. Guardiola's side are too good to slip up twice in quick succession.

West Ham United vs. Liverpool

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Given how well Liverpool have played against sides outside of the top six this season, it was almost assumed they would breeze past an out-of-form Leicester side on Wednesday at Anfield.

But they failed to capitalise fully on City's issues, as Sadio Mane's early goal was cancelled out by Harry Maguire's stabbed finish on the stroke of half-time.

After the match David Maddock of the Daily Mirror tried to put things into perspective, as the Reds extended their advantage at the top of the table by a point:

Football writer Leanne Prescott believes the officiating on the night did little to help Klopp's side:

It feels like a good time to be playing West Ham. The Hammers have suffered two poor results in a row—a 4-2 shock defeat to AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup was followed by a 3-0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers—and are set to be without star forward Marko Arnautovic, who hobbled out of their previous game.

Liverpool are unlikely to face an expansive opponent as a result, with Manuel Pellegrini's team surely set to sit deep and spring forward when they can. Even so, the Reds possess the class needed to clear another hurdle on their way to the title.