Premier League predictions: Gameweek 27

Saturday 2 March

After a reduced slate last week, all 20 teams are in action this time around, with the pick of the action coming on Sunday in the Manchester derby.

There isn’t an early kick-off to sink your teeth into on Saturday, but there’s a lovely helping of 15:00 (GMT) offerings to choose from.

The pick of the bunch comes from the Gtech Community Stadium, where Brentford host Chelsea in a mammoth west London derby. The Bees are sliding towards a relegation battle, but the Blues need the points too just to climb back into the top half and boost their European hopes.

Like Brentford, Everton are fighting for survival, but have been handed a reprieve in recent days after their ten-point deduction was reduced to just six. They’ll welcome David Moyes and his West Ham charges back to Goodison Park having swiftly dispatched of the Bees on Monday.

Back in the capital, Fulham play host to Brighton in a fierce mid-table encounter at Craven Cottage, with the travelling Seagulls hoping to find some consistency again in their search for a European place.

Further north, Newcastle welcome Wolves to St James’ Park having surprisingly slipped beneath their visitors in the standings of late – Gary O’Neil’s men are up to ninth and a point ahead of the Magpies.

Liverpool will look to open up a four-point gap at the top of the table before their title rivals play when they travel to Nottingham Forest, who will nervously be looking over their shoulders out of fear of a points deduction.

The final 15:00 game comes from north London, where Tottenham end their two-week break from action with the visit of Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace. Spurs were surprisingly beaten by Wolves in their last match and can’t afford to lose further ground in the top-four race.

Battling Tottenham for a Champions League spot are Aston Villa, who head to Luton in Saturday’s 17:30 showing. The Hatters were on the end of a 6-2 hammering by Man City on Tuesday in the FA Cup and need to start putting results together again if they’re to maintain their Premier League status.

Sunday 3 March