Every single matchday in the Premier League now feels pivotal. Margins are finer and results are more impactful with the number of games remaining now dwindling. After all, we’re into the second half of the season.
By Sam McGuire
So, with a lot still to play for, here’s a look ahead at what might be the biggest talking points this weekend.
The Alexander Isak show continues?
The Newcastle United forward is on an incredible run of form right now. He’s scored in eight successive Premier League matches and is now on 15 goals for the campaign. Only Erling Haaland (16) and Mohamed Salah (18) have more than the Sweden international.
He’s on 20 goal involvements for the season, a figure that only Salah (31) can better.
This weekend, he comes up against a Bournemouth team that is going under the radar. And the striker doesn’t necessarily have the best record against the Cherries. He’s got one goal in three matches against them and he’s yet to be on the winning side against Andoni Iraola’s men.
Bournemouth are quietly going about their business in the English top-flight this term. A win for the Cherries would, momentarily at least, lift them up to sixth. They’re 10 matches unbeaten across all competitions and their last defeat arrived in November. Iraola’s side have kept four clean sheets in their last eight Premier League matches with Dean Huijsen playing a key role in their new-found defensive resilience.
If Iraola and his players can end Isak’s streak, people might start to take notice of them as contenders for European football.
Pressure on Liverpool
Liverpool have seen their lead at the top of the Premier League table cut to just four points following a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.
The Reds have looked a little leggy so far in 2025, struggling against Spurs and Manchester United.
They travel to Brentford on Saturday needing a performance and a result. Arne Slot‘s side have the best away record in the Premier League, and they’ve scored the most away goals. However, they’re up against a team with the most home goals this season as well as the second best home record in the English top-flight.
Brentford have an in-form attacker in Bryan Mbeumo within their ranks. The versatile attacker has 16 goal involvements this term, including 13 goals.
Liverpool have their own potent weapon in Salah. He leads the way for goals (18), assists (13) and goal involvements (31).
It looks set to be the battle of the left-footed right-wingers at the Gtech on Saturday afternoon. The winner of that battle will likely determine the winner of the match.
This is a big day for the Reds. They could finish the weekend seven points clear at the top if things go their way. If results to against them, they could end the weekend just one point clear.
A sustained Arsenal challenge?
It is also a big day for Arsenal.
Depending on results, they could be seven points off the pace at the top or just a point behind the leaders on Saturday evening, albeit having played a game more.
This matchday is massive for momentum.
Mikel Arteta‘s side ended their three match winless streak with a 2-1 victory over Spurs in the North London derby. The win was a hard fought one.
The game on Saturday looks set to be another difficult one for the title hopefuls at the Emirates as they welcome Aston Villa.
Unai Emery will be looking to get one over on his former side and his Villa team are in good form right now. They have won three on the bounce and are unbeaten in four. A win could see them move up to fifth position. Despite their inconsistent form overall this term, they’re still in contention for claiming a top four finish.
The Villans have won two of the last four meetings between the two sides. A win here would be a statement one for the away side and it could be the result needed to give them a platform for the remainder of the season.
The Chelsea collapse?
A little over a month ago, Chelsea looked like genuine title contenders. They’d were on a nine-match unbeaten run and had claimed six victories during this period. Now, though, they’re sitting in fifth position, 10 points off leaders Liverpool having played a game more.
Enzo Maresca’s side are winless in five having recorded three draws and two losses.
They welcome a struggling Wolves side to Stamford Bridge on Monday evening looking to get back to winning ways in their pursuit of a top four finish.
Their visitors had improved under Vítor Pereira but they’ve lost their last two Premier League matches by an aggregate scoreline of 6-0.
Wolves are outside of the relegation zone having scored more goals than Ipswich Town. The two teams are on 16 points and both have a goal difference of -17. Earlier in the season, Chelsea romped to a 6-2 win over Wolves. A similar scoreline here would likely see Pereira’s side end the matchday in the relegation zone.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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