The Premier League returns after FA Cup fifth-round weekend and there are some important matches taking place up and down the division.

I have previewed five of the games taking place on Saturday and Sunday, including a crunch clash at Old Trafford.

A £10 wager on my three-leg acca would pay out £62.56, while the same stake on my five-leg version offers a potential return of £193.05.

Liverpool vs Southampton: Liverpool -1.5 Asian handicap (3/8)

Liverpool got away with one in midweek. Despite being outplayed from start to finish, Arne Slot’s side beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Liverpool had Alisson Becker to thank. The Brazilian produced a magnificent goalkeeping performance to keep PSG out. He is unlikely to be quite so busy this weekend.

It is a matter of when rather than if Southampton are relegated. The only thing they have left to play for is to better Derby County’s all-time record low points tally of 11 from 2007/08.

With the return fixture against PSG and the EFL Cup final against Newcastle United coming up in the days ahead, Slot may well shuffle his park for the visit of Southampton.

Everyone is expecting a complete blowout in which Liverpool win by five or six goals, but there are reasons to suspect a narrower triumph for the champions-elect.

Go for Liverpool with a -1.5 Asian handicap at 3/8 with bet365

Manchester United vs Arsenal: Arsenal to win (3/4)

This was once the biggest fixture in Premier League history, but that is no longer the case. Manchester United’s last title came in 2013, while Arsenal have been waiting 21 years for another championship.

The drought will be extended by at least another season, with Mikel Arteta’s men now 13 points adrift of Liverpool in top spot.

Arsenal are still in the Champions League, though, so it is not as if they have nothing left to play for. Tuesday’s remarkable 7-1 thrashing of PSV will have given the players confidence ahead of this trip to Old Trafford.

United played Real Sociedad away from home on Thursday, so they have had less preparation than Arsenal. They will also struggle to penetrate the Gunners’ backline.

Tip Arsenal to win at 3/4 with bet365

Wolves vs Everton: Wolves to win (8/5)

Ipswich Town and Leicester City are running out of time to climb out of the relegation zone. The duo trail Wolves by five points and there is a chance that gap will increase this weekend.

If it does, it is hard to see how either Ipswich or Leicester will avoid relegation. This is therefore a fantastic opportunity for Wolves to take a decisive step towards safety.

They will have to do so without Matheus Cunha, who is likely to be banned for more than the standard three matches after a red card against Bournemouth in the FA Cup.

Everton have surged clear of the bottom three themselves. David Moyes has done a fantastic job since returning to Goodison Park.

Injuries are starting to bite, though, so we fancy Wolves to come out on top in front of their own fans.

Back Wolves to win at 8/5 with bet365

Chelsea vs Leicester City: Cole Palmer to score or assist (2/7)

Cole Palmer has suffered a dip in form, which is one of the reasons why Chelsea’s results have fallen off.

Palmer enjoyed a glorious first 18 months at Stamford Bridge, quickly establishing himself as one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe.

But Palmer has now gone eight games in all competitions without scoring a goal or providing an assist.

That dry spell could come to an end when Leicester City visit west London. The Foxes have been dismal for some time now, losing 11 of their last 12 league games under Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Leicester are finding it tough to keep opponents out and Palmer can take advantage by having a direct hand in at least one goal on Sunday.

Select Cole Palmer to score or assist at 2/7 with bet365

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City: Nottingham Forest to score first (7/5)

It is third against fourth in the early kick-off on Saturday, as Nottingham Forest and Manchester City both seek to get one over on a top-five rival.

Forest have gone off the boil of late. Just one of their last five Premier League matches has ended in victory.

On the plus side, Nuno Espirito Santo are still getting results at home. They drew 0-0 with Arsenal in their last league encounter at the City Ground, and have taken 17 points from the last 21 available in front of their own fans.

Much of their success this season has come from taking the lead. Forest have opened the scoring a league-high 20 times in 2024/25, while City have gone 1-0 down on 12 occasions – just two fewer than Ipswich.

Choose Nottingham Forest to score first at 7/5 with bet365

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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