The second half of the English Premier League season is underway and brings with it a host of enticing matches lined up in midweek.
Arsenal remain at the top of the table with 48 points after an enthralling 3-2 win against Bournemouth over the weekend. The Gunners will host defending champions Liverpool on Thursday in arguably the most enticing fixture in matchday 21.
Manchester City and Aston Villa follow closely tied on 42 points and they round up the top three ahead of the midweek action.
Fourth-place Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw after Antonee Robinson scored a goal of the season contender deep in stoppage time to rescue a point for Fulham.
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Elsewhere, Enzo Fernandez was also on target in stoppage time to seal a 1-1 draw against Man City, keeping the Blues in the top five.
At the other end of the table, Wolves finally got their first win of the season as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over West Ham to take their tally to a mere six points after 20 games, their worst ever at this stage of the season.
Here we have a look at some of the top fixtures lined up in midweek and offer our predicted outcomes.
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Bournemouth vs Tottenham – Wednesday, 10:30PM
There could be cause for concern for the Cherries who are without a win in their last 11 matches, dropping to 15th place on the log. Things are not much better for their opponents who are yet to win this year and are in 13th place with 27 points.
Spurs have not beaten Bournemouth since 2023 when they completed the league double over them, setting this up to be a rather cagey affair. Mohamed Kudus is the latest injury concern for the visitors and it is doubtful that they will get their first win of 2026 here.
Prediction – Bournemouth to win or draw @1.33 odds
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Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa – Wednesday, 10:30PM
Villa’s exemplary record of 11 consecutive wins was halted by a 4-1 demolition at Arsenal but they bounced back with a 3-1 win against Nottingham Forest. Unai Emery’s charges are on their best run of form in a league season in two decades and are slowly making their title intentions clear.
They face a struggling Palace side who are without a win in their last seven games, leaving them in 14th place.
However, Palace have been superior in the recent past, winning four of the last five matches against Palace, including identical 3-0 victories in both games last season. Though plenty has changed since then and Villa come into this game as certain favorites as they seek revenge.
Prediction – Both teams to score @1.70 odds
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Manchester City vs Brighton – Wednesday, 10:30PM
It has been 10 games since Pep Guardiola’s side tasted defeat, with their eight-match winning run halted by a pair of successive draws. They remain in second place with 42 points, miles ahead of 10th place Brighton who are on 28.
Brighton’s 2-0 victory against Burnley last week was their first in seven games, but are confident after beating Man City 2-1 last August. The Seagulls have beaten City twice in their last three matches between the two sides, meaning City will be wary of the threat they possess.
Prediction – Manchester City to win @1.37 odds
Burnley vs Manchester United – Wednesday, 11:15PM
After 11 matches without victory, Burnley are on the longest run without a win in the top flight. They remain second from last with 12 points after managing just three wins since their return to the EPL.
They face a sixth-place United side who have lost just once in their last five matches, leaving them with 31 points just outside the top five. United beat Burnley 3-2 in the reverse fixture last August and have not lost to their opponents since 2020.
Despite the absence of Bruno Fernandez (injury) and Amad Diallo (AFCON), United boast a better squad and are tipped as favorites to win here.
Prediction – Man United to win @1.69 odds
Photo: Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images
