Bournemouth vs Brentford — Tuesday 3 March, 19:30 GMT Kick-off
Brentford travel to Bournemouth tonight looking to extend one of the Premier League’s best away runs this season.
The Bees have won seven of their last eight away games in all competitions and come into this evening’s clash high on confidence after their dramatic 4-3 win over Burnley at the weekend.
Having been tipped for relegation at the beginning of the season, Keith Andrews’ side sit 7th with an excellent chance at making Europe for the first time in the club’s history.
Brentford won five of their last six away games after losing seven of their first eight. Credit: Richard Sellers/PA Wire
Bournemouth also enter tonight’s match in a rich vein of form. The Cherries are unbeaten in their last eight matches, having failed to win in their previous 11 games. Like Brentford, Bournemouth are pushing for their first appearance in Europe and would move just one point behind their opponents with a win tonight.
Brentford boasts an extraordinary record against tonight’s hosts. The Bees are unbeaten in nine against Andoni Iraola’s side, dating all the way back to 2021 when the two teams met in the Championship playoff semi-final.
Iraola, speaking to the press before tonight’s matchup, explains why they’ve had such a poor run of form against Brentford.
“The things that we do that usually punish other teams, they don’t punish Brentford”.
But Bournemouth’s unbeaten run means this won’t be easy, with home fans urging their side to maintain momentum in the closing stages of the campaign.
The Cherries might be without star man Evanilson, who picked up a knock in their 1-1 draw against Sunderland last weekend. Iraola suggested this would be down to last second decision by himself and the medical staff.
While there is no new injury news for Brentford, all eyes will be on Igor Thiago, who has 18 Premier League goals this season, second only to Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race.
Will the Blues bite back at Villa Park?
Aston Villa vs Chelsea — Wednesday 4 March, 19:30 GMT Kick-off
Chelsea head to Villa Park looking to end a three-game winless run in the Premier League.
Villa have tailed off in recent weeks following their startling first half of the season. Talks of title contention have slowed, with The Villains now looking over their shoulder at the chasing pack in the hunt for Champions League qualification.
Chelsea are one of the teams in the hunt for Europe’s premier competition but face a daunting run-in to end the season. Over their final 10 matches, The Blues face both Manchester clubs, as well as tricky trips to Anfield and the Stadium of Light.
Manager Liam Rosenior is optimistic about his side going forward.
“The beauty of having a young team is sometimes you need to go through experiences to improve, it’s a massive learning experience”.
Chelsea rank 4th in the xG table despite sitting 6th in the actual standings. Credit: AP Photo/Jon Super
The Blues’ next fixtures place additional importance on tonight’s visit to an out-of-form Aston Villa. Villa’s home form has dwindled in recent weeks with deeply disappointing displays in losses to Everton and Brentford.
Their 2-0 loss to Wolves in last Friday’s West Midlands derby was their most discouraging performance of the season. A similar showing against Chelsea would all but guarantee another disheartening defeat.
Ollie Watkins, who netted both goals in Villa’s 2-1 reverse fixture victory in December, will be desperate for a return to form. He has scored just once in his last 11 games in all competitions.
Ollie Watkins has scored eight Premier League goals this season. Credit: AP/Dave Shopland
Chelsea will be without winger Pedro Neto, who picked up a suspension following a red card against Arsenal last weekend. Neto’s red card was Chelsea’s seventh in the league this season, moving them just two shy of Sunderland and QPR’s regrettable record.
His absence opens the door for Alejandro Garnacho, who only has one Premier League goal for Chelsea in 17 matches.
London derby with survival implications
Fulham vs West Ham — Wednesday 4 March, 19:30 GMT Kick-off
West Ham travel to Craven Cottage on Wednesday night to take on Fulham in a crucial London derby. Fulham are looking to do the double over The Irons having won 1-0 at the London Stadium earlier this season.
They will be up against a rejuvenated West Ham side, however. Despite still sitting in the final relegation spot, the Hammers have been much improved of late. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were unfortunate to lose 5-2 at Anfield last Saturday having created plenty of chances throughout the game.
At this stage in the season, though, positive performances are worth very little. West Ham need points, and fast.
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo, said,
“We didn’t achieve a result in our (last) game, and this is what we have to focus (on). It’s really important for us.”
Jarrod Bowen has eight league goals and remains West Ham’s most reliable attacking threat. Credit: AP Photo/Dave Shopland
Their record against Fulham does not bode well. The Irons have only won once away at Fulham since 2010, shipping five at the Cottage back in 2023.
Fulham continue to impress too, with Marco Silva staking a strong claim for manager of the season. The Cottagers thoroughly outplayed Tottenham in their 2-1 win last Sunday, with Alex Iwobi and Harry Wilson pivotal throughout – as has so often been the case this campaign.
Wilson, who has 12 goal contributions since December, is doubtful to play on Wednesday having hobbled off with an ankle injury against Spurs.
Fulham are overperforming the xG table by four positions this season. Credit: AP/Dave Thompson
For West Ham, striker Pablo has a calf injury, while Freddie Potts will serve the third match of a three-game suspension.
Tottenham have had a dismal 2026. Big club or not, they’re in a relegation battle. Just four points separate themselves from the drop zone.
Quite astonishingly, Spurs are the only Premier League side without a league win this calendar year. It’s their longest winless streak since 1994.
With two disappointing defeats since Igor Tudor’s arrival as interim boss, the Croat is already facing mounting pressure to stay in the job.
Tottenham’s head coach Igor Tudor will be playing his third London derby, while only being in charge for three. Credit: AP/Ian Walton
Wednesday’s clash against Crystal Palace, who Spurs’ last league win came against, is a must win.
Crystal Palace arrive after a spirited showing in their recent 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford. The Eagles took the lead early through Maxence Lacroix, only to let it slip and walk away with no points. They’ve been no stranger to this, losing 19 points from winning positions this season – the second most in the league.
A positive result tonight, however, would remove any lingering fears of relegation.
In injury news, Jean-Philippe Mateta is out with the same knee injury that saw his Deadline Day transfer to AC Milan fall through. Oliver Glasner will also be without key defender Lacroix, who earnt a straight red for his last-man challenge on Matheus Cunha last Sunday.
Tottenham, once again, have a long list of absentees to overcome and will be without 10 players on Thursday. Cristian Romero is serving the last game of his four-match suspension, while Djed Spence is also likely to miss out with a calf injury.
The versatile defender was absent from the matchday squad at Craven Cottage on Sunday, prompting fresh injury concerns. Credit: AP/Ian Walton
James Maddison, Wilson Odobert, Mohammed Kudus, and Dejan Kulusevski all remain out with long-term injuries.
Arsenal away at the Amex
Arsenal vs Brighton — Wednesday 4 March, 7:30 GMT Kick-off
It wasn’t pretty from Arsenal in Sunday’s win over Chelsea, but points are what matters for The Gunners at this stage in the season, who remain five clear of Manchester City.
Brighton, having faltered under Fabian Hürzeler over recent months, are looking to achieve their third win in a row following two crucial wins against Brentford and Nottingham Forest.
The Seagulls made life difficult for Arsenal in the reverse fixture, who staved off a second-half comeback from Brighton to win 2-1 at The Emirates.
A fast start would do wonders for the home side. A previously watertight Arsenal defence has shown weaknesses over recent weeks. If Brighton can put pressure on that Gunners backline and bring their supporters into the game early, cracks could begin to appear.
Arsenal have very little room for error and are handling the pressure reasonably well so far. After Brighton, they will face Everton and Bournemouth in the league before their title-deciding match up against City next month.
Arteta described Kai Havertz as “fit and available” in his pre-game press conference, and the German may well be offered the start at the Amex having come off the bench against Chelsea.
The Gunners scored 13 goals in their last five matches. Credit: AP/Ian Walton)
Captain Martin Ødegaard, however, will miss out with a knee injury.
Yasin Ayari is expected to return having missed the last month with a shoulder injury, whilst Adam Webster and Stefanos Tzimas are out longer term.
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HeadlinePremier League Preview: Two mid-week London derbies
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Can Brentford keep their away streak alive?
Bournemouth vs Brentford — Tuesday 3 March, 19:30 GMT Kick-off
Brentford travel to Bournemouth tonight looking to extend one of the Premier League’s best away runs this season.
The Bees have won seven of their last eight away games in all competitions and come into this evening’s clash high on confidence after their dramatic 4-3 win over Burnley at the weekend.
Having been tipped for relegation at the beginning of the season, Keith Andrews’ side sit 7th with an excellent chance at making Europe for the first time in the club’s history.
Brentford won five of their last six away games after losing seven of their first eight. Credit: Richard Sellers/PA Wire
Bournemouth also enter tonight’s match in a rich vein of form. The Cherries are unbeaten in their last eight matches, having failed to win in their previous 11 games. Like Brentford, Bournemouth are pushing for their first appearance in Europe and would move just one point behind their opponents with a win tonight.
Brentford boasts an extraordinary record against tonight’s hosts. The Bees are unbeaten in nine against Andoni Iraola’s side, dating all the way back to 2021 when the two teams met in the Championship playoff semi-final.
Iraola, speaking to the press before tonight’s matchup, explains why they’ve had such a poor run of form against Brentford.
“The things that we do that usually punish other teams, they don’t punish Brentford”.
But Bournemouth’s unbeaten run means this won’t be easy, with home fans urging their side to maintain momentum in the closing stages of the campaign.
The Cherries might be without star man Evanilson, who picked up a knock in their 1-1 draw against Sunderland last weekend. Iraola suggested this would be down to last second decision by himself and the medical staff.
While there is no new injury news for Brentford, all eyes will be on Igor Thiago, who has 18 Premier League goals this season, second only to Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race.
Will the Blues bite back at Villa Park?
Aston Villa vs Chelsea — Wednesday 4 March, 19:30 GMT Kick-off
Chelsea head to Villa Park looking to end a three-game winless run in the Premier League.
Villa have tailed off in recent weeks following their startling first half of the season. Talks of title contention have slowed, with The Villains now looking over their shoulder at the chasing pack in the hunt for Champions League qualification.
Chelsea are one of the teams in the hunt for Europe’s premier competition but face a daunting run-in to end the season. Over their final 10 matches, The Blues face both Manchester clubs, as well as tricky trips to Anfield and the Stadium of Light.
Manager Liam Rosenior is optimistic about his side going forward.
“The beauty of having a young team is sometimes you need to go through experiences to improve, it’s a massive learning experience”.
Chelsea rank 4th in the xG table despite sitting 6th in the actual standings. Credit: AP Photo/Jon Super
The Blues’ next fixtures place additional importance on tonight’s visit to an out-of-form Aston Villa. Villa’s home form has dwindled in recent weeks with deeply disappointing displays in losses to Everton and Brentford.
Their 2-0 loss to Wolves in last Friday’s West Midlands derby was their most discouraging performance of the season. A similar showing against Chelsea would all but guarantee another disheartening defeat.
Ollie Watkins, who netted both goals in Villa’s 2-1 reverse fixture victory in December, will be desperate for a return to form. He has scored just once in his last 11 games in all competitions.
Ollie Watkins has scored eight Premier League goals this season. Credit: AP/Dave Shopland
Chelsea will be without winger Pedro Neto, who picked up a suspension following a red card against Arsenal last weekend. Neto’s red card was Chelsea’s seventh in the league this season, moving them just two shy of Sunderland and QPR’s regrettable record.
His absence opens the door for Alejandro Garnacho, who only has one Premier League goal for Chelsea in 17 matches.
London derby with survival implications
Fulham vs West Ham — Wednesday 4 March, 19:30 GMT Kick-off
West Ham travel to Craven Cottage on Wednesday night to take on Fulham in a crucial London derby. Fulham are looking to do the double over The Irons having won 1-0 at the London Stadium earlier this season.
They will be up against a rejuvenated West Ham side, however. Despite still sitting in the final relegation spot, the Hammers have been much improved of late. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were unfortunate to lose 5-2 at Anfield last Saturday having created plenty of chances throughout the game.
At this stage in the season, though, positive performances are worth very little. West Ham need points, and fast.
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo, said,
“We didn’t achieve a result in our (last) game, and this is what we have to focus (on). It’s really important for us.”
Jarrod Bowen has eight league goals and remains West Ham’s most reliable attacking threat. Credit: AP Photo/Dave Shopland
Their record against Fulham does not bode well. The Irons have only won once away at Fulham since 2010, shipping five at the Cottage back in 2023.
Fulham continue to impress too, with Marco Silva staking a strong claim for manager of the season. The Cottagers thoroughly outplayed Tottenham in their 2-1 win last Sunday, with Alex Iwobi and Harry Wilson pivotal throughout – as has so often been the case this campaign.
Wilson, who has 12 goal contributions since December, is doubtful to play on Wednesday having hobbled off with an ankle injury against Spurs.
Fulham are overperforming the xG table by four positions this season. Credit: AP/Dave Thompson
For West Ham, striker Pablo has a calf injury, while Freddie Potts will serve the third match of a three-game suspension.
Tottenham have had a dismal 2026. Big club or not, they’re in a relegation battle. Just four points separate themselves from the drop zone.
Quite astonishingly, Spurs are the only Premier League side without a league win this calendar year. It’s their longest winless streak since 1994.
With two disappointing defeats since Igor Tudor’s arrival as interim boss, the Croat is already facing mounting pressure to stay in the job.
Tottenham’s head coach Igor Tudor will be playing his third London derby, while only being in charge for three. Credit: AP/Ian Walton
Wednesday’s clash against Crystal Palace, who Spurs’ last league win came against, is a must win.
Crystal Palace arrive after a spirited showing in their recent 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford. The Eagles took the lead early through Maxence Lacroix, only to let it slip and walk away with no points. They’ve been no stranger to this, losing 19 points from winning positions this season – the second most in the league.
A positive result tonight, however, would remove any lingering fears of relegation.
In injury news, Jean-Philippe Mateta is out with the same knee injury that saw his Deadline Day transfer to AC Milan fall through. Oliver Glasner will also be without key defender Lacroix, who earnt a straight red for his last-man challenge on Matheus Cunha last Sunday.
Tottenham, once again, have a long list of absentees to overcome and will be without 10 players on Thursday. Cristian Romero is serving the last game of his four-match suspension, while Djed Spence is also likely to miss out with a calf injury.
The versatile defender was absent from the matchday squad at Craven Cottage on Sunday, prompting fresh injury concerns. Credit: AP/Ian Walton
James Maddison, Wilson Odobert, Mohammed Kudus, and Dejan Kulusevski all remain out with long-term injuries.
Arsenal away at the Amex
Arsenal vs Brighton — Wednesday 4 March, 7:30 GMT Kick-off
It wasn’t pretty from Arsenal in Sunday’s win over Chelsea, but points are what matters for The Gunners at this stage in the season, who remain five clear of Manchester City.
Brighton, having faltered under Fabian Hürzeler over recent months, are looking to achieve their third win in a row following two crucial wins against Brentford and Nottingham Forest.
The Seagulls made life difficult for Arsenal in the reverse fixture, who staved off a second-half comeback from Brighton to win 2-1 at The Emirates.
A fast start would do wonders for the home side. A previously watertight Arsenal defence has shown weaknesses over recent weeks. If Brighton can put pressure on that Gunners backline and bring their supporters into the game early, cracks could begin to appear.
Arsenal have very little room for error and are handling the pressure reasonably well so far. After Brighton, they will face Everton and Bournemouth in the league before their title-deciding match up against City next month.
Arteta described Kai Havertz as “fit and available” in his pre-game press conference, and the German may well be offered the start at the Amex having come off the bench against Chelsea.
The Gunners scored 13 goals in their last five matches. Credit: AP/Ian Walton)
Captain Martin Ødegaard, however, will miss out with a knee injury.
Yasin Ayari is expected to return having missed the last month with a shoulder injury, whilst Adam Webster and Stefanos Tzimas are out longer term.
