New Delhi: With just three matchdays remaining in the Premier League season, the race for the Champions League spots is becoming more intense. As the action unfolded on Matchday 36 yesterday, Erling Haaland started for Manchester City, but they slipped up and are now just two points ahead of Newcastle United and Chelsea, who will lock horns today.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa secured a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth to grab all three points. From here on, every goal, every point, and goal difference will prove to be decisive. The newly crowned champions, Liverpool, will close out the matchday with their clash against second-placed Arsenal.
As the action intensifies, today’s fixtures are set to bring even more excitement. But before the action begins, let’s take a closer look at which teams hold the upper hand.
Newcastle United vs Chelsea (4:30 pm IST)
A massive game in the race for European football. Up the Chels! ✊🔵#CFC | #NEWCHE pic.twitter.com/iG2vx0QQB2
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 11, 2025
With Champions League qualification on the line, Newcastle United welcome Chelsea to St James’ Park in a high-stakes encounter. The Magpies are level with the Blues on 63 points and boast one of the league’s best home records, winning five on the bounce and scoring freely, including a 4-1 thrashing of Manchester United. Eddie Howe’s side have beaten Chelsea in all three of his home games in charge, with a dominant 7-1 aggregate score.
However, Enzo Maresca’s side are on a roll as they are riding a three-game Premier League winning streak and fresh off a morale-boosting 3-1 win over Liverpool. The Blues have also notched up five consecutive victories across all competitions and will be eyeing back-to-back away wins for the first time in five months. With Arsenal and Man City still catchable and Nottingham Forest breathing down their necks, as neither side can afford a slip.
Newcastle: Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens; Walker-Peters, Downes, Ugochukwu, Manning; Fernandes, Sulemana; Onuachu
Chelsea: Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez, Gundogan, Bernardo; Marmoush, Haaland, Doku
Prediction: Newcastle United 3-1 Chelsea
Manchester United vs West Ham (6:45 pm IST)
Matchday 3️⃣6️⃣ in the #PL awaits 🏟️⚽️#MUFC || #MUNWHU
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 11, 2025
Manchester United will return to Old Trafford aiming to book a quarter-final spot against a Fulham side eyeing a historic run. While the Red Devils controversially edged past Leicester City 2-1 in the previous round, Fulham held their nerve in a tight 2-1 win over Wigan. Harry Maguire has emerged as United’s unlikely hero, heading home winners in both league and cup matches but concerns remain as Ruben Amorim’s men have won just one match in their last four across competitions.
On the other hand, Fulham are brimming with confidence. Rodrigo Muniz’s cheeky chip sealed a midweek victory over Wolves, marking their fourth win in five games. Marco Silva’s team has been lethal away from home, scoring twice in each of their last seven away matches and winning their previous four on the road. However, they have already lost twice to United this season, and the Theatre of Dreams hasn’t been kind to them in recent visits.
Man United: Onana; Yoro, De Ligt, Maguire; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dalot; Garnacho, Fernandes; Zirkzee
Fulham: Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Traore, Pereira, Iwobi; Muniz
Prediction: Man United 1-2 Fulham
Nottingham Forest vs Leicester City (6:45 pm IST)
Let’s get this 🦊#NFOLEI pic.twitter.com/lq2tkKdJ6z
— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 11, 2025
Nottingham Forest will host relegated rivals Leicester City at the City Ground. Forest are sixth in the standings and still remain in contention for a Champions League spot but Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have just one win in their last five league games. They salvaged a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace thanks to Murillo’s equaliser, but back-to-back home defeats have dented momentum.
On the other hand, Leicester City finally tasted victory after 11 games without a win, beating Southampton 2-0 behind goals from veterans Jamie Vardy and Jordan Ayew. While already condemned to the drop, the Foxes will be eager to play spoilers at the City Ground. However, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men remain dreadful on the road, going six away games without a win since a January upset at Spurs. With Forest boasting the league’s joint-best home defensive record, anything less than three points would further dent their Champions League hopes.
Nottingham Forest: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Dominguez, Gibbs-White, Elanga; Wood
Leicester City: Stolarczyk; Justin, Coady, Faes, Thomas; Ndidi, Skipp; McAteer, Ayew, El Khannouss; Vardy
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-0 Leicester City
Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace (6:45 pm IST)
Our penultimate home game of the season ✊
👉 @Castrol pic.twitter.com/XYJ5gBKjmu
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 10, 2025
Tottenham Hotspur will host Crystal Palace at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as they eye silverware in a derby that may lack bite but holds meaning. Spurs will be heading fresh from sealing a Europa League final spot with a dominant 5-1 aggregate win over Bodo/Glimt are now banking solely on European glory for a return to continental football next season. Ange Postecoglou’s side sit 16th and are winless in four league games, drawing 1-1 with West Ham last weekend, and their dreadful London derby form does little to inspire confidence.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are counting down to an FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City. Oliver Glasner’s men are winless in their last five Premier League games, drawing 1-1 with Nottingham Forest on Monday, and any hopes of a top-eight finish and potential Conference League football are fading fast. History doesn’t favour the Eagles at this venue, having lost their last nine league visits to Spurs but with Jean-Philippe Mateta having fired them to a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture, Palace now chase a first-ever league double over their North London neighbours.
Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario; Gray, Danso, Davies, Spence; Kulusevski, Bentancur, Sarr; Odobert, Tel, Moore
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Hughes, Kamada, Mitchell; Eze, Sarr; Mateta
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Crystal Palace
Liverpool vs Arsenal (9 pm IST)
The champions return to Anfield 🏟️👊#WalkOn | #LIVARS pic.twitter.com/rFdLW5ptKI
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 11, 2025
The newly crowned champions, Liverpool, will host Arsenal for a top-of-the-table clash that still carries plenty of weight for the visitors. While the Reds have already secured their Premier League title and are now focusing on hitting the highest points total possible, Mikel Arteta’s side is in a precarious position with their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread following a heartbreaking semi-final exit to Paris Saint-Germain. The Gunners cannot afford another slip.
Liverpool suffered a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea last weekend in a match that many fans shrugged off; now left with three games to push for their 90-point mark. The match also marks the farewell tour of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been confirmed to leave for Real Madrid, although he is expected to start on the bench.
Arsenal’s recent form paints a grim picture with the Gunners failing to capitalise on an early lead against PSG, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat and a 3-1 aggregate loss in the Champions League. This follows a series of disappointing results, including a 2-1 loss to Bournemouth, setting a new club record for dropped points from winning positions. Despite a five-game unbeaten streak against Liverpool in the Premier League, Arsenal has not won at Anfield in the league since 2012, and they will need to break this if they are to secure their spot in next season’s Champions League.
Bournemouth: Kepa; Araujo, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Cook; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Onana; McGinn, Rogers, Ramsey; Watkins
Prediction: Bournemouth 2-2 Aston Villa
Where to watch Premier League Matchday 36 fixtures?
As Premier League Matchday 36 kicks off today at 4:30 pm, fans can watch the action live either on television or by streaming. The matches will be available on the Star Sports network and those who prefer to stream can catch the games live on Disney+ Hotstar.
Check out the detailed preview and predicted lineups of Premier League Matchday 36 Saturday fixtures, where top teams prepare for intense battles. Also, find out where to watch the Premier League’s matchday 36 fixtures. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
