Manchester City have the opportunity to intensify the Premier League title race when they host Fulham on Wednesday, knowing a victory would cut Arsenal’s lead at the summit to just three points. The result could significantly raise the stakes ahead of the Gunners’ trip to an in-form Brentford a day later.
Arsenal remain favourites to secure their first league title in 22 years, but City’s dramatic late comeback against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday may yet prove a defining moment in the campaign. Pep Guardiola’s side overturned a 1–0 deficit in the closing stages, delivering a psychological blow not only to Liverpool but also to their title rivals.
That defeat further damaged Liverpool’s hopes of Champions League qualification, and Arne Slot’s depleted squad face another demanding assignment away to Sunderland in midweek.
Elsewhere, the focus shifts to Tottenham and Newcastle, whose struggles in the lower half of the table have intensified scrutiny on managers Thomas Frank and Eddie Howe.
AFP Sports highlights three key talking points ahead of the midweek fixtures:
Bernardo Silva admitted that even City’s players believed the title race would effectively have been settled had they failed to complete their late turnaround at Anfield.
The question now is whether that victory can serve as a catalyst for another sustained title charge. Guardiola’s teams have a well-established habit of finishing seasons strongly — a trend evident across his six Premier League triumphs — but this campaign has lacked consistency. City have won only two of their seven league matches in 2026.
“We need to believe and start winning games. That’s what matters in the end,” said Erling Haaland, who has been self-critical despite leading the Golden Boot race.
The Norwegian has scored just once from open play in his last 13 appearances, a dip he openly acknowledged. “I haven’t scored enough goals since the start of this year, and I know I need to improve,” he said.
With a favourable run of fixtures ahead of Arsenal’s visit to the Etihad in mid-April, City have a clear opportunity to apply sustained pressure and test Arsenal’s resilience in the run-in.
Mikel Arteta’s side, for their part, have responded well to a brief January wobble, recording four consecutive wins in all competitions. However, Brentford — beaten just twice at home all season — represent a stern examination of Arsenal’s title credentials.
Liverpool’s prospects of returning to the Champions League appear increasingly uncertain, with the defending champions now four points adrift of the top five.
The immediate outlook offers little respite. Sunderland boast the league’s only unbeaten home record and present a formidable challenge for a Liverpool side stretched thin by injuries.
Arne Slot’s options are further reduced by the absence of Dominik Szoboszlai, their standout performer this season, following his controversial late red card against Manchester City.
With Manchester United and Chelsea both facing comparatively favourable fixtures, Liverpool risk slipping further behind — a scenario that would inevitably intensify speculation surrounding Slot’s long-term future at Anfield.
Tottenham and Newcastle’s domestic struggles underline the Premier League’s competitive depth this season. Despite both progressing comfortably into the Champions League knockout stages, they find themselves languishing in the bottom half of the table.
They meet in north London on Tuesday, with both Thomas Frank and Eddie Howe under increasing pressure.
Frank acknowledged that Spurs are the more “desperate” of the two, sitting 15th and just six points clear of the relegation zone. The Dane has so far retained the board’s backing, despite persistent unrest among supporters.
Howe, meanwhile, remains a popular figure on Tyneside. His role in ending Newcastle’s 70-year wait for a domestic trophy with last season’s League Cup triumph, alongside two Champions League qualifications, has earned significant goodwill.
However, with reported interest from England and Manchester United, and the sense that Newcastle’s progress may be stalling, the 48-year-old could yet face a pivotal decision on his future when the season concludes.
Tuesday Chelsea v Leeds, Tottenham v Newcastle, Everton v Bournemouth (all 7:30pm) West Ham v Manchester United (8:15pm)
Wednesday Aston Villa v Brighton, Crystal Palace v Burnley, Manchester City v Fulham, Nottingham Forest v Wolves (all 7:30pm) Sunderland v Liverpool (8:15pm)
Thursday Brentford v Arsenal (8pm)
