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The big games just keep on coming in an ultra-competitive English Premier League. Round 26 presents four matches on Wednesday, with another five played on Thursday, before Brentford and Arsenal wrap things up on Friday. The Gunners sit in pole position, but boss Mikel Arteta knows all too well that slip-ups at this stage can be costly.
A resurgent Manchester United head to the London Stadium on Wednesday as Michael Carrick plots to keep his team on course for a top-four finish. Manchester City host Fulham at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday, and despite a less-than-convincing run of form, Pep Guardiola’s side are red-hot betting favourites to claim all three points.
The leading online bookmakers featured at Flashscore offer an impressive list of pre-match and live betting markets on every fixture from round 26. You can predict the match-winner, call the number of goals scored or have your say on the handicap. Need help finding the value? Trusted football betting writer Frank Monkhouse offers his six bets to consider.
Chelsea vs Leeds, Wednesday, 6:30am AEDT
Chelsea enjoy home advantage for the visit of Leeds United on Wednesday morning. Having won his previous two league games here, manager Liam Rosenior aims to become the first Blues boss to bank three wins at Stamford Bridge since former manager Maurizio Sarri. Bookmakers have the locals as favourites, and it's difficult to argue against that stance.
Chelsea's recent winning form pushed them back into contention for a top-four finish and spot in next season's UEFA Champions League. Finishing in the prize places seemed unlikely just a few weeks ago. Home wins over Brentford, and West Ham United suggest better times are ahead. They beat the Bees 2-0 before the Hammers lost 3-2 at this venue.
The head-to-head stats available at Flashscore show Leeds United scored a stunning win over Chelsea at Elland Road late last year. That match ended 3-1 to Daniel Farke's men, but Leeds haven't left the Bridge with all three points in their last seven attempts, losing six and drawing the spare. Stick with the form side and add a Chelsea win to your midweek bet slips.
Tip: Chelsea win @ 1.53 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need Chelsea to out-score Leeds United at Stamford Bridge.
Tottenham vs Newcastle, Wednesday, 6:30am AEDT
Staying in the UK capital, we switch our attentions to Tottenham Hotspur vs Leeds United. Both teams have endured tough campaigns so far, and neither side is expected to challenge the European places this term. The locals have struggled to finish teams off, with too many draws hampering their progress. The Magpies can't find the consistency needed to climb.
Tottenham supporters may view a home match against a fellow bottom-half side as a great chance to score an important three points, but the head-to-head stats offer little hope. Tottenham have lost five of their previous seven Premier League meetings with Newcastle, including a 2-2 draw at St James Park in December, after losing 2-0 in the cup in October.
In the previous five renewals of this fixture, Newcastle have four wins and that four-goal draw mentioned. Included in the five-game period is a 2-1 away win at this venue last January. Interestingly, all three goals came in the first half of that match, with Solanke, Gordon, and Isak finding the net inside 38 minutes. Back Newcastle to win or draw here.
Tip: Newcastle or draw double chance @ 1.40 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Newcastle can avoid defeat in London, you'll secure a profit.
West Ham vs Man Utd, Wednesday, 7:15am AEDT
Our third and final bet from London on Wednesday morning comes from the city's east end, as West Ham United welcome Manchester United. The home team find themselves involved in a bitter relegation battle that will go down to the wire. The visitors arrive in fine form, are playing with confidence, scoring plenty of goals and claiming major scalps in early 2026.
The obvious choice is to follow the form and bet on the points heading back to Old Trafford at full-time, but the stats make things interesting. West Ham did the double over Man Utd last season, winning 2-1 at this venue and 2-0 at the Theatre of Dreams in May. They also left Manchester with a share of the spoils when battling to a 1-1 draw in early December.
We dig a little deeper, looking for the perfect way to bet on this match. With Man Utd suffering just one defeat in their last nine away matches, we'll avoid the match-winner market. Instead, the H2H stats show that a bet on under 3.5 goals landed bettors a profit in the last six meetings, and in 12 of 13. Add this match to end with fewer than four goals.
Tip: Under 3.5 goals @ 1.57 (bet365)
Bet explanation: The match-winner isn't important here. West Ham and Man Utd must end with fewer than four goals scored from both teams combined.
Aston Villa vs Brighton, Thursday, 6:30am AEDT
Moving to the first of three picks on Thursday, and we're at Villa Park, where top-four challengers Aston Villa play lowly Brighton. The home team started the week sitting in third place, but lack consistency. The Seagulls are in the bottom half of the division and have found wins difficult to come by in 2026. Which team will score a timely three points?
The stats make Aston Villa the most likely winner of Thursday's match, and traders working at major bookmakers agree. Aston Villa have lost only one of nine Premier League meetings with the team from East Sussex, winning seven and drawing the other. It gets worse for Brighton fans, as their team has won only one of six trips to Villa Park.
Premier League fans may remember Villa and the Seagulls were involved in a seven-goal thriller at the Amex Stadium just two months ago, with Unai Emery's side taking the points to Birmingham thanks to a 4-3 scoreline. Focusing on the last three meetings at Thursday's venue gives us an aggregate score of Villa 10-4 Brighton. Keep it simple and back the hosts.
Tip: Aston Villa win @ 1.85 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Aston Villa must defeat Brighton to make this wager a winner.
Man City vs Fulham Thursday, 6:30am AEDT
Manchester City remain the main danger to Arsenal's chances of winning the title, but Pep's side haven't looked like champions in recent weeks. The locals remain in the race for several trophies this year, but recently dropped points to Brighton and Chelsea at the Etihad. Fans want to see a statement of intent against a hard-working Fulham side that's full of belief.
Football bettors who are happy to place their trust in the trends believe this match will end in a win for the home team. Man City have beaten Fulham in each of their last 19 meetings, the longest head-to-head winning streak in English football. Fulham did come close to stopping the rot last time, when fighting back from 3-1 down at half-time to lose 5-4 in December.
Man City led 5-1 at Craven Cottage that day, before Fulham rallied to make things uncomfortable in the closing stages. The Londoners got the score to 5-4 with 12 minutes of the 90 still to play, but Pep's team held firm. That close shave will ensure the home team don't take Fulham lightly this time, and I'm happy to stick with that amazing winning run.
Tip: Man City win @ 1.38 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You'll enjoy a midweek profit if Man City scores yet another win over Fulham.
Sunderland vs Liverpool, Thursday, 7:15am AEDT
The final pick from our Premier League gameweek 26 predictions comes from the Stadium of Light. Sunderland line up against current champions Liverpool, with the Black Cats searching for their first win over the Reds since 2012. In that time, we've seen six wins for Liverpool, with five games ending in a draw. They shared two goals at Anfield last time.
The Sunderland vs Liverpool head-to-head stats may nudge some towards another draw. The previous two meetings finished all-square, as did three of four. That doesn't tell the whole story, as Thursday's match is only the second meeting in more than nine years. That means we must look elsewhere for clues on how this match will play out.
Focusing on the goalscoring stats, we see Liverpool netted twice at Bournemouth and got another couple at Craven Cottage. In defence, Arne Slot's team have leaked 21 goals on their travels, which is more than bottom club Wolves. That shows they have no problem scoring but are weak in defence. The hosts scored five goals in two home games last month.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 1.75 (bet365)
Bet explanation: The match-winner doesn't matter when following this pick. You need Sunderland and Liverpool to score at least one goal each.
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.
