Manchester City can close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to three points when they host Fulham on Wednesday, a day before the Gunners visit in form Brentford. Arsenal remain favourites for a first league crown in 22 years, but City’s dramatic late comeback win over Liverpool at Anfield has revived belief in Pep Guardiola’s squad.
City have often finished seasons strongly under Guardiola, yet they have won only two of their seven league games in 2026. Forward Erling Haaland, leading the Golden Boot race, admitted he has not scored enough this year after managing just one open play goal in his last 13 appearances and said he must improve for the run in.
With a favourable set of fixtures before Arsenal travel to the Etihad in mid April, City have a chance to increase the pressure and seriously test Arsenal’s resolve. Mikel Arteta’s side have recovered from a poor January with four straight wins in all competitions, but Brentford, who have lost only twice at home all season, are expected to pose a tough challenge.
Last season’s champions Liverpool are slipping further away from Champions League qualification and now sit four points off the top five. Arne Slot’s injury hit team face an awkward trip to Sunderland, who boast the league’s only unbeaten home record, and must cope without standout midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai after his late red card against City.
Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, both successful in Europe this season, find themselves stuck in the bottom half of the Premier League table. The two sides meet in north London on Tuesday in a game that has increased scrutiny on their managers, Thomas Frank and Eddie Howe.
Frank admitted Tottenham are the more desperate side as they sit 15th, only six points above the relegation zone, amid growing calls from fans for his dismissal. Howe remains popular on Tyneside after ending Newcastle’s 70 year wait for a domestic trophy with last season’s League Cup and twice securing Champions League qualification, but poor league form has still raised questions over his future.
The 48 year old insisted he is still the right man for the job, though reports suggest England and Manchester United are monitoring him. With tougher fixtures ahead, some observers believe Howe may choose to move on at the end of the season if results and backing do not improve.
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