Posts of the Week

Burnley head to Stamford Bridge on Saturday aiming to secure back-to-back wins in the capital, but they face a Chelsea side 14 places above them in the Premier League standings. The Clarets rallied from two goals down to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 last week, yet they must raise their level to challenge the form team of the division and attempt their first win against the Blues in nine years.

Chelsea have enjoyed a rare break under Liam Rosenior, having played every three days since his appointment, following Enzo Maresca’s departure. Thanks to Joao Pedro’s heroics against Napoli in January, Chelsea avoided Champions League knockout commitments this week, giving them time to prepare for Burnley.

Despite this breather, Rosenior will be cautious. The last time Chelsea hosted a lower-half team, they squandered a 2-0 lead against Leeds United, missing the chance to leapfrog Manchester United into fourth place. That draw ended a four-match winning streak in the league, their first dropped points since the 2-1 loss to Fulham in early January.

Chelsea now seek a response, aware that a win could see them move above Manchester United, who do not play Everton until Monday.

While Chelsea are clear favourites, Stamford Bridge fans may be wary. The Blues’ home record this season is mixed: six wins, four draws, and three losses. Burnley have historically frustrated them in the capital, holding Chelsea to 1-1 and 2-2 draws in their last two visits. Seven of Burnley’s eight points against Chelsea in the Premier League have come in London, and the Clarets will hope to join Sunderland and Leeds as the third promoted side to take points at the Bridge this season.

Burnley’s recent comeback at Selhurst Park suggests their fans will not lose hope if the team falls behind early. Victory over Crystal Palace has boosted confidence as they look for consecutive top-flight wins for the first time since October, when they defeated Leeds (2-0) and Wolves (3-2).

Team News​

Chelsea: Rosenior’s injury list is easing. Long-term absentee Levi Colwill (knee) remains out, along with Marc Cucurella (thigh), Filip Jorgensen, Dario Essugo, and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (all thigh). Romeo Lavia is close to returning but will likely miss again, while Cole Palmer comes back after being rested against Hull in the FA Cup.

Key Players:

• Joao Pedro has five goals and one assist in his last five league appearances and will lead Chelsea’s attack.
• Cole Palmer, in form against promoted sides, could make a decisive impact.

Burnley: The Clarets face injury setbacks with Connor Roberts (Achilles), Mike Tresor (ankle), Jordan Beyer (thigh), Zeki Amdouni (knee), Axel Tuanzebe (heel), and long-term absentee Josh Cullen (knee) all sidelined. Jaidon Anthony is fit and leads the attack with six goals and 24 chances created this season. Zian Flemming remains dangerous on the road, having scored all five of his league goals away from home.

Possible Lineups​

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Hato; Santos, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Pedro

Burnley (4-3-3): Dubravka; Laurent, Worral, Esteve; Walker, Ugochukwu, Hannibal, Humphreys; Edwards, Anthony; Flemming

Expert Prediction

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Borussia Dortmund were in fine form over the weekend as they thrashed Mainz 05 four goals to nil to close the gap on Bayern Munich to just 3 points with two goals from Serhou Guirassy, one from Max Beier and an own goal from Daniel Kohr to secure a vital win.

They are now unbeaten in 15 consecutive Bundesliga games

With both teams set to clash on the 28th of February, can they catch Bayern and claim the Bundesliga crown?

Benfica host Real Madrid at the iconic Estadio da Luz on Tuesday evening for the first leg of their Champions League playoff, in a tie that pairs European royalty with a side eager to prove their previous result was no anomaly.

The Portuguese giants stunned Los Blancos 4-2 during the league phase, a victory that ultimately proved decisive in their progression. Now, they aim to replicate that intensity against opponents who arrive in Lisbon in strong domestic form but with lingering European inconsistencies.

Benfica only just secured their playoff berth, finishing 24th in the standings and qualifying on goal difference after that dramatic 4-2 triumph over Madrid. Across eight league-phase fixtures, they registered three wins and five defeats — a return that reflected volatility but also an ability to deliver when stakes were highest.

Under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, the Eagles have steadied. Four wins from their last five matches in all competitions, alongside a draw, suggest growing cohesion at a crucial juncture. Their most recent outing — a disciplined 2-1 away victory over Santa Clara — reinforced a sense of momentum heading into this heavyweight clash.

At the Estadio da Luz, Benfica remain tactically assertive. They press aggressively in wide areas and commit numbers forward in transition — an approach that unsettled Madrid previously. However, their Champions League metrics underline duality: 10 goals scored but 12 conceded in the league phase. Defensive structure remains a concern, particularly against elite transitional sides.

For Real Madrid, domestic rhythm contrasts with continental turbulence. A commanding 4-1 win over Real Sociedad last time out showcased their attacking depth, with Vinicius Junior producing a clinical brace.

In Europe, though, the narrative is more nuanced. Madrid finished ninth in the league phase with 15 points from eight matches — five wins and three defeats. They scored 21 goals, illustrating offensive potency, yet conceded 12, exposing periodic defensive disorganisation. Their last five Champions League matches have alternated between victory and defeat (WLWLW), an uncharacteristic lack of control for a club accustomed to knockout-stage authority.

The previous 4-2 defeat in Lisbon revealed vulnerabilities in Madrid’s defensive transitions, particularly when stretched by vertical passing and aggressive counter-pressing. Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa will likely prioritise structural compactness in this first leg, seeking territorial control rather than a chaotic exchange.

Given both sides’ attacking output and defensive fragility, another open contest appears plausible. The first leg dynamic may encourage calculated risk rather than full-throttle engagement, but neither team is naturally inclined toward conservatism.

Form Guide​

Benfica (Champions League): LLWWLW
Benfica (all competitions): LWWDWW

Real Madrid (Champions League): WLWLWL
Real Madrid (all competitions): WWLWWW

Injuries & Suspensions​

Benfica’s defensive depth is slightly stretched. Alexander Bah has returned to training after a cruciate ligament injury but is unlikely to feature. Samuel Soares remains a doubt with a muscle issue, while Fredrik Aursnes is expected to miss out. Joao Veloso faces a late assessment, and Richard Rios, despite resuming training after a dislocated shoulder, is not anticipated to be involved.

Real Madrid receive a significant boost with the return to fitness of Kylian Mbappe, who missed the win over Real Sociedad but is available for selection. However, Raul Asencio is suspended following accumulation of yellow cards, and Rodrygo serves a two-match UEFA ban after his red card in the previous meeting.

Jude Bellingham is ruled out with a hamstring injury, while Eder Militao continues rehabilitation from a tendon problem — absences that limit Madrid’s structural flexibility in midfield and central defence.

Possible Starting Lineups​

Benfica:
Trubin; Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl; Barreiro, Barrenechea; Prestianni, Sudakov, Schjelderup; Pavlidis

Real Madrid:
Courtois; Carreras, Huijsen, Rudiger, Alexander-Arnold; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Valverde; Vinicius, Mbappe, Guler

Expert Prediction​

Turkish champions Galatasaray welcome Juventus to Istanbul on Tuesday night for the first leg of their Champions League playoff, as both clubs attempt to break contrasting knockout narratives.

For Gala, this marks their first appearance in the competition’s knockout phase in 12 years. For Juve, it is another opportunity to halt a worrying run of five consecutive elimination defeats.
Galatasaray progressed despite a 2-0 loss to Manchester City on the final matchday of the league phase. That defeat extended a winless run in Europe to four games, and they ultimately scraped through in 20th place. Across their last 14 continental fixtures, they have managed just three victories — hardly dominant form.

However, domestic momentum tells a different story. Since the conclusion of the league phase, Okan Buruk’s side have reeled off four straight wins in all competitions, scoring 15 goals in the process. Captain Mauro Icardi has been central to that surge, netting five times, including a hat-trick in a 5-1 dismantling of Eyupspor.

Three points clear at the summit of the Super Lig, Buruk — a member of the club’s historic UEFA Cup-winning squad in 2000 — now aims to replicate that continental ambition from the dugout. Galatasaray’s 200th European Cup fixture arrives at a venue where they have lost just once in their last 11 continental home matches. Notably, they have scored in 17 of their previous 18 in Europe, underlining their attacking reliability in Istanbul.

Juventus, meanwhile, finished 13th in the league phase with 13 points — seven places above their hosts — after closing out with a goalless draw against Monaco. The Bianconeri have now reached the latter stages of the Champions League for the 10th time in 12 seasons, yet recent knockout history is sobering: five straight elimination exits since defeating Atletico Madrid in 2019.

Under Luciano Spalletti, appointed in November, Juve have become structurally more resilient. They are unbeaten in five matches, keeping clean sheets in their last three prior to the weekend. Still, away-day fragility persists. During the league phase, they collected just five points from a possible 12 on the road, and recent domestic defeats in Cagliari, Bergamo and Milan highlight vulnerability outside Turin.

Saturday’s 3-2 Derby d’Italia loss to Inter Milan — despite a spirited comeback after going down to 10 men — will have dented confidence and complicated their Serie A top-four ambitions.

Historically, this fixture favours the hosts in Istanbul. Juventus have never won away to Galatasaray in three previous attempts, and Gala claimed a 1-0 victory in their last Champions League meeting in December 2013.

Form Guide​

Galatasaray (Champions League): LLWWWL
Galatasaray (all competitions): WLWWWW

Juventus (Champions League): LDWWWD
Juventus (all competitions): WDWLDD

Injuries & Suspensions​

Buruk faces a tactical dilemma in attack. Whether to pair Icardi with Victor Osimhen — formerly of Napoli — remains uncertain. Icardi’s recent scoring streak strengthens the case for continuity, while Osimhen needs two more goals to equal Galatasaray’s record for a single Champions League campaign and has scored in five of his last six league appearances.

Gabriel Sara could reinforce midfield, potentially allowing Ilkay Gundogan to operate further forward. Mario Lemina is suspended, and Metahan Baltaci is banned following off-field issues. Leroy Sane has returned to full training and may feature, while Noa Lang is also available.

Juventus are comparatively light on absentees. Strikers Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik remain sidelined through injury. Midfielder Khephren Thuram is expected to recover from a bone bruise sustained before the Derby d’Italia.

In Vlahovic’s absence, Jonathan David should lead the line ahead of Lois Openda, supported by Turkish international Kenan Yildiz, who has been particularly productive in Europe — creating 12 chances and completing 16 dribbles in this season’s competition.

Possible Starting Lineups​

Galatasaray:
Cakir; Sallai, Bardakci, Sanchez, Jakobs; Torreira, Sara; Sane, Gundogan, Yilmaz; Osimhen

Juventus:
Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Koopmeiners; Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz; David

Expert Prediction​

Inter Milan have won 12 of their last 13 matches in Serie A:

3-2 win vs. Juventus
5-0 win vs. Sassuolo
2-0 win vs. Cremonese
6-2 win vs. Pisa
1-0 win vs. Udinese
1-0 win vs. Lecce
2-2 draw vs. Napoli
2-0 win vs. Parma
3-1 win vs. Bologna
1-0 win vs. Atalanta
2-1 win vs. Genoa
4-0 win vs. Como
2-0 win vs. Pisa

Cristian Chivu, take a bow.

I just don't want arsenal to win this trophy.....cause the banter will be worst for us all.....even before the match i knew Brentford will be a problem for arsenal getting the 3 points I'm so happy it came out as a draw

Premier League leaders Arsenal head across London on Thursday night to face a confident Brentford side at the Gtech Community Stadium, knowing that history presents them with a curious obstacle.

Mikel Arteta’s team are unbeaten in 12 straight midweek Premier League fixtures, yet they have failed to win — or even score — in their last three Thursday league matches. It is a peculiar quirk for a side that otherwise looks increasingly like genuine title favourites.

Arsenal warmed up for this derby with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sunderland last weekend. Viktor Gyokeres struck twice, while Martin Zubimendi continued his impressive scoring run to ensure the Gunners maintained their momentum at the summit.

The win briefly extended Arsenal’s advantage to nine points — their biggest cushion at the top since the 2003-04 Invincibles season — although Manchester City’s dramatic comeback at Anfield trimmed that gap. Even so, Arteta’s men still hold a healthy six-point lead and appear to have recovered from their slight wobble in January.

Defensive solidity has returned to complement their attacking sharpness. Arsenal have kept three consecutive clean sheets against Sunderland, Leeds United and Chelsea, and another shutout would mark their best defensive run since the remarkable 812-minute streak without conceding in November. Since the start of the 2022-23 campaign, they have also avoided defeat in 19 of 20 away London derbies — an imposing record.

Brentford, however, will not be overawed.
Keith Andrews’ side arrive in excellent spirits after back-to-back away victories. A gritty 1-0 win at Aston Villa — achieved with 10 men — was followed by a thrilling 3-2 triumph at Newcastle United. Igor Thiago continued his prolific campaign with his 17th league goal of the season, while Dango Ouattara struck a late winner at St James’ Park.

Seventh in the table and just five points off the top four, Brentford are firmly in the European conversation. Curiously, though, their recent success has come away from home.

The Bees have won five of their last six matches on the road but have been less convincing at the Gtech, claiming only two victories in their last five there and failing to score in two of their last three home games.

There is also an uncomfortable historical footnote for the hosts. Brentford have only once suffered consecutive Premier League home defeats since the beginning of last season — and the second match in that sequence was against Arsenal.

Recent meetings favour the visitors as well. Arsenal are unbeaten in eight matches against Brentford and won this fixture 3-1 on New Year’s Day 2025 before securing a 2-0 victory in December.

Injuries & Suspensions​

Arsenal’s squad situation remains somewhat unclear. Martin Odegaard (unspecified issue) and Bukayo Saka (hip) both missed the Sunderland match, and Arteta has been predictably guarded about their availability.

There are confirmed absentees. Max Dowman remains sidelined with an ankle injury, while Mikel Merino is recovering from foot surgery. Leandro Trossard is also a doubt after picking up a calf problem last weekend.

Gabriel Martinelli is ready to step in if required, and Gyokeres is expected to lead the line again after his brace last time out. The Swedish forward has six goals in all competitions since the turn of the year — more than any other Premier League player in that period.

Arsenal were dealt a further setback on the eve of the match, with reports suggesting Kai Havertz has suffered a muscular injury that could keep him out for several weeks. Eberechi Eze is therefore in line to start in midfield.

Brentford also have attacking absences to manage. Kevin Schade serves the second match of his suspension, while Reiss Nelson is ineligible against his parent club. Long-term knee injuries continue to sideline Fabio Carvalho, Antoni Milambo and Josh Dasilva.

Andrews may consider a midfield adjustment after Jordan Henderson was substituted early against Newcastle, with Yehor Yarmoliuk pushing for inclusion. Thiago, meanwhile, boasts an outstanding home record, having scored nine times in his last 10 top-flight appearances at the Gtech.

Possible Starting Lineups​

Brentford:
Kelleher; Kayode, Van den Berg, Ajer, Henry; Janelt, Henderson; Ouattara, Jensen, Lewis-Potter; Thiago
Arsenal:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli

Prediction​

Former Arsenal captain, Patrick Vieira has aired his opinion on Arsenal's heated premier league rivalry with Manchester United during his playing days

"Manchester United was the best team in the country, and we knew that if we wanted to win the title, you have to finish in front of them. We had teams that were prepared to challenge United. We weren’t scared at all about going to Old Trafford."

"We had a manager who wasn’t scared to be in front of Alex Ferguson and to stand up for himself. We had players who didn’t care about the reputation of the United players.

We wanted to confront them, to challenge them, because we had character and personality in our team. I also think those games did really well to promote the Premier League.

I enjoyed every single game that we played against United. We won, we lost, but it was always really difficult and really challenging." (Arsenal)

Chelsea’s revival under Rosenior has been swift and convincing. After failing to win any of their final five league games before his appointment, the Blues have responded with four straight Premier League victories, propelling themselves back into the Champions League conversation.

Rosenior has already passed several early tests, steering Chelsea through a demanding run of London derbies. Wins over Brentford (2–0), Crystal Palace (3–1) and West Ham United (3–2) showcased both control and resilience, before Saturday’s 3–1 triumph at Wolves added another layer of confidence. Cole Palmer stole the headlines at Molineux, becoming the first player in Premier League history to score three first-half hat-tricks, underlining his growing influence as Chelsea’s creative heartbeat.

That league success helped soften the disappointment of their EFL Cup semi-final exit to Arsenal, which remains the only real blot on Rosenior’s early record. Chelsea sit fifth in the table, just one point off the top four and four clear of Liverpool in sixth. Victory here would strengthen their push for Champions League qualification and see Rosenior become the first Chelsea manager since Maurizio Sarri in 2018 to win his first three home league games in charge.

The only concern is Chelsea’s midweek league form. They are yet to win a Premier League match played in midweek this season (D2, L1), including a 3–1 defeat at Elland Road in December. That result will give Leeds belief, even if Stamford Bridge has historically been an unhappy hunting ground for them.

Leeds travel south aiming to complete a league double over Chelsea for the first time since their title-winning 1991–92 campaign. Daniel Farke’s side come into the game boosted by a 3–1 home win over Nottingham Forest, where an explosive opening spell effectively decided the contest. Goals from Jayden Bogle, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin put Leeds firmly in control before a late consolation from Lorenzo Lucca.

That victory was an important response to a heavy defeat against Arsenal and continued an encouraging run of form. Leeds have lost just twice in their last 12 league matches, a dramatic improvement on the struggles of the opening months. As a result, they sit 16th, six points clear of the relegation zone with 13 games to play.

However, their away record remains a major concern. Leeds have lost seven of their 12 Premier League matches on the road and have collected just seven points away from home, a tally bettered only by Burnley and Wolves. Their recent history at Stamford Bridge offers little encouragement either, having lost their last six league visits there, with their last top-flight win at the ground coming back in 1999.

Injuries & Suspensions​

Chelsea remain short in a few areas. Jamie Gittens and Tosin Adarabioyo are both sidelined with hamstring injuries, while Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia continue to recover from thigh problems. Levi Colwill is still absent as he works his way back from a serious knee injury.

Filip Jorgensen’s fitness is uncertain, though Robert Sanchez is expected to continue in goal regardless. Andrey Santos is a doubt after picking up a knock against Wolves, but there is better news in defence, with Reece James pushing for a return after missing the last two matches.

Cole Palmer, fresh from his historic hat-trick, is expected to operate just behind Joao Pedro once again, carrying Chelsea’s main creative threat.

For Leeds, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to continue leading the line and has already scored home and away against Chelsea this season, a rare feat previously achieved by Mark Viduka. Facundo Buonanotte, who began the season at Chelsea before moving to Leeds, was left out last weekend for tactical reasons and may again miss out.

With Daniel James and Lukas Nmecha back available, Anton Stach appears to be the only notable absentee, leaving Farke with close to a full-strength squad.

Possible Starting Lineups​

Chelsea:
Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro

Leeds United:
Darlow; Rodon, Struijk, Justin; Bogle, Aaronson, Ampadu, Gruev, Gudmundsson; Calvert-Lewin, Okafor

Expert Prediction

The London Stadium sets the stage for a compelling Premier League encounter on Tuesday night as two resurgent sides lock horns, with West Ham United welcoming a rejuvenated Manchester United.

Both teams arrive in strong form. The Hammers are chasing a fifth win in six midweek fixtures after Saturday’s composed 2–0 victory over Burnley, while Manchester United continued their revival under Michael Carrick by dispatching 10-man Tottenham Hotspur by the same scoreline at Old Trafford.

Manchester United’s upturn in fortunes under Carrick shows no sign of slowing. Benefiting from another familiar red card shown to Spurs skipper Cristian Romero, the Red Devils once again married efficiency with control to claim all three points at the weekend. Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring from a clever corner routine before Bruno Fernandes sealed the result late on, extending United’s winning run to four consecutive matches under their interim boss.

Those victories have not come easily either, with Arsenal, Manchester City and Fulham also beaten during Carrick’s impressive spell. United remain firmly in fourth place, still ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool, and have cut the gap to third-placed Aston Villa to just three points, putting Champions League qualification firmly in their own hands.

Carrick’s case for the permanent job continues to gather momentum. United have scored at least twice in every match under his stewardship and are enjoying a prolonged attacking purple patch. The Red Devils have now found the net in each of their last 14 matches in all competitions, last failing to score in November’s home defeat to Everton. Their away form has also improved markedly, with just one defeat in their last nine on the road.

West Ham, meanwhile, are enjoying a revival of their own. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have taken nine points from the last 12 available in the league, significantly boosting their survival hopes. Saturday’s 2–0 win over Burnley was built on a sharp first-half display, with Crysencio Summerville and January signing Taty Castellanos both on target, while Mads Hermansen produced an inspired performance in goal.

That victory provided the perfect response to a painful defeat against Chelsea in the previous round. Sitting 18th, West Ham are now just three points adrift of Nottingham Forest and firmly back in the fight. Their recent run of four wins from five matches across all competitions already surpasses what they managed in the first 22 games of the campaign.

However, home form remains a concern. The Irons have won just one of their last 16 Premier League home matches against teams who played top-flight football the previous season. Still, there is encouragement in the fixture history: Manchester United have lost on each of their last three visits to the London Stadium, a streak West Ham will be eager to extend.

Injuries & Suspensions​

Manchester United’s injury situation remains unchanged. Patrick Dorgu (thigh), Mason Mount and Matthijs de Ligt (back) are all sidelined, while Carrick may consider light rotation given the quick turnaround. Benjamin Sesko and Noussair Mazraoui are possible contenders for starting roles, but with no European commitments, most of Saturday’s XI should be ready to go again.

Bruno Fernandes continues to pull the strings and is closing in on another club record. The Portuguese midfielder has already registered eight away assists in the Premier League this season and needs just one more to surpass Ryan Giggs’ long-standing record from the 2001–02 campaign.

West Ham also head into the match with a stable squad. Jean-Clair Todibo remains suspended, while veteran goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is still out with a back injury. Axel Disasi, who made his debut against Burnley following Todibo’s dismissal against Chelsea, is expected to start again and will make his home debut against his former club’s fierce rivals.

Jarrod Bowen boasts a respectable record against Manchester United, with three goals in his last five league meetings, while Summerville will look to continue a scintillating run of form, having scored in five consecutive matches across all competitions.

Possible Starting Lineups​

West Ham United:
Hermansen; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf; Soucek, Potts; Bowen, M. Fernandes, Summerville; Castellanos

Manchester United:
Lammens; Dalot, Martinez, Maguire, Shaw; Mainoo, Casemiro; Diallo, B. Fernandes, Mbeumo; Cunha

Expert Prediction​