The Premier League returns with a fascinating set of fixtures, pitting resilient underdogs against faltering giants, and home fortresses against struggling travelers. From the tactical battle at the Gtech Community Stadium to the blockbuster clash at Stamford Bridge, we break down the key stats and stories you need to know.
Bournemouth vs Everton: A One-Sided Affair?
The Vitality Stadium has been a house of horrors for Everton. The Toffees have a truly staggering record on the south coast: zero wins in eight away league visits (D2 L6), including four consecutive losses. This is the most times Everton have faced any side on the road without ever winning in their entire league history. The recent trend is just as bleak for the Merseysiders; Bournemouth have won six of the last eight Premier League meetings, including the last three in a row.
Adding to Everton's challenge is Bournemouth’s formidable form at home. The Cherries are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League matches at the Vitality (W5 D2), their longest-ever top-flight unbeaten run at their home ground. They also tend to finish strong in this fixture—a whopping 67.3% of all goals (37 of 55) between these teams have been scored in the second half, with over a quarter coming in the final 10 minutes.
Player to Watch: Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier is hitting form at the perfect time, scoring in each of his last two home appearances. For Everton, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been more influential on the road lately, contributing to three goals in his last five away games.
But can Everton break the curse? Manager David Moyes has a strong personal record against Bournemouth (W4 D4 L1), and his side have been excellent travelers since his return. In fact, since January, only Arsenal have earned more away points than Everton (24). They arrive fresh off a famous 1-0 win at Old Trafford, though they haven’t kept back-to-back away clean sheets in nearly two years.
Manchester City vs Fulham: The Ultimate One-Sided Rivalry?
If there’s a fixture that defines dominance, it’s this one. The statistics are almost unbelievable. Fulham are on a soul-destroying 18-game losing streak against Manchester City in all competitions—the longest such run by one team against another in English football history. In the Premier League alone, City have won the last 15 meetings, another competition record.
The omens at Craven Cottage are no better. Fulham have conceded in all 17 of their Premier League home games against City, the most any side has faced an opponent at home without ever keeping a clean sheet. Even goalkeeper Bernd Leno embodies the hex, having lost all 12 of his Premier League appearances against City with Arsenal and Fulham, conceding 34 goals.
Player to Watch: Unsurprisingly, Erling Haaland loves this matchup, scoring six goals in six Premier League games against Fulham—the most of any player since their promotion.
Is there any hope for Fulham? Perhaps a sliver. City have looked unusually vulnerable on their travels this season, suffering back-to-back away defeats. Their 1.17 points per game on the road is their lowest since 2008-09. Furthermore, Fulham have been strong at home lately, winning four of their last five at the Cottage. However, Pep Guardiola’s record in London is formidable (64% win rate), and City have won 13 of their last 14 Premier League evening kick-offs.
Newcastle vs Tottenham: Home Comforts vs Road Resilience
This clash pits two sides with sharply contrasting recent histories in the fixture. Newcastle have won five of their last six Premier League games against Spurs, including the last three at St. James’ Park by a brutal aggregate score of 12-2. This marks a dramatic reversal from their previous 11 home games against Tottenham, where they managed just two wins.
Newcastle’s fortress is particularly imposing under the lights. They are unbeaten in their last 10 home midweek evening matches (W7 D3). Overall in 2025, they’ve won a impressive 69% of their home league games (11 of 16). Key to this is Bruno Guimarães, who has been involved in 11 goals in his last 19 home appearances and is on his best-ever scoring/assisting run at St. James’ Park.
Player to Watch: Tottenham’s Richarlison has a knack for this fixture, involved in six goals in 10 appearances against Newcastle, including a brace in his last outing against them.
So can Tottenham stop the rot? Their midweek form is a major concern, with just one win in their last 13 such Premier League games (D2 L10), and they are currently on a seven-game losing streak in midweek, scoring only once. However, they are unbeaten in Premier League games outside London this season (W3 D1). The big subplot is in the dugout: Newcastle’s Eddie Howe has won six of his eight Premier League meetings with Spurs boss Thomas Frank, his joint-best record against any manager.
Final Thought: These midweek games are defined by powerful trends. Everton fights history in Bournemouth, Fulham confronts a statistical monster in City, and Tottenham seeks to end a hoodoo at a booming St. James’ Park. In the Premier League, history often weighs heavy on the present—will these streaks hold, or are we due for a dramatic break?
Brentford vs. Burnley Prevuw
Home Comforts and Away Day Anxieties
Saturday's early kickoff at the Gtech Community Stadium presents a classic tale of home dominance versus away-day struggles. For Brentford, playing in front of their own fans against a newly promoted side is as close to a sure thing as it gets in the Premier League. The Bees are riding a formidable streak of 10 consecutive home wins against promoted teams, netting an impressive 28 goals in the process. This season, only the titans of Arsenal and Manchester City have a better record at their own grounds.
However, a persistent wasp in the ointment for Thomas Frank’s men has been their inability to hold onto a lead. Brentford has tragically dropped more points from winning positions (11) than any other team this season, a nagging issue that has plagued them since their promotion. They'll be looking to Brazilian striker Igor Thiago, who is on the cusp of history, aiming to become the fastest Brentford player to reach 10 Premier League goals.
For Burnley, the stats make for grim reading. They possess the league's lowest expected goals (xG) tally (8.7) and are the only side yet to crack 100 total shots. Their attack has been historically tame, averaging a record-low 8.2 shots per game. Defensively, only Wolves and West Ham have been more porous. Their only solace has been goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka, who has been a one-man barrier, making more saves (49) than any other keeper and single-handedly keeping the score down on numerous occasions.
The Verdict: Brentford’s home form against promoted sides is formidable, but their tendency to drop points from winning positions offers Burnley a glimmer of hope. The Clarets will need Dúbravka to be at his very best to have any chance.
Manchester City vs. Leeds United Prevuw
The Haaland Century and a Manager's Curse
Manchester City welcome Leeds United to the Etihad Stadium, a venue where they have been nothing short of dominant. After an initial stumble against Spurs, City have won their last five home games by a combined score of 16-2. Their record against promoted sides is even more intimidating, with 23 wins from their last 25 such matches.
The narrative is perfectly set for Erling Haaland. The Norwegian cyborg is on the brink of a monumental milestone, needing just one more goal to reach 100 in the Premier League. He arrives in scintillating form, having scored in each of his last five league outings at the Etihad.
Leeds, meanwhile, are in a dire run of form, having lost five of their last six games. While they have a habit of scoring early—they lead the league in goals inside the opening 15 minutes—they have been unable to hold on. Manager Daniel Farke does have one fascinating piece of history on his side; he is one of the few managers to have beaten Pep Guardiola's City with a promoted club (Norwich in 2019). He'll be hoping to join a very exclusive club by doing it with a second different team.
The Verdict: All signs point to a Manchester City victory and a Haaland goal-fest. Leeds’ bright starts are unlikely to be enough against the relentless Sky Blue machine.
Sunderland vs. Bournemouth Prevuw
The Stadium of Light's Fortress Meets Goal-Fest Cherries
A intriguing clash of styles awaits at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland have been a tough nut to crack at home this season, remaining unbeaten in their six games (W3 D3). Their defensive solidity is key; they are one of only three teams yet to concede more than twice in a match, thanks in large part to goalkeeper Robin Roefs, who boasts the league's highest save percentage (79.3%).
In stark contrast, Bournemouth’s games have been thrill rides. Only West Ham’s matches have seen more goals than the 39 produced in Cherries' games this season. However, their form on the road has been patchy, with four losses in their last seven away trips.
This match also carries a historical sting for Sunderland fans; it was Bournemouth who delivered the final blow to confirm their relegation back in 2017. The Black Cats will also be desperate to avoid an unwanted milestone: becoming the fastest team to suffer 300 Premier League defeats.
The Verdict: A classic battle between a stout defense and an unpredictable attack. Sunderland will back their home form, but Bournemouth’s games are rarely dull.
Everton vs. Newcastle Prevuw
Toffees' Resurgence vs. Magpies' Travel Sickness
Goodison Park is buzzing with belief again. After a tough start, Everton have strung together back-to-back 2-0 and 1-0 wins and are looking for a third consecutive victory with a clean sheet. They find themselves above Newcastle in the table for the first time in a meeting since 2022.
The Magpies, however, are a team of two halves. Their stunning victory over Manchester City last time out showed their quality, but their away form is a major concern. Newcastle are winless in their last nine Premier League away games, a run during which they have developed a strange habit of scoring first and then losing.
Key battles will be everywhere. Everton's Jack Grealish loves playing Newcastle, boasting more assists against them than any other side. For the visitors, Harvey Barnes has rediscovered his scoring touch with three goals in two games, while Bruno Guimarães and Everton's Grealish are the two most-fouled players in the league.
The Verdict: Everton’s momentum and Newcastle’s abysmal away form point towards a home win. The Magpies must break their travel curse to get a result.
Tottenham vs. Fulham Prevuw
A Struggling Fortress and Road-Weary Rivals
The North London vs. West London derby finds both teams in a state of flux. Tottenham’s form at home has been their Achilles' heel. Shockingly, no ever-present side has won fewer home games (3) or earned fewer home points (12) in 2025. They are in danger of losing 10 home league games in a single year for the first time in over two decades.
Fulham, meanwhile, have turned the tables on this fixture recently. After years of misery, they have won two of their last three against Spurs. However, their own travel sickness is even more acute; they have the fewest away points in the league (1) and have lost their last five on the road.
Spurs' attack has been overperforming their underlying numbers more than any other team, but their defense has sprung leaks in November, conceding as many goals this month as they did in the previous three combined.
The Verdict: Something has to give. Will Tottenham’s home struggles continue, or will Fulham’s miserable away form prevail? A tense, tight affair is likely.
The Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United Prevuw
The Eagles' Roost vs. The Red Devils' Capital Fear
Selhurst Park has become a house of horrors for Manchester United. The Red Devils have failed to score in their last four Premier League meetings with Crystal Palace, and their record in London overall is abysmal, with just three wins in their last 26 capital visits.
Crystal Palace are a model of defensive stability under Oliver Glasner. Only Arsenal have conceded fewer goals, and the Eagles are on a 12-game unbeaten run at home. Their attacking thrust from defense often comes from Daniel Muñoz, who leads all defenders in goal involvements this season.
For United, Bruno Fernandes remains the creative engine, leading the league in chances created. But their inability to turn possession and chances into wins on the road—they have just one victory in their last 11 away games—suggests a deep-rooted problem that won't be easily solved at a venue where they consistently struggle.
The Verdict: Crystal Palace are strong, organized, and confident at home. Manchester United’s capital phobia makes the Eagles clear favorites.
The Aston Villa vs. Wolves Prevuw
Villa's European Charge vs. Wolves' Historic Struggle
The West Midlands derby is a tale of two clubs at polar opposites. Aston Villa are flying high, winning six of their last seven to surge into the top four. Their record at Villa Park is formidable, with just one loss in their last 24 league games. They have also mastered the post-European match, winning all four such league games this season.
For Wolves, the season is one of historic struggle. They are winless in all 12 games, one of the worst starts in English top-flight history. Their current run of 16 games without a win is their longest in the Premier League for years. Tellingly, Aston Villa have scored more goals from outside the box (8) than Wolves have scored in total (7).
The Verdict: This looks like a mismatch of the highest order. Villa’s power and home comfort should be more than enough to see off a Wolves side desperately searching for a spark.
The Nottingham Forest vs. Brighton Prevuw
Forest's Firepower Meets Brighton's Late Shows
Nottingham Forest are hitting their stride under Sean Dyche, winning their last two games 3-1 and 3-0. The memory of their 7-0 demolition of Brighton in this fixture last season will be fresh in everyone's minds. Morgan Gibbs-White is in the form of his life, scoring in three consecutive games for the first time.
Brighton, however, are the league's great escapologists. They have won more points from losing positions (10) than any other team this season, a hallmark of their recent identity. They are a second-half team, scoring a league-high 79% of their goals after the break, with eight coming in the final 15 minutes alone.
The clash of styles is compelling: Forest's direct, powerful approach under Dyche against Brighton's patient, possession-based game that often pays off late.
The Verdict: Can Forest's new-found defensive resilience hold out against Brighton's relentless late pressure? If they can, they could make it three wins on the bounce.
The West Ham vs. Liverpool Prevuw
Hammers' Revival vs. Reds' Crisis
The London Stadium hosts a fixture with surprising recent narratives. West Ham, after a slow start, have found form in November, picking up seven points from three games. More importantly, they've rediscovered their home mojo, winning their last two at the London Stadium.
Liverpool, under Arne Slot, are in a mini-crisis. After a free-scoring start, they have lost their last two games 3-0, a scoreline they haven't suffered in three consecutive league games since the 1950s. Their defense has looked vulnerable, conceding 20 goals already—their joint-worst record at this stage in the Premier League era. Their struggles in London, where they have lost five away games in a row, add another layer of concern.
The Verdict: West Ham will smell blood. Liverpool's defensive fragility and London woes, combined with the Hammers' upturn in form, set the stage for a potential upset.
The Chelsea vs. Arsenal Prevuw
A Clash of Titans and Historical Trends
The weekend's headline act is a classic London derby with huge title implications. Arsenal arrive at Stamford Bridge sitting top of the table, and history is on their side: they have won all four previous Premier League meetings when facing Chelsea while top. Their recent record at the Bridge is also strong, unbeaten in their last six visits.
Chelsea, however, are a team of contradictions. They have scored first in their last seven games, but their home form has been underwhelming, earning just 43% of their points at Stamford Bridge. They will rely on the in-form Pedro Neto, who is looking to score in three straight games.
For Arsenal, Martin Ødegaard is the Chelsea specialist, having been involved in more goals against them (7) than any other opponent. He and defender Gabriel Magalhães have never lost to the Blues in eight attempts.
The Verdict: The stats and current form heavily favor Arsenal. Chelsea’s hope lies in their fast starts, but the Gunners' overall control and formidable record in this fixture make them the favorites to leave with all three points.
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