Premier League 2025/26: Gameweek 38 Preview and Predictions
After ten months of exciting football and great moments, the 2025/26 Premier League season comes to a close this weekend.
With Arsenal having secured the league title and set to be handed the trophy at Selhurst Park, and Bournemouth having clinched European football for the first time in their history, this has been one of the most competitive campaigns the English top flight has witnessed in a while.
The relegation battle is still on, with both West Ham and Spurs capable of going down, while not all European spots have been confirmed yet either.
Here, we present our previews and predictions for all matches of Gameweek 38 of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Manchester City vs Aston Villa
After the disappointment of losing out on the league title, City will want to end the season on a high as they prepare a send-off for three of their biggest stalwarts of the past decade in Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, and John Stones. In contrast, Aston Villa come into this game with a feeling of great elation after winning the Europa League title midweek against German side Freiburg, having already qualified for the Champions League next season through the league.
After beating Arsenal last month, City had a chance to win the league if they ended up winning the rest of their matches thanks to a superior goal difference. However, while the Gunners won their remaining matches, the Cityzens dropped points in draws to Everton and Bournemouth, thereby conceding the title.
Villa, meanwhile, were in the top three for a long period before a massive dip in form left them on the brink of dropping out of the Champions League spots, though they recovered sufficiently and just in time. Barring the win against Liverpool at home last weekend, Unai Emery’s side didn’t have a win in their last three games.
Coming to their injury problems, City will have a fully fit squad for this game, while Villa will be without Boubacar Kamara and Alysson.
After losing the title, City would be hurting and will want to give their fans something to cheer about by winning on the last day to commemorate a double double and bid adieu to an indispensable trio. As for Villa, they will have some tired legs after the Europa League triumph and may look understandably fatigued. City have been more or less untouchable at home this term, and therefore we believe the hosts will take the three points here and end their campaign on a positive note.
Score Prediction: Man City 2–1 Villa
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Manchester United
The Seagulls still have a shot at European qualification despite dropping points in recent weeks, while Man United have shown massive improvement from last season by clinching a third-place finish this time around.
Brighton had been on a winning run before dropping off in the last few weeks. In their last five league encounters, the south coast side have won two games, lost two, and drawn one. United, on the other hand, have been unbeaten in their last five with four wins and a draw. Their most recent encounter was a close 3–2 win against Nottingham Forest at home.
Injury-wise, Brighton have a few players out in Mats Wieffer, Adam Webster, Kaoru Mitoma, and Stefanos Tzimas, while Man United could be without Benjamin Sesko and Matthijs de Ligt for this game.
Brighton are difficult opposition at home and like to play a bold and attacking brand of football. With both teams being great in attack but vulnerable at the back, this could be an open game. However, this is a more important encounter for Brighton than it is for United, with European football on the line for the former. We anticipate a draw here, though it will be an entertaining, high-scoring affair.
Score Prediction: Brighton 2–2 Man United
Fulham vs Newcastle United
Fulham and Newcastle are placed close in the league table, level on points and only separated by goal difference.
For the Magpies, this has been a relatively dismal season; going from Champions League qualification last season to a bottom-half finish was unexpected. The Champions League exit was a forgettable one as well, given they were humiliated by Barcelona in the round of 16.
As for the Cottagers, they have been underwhelming, to say the least. While teams like Brentford, Brighton, and Bournemouth are still in with a chance of European football, Fulham have failed to compete for European places despite having a decent enough squad.
Looking at their current form, Fulham have two draws, two defeats, and a solitary win from their last five, while Newcastle recovered from two straight defeats to win two and draw one.
Injury issues have plagued Newcastle a lot this season, with key players being out for long periods. For this fixture, they could be without Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, Emil Krafth, Fabian Schär, Tino Livramento, and Lewis Miley. Fulham, meanwhile, will miss Ryan Sessegnon due to injury, with Joachim Andersen suspended.
While neither team have much to play for, Fulham will want to bid their fans goodbye with a win. While Newcastle are a strong team on paper, they haven’t done well away from home, so we believe Fulham can grab all three points and finish above them in the table.
Score Prediction: Fulham 2–1 Newcastle
Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton
After the defeat against Chelsea early this week, Spurs’ Premier League survival rests on this game against Everton. They don’t need to win, though, as even a draw will suffice given West Ham’s far inferior goal difference. As for Everton, this has been another middling campaign, though compared to last season they are in a better position and not languishing near the relegation places.
Spurs’ last five league fixtures have resulted in two wins, two draws, and only one defeat, which arrived at the hands of Chelsea in their previous game. Everton, meanwhile, are without a win in their last five with three defeats and two draws. Their most recent fixture resulted in a deflating defeat to Sunderland at home.
Injuries have been a major factor dictating Spurs’ terrible league campaign for the second year in a row, something they need to seriously look at ahead of next season. The players currently out for Spurs are Ben Davies, Cristian Romero, Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons, Dominic Solanke, Mohammed Kudus, and Wilson Odobert. The Toffees, meanwhile, will be without Idrissa Gueye, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Jack Grealish.
Spurs are desperate for a point and will try to go all out with a raucous home crowd behind them. Everton do have some attacking players that can trouble the leaky Spurs defence, but we believe Spurs will win what should be a close and tight encounter and ensure their survival.
Score Prediction: Spurs 2–1 Everton
Liverpool vs Brentford
Last season’s league champions have probably had the worst drop-off this season. From champions to still fighting for Champions League qualification on the last day of the season is something no one envisaged for the Reds after a big summer transfer window. As for Brentford, losing their key players in the summer led to people believing that they could get relegated, but the Bees have been the surprise package of the season and could capture a European spot with a win here.
Liverpool did have an upsurge in form last month, but two defeats and a draw in their last three games have left them fighting for a Champions League spot going into the last day. Brentford have also lost some momentum, with only one win in their last five, with two draws and two defeats.
Injuries have played a big part in Liverpool’s inconsistent performances, with several key players out for a long duration. For this game, they will be without Alisson Becker, Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, Wataru Endo, Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni, and Stefan Bajcetic, while Brentford will miss Rico Henry and Fábio Carvalho.
With two of their long-serving players, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, leaving after this game, the Reds will definitely want to bid them adieu with a win. However, Brentford’s prowess on set pieces is something Liverpool will have to be wary of, as the hosts have been very poor in dead-ball situations.
Liverpool need at least a draw to ensure Champions League qualification. Given Brentford’s record away from home hasn’t been satisfactory, the Reds should be able to win what will be a cagey encounter.
Score Prediction: Liverpool 2–1 Brentford
Burnley vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
This is a game between two already relegated sides and doesn’t really matter in the big scheme of things, though both sides will be looking forward to end the season on a positive note before beginning preparations for a promotion campaign in the Championship next season.
The Clarets have been going through a cycle of relegation and promotion almost every other season and will definitely want to change that when they come back up next. As for Wolves, this is arguably far more disappointing as they are getting relegated after an eight-year stay.
The current form of both teams has been almost similar. Burnley only have a solitary point from their last five games as opposed to Wolves, who have two points courtesy of two draws and could push Burnley to the bottom if they win this game.
From an injury perspective, Burnley have suffered a lot this season, though most of their players have recovered, barring long-term absentees Connor Roberts, Jordan Beyer, and Josh Cullen. As for Wolves, they only have keeper Sam Johnstone missing with a shoulder injury.
This could either be a tight cagey affair or a no-holds barred encounter, with each team going hard at the other. Burnley did secure a fighting draw against Aston Villa and could score goals as opposed to Wolves, who have found it difficult to create goal-scoring chances. Playing at home is another advantage for Burnley, and therefore we feel they will stay in 19th place with a win over the Old Gold.
Score Prediction: Burnley 3–1 Wolves
West Ham United vs Leeds United
The Hammers’ chances of Premier League survival are hanging by a thread, also depending on Spurs’ result. If West Ham win and Spurs lose, they will stay in the league, but even if Spurs earn a draw, they will be relegated to the Championship. Their opponents, Leeds United, have done a commendable job of ensuring league survival after being in the relegation scrap until December.
West Ham’s recent form has been dismal. They have lost three straight games now after a draw and a win, while Leeds have three wins and two draws from their last five and also earned a draw against Spurs.
Injury-wise, West Ham will only be without Adama Traoré, while Leeds will miss a host of players in Anton Stach, Noah Okafor, Pascal Struijk, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Jayden Bogle, and Ilia Gruev, who are all doubtful for this game.
Potentially, this could be West Ham’s last home game in the Premier League. Even a win doesn’t immediately ensure survival, though they will still want to give their fans something to savour. Their 14-year run in the league could come to an end, and this is where form goes out of the window and emotion comes in. While we still believe West Ham will be relegated, they will win this game for their fans.
Score Prediction: West Ham 2–1 Leeds
Sunderland vs Chelsea
The Black Cats have done well to ensure they stay in the league for another season and still have an outside chance to clinch European football if they win this game and some other results go their way. As for their opponents, Chelsea have been very underwhelming this season. From Champions League qualification last season to almost finishing outside the European spots, it has been a disappointing ride for the Blues fans this term.
Sunderland’s recent form has been average at best. Barring the win against Everton last weekend, they have two draws and two losses in their last five outings. They conceded five goals at home to Nottingham Forest as well, which was surprising from the Wearside team. As for Chelsea, they also have a solitary win from their last five with three losses and a draw.
Both Chelsea and Sunderland have a few injuries. Sunderland could be without Omar Alderete, Bertrand Traoré, and Romain Mundle, with Daniel Ballard suspended. Chelsea, meanwhile, could miss João Pedro, Estêvão, and Jamie Gittens for this game.
Sunderland have had a decent record at home barring the huge loss against Forest almost a month back. Also, Chelsea haven’t shown much improvement in their performances. Sunderland also defeated Chelsea in the reverse fixture earlier this season, and therefore we believe the hosts could pull off a win here, especially given they could also qualify for Europe depending on results elsewhere.
Score Prediction: Sunderland 2–1 Chelsea
Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth
Nottingham Forest has had a poor league season, currently sitting in 16th place and have avoided relegation due to their upsurge in form lately. They performed superbly in the Europa League, reaching the semis and losing to eventual winners Aston Villa.
Their opponents Bournemouth have pulled off a miraculous season, currently sitting in sixth place with a chance of UCL or Europa League qualification. After losing almost their entire backline last summer and also letting go their most prolific scorer in January, Andoni Iraola has pulled off a coup here.
Forest’s recent form has been decent with three straight wins followed by a draw and a loss but it’s nothing compared to their opponents who are currently on a 17-game unbeaten streak and have gotten some really big results. They have three wins and two draws from their last five games.
From an injury perspective, Forest could be without a fair few – Dan Ndoye, Murillo, Ola Aina, Willy Boly, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Nicoló Savona out on the sidelines. Bournemouth could miss Julio Soler along with a suspended Ryan Christie.
Since this game involves the Cherries possibly getting UCL or Europa League spot, they would definitely continue to play their attacking brand of football that has served them well in recent months. Forest has nothing much to play for except pride and therefore we believe Bournemouth will bag a win from this game but we don’t believe they can achieve the fifth UCL spot as they need to win by a big margin and hope Liverpool lose by a big margin as well which seems a bit unlikely.
Score Prediction: Forest 1–2 Bournemouth
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal
This particular fixture doesn’t hold the same importance that it had a few weeks ago when everyone expected it to be a title-race decider between Arsenal and Man City. Having secured the Premier League title with one game to go, the Gunners will now go into this game with one mind on the upcoming Champions League final.
As for the Eagles, since they are also due to play the UEFA Conference League Final within three days of this game, they would focus more on that and might play a heavily rotated side for this game. Arsenal would probably do the same with the Champions League final in their mind – a great opportunity to win their first-ever European trophy.
The Gunners haven’t played the best, free flowing football in the run-in but they have surely been the most stoic and grinded out results that helped them secure the title. Arsenal has four wins and a loss from their last five league games while Palace is without a win in their last five fixtures with three defeats and two draws.
Injury-wise, Palace could be without Borna Sosa, Chris RIchards, Cheick Doucoure and Edward Nketiah while Arsenal could be without Ben White, Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino for this final league game.
With both teams looking on to the more important fixture, this could be an opportunity for the fringe players to get a look in and showcase their skills and talent.While both teams would want to end the season on a high, more importantly Arsenal would want to win the final game and celebrate their trophy presentation but they have struggled to score in the last few games and they are also playing away from home, hence we feel this could end in a draw.
Score Prediction: Palace 1–1 Arsenal
