It’s a short turnaround in the EPL after a dramatic weekend of football, with Matchday 26 kicking off on Wednesday morning. There’s three games between top ten sides on Matchday 26, as we head towards the business end of the season.
Check out our best bets for EPL Week 26 and head to our EPL Tips page for more previews throughout the season.
EPL 2025-26: Matchday 26 Preview & Betting Tips
Tottenham vs Newcastle
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Wednesday 11th February, 6:30am AEDT
Tottenham host Newcastle in a tale of two sides who had high aspirations coming into this season, but are sitting in the bottom half of the table. Three straight losses has the pressure mounting on Eddie Howe, with his team falling to twelfth on the Premier League table. Newcastle’s hopes of playing European football are slipping away and they are in desperate need of a win. Tottenham’s winless streak has now extended to seven games after their 2-0 defeat, with Spurs languishing in fifteenth place on the table.
Tottenham conceded two goals for the fourth straight game, as their defence continues to leak goals. Spurs rank eleventh for both goals conceded and goals scored, and their inability to be good in either facet of the game has given them no hope of achieving anything this season. Newcastle haven’t excelled in either facet either, so this game could be a slog, however Newcastle have shown a much higher ceiling from an attacking capacity this season.
Spurs are one of the worst home teams in the Premier League, with a 2-4-6 record at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, ranked 17th for home record. Cristian Romero will be a big absence for Tottenham across their next four games, in a Spurs side that has struggled to make an impact in the final third. Given the struggles of both teams defensively, this game should be end to end, and that will suit Newcastle more than Spurs. Newcastle have won four of their last six Premier League fixtures against Tottenham, and they’ll continue that winning form this week.
Newcastle to Win
$2.30 (1 Unit)
Sunderland vs Liverpool
Stadium of Light, Thursday 12th February, 7:15am AEDT
It’s sixth versus ninth as Liverpool travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland, in a crucial clash. Liverpool threw away a winning position, conceding in the 84th and 93rd minute in a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, which has the Reds four points adrift of the top five. The Black Cats were given a reality check by Arsenal, in a comprehensive 3-0 defeat, with Sunderland once again failing against a quality side. Sunderland will need to turn things around quickly as they face a Liverpool side that is one of the strongest teams in the league, when playing at their best.
Sunderland currently have one win from seven games against the current top six sides on the table, with their lack of attacking firepower hurting their ability to compete against quality opposition. The Black Cats have only scored 27 goals this season, the fifth fewest in the Premier League. The teams that have given Liverpool problems this season have been sides that keep the ball in motion and use the ball aggressively. Teams that sit back and try and control the game have been easy pickings for the Reds.
History is strongly against Sunderland, who have failed to beat Liverpool in their last eleven league fixtures against the Reds. The last time Liverpool lost a Premier League match to Sunderland was fourteen years ago. Sunderland rank 19th for expected goals and 18th for total shots, rounding out the profile of a side that has done an amazing job to be in the top ten. This game should be easy pickings for Arne Slot’s side, who will have their way in this game, they just have to convert their dominance from general play, onto the scoreboard.
Liverpool to Win
$1.70 (1.5 Units)
Brentford vs Arsenal
Gtech Community Stadium, Friday 13th February, 7:00am AEDT
Matchday 26 finishes with an all London clash, as seventh placed Brentford host league leaders Arsenal. The Bees have had an impressive fortnight, with wins over Aston Villa and Brentford moving them to within four points of the top five, remaining in the hunt to play in Europe next season. The Gunners picked up a second consecutive win with a dominant performance in their 3-0 win over Sunderland, keeping them six points clear at the top of the league.
It’s not a massive trip to West London, but the Gunners have been the best in the league away from home, with a 7-3-2 record in away matches this season, the best away record in the league. Their ability to be elite in all three facets of the game holds them in great stead regardless of the venue or match situation, and their defence has got back on track, with consecutive clean sheets in their last two games. Mikel Arteta’s team has only conceded a goal in one of their last five games, a brilliant sign for their title credentials.
Arsenal knows they cannot afford a slip up, which would bring Manchester City right back into the title race. The Gunners have played with great composure over the last fortnight, and have been firing on all cylinders. Brentford will look to sit back and absorb pressure given they won’t be able to go with Arsenal from an attacking standpoint, but the Gunners will be too strong and will break down the Brentford defence. The Gunners will record a third straight victory.
Arsenal to Win
$1.70 (2 Units)
