Arsenal
Fan Predictions For This Game Week – Arsenal To Win Comfortably, Chelsea And Man United To Drop Points And More
Last week I started my quest to prove that Lawro’s predictions for BBC Sport were in fact useless, and that I could do a better job. It all started with ‘how hard can it be?’ I did rather well last week in fact, with 7 correct results & 1 perfect score giving me a total for my first week of 9 points. With eager anticipation, I checked Lawro’s predictions looking for my first win, knowing that his average was a measly 7, and immediately got destroyed because he had only gone and put up his biggest score of the season. So with great regret I can tell you that Lawro won with 6 correct results & 5 perfect scores giving a season-high total of 16 points.
For the rest of the season I will be keeping a table below of the total scores accumulated over the weeks as well as the wins and losses compared to Lawro, in the vague hope that I might win one of them and salvage some pride. The tables currently stand as follows:
| Lawro | Me | |
| Wins | 1 | 0 |
| Cumulative Score | 16 | 9 |
Right, putting aside last week’s disappointment, let us dive into this week’s predictions:
Saturday 18th January
Sunderland v Southampton (12:45 GMT)
Analysis:
Sunderland are coming off the back of that tremendous win against Fulham last week, with Adam Johnson more or less winning the game on his own by tormenting John Arne Riise all day and ending up with a hat-trick. Whether he can have the same effect against the Saints’ outstanding young left-back Luke Shaw or not may well go some way to determining this game. Given all the off-field issues at St Mary’s this week, there is an argument to say the Southampton players come into this one distracted. But if I know anything about Pochettino, Cortese and the players at the South Coast club, they will be professional to a tee, with the issues just driving them to get a win for their beloved ex-chairmen. That, combined with their quality, should see them scrape a win here.
Prediction: 1-2
Lawro’s prediction: 1-1
Arsenal v Fulham (15:00 GMT)
Analysis:
Arsenal are flying high at the top of the Premier League, despite everyone predicting them to drop off at some point, and for me, they are the favourites for the title as long as they can pick up a striker in the transfer window to give Giroud some back-up. Fulham on the other hand are floundering near the foot of the table, and are coming into this difficult game with memories of their humiliating home defeat to bottom of the table Sunderland last week. There is no good news for the travelling fans here either, with Fulham being the perennial punching-bags on their travels for many seasons, this looks like a comfortable home win. Arsenal won’t even have to get out of second gear.
Prediction: 3-0
Lawro’s Prediction: 3-0
Crystal Palace v Stoke (15:00 GMT)
Analysis:
Mark Hughes will face the man who he replaced as Stoke manager for the first time this week, knowing that at the moment, Selhurst Park is a tough place to go, with Palace having only lost two of their last six at home, only conceding six goals in the process. But Pulis will know how important a win in games like this is for his side, lying bottom of the Premier League table despite some good performances recently. A win for the home side here could potentially lift them to 15th and provide a huge boost in their battle against relegation, and I think Tony might just get what he wants here, due to Stoke’s horrific away form this season. Home win.
Prediction: 1-0
Lawro’s Prediction: 2-1
Man City v Cardiff (15:00 GMT)
Analysis:
In the reverse of this fixture, earlier in the season, Cardiff managed a shock win against the favourites for the title, but have never won away at City in 7 league and cup games, and it is simply impossible to see anything other than a home win here. Man City have been dominant at home this season, and with Yaya Toure, David Silva and Stefan Jovetic expected to be back from injury, combined with Sergio Aguero making his Premier League return after coming back to score against Blackburn in midweek, who would bet against the Manchester team making it 11 home wins out of 11. Good be a big scoreline.
Prediction: 4-0
Lawro’s Prediction: 4-0
Norwich v Hull (15:00 GMT)
Analysis:
Norwich will go into this game, knowing there is a real chance that if they lose it, they could end the day in the relegation zone, whereas Hull will know that they can keep their place in the top half with another win today. But it is games like this that will define these two team’s seasons, and I am backing Norwich to come out of this one with a massive three points for them. Norwich may be struggling, but they are good against ‘lesser teams’ (no disrespect intended Hull fans) with only 1 point all season coming against any of the top 8, compared with 19 from the rest of the league. So I’m backing them to show that kind of form again this week and get the 3 points to draw them level with the Tigers
Prediction: 2-1
Lawro’s Prediction: 2-0
West Ham v Newcastle (15:00 GMT)
Analysis:
Newcastle come into this game on a poor run of form, having lost their last three in the league without scoring, but West Ham’s home form is similarly shocking, with their fans having not seen them win at home since November. Something has to give in this fixture, but I believe Newcastle have enough to go down to London and come back with a win. They are too good to lose four in a row, and although West Ham have some players back from injury, including the influential Andy Carroll, I don’t believe that will be enough, especially given the off-field distractions surrounding Ravel Morrison this week. Away win.
Prediction: 1-2
Lawro’s Prediction: 2-0
Liverpool v Aston Villa (17:30 GMT)
Analysis:
This should be a really interesting game, because Liverpool with have the SAS back together, and Aston Villa showed signs against Arsenal, in the last part of the game at least, that all is not lost, and Benteke ended his goalscoring drought. Villa are set-up to counter-attack, and you can expect them to let Liverpool dominate possession in this game, and then break quickly when they win it. I expect a good game, and we could see a few goals, but I think Liverpool will just have too much for Villa.
Prediction: 3-2
Lawro’s Prediction: 2-0
Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday in what could prove decisive for the Gunners’ Premier League title ambitions. Arsenal sit top of the table with 61 points from 28 matches, five points clear of Manchester City, who still have a game in hand, while Chelsea occupy 7th with 45 points after being held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Burnley at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
This represents a huge opportunity for Mikel Arteta’s side to put further distance between themselves and the chasing pack before facing Brighton away on Wednesday. Chelsea arrive at the Emirates in patchy form under Liam Rosenior, who has won just two of his eight league matches since replacing Enzo Maresca in January despite an encouraging start to his tenure.
Kick-off: 4:30 GMT, Sunday, March 1, 2026
Venue: Emirates Stadium
TV: Sky Sports
Kai Havertz Returns to Haunt Former Club
Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday that Kai Havertz will train on Saturday ahead of the Chelsea clash, giving the German a chance to feature against his former employers. Havertz has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since early February, but scored the winner in Arsenal’s 1-0 Carabao Cup semi final victory over Chelsea earlier this month.
The 26 year old has endured a nightmare campaign with injuries limiting him to just 158 Premier League minutes this season, though he has still managed two goals and two assists when available. Viktor Gyokeres has flourished in Havertz’s absence, scoring twice in the 4-1 North London Derby demolition of Tottenham last weekend.
Rosenior Yet to Face Top Six Opposition
Liam Rosenior faces his first test against a top six side in the league since taking charge of Chelsea, having only faced teams sitting 7th or lower during his opening eight matches. His winning run needs proper context, given the quality of opposition, with recent dropped points against Leeds and Burnley at Stamford Bridge exposing serious vulnerabilities.
Arteta has beaten Rosenior twice already this season in the two legged Carabao Cup semi final, and the Spanish manager will fancy his chances of completing a treble over the Chelsea boss. Bukayo Saka should be fit despite limping off late against Spurs, while Ben White remains doubtful with a niggle.
Predicted Lineups: Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Disasi, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson
Also read: Kai Havertz Injury Update: Real Timeline and Medical Details Revealed!
Arsenal Dragon
Update Given Following Arsenal Injury Scare as Olivia Smith Discharged From Hospital After Being Stretchered Off During FA Cup Win Over Bristol City
Arsenal star Olivia Smith has been discharged from hospital after being stretchered off the field during their Women’s FA Cup game against Bristol City. The forward, who joined the Gunners in the summer, played just under an hour before being forced off with pictures showing a neck brace around the 21 year old at Meadow Park.
This was a worrying moment for Arsenal supporters watching on Sunday afternoon. The Canadian international went down, receiving lengthy treatment before being taken off on a stretcher as a precaution. Thankfully, the injury appears to be far less serious than initially feared.
Left Hospital Yesterday Evening
According to Arsenal reporter Tim Stillman, Olivia Smith left the hospital yesterday evening after tests were run and will return to be assessed this week ahead of the March international break. This is brilliant news for Arsenal, who cannot afford to lose Smith for any length of time, given her importance to the team.
It is believed that her involvement with Canada is still up in the air, with the Canucks facing a triple header of friendlies against Colombia, Argentina, and the United States over the coming two weeks. Arsenal’s next match sees them face London City Lionesses in mid March.
Big Boost for Champions League Hopes
With no video available for Arsenal’s cup game against Bristol City, there was huge concern surrounding Smith’s condition for those unable to attend the game at Meadow Park. Thankfully, what seemed initially to be a severe injury has turned out to be a fairly minor incident.
While Stina Blackstenius and Alessia Russo are both more than capable options to lead the line, it has been Smith who has been Renee Slegers’ favoured choice and proven to be a brilliant signing since her arrival from Liverpool. Having Smith likely available for both legs of the Chelsea Champions League quarter final is a massive boost for Arsenal’s hopes of retaining their European crown.
Arsenal
Arsenal Star Named WSL Player of the Month for January as Midfielder Continues Outstanding Form Following 400th Appearance Milestone
Kim Little has been named January’s Barclays Women’s Super League Player of the Month, recognition that follows her 400th appearance for Arsenal. The captain has made an outstanding start to 2026, completing every minute in the WSL and helping secure two clean sheets and four points from fixtures against Manchester United and Chelsea.
Little drove the midfield against United in the 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium and was again pivotal in the disciplined defensive display at Stamford Bridge that delivered that historic 2-0 win over the Blues. This is absolutely deserved recognition for one of Arsenal’s most influential players, who continues to perform at the highest level despite being 35 years old.
400th Appearance Came in Belgium
Little’s landmark 400th appearance came in Belgium as Arsenal won 4-0 at OH Leuven to close in on a Champions League London derby with Chelsea. The Scottish playmaker came on as a second half substitute in the 82nd minute, replacing Olivia Smith, to reach 400 appearances.
This achievement is even more notable given the time she spent playing in the USA and Australia during her career. Little has become one of the defining figures of the modern Arsenal era, establishing herself as an absolute legend at the club.
Chelsea Awaits in Champions League Quarterfinals
Provided nothing dramatic unfolds at Meadow Park next week, Chelsea awaits in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Arsenal hold a commanding 4-0 advantage from the first leg and are overwhelming favorites to progress to a mouth watering London derby in the last eight.
Little will be central to Arsenal’s hopes of defending their Champions League crown, with the midfielder’s experience and leadership qualities proving invaluable during the knockout stages of major competitions. Her consistent performances continue to set the standard for everyone around her.
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