Premier League Week in Review & Fixtures Ahead : Title Race Tightens as Relegation Battle Rages

English Premier League : Gameweek 33 Review & Gameweek 34 Preview : April 21–27, 2026

The English Premier League (EPL) continues to deliver high drama for fans watching from South Africa, with the latest round of fixtures shaking up both ends of the Premier League table. The title race between Arsenal and Manchester City has tightened again, while the relegation scrap is becoming increasingly brutal. Here’s your full breakdown of the Premier League standings, key results, and the upcoming fixtures are in SAST (South African Standard Time).

Weekend Results: The Title Race Swings City’s Way

The biggest result of the weekend came at the Etihad, where Manchester City beat league leaders Arsenal 2-1, dragging themselves right back into the Premier League title race.

Arsenal went into the match three points clear, but the defeat means the gap has narrowed significantly: Arsenal remain on 70 points, while City sit on 67 (with a game in hand). With only a handful of matches left, the title race is finely poised and momentum is now firmly with Pep Guardiola’s side.

For Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, it’s a costly setback at the worst possible time, while City look like a team peaking when it matters most.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa edged a wild 4-3 win over Sunderland, delivering one of the games of the season at Villa Park. Liverpool beat Everton 2-1 in the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park to keep their European hopes alive, sitting fifth on 55 points.

Nottingham Forest thumped Burnley 4-1, deepening Burnley’s relegation fears, while Manchester United secured a massive 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, moving them firmly into the top four race on 58 points.

Leeds United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0, further sinking Wolves into trouble, while Bournemouth came from behind to beat Newcastle 2-1. Brentford and Fulham drew 0-0, Brighton and Tottenham shared a 2-2 draw, and Crystal Palace vs West Ham ended goalless on Monday night.

Premier League Standings: Arsenal and City Neck and Neck

With the season entering its final stretch, the 2025/26 Premier League table is heating up at both ends:

Pos         Team                                     P             W            D             L              Pts

1              Arsenal                                 33           21           7              5             70

2              Manchester City             32           20           7              5            67

3              Manchester United       33           16           10           7              58

4              Aston Villa                           33           17           7              9              58

5              Liverpool                             33           16           7              10           55

6              Chelsea                33            13           9              11           48

7              Brentford                            33           13           9              11           48

8              Bournemouth                   33           11           15           7            48

9              Brighton                               33           12           11           10           47

10           Everton                                   33           13           8              12           47

Arsenal still sit top on goal difference, but City hold a crucial game in hand a factor that could swing the title race. Importantly, the two sides do not meet again this season, meaning the championship may be decided by slip-ups elsewhere.

For South African EPL fans, this is the kind of end-of-season tension that keeps late-night SAST kick-offs well worth it.

The Relegation Zone: Wolves and Burnley on the Brink

At the bottom of the Premier League relegation battle, things are looking increasingly bleak.

Wolverhampton Wanderers sit bottom on just 17 points from 33 matches, with only three wins all season. Their 3-0 defeat to Leeds was another reminder of how far off the pace they’ve fallen. Barring a miracle, Wolves are heading for the Championship.

Burnley are second bottom on 20 points, and after a 4-1 loss to Nottingham Forest, they now look destined for relegation. With a massive gap to safety and only a few games left, their survival hopes are hanging by a thread.

Tottenham Hotspur remain in a shock relegation scrap in 18th place on 31 points, just two ahead of West Ham. Spurs’ collapse this season has been one of the biggest talking points in the EPL globally, and South African fans following Premier League drama will be watching this survival fight closely.

West Ham (33 pts) and Nottingham Forest (36 pts) are not safe yet, but Spurs remain the most vulnerable of the “survival pack”.

Upcoming Premier League Fixtures & Predictions (SAST)

Tuesday, April 21

Brighton vs Chelsea (Amex Stadium – 21:00 SAST)

Two mid-table sides level on points clash in a tight contest.

Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Chelsea

Wednesday, April 22

Bournemouth vs Leeds United (21:00 SAST)

Bournemouth’s strong home form gives them the edge.

Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Leeds

Burnley vs Manchester City (21:00 SAST)

City are heavy favourites and need to keep pressure on Arsenal.

Prediction: Burnley 0-3 Manchester City

Friday, April 25

Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest (21:00 SAST)

A balanced mid-table clash.

Prediction: 1-1 Draw

Saturday, April 26

Fulham vs Aston Villa (13:30 SAST)

Very evenly matched, but Villa’s attack may decide it.

Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Aston Villa

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace (16:00 SAST)

Liverpool should be too strong at Anfield.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Palace

West Ham vs Everton (16:00 SAST)

Huge pressure fixture in the lower half.

Prediction: 1-1 Draw

Wolves vs Tottenham (16:00 SAST)

Tottenham need points, but this won’t be easy.

Prediction: Wolves 1-2 Spurs

Arsenal vs Newcastle (18:30 SAST)

Arsenal must respond after losing to City.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Newcastle

Monday, April 27

Manchester United vs Brentford (21:00 SAST)

United slight favourites at Old Trafford.

Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Brentford

The 2025/26 Premier League season is delivering everything: a tight title race, a chaotic relegation fight, and weekly drama across England. All keeping South African EPL fans glued to late-night kick-offs.