Premier League icon and Betfair ambassador Alan Shearer has delivered his latest round of forecasts for the upcoming weekend's top-flight action. The footballing legend shared his insights exclusively with Metro, casting his eye over a packed schedule of fixtures.
Shearer's Match-by-Match Analysis
Shearer believes Aston Villa will bounce back from their narrow defeat to Arsenal by securing a victory against Nottingham Forest at Villa Park. He noted Villa's tough festive period and felt their performance against the Gunners warranted more.
Looking at the south coast, he anticipates a Brighton win over Burnley, though he warned it may not be straightforward. For the clash at Molineux, Shearer found it a tough call, ultimately predicting a draw between Wolves and West Ham.
The former England captain sees Arsenal continuing their title charge with a win at Bournemouth, citing the confidence from their recent victory over West Ham.
Blockbuster Sunday Showdowns
Sunday's headline fixture sees the historic rivalry between Leeds United and Manchester United renewed at Elland Road. Shearer is backing a home win for Leeds, citing their strong form and the presence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He expressed doubts about the stability at Manchester United under manager Ruben Amorim.
At Anfield, Shearer foresees a potential stumble for Liverpool, predicting a draw away at Fulham. He pointed to Liverpool's unconvincing display against Leeds and Fulham's own decent run of form.
The weekend concludes with Manchester City hosting a managerless Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium. Shearer stated that while a Chelsea draw away might have been possible, he expects City to have enough for a home victory given the Blues' current turmoil.
Other Key Fixtures Assessed
Shearer also provided his thoughts on the remaining games. He suggested Tottenham's clash with a resilient Sunderland could end in a goalless draw. He tipped Everton for a home win in an open game against Brentford, and backed Newcastle to triumph over Crystal Palace at St James' Park.
These predictions come after a somewhat subdued start to the 2026 Premier League calendar, which featured three goalless draws on New Year's Day. Shearer's forecasts suggest a far more entertaining and decisive weekend of football lies ahead.
