Grosvenor Sport ambassador Jamie O’Hara is on hand to break down three must-watch matchups in the Premier League this weekend, including the massive Chelsea versus Arsenal showdown on Sunday.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa – Saturday 20:00
What stands out most about Arne Slot’s approach with Liverpool is how well-organised and disciplined they’ve become. They’re playing excellent football—solid, hard to break down, and challenging to play against. When they lose possession, they quickly get back in shape and choose the right moments to go forward. Under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool were known for their heavy metal football, but Slot’s Liverpool is more reserved and highly efficient.
They control games, passing opponents off the pitch when they’re ahead, and can sit back defensively when needed. Bayer Leverkusen are a quality team, and Liverpool beat them 4-0, yet it wasn’t flashy; it was just highly efficient. That’s a formidable prospect, especially with Liverpool currently sitting at the top of both the Premier League and Champions League, with more potential to unlock.
Aston Villa face a real challenge in breaking down a Liverpool team that’s so hard to score against. Last week, Villa suffered a heavy defeat to Tottenham—proof that showing up unprepared against top teams doesn’t end well, and Tottenham made them pay. Villa have had a good season, but competition for a top-four spot is fierce. With a day less to rest after their Champions League game, Villa might struggle, as they’ve found it tough to perform well in matches following European fixtures. This one will be challenging.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Aston Villa (13/2)
Tottenham vs Ipswich – Sunday 14:00
I think this should be a fairly comfortable match for Tottenham. Ipswich likely won’t be able to match their level. Once Ange Postecoglou’s side gets into their rhythm, they score goals with ease. Spurs sometimes push too hard to win every game when a draw could be valuable; they should focus on steadily collecting points. Here, though, I expect them to come away with all three.
As for Ipswich, I’m not convinced they have enough to avoid relegation this season. They’ve got some talented players, and Liam Delap stands out as a really promising one, but overall, the squad may lack the depth needed to stay up. Still, I do think Ipswich will keep fighting hard and play with a lot of spirit. They’ll certainly pick up some points, though it might not be enough. There’s a big gap between the leagues now, and promoted teams often find it challenging to bridge that gap—this season looks to be no different.
Prediction: Tottenham 3-0 Ipswich (8/1)
Chelsea vs Arsenal – Sunday 16:30
This is a big game for Chelsea. Right now, they lack the ruthlessness needed to push on when they take the lead. It may be down to their youth; they seem to get a bit jittery, especially in the last 10-15 minutes. Robert Sanchez, the goalkeeper, is a major issue—he struggles with his distribution and tends to make costly errors. When you have a keeper like that, instead of energising the team, the crowd can sometimes feel the tension and it weighs on everyone.
Still, I believe Chelsea can win this one. They have a chance to face Arsenal with confidence, with nothing to lose and plenty to prove. Arsenal, on the other hand, are in a tough spot. Mikel Arteta has to find a way to shake off this slump. Martin Ødegaard’s absence is a blow, but more than that, they need to regain their attacking confidence.
Arsenal should lean on their two strong centre-backs and try to play more expansively. Lately, they’ve shifted to a more defensive 4-4-2 setup, which feels out of character. They seem to have let the cautious approach from the Manchester City game seep into their overall style. It’s time for them to return to the free-flowing football they were known for.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal (8/1)
O’Hara’s Hotspots: Chelsea vs Arsenal Bet Builder
- Chelsea to win
- Both teams to score
- Arsenal to have the most corners