Man City could only manage a tame 1-1 draw with West Ham to give Arsenal a massive 97% chance of winning the title.
Weekend Preview 20 March 2026 – Spurs to go down with Arsenal to win the league plus League Cup Final Arsenal v Manchester City
Welcome to the Football4Cast Weekend Preview 20 March. We have a full weekend of Premier League action and it is the League Cup Final between the top two: Arsenal v Manchester City.
Arsenal all but wrapped up the title with a 2-0 win, thanks to a superb goal from 16-year-old Max Dowman. Man City could only manage a tame 1-1 draw with West Ham to give Arsenal a massive 97% chance of winning the title. Newcastle beat Chelsea in London to bring them back into the race for European positions. Manchester United cemented their position in third with a 3-1 win at home to Aston Villa. At the bottom, Tottenham got a credible draw with Liverpool to lift the gloom slightly, but they remain only a point clear of West Ham and Nottingham Forest. Who will go down?
What the Bookies Think
The bookies are not so ebullient as F4C, so watch out for value at 1.2+ on Arsenal and steer clear of Man City.
The Relegation Dogfight
No value on West Ham or Tottenham. There is possible value on Forest going down so look out to value at 3.8+.
This Weekend’s Premier League Fixtures
*Man City v Crystal Palace is postponed due to Man City’s participation the League Cup Final
The weekend’s Premier League action gets underway on Friday night as Bournemouth host Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium. With both sides evenly matched, this one could go either way and promises to be an entertaining affair.
Saturday serves up a full card of fixtures. Liverpool travel to Brighton looking to cement their European ambitions, and whilst the Seagulls will make it tough, the Reds are backed to edge it at the Amex. Leeds and Brentford serve up what should be a tight contest at Elland Road, with little between the two sides. Fulham host struggling Burnley at Craven Cottage and should have enough to take the points, while Everton v Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium looks another match that could genuinely go either way.
Sunday brings some intriguing fixtures. Newcastle are backed to see off newly promoted Sunderland in a mouthwatering Tyne-Wear derby at St James’ Park. Aston Villa host West Ham at Villa Park and are expected to win comfortably, which will be a big blow for the Hammers at the wrong end of the table. The most fascinating match of the weekend may well be Tottenham v Nottingham Forest — two sides scrapping to avoid the drop, with almost nothing between them in the odds. A draw looks as likely as anything, but both sides desperately need the three points.
League Cup Final: Arsenal v Manchester City (Sunday 4:30pm)
What a way to round off the weekend. The Carabao Cup Final on Sunday sees Arsenal take on Manchester City at Wembley, kick-off 4.30pm, and the timing could not be more dramatic.
Arsenal arrive buzzing, having extended their lead at the top of the Premier League and reached the Champions League quarter-finals in midweek. For Arteta, this is a chance to win his first League Cup and keep alive what is becoming a very serious quadruple conversation. It would also end a 33-year wait for the trophy.
City, by contrast, arrive drained and deflated after being knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid, going down to ten men early in the tie. They are the underdogs, but as ever, writing off Guardiola in a cup final is a dangerous game.
On team news, Odegaard is a doubt, Timber is unlikely to start, and Gyokeres is expected to lead the line for Arsenal. For City, Doku and Cherki could support Haaland in attack, with Trafford starting in goal as City’s designated domestic cup goalkeeper.
The midfield battle looks crucial — if Rice and Zubimendi can control proceedings, Arsenal should have enough. But if City dominate possession, their attacking quality could still hurt anyone.
All the momentum is with Arsenal. Should be a cracker.
Scotland – Have Hearts Lost Their Chance?
Hearts lost to Kilmarnock to hand the initiative to Celtic, although they still have a 2 point lead at the top of the table. Celtic beat Motherwell 3-1 to get within striking distance whilst Rangers are just one point further back.
Celtic return to having the highest chance of winning the title in this topsy-turvy season. History is weighing heavily in favour of Celtic of being able to run down Hearts in the final part of the season, and considering the remaining fixtures.
Hearts are at home to Dundee in a match which should see them return to winning ways, whilst Celtic head to Dundee but are also heavily favoured. Rangers host Aberdeen and should complete a sweep of wins for the top 3 teams.
Outright Scottish Premiership – A Great Value Opportunity?
Celtic are heavily under-priced with the bookies to take the title. We consider have an 11% chance above what the bookies are offering. This means that there is value on Celtic at 2.6+ and 3.16 is available. Accordingly Hearts are overpriced and Rangers are also slightly under-priced.
Top Tip of the Weekend
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