Summary

  1. Recap Premier League build-up, team news & statspublished at 16:00 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February

    That's all from us today.

    You can click on the summary points towards the top of this page and scroll down the page for Premier League build-up, team news and key stats before Wednesday's games.

    We'll be back this evening to bring you live text coverage of tonight's Premier League games from 18:00 GMT.

    Alternatively, we'll be back tomorrow morning from 07:00 GMT to do it all over again.

    See you then!

  2. Liverpool v Newcastle - the statspublished at 15:57 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February

    Liverpool v Newcastle (20.15 GMT)

    • Newcastle's most recent away win over Liverpool in any competition came in the League Cup fourth round in November 1995.
    • Liverpool have scored at least twice in each of their past 17 home games in all competitions. No English top-flight team has had a longer run since Sunderland's 19-match streak in 1935.
    • Mo Salah has both scored and assisted in 11 top-flight games this season – the last player to do that in one of the top five European leagues was Lionel Messi for Barcelona in 2014-15.
    • The Egyptian has scored twice in each of his last two appearances against Newcastle.
    • Newcastle have never won away against the Premier League leaders in 20 attempts, drawing five and losing 15.
    • The Magpies have earned 18 points from losing positions this term, a joint-high with Aston Villa.
    • Jacob Murphy has scored a career-best five Premier League goals in a season.
  3. Former Liverpool executive on Salah's contract situationpublished at 15:53 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February

    Liverpool v Newcastle (20.15 GMT)

    Nizaar Kinsella
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    When asked how to factor in Mohamed Salah's age into his contract situation at the FT Business of Football Summit, Ian Graham, former director of research at Liverpool said: “I helped with the work for the last contract extension which sees him through to this summer and, at the time, I thought for players of his age that I would recommend not to sign a contract.

    "But this was the strength of the data that forces you to take an objective viewpoint and it surprises yourself. I was surprised at looking at his calibre of player and how they could go into their 30s performing at the same level.

    "When those players drop off it tends to be a drop in minutes rather than quality. It tends to be a drop in minutes rather than performance. We decided to give him a contract in the summer of 2022 and that was a hard piece of work.

    "I am delighted I am not responsible for that piece of work today. That’s the best piece not to do that today.”

  4. Liverpool v Newcastle - Sutton's predictionpublished at 15:50 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February

    Liverpool v Newcastle (20:15 GMT)

    Arne SlotImage source, Getty Images

    This fixture has plenty of history behind it - Liverpool's 4-3 win at Anfield in 1996 will always be remembered as a Premier League classic.

    Newcastle come into it in good shape after a good win over Nottingham Forest, but the way Liverpool beat Manchester City was extremely impressive.

    It was such a mature performance by Arne Slot's side to soak up City's possession and be so clinical in front of goal.

    I think we know by now that Slot's side will be hard to beat, while Newcastle are still quite up and down - they were very poor when they went to Etihad Stadium last week.

    They are capable of giving Liverpool a good game but I am going to say that the leaders will take the points, and carry on their title charge.

    Along with Forest striker Chris 'The Wood Chopper' Wood, Newcastle's Alexander Isak has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season, but there is only one candidate to be crowned Player of the Year.

    Liverpool's Mohamed Salah's numbers are extraordinary and he looks as hungry as ever. He has been relentless, and he is not done yet.

    Chris Sutton's prediction: 2-1

  5. Bradley out for 'a few weeks'published at 15:42 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February

    Liverpool v Newcastle (20.15 GMT)

    Conor BradleyImage source, Getty Images

    Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister sustained bruising to his face during the weekend win over Manchester City but he is expected to be available.

    Conor Bradley will remain sidelined for a "few weeks" with a muscle injury, according to head coach Arne Slot.

    Newcastle pair Sven Botman and Joelinton could both return from the knee injuries that have kept them out since the beginning of the month.

    Fit-again midfielder Sandro Tonali made his comeback as a substitute against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

  6. Tottenham v Man City - Sutton's predictionpublished at 15:37 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February

    Tottenham v Man City (19:30 GMT)

    Ange Postecoglou and Pep GuardiolaImage source, Getty Images

    How on earth am I supposed to predict what will happen here?

    It's a fascinating game but it's impossible to call because it could end up 3-0 to either team.

    Manchester City were subdued against Liverpool and while Jeremy Doku looked bright on their left flank, they didn't offer much of a threat elsewhere.

    Tottenham put four goals past Ipswich but they could have conceded a few themselves, and you have to think City will have opportunities here.

    Spurs thumped Pep Guardiola's side 4-0 in November, but I am going for City to take the points this time. It will be close but they might just nick it.

    Chris Sutton's prediction: 1-2

  7. get involved

    Get Involved - Ten Hag's comments on players taking criticismpublished at 15:31 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    It's insane that people are calling Ten Hag's attitude/approach "outdated" or "ineffective" when he won promotion at all of the lower-league clubs he managed and won five trophies in four and a half seasons at Ajax (and also led them to their first UCL semi-final in twenty years). He's a serial winner, and I'm sure he'll win more trophies at the next club he manages. No manager has succeeded at United since Sir Alex left. I wonder why?

    Adam

  8. Man Utd v Ipswich - Sutton's predictionpublished at 15:24 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February

    Man Utd v Ipswich (19:30 GMT)

    Ruben AmorimImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester United drew at Ipswich in November, in Ruben Amorim's first game in charge.

    Three months on, Ipswich will head to Old Trafford thinking they have a decent chance of beating them. No-one fears United at the moment.

    You just don't know which United side is going to turn up and, in the first half against Everton on Saturday, they were absolutely woeful.

    United do deserve some credit for the way they fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Goodison Park but I am not convinced by them at all.

    Ipswich ended up losing 4-1 to Tottenham at the weekend but they created a ridiculous amount of chances in that game, and they will get opportunities here too because Liam Delap is such a handful.

    A win for the Tractor Boys would be huge, especially now the gap to fourth-bottom Wolves has grown to five points, but despite United's many problems I just have a feeling Amorim will get a win, somehow.

    Chris Sutton's prediction: 2-1

  9. get involved

    Get Involved - Ten Hag's comments on players taking criticismpublished at 15:16 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Matt: I wonder what all of those people slating Ten Hag will say about Slot's recent comments about Darwin Nunez? Opinions seem to magically change when it comes to anything linked to Man United...

  10. How long has Drogba known Mourinho?published at 15:10 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February

    Jose Mourinho with Didier Drogba in Chelsea trainingImage source, Getty Images

    Earlier, when posting a statement in support of Jose Mourinho, Drogba said he knew Mourinho for "xx" years.

    However, since Drogba's initial post, he has since edited it and changed xx to 25 years.

    Mourinho first signed Drogba from Marseille for Chelsea in July 2004 from Marseille.

    After departing Chelsea in 2012, Drogba returned for the 2014-15 season under Mourinho, where Chelsea won the fourth of their five Premier League titles.

    In the season prior to the duo joining Chelsea in 2004, Drogba played twice against Mourinho while at Marseille when Mourinho managed Porto. Porto won both Champions League ties, but Drogba did score one goal.

  11. Brentford v Everton - Sutton's predictionpublished at 15:05 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February

    Brentford v Everton (19:30 GMT)

    Thomas FrankImage source, Getty Images

    This is going to be close. Brentford have had back-to-back wins over West Ham and Leicester, while Everton's improvement under David Moyes has been dramatic.

    Moyes has done an incredible job but Everton have not suddenly become world-beaters. I do think they will lose some games, and this is one of them.

    Chris Sutton's prediction: 2-0

  12. Brentford v Everton - the statspublished at 15:00 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February

    Brentford v Everton (19.30 GMT)

    • Brentford are winless in their last five Premier League games against Everton, having triumphed in the opening two. The Bees have not beaten the Toffees at home since a 1-0 top-flight victory in November 2021.
    • After 15 rounds of matches, Brentford had the most home wins, points and goals in the Premier League. They have since earned just one point from five home games, scoring only three goals.
    • The Bees are the only side without a home Premier League clean sheet this season.
    • Yoane Wissa has equalled his career-best tally of 12 league goals in a season, and Mikkel Damsgaard has provided a club record 10 Premier League assists this campaign.
    • Everton are unbeaten in six league matches and have taken 14 points from a possible 21 since David Moyes returned.
    • Everton haven't won any of their last 15 away kick-offs at 7pm or later in the Premier League since beating Arsenal 1-0 in April 2021 (D7, L8).
    • Beto has scored five goals in his past four Premier League games.
  13. Bees captain Norgaard misses outpublished at 14:55 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February

    Brentford v Everton (19.30 GMT)

    Christian NorgaardImage source, Getty Images

    Brentford captain Christian Norgaard will miss just his fourth Premier League game of the season after sustaining a concussion during the 4-0 win at Leicester City.

    The home side have an otherwise unchanged squad available following Friday night's victory.

    Everton midfielder Jesper Lindstrom is expected to be available despite being taken off at half-time of last weekend's draw with Manchester United because of flu. The visitors are still missing eight injured players.

  14. get involved

    Get Involved - Ten Hag's comments on players taking criticismpublished at 14:50 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    This inability to accept criticism is a result of modern society. Agreed that personal criticism should be given privately and should, if possible, be constructive. As a former youth/school coach, I wasn't allowed to give a bad critique to the team or players. Always needed a positive spin, difficult if you're losing heavily almost every game. Obviously I'm not the best coach, did it to allow team to play. However, youngsters go into their teens etc thinking they're the next big thing! With no resilience built up, we see that the players/teams can't take criticism nor do some of them have the mental strength to use adversity positively. They also need to learn that social media is full of keyboard warriors who wouldn't dare say such things to their faces.

    Michael in Lincolnshire

  15. Wednesday's fixturespublished at 14:45 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February

    All kick-offs 19:30 GMT unless stated

    There are five Premier League matches taking place this evening.

    Here is a reminder of those five games.

    • Brentford v Everton
    • Manchester United v Ipswich
    • Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
    • Tottenham v Manchester City
    • Liverpool v Newcastle (20:15 GMT)
  16. Forest v Arsenal - stats guidepublished at 14:40 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February

    Nottingham Forest v Arsenal (19.30 GMT)

    • Nottingham Forest have lost seven of the past eight Premier League meetings with Arsenal, with the exception being a 1-0 home victory in May 2023.
    • Nottingham Forest have lost three of their past four league games, as many as in their previous 16.
    • But Forest have won five of their past six Premier League home games, as many as they had in their previous 20.
    • Chris Wood has scored five goals in his last three league appearances at the City Ground, including a hat-trick against Brighton last time out.
    • Arsenal's 15-match unbeaten league run was ended by West Ham on Saturday. They've not lost consecutive league games since December 2023.
    • Ethan Nwaneri scored his first Premier League goal in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the reverse fixture. The only player to score home and away goals in the same Premier League season against an opponent before turning 18 is Wayne Rooney versus Arsenal in 2002-03.
  17. Forest v Arsenal - Sutton's predictionpublished at 14:36 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February

    Nottingham Forest v Arsenal (19:30 GMT)

    Mikel Arteta and Nuno Espírito SantoImage source, Getty Images

    Saturday's home defeat by West Ham was a real hammer blow for Arsenal's title hopes.

    They need to bounce back and find a way of beating Nottingham Forest but this is a tough trip after such a devastating result, and I am not so sure they will take the points here either.

    Forest are not in great form themselves, and got a bit of a walloping by Newcastle. Nuno Espirito Santo was clearly unhappy with some of his side's defending in that game.

    But how are Arsenal going to score goals? I don't know at the moment.

    If Gunners boss Mikel Arteta needs a left-back, he has got a few of them on the bench. Unfortunately he needs a centre-forward, and there is not one of those to be seen.

    Chris Sutton's prediction: 1-1

  18. Nwaneri available, Saka still absentpublished at 14:30 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February

    Nottingham Forest v Arsenal (19.30 GMT)

    Ethan NwaneriImage source, Getty Images

    Nottingham Forest will assess a couple of unnamed players who are carrying minor injuries.

    Striker Taiwo Awoniyi was an unused substitute for Sunday's 4-3 defeat at Newcastle United after recovering from concussion.

    Ethan Nwaneri is available for Arsenal, with his withdrawal during Saturday's loss against West Ham a result of cramp.

    Ben White made his comeback as a late substitute in that game, but Myles Lewis-Skelly is suspended and Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are not yet ready to return from hamstring problems.

  19. get involved

    Get Involved - Ten Hag's comments on players taking criticismpublished at 14:25 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    The level of performance from United under Ten Hag & Amorim and the subsequent uptick in performances since players left the club maybe shows that the approach is wrong within the club and it's time to change the toxic atmosphere?

    William, London

  20. Nothing to say Son will slow down - Postecogloupublished at 14:20 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February

    Tottenham v Man City (19:30 GMT)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Son Heung-min looks onImage source, Getty Images

    Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou does not see winger and captain Son Heung-min slowing down any time soon.

    Son provided two assists for Brennan Johnson during Saturday's win at Ipswich Town and while the South Korea international has not scored in his last seven games, he has provided three assists in that time.

    Postecoglou said: "Sonny's benefitted from the fact he's been able to have a break between games. We saw that on the weekend - he was outstanding, particularly in the first half.

    "You never want to try to predict with players like Sonny how long he will go for because those kind of players always defy whatever odds there are.

    "Even this year, as difficult as it has been for us, I think his numbers still stack up. You weigh him up against any winger in the league, he's still going to be top five.

    "Those are the facts and if he's continuing to do that, there's nothing to say he should slow down."