Premier League Matchday 25 clashes: Manchester United vs Tottenham and Liverpool vs Manchester City

FT Desk

• 6 Feb 2026 02:01 GMT
• 8 min read

Nieuws

The halfway mark of the top flight English football has long passed, and we are well into the 2026 part of the season. February is already here, which means it is high time for the last strong push from the teams still in the race for the elusive Premier League trophy. With Arsenal firmly on top, it seems like it is finally their year. But, then again, we have seen everything and are conditioned to expect just about anything. The weekend ahead of us brings Matchday 25, and while a select few interesting matchups are coming our way, none are more exciting than two clashes in particular.

With three of the teams in the top 6, it is bound to be a fruitful ordeal for the fans and bettors. Manchester United, revitalised almost fully since the manager change, are hosting Tottenham, a side that is struggling in the second half of the standings. On the other hand, Manchester City, who only trail Arsenal in the table, head over to Liverpool for one of the toughest away games on the schedule. Between these two games, there is a little bit of everything. From title-altering implications to plenty of goals, it should be fun.

The thing that causes the most attention is the simple fact that these are matches featuring some of England's biggest clubs. Opponents know each other well; they have battled for trophies, and this time around, the matches can once again impact how the season finishes. If you are a fan of more than just watching the best domestic football league on the planet and enjoy some wagering along the way, there is an exclusive Stake promotion going on right now, and these two matches are perfect for it.

Man United VS Tottenham

The second game of the matchday and the first one of Saturday, February 7, takes us to Old Trafford with the Spurs coming to town. Their seasons could not be any more different in 2026. Despite sharing the same struggles for the past few seasons, unable to break into the leading positions and compete for the title, the ongoing campaign sees United in the 4th spot.

With 41 points to their name coming from 11 wins, 8 draws, and 5 losses, the red side of Manchester has +8 goals and has not lost in their last 5 games. Michael Carrick, starting as interim coach on January 13, has done wonders for the Red Devils. While they are far behind the leaders and cannot hope to lift the league trophy this season, securing UEFA Champions League football for next season is the goal. They are looking to catch up to Aston Villa, who lead them by 5 points. They play Bournemouth away.

On the other hand, Tottenham have better days, and not that long ago. At the moment, they are only in the 14th spot with 29 points. Spurs only have a +2 goal difference and have won 7, drawn 8, and lost 9, not a balance that a team of their calibre hopes for. They are without a win in their last 7 matches, their last win coming on December 28 at Crystal Palace. During that period, they did have two 2-0 wins in the UCL, but lost in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup. They are capable of more than they have been showing domestically, considering they entered the top 16 of the UCL from the incredible 4th spot, winning 5, drawing 2, and losing only 1 game.

In the upcoming match, United are the clear favourites. They are playing at home and are in great form, so naturally, Stake.com gives them 1.60 odds to take this one, as opposed to the Spurs’ odds of only 5.00. The draw is set at the slightly more unlikely 4.60. As for the goal scorers, Bryan Mbeumo is in front with 5.20, followed by Benjamin Sesko with 6.00 and Bruno Fernandes with 7.20. The number of goals market favours the 2-3 option with 2.19 odds as the most likely, then 4-5 with 2.90, followed by 0-1 with 5.60.

Liverpool VS Man City

What has been a direct battle for the Premier League trophy in the last decade is now a bit less impactful, considering the Reds’ poorer-than-usual form. They are only 6th at the moment, with 39 points, just under Chelsea with 40, and then United with 41. The Anfield side is only 1-3-1 in their last 5, and has a meagre +6 goal difference in the first 24 matches.

With 11 wins, 6 draws, and 7 losses, they are out of the title race. That is not sitting well with anyone, not the players, managerial staff, owners, or the fans. A win against City at home would bring them back into the fray and also disrupt what City is trying to do, so a double win for one of their biggest rivals.

Speaking of City, they are fully back in health, and with Haaland scoring better than ever, which is saying a lot, they still hope to catch up with Arsenal, who lead them by 6 points. City is at 47 for the year thus far, with 14 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses, with the second best goal difference of +26, only trailing Arsenal by 3 goals. However, they only have 1 win in their last 5, with 3 draws and 1 loss coming in that spell. Had they performed just slightly better, they would now be sitting atop the standings, considering Arsenal has also been struggling with 2-2-1 in their previous 5.

Haaland leads the league in goals with 20, but even more impressively, his teammate Antoine Semenyo is third with 12 goals. Add to this Hugo Ektike from Liverpool with 10 in 4th place, and this match will feature 3 of the top 5 scorers this season. It would not be too far off to expect all three of them to find the net. Rayan Cherki is second in the league with 7 assists, while Haaland and Mo Salah have 5 apiece, making this a statistically impressive offensive load between the two sides.

But what about the sportsbooks and their predictions? Who do they favor in this one? Who will be more determined to show up? Both are playing for positioning, pride, and, arguably, the most interesting of all, ruining someone else’s chance at success while improving their own. Anfield is the location, so Liverpool has a slight edge, but do the bookies see it so?

The final game of the matchday comes in the prime TV slot, Sunday afternoon on February 8. Despite not playing better, Liverpool is a slight favorite with 2.39 odds to City’s 2.80. In a game like this, it might as well be neck and neck. The draw odds read 3.75, but who would be satisfied with a splitting of points? Haaland leads the goalscorers sweepstakes with 2.10, followed by Hugo Ektike with 2.31, Mo Salah with 3.25, Jayden Danns with 3.35, and Antoine Semenyo with 3.50. It is much more exciting and a lot closer than what United and Tottenham could have in store for the fans.

What do the Stats Say?

Historical context is key, so why not consult it to better prepare for the upcoming matchups? In all competitions, Tottenham and Manchester United have met over 200 times. Man Utd has 96 wins, there have been 52 draws, while Spurs 58 have wins overall. In the 2025 season, they drew 2-2 on November 8, Tottenham won 1-0 on February 16, and 1-0 in the Europa League Final on May 21.

In their matchup history, Liverpool leads the head to head vs Manchester City with 110 wins. There have been 58 draws, while City won 61 times. Last season, City won 3-0, after which Liverpool beat them 2-0. In 2024, Liverpool won 2-0, and they drew 1-1. With the two sides being the last two champions, City winning in 2024 with 91 points and Liverpool winning in 2025 with 84 points, it is going to be a fun one. Here’s hoping it goes down to the wire because, after all, it is all about the fans!

Premier League Derbies FAQs

What exactly makes a Premier League match a “derby”?

A derby usually comes from geographic proximity, but in the Premier League, it can also be driven by historical, cultural, or political rivalries, even when clubs are not immediate neighbors.

Which Premier League derby is considered the oldest?

Several date back to the late 1800s, but the Merseyside Derby of Liverpool vs Everton is among the oldest continuously played top flight rivalries in English football.

Why is the Merseyside Derby called the “Friendly Derby”?

Despite fierce on field battles, Liverpool and Everton historically shared families, workplaces, and even stadium routes, though the “friendly” label feels increasingly ironic.

What is the most played derby in Premier League history?

The North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham is one of the most frequently contested derbies in the Premier League era, owing to both clubs’ consistent top flight presence.

Which derby has produced the most red cards in the Premier League?

The Merseyside Derby holds the record for most red cards, earning a reputation as the Premier League’s most card heavy fixture.

Why do some cities have more than one Premier League derby?

Cities like London have multiple clubs, leading to several distinct derbies like the North London, West London, and London Derby, each with its own history and intensity between the staple PL clubs.

Has a Premier League title ever been decided by a derby match?

Yes, derbies have played crucial roles in title races, most famously when local rivals either directly secured or indirectly denied championships. Considering the number of derbies and the competition level, technically, each title is somewhat decided by these matches.

Which derby is considered the most globally watched?

The Manchester Derby between United and City has become one of the most watched worldwide, especially since City’s rise to elite status in the 2010s.

Why do derbies often produce unpredictable results?

Form often goes out the window and gives rise to emotion, pressure, crowd intensity, and local pride, which can dramatically alter performance levels and level the playing field. Seasonal form up to that point does not always translate.

Do players who grew up locally feel derbies more intensely?

Absolutely. Academy graduates and local players often describe derby matches as the first fixtures they look for each season due to personal and community ties.

What makes the Tyne Wear Derby so intense?

Newcastle United vs Sunderland, despite not always being in the Premier League, is fueled by deep regional identity, industrial history, and social rivalry. It is one of England’s fiercest derbies whenever it returns to the top flight.

Why is the West Midlands Derby considered one of the most hostile?

Matches between Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and West Bromwich Albion are shaped by long standing regional pride and class identity, creating a highly charged atmosphere despite the teams rarely competing for trophies.

Is Chelsea vs Fulham really a derby?

Yes, despite the difference in historical success, their stadiums are less than two miles apart, making it the closest geographic derby in the Premier League.

What is the significance of the East Lancashire Derby in Premier League history?

Burnley vs Blackburn Rovers represents historic industrial competition between neighboring towns and remains a major rivalry whenever both clubs share the top flight.

Are there derbies outside major cities that still matter?

Definitely, fixtures like Southampton vs Bournemouth, i.e., the South Coast Derby, show that intense rivalries do not need global cities to generate passion, tension, and drama.