Premier League matchday 16 Saturday preview: Liverpool face Brighton amid Salah chaos while Arsenal hunt wounded Wolves

Four matches kick off Saturday's action with the title race and relegation battle both heating up across the Premier League

By "Big" Barry O'ConnorPublished Dec 11, 2025, 6:24 AMUpdated Dec 11, 2025, 6:24 AM

Saturday is here, and the Premier League delivers four crackers to get matchday 16 underway.

We have got Liverpool trying to steady the ship amid the Salah meltdown, Chelsea looking to climb back into the title race, a relegation six-pointer at Turf Moor, and Arsenal facing the worst team in England.

Grab a brew and let Barry guide you through what is in store.

The early kick-offs (15:00 UTC)

Chelsea vs Everton - Stamford Bridge

Chelsea sit fourth on 25 points and desperately need a win to keep pace with the top three. Enzo Maresca's side drew a dull 0-0 at Bournemouth last weekend - not exactly title-winning form.

Everton, though, are a different beast under David Moyes. The Toffees hammered Nottingham Forest 3-0 last time out and sit tenth on 24 points. Just one point separates these two sides.

This is a proper London versus Merseyside battle. Expect fireworks.

Liverpool vs Brighton - Anfield

The big story here is not on the pitch - it is off it. Mohamed Salah has been banished after his explosive interview, the relationship with Arne Slot is in tatters, and Liverpool are in ninth place. Ninth. The defending champions.

Brighton arrive at Anfield in decent nick despite their late collapse against West Ham last weekend. They sit seventh on 23 points - above Liverpool on goal difference.

Can Slot's men respond without their Egyptian King? Or will the crisis deepen?

The late afternoon kick-off (17:30 UTC)

Burnley vs Fulham - Turf Moor

This is a relegation six-pointer disguised as a mid-December fixture. Burnley are 19th with just 10 points from 15 games. Fulham are 15th on 17 points but have lost three of their last four.

Scott Parker needs points. Marco Silva needs points. Someone is going to leave Lancashire absolutely gutted.

Turf Moor will be rocking. These are the matches that define seasons.

The evening showpiece (20:00 UTC)

Arsenal vs Wolves - Emirates Stadium

On paper, this should be a stroll for the Gunners. Arsenal are top of the league. Wolves are rock bottom with just 3 points from 15 games - one of the worst starts in Premier League history.

But Mikel Arteta has problems of his own. The injury crisis continues with Saliba, Gabriel, Havertz, and others still out. His squad is held together with sticky tape and prayers.

Wolves have scored just 8 goals all season. They have lost 12 of 15 matches. But stranger things have happened in football, and Arsenal will need to stay focused against a desperate side with nothing to lose.

Saturday predictions

Chelsea 2-1 Everton

Liverpool 2-1 Brighton

Burnley 1-1 Fulham

Arsenal 3-0 Wolves

What is at stake

At the top, Arsenal can extend their lead to five points if Man City slip up against Crystal Palace on Sunday. Chelsea and Liverpool both need wins to stay in touch with the title race.

At the bottom, Wolves look doomed already, but Burnley and West Ham are scrapping for their lives. Every point matters now.

Buckle up. Saturday is going to be tasty.

"O
"Big" Barry O'Connor

Barry has been covering English football for 30 years. He is an outspoken character ("loudmouth") who has his ins at the pubs where the supporters go. He isn't afraid to call for a manager's sacking after just two losses. His style is direct, populist, and sometimes brutal. He loves puns in headlines and focuses on conflicts, wages, and dressing room drama.