Premier League: Derbies, records & relegation fights

From a fiery Merseyside derby under the Anfield lights to Leicester City battling to avoid an unwanted Premier League record against Manchester City, Gulf News breaks down the key storylines ahead of Wednesday’s action.

The Merseyside derby returns to Anfield, with Liverpool aiming to extend their dominance over Everton in front of their home crowd. The Reds have won their last three league encounters against their city rivals on home soil, each by a 2-0 margin, and another victory here would mark their best run in this fixture since the early 1990s.

After a turbulent period that saw them crash out of both the Champions League and Carabao Cup, Liverpool’s focus is now firmly on their Premier League title push. Arne Slot’s men have been formidable at Anfield, losing just one of their last 27 home games against Everton (W16, D10). With the chance to move another step closer to their 20th league title, they will be confident of extending that run.

Everton, however, are proving a tough side to beat. Their last meeting with Liverpool ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, and another positive result here would see them go unbeaten in both league derbies for the first time since 2020/21.

The Toffees have quietly built an impressive nine-game unbeaten streak (W4, D5), easing any relegation fears. However, their habit of drawing matches - 13 so far this season, including the last four in a row - suggests another tight contest could be on the cards.

With their FA Cup hopes dashed by Nottingham Forest, Brighton now turn their full attention to securing European football through their league finish. A five-game unbeaten run in the Premier League (W4, D1) has put them in a strong position, and another win here would mark their first-ever run of four consecutive home victories in the top flight.

Despite recent struggles against Aston Villa, Brighton will take confidence from their last meeting at the Amex, which ended in a narrow 1-0 win. However, Villa have historically been a tricky opponent for the Seagulls, having won five consecutive league meetings between 2021 and 2023 before Brighton finally halted that streak.

Villa, meanwhile, arrive in high spirits after booking their FA Cup semi-final spot with a comfortable 3-0 win over Preston. Unai Emery’s men have won two of their last three league outings, showing signs of regaining momentum in their push for European qualification.  They also carry a strong away record into this match, having triumphed in their last three road games across all competitions.

However, Villa’s attacking form away from home has been inconsistent, scoring multiple goals just once in their last ten league trips. If they are to claim three points, a solid defensive display will be key.

Manchester City are accustomed to competing for silverware at this stage of the season, but with just one win in their last four league matches (D1, L2), their grip on a Champions League spot is under threat.

Having also missed out on their usual dominance in the title race, Pep Guardiola’s side must rediscover their form quickly, and a home game against struggling Leicester presents an opportunity to do just that.

City have enjoyed near-total control in this fixture, winning nine of the last ten league meetings and their last six in a row by an aggregate score of 15-4. The Etihad has been a goal-fest when these sides meet, with an average of 4.6 goals per game across their last ten encounters.

Leicester, on the other hand, find themselves in deep trouble. A six-game losing streak without scoring has left them nine points from safety, and another defeat here would see them match an unwanted Premier League record of seven consecutive losses without finding the net - a feat only three other teams have endured.

With their survival hopes fading fast, the Foxes must find a way to break their attacking drought. However, their poor away form—only Southampton have collected fewer points on the road—means an upset at the Etihad looks highly unlikely.