Football tips today, 4 Mar 2026: Analysis of 4 promising matches with Manchester United in focus, plus today's football schedule.
On 4 March 2026, today's football tips focus sharply on the English Premier League battles that directly impact the title race and UEFA Champions League qualification. Follow the analysis and insights on 4 intriguing matches as follows:
- English Premier League / Kick-off at 02:30 GMT+7
The "Gunners" aim to maintain at least a 5-point lead over Manchester City after winning their last two London derbies against Spurs and Chelsea, extending their unbeaten league run to 6 games (4 wins, 2 draws). Away from home, they remain unbeaten in all 11 recent matches. They have not lost in their last 5 visits to Brighton (3 wins, 2 draws). However, they may miss midfielders Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard simultaneously. Fortunately, their attack still features Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, and Victor Jekeres leading the line.
The hosts, the "Seagulls," recently achieved their second consecutive two-match winning streak of this league season, both against Brentford and Nottingham Forest. Despite only two home league losses this season (6 wins, 6 draws), they have won only twice in their last 8 home games. The availability of versatile player Mats Weffer is uncertain; if unfit, up to 4 players including key midfielder Yassin Ayari will be absent. Overall, Arsenal still have enough quality to snatch 3 points on the road.
Prediction The Gunners narrowly secure victory.
- English Premier League / Kick-off at 02:30 GMT+7
The "Sky Blues" remain unbeaten in all competitions for 9 matches (8 wins, 1 draw). In their latest league game, despite missing Erling Haaland, who has scored 29 goals this season, new forward Antoine Semenyo scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 away win over Leeds. Since transferring from Bournemouth, Semenyo has scored 6 goals in 11 matches. City's home league form is solid with a 13-match unbeaten streak (11 wins, 2 draws). Though Nico O'Reilly is sidelined with an ankle injury, Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders are ready to step in.
Meanwhile, "The Forest" appear to be improving under new coach Vítor Pereira, who began his tenure with a 3-0 away win over Fenerbahçe in the Europa League playoff first leg. However, they then suffered 3 consecutive defeats. They have still qualified for the last 16 in Europe but remain just 2 points above the relegation zone in the league. Their last 3 visits to Manchester City ended in defeats with 11 goals conceded and none scored. Although first-choice goalkeeper Mats Sels has returned from injury replacing Stefan Ortega, their chances of taking points away look slim.
Prediction The Sky Blues win at home.
- English Premier League / Kick-off at 02:30 GMT+7
The "Villans" have shown clear decline lately. Once title contenders, they now risk falling out of the top four after winning only 1 of their last 5 league matches (2 losses, 2 draws). This drop partly results from missing three key midfield drivers simultaneously: John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, and Boubacar Kamara. Although they won 2-1 away at Chelsea in the first meeting, they have not beaten them home or away for 36 years.
The visitors, the "Blues," started well under new coach Liam Rosenior with 4 straight league wins but have failed to win in their last 3 matches (2 draws, 1 loss). They most recently lost 1-2 to Arsenal, conceding from a corner. If they fail to beat Aston Villa, their last 10 fixtures include tough matches against Manchester City, Manchester United, and Liverpool. They will miss Pedro Neto due to suspension after his red card in the previous game, adding to 6 other absentees. Both teams look likely to struggle, making a draw a probable outcome.
Prediction Expect a dull draw.
- English Premier League / Kick-off at 03:15 GMT+7
The "Red Devils" are in strong form under interim coach Michael Carrick, unbeaten in 7 matches (6 wins, 1 draw), collecting 19 of 21 possible points, climbing to 3rd in the table with a real chance for Champions League qualification. Importantly, Benjamin Sesko, who was linked with Newcastle last summer, has scored 7 goals in his last 8 appearances across all competitions. United are unbeaten in their last 5 away games (2 wins, 3 draws), but lost their last 3 visits to "The Magpies". Additionally, Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire are new injury concerns.
Newcastle, the hosts, still lack consistency, suffering 3 consecutive home league defeats. Though they have won 4 and lost 2 of their last 6 games in all competitions, including victories over the lower-quality Qarabağ in the Champions League, Aston Villa (who had 10 men) in the FA Cup, and relegation-threatened Spurs in the league, they remain without Bruno Guimarães, Lewis Miley, and Tino Livramento due to injury. Jacob Ramsey has recovered from illness, but Nick Woltemade is now ill. Despite winning the last 3 home meetings against Manchester United, given current form, the "Red Devils" are more likely to take all 3 points.
Prediction The Magpies cannot stop the Red Devils' momentum.