Mikel Obi Predicts Premier League Matches as Arsenal Prepare to Face Chelsea
Published on February 28, 2026, at 11:53 AM by Elijah Odetokun, this article delves into the predictions of Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel for Premier League matchday 28. Mikel, known for his weekly forecasts on the Obi One Podcast, has shared his insights with a clear bias toward his former club, Chelsea, as they gear up for a crucial London derby against Arsenal.
Matchday 28 Overview and Key Fixtures
The Premier League matchday 28 kicked off on Friday, February 27, 2028, with a surprising result as Wolverhampton Wanderers, led by Tolu Arokodare, stunned third-placed Aston Villa with a 2-0 victory at Molineux Stadium. This upset has added intrigue to the weekend's fixtures, which include high-stakes games such as Liverpool hosting West Ham at Anfield and Manchester City traveling to Elland Road to face a rejuvenated Leeds United.
For Manchester City, this match is a must-win as they aim to maintain pressure on league leaders Arsenal in a title race that is reaching decisive moments. The biggest clash of the weekend, however, is the London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal needs a win to solidify their position at the top, while Chelsea must secure three points to keep their Champions League hopes alive and potentially derail their rivals' title ambitions.
Mikel Obi's Predictions and Podcast Insights
During his weekly prediction segment on the Obi One Podcast, Mikel Obi forecasted outcomes for three key Premier League fixtures. He stated, "My first pick, I'm going to go with Everton to draw against Newcastle. Secondly, I'm going with Manchester City to beat Leeds United away." For the marquee match, he added, "My third pick, I'm going for my club, my team, Chelsea, to beat the bottle jobs Arsenal."
His podcast partner, Chris McHardy, offered contrasting views, backing Fulham to compound Tottenham's domestic woes and predicting a Manchester United victory. McHardy disagreed with Mikel on the Arsenal vs Chelsea clash, forecasting that the Gunners would prevail over their London rivals.
Managerial Perspectives Ahead of the Derby
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has urged his team to learn from past mistakes, particularly referencing their two-legged Carabao Cup clash against Arsenal. He emphasized the need for a more front-footed approach, saying, "We have to look at it with the right context. There was a really good structure of ours without the ball. With the ball, maybe we could have been more front-footed. In terms of going out to win the game, there was a clear idea that the players carried out very well."
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta echoed Rosenior's sentiments, expecting Chelsea to adapt their strategy. He noted, "They’ve done different things; they can change throughout the game. They have the players, and they have a manager who is very comfortable doing that - so we’re prepared." Both managers are strategizing intensely for this pivotal encounter.
Broader Context: Supercomputer Predictions and Champions League Race
Adding to the weekend's excitement, a supercomputer has predicted the Premier League's UEFA Champions League slots for the next season, potentially offering five spots. This season, all five English teams in the Champions League reached the last 16, with four qualifying as top-eight teams in the group stage, highlighting the league's competitive depth.
As the Premier League title race heats up, Mikel Obi's predictions and the managerial insights set the stage for a thrilling weekend of football. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if his forecasts, especially his biased pick for Chelsea, come to fruition in this high-stakes London derby.
