Sophia Manipulates Rachel—A Dangerous Alliance Forms

One of the biggest predictions this week centers on Rachel Black, whose recent confession changed the course of multiple storylines. After admitting she tried to kill Sarah Horton using pistachios—

and shot her uncle EJ—Rachel is being transferred to Bayview for inpatient psychiatric care. Brady, already crushed by her behavior, now faces the agony of leaving his daughter behind, screaming and frightened, as she’s admitted for help.

However, Bayview is already

home to someone who could make Rachel’s situation even worse: Sophia. Fans will remember that Sophia has been catatonic ever since her web of lies about “Baby Tate” was exposed,

but the cracks have shown—Sophia may have been faking her breakdown. And now, with Rachel arriving, she sees a golden opportunity.

Rachel is already vulnerable, angry, and feeling betrayed by everyone she loves. Sophia, a master manipulator in her own right, may target Rachel as the perfect pawn.

Why?

Because Sophia’s obsession with Tate isn’t over—and she knows Tate will visit Rachel if he believes it will help her recovery.

Sophia could use Rachel to lure Tate back into her orbit. By convincing Rachel that their families abandoned them both, Sophia might create an alliance built on resentment and revenge. Rachel may be manipulative, but Sophia has proven she operates at an entirely different level. If these two team up, Salem could be staring down one of the most dangerous teenage duos in its history.

Next week’s scenes will likely feature Rachel bonding with Sophia in ways that should concern Brady, Theresa, Tate, and anyone else connected to them. The question isn’t whether Sophia will manipulate Rachel—but how far she’ll push her.

Cat Outsmarts EJ—And Sparks Fly

Another major storyline this week surrounds a shocking twist: Cat tricks EJ into a memory recovery, using it to advance her investigation with Rafe.

The seeds were already planted when Cat and EJ bonded over Wuthering Heights, both having purchased copies from Julie’s bookstore. But what began as shared literary appreciation quickly turned into a clue: Cat remembered seeing Sami reading to a heavily bandaged man in an Italian hospital—a man Cat also read to when Sami wasn’t present.

That man was EJ.

Cat puts the pieces together, and now she prepares to make her move. Spoilers for the week reveal several escalating moments:

• Cat asks EJ for help
• Cat triggers EJ’s memory
• EJ becomes consumed by thoughts of the past

Cat, realizing she holds information EJ desperately needs, uses her instincts—and possibly her charm—to pull him in. But this isn’t just a simple conversation. Predictions suggest Cat may ultimately drug EJ using spiked scotch, knocking him out to either:

• search the mansion
• search EJ’s phone
• or dig into his private files

The dynamic between them will ignite this week, and what starts as a calculated tactic could evolve into undeniable chemistry. Cat remains committed to her investigation, but she may blur lines she swore she wouldn’t cross. And EJ—who rarely finds anyone capable of going toe-to-toe with him—may find himself surprisingly drawn to Cat even as she outmaneuvers him.

Don’t expect EJ to face punishment for his laboratory schemes anytime soon—but do expect this storyline to heat up dramatically.

Belle Fights to Free Kristen

In an unexpected turn, Belle may step forward to defend Kristen DiMera, now that Rachel’s confessions have come to light.

Kristen has been sitting in prison for crimes she didn’t commit—confessing to Rachel’s shooting of EJ to protect her troubled daughter. Now that the truth is out, Belle and Brady both understand the importance of legally clearing Kristen’s name.

Spoilers indicate Belle will approach Paulina for support this week, likely in her role as Salem’s D.A. Belle knows Rachel needs psychiatric help, not punishment, and that Kristen deserves exoneration. Rachel being in Bayview makes prosecution unlikely, but Kristen’s previous “escape” from Statesville may now be classified as kidnapping—removing a major legal barrier.

If Belle succeeds, it could mark one of the most surprising alliances of the winter season.

Theo Gets Kidnapped—And Blames EJ

One of the most dramatic predictions involves the DiMera family’s growing crisis.

Characters have been disappearing mysteriously—Tony, Kristen, and Chad were all abducted and dumped in the DiMera crypt beneath the mansion. Now, insiders hint that Theo is next.

As EJ and Theo team up to investigate the disappearances, Theo may decide to search the crypt himself—a location infamous in DOOL history for imprisonments, demonic showdowns, and DiMera mayhem.

But entering the crypt could be Theo’s downfall.

Whether he’s knocked out or snatched from behind, Theo may soon wake up trapped with the others. And without any sign of EJ, the remaining prisoners could assume the worst—that EJ is behind the kidnappings.

After all, the DiMera family has no shortage of betrayal, suspicion, and corporate power struggles. With EJ’s past full of questionable tactics, it wouldn’t take much for Theo, Chad, Kristen, and Tony to point to him as the mastermind.

But predictions strongly suggest EJ is a red herring. The real culprit has yet to be revealed—and Salem is bracing for a major twist.

Gwen Plots Revenge—Using Dimitri to Ruin Leo & Javi

In romantic developments, things are about to get messy—very messy.

Gwen still harbors deep resentment for Leo after discovering him in bed with her husband, Dimitri von Leuschner, on their honeymoon. And now that Leo and Javi are engaged, Gwen can’t stand the idea of Leo getting a happy ending.

Spoilers reveal she’ll cross paths with the couple this week, and predictions suggest the following:

• Gwen will bring Dimitri back into the picture
• Dimitri will kiss Leo (teased in the fall promo)
• Gwen will use this kiss to sabotage Leo and Javi’s marriage

It’s revenge, full circle. Leo destroyed Gwen’s marriage with Dimitri, and now Gwen may orchestrate Dimitri’s return just in time to blow up Leo’s.

The fallout promises to be dramatic, emotional, and classic Days chaos.

Final Thoughts

This week on Days of Our Lives guarantees tangled alliances, twisted motives, and shocking developments. From EJ being tricked, to Theo blaming the wrong person, to Sophia and Rachel forming a dangerous bond—Salem is about to face one of its most turbulent weeks in recent memory.