SUNDAY:
ARSENAL V WOLVES
Arsenal will be feeling hurt after missing out on the title and especially after spending most of the season at the summit. They can still be proud of the season they've had as they've done a lot better than many people thought they would. But they'll feel disappointed with the way it ended for them.
Mikel Arteta will want his side to end the season on a high note and for that to happen they need to show a reaction here. They'll understandably be feeling down after letting the title slip away from them and Arteta will need to pick his players up and get them ready for this game.
Wolves had already appointed Julen Lopetegui heading into the reverse fixture back in November and the job he's done since has been no short of incredible. They were bottom of the table heading into the World Cup break and are set to end the season in a comfortable mid-table position.
His future at the club however is in doubt because of the club's financial situation according to some reports. They need to make signings this summer if they're to kick on and for that to happen they need to sort out this situation and quickly. If not next season could be another struggle.
PREDICTION: 3-1
I'm backing Arsenal to respond here because I think they'll have enough quality to win the game. They'll still be hurting after missing out on the title but I think the players will pick themselves up and show a reaction to recent results.
ASTON VILLA V BRIGHTON
Aston Villa simply have to win this game and they qualify for Europe next season. A draw could be enough for them but they'll need Spurs to drop points in their game with Leeds as both of them have the same goal difference with Spurs leading the way on goals scored.
Brighton have already got their place in Europe secured following their win over Southampton last weekend and their draw with Man City in midweek got them a place in the Europa League. They deserve they place there after the season they've had and it will no doubt be an experience their fans will be excited about.
They won't take their foot off the here though as they'll want to end the season strongly. They might have reached their target of securing European football but I still think they'll field a strong team and go for the win here.
PREDICTION: 2-1
I fancy Villa to win this one as they've been decent at home and especially recently. It will be a close game with both sides setting themselves up to go for the win. But I think Villa will just edge this one as they have players who can hurt Brighton.
BRENTFORD V MAN CITY
Brentford have been excellent at home this season and they even won the reverse fixture back in November. Both factors will definitely give them confidence heading into this game but with City being in the form they're in and the Bees being without talisman Ivan Toney, getting another win against them will be tough.
They have shown signs of life without Toney in their last two games against West Ham and Spurs both of which they won convincingly. But I still think Thomas Frank should look to bring in a replacement striker in the summer to fill void left by their top goal scorer.
Man City might make some changes for this game with both the FA Cup and Champions League finals in mind. He might still play some of his big hitters so his side can end the season on a high note but I can still see him make changes because he may want to keep his big hitters fresh ahead of those big finals.
Whatever team they put out, it will still look very strong because of the strength in depth they have. They've got the strongest squad in the league by some distance and their strong squad has been crucial to them winning another title.
PREDICTION: 1-3
I'm backing City to win here because they'll have more than enough quality to win the game. They might make changes with the two cup finals in mind but I still think they'll field a strong enough team to win this game because of how strong their squad is.
CHELSEA V NEWCASTLE
Chelsea will be glad to see back of this season after the terrible campaign they've had this season and it's been like that for the last few weeks. They've been a mess both on and off the pitch and they no doubt have a massive summer ahead of them. Whoever takes over in the summer most likely Pochettino will have a big job on their hands next season.
Their team against Man United in midweek was probably the worst Chelsea side I've seen. There were a number of young players in their starting line up but I was still expecting them to field a stronger team with it being against a side like Man United. Familiar failings let them down on the night in converting chances.
Newcastle might make a number of changes here after getting their Champions League place for next season secured on Monday but I don't see that happening. Eddie Howe will want his side to end the season on a strong note and for that to happen he'll most likely play his best team here.
I thought the Magpies would be at least in the top 10 at the start of the season having avoided relegation the season before. They've overachieved massively this season and they're only going to get better now they have owners who will invest in the squad.
PREDICTION: 0-2
I'm backing Newcastle to end the season strongly here because they're more of a team that Chelsea are. They're a team with an identity unlike the blues and because of this I think they'll win this one without too many problems.
CRYSTAL PALACE V NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Crystal Palace have been a resurgent side since Roy Hodgson returned and the club will have a decision to make on his future after this game. I can see a case for him both staying and leaving. He's made a massive impact since he returned to the club in terms of results and performances but the club may want to look at someone for the long term.
If you asked any Nottingham Forest fan that they would be safe with a game to spare they probably wouldn't believe you. In fact they probably would've snapped your hand off.
Steve Cooper deserves a lot of credit for the job he's done this season and he surely has to be a contender for manager of the season. He had 30 new signings to bed in which is never easy and for him to keep his side in the league with that amount of new players is an outstanding achievement.
Their home form was key to them staying up this season but their away form on the other hand has been shocking. Just 1 win and 10 goals scored on their travels this season and their poor away form is why not many people will fancy to get something here.
PREDICTION: 3-0
I'm going for a Palace win here because of Forest's poor form away from home. The Eagles have played with a freedom since Roy Hodgson returned and with the attacking players they have they should win this one fairly comfortably. Especially with Forest being so bad on the road.
EVERTON V BOURNEMOUTH
All Everton have to do here is win and they're safe. They've got the most winnable fixture out of all the teams fighting to avoid relegation and with them starting the day outside the relegation zone, they're the favourites to beat the drop.
Not having Dominic Calvert Lewin is a big blow because without him they don't have an out and out goal threat. Goals have been a massive struggle for the Toffees this season and it's the main reason why they've been down there this season. Sean Dyche's side will need to change the way they play here if they're to get something because they can't go long without that recognised striker in their side.
Bournemouth were my pre-season favourites for relegation at the start of the season and they've gone on to prove myself and possibly many others wrong. A lot of people thought they would be the team needing a win to secure their safety and it's all credit to Gary O'Neil for getting the job done early.
The Cherries have already beaten Everton twice this season in the Carabao Cup and the Premier League. But getting a third win against them won't be as straightforward because the Toffees will have the home crowd on their side and are in a more desperate situation.
PREDICTION: 2-0
I'm backing Everton to get the job done here because they have home advantage and I can see the Goodison crowd getting them over the line here. They might be without Calvert Lewin which is a massive blow but I still think they'll get themselves over the line here.
LEEDS V TOTTENHAM
Leeds looked a deflated side after their defeat at West Ham and Luke Ayling's comments after the game certainly raised some eyebrows. The Leeds captain said that they "didn't look fit enough" in his post-match interview and they're not the sort of things you want your captain to say. Especially when playing for a side in a relegation battle.
They simply have to go for it here because their survival hopes are on thin ice at the moment. They went for it against Newcastle in their last home game and got a draw and will need to put in a similar performance here. But they'll need to remain resolute at back as they have been known as a side who shoot themselves in the foot.
What is going on at Spurs at the moment. It's been eight weeks since Antonio Conte left and we have no idea who their next manager is going to be. Feyenoord boss Arne Slot appeared to be the front runner but has now ruled himself out leaving their manager search up in the air.
Spurs like Leeds simply need to win this one or they won't be playing European football next season. I wouldn't bank on them to win here because they're away from home and their away form recently has been poor. No wins on the road since January and have lost all of their last three away games.
This could likely be the last time we see Harry Kane play for Spurs and I think it will. He's been good servant for the club throughout his time there but with Spurs in a mess and unlikely to win trophies anytime soon, it wouldn't surprise me if he decided to move on.
PREDICTION: 2-2
Both sides have to go for it here because they both need the win for obvious reasons. I don't see either side winning it though as Leeds always kick themselves in the foot and Spurs rarely look convincing. Leeds will definitely have a go but as they can't hold on to leads, I think Spurs will somehow nick a draw and send them down.
LEICESTER V WEST HAM
Could this be the end of Leicester's story? It's beginning to look that way and has done for some time. Defensively they've been poor for pretty much the entire season and they also haven't shown enough fight to get out of the situation they're in. They need to show a lot of that here if they're to get themselves over the line.
They were very defensive against Newcastle on Monday where Dean Smith made brave calls to leave out arguably his best attacking players in James Maddison and Harvey Barnes. He'll be happy with the clean sheet and the performance of the defence as a whole but you feel that they could've offered more going forward.
This could be the game for most of the Leicester players with a number of them out of contract at the end of the season and some of them likely to move on if they go down. This summer will be very interesting indeed.
West Ham are likely to make a number of changes for this game with the Europa Conference League final in mind despite it being less than two weeks away. But with David Moyes wanting a fully fit squad for that final, it wouldn't at all surprise me if he did make a number of changes for this game.
The Hammers are a deadly side from set pieces and if their is any area where they're going to cause Leicester, it is from set plays. The Foxes are terrible when it comes to defending from set pieces and David Moyes' side will surely look to exploit it because of how deadly they are from those areas.
PREDICTION: 1-3
I'm backing West Ham to win here because I can see them punish Leicester from set pieces as well as in open play. The Hammers might make a number of changes with the Europa Conference League final in mind but I still think they'll hurt the Foxes from set pieces and send them down.
MAN UNITED V FULHAM
Man United got their Champions League place for next season secured with their win over Chelsea in midweek and they might make a number of changes here with the FA Cup final next weekend in mind. But I'm not sure that they'll be able to because of how stretched their squad is and the injuries they have.
Their squad has been stretched for a while because of injuries and a lack of depth. There has been a lot of talk of them needing a striker but they also need to bring in players to bolster the depth of their squad so they can challenge City next season.
Fulham have had a brilliant first season back in the top flight with the Cottagers set to end their first season back in side the top 10. They've managed games much better than they did in their previous two spells and part of that has been down to a better defence and improved recruitment.
They've given the big teams a good game whenever they've faced them this season and I can see them give this one a good go. They were seconds away from snatching a point in the reverse fixture and will surely go into this one with a similar mindset.
PREDICTION: 2-1
I'm backing United to win this one because they're solid at home and should have enough quality to win the game. I think Fulham will give them a good game but Erik Ten Hag's side should have just enough to edge this one.
SOUTHAMPTON V LIVERPOOL
It's been a shocker of a season for Southampton and their final game of the season just so happens to be at home where they've been dreadful all season. They've won just twice at St Mary's over the course of the season and are up against a side who they have sold the majority of their best players to over the years.
They'll just want to forget about this season and move on once this game is finished because of how terrible it's been. They've been a mess both on and off the pitch and all they can do here is put in an encouraging performance to please their fans who have suffered a lot this season.
Liverpool's top four hopes are done but they'll still want to end the season on a positive note. Missing out on the Champions League will hurt them psychologically but they'll still want to end the season strongly so they can give their fans something to cheer about in what has been a tough season.
The reds have been in good form over the last month or two and will be hoping to carry this momentum into the start of next season. This game could well be the last for some of the players as Jurgen Klopp looks to clear out his squad and bring in some new faces ahead of next season.
PREDICTION: 0-3
I've got to back Liverpool here because they'll have more than enough quality to win the game. They're ending the season strongly unlike Southampton and with the Saints having such a poor record at home, I can see this being a comfortable win for the reds.
Comments