jonjoward1998

Feb 18, 20229 min read

Premier League Prediction: Matchweek 26

SATURDAY:

WEST HAM V NEWCASTLE

The reverse fixture back in August set the tone for both teams this season with West Ham carrying the momentum from their strong start and Newcastle looking open defensively as a result of them playing on the front foot. This game could show us how far they've both come since that result on the opening weekend.

The games will be coming in thick and fast for West Ham soon so it's important that they get a result in this one and the next one. This is because they'll need to go into those games with confidence so they have a chance of keeping their top four hopes alive as the games come flooding in.

Newcastle have much more belief now than they did a couple of weeks as a result of their recent form which has lead them out of the relegation zone. Their 3 wins from 3 have put them in pole position to stay up and there is a much better feeling around the place in general.

The Magpies will be without Kieron Trippier for a number of weeks as a result of the injury he picked in their win over Aston Villa last weekend. It's a big blow for Newcastle because of how influential he's been since he's been at the club and his injury could halt the good form they're in.

PREDICTION: 2-1

Newcastle will be feeling confident going into this one following the recent form they've been in. But I think West Ham will take the win here as they'll have enough quality to win the game.

ARSENAL V BRENTFORD

Arsenal were in for a difficult season when they lost to Brentford on the opening day of the season which now feels like a long time ago. The Gunners have improved since then as they have a more solid look about them which wasn't the case for them the last time.

They've had an entire week to prepare for this game as they didn't play last weekend which could give them an advantage here. This is a big opportunity for the Gunners to close the gap on the top four and especially with the teams above dropping points last weekend. They'll be looking to pounce if the same happens again this weekend.

Brentford stopped the rot with their draw against Crystal Palace last weekend which they'll see as a platform to build on. Their recent run of form has seen them slowly get dragged into the relegation mix and their draw with Palace will hopefully help them get their momentum back.

The Bees will of course have great memories from their win over Arsenal on the opening day as it was their first game in the Premier League and the first game in their new stadium with a full crowd. They showed on that day that they can compete at this level and they've shown it ever since despite their recent slide.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I'm backing Arsenal to win this one because they're reasonably strong at home and will put in a better performance than the one they put in on the opening day. With Brentford not in the best of form, they should have more than enough quality to win the game.

ASTON VILLA V WATFORD

Aston Villa were not at their best against Newcastle last weekend and it was arguably their worst performance under Steven Gerrard. They didn't pose enough of a threat going forward and although their improved a bit after half time, they still didn't do enough to get a result.

Steven Gerrard may see that result as an off day as he knows his team can play better. Villa have been in games ever since he's been in charge and they'll need to return to those level of performances in this one if they're to get a result.

Watford are yet to score a goal under Roy Hodgson having failed to score in each of his 3 games in charge. They have looked better defensively which is what we expected when he came in but he needs to get his forwards scoring if they're to start winning games.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I'm backing Villa to bounce back in this one as I think they'll have more than enough quality to win the game. With Watford yet to score under Roy Hodgson, I can also see Villa keep a clean sheet as they do look a solid outfit defensively.

BRIGHTON V BURNLEY

Brighton were unlucky not to come away with a result against Man United in midweek as they had some good chances and were arguably the better side. They did look sloppy in possession at times but with the chances they had, they felt that they deserved something from the game.

Their win over Burnley on the opening day set them up for the season nicely as they went on to start the season well and remain in the top 10 for most of the season. Their goal scoring problems have come back to bite them at times but they're still having a good season thanks to their solid start.

Burnley have been in games recently but have lacked a goal threat like they have done all season. Wout Weghorst has impressed in the games he's played in but now they need to get him scoring and soon because they need to start winning games. Their solitary win over Brentford in October feels like a long time ago now.

PREDICTION: 0-0

Both sides don't score a lot of goals but are reasonably solid defensively. Because that I have to go for a goalless draw here as I can see both factors play a part in this game.

CRYSTAL PALACE V CHELSEA

Crystal Palace are still without a win in 2022 but Patrick Vieira won't be too worried about that as they're looking comfortable in mid-table and unlikely to get sucked into a relegation battle. He would still like a win for his side but he won't be panicking just yet.

Chelsea will be feeling confident going into this one following their Club World Cup success in Abu Dhabi which will surely give them the motivation to end the season strongly and win more trophies. They've had enough to recover from their success last weekend so they should be refreshed and ready to go for this one.

The blues have a big week ahead following this game as they have the first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie against Lille on Tuesday before taking on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final next Sunday. They'll definitely want a win in this one so they have some confidence to take into those games.

PREDICTION: 0-2

Palace have looked decent at home this season but I think Chelsea will have enough to take the points here. They'll be feeling confident after winning the Club World Cup and I can see them carry that confidence into this game.

LIVERPOOL V NORWICH

Liverpool had to work hard for their win over Inter Milan in midweek and that hard work eventually paid off as they got the win to give them the upper hand in the tie. Losing Jota will be a blow for them as he went off injured at half time but Klopp will still be pleased that side got the win and the upper hand in the tie.

One thing that has impressed me about Liverpool recently has been their strength in depth with players able to come in and step up. There is competition for places within the squad and this will be a big plus for them moving forward.

Norwich saw their mini revival end last weekend in their defeat to Man City which was probably expected. They would've felt rock bottom after that result if it was a few months ago because of the form they were in at the time. But not this time as there is more belief now than there was back then.

If they suffer a similar result in this one, they'll do their best to stay upbeat as this is a game they're not expected to win. Their confidence levels may drop but they'll still have the belief that they can stay up as the team is more together than it was earlier in the season.

PREDICTION: 3-0

I've got to go for a Liverpool win here because I think they'll be too strong for Norwich. The reds may rest some players ahead of the Carabao Cup final next Sunday but with their strength in depth looking strong, they'll still have more than enough to win this game.

SOUTHAMPTON V EVERTON

Southampton were unlucky not to come away with all three points against Man United last weekend as they were arguably the better side. Their work rate off the ball was much better than their opponents and they had some good chances to score. They probably had the better chances on the day.

Southampton have a decent record in this fixture over the last few seasons having won 4 of their last 5 home games against Everton. They'll fancy themselves to win this one as they're having a better season and are arguably in better form.

Everton picked up a much needed win last time out against Leeds which was a result that Frank Lampard needed. The performance was much better than the ones they've put in all season and it will hopefully give them a platform to build on as they look to climb up the table.

The Toffees have some difficult games coming up so its important that they get another win here in order to build some confidence going into those games. They should have more than enough to stay up but for them to do that they need to get some more wins under their belt starting with this one.

PREDICTION: 1-0

Everton will have some much needed confidence following their win over Leeds. But I think Southampton will edge this one because they've been playing well and and I can see them put in another good performance here.

MAN CITY V TOTTENHAM

Man City really showed their class against Sporting Lisbon in midweek particularly in the first half where the damage was already done. They always look to get more after scoring one like they did on Tuesday and it is what makes them the team they are now.

Raheem Sterling has come in to some form after scoring in midweek following his hat trick against Norwich last weekend. He's already scored as many league goals as he did last season and will be backing himself to find the net again in this one.

Spurs' top four hopes have taken a big hit recently following three straight defeats which is something Antonio Conte had not experienced for a number of years. He's now facing the possibility of losing a 4th consecutive game for the first time in his career which is looking likely with the form Spurs are in at the moment.

Their performance against Wolves was poor from the very beginning with defensive mistakes costing them again. They were looking pretty solid when Conte came in but now they're looking disorganised and shaky.

PREDICTION: 3-1

I have to give City the win here because of the form they're in and the quality they have. With Spurs looking dodgy defensively, I can see City win this one reasonably comfortably.

SUNDAY:

LEEDS V MAN UNITED

Leeds do have a cushion between themselves and the relegation by being six points clear of the drop. But they could get sucked back into it with the games they have coming up. They have Liverpool and Spurs after this tough clash with United and with the teams below them likely to pick up points, they could find themselves back in the mix.

I felt their decision to sub Raphinha off as half time against Everton was a strange one as he's their main goal threat. They didn't offer much of a threat over the course of the game and their decision to bring off the Brazilian could be a reason why.

Man United finally saw a game over the line with their win over Brighton in midweek but their performance was again not convincing enough. Their work rate was better as they pressed their opponents high and forced them into mistakes but their overall performance still could've been better.

This game could benefit them as they have struggled against sides who sit deep at times during the season. Leeds aren't one of those sides as they're an expansive team who leave gaps in their defence which United will be looking to exploit with the attacking players they have.

PREDICTION: 1-3

I'm going for a United win here because I think they'll have enough goals in them to win the game. They have struggled for consistency this season but with Leeds likely to leave gaps in behind, I can see United exploit those spaces as they have the players to do so.

WOLVES V LEICESTER

Wolves put themselves in the mix for the Champions League with their win at Spurs last weekend with the result lifting them up to 7th and ahead of Spurs. The gap between themselves and 4th may have been extended as a result of Man United's midweek win over Brighton but Wolves will still feel that they're still in the mix.

Bruno Lage's men have the second best defence in the league this season with just 17 goals conceded. They can still do better going forward in regards with the amount of goals they've scored but defensively they've been very solid. They might be higher up the table if they scored more goals.

Leicester showed some fight in their draw with West Ham last weekend but weren't able to hold on for the win as they conceded from yet another set piece. They'll be happy with their performance after a slow start but at the same time they'll be disappointed that they weren't able to see the game out.

They received a confidence boost in midweek with their 4-1 win over Randers in the Europa Conference League. But they received another blow as they lost James Maddison shortly after bringing him on in the second half. With Vardy still out along with Maddison, the Foxes could struggle in this one as they're both key players in their attack.