SATURDAY
MAN UNITED V EVERTON
Man United weren't as bad as I thought they would be in the Manchester Derby last weekend, but they were still outplayed.
Erik ten Hag's side got themselves back in the top four race not that long ago but back to back defeats to Fulham and Man City have pulled them out of it. Those defeats make this one a must win for them.
Everton might've had their points deduction reduced, but their league form is still a worry. They haven't won a game since December and are again struggling to score goals.
They had a number of good chances against West Ham last weekend which they weren't able to take. They would've been kicking themselves after that game.
I'm not expecting many goals in this game as both sides haven't scored many of them this season. But I think United will just edge it as I can see them come up with that moment of quality.
PREDICTION: 1-0
BOURNEMOUTH V SHEFFIELD UNITED
Bournemouth finally got their first win of 2024 last weekend with their win at Burnley which should definitely give them something to build on for the rest of the season.
I think they'll follow that win up with another here as they're up against a side who have the worst away record din the league.
Sheffield United are looking like a side who have no confidence and it was definitely the case against Arsenal on Monday where they simply did not turn up. Especially in that first half.
They're pretty much doomed and I don't see things changing for them here.
PREDICTION: 3-1
CRYSTAL PALACE V LUTON
Crystal Palace have shown some encouraging signs under Oliver Glasner and they'll be glad that Eberechi Eze is back after making a goal scoring return against Spurs last weekend.
Luton are on their worst run of form since the opening weeks of the season as they come into this game off the back of losing their last four.
They have shown a lot of fight in some of those games this season, but they need to start picking results so they can get themselves out of the bottom three.
The Hatters will make it a tough game for Palace here, but with Palace having Eze back I think they'll come out on top here.
PREDICTION: 2-0
WOLVES V FULHAM
Both teams are having fairly solid seasons and have both gone about their business very quietly without too many people noticing.
But having said that, Wolves have received a lot of praise for what they've done this season and rightly so. But they have still quietly gone about their business.
Fulham have been that team who have gone under the radar this season as they haven't been talked about as much as some of the other teams.
Wolves had a rare off day against Newcastle last weekend, but I think they'll bounce back here as Fulham have been poor on the road for most of the season.
PREDICTION: 2-1
ARSENAL V BRENTFORD
With Liverpool and Man City both playing each other on Sunday, this is a game that Arsenal need to win to both put the pressure on their fellow challengers and to put themselves right in the mix. A win for the Gunners for here will briefly move them to the top.
The Gunners have been in brilliant goal scoring form since the turn of the year and they kept up that form on Monday against Sheffield United where they were outstanding.
Brentford are that side who just can't hold on to leads. No team has lost more points from winning positions than the Bees this season and it's something that Thomas Frank needs to sort out.
The Bees had a good record against the big teams last season but their record against them this season hasn't been as good. They've only taken points off Spurs and Chelsea this season.
I think Brentford will have a good go in this one, but with the goal scoring form that Arsenal have been in recently, I think they'll be too strong for the Bees.
PREDICTION: 3-1
SUNDAY:
ASTON VILLA V TOTTENHAM
Very few people would've had this down as a top four decider at the start of the season. Yet it's turned out that way.
Aston Villa were in control of the first half against Luton until the home side turned it around. But they did find a way to win the game which all top sides do.
Villa come into this one off the back of playing Ajax in the Europa Conference League on Thursday and they might feel a bit tired as a result of that.
Spurs on the other hand had no midweek commitments due to them not being in Europe and that could give them the advantage in the race for 4th place.
Because of Spurs having not played in midweek, I think they'll edge this one as they'll have more energy and feel the fresher team.
PREDICTION: 1-2
BRIGHTON V NOTTINGHAM FOREST
It's been a tricky season for Brighton but they have done pretty well considering that they've had European football to deal with.
The Seagulls have fared better at home than they have away this season and I think they'll get another one here. Especially with Forest having such a poor away record.
Nottingham Forest I felt were hard done by against Liverpool last weekend because of that controversial drop ball decision that went against them. With a potential points deduction looming over them, that defeat could be the one that sends them down.
Brighton might feel a bit tired in this one as they come into it off the back of playing Roma in the Europa League. But I think they'll come away with the victory as Forest still have a poor record away from home.
PREDICTION: 2-1
WEST HAM V BURNLEY
West Ham have began to find some form following back to back wins over Brentford and Everton which have relieved the pressure on manager David Moyes.
But the questions surrounding Moyes' future will still be around due to Moyes' contract being up at the end of the season.
Burnley along with Sheffield United are good as gone and I don't see where they're going to get their next win from.
They do have a better record away from home than they do at home this season, but they have still lost a lot of games on their travels.
West Ham come into this game off the back of playing in the Europa League and they might feel a bit tired as a result of it. But they should still have more than enough to win this game as Burnley are a vulnerable team defensively.
PREDICTION: 3-1
LIVERPOOL V MAN CITY
Liverpool could have Mo Salah back for this one after he returned to training during the week and his return would be a massive boost for the reds. This is because you need your best players available in these sort of games.
The reds are still missing some crucial players ahead of this one including Alisson and Alexander-Arnold. But they have got some of their other key players back which is a much needed boost.
Man City didn't make as many changes as I thought they would against Copenhagen in midweek but they did still rest players with this one in mind. Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden were among the players that were rested and both will no doubt be back in the starting line up for this one.
City have a terrible record at Anfield and have done for a while now and I don't see it getting any better here. Especially with Liverpool being very strong and yet to lose at home this season.
There will definitely be goals here because of the attacking players both sides have and the way they both play.
Because of City having a poor record at Anfield, I think Liverpool will just edge this one.
PREDICTION: 3-2
MONDAY:
CHELSEA V NEWCASTLE
Chelsea are one those sides who are difficult to work out. They can look decent one week but average the next.
Some of their fans are beginning to turn on Mauricio Pochettino including the one who displayed that banner in their draw at Brentford last weekend.
With some winnable home games coming up for his side, Pochettino has the chance to win the supporters trust back.
Newcastle have been poor on the road this season but their away results have improved since the turn of the year - winning all but one.
The Magpies looked like a side who were back to their best against Wolves last weekend which was their best performance in a long time. Their performance that day will hopefully give them a lot of confidence to take into the rest of the season.
I still however don't fancy Eddie Howe's side here because of the struggles they've had away from home. Chelsea have been pretty decent at home this season and I think they might just nick this one.
PREDICTION: 2-1
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