jonjoward1998

Apr 22, 20229 min read

Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 34

SATURDAY:

ARSENAL V MAN UNITED

This fixture used to be the one to look forward to at the start of the season. But in recent seasons is hasn't felt like that. It's still a big game because of the rivalry they once had but it's not as big as it once was.

Arsenal are arguably in a better place than Man United as they have a long term plan and an identity which is something United definitely don't have. They've brought in the right players to suit the way they want to play and they also have some very good youngsters to build the team around for the next few seasons.

The Gunners got their top four bid back on track in midweek with their win at Chelsea which will give them a lot of confidence going into this game. It was a big result in their season and it was also a result they needed having lost three on the spin going into that game.

Man United were completely walked over by Liverpool in midweek and their overall performance showed how far away they are from competing at the very top. They were terrible from start to finish and they look like a team who need a major rebuild.

Their appointment of Erik Ten Hag for me is a good one because he's kind of the manager that suits their philosophy. But he's going to need time to build the team he wants because of the job he has ahead of him in rebuilding this disjointed Man United side.

PREDICTION: 3-1

I fancy Arsenal to win this one and comfortably because they work harder out of possession. I don't think United will lose in the way they lost to Liverpool but I do think Arsenal will outplay them ass they have much more energy in their team.

LEICESTER V ASTON VILLA

Leicester will be kicking themselves for the chances they missed against Everton in midweek as they created a lot of good chances that they didn't take. They really could've done with Jamie Vardy that night because he would've taken or two of those chances if he was available.

Aston Villa are in a rough patch of form at the moment following four straight defeats which have seen them drop down to 15th. They should have enough to avoid getting sucked into the relegation mix but if they're to avoid that they need to start picking up points.

They should be well prepared for this game after having a couple of weeks to prepare for it as they didn't play last weekend. This would've given Steven Gerrard plenty of time to watch back his sides' recent performances so he can see what they need to improve on going into this game.

PREDICTION: 1-3

I think Villa will win this one because they'll be feeling the fresher of the two teams having not played for a couple of weeks. As Leicester played in midweek and have played a lot of football over the course of the season, I can see Villa take advantage of this.

MAN CITY V WATFORD

Man City had to be patient against Brighton in midweek as it took them time to break them down. Their patience eventually paid off in the second half where they really turned on the style with Kevin De Bruyne being at the heart of it like he always is.

De Bruyne has looked back to his best over the last two or three months and City will need to keep him fit between now and the end of the season. They're a better team when he plays because of what he brings to the team and there are not many players like him in world football.

Watford look well and truly like a team heading for relegation given the form they're currently in and the way they're conceding goals. I thought they would be better defensively when Roy Hodgson came in and its clear to see that they have not improved there one bit.

If they defend like they did against Brentford last weekend in this one, it could be a mauling here. They've been absolutely hammered by City in the past and they could be again unless they make it difficult for them.

PREDICTION: 4-0

I've got to give City the win here because I can see them being too strong for Watford. They've beaten the Hornets rather convincingly in the past and I can see this one being another convincing win for them.

NORWICH V NEWCASTLE

Norwich played well in their defeat to Man United last time out where they made the most of some poor defending from their opponents. They may have lost the game but their performance will give them some confidence going into this big game.

Every game is a must win for the Canaries between now and the end of the season and its not going to be easy as they have some tough games coming up. But if they can win here, a great escape could well and truly be on.

Newcastle look good as safe now with their win over Crystal Palace in midweek taking them up to 40 points which is the benchmark for Premier League survival. They could even finish in the top 10 which would be quite remarkable given that they looked good as gone around Christmas time.

PREDICTION: 1-1

These two sides drew with each other earlier in the season and I can see this one ending in the same outcome. Newcastle may feel a bit leggy having played in midweek but I think they'll have more than enough to get something here against a side struggling for goals.

BRENTFORD V TOTTENHAM

Brentford look good as safe now and a good result for them here will guarantee their safety for good. They've had a good debut season in the Premier League and Thomas Frank deserves a lot of credit for the job he's done and the way he's managed his team.

Christian Eriksen will be facing Spurs for the first time since them for Inter Milan in 2020 and I'm sure he's going to get a good reception from the away fans. He was a good player for them despite leaving under cloud and he's obviously been through a lot over the last year.

Spurs were flat against Brighton last weekend as they looked a shadow of the team that went into that game in great form. They didn't offer enough in attack and Antonio Conte will want a better showing from his team in this one.

PREDICTION: 0-2

I think Spurs will bounce back in this one because they have been inconsistent at times during the season. Conte will know that the performance against Brighton wasn't good enough and he surely got his players working hard in training so they can be well prepared for this game.

SUNDAY:

BRIGHTON V SOUTHAMPTON

Brighton defended well in the first half against Man City in midweek by being defensively well organised and difficult to beat. But as expected their game plan was always going to be undone given the quality of opposition they were facing on the night.

The Seagulls are yet to win at home in 2022 with their last win at the AMEX coming on Boxing Day against Brentford. Their home form has usually been solid since they've been in the Premier League and this season it's been the other way round with their away form being the better of the two.

Southampton were pretty poor against Burnley on Thursday as they didn't offer enough in the final third of the pitch. They had very few clear cut chances and they never looked like causing Burnley any problems.

The Saints have had a rather up and down season this year in that they've had some good results to go with some good performances but they've also had some poor results in games they should be winning. They have improved on last season position wise but there is still rom for improvement from them.

PREDICTION: 1-0

I'm backing Brighton to win this one because I think Southampton will feel a little bit tired after playing on Thursday. Especially as they play a high intensity game. Brighton did also play in midweek but have had more time to recover and because of that I think they'll edge this one.

BURNLEY V WOLVES

Mike Jackson has made a decent start as Burnley caretaker manager with four points from his opening two games including their win over Southampton during the week. This will give the Clarets some confidence and a platform to build on as they look to climb out of the bottom three and stay up.

Their victory over Southampton was massive as it moved them to within a point of safety. They're still in with a chance as a result of that and they now need to carry getting result like that so they can stay up.

Wolves are still in the hunt for European football as they're just two points behind West Ham in 7th. They probably won't finish in those spots but they will look to put pressure on West Ham who are likely to drop points as a result of the busy fixture schedule they have.

They didn't play well in their last game against Newcastle a couple of weeks ago and they'll surely be looking to play better in this one. They've had plenty of time to prepare for this game as a result of them not playing last weekend and that could give them an advantage here.

PREDICTION: 0-1

I'm going for a Wolves win here because they'll be going into the game the fresher team having not played for a couple of weeks. Burnley might feel a bit leggy after playing on Thursday and because of that I can see Wolves use that to their advantage.

CHELSEA V WEST HAM

Chelsea might be starting to look over their shoulders with both Spurs and Arsenal being five points behind them. They've looked certain to finish 3rd for a while and now their place in the top four could well be under threat because of how close Spurs and Arsenal are to them.

The Blues were poor defensively against Arsenal in midweek with three of the goals they conceded coming from defensive errors. They're usually a solid team defensively but over the last few weeks we've started to see some floors in their backline which they'll need to address.

West Ham missed a big opportunity against Burnley last weekend as they failed to make the most of Arsenal and Spurs dropping points. They would've been right back in the race for the top four if they won that game but as they didn't their chances of finishing there are starting to fade.

The Hammers didn't have a game this week so they might fancy themselves to get a result here. They beat Chelsea in the reverse fixture back in December at the London Stadium which will give them some confidence going into this game. But their record at Stamford Bridge is pretty poor.

PREDICTION: 2-1

With West Ham missing crucial players defensively, I'm backing Chelsea to bounce back in this one. The blues may be on a three game losing streak at home going into this game, but I still think they'll have enough at both ends to win the game. Especially with Michail Antonio out of form.

LIVERPOOL V EVERTON

The gulf in class between these two rivals is probably the biggest in a very long time. Liverpool are fighting for the title and other major trophies whilst Everton are at the other end fighting for their lives.

With Man City playing the day before Liverpool will be looking to respond to their result in this one so they can let the champions know that they're still there. That looks set to be the case with City having a winnable game against Watford.

Everton's win in this fixture last season was their first victory at Anfield since 1999 and getting another one here will be very tough. They'll be up against a stronger Liverpool side in this one with a full crowd behind them which will make it even more challenging for them.

The Toffees have shown some fight in recent games and they'll need to carry on showing that if they're to stay up. They were a bit fortunate to come away with a point against Leicester in midweek but they still had to show some character to come from behind and gain a crucial point.

PREDICTION: 4-0

I've got to give Liverpool the win here because I can see them being too strong for Everton. With the Toffees being woeful away from home like they have been all season, the reds should win this one reasonably comfortably.

MONDAY:

CRYSTAL PALACE V LEEDS

Crystal Palace didn't really get going until the second half against Newcastle in midweek where they had more of a go after not offering much in the opening 45. Patrick Vieira will want his side to start this one much better and to keep it up for the entire game.

Defeats from their last two games have seen the Eagles drop down to 14th but they still remain in the hunt for a top 10 finish. With nothing else to play for, they'll be pushing themselves to finish in that top 10 so they can end the season on a strong note.

Leeds may have some breathing space between themselves and the bottom three but I wouldn't say they're safe yet. They have some tough games coming up and they can easily get sucked back into it. Especially if the teams below them pick up points.

With those tough games in mind, Jesse Marsch will see this as a must win game for his side because a win here will give his side the confidence they need to help them through those tough games.