jonjoward1998

Apr 28, 20239 min read

Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 34

SATURDAY:

CRYSTAL PALACE V WEST HAM

Crystal Palace lost their first game since Roy Hodgson returned against Wolves in midweek and their performance wasn't that bad. They created enough to get something from the game but couldn't take any of them and they've had a lot games like that this season.

West Ham were unlucky not to come away with at least a point against Liverpool on Wednesday with the late handball decision costing them the game. There was a case for that decision to both be given and not given. The ball clearly touched Thiago's arm but could he have moved it anywhere else? But I could understand David Moyes' frustration for it not being given. Especially as it wasn't even checked by VAR.

The Hammers have a decent record in this fixture and have won it for the last two seasons. Their away form hasn't been at all brilliant this season but they have won their last two on the road and will head into this one hoping for another win in this fixture.

PREDICTION: 1-2

I'm backing West Ham here because they have a good record in this fixture and I can see them keep it up here. Both sides have improved a lot over the last few weeks but I think the Hammers will have enough in them to win the game.

BRENTFORD V NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Brentford have a good home record this season whilst Forest have the worst away record. Everything heads towards a Brentford here for this very reason.

The bees ended their six game winless run in midweek against Chelsea where they had just one shot on target. It didn't matter how clinical they were it was just that they were clinical. Unlike their opponents.

Nottingham Forest picked up a massive win in midweek against Brighton and it will hopefully be the result that kick-starts their survival bid. They have some big games coming up including the one against Southampton next week and the result against Brighton will surely give them the confidence they need to help them through those games.

PREDICTION: 3-0

I've got to go for a Brentford win simply because of what I mentioned earlier. They've got one of the best home records in the league and with Forest having the worst away record, I can't see both changing here.

BRIGHTON V WOLVES

Brighton looked sloppy and wasteful against Nottingham Forest in midweek and the sloppy side of things was understandable. They looked tired after their FA Cup semi final defeat a few days prior as they gave the ball away a number of times and especially in their own half.

This is the Seagulls' third game within in a week which is something they're not used to. No one deserves this kind of schedule after losing an FA Cup semi final on penalties which could take time to recover from both physically and mentally.

Wolves look good as safe and a good result here will guarantee that. They moved a step closer towards safety with victory over Crystal Palace on Tuesday which moved them 8 clear of the drop zone. They're not mathematically safe yet with the form they're in I don't see anyone else catch them.

PREDICTION: 1-1

I don't see Brighton put in an improved performance here as they might still a bit tired like they were against Forest. Wolves will look to make the most of it but I don't see them being clinical enough.

SUNDAY:

BOURNEMOUTH V LEEDS

This relegation six-pointer is a must win game for both sides who are going in opposite direction when you look at their form.

Bournemouth are the side who are more likely to stay up as they're in better form with four wins from their last six. This arguably makes them favourites for this game and especially as they're at home.

They were crushed 4-0 in their last home game by fellow strugglers West Ham but they did respond with a crucial win over Southampton last night. Another win here will move them closer towards safety.

Leeds are the complete opposite as they're the side in more trouble. They've lost four of their last six games and are just a point above the relegation zone with some tough games coming up. They could do with a win here as they have Man City and Newcastle in their next two after this one.

I don't see them getting anything from their remaining games because they can't see games out. They've struggled defensively all season and have also struggled scoring goals. With their confidence being low it will take some effort from them to pick themselves up.

PREDICTION: 1-0

I'm backing Bournemouth to win here because they're more confident and are in better form. They don't score many goals but because Leeds look fragile in defence, I can see them edge this one.

FULHAM V MAN CITY

Fulham offered literally nothing against Aston Villa in midweek where they really missed Aleksandar Mitrovic. They might've gone for it a bit more had he not been suspended because of how important he is for them.

They've competed well against the big teams this season and they even gave City a good game in the reverse fixture. I don't see them giving them a good game here though as they'll again be without Mitrovic and City are obviously flying at the moment.

Man City were too good for Arsenal on Wednesday where Kevin De Bruyne in particular was exceptional. The tea itself was brilliant on the day but De Bruyne was the one who stood out the most as he ran the show from midfield like he has done so many times in a City shirt.

I think they'll go on and win the title now as they have a couple of games in hand and are in such great form. No one wants to face them when they're in this kind of form because of the squad they have and how relentless they are.

PREDICTION: 0-3

I've got to back City here because I think they'll have too much for Fulham. The form they're in is just incredible and with the quality of squad they have, I can see them win this one rather comfortably.

MAN UNITED V ASTON VILLA

Man United were in control for much of the first half against Spurs last night before letting the game slip by in the second. Spurs had more desire than them in the second half as they had most of and the better chances.

They have a stretched squad at the minute and especially in defence with Victor Lindelof being their only recognised centre back available for them. Their squad has been very thin for the last month or so because of injuries and if they're to challenge nest season they'll need to have more depth to their squad.

Aston Villa beat United in Unai Emery's first game in charge and they certainly did not see themselves being six points behind them when heading into their next meeting with them. If you asked any Villa that they would've been in this position at the start of the season they would've snapped your hand off.

Villa have been much improved at both ends since Emery took over. They've scored in every game he's been in charge of and has made them a better team defensively. The improvement defensively has arguably been the biggest as they were shipping in a lot of goals before he arrived.

PREDICTION: 2-1

I'm backing United to win this one because they're strong at home where they haven't lost since the opening day of the season. They might have a thin squad at the moment but they should still have enough quality to win the game.

NEWCASTLE V SOUTHAMPTON

Newcastle secured their Premier League safety around this time last season and one year later they're on the cusp of qualifying for the Champions League. They've been by far the most improved team in the league this season and it's all been down to Eddie Howe.

The Magpies are a side full of confidence at the moment and especially after their last two results. They followed up their 6-1 win over Spurs with a 4-1 win at Everton in midweek and it wouldn't surprise me if they had another comfortable win here.

Southampton sacked Ralph Hasenhuttl after their 4-1 defeat in the reverse fixture and a number of people have seen that as the wrong decision. I can see why they would think that as the Saints have got much worse since he left and might've had a better chance of staying up had they kept him.

It's looking very bleak for Southampton at the moment and hardly anyone will fancy them to get something here. They might have a better record away from home but with this game being against an in-form side in Newcastle, the odds will be against them here.

PREDICTION: 4-0

I've got to back Newcastle here because they have more quality and are full of confidence. Because of how convincingly they won their last two games, I think they'll win this one in similar fashion. Especially with Southampton being low on confidence.

LIVERPOOL V TOTTENHAM

Liverpool have given themselves an outside of chance of finishing in the top four with the form they've been in recently but I don't really see that happening. They do have a game in hand and some momentum to take into their remaining fixtures but finishing in the top four is still a long shot.

They got a crucial win at West Ham on Wednesday where they were quite fortunate to come away with all three points. But the most important thing was that they got the win and are on course for a strong end to the season.

Spurs showed some fight to come from behind and nick a draw against Man United last night but it was another performance where they started slowly but finished strongly. A number of their games have been like that this season but it was the first one in a while.

Spurs have both a poor record away from home this season and a poor record at Anfield. It's been a while since they won at Anfield and their chances of ending that hoodoo here will be very slim because of their poor away form and Liverpool's strong home form.

PREDICTION: 3-1

I'm backing Liverpool to win here because they're strong at home and Spurs are poor away. Especially at Anfield. With the reds in better form and having players who can exploit Spurs' dodgy defence, I can see the reds win this one without too many problems.

MONDAY:

LEICESTER V EVERTON

Both sides are in the bottom three heading into this relegation six-pointer and both need a win to keep their survival hopes alive.

Leicester have a win and a draw from their last two games which will give them confidence and something to build on heading into their remaining fixtures. It was good to see Jamie Vardy back on score sheet against Leeds in midweek and he could be set to play a huge role in the Foxes' fight to avoid relegation.

Everton have arguably the toughest run-in out of all the sides fighting it out near the bottom and I can't see them pick many points from the games they have left. They're not in the best form and their confidence is pretty low. Especially after their defeat to Newcastle last night.

They were in the game up until they went 2-0 down against Newcastle after which they showed now signs of getting themselves back into the game. The goals they conceded were poorly defended and that will worry Sean Dyche who needs to get his side back to basics if they're to stay up.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I'm backing Leicester to win here because Everton are terrible away from home. The Foxes haven't been great at home but they should still have enough to win this game. Especially with Maddison and Barnes back in the side.

TUESDAY:

ARSENAL V CHELSEA

Arsenal were no match for Man City in midweek and I feel that their title hopes are now over. They might still be top of the league but City having two games in hand gives them the advantage. The Gunners also have some difficult fixtures coming up.

Even if they don't win the league it will still be a good season for the Gunners as no one expected to see them in this position. They'll hopefully learn from this experience and take into next season and doing so will help them evolve as a team.

Chelsea's defeat to Brentford in midweek was the story of their season. A lot of chances but didn't take them. The fans booed their team off the pitch after that game and the blues are now looking like a side who just want the season to be over.

It's been a disastrous start for Frank Lampard who has lost all five of his games since he returned. But I don't think it is all his fault as he's had to take over a disjointed team and a club in an absolute mess. If it's anyone's fault it's the owner who hasn't got a clue what he's doing.

Mauricio Pochettino is the front runner for the job and if that's so they should get him in now. Doing do will give him the chance to look at the squad and see which players he wants to keep and which players he wants to get rid of. He'd the right appointment if he got the job as he's good with young players and developing them and Chelsea have a number of them.