jonjoward1998

Apr 29, 20229 min read

Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 35

SATURDAY:

NEWCASTLE V LIVERPOOL

Newcastle are off the back of six straight wins at home and four straight wins overall going into this game which will give them a lot of confidence. These results have got them into the top half and well clear of safety. This looked impossible a few months ago and Eddie Howe deserves a lot of credit for the job he has done.

Liverpool were dominant against Villarreal in midweek but they did have to be patient to get the win. The Spanish side made it difficult for the reds in the first half by getting in the way of the majority of their shots but the reds kept on going and eventually broke down the sturdy Villarreal defence.

The reds have the chance to gain an upper hand in the title race in this game as they're playing first which would in turn put pressure on City to respond in their game against Leeds later on. If they're going to win the title they need to win this game.

PREDICTION: 0-2

Both sides are in good form going into this game and it could be close for that very reason. I'm going to go for a Liverpool win here because I think their quality will be enough for them to win the game.

ASTON VILLA V NORWICH

Aston Villa stopped the rot with a draw against Leicester last weekend which was an important result for them having lost four on the spin going into that game. They did miss a lot of very good chances during the game but the draw itself will give them something to build on going into their final games of the season.

Dean Smith will return to Villa for the first time since he was sacked back in November and I'm hopeful he'll get a good reception. He did a good job during his time at Villa in getting them promoted and keeping them up before stabilising them last season. He deserves a good reception from the fans based on this.

Every game is a must win for Norwich between now and the end of the season with their hopes of survival looking very slim. They're 10 points from safety and because of that and the games they have coming up, they look good as gone.

PREDICTION: 3-1

I'm backing Villa to win this one because I believe they'll have enough quality to win the game. They're not in great form going into this game but I still think they'll get their season back on track with a win in this game.

SOUTHAMPTON V CRYSTAL PALACE

Southampton are having an up and down season this year and their last few results have backed that up. A good win over Arsenal followed by a poor performance at Burnley followed by a draw at Brighton where they had to rely on James Ward Prowse to dig them out of trouble.

Losing Tino Livramento to a horrific injury will be a massive blow for the Saints because of how impressive he's been for them this season. He's made that right back spot his own at just 18 years of age and he's going to be a big massive miss for the Saints for the rest of the season.

Crystal Palace missed a lot of good chances against Leeds on Monday night and they will certainly be kicking themselves for it. They were on top for the majority of the game and with the chances they had they should've won the game.

They've lost some momentum in recent weeks which they'll need to get back if they're to end the season strongly. It's been a good first season Patrick Vieira at Selhurst Park and he won't want it to end on a sour note.

PREDICTION: 2-2

Both sides aren't in the best of form going into this game with just one win each in their last five league games. It will definitely be an open game as both sides like to attack but I can't see a winner between the two.

WATFORD V BURNLEY

This is a game that Watford need to win to keep their hopes of survival alive with it being against a fellow relegation rival and time beginning to run out for them. They're nine points from safety and unless they can sort themselves out defensively, staying up looks like a tough ask for them at the moment.

The Hornets have been dreadful at home this season and particularly over the last few months where they've lost every game since their last success against Man United back in November. Teams in a relegation battle usually rely on their home form to keep them up but not Watford so it appears.

Burnley have made a good start under Mike Jackson with two wins and a draw from his opening three games which is a decent return. They have some confidence on board as a result of this and if they do stay up, Jackson is in with a chance of getting the job full time.

They've gone back to basics by being organised and difficult to beat plus they've also offered more of a threat going forward. They haven't offered much of a threat all season and it could well be the reason why they're down there fighting for their lives. They've shown signs of improvement going forward recently and they'll need to keep it up if they're to stay up.

PREDICTION: 0-1

As Watford are poor at home I've got to give Burnley the win here. The Clarets will be feeling more confident as a result of their recent form and and I can see them pick up another win here.

WOLVES V BRIGHTON

I'm starting to get the feeling that Wolves don't want to qualify for Europe as they keep failing to make the most of West Ham dropping points. They do remain in the race for those spots but the longer they keep missing opportunities like that, you start to get the feeling that they don't want to finish there.

They were poor in their last game against Burnley as they didn't offer enough going forward over the course of the whole game. Bruno Lage will be hoping for a response in this one and there is a chance he'll get one with this game likely to be more open that the last one.

Brighton have been better on the road than they have been at home this season which may feel quite surprising as it's usually been the other way round in the past. It's played a crucial part in their season and their form on the road will give them some confidence going into this game.

PREDICTION: 1-0

These two sides have the same problem. They're both good to watch but they don't score enough goals. Wolves have been poor in recent games but I think they'll bounce back in this one as they're better defensively and will be back at home which will give them more comfort.

LEEDS V MAN CITY

Leeds could find themselves back in the relegation mix soon because of the games they have coming up. They face Arsenal and Chelsea after this tough one against City and with the teams below them having more winnable fixtures they could find themselves right back in it.

Their game against Crystal Palace will feel like a missed opportunity as it was a game they needed to win because of the tough games they have coming up. They did defend well throughout the game but their performance from an attacking point of view was disappointing. It's arguably what cost them the points.

Man City were brilliant against Real Madrid in midweek in what was a very exciting game. They caused them problems by getting balls into the box which Real couldn't cope with and they gained the upper hand in the tie which will give them confidence going into the second leg.

They might make a few changes in this one with that second leg in mind but with a Premier League title to defend and Liverpool playing first, I don't think Pep will make too many.

PREDICTION: 1-3

City may make two or three changes to their side but I still think they'll have more than enough to win this game. They have a very strong squad and whoever comes in will put in a shift for the team like they always do.

SUNDAY:

EVERTON V CHELSEA

The situation is beginning to get desperate for Everton as they're now in the bottom three and every game they play between now and the end of the season will all be cup finals.

They've shown some fight in recent games and particularly last weekend against Liverpool where they stifled them in the first half. They'll need to play like that in this one with it being against a team like Chelsea and I think they will. Especially as they're at home.

Chelsea have lost this fixture for the last three seasons and haven't won at Goodison for the last four. Given the current form they've been in of late that run could well extend here.

The Blues were all over Man United in the first half last night and they'll feel that they should've seen the game off during that period of the game. They were arguably the better side throughout as they had the better chances and were in control for most of the game.

PREDICTION: 1-0

I fancy Everton to win here because they have a good recent record against Chelsea at Goodison having won this fixture for the last three seasons. With the fighting spirit they've showed in recent games, I can see them edge this one.

TOTTENHAM V LEICESTER

Spurs haven't had a shot on target in their last two games which has come as a big surprise as they were creating and scoring a lot of goals before these two games. There is no doubt that they'll be back to their best soon because of the quality of players they have in those areas.

Leicester have looked more solid defensively in recent games than they have done all season and part of that has been down to the return of Wesley Fofana. Jonny Evans' return has also been crucial but with Fofana alongside him they look more settled at the back.

The Foxes' will also be glad to have Jamie Vardy back who has been a big miss for them whenever he's been unavailable. If they're going to end the season strongly, they'll need to keep their star striker fit as he's the one who will convert the chances they've missed in recent games.

PREDICTION: 2-1

I think Spurs will bounce back in this one because Leicester may feel a little bit tired from their Europa Conference League game on Thursday. The Foxes have look better defensively in recent game but I think Spurs will have the players to cause them problems.

WEST HAM V ARSENAL

The top four looks pretty much out of reach for West Ham and their main focus in the league should just be to secure a place in Europe. Wolves are just two points behind them in 8th and if the Hammers lose this game they could face a battle to finish in those European places. Especially if Wolves win their game against Brighton.

Arsenal have got their top four challenge back on track recently following crucial wins over Chelsea and Man United which will give them plenty of confidence going into this game. Their chances were beginning to fade away before those results but the wins from both of them have given them some much needed belief.

The Gunners could be without Bukayo Saka for this one which would be a massive blow because of how important he's become for them. But Arsenal do have players who are capable of stepping up in his absence which should give them some hope going into this game.

PREDICTION: 0-2

I'm backing Arsenal to win here because they'll be more fresh as West Ham were in Europa League action during the week. The Hammers have tailed off in recent weeks and I can see Arsenal make the most of that in this game.

MONDAY:

MAN UNITED V BRENTFORD

Man United's top four hopes are pretty much over now and they should now focus on ending the season in the strongest possible way. But doing that isn't a given for them as they're not a convincing team to watch and their next three games including this one are not easy.

They were second best against Chelsea in midweek for the majority of the game where they were lucky to come away with a point. They looked open defensively like they have done all season and they once again had to rely on Cristiano Ronaldo to save them.

Brentford will now be looking to end the season in the strongest possible way with their Premier League status pretty much secured for another season. They've had a good first season in the Premier League and Thomas Frank will be hoping that his side can end it well in order to carry some momentum into next season.

The Bees must've been kicking themselves after their defeat in the reverse fixture back in January because of the amount of chances they missed in the first half. They were the better side in that period of the game and they'll need to be more clinical in this one if they're to get something.