TUESDAY:
MAN UNITED V FULHAM
Man United don't have anything to play for in terms of the league as they have their place in next seasons Champions League secured. That was their minimum aim at the start of the season and they have achieved it which marks a good season for them. If they can win the Europa League and hold on to 2nd it would be a very good season and show progress for the club which hasn't happened for a number of seasons.
United will hopefully be feeling fresh ahead of this one having had four days to recover having played three times in the space of five days. They'll be expected to play the majority of their key players in this one but I won't be surprised if they rest some of them with the Europa League final in mind. Solskjaer will surely play a strong team as they look to end a promising season strongly so they can be full of confidence going into the Europa League final at the end of the month.
Fulham have a poor record at Old Trafford with their only win there coming back in 2003. Their record against United in general is poor as they've one just 3 times against them in the Premier League. It's very unlikely that they'll put put that record right in this one because they're low on confidence having gone eight games and without a win which lead them to being relegated. I can't see them winning any games till the end of the season because of how shot their confidence is.
I'm going for a United win because I think they'll be too strong for Fulham. With the quality they have in their side they should win this game fairly comfortably and without too many problems.
PREDICTION: 3-0
SOUTHAMPTON V LEEDS
Southampton are on course for a good end to the season after recording back to back victories over Crystal Palace and Fulham. The second half of the season has been really tough for them with just five wins recorded since the turn of the year. But their recent results will surely give them the confidence to end the season as strong as possible. A good end to this season could give them the momentum to get off to a good start next season because of the confidence they'll be in if they win their final two games.
The Saints could have Oriol Romeu back for this one having missed the last few months with an ankle injury. Romeu has arguably been the Saints' biggest loss this season because Southampton have conceded a lot of goals in the second half of the season and part of that has been down to the lack of a defensive midfielder. Romeu gives the Saints backline the protection it needs when he's on the field and his presence in the midfield has been a massive miss for them.
Leeds look set to end their season back in the Premier League inside the top 10 which would mark a very good season for them as they're a newly promoted club. They've kept themselves away from the relegation battle and within mid-table all season which is very impressive for a club who are newly promoted like Leeds. They were always going to stay up because of the football they play and the manager they have ane next season they'll surely be looking to push for a place in Europe. But that will depend on whether Bielsa stays as his contract is up at the end of the season.
They put in a dominant display against Burnley last time out where they turned on the style in the second half. Burnley arguably had the better chances in the first half but when the second half came around Leeds upped their tempo. The goal before half time by Mateusz Klich gave them them the confidence to score more and that is exactly what they did in the second half as they won t e game 4-0.
I'm going for a Leeds win because I think they'll have more than enough to win this game. I can see them cause Southampton many problems with their long passes and runs off the ball which will leave the Saints backline exposed.
PREDICTION: 1-3
BRIGHTON V MAN CITY
Brighton's draw with West Ham on Saturday was them summed up. A lot of possession and a lot of chances. But only one of them taken. That has been the story of their season and it's a problem they need to address in the summer if they're to finish higher up the table. They have a good manager in Graham Potter who the club clearly trust to take them forward. But they need to find a clinical goal scorer if they're to be more established in the Premier League.
The Seagulls have a tough end to the season as they face Arsenal following this tough clash against the champions. A defeat in both won't really matter as they're already safe but they'll want to put in a decent showing so they don't end the season on a poor note. That could possibly lead to a poor start to next season unless they put in good enough performances in both games.
Man City could bring back the big guns for this one having rested the majority of them in their win over Newcastle on Friday night. Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero may miss out as they're both injury doubts but Ederson, Ruben Dias and Riyad Mahrez should all return along with Phil Foden as they were all rested on Friday night. With the Champions League final coming up Pep will want his big guns to have enough minutes in them so they're sharp and ready for the big one in a couple of weekends time.
City broke the record for most consecutive away wins with their victory over Newcastle on Friday being their 12th consecutive win away from home. They can extend that run in this one as they're the away team and the game itself being a winnable fixture for them. They haven't lost away from home since losing to Spurs back in November and they've won every away game since which has played a massive part in their surge towards the title.
I'm going for a Man City win because they should have more than enough quality to win this game. With the big guns likely to return they should win this game comfortably because of how strong they are in all areas.
PREDICTION: 0-3
CHELSEA V LEICESTER
Three days after facing each other in the FA Cup final both sides will be at it again for a completely different prize: A place in next seasons Champions League. Both sides need to win this one and whoever does will finish in the top four. This could well be the game that decides who finishes there.
Chelsea started the game the better side in the cup final on Saturday as they created enough chances to go in front. But in the second half they were sloppy as they gave the ball away a number of times including for the goal that Leicester scored. They never really got in behind the Leicester defence apart from when Ben Chilwell had his goal harshly ruled out by VAR for offside. They were restricted to shots outside the box for the majority of the game from which they had no luck as they were constantly denied by Kasper Schmeichel and the Leicester defence.
Leicester will be hoping that their FA Cup win will take them onto the next level because of the project they have and the team they are building. They were excellent throughout on Saturday and especially in defence with Kasper Schmeichel making some top saves and Wesley Fofana making some vital interventions to keep Chelsea at bay. Youri Tielemans' brilliant strike might have been the moment of the game but Kasper Schmeichel's save to deny Mason Mount was arguably as impressive. If it wasn't for hat save Leicester might not have won the cup.
I'm going for a draw in this one because I think Chelsea will show a reaction and Leicester will put in another decent performance. It will be another close game like the cup final was but I can't see either side winning it.
PREDICTION: 1-1
WEDNESDAY:
EVERTON V WOLVES
Will Everton ever win at home? That was the question I was asking myself after their defeat to Sheffield United on Sunday which was their 9th loss at Goodison Park this season. Goodison Park has been a difficult place to visit over the years and like most clubs this season Everton are really missing their fans. They can't use that as an excuse but it has definitely played a part on their poor home form like it has for other clubs. With fans back in grounds next season hopefully their home form will be better than it has been this season.
If the Toffees don't win this game their season will have to be classified as a failure because they were expected to qualify for Europe at the start of the season with the quality of players they signed. It looks like they're not going to finish within the European places this season because they have an inferior goal difference to West Ham and Spurs who are both three points ahead of the Toffees in the table. With a tough clash against Man City in their final game of the season Everton's hopes of European football next season look very unlikely. Especially with their home form being as bad as it is.
Wolves will just want this season to be over as soon as possible because of how bad it has been for them. They've finished 7th in their two seasons since promotion and this year they're set to finish 12th or 13th which is a big disappointment for them considering the high standards they set themselves last season and the season before. They'll have a big summer ahead of them if they want to return to those heights next season because they definitely need to sign some players.
Nuno Espirito Santo's men are in for a tough finish as they face Man United following this game against European chasing Everton. They would take anything in both games as they're unlikely to win them due to the season they've had along with injuries to key players in their attack. Raul Jimenez has been a miss for them all season and Pedro Neto who has been Wolves' best player is out for the rest of the campaign. They do have Adama Traore available but without Neto and Jimenez they're not the same going forward.
I'm going for a draw in this one because Everton can't win at home and Wolves don't score many goals. With those two factors considered I can't see anyone winning this game because of those very reasons..
PREDICTION: 1-1
NEWCASTLE V SHEFFIELD UNITED
Newcastle really gave champions Man City a good game on Friday night as they played on the front foot and committed men forward. They caused City problems whenever they went forward and it was a very encouraging performance from them which they'll be looking to build on in their final two games.
The Magpies won't be expecting this one to be as entertaining because of the opposition they're facing in Sheffield United who aren't as free flowing as Man City. They did the double over them last season with this fixture ending in a 3-0 win for them. Their performance against City will hopefully give them the confidence to pick up the same result in this one because of the way they played on the day. The only thing holding them back however is that they'll be without top goal scorer Callum Wilson who is out for the rest of the season with a thigh injury. The Magpies have lost every game that Wilson has missed this season but their performance without him against City will give them some belief that they can get something from this one.
Nobody probably saw Sheffield United's win over Everton last weekend coming. Well I certainly didn't. The result as a whole could put Paul Heckingbottom in the frame for the managers job next season because of the result they picked up and the performance they put in overall. They were in the game from the very beginning and got off to a good start with 17 year old Daniel Jebbison scoring the goal on his debut for the club. The Blades may be down, but having a young talent like him around could give them some optimism going into next season.
I'm going for a draw in this one because both sides will be feeling confident after their performances at the weekend and Newcastle are without Callum Wilson. The Magpies aren't the same without Wilson in the side and because of that I can see Sheffield United hold on for a point.
PREDICTION: 0-0
TOTTENHAM V ASTON VILLA
Spurs fans will not want to be reading the papers at the moment having heard about Harry Kane's desire to leave the club in the summer. I won't be surprised if he leaves the club because he deserves to play in a better team and win some trophies which he is never going to get at Spurs. He'll definitely want to join a club in the Champions League because that is the level he deserves to play at and the level he wants to play at so he can compete with the best strikers in the world.
Spurs don't have any serious injury concerns going into this game which will please Ryan Mason as he will want all his best players available so his side can end the season strongly. Gareth Bale may be a doubt but they will have Harry Kane, Heung Min Son and Dele Alli available. If those three all deliver Spurs have a chance of winning this game.
Aston Villa's Premier League status was on the edge at this stage of last season and they got the win they needed against Arsenal which effectively kept them up. They still needed a result on the final day to stay up which they got but their win over Arsenal pretty much secured their place for another season. One season later they find themselves in 11th and pushing for a place in the top 10. They've had a very good season considering where they were last year and it's been a season where they have both improved and progressed massively.
Villa fans will be hoping that Jack Grealish will start this one as this is a game where they need to play their best players in order to get a result. He's come off the bench in their last to games against Everton and Crystal Palace and Dean Smith may decide to start him in this one knowing the opposition they're facing. He may not play the whole game as he is easing his way back to full fitness. But if he does start this one Villa are in with a chance.
I'm going for a Villa win because Spurs are inconsistent and Villa have Jack Grealish back. They may not have a great record when they go to Spurs but I think they might just nick it here.
PREDICTION: 1-2
CRYSTAL PALACE V ARSENAL
Crystal Palace are unbeaten in their last five games against Arsenal with four of those games being draws and the other a win. They'll be looking to get another good result against them in this one so they can continue their good end to the season having won twice in their last three games. With Roy Hodgson leaving at the end of the season, he'll want to bow out on a high by guiding his side to victory in his final home game at Selhurst Park.
Roy Hodgson leaving Palace is news I'm not really surprised with because I thought he was going to leave with him being the oldest manager in the league and out of contract at the end of the season. He's done a magnificent job at Palace as he has stabilised the Eagles as an established Premier League club after rescuing them from a terrible situation. Finding a replacement for him will be very tough as there are not many managers out there who fit the club philosophy.
With a place in European football for next season looking unlikely, Arsenal can start planning ahead for next season in terms of which players to bring in and which players to move on. They definitely need to move players on because they need to free some space up in the squad so they can bring new players in. If they can bring in the right players this summer, they will hopefully move in the right direction as a football club.
The Gunners' last win over Palace came back in 2018 in Arsene Wenger's final season in charge where they won 4-1. They'll be feeling confident that they can put an end to that winless run in this one following three straight wins in the league against Newcastle, West Brom and Chelsea. Having not played at the weekend they should be feeling refreshed and ready for this one because they've had almost an entire week to prepare.
I'm going for a draw in this one because the last three between these two sides have ended that way and I can see it ending the same way again. Arsenal have been inconsistent at times throughout the season and I can see that playing a part again in this one.
PREDICTION: 1-1
BURNLEY V LIVERPOOL
Burnley were not themselves against Leeds at the weekend as they got completely ripped apart which never usually happens to Burnley because of how well organised they usually are. They may have had the pressure off them with their Premier League status secure but they were still expected to put in a performance so they could end the season on a high. Sean Dyche will want a response from his team in this one to give them the best possible chance of ending the season in a strong way.
The Clarets ended Liverpool's 68 game unbeaten run at home when they won at Anfield earlier in the season and they'll be looking to do something similar in this one. Their last win against the reds at Turf Moor came back in 2016 where they scored with their only shots on target and had just 19% possession in the entire game. If that was to happen again in this one I would be truly amazed.
This is a must win game for Liverpool in their quest to secure Champions League football next season which will depend on the result between Chelsea and Leicester the day before. A win here will move them into the top four whatever the result is between the two teams above because a Chelsea win will see them climb above Leicester on goal difference and either a Leicester win or a draw will see them climb above Chelsea into 4th. The reds are one point behind Chelsea and have exactly the same goal difference as Leicester.
How many people would've thought that Alisson would score the winning goal to beat West Brom at the weekend. Probably none. He became only the 5th goalkeeper to score in the Premier League and the first goalkeeper to score for Liverpool. It was a brilliant moment for him and it was arguably the reds' most important goal this season as they look to secure Champions League qualification.
I'm going for a Liverpool win because they're full of confidence after winning their last three games and have enough quality in them to win the game. With both in mind they should win this game without too many problems.
PREDICTION: 0-2
WEST BROM V WEST HAM
West Brom put in a decent showing in their loss to Liverpool at the weekend and Sam Allardyce will want more of the same in this one. The Baggies may be down. But Allardyce will be making sure that they go down fighting by competing in their last two games including this one. If they can compete like they did against Liverpool they'll hopefully have some momentum to take with them into the Championship next season so they can give themselves the best possible chance of bouncing straight back up.
West Ham's hopes of Champions League football are now pretty much over with their 1-1 draw with Brighton basically ending them. At least they'll still get to play in the Europa League which is the least they deserve based on their efforts this season. They should feel proud of the season they've had and the team itself deserves a lot of credit for it along with the manager who has gone on to prove many people wrong.
The Hammers had a lot of chances in their draw with Brighton on Saturday where they only took one of them with that being Said Benrahma's equaliser. David Moyes will be hoping that his side have their shooting boots on in this one so they can move closer towards European qualification for next season. They have two winnable games to end the season with and they may only need to win at least one of them to secure a place in the Europa League.
I'm going for a West Ham win because I think they'll have enough in them to beat West Brom. Their season may be petering out, but they should still have enough to win this game.
PREDICTION: 0-2
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