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jonjoward1998

Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 37


SATURDAY:


TOTTENHAM V BRENTFORD


Spurs were poor against Aston Villa last weekend and were lucky not to have lost by more. They made a number of poor decisions in the final third and barely offered anything going forward throughout.


It's all about finishing within the European spots for them now with their hopes of Champions League football over for another season. The pressure will be on them in these final two games because Villa are not that far behind them.


Brentford will be without Ivan Toney for this one as he begins his eight month ban for breaching betting rules. They did well without him against West Ham last week with Yoabne Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo stepping up. But the Bees should still look to sign a striker in the summer to fill his boots.


His suspension will put a massive dent in their European hopes for sure because of how important he is for them. They're only four points outside the European spots and their hopes of finishing there could be over in this one.


PREDICTION: 2-1


I'm backing Spurs to win here because Brentford are without Ivan Toney. Spurs have been unconvincing for most of the season but as Brentford are without Toney, I think they'll edge this one.


BOURNEMOUTH V MAN UNITED


Bournemouth might give themselves a chance here because of how poor United have been away from home recently. They've had some good results against some of the big boys this season and will be looking to bag another one here.


The Cherries may be safe but are in danger of ending the season poorly after losing their last two games to Chelsea and Crystal Palace. Their next game after this tough one is against Everton who are fighting for their lives and need the win more.


Man United's poor away form is a concern and not just against the big teams. They've lost four of their last six on the road in the league and it's something that will need addressing next season.


Every game is a must win for Erik Ten Hag's side if they're to finish in the top four because Liverpool's return to form has put the pressure on them. Having a game in hand against Chelsea in midweek certainly helps but they'll need to win both this one and the game in midweek if they're to finish in the top four.


PREDICTION: 1-2


I'm going for a Man United here but only just because I think Bournemouth will try and make it difficult for them. United have struggled away from home and haven't scored many goals this season, but I do think they have players who can grab a goal when they need one. Like Alejandro Garnacho who got the inning goal last week.


FULHAM V CRYSTAL PALACE


Fulham have had an excellent first season back in the Premier League and a win here could secure a top 10 finish for them. They're on course for their highest ever points total and for them to finish in the top 10 would be a outstanding achievement. Especially as they're a newly promoted team.


Their season was phasing a bit not that long ago but back to back wins over Leicester and Southampton have given them the confidence to end it strongly. Especially with Mitrovic back from his suspension.


Crystal Palace could have Roy Hodgson in charge next season with the man himself in talks with the club over his long term future. I wouldn't be surprised if he stayed on because of the impact he's made since he returned and his love for football itself.


The Eagles will be without Wilfred Zaha for this one after he went off injured against Bournemouth. His injury will be a massive blow but not as big as you'd think as Palace have players who can step up in Eze and Olise. Both stepped up during his last spell in the sidelines and will be looking to again.


PREDICTION: 2-0


I'm backing Fulham to win here because I think they'll have enough quality to win the game. I don't think it will be as comfortable as their win on Boxing Day as Palace will give it more of a go. But the Cottagers should still have enough to win the game. Especially with Mitrovic back.


LIVERPOOL V ASTON VILLA


Liverpool really sent a message to their top four rivals after their win over Leicester on Monday which was another massive result for them. Curtis Jones stepped up in that game with his two goals and is playing like someone wanting to prove a point.


All the reds can do is put the pressure on Man United who have a game in hand. They both play at the same time this weekend and Liverpool will need to need to win so they keep up the pressure on United in the race for Champions League football.


Aston Villa like Liverpool play with a high line which they've started using in recent games. It worked well for them against Spurs last weekend as they caught them offside on a few occasions. But it could backfire for them here as Liverpool have players who can run in behind and time their runs well.


PREDICTION: 2-1


I'm backing Liverpool to win here because they're at home and are in such a good run of form. Villa will look to exploit their high line which has cost them at times this season but I think the reds will exploit Villa's with the pace they have in attack.


WOLVES V EVERTON


A lot people might've seen this game as a relegation six pointer about a month ago with both sides being far from safe at the time. But with Wolves safe and Everton still in danger, it will be seen as a different kind of game.


Wolves have been in good form at home recently following five win from their last six at Molineux. Their home form was crucial to them securing their safety and they'll want to keep it up so they can end the season on a high.


Julen Lopetegui's first game in charge of Wolves was against Everton on Boxing Day where his side came from behind to win the game. Wolves have a decent record in this fixture since they got promoted and they'll want to build on it with a good result in this one.


Everton have been poor away from home this season but they did win their last game in the road 5-1 against Brighton. They really went for it in that one and they'll need to do the same here if they're to have any chance of winning this game to keep them out of the bottom three.


Their chances of getting something here will depend on whether Dominic Calvert Lewin is fit or not. He went off with a suspected knock against Man City last weekend which will have left some toffees fans feeling concerned. But that decision t bring him off could've been seen as a precaution having recently returned from an injury lay off.


PREDICTION: 1-0


I'm backing Wolves to win here because they're in good form at home and have a decent record in this fixture. Both sides have struggled for goals this season but I think Wolves will just nick it because of their form at home.


NOTTINGHAM FOREST V ARSENAL


Nottingham Forest have won their last two home games against Arsenal both in the FA Cup including their victory last season. They'll definitely look to go for it again here as Arsenal may be wounded from their 3-0 drubbing against Brighton.


Being at home will give them hope as they've been very good at home this season. This might be however their last chance to get some points in the board with this being their final home game of the season.


How will Arsenal respond here following their crushing defeat to Brighton? They'll be hurting inside after that result as it pretty much ended their title hopes National d losing that game will no doubt feel like a missed opportunity.


They should however still feel proud with the season they've had. They done better than a lot of people in expected and this experience will hopefully be something that they'll learn from in the future. It could potentially help them going into next season.


PREDICTION: 1-1


I think Forest will get something here as they're good at home. Arsenal will be wounded after their defeat to Brighton but as Forest don't have a lot of goals in them, Incam see the points being shared here.


SUNDAY:


WEST HAM V LEEDS


West Ham will be safe if they win this game as they're only three points off the magical 40 point mark. They made the right decision in sticking with David Moyes whilst other clubs were pressing the panic button and the club deserve credit for doing so.


They head into this one off the back of reaching the Europa Conference League final following their semi final win over AZ Alkmaar in midweek. Everyone involved with the club will be looking forward to that game but for the time being, they need to focus on securing their Premier League status.


Leeds showed a lot of attacking endeavour against Newcastle but they'll be kicking themselves for conceding the penalties. They have been known for kicking themselves in the foot on a number of occasions this season and they'll need to snap out of it if they're to stay up.


Sam Allardyce's task of keeping Leeds in the Premier League feels like Mission Impossible because of how late he arrived at the club and the tough fixtures he's had and still has to play. They have Spurs on the final day after this tough one and I don't see them getting many pints from ether.


PREDICTION: 2-0


I'm backing West Ham to win here because I think they'll have more than enough quality to win the game. They'll definitely pose a threat from set pieces and with Leeds being a side who have struggled to defend from these kind of situations, I can see the Hammers exploit that weakness here.


BRIGHTON V SOUTHAMPTON


Brighton are the kind of club Southampton used to be in that they've lost important players but have been able to replace them with smart recruitment. They're arguably the best run club in the country at the moment with how they do things and they're on the cusp of playing in Europe.


They can seal their place in Europe with a win in this game depending on what happens in Aston Villa's game against Liverpool the day before. For them to be in Europe would be an outstanding achievement for a club of their size and especially when you look at how far they've come.


Southampton are down but they can still end the season strongly so they can carry some momentum with them into the Championship next season. But I don't see it happening as they're seriously low on confidence and have two very tough games to end the season with starting with this one.


Their relegation had been coming but not just because of how poor they've been this season. They've been a club in decline for the last couple of years and have also lost a number of their best players over the years. The latter was definitely going to catch up with them at some point.


PREDICTION: 3-0


I've got to back Brighton for the win here because I can see them being too strong for Southampton. The Saints like I mentioned before are a side low on confidence and with the quality that Brighton possess, they should win this one rather comfortably.


MAN CITY V CHELSEA


Man City could have the title won by the time they play this game if Arsenal lose to Nottingham Forest the day before. If that happens they'll lift the trophy after this game with it being their final home match of the season and they'll want to kick off their title winning party in style with a convincing win here.


The treble is very much on for them after their strong display against Real Madrid in midweek to put them into the Champions League final. They were excellent in every department and they taught Madrid a lesson in the way they dominated the ball. That was arguably their greatest night in Europe.


Chelsea lost 4-0 at the Etihad in the FA Cup back in January and this one could turn out to be a similar kind of game. The blues will hopefully show more fight than they did the last time the two sides met but City again could be too good for them as they're a side full of confidence with more to play for.


It could be a dreadful end to a dreadful season for Chelsea with their final two games being against Man United and Newcastle. Clubs who have had poor seasons in the past would try and end their seasons as strongly as possible. But I don't see that happening with Chelsea because of the tough fixtures they have and their lack of cohesion.


PREDICTION: 4-0


I've got to back City here because I think they'll be too strong for Chelsea. They're far superior in quality and after blowing Real Madrid away during the week, I can see them dish out a similar kind of win in this one.


MONDAY:


NEWCASTLE V LEICESTER


Newcastle are just a win away from Champions League qualification following their win over Brighton on Thursday which moved them four points clear of Liverpool. If they secure it here the fans will surely go wild at full time knowing that their club will be in the Champions League next season.


They deserve to be there because they've had a great season and have spent the majority of it inside the top four. Any club who has been in the top four for as long as the Magpies have been this season deserves to be playing Champions League football.


Leicester looked like a side who have given up against Liverpool on Monday after a reasonably promising start. Their defending was poor like it has been all season and they showed no signs of getting back into the game after going behind. Their confidence was gone after that point.


They're not showing the fight you need to get out of a relegation fight and that is one of the reasons why I think they'll go down. They definitely deserve to as they've lost 22 games and haven't kept a clean sheet since the World Cup break. But their lack of character and desire is also worrying.


PREDICTION: 4-1


I've got to back Newcastle here because they have more confidence on board and are a far better team. With Leicester looking like a side who have given up and a coplete mess in defence, I can see the Magpies win this one rather comfortably.

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