Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 24

SATURDAY:

BRIGHTON V EVERTON

Brighton are one of those teams who create a lot of chances and play on the front foot but aren't always clinical in front of goal.

They've picked up the joint most draws this season along with Sunderland and Bournemouth with 9 and they've certainly be higher up the table had they turned their draws into wins.

Everton haven't been fantastic on the road this season but they do come into this game off the back of winning their last two away games against Forest and Villa.

The AMEX has been a tough place to visit for teams this season as Brighton have lost just once at home all season.

Because of this and Brighton being draw specialists, I can see this one ending in another stalemate.

PREDICTION: 1-1

LEEDS V ARSENAL

Leeds were hammered by Arsenal 5-0 in the reverse fixture back in August which was the only time they've been properly well beaten this season.

Daniel Farke's side are always competitive and tough to beat at home where they've taken points off Chelsea, Liverpool and Man United.

They'll certainly look to make it a tough game for Arsenal here because of that.

Arsenal were disappointing against Man United last weekend but they did put in a good response against Kairat in midweek.

I'd like to see them play like they did in midweek more because they have the players to play more freely and are so reliant on set pieces as the stats can back up.

Leeds won't make it easy for them here because they're a tough side to play against and especially at home.

But I think the Gunners will find a way to win as they have done a lot this season.

PREDICTION: 1-2

WOLVES V BOURNEMOUTH

Wolves have shown signs of improvement over the last few weeks by showing more fight and not being as easy to play against.

They're on the verge of losing striker Jorgen Strand Larsen to Crystal Palace after a fee of £50 million was agreed by both clubs and his departure I think will condemn them even further.

I know he hasn't scored many goals this season but he is still Wolves best player in that department and if you take him out of the Wolves team, where are the goals going to come from?

Bournemouth showed that there is life without Antoine Semenyo against Liverpool last weekend and they might've found his replacement in Rayan, the 19 year old attacker they signed during the week.

He might not be the finished article as he's still very young, but he plays in the same position as Semenyo and will therefore be viewed as Semenyo's replacement.

The win over Liverpool last weekend certainly gave them plenty of breathing space between themselves the the teams battling relegation and I can see them increase the gap further in this one as I'm backing them to come out on top here.

PREDICTION: 0-2

CHELSEA V WEST HAM

Chelsea have made a pleasing start under Liam Rosenior by winning all but one of his opening five games in charge with the Carabao Cup defeat to Arsenal being his only defeat.

Their subs made the difference for them against Napoli in midweek and in particular Cole Palmer as he assisted both of Joao Pedro's goals in the second half.

There has been talk of Palmer joining Man United during the week and if I was Chelsea, I would do everything to keep him because of how important he is to them and from Palmer's perspective, why leave Chelsea when you're the main man and guaranteed to start ever week.

West Ham finally appear to have some confidence on board following back-to-back wins over Spurs and Sunderland which could prove to be a turning point in their season.

But I think they'll be brought back to reality here as I'm backing Chelsea to come out on top with Cole Palmer being among the goals.

PREDICTION: 2-0

LIVERPOOL V NEWCASTLE

Liverpool were miles away much improved against Qarabag in midweek not just because they won 6-0, but because they moved the ball quicker than they have done in recent games.

The reds are without a win in their last five league games which has put the pressure back on Arne Slot and their win in midweek will hopefully give them some much needed confidence to build on.

Newcastle did well to stay in the game against PSG in midweek by being resilient and holding their own against a good side on paper.

The Magpies will have Bruno Guimaraes back for this one which is one massive boost because he makes such a difference for them when he plays as the stats can back up.

They've never won a game when he's been unavailable since he joined the club four years ago.

Liverpool's squad is stretched with injuries at the moment after Jeremie Frimpong limped off in midweek which leaves them without a fit recognised right back with Conor Bradley out for the season.

Whilst that will be a blow for them, they still have players in their attack who can win them a game and because of that and Newcastle's poor away form, I think the reds will just edge this one.

PREDICTION: 2-1

SUNDAY:

ASTON VILLA V BRENTFORD

Villa could hand return debuts for Douglas Luiz and Tammy Abraham in this one after resigning them during the week and they were both signings they needed to make.

Their squad was beginning to be stretched following the injuries to John McGinn, Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara, with the latter being out for the remainder of the season, and the departure of Donyell Malen.

We're almost at the stage where the number of games played increases and Villa will need enough depth if they're to compete on all fronts.

Brentford boss Keith Andrews earned his first win in charge of the Bees against Villa in the reverse fixture back in August and he'd love his side to repeat that result here.

The Bees had a rare off day against Forest weekend which was surprising and especially as it was at home where they've been strong all season.

Their away form has been nowhere near as good as their home form as I've said all season and with Villa having such a good home record, I can only see another away defeat for the Bees and home win for Villa here.

PREDICTION: 2-0

MAN UNITED V FULHAM

Michael Carrick could not have dreamed for a better start as Man United caretaker manager and if he keeps it up, the board may consider him as a candidate for the full time job.

But whether he keeps it up remains to be seen as United have struggled against so-called lesser opposition in the past with their better results coming against the better teams.

But the impact he's made since taking over can't be ignored as he's put players in their best positions and got them playing in a system that suits them.

Fulham are usually competitive when they taken on the so-called big teams as I have said more than a few times this season.

They got a draw in the reverse fixture back in August where their subs made the difference and I think they'll put in another competitive performance in this one.

But I still fancy United to keep up their strong start under Carrick and win the game because of the confidence he's given the players since taking over.

PREDICTION: 2-1

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V CRYSTAL PALACE

Forest haven't won any of their last three at home with their most recent wins coming on the road including their win at Brentford last weekend.

That win against Brentford gave their survival hopes one big lift and it was a classic Sean Dyche performance in that they were defensively organised and well disciplined.

Palace look low on confidence at the moment and you begin to wonder where their next win is going to come from.

They haven't won in the league since early December when they won at Fulham and are now facing the prospect of being in a relegation battle.

If they lose this game, I feat they could be sucked right into it and especially as they're facing a side battling to avoid the drop in Forest.

Five of the last six Premier League games between these two sides have ended in draws with four of them ending 1-1.

Palace are in a rut at the moment but with Forest having played in Europe during the week and likely to fee a bit tired as a result of it, I can see this one ended exactly the same.

PREDICTION: 1-1

TOTTENHAM V MAN CITY

Spurs have been a bogey team for City in recent seasons and they even beat them in the reverse fixture at the Etihad back in August.

But their chances of repeating that win in this one are very slim because of how poor they've been at home all season.

I'm actually surprised that Thomas Frank is still in charge given his side's poor form and the tough run of games his side have coming up starting with this one against City.

Man City had Erling Haaland back among the goals against Galatasaray in midweek after being rested last weekend against Wolves which turned out to be the right thing to do as he needed a rest after playing all those games back-to-back with no one to cover for him.

This game is a must win for Pep Guardiola's side whatever the result is in Arsenal's game against Leeds. If Arsenal win, City need to show a reaction to that so they can keep up the pressure on the Gunners and if Arsenal lose of draw, they have the chance to close the gap on them and really put the Gunners under pressure.

I don't see City having too many problems here because of how poor Spurs have been at home and I can see them win this game fairly comfortably.

PREDICTION: 0-2

MONDAY:

SUNDERLAND V BURNLEY

Sunderland's performance against West Ham was probably their worst performance of the season as they looked second best all over the park.

Granit Xhaka was definitely a massive miss as they missed his leadership and influence on the pitch which probably made people realise how important he's been for them this season.

Out of the three teams that came up, Burnley were the one I thought would fare the best because I thought they would be tough to beat due to their excellent defensive record in the Championship last season.

They have been tough to beat at times this season and especially at home where they've showed a fighting spirit also.

But they haven't been able to turn those resolute performances into results with their lack of a clinical goal scorer being the reason why.

I still thought they would go down along with the other two newly promoted teams, but I thought they would fare the best out of all of them.

Sunderland have fared the best out of all of them and by some distance because because of their impressive home form, I think they'll nick the points here.

PREDICTION: 2-1