Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 25

FRIDAY:

LEEDS V NOTTINGHAM FOREST

This relegation six-pointer is a must win for both teams as a win for either of them will give them plenty of breathing space between themselves and West Ham.

Leeds were taught a lesson by Arsenal last weekend which can happen to any team but I did think they would make it a tougher game than it was.

The momentum is more with Forest coming into this game as they're on a four game unbeaten run which included two wins and a draw each with both wins coming away from home against West Ham and Brentford.

Sean Dyche's first win in charge of Forest came against Leeds in the reverse fixture back in November and their recent form will give them confidence in getting another one over them here.

But with Leeds have a good record at home, I think Daniel Farke's side will bounce back here and take a big step towards survival.

PREDICTION: 2-1

SATURDAY:

MAN UNITED V TOTTENHAM

Man United weren't as good against Fulham as they were against City and Arsenal, but they still got the win which is all that matters.

Michael Carrick's chances of getting the job permanently are certainly growing following 3 wins from 3 games and he only needs to win two more for that fan to finally get his haircut.

Spurs were a completely different team in the second half against Man City in that they played more on the front foot and their fans will surely want their team to play like that more often.

Dominic Solanke certainly made a difference for them in that game with his two goals and I think his return from injury could be the turning point in Spurs' season because they've lacked a clinical no.9 up top all season.

But I think Thomas Frank's side will be brought back down in this one because I'm backing United to keep up their strong start under Carrick.

PREDICTION: 2-1

BOURNEMOUTH V ASTON VILLA

Bournemouth are looking up again following three wins from their last four games with all of them coming at home.

They haven't let the departure of Antoine Semenyo affect them one bit with Junior Kroupi in particular being the player stepping up on the goals front in the Ghanaian's absence.

Villa might be beginning to feel the pressure of being in a title race following just two wins from their last six games during which there have also been three defeats.

They should probably forget about the title and focus more of finishing in the top four which is more realistic and something they should definitely achieve.

Bournemouth's recent record against Villa is not great as they haven't won any of their last six league games against them.

But they do come into this game in better form and with Villa still without Watkins, Tielemans and McGinn, I think the Cherries will bag another win at home here.

PREDICTION: 2-0

ARSENAL V SUNDERLAND

Arsenal could be on for a possible quadruple this season after reaching the Carabao Cup final in midweek and I can see them win that final against Man City next month.

But I don't see them winning the quadruple because that in my opinion is impossible.

Sunderland really unsettled Arsenal in the reverse fixture back in November and there haven't been many teams who have done that this season.

They're capable of giving any one a good game as they've shown many times this season including the reverse fixture.

I can see them make it difficult for the Gunners in this one as well. But I think Mikel Arteta's side will find a way to win the game as they have many times this season.

PREDICTION: 2-1

BURNLEY V WEST HAM

Burnley like Wolves look good as gone and it certainly looked that way after their lacklustre performance against Sunderland on Monday.

They have been in games and shown plenty of fight and grit, but they just haven't done enough to win games of football which is about survival is all about.

West Ham's mini revival was halted by Chelsea last weekend where they let a two goal lead slip for which they'll be kicking themselves.

They haven't kept a clean sheet since Nuno took over and pretty much everyone thought that he would tighten them up at the back the moment he walked through the door.

They did sign a defender on deadline day in Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea but whether he'll improve them defensively remains to be seen.

Both teams desperately need to win this game and I fancy Burnley to be the team that comes out on top simply because they're at home which is where their best performances have come.

PREDICTION: 2-1

FULHAM V EVERTON

These two teams come into this game level on both points and goal difference with Fulham being ahead on goals scored.

Fulham's in-form man Harry Wilson could've turned out Everton in this one after the toffees were linked with him during the latter days of the transfer window.

But Fulham turned down their approach for him on deadline day and it was key that they did because of the form he's in and how important he is for them.

Everton have been in good form on the road recently with David Moyes' side currently unbeaten in their last four away games.

But Fulham have been strong at home all season and both factors should make it a very close game.

I can see that being the case here because I'm going for a 1-1 draw as I can see them both cancel each other out.

PREDICTION: 1-1

WOLVES V CHELSEA

Wolves are putting up more of a fight than they were about two months ago and that's all they can do in their remaining games because they look good as gone as everybody knows.

This will be Liam Rosenior's first domestic game outside of London since taking over at Chelsea after facing Charlton away in the FA Cup, Arsenal in the Carabao Cup both home and away, and Brentford, Crystal Palace and West Ham in the Premier League with two of those games being at home.

The blues didn't go for it enough against Arsenal in midweek and they really should've done as they were only a goal behind in the tie.

The decision to play a back three was very surprising because they haven't played that system in a long time and I don't think anyone was expecting them to line up that way.

I think Wolves will get men behind the ball in this one as they'll know that Chelsea will have most of the possession.

But the blues should still have more than enough to come out on top here.

PREDICTION: 0-3

NEWCASTLE V BRENTFORD

Newcastle were outplayed by Man City in midweek and especially in the first half as they just didn't have the legs to keep up with them.

I feel that Eddie Howe has taken them as far as he can because I don't see what more he can do with this team.

He's done a phenomenal job since he's been there considering where they were when he took over, but I don't know how much further he can take them.

Brentford appear to have turned a corner in terms of their away form following three wins from their last four on the road.

I fancy them to get another away win in this one only because of Newcastle being without Bruno Guimaraes and the fact that they haven't won a game when he's been unavailable.

Newcastle have been strong at home this season, but they're not the same team without Guimaraes and because of this I'm handing Brentford the win here.

PREDICTION: 1-3

SUNDAY:

BRIGHTON V CRYSTAL PALACE

Brighton fans are beginning to turn on manager Fabian Hurzeler which I can understand to some extent because they're not in great form following just one win from their last eleven league games.

But they are 13th in the league and can still finish in the top 10 as they're only three points behind 10th placed Everton who they could overtake if they win here as they have a superior goal difference.

But they need to start turning draws into wins because they have more draws than any other side this season with 10.

January was a tough month for Palace both on and off the pitch in terms of results and lack of transfer activity.

But they did get a few players through the door on deadline day including Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves who could make his debut in this game.

Jean-Philippe Mateta is still at the club after his move to AC Milan broke down and it will be interesting to see what his attitude is like for the rest of the season.

Having both Mateta and Strand Larsen could be seen as a good thing for Palace in that it gives Oliver Glasner more options up top and options are what his team have lacked this season.

Both teams could do with a win here because of the form they're both in. But I don't see either side finding a winner because I think they'll be evenly matched.

PREDICTION: 1-1

LIVERPOOL V MAN CITY

Liverpool looked back to their best against Newcastle last weekend which was by far their best performance of the season so far.

Wirtz and Ekitike were both excellent and are forming a strong and exciting partnership on the pitch which I think could cause City a few problems here.

Man City rested a few players against Newcastle in midweek and doing so might be seen as a good thing because Pep was probably saving them for this big game.

Erling Haaland was one of the players who was rested and I'm expecting him to return to the side in this one with it being a big game.

City have made a far from convincing start to 2026 and I can see that continuing in this one as I think Liverpool will get at them and cause the problems.

City will score as they have goals in them and Liverpool do look vulnerable defensively.

But with the reds being at home and the partnership and Wirtz and Ekitike flourishing, I fancy them to bag another win here which would really kickstart their season.

PREDICTION: 3-2