Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 26

TUESDAY:

CHELSEA V LEEDS

Chelsea have made a 100% start under Liam Rosenior in the Premier League and he deserves a lot of credit for the start he's made.

He had his doubters when he first got the job because of Chelsea being a massive club and his lack of experience as a manager, but he's quietly silencing his doubters.

It was good to see Cole Palmer back among the goals against Wolves over the weekend with his hat trick and if he can stay fit and in form, he'll hopefully put himself back in the reckoning for England.

Leeds' 3-1 win in the reverse fixture was the start of their revival and climb out of the relegation zone and they now look on course to stay up.

I'm glad that Daniel Farke is doing well because he had his doubters at the start of the season, with me being one of them, and he's proved them all wrong.

But I do see them losing this game because their away record isn't as good as their home record, and I think Chelsea will have enough in them to win the game and especially as they're at home where they are strong.

PREDICTION: 3-1

EVERTON V BOURNEMOUTH

Everton have Europe in their sights with the Toffees now 8th and just two points outside the European places.

They were a different team in the second half against Fulham in that they were more in the game after looking second best for the entirety of the first half.

Their home form is a worry as they haven't won any of their last four at the Hill Dickinson Stadium after making a decent start at the their new stadium.

Bournemouth are pretty much the same on the road as they've won just twice away from home all season.

Andoni Iraola's side will probably have most of the possession in this one as they're as possession based side who like to play on the front foot.

But I think the Toffees will hit them on the counter and get the win as they have players who pose a threat on the counter.

PREDICTION: 2-1

TOTTENHAM V NEWCASTLE

Do either side want to win this game?

They're both in poor form and have one of the worst home and away records respectively.

Spurs will be without Cristian Romero for four games following his red card against Man United and I wonder if they're considering taking the captaincy away from him because of his disciplinary record since joining Spurs.

Every team wants their captain to be disciplined and Romero is anything but disciplined as his disciplinary record shows.

He's like Sergio Ramos in some way in that he's a good defender but always seems to get himself carded. But the difference between the two of them is that Ramos was a better leader.

That red card was the last thing Thomas Frank needed because his team desperately need points so they can kickstart their season.

Some Newcastle fans are thinking that it's time for Eddie Howe to move on and they have a point because I think he's taken them as far as he can.

He even admitted himself after his side's defeat to Brentford that he isn't doing a good enough job and I wonder if this is a sign that he might think about walking away from the club in the summer.

The Magpies have a good record against Spurs in recent times and I can see them keeping it up in this one as I'm backing them to win the game.

PREDICTION: 0-2

WEST HAM V MAN UNITED

West Ham have won this fixture in each of the last three seasons and their recent form will certainly give them confidence of making it four in a row.

They look like a side who have more belief that they can stay up following 3 wins from their last 4 games which has made the relegation battle look more interesting.

I'm also starting to think that they might not be as reliant on Jarrod Bowen because of the form Crysencio Summerville has been in recently.

Man United just need to win one more game so that fan with the big afro can have his long awaited haircut.

That fan has become famous on social media in the weeks and months since he put that post out and if United do win this game, I wonder what kind of haircut he'll go for.

I'm backing him to get his wish as I think United will come out on top here because of the form they've been in since Carrick came in and West Ham's poor home record.

PREDICTION: 0-2

WEDNESDAY:

ASTON VILLA V BRIGHTON

Villa are wobbling at the moment following just two wins from their last six games which have seen them drop out of title contention.

But they are still in the top four and I can see them stay there between now and the end of the season despite the injuries they have.

Brighton's current form is very worrying following a run of just one win in eleven games which is seen as relegation form.

I'm not saying that they're going to be in a relegation battle as they should have more than enough quality to keep themselves well away from danger.

But they need to start winning games soon because they're sliding down the table and their manager is under pressure.

I can only see their slump continue in this one as I'm backing Villa to return to winning ways and to put in a more than convincing performance.

PREDICTION: 3-0

CRYSTAL PALACE V BURNLEY

Palace ended their long wait for a win on Sunday against Brighton which will have given them plenty of confidence heading into this game.

Their main focus from now till the end of the season should be on a strong end to the season because they should have more than enough to stay up but not quite enough to put themselves back in contention for Europe.

But there might however be a few hiccups on the way as they're still in the Conference League and they have struggled in games after playing in Europe.

I said that Wolves were good as gone about two months ago, now I'm saying the same about Burnley because they just don't seem to have any confidence on board.

They have shown fight and have been competitive in a lot of their games this season, but they just haven't done enough to win football matches.

With Palace having been handed a confidence boost after beating Brighton to end their long wait for a win, I'm backing them to record back-to-back wins here.

PREDICTION: 2-0

MAN CITY V FULHAM

Man City kept themselves in the title race with their win at Liverpool on Sunday which was a game I thought they would slip up in because of how poor record at Anfield was.

Another win for them here would really put the pressure on Arsenal as it would cut the gap to three points before the Gunners play Brentford on Thursday.

But this game will not be straightforward for them because Fulham gave them one hell of a game in the reverse fixture which they won 5-4 after allowing the Cottagers back into the game.

Marco Silva's side always give the big teams a good game like they did when the two sides met at Craven Cottage back in December and I can see them do the same here.

But I think City will have just enough to hold on for the points and put the pressure on Arsenal as they'll have the quality to do so.

PREDICTION: 3-2

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V WOLVES

Forest looked flat against Leeds on Friday night and Sean Dyche will demand a much better performance from his team in this one. Especially as they're at home.

This game is no doubt a must win for Forest because West Ham are gaining momentum and have got Forest nervously looking over their shoulder.

There isn't as much pressure on Wolves as there is on Forest because they know they're going down and are now just playing for pride.

All they have to play for is a strong end to the season so they don't go down with a whimper and get more points than Derby did in the 2007/08 season.

I think they'll show spirit in this game as they have done in a few of their games since the turn of the year.

But I think Forest will show more and have enough in them to win the points.

PREDICTION: 2-0

SUNDERLAND V LIVERPOOL

Sunderland are still unbeaten at home this season and it wouldn't surprise me if they actually went the entire season unbeaten at home.

I don't think any newly promoted team has ever gone an entire season unbeaten at home and if Sunderland accomplish it, it would one phenomenal achievement.

Liverpool were much improved in the second half against Man City in that they moved the ball quicker and went for it a bit more.

But they were still their own worst enemy as they were let down by poor defending and especially for the first goal because Bernardo Silva was simply allowed a free run into the box to score his goal.

Arne Slot's side cannot afford to drop points here because their chances of making the top four are looking very slim and especially after their defeat to City.

Because of Sunderland being so good at home, I think the reds Champions League hopes are going to be dealt another blow as I fancy Sunderland to come out on top here.

PREDICTION: 1-0

THURSDAY:

BRENTFORD V ARSENAL

Brentford have Europe in their sights as they currently sit level on points with Liverpool and five points outside the top four.

Keith Andrews has done an unbelievable job since taking over in the summer and whether he guides them into Europe or not, he is still a strong contender for manager of the season.

The Bees have already taken points off four of the so-called big six at home this season in Chelsea, Man United, Liverpool and Spurs, and will again be looking to cause another scalp in this one.

Arsenal will know that they'll be in for a tough game because of how strong Brentford are at home and that they also have players in their attack who can cause any team problems.

But Mikel Arteta's side should be more than capable of dealing with them because of how strong they are defensively and they can win games even when they're not at their best.

I can see this one being another one of those games because I can see Brentford make it difficult for them.

PREDICTION: 1-2