Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 27

SATURDAY:

BOURNEMOUTH V LIVERPOOL

The reverse fixture between two sides saw Bournemouth beaten 9-0 with then manager Scott Parker being sacked a day or two later. The Cherries had some good results after that crushing defeat but recently their form has been very poor with just one win since the season resumed after the World Cup.

Liverpool were more like their old selves against Man United with their work rate being much improved and their front line looking more cohesive. But I don't think they've turned a corner just yet as they need to produce this kind of performance on a regular basis which they've been unable to do.

They have however found some form recently with four wins from their last five which have put them right back in the race for the top four. They're just a point behind Spurs as things stand and could move into the top four if they win here and Spurs lose their game against Forest.

PREDICTION: 0-3

I'm backing Liverpool to win here because I think they'll have enough to win the game. They've got some confidence on board as a result of the form they've been in and I can see them carry that form into this one.

EVERTON V BRENTFORD

Everton showed some fight in their draw with Forest but made some costly mistakes defensively and in possession. The performance was much improved as they offered more going forward but Sean Dyche will need his side to cut out the mistakes they made if they're to get out the situation they're in.

Home form will be crucial if they're to stay up and Sean Dyche has won two out of his three home games since taking over. They were difficult to beat in those wins over Arsenal and Leeds and will be in this one. But they need to offer more going forward if they're to get a result here.

Brentford appear to have Europe in their sights following their Monday night win over Fulham which moved them to within a point of the European places. They probably won't be thinking about Europe as Thomas Frank is likely to keep his players grounded. But their fans will certainly be dreaming about it and rightly so.

The Bees head into this game unbeaten in 12 games which is the longest run in the Premier League at the moment. The confidence is high as a result of this and it's likely to extend further with the winnable fixtures they have coming up.

PREDICTION: 0-2

I'm backing Brentford to win here because they carry more of a goal threat and are in better form. Everton will make it difficult for them as they're at home but the Bees will carry more of a goal threat as they have more goals in them.

LEEDS V BRIGHTON

Leeds could be the most unlucky side to get relegated this season in that they play better than their results suggest. They've had many games this season where they've played some decent football but haven't been to get the results their play has deserved.

Brighton used to be like Leeds as they too were once a side who didn't always get the results their performances have deserved. But they are now under Roberto De Zerbi who has got his side pushing for a place in Europe.

They were outstanding from start to finish against West Ham last weekend and they'll be looking to repeat a similar kind of performance in this one. With Leeds being a team who can look suspect defensively, it could happen.

PREDICTION: 0-2

I'm going for a Brighton win here because they're more clinical in front of goal than Leeds are. Leeds do control games better under Javi Gracia but with the problems they have at both ends and the pace and energy that Brighton have in their team, the Seagulls should have enough to win this one.

LEICESTER V CHELSEA

Leicester were wasteful in front of goal against Southampton in their most recent game where they had no shots on target. That defeat was their third straight loss after a mini revival and the pressure is again starting to mount on Brendan Rodgers.

The Foxes are far from out of it in terms of the relegation battle as they're only a couple of points clear of the drop. They've got some winnable games coming up and they'll need to target those games as the ones where they're more likely to pick up points.

Chelsea put in another improved performance against Borussia Dortmund in midweek which was arguably their best performance in a long time. The Champions League could be the competition they use as a momentum builder in an attempt to improve their league form.

The pressure will still be on Potter heading into this game with his side still 10ths and in need of results. The win over Dortmund will give them confidence but it doesn't mean that they've turned a corner in their season.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I fancy Leicester to win here because I can see them offering more of a goal threat than Chelsea. The blues did look more convincing going forward against Dortmund in midweek but they still have problems when it comes to scoring goals. I can see that problem come back to bite them here and Leicester being the more clinical team. Particularly with James Maddison available.

TOTTENHAM V NOTTINGHAM FOREST

The top four is Spurs' primary focus now with their hopes of silverware now over following their Champions League exit to AC Milan in midweek. It was another poor performance from them in that game as they had zero creativity and didn't offer enough in attack.

There will be questions surrounding Conte's future which has been up in the air for the last 2-3 months and I reckon he could walk if they don't finish in the top four. The next couple of months could decide their season and his future.

Nottingham Forest will probably rely on their home form to keep them up this season with their away form being so poor. Just one win and three goals scored on the road this season which is the lowest in the league this season. You wouldn't fancy them here because of that.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I'm backing Spurs to bounce back here because how poor Forest are away from home. I don't see being a convincing win for them but they should still have enough quality to finish the game off.

CRYSTAL PALACE V MAN CITY

Crystal Palace are beginning to look over the shoulder with Patrick Vieira's side only 5 points clear of the relegation zone. They're the only side without a win in 2023 and they have some difficult games coming up starting with this one. Another defeat here could see them right in the mix.

They welcomed talisman Wilfried Zaha back against Aston Villa last weekend he showed what they've been lacking recently in a goal threat. The Ivorian has been a big miss for the Eagles and his return to the side will surely see an upturn in form.

The reverse fixture was Patrick Vieira's first loss against City overall having not lost against them during his playing days. City will be feeling confident of picking another win against the Frenchman but with Palace back at home, the Eagles might make this an uncomfortable game for City.

Man City have dropped some crucial points on the road since the turn of the year and have dropped more points away from home than they did in the whole of last season. They have changed their team up a lot since then and especially in defence. They might change their backline again here with an important Champions League game in midweek against RB Leipzig.

It's good to see Phil Foden back to his best and his return to form has come at a good time. He had a tough time after returning from World Cup duty with England but 4 goals from his last 3 games in all competitions will have given him a lot of confidence and a strong chance of keeping his place in the team.

PREDICTION: 1-0

I have a feeling that Palace might nick a sneaky victory here as they've got Zaha back and Vieira himself having a decent record against City both as a player and manager. Palace are out of form but I think Zaha will cause City a number of problems here with his pace and runs in behind their defence which hasn't been as strong this season. With the Eagles having a decent defence, I can see them nick it here.

SUNDAY:

FULHAM V ARSENAL

Fulham have put in some decent performances when they've taken on the big six teams including the reverse fixture against Arsenal where they went ahead before losing the game 2-1. They'll definitely go for it again here as they have a strong mentality of going into every game believing that they can get a result.

Manor Solomon will again be backing himself to get on the score sheet with the form he's in with a goal in each of his last 5 games in all competitions. He made his first league start against Brentford on Monday night and is surely now a guaranteed starter.

Arsenal showed incredible character to come from behind to beat Bournemouth last weekend with Reiss Nelson's incredible strike sealing the win and completing the turnaround. Completing a comeback like that shows that they're becoming the real deal.

They welcomed Gabriel Jesus back to training during the week which is a massive boost and he'll no doubt have a big part to play when he comes back. Especially with the amount of games they'll be playing both in the league and potentially in Europe. The next couple of months will test them.

PREDICTION: 1-1

This is a tough one to call. Fulham will definitely go for it like they have done whenever they've taken on the big teams but I think Arsenal will have the mentality to get a result. I don't see them winning this one though as they're likely to play without a recognised striker with Trossard and Nketiah both doubts. I think that might cost them here.

MAN UNITED V SOUTHAMPTON

How will Man United react in this one after their mauling at Anfield last time out? The defeat will hurt them with it coming against their biggest rivals but I don't see their season falling apart because of the progress they've made this season under Erik Ten Hag.

Ten Hag will obviously demand a reaction from his players in this one and I'm sure he got them working hard in training this week. He did that after their defeat to Brentford earlier in the season and I'm certain that he would've done that after their defeat to Liverpool.

Southampton picked up a rare win at home last weekend against Leicester which was a result they needed having gone into it off the back of their FA Cup exit to Grimsby. They moved off the bottom of the table as a result of that win and they'll now need to build on it if they're to stay up.

They will have hopefully gained some confidence from that win but I don't see it being a turning point in their season. They still have problems at both ends and I don't see them disappearing any time soon based on the season they're having.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I'm backing United to respond here because Ten Hag will have got his players working hard in training after the Liverpool result and I can see that hard work paying off here. They need a reaction in this game and I think they'll get one.

WEST HAM V ASTON VILLA

West Ham were an absolute shambles against Brighton which was probably their worst performance of the season. Defensively they were all over the place and they showed no signs of getting back into the game. Their fans began turn on manager David Moyes who is again under pressure.

The Hammers have however had some better results at home recently with no defeat at the London Stadium since the end of December. Their home form will crucial for them between now and the end of the season and especially with their away form being as bad as it has been.

Aston Villa only have a top 10 finish to play for this season and they could finish there with Unai Emery's side level on points with Chelsea who currently hold that final spot in the top half. A top 10 finish was and should've been their minimum target at the start of the season and it would mark a good season if they did finish there.

Unai Emery has done a solid job since over from Steven Gerrard and he's certainly made them tough to beat. They've been in most of the games they've played under his management and they'll definitely be in this one where they're likely to be favourites.

PREDICTION: 1-1

This fixture rarely produces a classic and I don't see this one being that kind of game. I think West Ham will respond as they're back at home where they've looked more solid than they have done away. But having played in Europe during the week, I think Villa will nick something as well.

NEWCASTLE V WOLVES

The goals have dried up for Newcastle since the turn of the year with just 3 scored this calendar year. Their lack of bite up top has cost them recently and especially against Man City where they had a host of chances but couldn't take them. They need their forwards to find their shooting boots if they're to stay in touching distance of the top four.

The two forwards they have in Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak are more than good enough to score goals at this level. But I think they're just low on confidence. Wilson hasn't been the player he was before the World Cup whilst Isak is still adjusting to a new league after a few months out injured following his arrival in the summer.

Wolves have struggled to score goals for most of the season and are currently the joint lowest scorers in the league with Everton on 19. But they have been much improved in that department since Julen Lopetegui took over from Bruno Lage who couldn't address that problem.

Despite their improvement under Lopetegui Wolves are not safe yet. They're only 5 points clear of the relegation zone and the teams below them are more than likely to pick up points. Especially with the relegation battles delivering many twists and turns recently.

PREDICTION: 1-1

I don't see many goals in this game as both sides don't score many. Especially Newcastle at this moment in time. They'll both go for it and they're both decent sides to watch. But I still don't see many goals.