Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 28

FRIDAY:

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V NEWCASTLE

Nottingham Forest have been drawn back into trouble after going five games without a win leaving them just 2 points above the relegation zone.

They'll be happy to be back at home for this one as they've had more joy at home than they've had on the road. They haven't lost on their own patch since the end of September and their current home form will be key in their quest to avoid relegation.

Newcastle got their top four challenge back on track last weekend with their win over Wolves which was a crucial result after going six games without a win prior.

This is a game that they need to win as Liverpool aren't playing and a win here will put some distance between the two sides. With Spurs playing Southampton the next day, a win here will also put the pressure on Spurs.

PREDICTION: 1-1

I can see Forest get something here as they're at home. But I can only see them getting a draw as Newcastle are tough to beat. The Magpies haven't scored many goals recently and with Forest being tough to beat at home, I think they'll nick a draw here.

SATURDAY:

ASTON VILLA V BOURNEMOUTH

Aston Villa have lost their last 4 games against Bournemouth in the Premier League including their flat display against them on the opening day of the season. They'll hopefully play better in this one as they have a different manager in charge and have been a much improved side since.

Bournemouth will be feeling confident heading into this game after a disciplined win over Liverpool last weekend. They showed a fighting spirit to get that win and they'll need to show more of it if they're to stay up.

They've got some winnable games coming up starting with this one and the win over Liverpool could be the turning point in their season. I still think they'll go down but last weeks victory could give them the momentum they need to pull themselves away from danger.

PREDICTION: 2-1

I fancy Villa to win this one because they'll make it tough for Bournemouth defensively and they also have a striker in great form in Ollie Watkins. The Cherries will be feeling confident after their win over Liverpool but I think Villa will be a tougher test.

BRENTFORD V LEICESTER

Brentford will move into the European spots if they win this one as Brighton aren't playing due to their participation in the FA Cup Quarter Finals. The Bees moved to within a point of those spots in midweek with their win over over Southampton and being in the European places will give them a lot of confidence heading into the international break.

Thomas Frank's side have lost just once at home all season and their home form has been a real catalyst for them ever since they've been in the Premier League. They'll more than fancy their chances here for two reasons: Their strong form at home and Leicester being an out of sorts team.

It's worrying times for Leicester at the moment and the pressure is again mounting on Brendan Rodgers after 5 straight defeats in all competitions. They're only outside the relegation zone on goal difference and have the second worst defence in the league.

It's definitely the end of an era for the Foxes. They have an ageing squad and most of their players are likely to leave this summer with some of them out of contract and some entering the final year of theirs. The manager will probably go too unless he's sacked before the season is out.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I've got to back Brentford here because they're in better form and are very strong at home. With an in-form Ivan Toney up against a fragile Foxes backline, the Bees should win this one comfortably.

SOUTHAMPTON V TOTTENHAM

Most teams in a relegation battle would rely on their home form to keep them up. But not Southampton. Their home form has been disastrous all season and I don't see it improving anytime soon. I simply do not trust them whenever they're at home.

Spurs were much improved against Nottingham Forest last weekend but the questions around Antonio Conte's future continued. They're likely to continue for the rest of the season even if Spurs go on a good run of form. Which looks unlikely.

Spurs' season has been very inconsistent this season and you wonder which version of them will turn up for this game. The good version will hopefully be the one that does as Southampton have such a poor record at home and Spurs will need to make the most of that.

PREDICTION: 1-3

I've got to back Spurs here because I think they'll be too strong for Southampton. They have had an inconsistent season this year but with the quality they have in forward areas and the Saints being so poor at home, this should be a straightforward win for Antonio Conte's side.

WOLVES V LEEDS

Wolves have been dragged back into the relegation mix in recent weeks with Julen Lopetegui's side just three points above the drop zone. With the teams in and around them also playing this game will be seen as a must win for them otherwise they will be right back in the thick of it.

There are at least four teams in this seasons relegation battle who are decent at home but poor away and Leeds are one of those teams. Their away form this season has been dreadful with their only win on the road coming back in October against Liverpool.

The pressure is now on Javi Garcia and his side to get results as they now find themselves in 19th and a point off the bottom. But I wouldn't bank on them to get something here because of how poor they've been on the road.

PREDICTION: 2-0

Because of Leeds being so poor on the road I'm going for Wolves to take the points here. Both have struggled for goals this season but I see Wolves being the more clinical here.

CHELSEA V EVERTON

Chelsea are starting to show signs of improvement following three straight wins which have put them back in contention for a place in Europe. Their recent results have arguably kept Graham Potter in the hot seat because of the pressure he was under before those results.

The pressure will still be on the manager with his side still 10th in the league. But Potter and his team will be feeling more confident in turning their season around as a result of their recent form.

Everton are another one of those sides who are solid at home but poor away like two or three of the other sides fighting to avoid relegation. That's certainly been the case under Sean Dyche who has won 3 out of 4 at home but lost 2 out of 3 away.

Performances are beginning to improve under Sean Dyche and their last two games against Forest and Brentford can back that up. They offered more of a threat going forward in those games and they need to carry on in this way if they're to stay up.

PREDICTION: 1-0

I'm going for another Chelsea win here because of Everton's poor form away from home. Both sides are starting to show signs of improvement but with Chelsea in better form I think they'll be the side that win here.

SUNDAY:

ARSENAL V CRYSTAL PALACE

Arsenal are looking like the real deal the more you watch them and there is a belief within the squad that they can win the title. They've got the character and mentality they haven't had for a number of years and they also have the strength in depth which is crucial to any title winning side.

It was good to see Gabriel Jesus back in their win over Fulham last weekend and his return will bolster their strength in depth further. He probably won't start this game as he's just come back but once he's up and running he's going to play a major role in Arsenal's title run in.

Crystal Palace could find themselves right in the thick of the relegation battle if they lose this one as most of the teams around them will have already played. They're just three points clear of the drop zone and that margin could be reduced.

But on the positive side Patrick Vieira will feel relieved that there is an international break coming up. The next couple of weeks will give him time to look back at his sides' performances and see what he can do in training to get them winning games and away from trouble.

Scoring goals will be top of that list as goals have been their main problem this season. They had a number of good opportunities against Brighton in midweek but as usual they couldn't take them. Their wastefulness in front of goal cost them the points.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I've got to go for an Arsenal win here because of the form they're in and Palace being out of form. There is a strong mentality within the Gunners squad and with the quality they have going forward they should win this game comfortably.