Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 28

FRIDAY:

WOLVES V ASTON VILLA

Wolves are definitely showing more fight than they were earlier in the season and especially since the turn of the year as they've been in a lot of their games since.

Rob Edwards has made them tougher to play against since he's come in and by being more difficult to beat, they're showing more fight.

Villa are wobbling at the moment and it could be because the pressure may be getting to them which doesn't surprise me as they're not used to being in the position they're in.

They are also missing key players through injury including Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans who have all been sorely missed and this could also be a reason why they're wobbling at the moment.

I can see them drop more points here because of their recent form and Wolves showing a fighting spirit.

PREDICTION: 1-1

SATURDAY:

BOURNEMOUTH V SUNDERLAND

Bournemouth were 2-0 up in the reverse fixture back in November only to throw it away and lose 3-2.

I don't see that happening this time round because they're strong at home and Sunderland are not as good away.

Sunderland have been sliding down the table since early December and they come into this game on a three game losing streak which is their longest losing streak this season.

Their recent form is most likely a reality check because no one expected them to be as good as they have been this season.

Because of Bournemouth being strong at home and not having lost a game since the beginning of January, I've got to back them here.

PREDICTION: 2-0

BURNLEY V BRENTFORD

Burnley looked good as gone a few weeks ago but a win and a draw from their last two games have kept their slim hopes of survival alive.

They've shown fight in a lot of their games this season and especially at home. But they haven't been able to get the results their performances deserve.

Brentford have struggled on the road all season but they have won 3 of their last four on their travels coming into this game.

I can see them keep up their improvement on the road by getting another win in this one because I think they'll have more than enough quality to come away with the points.

PREDICTION: 0-2

LIVERPOOL V WEST HAM

Liverpool were far from their best against Forest last weekend as they have been for most of this season but they still came away with the win.

Another win for the reds in this one would see them move level on points with fourth places Man United and also put the pressure right on them before they play Crystal Palace the next day.

West Ham have looked more solid defensively in recent weeks than they have all season and are looking more like a Nuno team because of it.

Nuno won at Anfield last season when he was at Nottingham Forest and he'll be confidence of getting another win there in this one as his side are beginning to turn a corner are looking more difficult to beat.

But I think Liverpool will just edge this one as I think they'll have just enough quality to see the result over the line.

PREDICTION: 2-1

NEWCASTLE V EVERTON

Newcastle could've played a weakened team against Qarabag in midweek as the tie was very much in the bag after the 1st leg.

But they went strong and put the tie to bed by playing on the front foot instead of settling for a draw to see themselves through.

Everton have fared much better on the road than they have at home this season and are unbeaten in their last five away games.

But their record in this fixture is not great having won just one of their last five visits to St James' Park which was on the final day of last season.

The Magpies may feel a bit tired s a result of them playing in Europe during the week, but they are strong at home and because of this I think they'll come out on top here.

PREDICTION: 2-1

LEEDS V MAN CITY

Leeds' turnaround started in the reverse fixture where Daniel Darke changed formation at half time and his team caused City all sorts of problems.

I'm expecting them to put in a similar kind of performance here because they're at home and it's at home where they've won most of their games.

This game will be a big test for City because of what Leeds did to them in the reverse fixture at the Etihad and they'll surely be expecting this game to be tougher than the one at the Etihad.

They've also the Elland Road factor to deal with because Elland Road is a tough place to go to as many teams have found out because of the atmosphere inside the ground which can intimidate teams.

Leeds will of course look to use their home crowd to their advantage as they have done all season.

But I think City will come out on top here as I think they'll have enough quality to win the game and put the pressure on Arsenal.

PREDICTION: 1-2

SUNDAY:

BRIGHTON V NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Brighton got a much needed win last weekend against Brentford which will hopefully restore some much needed confidence.

It was good to see James Milner play in that game and break the record for Premier League appearances which he truly deserved. The career he's had the longevity he's shown is simply incredible.

There were positives to take for Forest against Liverpool in Vitor Pereira's first Premier League game in charge in that they had a number of good chances and were the better team in the first half.

But they just couldn't convert the opportunities they has which has been a problem for them all season and it's why I think they could go down.

Forest come into this game off the back of playing in Europe during the week and are likely to feel a bit tired as a result of this.

Because of this and Brighton having a decent record at home, I'm going to back the Seagulls to record back-to-back wins here.

PREDICTION: 2-0

FULHAM V TOTTENHAM

Fulham have a good recent record against Spurs as they've won three of their last four against them including the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

Spurs got taught a lesson by Arsenal last weekend in Igor Tudor's first game in charge and especially in the second half as they gave the Gunners so much space and time on the ball.

You now have to say that they're in a relegation battle as they're only four points above the drop zone and are playing like a side with no confidence and no quality.

They have fared better on the road than they have at home this season, but Fulham have been strong at home and with the Cottagers being in better form, I've got to back them here.

PREDICTION: 2-0

MAN UNITED V CRYSTAL PALACE

Man United just got over the line against Everton on Monday thanks to Benjamin Sesko's late winner and he'll surely be looking to start more games with the form he's been in.

But he might actually be better suited to starting games from the bench not just because he's been scoring goals from the bench recently, but because he can offer United something different when he comes on.

He's a striker who is good in the air and can cause teams problems with his height and aerial ability which makes him a good option to bring on when United are struggling to get in behind stubborn defences.

Palace got a much needed win against Wolves last weekend where they just got over the line thanks to Evan Guessand's late goal.

There is still an uncertainty around Oliver Glasner's future despite him leaving at the end of the season as a section of their fans want him out and him leaving is arguably having a negative effect on the players.

I can under stand why the fans would turn on him but at the same time I feel that it's unfair given the job he's done since he's been at the football club.

The Eagles have won this fixture in each of the last two seasons but I don't see them making it three in a row here because United are in better form and should have enough to win the game because of this.

PREDICTION: 2-0

ARSENAL V CHELSEA

Arsenal quashed all signs of them being bottle jobs with their performance against Spurs last weekend which showed that they know how to respond when the pressure appears to be getting to them.

Viktor Gyokeres had probably his best game in an Arsenal shirt against Spurs and is finally showing why Arsenal signed him with the recent form he's been in.

He's scored eight goals in all competitions since the turn of the year which is more than any other player with one of them coming against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and I fancy him to bag another one against them again in this one.

Chelsea are still unbeaten under Liam Rosenior in the Premier League but he still doesn't know his best team and especially in defence.

He's played a different back four in every game since taking over at Stamford Bridge which tells you that he doesn't know his best defence.

He does have a lot of players to choose from because of how big Chelsea's squad is. But he needs to find his best defence quickly so the players in there can start building up some partnerships.

I can see Arsenal take advantage of this as they have attacking players who can hurt teams and although their attackers haven't scored a bucket load of goals this season, I still think they'll win them this game.

PREDICTION: 2-0