Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 29

SATURDAY:

MAN CITY V LIVERPOOL

When the fixture list came out many people would've seen this one as the title decider. But it hasn't turned out that way.

Man City are fighting for the title but find themselves 8 points behind Arsenal. They do have games in hand over the leaders but the pressure will still be on them to win their remaining games. They'll need arsenal to drop points if the title is to go their way.

It will be touch and go in terms of Erling Haaland's fitness ahead of his game having missed both of Norway's games during the international break. If he's fit he'll play because of this game being a big one. But I don't see him playing the entire match.

Liverpool have been miles off challenging for the title this season with their sole focus now being on a top four finish. Not being in any other competition will help their cause alongside having an international break to refresh and work on things that have gone wrong. But they have some difficult games coming up to start their end of season run-in.

They have however already beaten City twice this season in the Community Shield before the season started and in the reverse fixture back in October. That might give them some confidence heading into this game but given how poor they've been away from home this season, not many people will fancy them here.

PREDICTION: 3-1

I'm backing City to win here because I can see them being too strong for Liverpool. Their chances will depend on Haaland's fitness but whether he does or does not play, City should still have enough to win this game.

ARSENAL V LEEDS

The advantage is with Arsenal in the title race with the Gunners having a eight point lead at the top. They have blown up when being in these sort of positions in the past but with the mentality and character being much stronger this season, they'll hopefully get themselves over the line.

Going out of the Europa League will certainly help them as they won't have that distraction. With fewer games to play as well they'll be able to field their strongest side in most of their remaining fixtures which will be a massive boost for them.

Leeds have struggled on the road all season but they did win their last away game against Wolves before the international break. It was a massive win for them that day and one that will hopefully give them the confidence to stay up to get better results on the road.

I still worry about them though as they do have a tendency to shoot themselves in the foot. They do have some winnable games coming up and especially at home but I still think the other sides have a better chance.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I'm backing Arsenal to win here because I think they'll have enough quality to win this game. Leeds will give it a go as they're a side who like to play on the front foot but with the form Arsenal are in, I think they'll see themselves through here.

BOURNEMOUTH V FULHAM

Bournemouth may fancy their chances here with Fulham not having Mitrovic available following his sending off against Man United in the FA Cup. The Cherries don't score many goals but Fulham not having their talisman will give them some hope that they can win this game.

Fulham will also be without Willian and manager Marco Silva as they too were sent off along with Mitrovic. Mitrovic will be the bigger blow as he's their talisman and is set to miss at least 3 games. His absence could Fulham's European challenge.

PREDICTION: 1-0

I'm going for a rare Bournemouth win here because Fulham are without talisman Mitrovic and manager Silva. I can see both absences play a key role in this game and the Cherries taking advantage of it.

BRIGHTON V BRENTFORD

These two sides are arguably the best run clubs outside the big six in terms of how they both operate behind the scenes. They both recruit well and their success off the pitch has been huge to the seasons they're both having.

Brighton are having their best ever season as they're pushing for Europe and are in an FA Cup semi final. Roberto De Zerbi has done an excellent job since taking over from Graham Potter and if he gets the Seagulls into Europe he's got to be up there for manager of the season.

Brentford are also pushing for Europe and are currently sitting outside those spots only on goal difference. Thomas Frank has done excellent job this season and is another worthy contender for manager of the season whether he gets the Bees into Europe or not.

Their away form has been poor though with just 3 wins on their travels all season. They've been excellent at home but their away form could be what costs them a place in Europe next season.

PREDICTION: 2-1

I'm going for a Brighton win here because Brentford aren't as good on the road as they are at home. It will be a close game as both sides will want to play on the front foot. But I think the Seagulls will just edge it as they have more energy.

CRYSTAL PALACE V LEICESTER

Nobody saw this being a relegation six-pointer at the start of the season and it's one that both sides need to win.

Crystal Palace will have Roy Hodgson back in charge for this game and I'm not sure about his appointment. I can see why they appointed him as they're in a relegation fight. But Hodgson is someone who will fix a defence instead of an attack and it's in attack where Palace have struggled.

I was very surprised that they sacked Patrick Vieira as they've got some winnable games coming up against teams in and around them. His side were in a good position in the table and with the games they have coming up, they would've been fine had he kept his job. Their decision to sack him might come back to bite them.

Leicester are just a point above the relegation zone heading into this game and are without a win in their last 5 games. The pressure is back on Brendan Rodgers who needs results and quickly as the Foxes are in a desperate situation.

They've had issues at both ends this season but their main concerns have been defensively. They have the third worst defence in the league and they've hopefully used the international break to work on their defending.

PREDICTION: 0-2

I'm backing Leicester to win here because I think they have more goals in them. Palace are strong at home and will be tough to beat with Roy Hodgson back in charge. But I think the Foxes will have enough quality in the final third to win the game.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V WOLVES

Nottingham Forest saw their long unbeaten run at home come to an end last time out against Newcastle which put them right back into the relegation mix. They're now just two points above the drop zone and without a win in 7 as a result of that defeat.

Steve Cooper will have hopefully used the international break to come up with ways of getting his side back to winning games and being tough to beat. They've not kept a clean sheet in 7 games and will need to shore themselves up again defensively if they're to stay up.

Wolves are also not in great form heading into this one as they've won just 3 of their last 8. They're still in a good position to stay up but like Forest need to start winning games again so they can build some momentum to take into the rest of the season.

They might've thought they were safe not that long ago but recent form suggests that they're not. They should have enough to stay up but in order to do that they need to get back to winning ways.

PREDICTION: 1-1

Both sides haven't scored many goals this season and in fact they're the joint lowest scorers with Everton and Crystal Palace. I don't see Forest losing as they're at home but I think they'll make it difficult for Wolves though.

CHELSEA V ASTON VILLA

Chelsea were beginning to look more like a team before the international break as both results and performances were starting to improve. Graham Potter will want more of the same between now and the end of he season as his side look to end the season strongly.

The blues have however been dealt two major blows with Reece James and Mason Mount both picking up injuries during the international break. There is a chance that they could be available for this game but I don't see that happening.

Aston Villa found some form before the international break in winning 3 of their last 4 games which moved them level on points with Chelsea. A win from Villa here will move themselves above Chelsea and into the top half.

Unai Emery's last game against Chelsea was the 2019 Europa League final where his Arsenal side lost 4-1. He'll no doubt want revenge for that defeat and his side's recent form and performances can help them achieve that.

PREDICTION: 0-2

I fancy Villa to win this one as Chelsea have a number of players out injured. With Villa themselves in decent form and having an in-form striker in their side in Ollie Watkins, I can see them win this one.

SUNDAY:

WEST HAM V SOUTHAMPTON

West Ham went into the international break in side the relegation zone and the pressure will be on them and David Moyes to win games. They'll have more of a chance here as they're at home where they're unbeaten in their last 4. Their home form will be key for them in their battle for survival.

The Hammers have a big end to the season ahead of them as they've got a Europa Conference League Quarter Final against Gent to look forward to alongside their remaining Premier League games. How far they go in that could determine whether they'll stay up or not.

Southampton showed character to get a draw against Spurs before the international break and they'll need to show more of it if they're to stay up. Performances have improved under Ruben Selles and the fight they showed in the second half against Spurs will give them confidence.

Their away form has been slightly better than their home form this season which gives them a chance of getting something from this game. But with West Ham turning the London Stadium into a fortress, it could be a tough game for the Saints.

PREDICTION: 3-0

I'm going for a West Ham win here because they're at home and are in decent form at home. Southampton are better on the road than they are at home but I think the Hammers will have enough quality to win this game with the forward players they have.

NEWCASTLE V MAN UNITED

This match is a rematch of the Carabao Cup final which was the last time these two sides met.

Newcastle will be feeling confident of avenging that defeat after winning their last two games which have pout them right back in the mix for the top four. Alexander Isak's return to fitness has played a key role in that and in him the Magpies might've finally found the reliable goal scorer they were lacking.

Man United were fortunate to come away with a win last time out against Fulham where the sending offs no doubt changed the game. They were second best until the sending offs were awarded but they did what any top side does in getting the job done.

They'll again be without Casemiro who is still suspended and he was the difference for them in the cup final win a month ago. They have won games without him this season but I think they'll struggle in this one as Newcastle have players who can overrun the midfield.

PREDICTION: 2-0

I'm backing Newcastle to avenge their Carabao Cup final defeat in this one because United are without Casemiro and I think they'll miss his presence in the team. With Isak finally finding some form for Newcastle, I think they'll take their chances and win this game.

MONDAY:

EVERTON V TOTTENHAM

Everton picked up some crucial results before the international break and were offering more of a threat going forward which they haven't done for much of the season. Sean Dyche will have used the break to carry on the good work in training.

Their home form has been solid and it will be something they'll rely on in their battle to avoid relegation. It was crucial for them last season and it will be as crucial this season.

Spurs saw Antonio Conte leave the club during the week and I'm not surprised that he did after his explosive post-match press conference after the Southampton game. Will Spurs now kick on after his departure? I really don't know. This is because of how inconsistent they've been this season.

Their away form recently has been poor as they've lost their last 5 games in all competitions. Their recent record at Goodison isn't great either having not won any of their last 3 visits there. Due to their recent poor form away from home, their wait for a win at Goodison could extend to four games.

PREDICTION: 1-1

I think Everton will make it tough for Spurs as they're solid at home. But I don't see them winning this game because of their lack of goals. Spurs will be looking to respond following the departure of Conte but because of their recent poor form on the road I don't see that happening.