Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 30

SATURDAY:

NEWCASTLE V WEST HAM

Newcastle went out of the FA Cup before the international break which leaves a strong end to the season as the only thing they have left to play for. They can still achieve European qualification but a strong end to the season for me is more realistic.

Eddie Howe's side could have Kieron Trippier and Harvey Barnes back for this one after missing the last few matches through injury and their returns will be a much needed boost. The shorter their injury list gets the stronger they can end the season.

West Ham have both a European place and the Europa League to play for this season and it will be interesting to see which one they prioritise the most.

They like Newcastle will want to end the season strongly and especially if David Moyes decides to leave with his contract up at the end of the season.

Newcastle haven't been as good at home as they were last season and the same can be said about them defensively. But I think they'll claim the points here and begin their strong end to the season.

PREDICTION: 2-1

BOURNEMOUTH V EVERTON

Bournemouth have never lost to Everton at the Vitality Stadium and they'll be feeling confident of keeping up that record. Especially with the poor form Everton are in.

Everton are still waiting for their first win of 2024 and Sean Dyche will have hopefully used the international break to look back at his sides' performances and come up with ways to help them improve.

One area where they can improve is in the final third because they haven't scored enough goals. They missed a number of good opportunities against Man United in their last game and Dyche will have surely found a way to help his forwards score more goals.

Because of the Cherries' good record against Everton at home, I fancy them to get another win against them here. But it won't be as entertaining as their game against Luton.

PREDICTION: 2-0

CHELSEA V BURNLEY

Chelsea's season could well be decided over the next couple of months and the same could be said for Mauricio Pochettino's future. Every game for them is a must win.

The blues could have Christopher Nkunku back for this one which will be a massive boost for them. Although I can only see him having cameo appearances as he hasn't played a lot of football this season due to injuries.

Burnley got a much needed win before the international break against Brentford which has given them some hope that they might stay up. So too has Nottingham Forest's points deduction.

But I think that hope will be short lived as I think Chelsea will have more than enough to claim the points here.

The Clarets will have a go like they have done in pretty much every game this season. But I think Chelsea will expose their defensive weakness.

PREDICTION: 3-1

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V CRYSTAL PALACE

Nottingham Forest were deducted four points before the international break and they're now in serious of going down as a result of it.

They've got some tough fixtures to end the season with and I don't see them getting many points from them.

But their points deduction could revitalise them like Everton's did before Christmas and they'll need the fans onside for that to happen. Just like Everton needed their fans onside.

Crystal Palace have shown some encouraging signs under Oliver Glasner who has made three weeks to work with his players having not played during the last round of fixtures. This could give the Eagles a slight advantage here.

Palace's last game saw them waste a number of good chances against Luton and it later came back to bite them as they conceded in injury time. Scoring goals has been their problem all season mainly because they don't have a striker to convert those half chances.

Palace might've had more time to prepare for this game, but Forest will have the crowd behind them as they're at home and this is their first game since their points deduction. Because of this I think they'll nick a draw.

PREDICTION: 1-1

SHEFFIELD UNITED V FULHAM

Sheffield United have conceded 16 goals in their last three home games combined and it wouldn't surprise me if they were heavily beaten in this one.

Fulham haven't been great away from home this season but they do have a striker in-form in Rodrigo Muniz who is beginning to step up as their main man.

I can see him bag another goal here and Fulham to win this one rather comfortably.

PREDICTION: 0-4

TOTTENHAM V LUTON

Spurs were outthought by Fulham before the international break and they'll no doubt see that as an opportunity missed. Especially after cruising to a 4-0 win at Aston Villa the week before.

They are still in with a chance of finishing in the top four though and they've got a great chance of doing so. Especially as they're not in Europe.

Luton come into this game outside the relegation zone following Nottingham Forest's points deduction which has given their chances of survival a massive boost.

The Hatters have given it a real go when taking on the big teams and they'll look to give Spurs another good game in this one.

I think they'll be in the game, but I think Spurs will have enough quality to see the game through.

PREDICTION: 3-2

ASTON VILLA V WOLVES

Aston Villa's top four aspiration are set to be tested over the next couple of months as we're now at the crucial stage of the season where the pressure begins to crank up.

Ollie Watkins had a difficult international break whilst away with England as he struggled to prove his case as Harry Kane's deputy. He had a brilliant season with Villa, but he'll still come into this game with a point to prove.

Wolves went out of the FA Cup to Coventry before the international break after conceding two late goals in stoppage time. Their focus now will be on finishing in the European places.

Gary O'Neil's side are still without their three best attacking players for this one and all of them were missed in the game against Coventry.

Because of that I think Villa will claim the points here as they'll have the majority of their key players available..

PREDICTION: 2-0

BRENTFORD V MAN UNITED

I remember Brentford winning this fixture 4-0 last season very early in the campaign. I don't give them a chance of repeating that in this one though as they're in poor form.

Their remaining fixtures are all key for the Bees who are in a relegation battle but I do think they'll have enough to get themselves out of it.

The Bees have been badly hit by injuries this season and they'll be glad that some of their injured stars are coming back. One of them being Bryan Mbeumo who has been a big miss for them during his absence. With him back alongside Ivan Toney, the Bees will hopefully push up the league.

Man United deserve credit for the way they turned the game around in their FA Cup tie against Liverpool where their subs made the difference for them.

That result kept Erik Ten Hag in charge and the next couple of months could decide both his future and United's season.

I think his side will get another win here as I think they'll have enough in them to beat an out of form Brentford.

PREDICTION: 1-3

SUNDAY:

LIVERPOOL V BRIGHTON

Liverpool went out of the FA Cup to Man United before the international break but I don't see that result effecting them. They've had over a week to get that result out of their system and their sole focus will now be on winning the title in Klopp's final season.

Brighton have got a result in every game against the reds under Roberto De Zerbi including the 3-3 draw in this fixture last season, which was his first game in charge.

The Seagulls will definitely give themselves a chance of getting another result here, but their away form this season hasn't been as good.

Because of this and Liverpool's strong home record, I think the reds will run out winners here.

PREDICTION: 3-1

MAN CITY V ARSENAL

We're now at the stage of the season where Man City go on one of those runs that leads them towards the Premier League title, and it was around this time last season where they went on that run of form which lead them to the title.

Like last season, City find themselves off top spot as they currently sit in 3rd place. They'll still back themselves to go on one of those runs they go on every season but they do have challenging schedule this time round.

Arsenal have already beaten City twice this season both in the reverse fixture at the Emirates and in Community Shield at the start of the season. Both of these results will give them confidence heading into this big game.

It was around this time last season where Arsenal began to slip up and they will be asked questions again as to whether they can perform under the pressure. They might be a stronger team than they were last season but their credentials will still be tested.

Both sides could be missing some key players for this one with City likely to be without De Bruyne and Arsenal likely to be without both Saka and Martinelli.

Whether all of them play or not, City should still win this one as they're at home where they have had a strong record this season.

PREDICTION: 3-1