Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 32

SATURDAY:

MAN CITY V CRYSTAL PALACE

Man City were disappointing in the Manchester Derby last weekend in what was a very dull a boring game. It was arguably the worst Manchester Derby in the Premier League era.

Pep Guardiola will need his side put in a better showing in this one because they need to finish in the top four and the pressure is on them to do so.

Crystal Palace got a draw in the reverse fixture back in December whilst they were beginning to get themselves following a difficult start to the season.

The Eagles have been in decent form on the road this season and with the recent form they've been in alongside that, they'll surely fancy themselves to get another result in this one.

They will make it difficult for City as they have the attacking players to cause them problems. But I just have a feeling that City will find a way to win without being at their brilliant best.

PREDICTION: 2-1

BRIGHTON V LEICESTER

Last week was a tough week for Brighton as they lost back-to-back league games after going out of the FA Cup.

Some of their fans think that their season has stalled following those defeats and those that think that are overreacting. They're still in contention for Europe and are set to finish in the top top 10 which would be a good season for them.

They should definitely return to winning ways in this one as they're facing a Leicester side who are low on confidence and struggling to score goals.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy's side haven't scored in the league since the end of January which funnily enough was the last time they won a game when they beat Spurs.

I can only see another heavy defeat for them here and one heavier than the one they got against Newcastle on Monday.

PREDICTION: 4-0

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V EVERTON

Nottingham Forest were punished for a slow start against Aston Villa last weekend with their late push in the second half not being enough to earn a point.

That defeat will deal a blow to their Champions League hopes, but not a massive one as they're still in a good position and have some winnable games coming up.

Everton were fortunate to earn a point against Arsenal last weekend as the penalty they were awarded with and later converted was never a penalty. There was not enough contact on Harrison for it to be a penalty.

David Moyes deserves a lot of credit for the way he's turned Everton's season around and rightly so. But his side haven't won since the middle of February with their record since then being one defeat and five draws.

I can see them pick up yet another draw in this one as Forest are very well organised defensively and are likely to be without their marksman Chris Wood once again.

PREDICTION: 1-1

SOUTHAMPTON V ASTON VILLA

Southampton's relegation was confirmed last weekend following their defeat at Spurs and their manager Ivan Juric left the club a day later.

I was surprised that Juric left as I was expecting him to stay in charge till at least the end of the season.

All the Saints can focus on now is a strong end to the season so they have some momentum to take with them into the Championship next season, and getting more points than Derby did in the 2007-08 season.

Aston Villa will probably rest players for this one with the second leg of their Champions League quarter final against PSG in mind.

There is a still a chance that they can turn tie around and especially as the second leg is a home tie for them.

Whether they make changes or not, they should still win this one fairly comfortably because of the team they're facing and how poor they've been all season.

PREDICTION: 0-4

ARSENAL V BRENTFORD

Arsenal will probably rest players for this game with the second leg of their Champions League Quarter Final against Real Madrid in mind.

Bukayo Saka will probably be one of the players they rest as he has just returned from a long lay off and went off with a minor knock in the first leg.

They made changes against Everton last weekend ahead of the first leg and I think they'll do the same here.

Brentford are a side who always make it difficult for teams and I can see them make it difficult for Arsenal in this game.

With Arsenal likely to rest players here, I can see the Bees nick a point here.

PREDICTION: 1-1

SUNDAY:

CHELSEA V IPSWICH

Chelsea surprisingly left arguably their two most effective attacking players in Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson out of their starting line up against Brentford last weekend, and it was a move that backfired as they looked blunt in attack in the first half.

They will have the second leg of their Europa Conference League tie Legia Warsaw in mind by the time this game comes around, but I think they'll both start this one even though they were rested ahead of the first leg.

Ipswich won the reverse fixture at Portman Road back in December which will give them some sort of confidence.

Their form away from home has been better than their form at home this season which will also give them some belief heading into this game.

But Chelsea have been in good form at home and I'm backing them to keep it up in this game.

PREDICTION: 2-1

LIVERPOOL V WEST HAM

Liverpool looked unrecognisable against Fulham and especially in the first half where Fulham ripped them apart.

That defeat was a reminder that Slot should've rotated his team more in the lead up to it as they look tired due to the amount of games they've played.

I am hoping that he'll rotate his team for this one and one player who deserves a start is Harvey Elliott as he's made an impact whenever he's come off the bench in recent games.

West Ham were a different team in the second half against Bournemouth and it was Niclas Fullkrug's impact off the bench that made the difference.

The German has had a frustrating debut season at West Ham due to injuries but against Bournemouth he showed how much of a handful he can be. He's a player that the Hammers need to keep fit if they're to end the season strongly.

Graham Potter has lost just one of his four Premier League games at Anfield and this stat might give the Hammers some hope of getting a result here.

But I don't see that happening here as I think Liverpool will make changes and put in an improved performance compared to the recent ones they've put in.

PREDICTION: 3-1

WOLVES V TOTTENHAM

Wolves will have Matheus Cunha back for this one after completing his four match ban for his headbutt against Bournemouth in the FA Cup.

They didn't really miss him during his absence and they didn't lose any of the games he missed with Jorgen Strand Larsen stepping up on the goals front.

His return will still be a big boost for Wolves though as he's their talisman and main goal threat.

Spurs might make changes for this game with the second leg of their Europa League tie against Eintracht Frankfurt in mind.

That competition is their season as it's the only thing they have left to play for and their last chance to end the season with a trophy.

But Postecoglou won't want to make too many changes as he'll want his side to end the season as strongly as possible due to them not having anything to play for in the league.

He probably will make changes and with Wolves having Cunha back, I fancy them to win this one.

PREDICTION: 2-1

NEWCASTLE V MAN UNITED

It was announced this week that the top five teams will enter the Champions League next season and Newcastle are currently in pole position to be that extra side.

If they were to gain that extra spot, this season could be the Magpies' best one ever having won the Carabao Cup as well.

Man United were probably the happier of the two sides in the Manchester Derby as they created some good chances and arguably the best chances on the day.

But the only thing they were missing was someone to put them away which has been their problem all season.

Newcastle have that player in Alexander Isak who I'm backing to bag another goal in this game and Newcastle to win it.

PREDICTION: 2-0

MONDAY:

BOURNEMOUTH V FULHAM

Bournemouth were looking like serious European contenders not that long ago but now they appear to be out of the picture following a run of six games without a win.

They now face a battle to finish in the top 10 with 11th placed Crystal Palace just two points behind them and in better form.

Fulham were excellent against Liverpool last weekend and their performance didn't surprise me as I knew that they would give the reds a tough game.

They will have gained a lot of confidence from that win and although they haven't been the most consistent teams this season, I think they'll follow it up with another win in this one as they've been strong on the road this season.

PREDICTION: 1-2