Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 33

SATURDAY:

BRENTFORD V FULHAM

Brentford come into this game on a run of four straight draws and if they want to qualify for Europe, they need to start turning those draws into wins.

Fulham are also pushing for Europe as they're only three points behind the Bees despite being 12th in the league.

Marco Silva's side have won their last three games against the Bees including their 3-1 win in the reverse fixture which will give them a great of confidence heading into this game.

Brentford had arguably the best home record in the league earlier in the season but they haven't won at the Gtech since early January.

Because Fulham aren't as strong away as they are at home, I'm backing the Bees to get a long awaited win at home.

PREDICTION: 2-1

LEEDS V WOLVES

Leeds were outstanding against Man United on Monday and that win should all but secure their Premier League status for another season.

They really needed that win after going six league games without win and it should give them some much needed breathing space between themselves and the bottom three.

Wolves have shown a lot of fight in their games since the turn of the year but were well beaten by West Ham last Friday and the result all but sealed their fate.

They could be relegated if they lose here and if the teams above them pick up points which is very likely to happen given the fight they've all shown.

Because of Leeds having a strong record at home and gained a lot of confidence from their win at Man United on Monday, I've got to back them to win this game and seal Wolves' fate.

PREDICTION: 2-0

NEWCASTLE V BOURNEMOUTH

It's beginning to feel like the end of Eddie Howe at Newcastle given the season they're having and a number of their fans beginning to turn on him.

I asked earlier in the season if he's taken them as far as he can and I feel he has because I'm not sure what more he can do with this team despite the job he's done since he arrived.

The mess his side have been in this season isn't all his fault because their pre-season was disrupted by the Alexander Isak saga which dragged on all summer, and the recruitment from the board was poor.

His former club Bournemouth come into this game in much better form and full of confidence after picking up a rare win on the road against Arsenal.

Andoni Iraola announced that he's leaving the club at the end of the season during the week when his contract expires and I'm sure that he'll want to go out on a high.

They're on course to do so with the form they're in and the favourable run of games they have coming up through to the end of the season.

The Cherries won this fixture 4-1 last season and I can only see them bag another win in this one with the form they're currently in.

PREDICTION: 1-3

TOTTENHAM V BRIGHTON

The pressure is on Spurs to win games now they're in the bottom three and I fear that is where they're going to end up at the end of the season.

Roberto De Zerbi, who faces Brighton for the first time since leaving them two seasons ago, has one massive job on his hands in trying to keep Spurs up and he needs to find a way to get results for his team.

Brighton haven't been as strong on the road as they have been at home this season, but I've still got to back them here because of the recent form they're in and Spurs' terrible form at home.

I can see this being a fairly comfortable win for them because they have a lot more confidence on board.

PREDICTION: 0-3

CHELSEA V MAN UNITED

Chelsea were outplayed and taught a lesson by Man City last weekend and especially in the second half which showed the gulf in class between the two sides.

Liam Rosenior has to be a man under pressure with the form his side are in and especially at home as they've won just twice at home since the turn of the year.

The fans are set to do a protest against the owners before this game and I can understand why they would because they don't like the way the club is being run as it's only gone backwards since their owners took over.

Man United looked surprisingly off the pace against Leeds on Monday and especially as they hadn't played for 24 days because you'd think they'd be properly refreshed and ready to go.

But it was the complete opposite and especially in the first half as they looked sluggish and sloppy and Leeds took advantage of that.

Michael Carrick is about to enter his most challenging spell since taking over as they've got a tough few games coming up and are missing key players through both injury and suspension.

But I do think they'll pass this first tough test because Chelsea are on a bad run of form and United have players who can punish them.

Their record at Stamford Bridge isn't by any means brilliant, but I still think they'll put Monday's result behind them and come out on top here.

PREDICTION: 0-2

SUNDAY:

ASTON VILLA V SUNDERLAND

Villa scored their first goal of the season against Sunderland in their 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture during their slow start to the season.

They haven't scored a massive load of goals this season because their strikers haven't been consistently clinical enough for the majority of the season.

But they're still having a brilliant season and have spread the goals out around the team which isn't always a bad thing.

Sunderland haven't been as strong away as they have been at home this season as I have said a number of times over the course of the season.

But they have won their last two away games against Leeds and Newcastle respectively and they'll believe that they can bag another one in this one.

Villa do come into this game off the back of playing in Europe during the week and may feel a bit tired as a result of it.

But because they've been strong at home this season, I'm backing them to get the win here and move closer towards Champions League qualification.

PREDICTION: 2-0

EVERTON V LIVERPOOL

Everton have taken points off Liverpool in this fixture in each of the last three seasons and they'll be feeling confident of doing so again here.

But the only thing stopping them is their poor form at home and it's because of that very reason that I don't see them winning this game.

Liverpool gave a good account of themselves against PSG in midweek as they put a lot of energy into their performance and went for it more than they did in the first leg.

All the reds have left to play for now is a top five finish which they should achieve but whether it will keep Arne Slot in charge remains to be seen.

A win in this one will certainly set them on their way and I can see them doing that but only just as I think Everton will make it difficult for them here.

PREDICTION: 1-2

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V BURNLEY

Forest have picked up some crucial points recently and a win for them here should be enough for them to be safe.

Burnley on the other hand are good as gone and have been for a while and it's only a matter of time till they're relegated.

I think Forest will push them closer to the drop in this one as I'm backing them to win the points here.

Burnley will try and make it difficult for them as they have been a competitive side in a number of their games this season.

But Vitor Pereira's side should have enough to come away with the points here.

PREDICTION: 1-0

MAN CITY V ARSENAL

Man City are cooking and at a good time too as they showed with their second half performance against Chelsea last weekend.

We're now at the stage of the season where they go on one of those winning runs and I have a feeling that they're going to on another one this season. Especially with the recent form they've been in.

A win for them in this game has to give them the advantage in the title only because they have two games in hand and if they win those two games in hand, they win the title.

Arsenal looked edgy again against Sporting in midweek but did enough to force a draw and book their place in the semi finals of the Champions League.

The players look relieved when the full time whistle went and their reaction potentially showed that the players are not enjoying playing under the pressure they're under.

This is a must win game for both sides with it being a title decider and whoever wins it will surely go on to win the title.

But a draw would be a good result for Arsenal as it would extend their lead to seven points which will give them a comfortable margin.

With City being in the form they're in and Arsenal looking nervous and missing one or two key players through injury, I've got to back City here and especially as they'll be at home.

PREDICTION: 2-1

MONDAY:

CRYSTAL PALACE V WEST HAM

Palace left it late to beat Newcastle last weekend courtesy of a Jean-Philippe Mateta double and it was good to see him back in the team and back among the goals.

The Eagles haven't fared as well at home as they have away this season and they're up against a West Ham side who have also fared better on the road than they have at home.

West Ham climbed out of the bottom three with their win over Wolves last Friday which along with their performance will give them a lot of confidence moving forward.

The Hammers have a good record at Selhurst Park and I fancy them to keep up that record in this one as I'm backing them to pick up another crucial win in their battle to beat the drop.

PREDICTION: 1-3