Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 34

SATURDAY:

CHELSEA V EVERTON

Chelsea were fortunate to come away with the win against Fulham last weekend in a game where they were far from convincing.

There have been questions over Enzo Maresca about the way his team play and especially from the fans, who aren't overly happy with the football they're watching.

Personally I think he should stay another year because if Chelsea's project is going to work, they can't keep sacking managers.

Everton competed well against Man City at the weekend and I'm expecting them to make it difficult for Chelsea in this one too.

But their record at Stamford Bridge is terrible and they'll also be without James Tarkowski in defence which is a massive blow.

I do however still think they'll have enough to nick a draw here as Chelsea aren't convincing to watch at the moment.

PREDICTION: 1-1

BRIGHTON V WEST HAM

Brighton are without a win in their last five games and some people are questioning their manager Fabian Hurzeler.

I don't know why they're questioning him when he's having a decent first season in charge. They are out of form, but they are still in the top 10 which represents a good season so far.

The Seagulls have a good record against West Ham in the Premier League and I can see them keep it up in this one as the Hammers are not looking very convincing at the moment.

Graham Potter's side are without a win in their last six games in the league and were booed off the pitch last weekend against Southampton.

Potter will need his side to show some sort of response on his return to the AMEX but I don't see them showing one.

PREDICTION: 3-1

NEWCASTLE V IPSWICH

Newcastle could have Eddie Howe back in the dugout for this one after returning to first team training this week following his pneumonia diagnosis.

Jason Tindall did ok during his time in temporary charge in winning two of his three games in charge, but having Howe back in the dugout will be a massive bonus for the Magpies.

The Magpies' Champions League hopes were dealt a big blow last weekend against Aston Villa, but this game represents a good chance for them to get back to winning ways.

Ipswich will be relegated if they lose this game and I think they will and I can see Newcastle rolling them over here.

They were well beaten by Arsenal last weekend and I think Newcastle will inflict a similar score line on them in this one.

PREDICTION: 4-0

SOUTHAMPTON V FULHAM

Southampton caretaker manager Simon Rusk got a draw in in the reverse fixture during his previous spell as caretaker manager and I think his side could get another in this one.

They were in the game against West Ham last weekend where they got a draw to draw them level with Derby's points tally from the 2007/08 season.

Fulham do have a decent record away from home this season, but they are a side who go through patchy spells of form and those spells have disrupted their chances of European football.

They will back themselves here because of the opponents they're facing, but I still think the Saints will get a draw as they got one in the reverse fixture.

PREDICTION: 1-1

WOLVES V LEICESTER

Wolves' 3-0 win in the reverse fixture in December was Vitor Pereira's first game in charge and his side have come a long way ever since.

They were 18th following that win and they come into this one in 15th and with their Premier League status confirmed for another season.

Leicester's fate was sealed last weekend with their defeat to Liverpool where they did well to stay in the game for as they long as they did.

The board are to blame for their relegation as their recruitment was poor and they didn't back Van Nistelrooy in January to bring in new players.

Leicester are a club who have lost their way and have done since winning the FA Cup in 2021.

With their fate sealed, they'll surely be looking to end the season strongly so they have some momentum to take with them into the Championship next season.

But I don't see that strong end starting here though as I'm backing Wolves to win this one due to the form they're in.

PREDICTION: 2-0

FA CUP SEMI FINAL

CRYSTAL PALACE V ASTON VILLA

Crystal Palace have never won the FA Cup, but they have reached the final twice in 1990 and 2016 respectively, losing to Man United on both occasions.

They last reached this stage of the competition in 2022 where they were beaten by Chelsea and they'll be hoping to go one better this time round.

I remember Unai Emery saying in his first press conference as Aston Villa manager that he would like to win a trophy with Villa and I fancy him to that this season in the FA Cup.

Palace did win 4-1 when the two sides last met in the Premier League, but I still fancy Villa to win this one as they have a bit more in quality.

PREDICTION: 1-2

SUNDAY:

BOURNEMOUTH V MAN UNITED

Bournemouth won the reverse at Old Trafford back in December like they did last season but this season has to be their best chance of doing a first league double over United.

Andoni Iraola's side may not be in the best form at the moment, winning just once in their last eight games, but I still fancy them to get another win against United in this one.

Man United were lacklustre once again against Wolves with their lack of a goal scorer again costing them.

Ruben Amorim might make changes to his team for this game with the first leg of their Europa League semi final against Bilbao in mind, but he really shouldn't as his team need to win games so they don't end the season in a whimper.

Whether they do or not, I still think they'll lose here as Bournemouth are more convincing to watch.

PREDICTION: 2-0

LIVERPOOL V TOTTENHAM

All Liverpool need from this game is a point and they're crowned champions.

But I think they'll go one better and win the game as they're at home and Spurs are easy to play against.

Spurs didn't show anything until the final few minutes against Nottingham Forest on Monday during which I said on X that their team was probably their worst in the Premier League era.

It was definitely the worse Spurs side I'd ever seen and their performances this season are showing it.

Both teams will score here as they both have goals in them and the reverse fixture in December showed that.

But Liverpool will be the side that come out on top as they have the quality of players to punish Spurs' weak defence.

PREDICTION: 4-2

FA CUP SEMI FINAL

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V MAN CITY

Nottingham Forest haven't won anything since the days of Brian Clough and they may not get a better chance of ending that drought than this season.

They beat City in the league when they met last month and they'll be feeling confident of getting another win against them in this cup tie.

Man City will be seen as the favourites to win this competition and the pressure will be on them to win it as it's the last chance they have of ending the season with a trophy.

Pep Guardiola will field a strong team for this game not just because he usually does in cup games, but because he has to due to how big a game this is for his side.

As they won this fixture in the league last month, I'm backing Forest to surprise City again in this one as City can be got at and Forest have the players to hurt them.

PREDICTION: 2-1