Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 34

FRIDAY:

SUNDERLAND V NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Sunderland gave Villa a good game last weekend and could've won it had Diarra squared it for Talbi to tap home.

The Black Cats still have a chance of reaching Europe as they're only four behind behind 6th placed Brighton and a win for them here will move them up to seventh because of Chelsea and not Bournemouth not playing.

Forest have steadily been picking up points in recent weeks and their win last weekend over Burnley pretty much secured their safety.

They might not be mathematically safe as they're only five points above the relegation zone, but they should still have enough to be safe.

I can see them get something in this one because of the steady form they've been in but I only see them getting a point because of Sunderland being strong at home.

PREDICTION: 1-1

SATURDAY:

FULHAM V ASTON VILLA

Fulham have been strong at home for the majority of the season and are still in the chase for European football as they're currently five points behind 6th placed Brighton.

They do however have a tough run-in with their next two after this one coming against Arsenal and Bournemouth with the latter also pushing for Europe.

Villa's first win of the season came against Fulham in the reverse fixture and have won their last six league games against them as well.

But I can see that run coming to an end here because they haven't been as strong away as they have been at home and haven't won on the road since beating Newcastle in January.

Because of this and Fulham's strong home record, I think the points will be shared.

PREDICTION: 1-1

LIVERPOOL V CRYSTAL PALACE

Liverpool have already lost three times to Palace this season in the Community Shield at the start of the season, the reverse fixture back in September and in the Carabao Cup back in October.

This essentially makes Palace their bogey team and they'll come into this game looking to avenge those defeats.

Palace are in some decent form at the moment following three wins from their last six league games and they also have a European semi final to look forward against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Oliver Glasner will no doubt want to end his time at Selhurst Park on a high and so will his players who will be feeling confident about ending the season strongly.

They'll definitely be feeling confident heading into this game because of the wins they've had against Liverpool this season including their 3-0 win at Anfield in the Carabao Cup.

But I don't see them making it a fourth win against the reds because I think Liverpool will do enough to get a result.

I don't think the reds will play well but I do think they'll do enough to earn at least a point and especially as they're at home.

PREDICTION: 1-1

WEST HAM V EVERTON

West Ham's draw at Crystal Palace on Monday will be seen as both a point gained and two points dropped.

A point gained because any point away from home is a good point but two points dropped because it was an opportunity for them to increase the distance between themselves and the bottom three.

The Hammers have definitely improved at home since the turn of the year as they're unbeaten in their last five at the London Stadium after having such a wretched record there during the first half of the season.

Everton boss David Moyes returns to West Ham for the time since leaving them two seasons ago in this game and he's coming back with a point to prove.

He was let go by West Ham because the fan weren't happy with his brand of football despite the brilliant job he did there and it soon proved to be a case of be careful what you wish for.

Moyes' Everton side have really kicked on this season as they have their sights set on Europe after spending the previous few seasons battling relegation.

Both teams will be competitive here as they're both tough to beat and well drilled teams which should make this one a close game.

But I'm backing West Ham to just edge it because they've arguably been in better form and have a good record in this fixture from recent seasons.

PREDICTION: 2-1

WOLVES V TOTTENHAM

Wolves are finally down and their relegation was one that was coming because they've spent the last few seasons battling relegation and have also lost a number of their best players during that time.

Now that they know they're down, they'll come into this game more relaxed because the pressure will be off them and they'll just want to give the fans a performance they can get behind.

Spurs put in their best performance in a long time against Brighton and they'll need to build on it if they're to stay up.

The pressure will be on them to win this game and they simply have to because of the situation they're in and Wolves having already gone down.

They have fared better away than they have at home this season and after an encouraging performance against Brighton last weekend, I'm backing them to build on it and pick up a rare win.

PREDICTION: 1-2

ARSENAL V NEWCASTLE

The pressure will again be on Arsenal in this game after they lost top spot to Man City following the latter's win at Burnley in midweek.

They put in a spirited display against City last weekend by going for it a bit more and their performance showed that the title race is far from over.

They have the more favourable run-in between them and City and having this favourable run-in gives them the belief that they can still win the title despite their recent results.

Newcastle appear to have reached the end of the road under Eddie Howe who is under a lot of pressure based on how poor his side have been this season.

A section of their fans have already turned on him which I completely understand but at the same time find a bit unfair because of the brilliant job he's done since he arrived.

His side come into this game off the back of three straight defeats and I can only see that run extending here because I'm backing Arsenal to bounce back and put in a performance.

PREDICTION: 2-0

FA CUP SEMI FINAL

MAN CITY V SOUTHAMPTON

Man City might make changes for this game as they'll have one eye on the Premier League title race and may want to save their best players for the run-in.

But they should still field a strong enough team here because Pep Guardiola takes the cup competitions very seriously and especially this one.

His side have reached the final of the FA Cup in each of the last three seasons but only won one of them in 2023 as part of the treble they won.

He'll no doubt want his side to go one better than their last two appearances this time round.

Southampton really took the game to Arsenal in the last round and their performance along with their recent form will give them a lot of confidence heading into this game.

They will look to play the same way they did against Arsenal and if they do they could be punished because City are a side who will punish any team who play an open and expansive style of football.

They've done that to teams in this competiiton in the past and I can see them doing it again in this one.

PREDICTION: 4-0

SUNDAY:

FA CUP SEMI FINAL

CHELSEA V LEEDS

Chelsea were well beaten by Brighton in midweek and the result proved to be final straw for Liam Rosenior who was sacked the next day.

His sacking wasn't a surprise at all because the pressure on him was building and was never the right man for them in the first place.

I had my doubts about him when he got the job because of his lack of experience in managing a big club in a big league and I was proven right.

Calum McFarlane is in charge for this one and it's now up to him to get a response out of this group of players.

Leeds haven't been anywhere near a cup semi final for many years and it's good to have a club of their stature back in one.

They took four points off Chelsea in the Premier League this season which will certainly give them a great deal confidence heading into this game alongside their recent form.

They're in much better form than Chelsea are at the moment and because of this I'm backing them to get another win over them in this one.

PREDICTION: 1-2

MONDAY:

MAN UNITED V BRENTFORD

Man United's win at Chelsea last weekend was a smash and grab as they spent most of the game defending due to Chelsea having most of the possession and the chances.

They were excellent defensively in that game and especially 19-year old Ayden Heaven who is looking like a very exciting prospect.

United will have Harry Maguire back for this one after missing the Chelsea through suspension and having him back in their backline is a major boost for them.

Brentford won the reverse fixture rather convincingly back in September and it was the start of Keith Andrews beginning to prove his doubters wrong.

The Bees come into his game on a run of five straight draws and they'll be hoping to end that run with a win from this game.

Their run of draws will end but not with a win because I'm backing United to win this game but only just as I think the Bees will give them a good game.

PREDICTION: 2-1