Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 35

FRIDAY:

MAN CITY V WOLVES

Man City put in a controlled display in the first half against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup last weekend which proved to be enough to send them through to the final.

They haven't had their best season by their own high standards, but they can still end it with a trophy which will give them something to cheer about.

Wolves are in the in-form team in the league right now following six straight wins which have them up in 13th, the highest they've been all season.

They may have secured their safety a few weeks back, but Vitor Pereira's side are building on it by pushing for a strong end to the season.

But I think City disrupt their momentum in this one as they should have more than enough quality to win the game.

PREDICTION: 3-1

SATURDAY:

ASTON VILLA V FULHAM

Aston Villa looked tired against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup with the amount of games played in a short space of time maybe catching up with them.

I was expecting them to win that game and was disappointed that they didn't as I really fancied them to go all the way in the cup this season.

They've had a full week to put that result behind them and they should come into this game fresher with their full focus on finishing in the top five.

Fulham kept their European hopes alive with their win at Southampton last weekend and they come into this game six points behind Villa.

The Cottagers have been inconsistent this season and their inconsistency has been what has held them back from being serious European contenders.

I can see their inconsistency come back to bite them here as Villa have a strong record at home.

Unai Emery's side did look off it against Palace in the FA Cup, but I think they'll put in a much stronger showing here after having a week to recover and prepare for this game.

PREDICTION: 3-1

EVERTON V IPSWICH

Everton have been a side transformed since David Moyes returned, but their current form is not great at the moment as they've won just once in their last nine games.

Their last win at home came at the start of February when they beat Leicester 4-0 and with just two games left at Goodison before they move to their new stadium on Bramley Moore Dock, they'll want to leave Goodison on a high by winning their final two home games.

Ipswich's relegation was confirmed last weekend following their defeat at Newcastle and with their relegation confirmed, they'll now be looking to end the season as strongly as they can so they have some momentum to take with them into the Championship next season.

Out of the three sides that came up, they were the one who showed more fight as they went for it and were in a lot of their games. But in the end, they just didn't have enough Premier League quality or experience in their squad to stay up.

The Tractor Boys have fared better on the road than they have at home this season, but I don't see them getting something here as I think Everton will have quality to win the game.

PREDICTION: 2-0

LEICESTER V SOUTHAMPTON

These two sides have had absolute rotten seasons this season and with nothing else to play for, they'll at least be looking to give their fans something to cheer about here.

Form suggests that Leicester will lose here as they've lost their last nine games at home all without scoring a goal.

But Southampton have both the worst defence and attack in the league and this will give the Foxes hope that they can put an end to their wretched form at home.

I don't see this being a particularly good game as both sides have been terrible all season. But I somehow think both teams will score here and share the points.

Southampton will be more happier with the point as it will take them above Derby's total from the 2007/08 season.

PREDICTION: 1-1

ARSENAL V BOURNEMOUTH

Arsenal will probably make changes for this game with the second leg of their Champions League semi final against PSG in mind, but hopefully not too many as Bournemouth are a dangerous side going forward.

They were dominated by PSG in the first half in midweek but they were better in the second in that they created more chance. But they couldn't find a way past the brilliant Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Bournemouth will have Evanilson available for this one after his red card against Man United was rescinded and rightly so because he slipped as he went into the challenge.

The Cherries won the reverse fixture back in October and they'll back themselves to win this one too as Arsenal are likely to rest players in this game.

But they're not in great form at the moment as they've won just one of their last nine league games and their poor form has seen them drift away from the European spots.

I do think they'll get something here though as Arsenal are likely to make changes and the Cherries having players in their attack who can cause the Gunners problems.

But I can only see them claiming a draw as I think Arsenal will do enough to earn at least a point here.

PREDICTION: 1-1

SUNDAY:

BRENTFORD V MAN UNITED

Brentford are in with an outside chance of qualifying for Europe following their win over Nottingham Forest last night, which moved them to within two points of eighth placed Fulham and eight points of 7th placed Villa.

They got their first home win of 2025 in their last game at the Gtech against Brighton which will give them confidence heading into this game alongside their win last night against Forest.

Man United are having their worst ever season in the league yet they have one foot in the Europa League final after a convincing win over Athletic Bilbao last night.

They're likely to make changes in this one with the second leg of that tie in mind and whether they do or not, I still think they'll lose here.

Their record against the lesser sides this season has been poor, and Brentford are a team who are dangerous and have players who will cause them all kinds of problems in Mbeumo and Wissa.

I think both will get on the scoresheet here.

PREDICTION: 2-0

BRIGHTON V NEWCASTLE

Brighton left it late to beat West Ham last weekend which was a must needed result for them after going a few games without a win.

The Seagulls have never lost at home to Newcastle in the Premier League and their home form this season and been reasonably good.

But there is a vulnerability about them defensively due to their high line which many teams have exploited this season.

Newcastle will be looking to become the latest team to do that and I think they can because of how good they are going forward.

This is a game that the Magpies need to win as their next two after this one are against Chelsea and Arsenal and a win for them here will give them the confidence to help them through those tough games.

But because they've never won at the AMEX, I can only see them come away with a point here as I think Brighton will give them a game here.

They will exploit Brighton's high defensive line due to the pace and quality they have in attack, but I also think Brighton will have a good go at them.

PREDICTION: 2-2

WEST HAM V TOTTENHAM

West Ham are unbeaten in their last four home games against Spurs but their current form is poor as they haven't won any of their last seven.

They're still yet to get going under Graham Potter who has won just three times since taking over from Julen Lopetegui in January.

But he still needs time as this isn't his group of players and he'll get the chance in the summer to build the team in his image.

Spurs will probably rest players for this game with the second leg of their Europa League semi final against Bodo/Glimt in mind and it looks like they're going to throw everything into that competition.

This week could be the biggest of Ange Postecoglou's managerial career because of the amount of pressure he's under. He needs results in the league because of where they are in the table, and the Europa League is the last chance he and Spurs have of salvaging something from this season.

West Ham may not be convincing at the moment, but I do think they'll win this game because of the recent record they have against Spurs, and the fact that Spurs may rest players and are not in great form themselves.

PREDICTION: 2-1

CHELSEA V LIVERPOOL

Chelsea are unbeaten at home since the turn of the year and it's their home form that has kept them in the race for Champions League football.

They got a much needed win last weekend against Everton which should give them the confidence to help them through the tough games they have coming up starting with this one.

They face Newcastle, Man United and Nottingham Forest in their remaining games after this one and all of them will test their aspirations for Champions League football next season.

Liverpool wrapped the title up in style last weekend against Spurs where they showed why they're champions.

Now that they have secured the title, they might rest players in their remaining games so they can give some of the fringe players an opportunity.

But I don't think Slot will make too many changes as he'll want his side to end the season strongly instead of relax knowing that they've got the title wrapped up.

Chelsea may be unbeaten at home in 2025, but they haven't been very convincing and are not the most clinical team in front of goal.

I think Liverpool will punish them for that here and I can see Mo Salah getting at least one of the goals.

PREDICTION: 0-2

MONDAY:

CRYSTAL PALACE V NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Crystal Palace have an FA Cup final to look forward to in a few weeks time after a very impressive display in the semi finals against Aston Villa last weekend.

They were the better side all over the pitch against Villa and they'll want to win both of their leagues in the lead up to final so they can go into it with a lot of confidence on board.

Nottingham Forest slipped up against Brentford last night where they had some decent chances, despite putting in a flat performance.

They do have some winnable fixtures to end the season with, but their defeat last night could prove costly as it was one they needed to win due to it being a game in hand.

I can see them slip up again here as well, but I think they'll do enough to get a draw as Palace aren't in the best form at the moment.

PREDICTION: 1-1