Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 36

SATURDAY:

FULHAM V EVERTON

Fulham's hopes of Europe are still very much alive even though they're not in the best of form at the moment.

They've lost 5 of their last 8 games in the league and this form is not the kind a team pushing for European football wants to be in.

Everton aren't in great form themselves either as they've won just 1 of their last 10 league games and they let a two goal lead slip last time out against Ipswich.

The Toffees have been the draw specialists this season as they've picked up more draws any other team with 15.

I can see this one ending in another draw as both teams are not in the best of form at the moment.

PREDICTION: 1-1

IPSWICH V BRENTFORD

Ipswich showed fight to come from behind and nick a draw against Everton last weekend and they'll want to show that fight in their remaining games so they have something to take with them into the Championship next season.

Brentford have suddenly given themselves an outside chance of making Europe recently following three straight wins which have put them up to 9th and a point behind Bournemouth in 8th.

The Bees won a thrilling reverse fixture back in October and I think this one will be close too.

It won't be as thrilling as the game at the Gtech, but I do think it will be another Brentford win.

PREDICTION: 1-2

SOUTHAMPTON V MAN CITY

Southampton are on course to equal Derby's record as the worst team in Premier League history and it looks very likely that they will.

They have three very tough games to end the season with and I don't see them getting anything from them.

Man City will have Erling Haaland back for this one after missing the last few games through injury and I can see him bag a couple of goals here.

City have found form at a right time and with Haaland back to lead their attack, I can only see a comfortable win for them here.

PREDICTION: 0-4

WOLVES V BRIGHTON

Wolves saw their winning run come to an end last weekend against Man City, but they won't be too bothered about that as they're already safe.

Brighton still have European football in their sights as they're currently just a point behind 8th placed Bournemouth.

But they might just miss out as they're not in great form having won just once in their last seven games. They also have two tough games to end the season with after this one in Liverpool and Spurs.

Both teams will definitely score here as they both have players in their attack who can score goals. But I think Wolves will be the side that come out on top as they're the better team defensively.

PREDICTION: 2-1

BOURNEMOUTH V ASTON VILLA

Bournemouth will be full of confidence heading into this game after beating Arsenal last weekend which kept them in pole position in the race for European football.

Their hopes of reaching Europe appeared to take a hit a few weeks ago as they weren't in the best form at the time. But that win at Arsenal got their chances back on track.

Aston Villa haven't won in each of the last two seasons and they conceded a very late equaliser against the Cherries in the reverse fixture at Villa Park back in October.

Their form away from home this season also hasn't been great but it has improved recently following 3 wins from their last 4 on the road.

But I don't see that improvement continuing here as I think Bournemouth will give them a good game and take a point off them.

PREDICTION: 2-2

SUNDAY:

NEWCASTLE V CHELSEA

Newcastle won this fixture in the Carabao Cup on their way to winning the trophy just a few days after losing the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge.

The Magpies are in much better form now than they were back then, but this fixture will be more of a test as Chelsea are also going for their goal of qualifying for the Champions League.

Chelsea got a massive win last weekend against Liverpool which was arguably their best performance in a very long time and maybe a turning point in their season.

It was good to see Cole Palmer back on the scoresheet in the game after going so long without a goal and that goal will hopefully bring him better luck in front of goal.

Their win over Liverpool will definitely give them confidence, but I don't see them carrying it into this game because of their poor record away from home since the turn of the year.

Newcastle have been pretty strong at home this season and because of that and the blues' poor form on the road, I'm backing Eddie Howe's side to get the win here.

PREDICTION: 2-0

MAN UNITED V WEST HAM

The reverse fixture was Man United's final game under Erik Ten Hag which they were unlucky to lose as West Ham won it via a penalty which should never have been given.

United may be on course for their worst ever season in the Premier League era, but they could somehow end it with a trophy after reaching the Europa League final last night.

They will of course be thinking about that final in the lead up to it, but they should still look to push for a strong end to the season so they don't end it in a whimper.

West Ham will also be looking to end the season as strongly as they can as they too have nothing to play for in the league.

They're just waiting for the summer to come around as that will be when Graham Potter brings in his own players and will build the team in his image.

I'm not expecting a great game here as both sides are out of form. But I do think Man United will will in though even if they aren't convincing.

PREDICTION: 1-0

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V LEICESTER

Nottingham Forest's Champions League hopes were dealt another set back on Monday in their draw with Crystal Palace and it looks like they could be the team that misses out.

Whether they make the top five or not, they've still had an incredible season and their manager deserves a huge amount of credit for the job he's done.

Leicester finally ended their wait for a goal at home last weekend against Southampton and it had to be Jamie Vardy to get it.

He'll definitely want to bag at least one more goal before the end of the season as that is all he needs to reach 200 goals for the club.

But I don't think he'll get it here as I think Forest will this game and comfortably.

PREDICTION: 3-0

TOTTENHAM V CRYSTAL PALACE

Spurs are having probably the worst season in their history, yet they could end it with a trophy after reaching the Europa League last night with their win over Bodo/Glimt in the second leg of their semi final.

Ange Postcoglou will want to make changes in this one because of the injuries his side have and he won't want his side to pick up any more before the final.

They're already without two players for the rest of the season in James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall with Maddison being the bigger miss because of what he offer in terms of creativity.

Crystal Palace also have a cup final to look forward with theirs coming next weekend in the FA Cup.

Oliver Glasner may want to make changes to his team for this game with the cup final in mind as he won't want to risk any of his players picking up an injury.

But I think he'll field a strong team here as he'll want his side to end the league season strongly and with the attacking players he has, I think the Eagles will punish Spurs' open defence and come out on top.

PREDICTION: 1-3

LIVERPOOL V ARSENAL

Liverpool's six changes against Chelsea last weekend backfired badly as they looked disjointed and never really got going.

If there is one thing they learned from that defeat, it's that they need more depth to their squad because they players who came in didn't step up.

Slot will surely bring the regulars he rested back into the fold for this including Ryan Gravenberch, whose influence in midfield was missed against Chelsea.

Conor Bradley is confirmed to start at right back which is understandable after Trent Alexander-Arnold announced his departure from the club on Monday.

His departure has received mixed reactions by Liverpool fans with some thinking he's making the rumoured move to Real Madrid for money, whilst some are thanking him for his incredible service to the club.

I can understand why he would make the move to Real Madrid because they're in my yes the biggest club in the world. But I think he should've stayed at Liverpool because he could've still won more trophies.

Arsenal will be kicking themselves for going out of the Champions League to PSG in midweek especially as they missed a lot of chances on the night.

The amount they missed on the night is further proof that they need to buy that no.9 in the summer who can put away those chances.

Their Champions League exit will definitely hurt them and it's up to Mikel Arteta to get them back on their feet for this game.

They have to show a reaction in this one and I think they will as they'll want to end the season as strongly as they can so they can seal that second place.

I think Liverpool will also respond by bringing certain players back into the team but I think the Gunners will make it difficult for them here.

PREDICTION: 1-1