Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 36

SATURDAY:

LIVERPOOL V CHELSEA

Both teams have had far from convincing seasons this season but will still want to end the season as strongly as they can.

Liverpool are the only one of the two who still have something to play for in Champions League football which they should achieve despite their inconsistencies.

They looked all over the place defensively against Man United last weekend as they have done for much of the season. But they did show character in the second half to draw the game level.

Chelsea were arguably more embarrassing against Forest on Monday than they were against Brighton in Liam Rosenior's final game in charge and especially as Forest made eight changes to their team.

Spurs were able to beat an Aston Villa side who made seven changes which makes their defeat to Forest even more embarrassing.

The blues haven't won at Anfield for a good few seasons and I can see that run continuing here because I'm backing Liverpool to come out on top here.

PREDICTION: 2-1

BRIGHTON V WOLVES

Brighton saw their good run of form come to an end last weekend against Newcastle after which manager Fabian Hurzeler signed a new long-term contract.

It wasn't that long ago that most of their fans wanted him out and he deserves credit for turning things around and earning that new contract because he was under a lot of pressure around that time.

The draw between these two sides earlier in the season was one of the very few points Wolves picked up earlier in the season and they even came close to winning it only for Brighton to equalise late on.

They were showing fight in their games before their relegation was confirmed but haven't showed any since and their fans are beginning to question whether Rob Edwards is the right man to lead them forward next season.

They look set to end the season poorly following the recent results they've had and I can only see that continue here as I'm backing Brighton to win and win comfortably.

PREDICTION: 3-0

FULHAM V BOURNEMOUTH

Fulham have been reasonably strong at home this season and it's because they're at home in this one that I don't see them losing.

Bournemouth may be on fire at the moment and on the cusp of a possible Champions League place next season, but they haven't been as strong away as they have been at home despite winning their last two on the road against Arsenal and Newcastle.

Both teams will definitely go for it as they both like to play on the front foot and are both pushing for European football.

But I think the points will be shared as I can see both teams cancel each other out.

PREDICTION: 2-2

SUNDERLAND V MAN UNITED

Sunderland got crushed 5-0 by Nottingham Forest the last time they played at home which was completely unexpected as they've been strong at home all season.

They'll be without Dan Ballard for this one following his sending off against Wolves last weekend and his absence will be a big blow for them because he's been one of their standout performers this season.

Man United secured Champions League football last weekend with their win over Liverpool and now the questions will be asked as to whether Michael Carrick should get the permanent manager's job.

He'll feel that he deserves a chance because he's done an incredible job since taking over as the results and the performances can back up.

But is he the man who can take them onto the next step in terms of winning titles and major trophies?

A club like Man United needs to be challenging for major honours and for that to happen they probably need a manager who has a track record of doing that.

I think he'll boost his chances further in this one as I'm backing United to come out on top here and Bruno Fernandes to register an assist to move him closer towards breaking the most assists in a season record.

PREDICTION: 0-2

MAN CITY V BRENTFORD

Man City have been far from their best in recent games and the pressure is now on them to win all their remaining games.

Their draw with Everton on Monday was definitely a missed opportunity because it saw them fall behind in the title race and they'll be ruing the costly mistakes they made in that game as well.

Brentford got their European hopes back on track last weekend with a brilliant display against West Ham which moved them back in to the European places.

Keith Andrews' side will definitely fancy their chances here because they will have watched City's game against Everton and will believe that they can get something from this game.

I think they'll give them a good game as they're a side who like to play on the front foot and are capable of giving anyone a game.

But I think City will just edge this one because I think they'll have enough quality to see the result over the line.

PREDICTION: 2-1

SUNDAY:

BURNLEY V ASTON VILLA

Burnley showed very little fight in their defeat at Leeds and I fear that they're going to go down with a whimper based on the performance they put in.

They've looked competitive in a lot of their games this season and I thought they would continue to show that fight after their relegation was confirmed.

But I just don't see them showing it because their heads are clearly down as they showed against Leeds in their first game post-relegation.

Villa made seven changes against Spurs which was understandable because they had the second leg of their Europa League semi final against Nottingham Forest to think about.

But they didn't really need to make as many changes as they did because they still have Champions League football to play for and when you have something to play for, you should still play your strongest team.

They looked tired against Spurs and could look tired again in this one as they come into it off the back of playing the second leg of their Europa League semi final against Forest.

Whatever happens in that game, they should still win this one and reasonably comfortably because they should have more than enough quality to beat Burnley.

PREDICTION: 0-3

CRYSTAL PALACE V EVERTON

Palace could come into this game in a buoyant mood as they could be in a European final depending on what the final result is in their Conference League semi final against Shakhtar Donetsk.

But they could also feel a bit tired or fatigued as a result of them playing in Europe because they've felt like that a lot throughout the season.

Their result and performance in this game will depend on how much their Conference League semi final will have taken out of them.

Everton will be looking to make the most of Palace feeling slightly tired and I can see them do that and especially with their strong away record.

They have a good recent record in this fixture as well as they've won 3 of their last 5 games at Selhurst Park.

With Palace likely to feel tired as a result of them playing in Europe during the week, I fancy the toffees to keep up that good recent record and especially with the form they've been in away from home this season.

PREDICTION: 1-3

NOTTINGHAM FOREST V NEWCASTLE

Forest come into this game off the back of their Europa League semi final against Villa and might feel tired as a result of it.

Vitor Pereira's side are pretty much good as safe and they need a least a point from this game and other results to go in their favour for it to be guaranteed.

Newcastle got a much needed win last weekend against Brighton which was massive for both them and Eddie Howe who was under a lot of pressure going into the game.

They will look to make the most of Forest feeling slightly tired after playing in Europe using the week, but I don't see them coming away with the win because of their poor away form.

I think they'll get a draw but only because of Forest feeling slightly tired and possibly being without their best player in Morgan Gibbs-White.

PREDICTION: 1-1

WEST HAM V ARSENAL

West Ham looked the most likely team to stay up as of a few weeks ago but now the pressure is back on them to win games now they're back in the bottom three.

They looked like the team they were earlier in the season against Brentford in the way they defended and after watching them concede those goals, I'm starting to fear for them and especially with some tough games coming up.

Arsenal are very much in control of the title race now they're five points clear at the top and if they win this game they could have one hand on the trophy.

They showed a good mix of attacking quality and defensive solidity against Atletico Madrid in midweek with their defence in particular being what won them the game as they stifled Atletico for the whole 90 minutes.

They'll be in a buoyant mood heading into this game after what happened in midweek but the pressure will be on them to win the game depending on what happens in Man City's game against Brentford.

West Ham will look to make it difficult for them and especially as they're at home but the Gunners should still have enough quality in them to come away with the points and extend their lead at the top.

PREDICTION: 0-2

MONDAY:

TOTTENHAM V LEEDS

Spurs appear to have turned a corner under Roberto De Zerbi following back-to-back wins against Wolves and Villa and their performance against the latter was their best in a long time.

They finally have some much needed confidence on board and they need to carry it into their remaining fixtures if they're to stay up.

Leeds are pretty much good as safe and especially as they're now 14th in the league and when you're in that position you should be safe from relegation.

Daniel Farke's side haven't fared as well away as they have at home this season, but as Spurs have been dreadful at home all season, I'm backing them to come away with the points and seal their safety for good.

PREDICTION: 1-2