Premier League Predictions: Matchweek 37

FRIDAY:

ASTON VILLA V TOTTENHAM

A lot of people would've had this down as a top four decider at the start of the season. But instead it's just a normal game.

This game is one that Aston Villa have to win so they can put pressure on the teams above them in the race for Champions League football.

With Man City not playing due to their participation in the FA Cup final, Unai Emery's side will need to make the most of this opportunity.

Spurs might make changes for this game as their next game after this one is the Europa League final, which is why this game has moved from Sunday to Friday.

How they're even in that final is beyond me as they've been terrible in the league all season and both their performances and league position can back that up.

A lot of changes need to made at that club this summer including a major clear out as a lot of their players are just not up to standard.

Villa beat Spurs fairly comfortably in the FA Cup earlier in the season and I think they'll do the same in this one.

PREDICTION: 2-0

CHELSEA V MAN UNITED

This fixture used to be the one to look out for at the start of the season, but it hasn't been that way for a while.

Chelsea will start this game and the next without a recognised striker following Nicolas Jackson's red card against Newcastle last weekend.

Christopher Nkunku will most likely lead the attack in Jackson's place, even though he is more of a second striker/no.10 instead of an actual no.9.

The blues announced during the week that Enzo Maresca will remain in charge next season no matter what happen and I that that is the right decision.

They have tailed off a lot since Christmas which was probably expected as they're a young team, but Maresca has still done better than a lot of people thought he would following a difficult pre-season.

Man United might make changes ahead of this game with the Europa League final coming up later in the week, but I don't think they will as Amorim will not want his side to end the season poorly.

He might not want to risk his players getting injured ahead of the final, but I still think he should play a strong team here as Chelsea away is always a tough game.

United have played well against the so-called big teams this season so we might see them put in an improved display in this one.

But I don't see them doing that because of the record Chelsea have at home and whether they make changes or not, I can still see this one being a win for the blues.

PREDICTION: 2-1

SUNDAY:

EVERTON V SOUTHAMPTON

This is set to be an emotional occasion for Everton as it's their final ever game at Goodison Park.

It's been an incredible ground to watch football over the years because of it's incredible atmosphere and it's going to be a big miss for sure.

Southampton celebrated their draw against Man City last weekend because their point took them above Derby's points tally from the 2007/08 season.

They dug deep to get that point and it was good that they got it considering how much they've suffered this season.

They'll need to show that fight they showed against City in their remaining two games of the season so they can give their fans more to cheer about.

But I don't think they'll in this one as Everton will be determined to give Goodison the send off it deserves and because of that, I can see the toffees put in a good performance and win the game.

PREDICTION: 2-0

WEST HAM V NOTTINGHAM FOREST

West Ham ended their long wait for a win last weekend with their win at Man United which was quite possibly their best performance of the season.

That win should give them the confidence to end the season as strongly as they can and give them some momentum to carry into next season.

Champions League football is slipping away from Nottingham Forest and their draw with Leicester last weekend all but ended their chances.

Their owner coming onto the pitch to confront Nuno was unexpected as it's something we rarely see in a game of football.

Whatever the owner said to Nuno at full time should've been said behind closed door and not on the pitch will thousands of people watching.

Forest need to win this game so they can keep their fading hopes of Champions League football alive. But I don't see them doing that because they're out of form and feeling the pressure.

West Ham will have more confidence on board coming into this game, but I think Forest will have enough defensively to hold on for a point.

PREDICTION: 1-1

BRENTFORD V FULHAM

Brentford are in pole position to finish in that final European spot and I think they will because of the form they're in, and have the most winnable two fixtures to end the season with.

Fulham needed two late goals from substitute Harry Wilson to win the reverse fixture at Craven Cottage back in November, and they'll need that kind of impact in this one as this is a game they must win to if they're to have any sort of chance of qualifying for Europe.

But with Brentford being at home and in better form, I have to back them in this one.

PREDICTION: 2-1

LEICESTER V IPSWICH

These two sides came up together last season and are going back down together this season.

Leicester put in a spirited effort against Nottingham Forest last weekend and after watching their performance in that game, a lot of their fans may have been asking where that determination has been all season.

I was expecting them to be well beaten in that game because of how poor they've been all season. But fair play to them to staying in the game and coming away with a point.

Ipswich have shown spirit in a lot of their games this season and it's why they've fared better out of the three newly promoted sides this season.

Both teams will want to show some spirit in this game so they can give their fans a performance they can be proud of.

But I think Ipswich will be the side that show that show more because of the struggles Leicester have had at home all season.

PREDICTION: 1-2

ARSENAL V NEWCASTLE

Arsenal deserve credit for their second half performance against Liverpool last weekend after being nowhere near it in the first half.

There has been a lot of talk recently that Mikel Arteta will be under a lot of pressure next season and I can understand why as his side didn't win anything this season.

Injuries and a lack of a goal scorer are the two main factors that have cost the Gunners this season and the latter is something that Arteta will need to address in the summer if his side are to win something next season.

Newcastle have already beaten Arsenal three times this season and they'll be feeling confident in getting a fourth against them in this one.

The Magpies might be the favourites here because of the form they're in, and the fact that they've already got the better of Arsenal three times season with two of their wins coming in both legs of their Carabao Cup semi final.

But Arsenal do have a decent record at home and it's because of that record that I can see them come away with something here.

Newcastle may have more goals in them, but I think the Gunners will make it difficult for them defensively and put in a resilient performance.

PREDICTION: 1-1

MONDAY:

BRIGHTON V LIVERPOOL

Brighton have beaten all but one of the so-called formerly big six this season with Arsenal being only big six side they didn't beat at home.

The Seagulls' home form has been reasonably good this season and they'll come into this game with confidence on board because of it and their record against the big teams.

They've taken points off Liverpool at home in each of the last two seasons and although their current form isn't the greatest, they'll still back themselves to get a result here.

Liverpool must've thought their game against Arsenal last weekend was won by half time as they didn't play at the same intensity in the second half as they did in the first.

I thought the booing of Trent Alexander-Arnold from some of the fans when he came on was disrespectful as he's been an incredible servant to the club who has won everything on offer.

I could understand why they booed him because they might think he is leaving for money. But it was still disrespectful because of the player he has been throughout his time at the club.

The reds will again make changes in this one as Arne Slot will want to give his fringe players as much game time as he can before the end of the season.

Brighton will definitely look to take advantage of this just like Chelsea did a couple of weeks ago when the reds made six changes for their game against them.

But I think Liverpool will do enough to come away with at least a draw as Brighton can at times look too open defensively.

PREDICTION: 1-1