Manchester City VS Brentford
The final weekend of Premier League action begins at the Etihad as Manchester City host Brentford. Manchester City just about beat Fulham last weekend and they also managed to beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup midweek. They still sit in second place. Brentford conceded incredibly late on in a draw with Nottingham Forest and they were then knocked out on penalties by Gillingham in a pretty disappointing display. The Bees currently sit in second place. Manchester City won both of these fixtures last season by an aggregate score of 3-0. For Man City, they currently average 3 goals a game and they still have an 100% home record in all competitions. As for Brentford, they haven’t won a game in their last 5 attempts and they are yet to win away from home in the league so far this season.
My Prediction: 3-1
Bournemouth VS Everton
Bournemouth suffered their second successive league defeat after being 2 goals ahead last week, but they bounced back in emphatic style midweek by beating opponents Everton 4-1. They currently sit 17th, just 1 point above the relegation zone. Everton haven’t had a great week. They lost 2-0 at home to Leicester on Saturday before they got thrashed by Bournemouth in the cup. The Toffees currently sit 16th, just one point above the Cherries. In their last 12 meetings, both sides have managed to win 5 games. Bournemouth have won each of the last 3 meetings. For Bournemouth, they are ranked 14th in GPG (1.1) and they have conceded the most penalties out of any team in the league. Also, they are looking for their first clean sheet in 8 games. As for Everton, they are ranked 18th in GPG (0.8) and this is backed up by the fact that they are ranked 17th in shots on target per game (3.5). Both teams really need to win this game.
My Prediction: 2-0
Liverpool VS Southampton
Liverpool bounced back in important fashion last week at Tottenham, but they were very lucky to get out of the Derby game with a penalty shootout victory. The Reds currently sit 8th in the league. Southampton got smashed by Newcastle last weekend (1-4) and they only just beat League One Sheffield Wednesday on penalties on Wednesday. Also, Ralph Hasenhuttl is out and Nathan Jones is in. Jones will aim to get Southampton up the table as they currently sit in the relegation zone. In their last 23 meetings, Liverpool have won 14 times whilst Southampton have won 6 times. Liverpool have won each of their last 3 meetings. For Liverpool, they are ranked 5th in GPG (1.9) and they have the 5th best home record in the league this season. They need to win this game so they go into the break on a high. As for Southampton, they are ranked 16th in GPG (0.9) and they actually have the 12th best away record in the league which isn’t too bad. A tough first Premier League game for Nathan Jones.
My Prediction: 4-1
Nottingham Forest VS Crystal Palace
Nottingham Forest have had a pretty solid week. They got a point at home to Brentford last Saturday and they managed to beat Tottenham 2-0 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. They are still bottom of the league though. Crystal Palace got a really good win away to West Ham last weekend, but they lost to Newcastle in the cup on penalties. Palace currently sit in a pretty good 10th place. In their last 6 meetings, Forest have won 3 times whilst Palace have only won once. That win for Palace came all the way back in 2011. For Nottingham Forest, they are ranked 19th in GPG (0.7) but in a positive note, they are unbeaten in their last 4 home games. A win for Forest would be a great way to go into the World Cup break. As for Crystal Palace, they are ranked 13th in GPG (1.2) and they currently have the 8th best defensive record. A win here would secure Palace a top 10 spot going into the break.
My Prediction: 1-1
Tottenham VS Leeds
Tottenham Hotspur have had a horrible week. They lost at home to Liverpool in the league before they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Nottingham Forest! They now sit in 4th place. Leeds got a big win at home to Bournemouth last week, but they then lost to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the cup. Leeds currently sit 12th in the league table. In their last 5 meetings, Spurs have won 60% of the time whilst Leeds have won 40%. Tottenham beat Leeds 4-0 in their last meeting. For Tottenham, they are ranked 4th in GPG but they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 7 matches. They have also lost their last 2 home games in the league. As for Leeds, they are ranked 10th in GPG (1.5) and they also haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last 7 games. Leeds are on a two-game winning streak in the league.
My Prediction: 1-1
West Ham VS Leicester City
West Ham have struggled recently. They lost 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace last weekend before they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup on penalties by championship club Blackburn Rovers. They currently sit 15th in the league table. Leicester got a good win away to Everton last weekend and they followed that up by beating Newport County 3-0 in the cup. The Foxes are currently in 14th spot. In their last 19 meetings, both sides have won seven times. West Ham won this game 4-1 last season. For West Ham, they are ranked 16th in GPG (0.9) yet they are ranked in a very high 5th place when it comes to goals conceded per game (1.1). This is an important game for the Hammers. As for Leicester, they are ranked 7th in GPG (1.6) and they have won both of their last 2 away matches. Can they make it three?
My Prediction: 1-3
Newcastle VS Chelsea
Newcastle host Chelsea in a big matchup. Newcastle thrashed Southampton at St. Mary’s last Sunday and they just about got through to the next round of the Carabao Cup after beating Crystal Palace on penalties. They currently sit third in the table. Chelsea suffered a disappointing loss at home to Arsenal last week before they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Manchester City. They are currently seventh in the table. In their last 24 meetings, Chelsea have won 58% of the time compared to Newcastle’s 29%. Chelsea have won each of their last 4 meetings. For Newcastle, they are currently ranked 3rd in GPG (2.0) and they are still unbeaten at home in the league. A win here will fully showcase that Newcastle are genuine Champions League contenders. As for Chelsea, they are ranked 12th in GPG (1.3) and they also haven’t scored in their last 2 matches in all competitions. They also haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last 6 matches. In the end, this is a game Chelsea can’t lose.
My Prediction: 3-1
Wolves VS Arsenal
Wolverhampton Wanderers suffered another defeat last weekend at home to Brighton, but they managed to get a good cup win at home to Leeds United. Wolves currently sit 19th, level on points with the team bottom of the table. Arsenal got an amazing win away to Chelsea last weekend, but they were then knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton on Wednesday. They still sit two points clear at the top of the Premier League table. In their last 12 meetings, Arsenal have won 50% of the time whilst Wolves have won 25% of the time. The last four meetings have all ended with a one goal win (2-2). For Wolves, they are ranked bottom in GPG (0.6) and they are ranked 13th in goals conceded per game (1.6). Steve Davis also takes charge of Wolves for the last time (for now). As for Arsenal, they are ranked 2nd in GPG (2.4) and they comfortably have the best away record in the league. Arsenal will want to win this game so they go into the World Cup top of the Premier League table.
My Prediction: 1-2
Brighton VS Aston Villa
Brighton went to Wolves and picked up all 3 points last weekend before they went to Arsenal and knocked the league leaders out of the Carabao Cup. Overall, it’s been a pretty good week for the Seagulls and they sit 6th in the league table. Unai Emery won his first game as Aston Villa manager last weekend against Manchester United before he suffered his first defeat as Aston Villa manager against Manchester United last night! Villa are currently sitting 13th in the table. In their last 9 meetings, Aston Villa have won 4 times whilst Brighton have only picked up one win. Ollie Watkins scored in both meetings last season as Villa went on to win both games 2-0. For Brighton, they are ranked 6th in GPG (1.7) and are also ranked 8th in GCPG (1.3). The Seagulls are on a three-game winning streak. As for Aston Villa, they are ranked 15th in GPG (1.0) and they are yet to win an away game in the league this season. Let’s see if Emery can make it 2 from 2 in the league.
My Prediction: 3-2
Fulham VS Manchester United
The final Premier League game before the World Cup sees Fulham host Manchester United. Fulham were unfortunate to lose to Manchester City last weekend and they have since had a week to prepare for a match with another side from Manchester. Fulham currently sit 9th in the table. Manchester United suffered a slight setback last weekend away to Aston Villa but they got some revenge on them last night by knocking them out of the Carabao Cup. United currently sit 5th in the league table. In their last 13 meetings, United have won 10 times and there has been 3 draws. Fulham’s last victory over United came all the way back in 2009. For Fulham, they are ranked 7th in GPG (1.6) and they have been awarded the most penalties in the league so far this season (5). As for Manchester United, they are ranked 11th in GPG (1.4) and they have the 7th best away record in the league this season. This should be a fun game.
Comments