It feels like the end of the season is upon us, but there are still a lot of big games to be played and a lot of points to be won both at the top and bottom of the Premier League this week. It is week 29 of the Barclays Premier League and it has thrown up some mouth-watering fixtures including Liverpool vs Manchester City and Tottenham vs Southampton.
I will be previewing all ten games this week and leaving my score predictions for each game.
West Brom vs Arsenal
This is a game Arsenal can ill afford to lose being six points behind Liverpool as it stands. Arsenal will not be going into this game in the best of form having only won two of their last five Premier League games, however this is a must win game and I am sure they will be fired up for it. On the other hand, West Brom are quite comfortable in the league standings at the moment lying in 8th position and I feel yet again that Tony Pulis has done a great job and is a dark horse for manager of the year. This will be a tough game for Arsenal but I feel they might just nick it.
Score Prediction: West Brom 1-2 Arsenal
Sunderland vs Burnley
I feel if Sunderland are going to have any chance of surviving relegation, they have to win this game. Defoe will be buoyed with the recent news that he has been given a England call up and I think he will be the difference again. Burnley has had a great season but their Achilles heel has been their away form this season and I don’t see them getting anything out of this game.
Score Prediction: Sunderland 2-0 Burnley
Stoke vs Chelsea
I can’t see anything other than a Chelsea win here, they are winning this Premier League at a canter and with Kante in the heart of their midfield it really feels like they are playing with an extra man. Stoke have done well this season and lie in mid table where they have no chance of being relegated, but they will be looking to add another scalp to their name. Unfortunately, I just don’t think it is going to come against this strong Chelsea side.
Score Predictions: Stoke 0-2 Chelsea
Crystal Palace vs Watford
Two back to back wins for Palace has lifted them from the relegation zone and Allardyce finally looks like he has got them playing how he wants them to. On the other hand Watford’s season feels like it’s fizzling out they sit mid table and are in no real danger of relegation. Not having won in any of their last three games I don’t see them winning at Selhurst Park.
Score Predictions: Crystal Palace 1-0 Watford
Everton vs Hull
Everton have been really strong at home this season and Koeman looks like he has found the perfect balance with the midfield and attack. They will be disappointed with the result away at Tottenham last week and will be looking to bounce back. Hull under Marco Silva have been remarkable at home where they seem to be collecting most of their points, however I feel Everton will be too strong for them in this instance and win comfortably.
Score Predictions: Everton 3-0 Hull
West Ham vs Leicester
I can’t believe I am saying this but Leicester are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, England’s last remaining hope, a brilliant performance last week but I feel that may have taken its toll on them for this weekend. West Ham have perhaps flattered to deceive this season at the Olympic Stadium, but they have quality players and I feel they will take advantage of Leicester tiredness and collect the three points before this international break.
Score Predictions: 2-1
Middlesbrough vs Manchester United
This is a huge game for Middlesbrough they need to get something out of it especially after the sacking of Karanka. The players are going to need to show fight right up until the end of the season if they have any chance of getting out of the relegation zone. Manchester United will be disappointed at going out of the FA Cup this week but will now concentrate on the Europa League and a place in the top four. Ibrahimovic and Herrera will be banned for the game but I feel United should just have enough to get past what will be a dogged Middlesbrough side.
Score Predictions: 0-1
Tottenham vs Southampton
Don’t be mistaken Harry Kane will be a huge miss for Tottenham with the news he will be out for four-six weeks, however they do have goals in Dele Alli and Eriksen which Pocchetino will be relying on for the next couple weeks.Southampton have had a long rest since their last Premier League game so you wonder how fluid they will be? But with a goal scorer like Gabbiadini, I feel they will believe they will always be in the game, saying that I am going for a draw here.
Score Predictions 1-1
Manchester City vs Liverpool
This game should have a lot of goals in it, with both defences shown to be vulnerable at times this season. Cities have an abysmal recent record in the Premier League against Liverpool having not won any of the last four games, however they need to pick themselves up after the midweek disappointment in the Champions League. Liverpool seem to have gotten in to the knack of winning ‘ugly’ as they showed against Burnley last week. They have a faultless record against the top 6 and I just see them getting something out of this game.
Score Predictions: 2-2
Bournemouth vs Swansea
Bournemouth will be have been delighted with their last two results, a draw away to Manchester United at Old Trafford, and a victory over West Ham – and with Josh King in such spirited form, Eddie Howe would believe his side will pick their second victory in the calendar year against Swansea City.
After defeat to Hull City – a game they could not afford to lose – Paul Clement will hope his team can bounce back with a victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality stadium. It is vital that Swansea keep Gylfi Sigurdsson and Fernando Llorente fit if they are to keep themselves in the Premier League, the two have become vital cogs in the Swansea attack. There could be goals in this one.
Score prediction: 2-2
Blog Post by Adrian Addai
Co-editor: Adrian Addai
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