With nothing decided just yet in the premier league, lets have a look at this week’s fixtures!
Leeds vs Newcastle
Leeds will take the positives out of their performance in the defeat against City last week, but for
85 minutes the Yorkshire side were under the cosh and struggling to get out their own half.
Following this game Leeds must travel to West Ham and then they’re at home to Spurs on the
final game. At this point we don’t know how many points Leeds will need to beat the drop, but
they must get something from this game.
A win could most likely lift them out of the relegation zone but I can’t see this happening.
Newcastle will be looking to bounce back following their disappointing loss to Arsenal last week
Yes, Elland Road will be boisterous due to the stakes for the home side, but I don't think
Newcastle will be fazed, and their attacking line will be too strong for the Leeds backline.
Leeds will sit back for 90 minutes and hit Newcastle with the counter, it didn’t work at City and it
won’t work here.
My prediction: 0-4 Newcastle
Aston Villa vs Tottenham
This is a crucial game because if Villa wins by more than two goals, they would overtake
Tottenham in the table.
It's not just essential, but it's also nearly impossible to forecast, thus I'm guessing a draw is the
best bet, but that would be boring to predict a draw.
Villa have messed up a few times recently, but I'm not sure which Spurs team will show up, and I
can't back them when they're so unreliable.
Unai Emery's team triumphed 2-0 at Tottenham earlier this season, so I expect them to achieve
the double.
My Prediction: 2-1 Aston Villa
Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth
Crystal Palace beat Bournemouth at the start of the year in what turned out to be Patrick Vieira's final win as Eagles boss - two months before his departure.
I'm going for a boring draw, but I want to commend Gary O'Neil, who has done an outstanding job as
Bournemouth manager. He has assembled a very well-organized team, much as Roy Hodgson has
done Palace.
My prediction: 0-0
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest
Forest have just one win and six points from 17 games on the road, where they are conceding an
average 2.4 goals a game.
They're not going to get anything at Stamford Bridge, even though this is Chelsea. Blues interim
manager Frank Lampard earned his first victory last week, however I don't think they deserved to
defeat Bournemouth.
Frank now needs a home win, and despite my better judgement, I'm rooting for them to achieve it but,
brace yourself for a Forest triumph. This could be one of the games of the weekend with bot teams
being so poor.
My prediction: 2-2
Southampton vs Fulham
Fulham will win this; Southampton have been poor all season and it won’t change for this game.
Southampton aren't mathematically out yet, but even if they win their final three games - which
they won't - it won't be enough. Let us not pretend that they can escape because they have been
relegated - they know it, and everyone else knows it.
While Aleksandar Mitrovic is side lined, Fulham have looked vibrant and have carried a real
offensive threat. I didn't expect either, but they keep proving me wrong, and I'm picking them to
win again here.
My prediction: 0-3 Fulham
Manchester United vs Wolverhampton
Manchester United lost their past two games, and only managed one goal in the past 315
minutes they've played
The majority of their issues have arisen away from Old Trafford, but the pressure is now on them
since Liverpool are close on their heels in the race for the top four.
Wolves appear to be well-organized under Julen Lopetegui, which is why their thrashing at
Brighton a few weeks ago came as a surprise.
This game will be much closer because Manchester United are not near as expansive as the
Seagulls, but as long as David de Gea puts his gloves on correctly, Erik ten Hag's team will find
a way to win.
My prediction: 3-1
Brentford vs West Ham
Unless everything goes wrong, I believe West Ham have enough points to stay up - their better goal
difference means Leeds will need to win all three of their remaining games to catch them, while
Leicester will need seven points from a possible nine.
But the Hammers aren't quite safe yet, which means they have still got to find a balance over the next
few days about who to play in their Premier League games and Europa Conference League semi-final
against AZ Alkmaar.
With that in mind, this appears to be a very difficult game for them. This season, Brentford defeated them at London Stadium, and we know how well-organized the Bees will be.
My Prediction: 2-0
Everton vs Manchester City
The outcome of this game hinges on which Manchester City team we see; my concern for them
is how much they rotate their roster before the second leg of their Champions League semi-final
against Real Madrid next week.
With his team sitting back and playing extremely narrowly, Everton manager Sean Dyche pulled
off a brilliant tactical move in his team's decisive victory at Brighton.
Due to their genuine threat on the break, I can see Dyche doing the same this time. Following a
season marred by injuries, Dominic Calvert-Lewin made his fourth consecutive start in the
Brighton match. Dwight McNeil also had a solid performance against the Seagulls.
Although it should go without saying, I believe the first goal will be of utmost importance. Even
with one eye on the Real match, City should still have the talent to win, but Everton might make it
very difficult for them.
My Prediction: 1-2 Manchester City
Arsenal vs Brighton
Brighton prefer to play against opponents that attack them, but they had a problem with Everton
last week because the Toffees just wouldn't come out, even when they were up.
In that match, the Seagulls insisted on playing down the middle in an effort to generate
overloads, but Everton's narrow five-man midfield meant there was little room to play through
them.
You'd think that losing 5-1 at home to Everton would shake Brighton's confidence, but I don't
believe so. Roberto de Zerbi's team will continue to play in the same manner, and they may have
more success against Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta isn't going to back down and play more cautiously than usual - he can't because it's
Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
This is going to be a very entertaining game with lots of goals.
My Prediction: 3-3
Leicester City vs Liverpool
The Foxes must start stepping up on the field, but I predict a difficult night for them against a
Liverpool team that has won six straight games and has its sights set firmly on a Champions League
position.
Right now, Liverpool are simply unstoppable, and Leicester's terrible defence allows them to lose to
anyone they play frequently.
Both teams are significantly better when they attack, so it should be an intriguing game. I also
believe Dean Smith's squad will score, but Liverpool will score more, thus there is only one possible
result.
My Prediction: 3-1
Josh Lucas
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