The Premier League title race is in Manchester City’s hands now! If they win every game from now, they win the league title. Three weeks ago, you could have never thought it would be this way. It’s quite unbelievable how Arsenal have slipped up.
If Arsenal beat Tottenham and Newcastle win at the Etihad, it will change. But I can’t see that happening. The way everything is playing out in front of us, it’s not looking good for Arsenal. Imagine leading 2-0 and then conceding a draw against Wolves, that is worrying!
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Arsenal did not deserve to win that game if I’m being honest. The only consolation for Arsenal is the fact that Newcastle basically settled the tie against Qarabag with an emphatic win. It means that Eddie Howe can play his strongest team against Manchester City this weekend. Even then, I don’t think Newcastle have a chance though.
On that note, let us dive straight into my predictions for gameweek 27 in the Premier League.
Aston Villa vs Leeds United
Aston Villa are not playing their best football at the moment. But they are still winning games, which is all they need to do at this stage of the season. This is a big game coming up for them.
Villa are only six points ahead of Chelsea in fifth. It’s not a comfortable lead and a few results going against them could result in them losing out on a top five finish.
Leeds United have been amazing in recent weeks. 10 weeks ago, we would have had them as favourites to get relegated. But they are now six points clear of West Ham in 18th and have both Tottenham and Nottingham Forest below them.
I believe Leeds are far from calling themselves safe though. This is a big weekend in the relegation battle. If West Ham get a win at Bournemouth, I expect Leeds and a few other clubs to be dragged back into the battle to avoid the drop.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 Leeds United
Brentford vs Brighton & Hove Albion
It’s amazing what Brentford did to Arsenal. The way they are playing, it’s just brilliant to watch. This is a winnable game for Brentford.
I know Keith Andrews wouldn’t want to talk about qualifying for Europe. But there’s only 12 football matches left now and Brentford are seventh, just two points behind Liverpool!
Brentford follow this game up with Burnley away, which they can win, Bournemouth away, a 50-50 game. Then they face Wolves at home, Leeds away, Everton and Fulham at home, Manchester United away, West Ham at home, Manchester City away, Crystal Palace at home and Liverpool away.
You know what? They have every chance of qualifying for Europe. That’s not a bad run at all. If Arsenal had them fixtures, you’d think they would win the league! When you compare that run to Chelsea’s, Brentford have got every chance of finishing above the Blues.
Brighton are struggling at the moment. In the last five games they played Bournemouth, Fulham, Everton, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa without securing a single win. If Brighton lose this game and West Ham beat Bournemouth, I think Fabian Hurzeler’s men are in the relegation battle. I expect that to happen.
Prediction: Brentford 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Chelsea vs Burnley
Burnley had a great result against Crystal Palace but it looks like a fluke after their FA Cup exit to Mansfield Town. I can’t see anything but a Chelsea win here, they will destroy Burnley this weekend!
This is a must-win game for Chelsea because from here, the fixtures get messy for them. It’s a horrendous run coming up. Liam Rosenior likes deploying Andrey Santos and Moises Caicedo in the base of his midfield. I expect Enzo Fernandez to continue as the no.10, with Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto either side of Joao Pedro.
I like Palmer as a no.10. I think that’s his best position. But Santos has been one of the best performers under Rosenior so I don’t think Chelsea will change anything. They also need some continuity in their starting line-up ahead of what promises to be a challenging run of fixtures.
Chelsea can’t afford another slip-up like the one against Leeds. If that happens, they won’t finish inside the top five!
Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Burnley
West Ham United vs Bournemouth
This is a cup final. Bournemouth have hit some good form in recent weeks. After a real bad run, they have now turned things around and become dangerous again!
When you look at the next few games for West Ham, this is a must-win fixture. West Ham need at least four points from their next three games to avoid relegation. How can they do it? I don’t know!
Obviously, there are more chances of them doing it, if they win this game. If they don’t win and other teams get three points, they are in danger. West Ham face Wolves in April and if they don’t win this game, they could be relegated by the time that fixture comes along.
I feel West Ham are playing well enough and I’m backing them to secure a crucial win in this game.
Prediction: West Ham United 2-1 Bournemouth
Manchester City vs Newcastle United
Newcastle beating Qarabag 6-1 in the Champions League ensures that they will play a strong team against Manchester City. When you look at Newcastle’s fixtures, they have the best run to try and get in to the Champions League next season.
In addition to Manchester City and Arsenal, Newcastle also face Chelsea and Manchester United during their run-in till the end of the season. When you are chasing teams, it’s best you play them. Newcastle can get points and deny the same to their closest competitors.
Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo pick themselves in that City line-up at the moment. I expect Pep Guardiola to pick Phil Foden to complete the front-three in this game, with Rayan Cherki coming off the bench.
Rodri is not back to his best, but he knows how to play his role more than anyone. If you want to become a top defensive midfielder, just watch him play. He does all the simple things right on a consistent basis and that is incredibly hard to do. I expect Rodri to play a crucial role from now until the end of the season.
With Marc Guehi in the back four now, Rodri doesn’t have to protect City’s defence that much now. I have a feeling Guehi might just be the reason why City catch Arsenal in the title race!
Expecting a crucial win for City to put real pressure on Arsenal ahead of their derby against Tottenham.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool
This is a humungous game at both ends of the table. Vitor Pereira has taken over from Sean Dyche at Nottingham Forest and he’ll be under pressure.
Forest have to start winning games, draws won’t be enough from now on. Before this clash against Liverpool, they have to travel to Fenerbahce for their Europa League game. That could take a toll on them.
I think Forest have a good chance of staying up because they have decent fixtures coming up. But they must look to get a result against Liverpool this weekend to set the tone for it.
Liverpool destroyed Sunderland last time out. I haven’t seen any other team do that to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light this season. Ibrahima Konate and Mohamed Salah starting to look like their old selves has helped Liverpool.
You don’t play for Liverpool if you’re not a good defender, so Konate must have the trust of everyone at the club. Otherwise, Liverpool would have gone all in for Guehi.
The Liverpool line-up also looks quite settled now. Few weeks ago, we had no idea who would be in the starting XI. But now, at least nine players are nailed on and that has made a difference to them. I expect a comfortable win.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Liverpool
Crystal Palace vs Wolves
I don’t know how Wolves got the draw against Arsenal! They hardly even had a touch inside Arsenal’s box until the end of the first half. It just shows you how bad Arsenal were really.
Wolves will have to come out and have a go at Palace in this game. The fixtures coming up aren’t very favourable for Wolves. They have nothing to lose now and must go out and play good football, if they want to survive.
This is a dangerous game for Palace. However, the win over Brighton will give them confidence. If you take those three points away, Palace would be in the relegation battle. This is a must-win game for Palace and I expect them to beat Wolves.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-0 Wolves
Sunderland vs Fulham
Sunderland got well beat by Liverpool, but managed to get back on track with a win in the FA Cup. When I look at their opponents this weekend, they face a funny team.
Fulham had good chances against Manchester City, but lost. Dominated Everton and lost. They also lost to Manchester United in the last minute after coming back from 2-0 down! So Fulham are not a bad team, it’s just that the results are not coming from them.
Sunderland will be affected by that loss to Liverpool. It was the first time they got destroyed at home this season. They are missing Granit Xhaka in midfield. Sunderland struggle to keep the ball without Xhaka and he’s been a big miss for them. I expect a draw here.
Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Fulham
Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal
I’m sitting here and I don’t know what happens in this game! I thought I’d never say that, but it is what it is. It was one of Arsenal’s worst ever games against Wolves. There were no patterns of play and they never looked like their usual self.
Tottenham have a new manager and it’s basically a free swing for them in the derby now. If Tottenham lose, no one cares. The pressure is on Arsenal and if Newcastle lose to City, it just adds to it.
I find it strange that Eberechi Eze did not start as the no.10 against Wolves. He was brought in to do that. Then why did he not start the game? Mikel Arteta used Bukayo Saka as a no.10 instead. He’s not suited to play there because he’s a proper winger.
Noni Madueke also started against Wolves and he’s very hot and cold. He will do something amazing and the next thing he does would make you go, ‘why did he do that?’. Madueke is very direct but he has to mix it up. You can’t be direct all the time. He has still done better than what I expected this season though.
I won’t be surprised if Saka goes to the wing and Eze comes on for Madueke in this game. For me, Eze has to play as the no.10 against Spurs. He’s good in tight spaces and is better than Saka in that role. I’m expecting Arsenal to win but I won’t be shocked if they failed to either. It just seems like they can’t open teams up anymore.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Arsenal
Everton vs Manchester United
The pressure will be on Manchester United because they are playing after Chelsea and Liverpool this weekend. I don’t think Everton are great at home, so at least that’s an advantage for United. Everton have not won in their last five home games in the league.
I like how Manchester United did not give up against West Ham and got that late draw. Michael Carrick took a chance to try and get back in the game. He gambled like Sir Alex Ferguson would have and they got the draw. I liked that about him.
Manchester United will create chances in this game and I fully expect them to score enough to get the win over Everton.
Prediction: Everton 1-2 Manchester United
Edited by Paul Merson