Mail Sport’s CHRIS SUTTON offers his predictions for this weekend’s Premier League action
- The Premier League is heading into the finals with title and relegation still at stake
- Sam Allardyce’s Leeds travel to Man City in a bid to secure an unlikely win
- Newcastle host Arsenal on Sunday as they get closer to the Champions League
The Premier League is entering the final phase of the season with a lot still to be played and decided.
Leeds travel to Manchester City in a crucial game at the top and bottom of the table and Sam Allardyce is hoping he can persuade his – very – new players to keep them in the Premier League.
Should Manchester City triumph at the Etihad and Newcastle beat Arsenal at St James’ Park on Sunday, the Gunners’ title hopes will suffer a potentially fatal blow
Meanwhile, Frank Lampard will look to avoid the disgrace of a seventh straight defeat as a Chelsea interim against Bournemouth.
Mail Sport’s Chris Sutton offers his predictions for this weekend’s Premier League action.
Bournemouth 1-1 Chelsea
I wouldn’t blame Gary O’Neil for occasionally flipping through a scrapbook full of obituaries written about Bournemouth’s chances of Premier League survival. He proved every expert wrong, including me!
They are superbly organized and although Frank Lampard might get his first point here, I don’t think he’ll get all three.
Manchester City 3-0 Leeds
Sam Allardyce said he was as good as Pep Guardiola at his unveiling. He talks the talk but I can’t see Leeds today. Not even new manager Bounce can derail this runaway train at Etihad.
It will be exciting to see which team Guardiola picks as Real Madrid play away in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Tottenham 2-1 Crystal Palace
Roy Hodgson gave the likes of Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise license to thrill and they tormented the defense and brought Palace to the comfort of midfield security.
But it’s Harry Kane and Son Heung-min who I expect will do this to finally give Tottenham fans something to shout about.
Wolves 0-1 Aston Villa
After losing 1-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford – their first loss since February – I expect Villa to bounce back here in a heartbeat. Unai Emery worked wonders. It’s bound to be tight, but one that Villa will sneak up against a Wolves team that’s lost their bite.
Liverpool 1-2 Brentford
Liverpool are on the right track. Five wins in a row have given Jürgen Klopp’s team an outside chance to finish in the top four. But I say that losing to Brentford on Saturday will shatter that dream.
Thomas Frank’s team can be difficult to play against and Liverpool don’t convince me defensively.
Newcastle 2-1 Arsenal
I love what Eddie Howe is doing with Newcastle. They’re fearless, home and away, and they’ll take the game to Arsenal, which Chelsea failed to do in Tuesday’s sad display.
Sorry Arsenal supporters but your title defense is about to take another significant dip.
Westham 1-2 Manchester United
Every time I predict West Ham will get a result, they don’t! Maybe it’s good news for David Moyes that I say they’re going to lose this weekend. United have a lot to do after Thursday’s defeat to Brighton. Erik ten Hag will demand nothing short of a dominant win but I suspect it will be a closer fight than he’s hoping for.
Fulham 2-1 Leicester
Leicester have improved under Dean Smith but they have still not conceded a Premier League goal since November ahead of the World Cup. Fulham put up a good fight at Liverpool until that nefarious penalty finished them off. I expect a home win at Craven Cottage.
Brighton 2-0 Everton
Brighton are my favorite team this season. You play phenomenal. The way they passed it around Manchester United on Thursday was intriguing. If anything, I was being friendly to Everton here – they could lose by more than two goals at the Amex Stadium.
Nottingham Forest 2-1 Southampton
I expect Southampton will lose every game until the end of the season. Forest’s home form was her salvation. Steve Cooper’s side have to be brave against a team destined for relegation and I think they will manage to stand out from the last three.