It’s expected to be another dramatic weekend of Premier League action as Manchester United host Brighton, Liverpool visit Brentford, Arsenal and host Crystal Palace.
Alan Shearer has revealed his latest Premier League predictions ahead of a crucial weekend in the top flight.
The opening game on Friday night will see Leeds United take on West Ham, with both teams looking to bounce back from their defeats last time out. The Whites lost 2-0 to Burnley in what was billed as a six-point game, while the Hammers suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Brentford.
As Liverpool take part in the Champions League on Wednesday, there will be no kick-off at 12.30pm on Saturday, with the Reds facing Brentford at 8pm on the same day. Chelsea face Sunderland at 3pm, Newcastle play Fulham and Manchester United face Brighton at Old Trafford at 5.30pm.
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Liverpool will be hoping to record another win away from home following their defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in midweek, while Chelsea and Sunderland are sounding the horn after both teams won their most recent matches, while Newcastle won at home in Europe on Tuesday and Fulham lost to Arsenal in a tight contest last Saturday.
They have five games remaining on Sunday and will be aiming for a seventh straight win in all competitions, including a match against leaders Arsenal at 2pm against Crystal Palace.
Aston Villa and Manchester City go head-to-head, Wolves face Burnley in a crucial game near the bottom of the table, while Nottingham Forest, fresh from manager Sean Dyche’s first win, face Bournemouth in the remaining game at 2pm. Everton then host Tottenham in their final match of the weekend at 4.30pm.
Below are Shearer’s full predictions for this weekend’s Premier League matches, courtesy of Betfair…
Leeds vs West Ham
Leeds lost to Burnley last weekend after dominating possession and shots. Burnley had just 31% of possession but still beat Leeds.
Leeds look different at home at Elland Road and West Ham’s home defeat to Brentford on Monday night was pretty dismal.
So they realize they’re in big trouble, but they don’t know if they can get out of it. With that kind of atmosphere, I think we will go to win against Leeds at home this week.
Nuno is at West Ham because West Ham are so poor. I’m sure when he walked into West Ham he realized he had a big job of turning things around.
I have bad feelings towards the owner. The frustration will be felt in the stands. The fans are not happy with the situation and the owners. Nuno knows he has a huge task ahead of him to solve West Ham’s problems.
I think that’s one of the reasons why so many clubs are hitting the panic button this year. They have their eyes on Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland and, for the first time in a while, think the promoted clubs might have what it takes to survive this year.
Other clubs, namely West Ham and Forest, have reacted to the situation.
Prediction – Leeds win
Chelsea vs Sunderland
Sunderland have a great home record with three wins and one draw and I think that will be key for them this season. It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out.
They have had an incredible start to the season and currently sit in seventh place. I don’t think it will last, they’ll have to enjoy it while it lasts, but I think Chelsea might be too much on Saturday.
Prediction – Chelsea win
Newcastle vs Fulham
I hope Newcastle, after what happened in midweek, can win at home with the options and belief that Eddie Howe has.
They need to inch their way forward in the league and I hope that starts this weekend – I’ll be going to Saturday’s game. Newcastle should be too much for Fulham.
I don’t think Fulham will finish 15th. It will probably be in the middle of the rankings. It was a tough start, but I hope that tough start continues into the weekend.
Prediction – Newcastle win
Manchester United vs Brighton
It’s hard to call this one. Last weekend Manchester United had a great result against Liverpool with Brighton deservedly beating Newcastle.
Brighton are a good team, create chances and look very well organised. I’m going to go for a draw with this one. This may not be a bad result for both clubs.
Prediction – draw
brentford vs liverpool
Liverpool need to stop the rot – that’s a lot of pressure on them. They cannot afford to lose any more league games, or their title challenge may be over. I know it’s too early to say that, but if they lose again, it could happen eventually.
I expect them to bounce back and take the hurt from last weekend’s criticism and their performance in the Champions League – looking close to their best, perhaps their best performance of the season.
We will have to wait and see if Isak is fit and if a decision needs to be made regarding Mo Salah.
I think Liverpool will go there after this week and I think they might actually pick up a point – although it might be difficult.
Prediction – Liverpool win
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
Palace played a game in Europe on Thursday night, so Arsenal playing on Tuesday is also a big factor.
As good a team as Palace are and as good as Mateta in the forwards, they would have too much for Palace just by looking at Arsenal in midweek and the way they could change it with two or three players.
The extra rest is huge for such an important match and away game. I know it’s in London so I don’t have to travel, but you’d be surprised how much the atmosphere at home can pull you in and drag you down.
Prediction – Arsenal win
Aston Villa vs Manchester City
It was a difficult start for Villa, but they turned things around. It’s probably the same for Manchester City, so it’s hard to judge.
Everything for City depends on Haaland. Considering the way he scores goals, it’s really difficult to play against Man City in his form. But Villa Park will be shaken – it’s a tough place to get to.
Go to score draw.
Prediction – draw
Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest
I think Forest did that early again in terms of making changes, but if there’s one player who can come in and show and organize really well and get us back to the style of play we had last season, it would be Sean Dyche.
That said, Bournemouth are in good form and Forest will have too much on their plate, especially at home. They got the result against Palace last week. Crupi scored two goals in his first start, but was a little unlucky not to get the three points.
Bournemouth will have too much on their plate for Forest. Forest host Porto on Thursday night, a tough start for Dyche and his staff, but Bournemouth’s turnaround after a full week of preparation means a home win.
Prediction – Bournemouth win
Wolves vs Burnley
This could be a game to watch for the Wolves. If they lose at home to Burnley, they will have to fear the worst.
They have to start producing results and if it doesn’t start this weekend you’ll be worried about the worst. Burnley will be stubborn and it will be frustrating for them. I’m not sold on Wolves and I’m not convinced they’re good enough.
It would be crazy for Wolves to sign Vitor Pereira to a new contract three or four weeks ago and then let him go. That should have given him confidence, but they’ll still be shocked and surprised that he hasn’t won a match yet.
If Burnley win, the atmosphere might change. But I’ll go with a draw.
Prediction – draw
everton vs tottenham
Spurs had to travel, so it’s going to be a tough game from that perspective. Jack Grealish will return to Everton, although he was absent from last week’s game against City.
With Everton at home, I think it will be difficult to play against them, even if it’s against a Champions League team. If Spurs play a really tough game in Monaco, it will be tough going to Everton, so we will try to win at home.
Prediction – Everton win
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