It’s Matchweek 36 in the Premier League, and here are the latest free match predictions from The Big Kick Off.
For some reason it feels like ages ago since Man Utd beat Brentford in the final match of Matchweek 35. The entertainment from Europe’s top competitions this week was a real distraction from domestic football, and when I sat down to write this, I had almost forgotten what happened in England last weekend.
It will be interesting to see how, or if, Europe affects the performances of those involved when they play in the Premier League this weekend.
Liverpool must be getting excited at the prospect of a quadruple. While for Manchester City, and I suppose West Ham and Leicester, they will have to get their minds straight back on the day job.
It’s Manchester City that has a heap of pressure on them now. They will – rightly in my view – be seen to have chucked away their place in the Champions League final, and now the Premier League is their only salvation.
Will Wednesday’s disappointment drive City on to win the title? Or will they slip up somewhere and let Liverpool sneak in and pinch the Premier League off them as well?
No pressure there Pep.
The bookmakers still make Man City the favourites in the betting to win the Premier League.
Pep’s team are still 4/9, while Liverpool are 7/4. The Reds were 17/10 last weekend, so it’s a minimal drift in the odds. But it’s understandable that Liverpool will drift, as every week both teams win, City get closer to the title.
Right, on with our match predictions.
Brentford v Southampton – Saturday 3pm
Along with Villa, both these teams sit on 40 points, 8 ahead of Everton, but having both played two games more then the Toffees.
I don’t see either side going down, but I think they will both be nervously looking over their shoulders.
This is a difficult match to predict. But I feel a draw suits both, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see that being the outcome.
- Verdict – DRAW
Burnley v Aston Villa – Saturday 3pm
Like Brentford and Saints in the first prediction, I don’t see Villa going down, but I also think they might be more focused on not losing this one.
Burnley have been sensational since sacking Sean Dyche, picking up 10 points from four matches.
They’ve won their last three in a row, and I’m tempted to say they will make it four, but I’m again going for a draw.
- Verdict – DRAW
Chelsea v Wolves – Saturday 3pm
After being up and down and very unpredictable of late, surely Chelsea must win this?
Wolves have been even worse in recent weeks, losing four of their last five, and I even swore I heard boos coming from the Molineux faithful last weekend after one of the Brighton goals.
- Verdict – CHELSEA WIN
Crystal Palace v Watford – Saturday 3pm
Having announced this will be his final season in football, I’m sure and I certainly hope that Watford boss Roy Hodgson gets a great reception at Selhurst Park this Saturday.
Even if he did do the world’s worst ever Terminator impression in those shades last weekend.
Unfortunately for Hodgson, his last hurrah is going to end in failure at Watford, as relegation is inevitable.
I’m struggling to see where his team gets a result from at the moment, as they look like they’re just going through the motions.
- Verdict – CRYSTAL PALACE WIN
Brighton v Man Utd – Saturday 5.30pm
Next up are two of the Premier League’s harder teams to predict.
Brighton have bounced back to form recently and now look set to finish in the top half of the table.
As for Man Utd, well they did finish their final game of the season at Old Trafford with a victory last Monday, and for once, it was an emphatic win.
The finish line is in sight for United now, and they are nearly out of their misery.
For some reason I feel the shackles are off a bit now, and I can see them finishing the season with a flourish. Don’t ask me why I think that though!
- Verdict – MAN UTD WIN
Liverpool v Spurs – Saturday 7.45pm
This is a tricky one for Liverpool. If the Spurs side that beat City at the Etihad in February turns up, it could be an interesting night.
It was the performance of Spurs that night that helped get Liverpool back in the title race.
On the flip side, if the Spurs that turned up at Turf Moor a few weeks back is what we get, it will be a walk in the park for Klopp’s Reds.
I can see a slip from Liverpool somewhere soon, but I still have to go with them to win.
- Verdict – LIVERPOOL WIN
Arsenal v Leeds – Sunday 2pm
Leeds are really in trouble now. Especially after last weekend’s thrashing at the hands of Man City.
They’re favourites in the Premier League betting to go down with Watford and Norwich, and after this match they face Chelsea.
Their nerves must also be shot after last weekend’s wins for Burnley and Everton, and I just feel Leeds will struggle here.
Arsenal need to win, and I think they will.
- Verdict – ARSENAL WIN
Leicester v Everton – Sunday 2pm
The Foxes will no doubt be down after Thursday’s 1-0 loss to Roma.
I’m sure they won’t want to let their season fizzle out now, and although they have nothing to play for, I still expect them to put in a performance in front of their home fans.
With Everton needing a win and showing plenty of fight over the past few weeks, I can see why some will fancy them to win here.
I’m not so sure though. Everton are where they are for a reason.
I’m going for a draw.
- Verdict – DRAW
Norwich v West Ham – Sunday 2pm
The pressure is off Norwich now and they can now play with some freedom.
I’m not sure this will result in wins, but I do think Dean Smith’s side will finish above Watford, so they will need to get some points from somewhere.
West Ham are bound to be down after Thursday night’s loss, and they will also be leggy after having to play for more than an hour with 10 men.
Despite all that, I’m still taking the Hammers to bounce back with a win! I think they will be too strong for the Canaries.
- Verdict – WEST HAM WIN
Man City v Newcastle – Sunday 4.30pm
I’m going all in on Man City players for my Fantasy team this week. But after Wednesday night’s capitulation I must admit to being a touch nervous.
A home match against Newcastle could be just the tonic though. Eddie Howe’s team should be tough to beat, but I can see City doing it and getting back on track.
There’s too much at stake, and this is now City’s last chance of silverware.
- Verdict – MAN CITY WIN
Our Matchweek 36 Premier League Match Predictions article is written by Dean Etheridge. You contact him on LinkedIn, or see more of his work on his football betting website.