It’s the last weekend in the English Premier League, and here is the final round of match predictions (Matchweek 38) from The Big Kick Off for the 2021/22 season.
It’s testament to the quality of the Premier League that with just one match remaining, the most important issues are still to be decided. Yes, we still don’t know if it’s the Europa League, or the Europa Conference League that Manchester United are competing in next season.
All joking aside, and it has been a great season. How hard have Liverpool pushed Man City? And even if the Reds are unsuccessful in winning the title, they’ve still had an exceptional season.
The bookmakers are still giving Liverpool an outside chance in the latest Premier League betting odds. The Reds are 5/1 to win the title, with Man City at 1/8. The odds have been far further stacked in City’s favour on many occasions this season.
The battle for the Top 4 has also seen plenty of excitement.
With Spurs and Arsenal in the running, it can sometimes seem more a case of who wants it less, but nevertheless, it’s still been entertaining. Afterall, who doesn’t like sitting back watching an implosion take place!
And the scrap to avoid relegation has gone right down to the wire for the last position. At Christmas, it was a case of who’s likely to go down with Norwich and Newcastle. How things have changed for one of those teams!
Matchweek 38 Premier League Predictions
It’s with one of the sides that has only just secured Premier League survival that we start this week’s match predictions. And it’s Frank Lampard’s Everton, who visit London taking on Arsenal, who are now seeking a miracle to finish in the Top 4.
Arsenal v Everton – Sunday 4pm
The Gunners need a win and then hope that Spurs somehow manage to lose at Carrow Road, if they are to regain fourth spot and the final Champions League position.
For a long time fourth place has looked like Arsenal’s to lose, and they haven’t disappointed. Two defeats from two for Mikel Arteta’s team has pretty much ensured fifth place, and a return to the Europa League.
In fairness, I think it has been a season of progress for the Gunners. Unfortunately for all, it will be remembered for how it’s ended.
Everton squeaked home on Thursday night and their 3-2 win over Crystal Palace secured Premier League football for another season. I don’t think that the Toffees will care less what the score is in this one, and I think Arsenal will win.
- Verdict – ARSENAL WIN
Brentford v Leeds – Sunday 4pm
What a season Brentford have had, and unfortunately for Leeds, they are finishing it strongly as well. The Bees have picked up 16 points from the last 21 available.
They also have an outside chance of a top half finish in the table if they win this. And I think they will want to give their fans a good send off on Sunday.
If Leeds do survive, they may look back on last Sunday’s 92nd minute equaliser at home to Brighton as the moment that saved them.
If Leeds go down, they will probably look back at the 78 goals they have conceded to date, and their -38 goal difference.
- Verdict – BRENTFORD WIN
Brighton v West Ham – Sunday 4pm
Both these teams have had excellent seasons, and from a Brighton perspective, I hope too much emphasis isn’t placed on the two poor runs they’ve had during the season.
The Premier League is tough, and Brighton have recovered well on both occasions, and at no point where they even mentioned in terms of relegation this season. Graham Potter is a good manager, and Brighton are very lucky to have him.
The same can be said about David Moyes, West Ham are lucky to have him.
I doubt too many were cheering when he was given the job for a second time. But he’s proven that he is a good manager, after wrongly becoming classed as damaged goods following his time at Man Utd (he’s far from the only manager to have had a poor time there).
I think this could be a draw.
- Verdict – DRAW
Burnley v Newcastle – Sunday 4pm
Since Burnley’s mini recovery came to an end with their 3-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa on 7th May, I’ve thought they’ve struggled.
Their 1-1 draw in the remarkably quick return fixture on Thursday could turn out to be a huge point, and I have to admit I didn’t think they would get anything at Villa Park.
Newcastle are bouncing along now, and like Brentford, they are in a good place, and their players are remarkably confident.
I’m struggling to see Burnley get anything here, but for their dogged determination that they generally show, I’m going for them to fight their way to a draw.
- Verdict – DRAW
Chelsea v Watford – Sunday 4pm
It’s a shame for Chelsea that their season has fizzled out in the way it has. Since the Club World Cup win, the Blues have been poor. And would you believe it, Lukaku has so far turned out to be a waste of money in the Premier League (again).
As for Watford, the turning point in their season seemed to be the 4-1 thrashing of Manchester United. They haven’t won at home since that day, and that’s probably the main reason they’re going down.
Even surely Chelsea have to win this one.
- Verdict – CHELSEA WIN
Crystal Palace v Man Utd – Sunday 4pm
Here we go again. Is there any point trying to guess what Man Utd will turn up? Apparently Erik ten Hag, aka, the ‘Glazier’s new Fall Guy’ will be in attendance in the crowd.
Will it make any difference to this rabble? Probably not. Half of them won’t be at Old Trafford next season, and the others don’t look like they want to be there. So what difference will the Dutchman’s attendance make?
As for Crystal Palace, well, their manager has kicked more people than the United defence has recently. On the whole it’s been an excellent season for Palace, and they have transitioned well from Roy Hodgson’s defensive side, to Viera’s more attack minded mutation.
Despite all of this, I have a funny feeling that Man Utd are going to win this. I have no idea why, I just do (and there, just like Mark Lawrenson, is the end of my career doing predictions).
- Verdict – MAN UTD WIN
Leicester v Southampton – Sunday 4pm
Two of the most unpredictable sides in the Premier League, Brendan Rodger’s Leicester side, and Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Southampton team.
The Saints fans seem to have turned on Hasenhuttl, and that’s harsh.
He lost his main goalscorer at the start of the season when Danny Ings went to Villa, and without ever really replacing him, has kept the Saints well clear of the relegation battle.
I don’t know what some fans expect really.
Leicester has Vardy back, assuming he’s not given compassionate leave following his wife’s court case.
So with Leicester also in better form, I’m going for a home win.
- Verdict – LEICESTER WIN
Liverpool v Wolves – Sunday 4pm
The Reds win over Southampton on Tuesday was outstanding.
To make nine changes from the team that won the FA Cup and still win at this stage of the season was an amazing result.
As for Wolves, their players seem to have given up on this season a few weeks back.
The old phrase about players already being on the beach has rarely been more appropriate.
I see an easy win for Liverpool.
- Verdict – LIVERPOOL WIN
Man City v Aston Villa – Sunday 4pm
Similar to Liverpool, I don’t see Man City having any trouble getting 3 points on Sunday.
Pep’s team are almost formidable at home. I can see nerves early on, but I see City overcoming this and gradually overpowering Villa.
The Cityzens were given a real test last week at the London Stadium, and they showed that they are up to the challenge.
I can only see another City win and back to back league titles.
- Verdict – MAN CITY WIN
Norwich v Spurs – Sunday 4pm
Even though both the north London rivals seem to have tried their respective bests to blow fourth place, I really can’t see Spurs losing this.
A draw will do for Spurs, and that does slightly concern me when picking Antonio Conte’s team to win.
It would be just like Tottenham to be sitting on a 1-0 lead and letting in a last minute equaliser. It would be typical Spurs.
I can only go for a Tottenham win at the same time though.
- Verdict – SPURS WIN
Our Matchweek 38 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.