Alan Shearer has revealed his predictions for this weekend Premier League matches including the ‘big’ game between the title rivals Manchester City AND Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta takes the Premier League leaders to title-targeting Man City on Sunday in what Shearer has described as ‘the biggest game of the season’.
Arsenal boast a six-point lead Pep GuardiolaHis team, but the title will be in Man City’s hands if they beat the Gunners as they have a game in hand to play.
Elsewhere there is another important game in the running for Champions League football like Manchester United face Chelsea.
United have climbed to third in the Premier League under interim manager Michael Carrick, while Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea have slipped to sixth after a difficult run.
Spiraling Tottenham will be desperate to get back to winning ways at home to Brighton, while fellow strugglers West Ham face London rivals Crystal Palace.
As always, the legend of England and Betfair Ambassador Alan Shearer has given his Premier League predictions subway.
Brentford – Fulham
I was very disappointed with Fulham last week at Liverpool. I thought they could have asked for a bit more, so, for that reason, I’ll say, Brentford at home.
I mean, they got a late equalizer from Everton, but I think they’ll have enough to beat Fulham this weekend, so Brentford win at home.
I have been very impressed with Igor Thiago this season. I know they got him last season, but he picked up an injury and didn’t play many games, and I think what Brentford did in selling Wissa and then Mbuemo, for him to come in and be just one goal behind Erling Haaland is outstanding.
It’s really horrible to play against him. It’s not just his goals, he does a lot of work off the ball, running behind, bringing people into the game.
The goals are obviously an added bonus, but there’s no doubt he’ll feature in the Premier League team of the season here.
Prediction – Brentford to win
Leeds v Wolves
If Leeds win this then they will stay up. That’s the way they’ll see it and I think the confidence that the win against Man United will give them will keep them going and it will be enough.
It will be a cracking atmosphere at Elland Road. They know what is at stake and I think they will beat Wolves. Wolves have been poor. They got a small pickup truck, but still far from home, I think they are vulnerable.
Prediction – Leeds win
Newcastle – Bournemouth
I have no faith in Newcastle winning. This is the problem. I don’t know what Newcastle will show. When they take the lead, they can’t get that second goal, and that has hurt them many times this season.
I was very impressed with Bournemouth last weekend with the way they played at Arsenal. Some really good performances from a lot of players, and their recruitment has been good.
I know that Iraola has announced that he will not be there next season. This will be a great loss for them. I just think his style of play, how brave he’s been, and that was summed up when he went to Arsenal last weekend.
They press ridiculously, they do it very well and they make it difficult for the opposition. Having sold so many of their players at the end of last season, or at the start of the season, to reach out and get the recruitment that they did is a huge plus for him and for Bournemouth, so they will miss him, definitely.
As much as I’d like to see a Newcastle win, I don’t feel confident saying that, so I’ll say a draw.
Prediction – Draw
Tottenham – Brighton
Brighton have been in great form, I think they’re ninth at the minute, and they have a chance to get into a European place, and they’ve bounced back and are in good form.
I also have no faith in Spurs. I think what we saw last weekend at Sunderland wouldn’t fill me with confidence that they can get something at home under a lot of pressure. I have no faith in them so I’ll say a Brighton win as away.
Prediction – Brighton win
Chelsea – Manchester United
It’s a big game and probably one that Chelsea need to win if they want to play in the Champions League next season.
I was disappointed with Man United on Monday night, they were really flat and are struggling defensively with Maguire out and Martinez out. I think I’ll go for Chelsea to win this, Chelsea to win at home.
Chelsea look a bit lost, I think. I’m not convinced defensively that Rosenior has made them do the right things, and he made his point with Enzo Fernandez, it will be interesting to see how he reacts, and how he deals with it, and how the rest of the squad deals with it.
I think they might have enough to beat Man United this weekend.
Prediction – Chelsea to win
Aston Villa v Sunderland
Sunderland, I know they beat Newcastle away from home, but they haven’t been great for large parts of the season away from home. And I think Villa, with the way they’re going, I think Villa will have enough to beat them at home.
Villa’s drop in points last week has put them under pressure again for those Champions League spots, that’s why they need to win, especially their home games, and that’s why I think they’ll win this game.
Prediction – Aston Villa win
Everton – Liverpool
It’s a tough one. You know how I am when it comes to derby matches. I’m going to sit on the fence and say it will be a draw. I’d say to keep both fans happy, but I’m not sure they will be.
Everton are having a great season and Liverpool are not, so I think it will be a draw. Liverpool playing in midweek shouldn’t affect them because it’s a derby game, and we know how derbies are, and there’s always an added, added atmosphere.
The midweek game is no excuse for Liverpool because of the magnitude of this game and what it means to people.
Prediction – Draw
Nottingham Forest v Burnley
I think a home win here for Nottingham Forest. If they want to stay up then they need to win these games.
I think Burnley will make it as difficult as possible for them, but Burnley are over and have been for a while, so I’ll go for a home win.
Prediction – Nottingham Forest win
Manchester City – Arsenal
The whole season actually comes down to this game. I think it’s the biggest and biggest game of the season for both clubs.
Confidence and momentum is such a big thing, so I’ll say a Man City win at home. I think the confidence they will take from beating Arsenal in the Carabao Cup and the performances of the last two weeks.
I think a draw would be a good result for Arsenal, but I think City might have too much for them. Arteta knows that there was no panic from Pep, right?
It’s always been pretty consistent, and they’re always good this time of year, and it looks like they are. They have won their first trophy and could even end up getting the treble.
I just think with the momentum they have and the confidence they have, I think they can have a lot.
It would be really interesting to see what Arsenal do, whether they sit back or try to take the game to City, but I think City could have too much for them.
Prediction – Manchester City win
Crystal Palace – West Ham
Crystal Palace beat Newcastle last week; they brought on three main players for the last half hour which won them the game. And they are in Europe.
Having said that, I have a sneaking feeling that West Ham might go there and concede something. I don’t think West Ham will be beaten.
Depending on which team Glasner wants to play, because obviously they have a European game, I’ll say a West Ham away win, which isn’t good for Tottenham. I have tipped all other teams to win except Tottenham.
Prediction – West Ham win
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