The 33rd game-week of the Premier League is upon us. We’re set to see some high-intensity ties, so let’s take a look at Premier League predictions.
The 2018/19 season of the Premier League is reaching its business end. The race for the title has grown intense with each passing game-week, as Manchester City and Liverpool – both the sides are churning out top-class performances week-in-week-out.
Pep Guardiola’s men registered a 2-0 win over Cardiff City last night, which sent them to the top of the table. For the Champions League qualification places, Chelsea rose from the dead as a high-quality performance from first-time starter Callum Hudson-Odoi inspired the Blues to a 3-0 win against Brighton.
Maurizio Sarri’s side climbed to the fifth position in the league, with Manchester United taking the fall after a stunning 2-1 loss at Molineux Stadium to Wolves.
After a wait which seemed like an eternity, Tottenham Hotspur’s fans finally saw their team playing in the new, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Arguably the top performer of the side this season, it was Heung-Min Son who scored the first goal for Spurs at their new home, as the side registered a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
As we move to the weekend action in the Premier League, let’s take a look at the fixtures which could change the shape of the league.
Premier League predictions: Game-Week 33
Southampton vs Liverpool:
Jurgen Klopp’s side makes a trip to St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday with the aim to snatch the top position in the Premier League, albeit with a game’s advantage over Man City.
There had been concerns over Virgil van Dijk’s participation in the game, but Klopp confirmed that the defender will take part in the game. It will be a reunion for the Dutchman, who left Southampton to join the Merseyside club in January last year.
Liverpool have been the best visitors in the Premier League so far, securing 10 wins in 16 away games. Their only away loss came against Manchester City, who defeated them 2-1 in January.
In their Premier League clash at Anfield, Liverpool outclassed Southampton 3-0, with Mohamed Salah and Joel Matip on the scoresheet. The side will be hopeful of a similar result when they visit St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday. Southampton’s last league win over Liverpool came three years ago, and the last time Jurgen Klopp’s men played away, they registered a 2-0 victory with Firmino and Salah among the goals.
Ralph Hassenhuttl’s side is five points clear of the 18th-placed Cardiff City, and would hope to crash Liverpool’s hopes to ensure survival in the Premier League. The task is difficult, however.
Leicester vs Huddersfield:
While Huddersfield became the first team to be relegated from the Premier League last week, Leicester City face a fight for the 7th position.
The Foxes are in a four-team battle, alongside Wolves, Watford and Everton, eyeing for the place just outside of the top-6. However, after Wolves registered a stunning victory over Manchester United earlier this week, Brendan Rodgers’ men can’t displace them from the seventh place even with a win just yet.
Newcastle vs Crystal Palace:
Amidst the tensions with the club owners, Rafael Benitez has done a significantly brilliant job with Newcastle United so far. The side, which made a struggling start to the Premier League, is now 14th – merely a point behind their next opponents, Crystal Palace.
Both the sides are reasonably safe from the relegation position in the league. However, Newcastle will fancy their chances against Palace after a five-game winning run at home in the league.
Bournemouth vs Burnley:
Burnley gained a huge boost last weekend after a 2-0 win over Wolves, but they cannot affort to rest – even when Cardiff lost in the mid-week.
Burnley might be five points ahead of Neil Warnock’s side, but they would aim to further widen the gap and secure their Premier League place for the next season. Bournemouth, on the other hand, have been decent in their home games, scoring 26 of their 38 points at Dean Court.
Everton vs Arsenal:
Arsenal’s away form has been a huge concern for Unai Emery’s side, and it might come back to haunt them as the side takes on Everton.
Unai Emery’s side has scored only 19 points in their 14 away games – with a goal difference of -1.
The top four race has grown intense after Tottenham and Chelsea’s win last night, and Arsenal cannot afford to drop points. The side may not have to face any of the top-six sides in their remaining Premier League fixtures, but five of their seven league games are away from the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal fans might find some respite in the fact that the side scored five goals the last time they played at Goodison Park in the league – but it was in 2017, and Alexis Sanchez was one of the goalscorers.
Chelsea vs West Ham:
The Blues are level on points with Arsenal. They play after Arsenal’s game at Everton, and so, Sarri’s men will be having a fairer idea of the job at hand.
Callum Hudson-Odoi made his first Premier League start for Chelsea and shined for the side, as they registered a 3-0 win against Brighton. The Chelsea fans will be hopeful of the youngster making regular appearances for the side in the league as the season is poised for a close finish.
West Ham United, meanwhile, are five points off the seventh-placed Wolves. Javier Hernandez is known to score against Chelsea, and the Blues have dropped points in 7 of their 16 away games.
