Our Premier League GW25 Predictions

As we approach the business end of the season, the quest for the title looks as if it is down to the last three horses. Meanwhile at the other end of the table, points deductions mean that the relegation spots could come down to the final days.

Liverpool vs Brentford 

Liverpool host Brentford this weekend and will be looking to extend their residence at the top of the Premier League. So far Liverpool have managed to answer back for the most part when their title credentials have been questioned. Brentford offer another strong test especially away from home. Liverpool have so far been a side that somehow always seems to prevail in spite of their deficiencies and that is largely down to the cornerstone players of their team. Virgil Van Dijk, Mo Salah, Trent Alexander Arnold and Alisson Becker do a lot of the heavy lifting but injuries to this core are coming thick and fast. What that means in terms of a title charge is precarious and I’m not sure how much longer they can keep getting away with it. 

Brentford will be looking to exploit the absence of Trent, Salah and Alisson and use this game as a jumping off point for what has been a turbulent season. It feels like the Bees are too good to have one foot dipped in the relegation battle but another run of results like they had in November to January will see them there for sure. Liverpool offer an opportunity to change the narrative and grow some confidence. 

Score Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Brentford

Jesse Williams

Burnley vs Arsenal

These are two sides who now have distinctly different ambitions for the rest of their respective seasons. After a dip in form over the festive period, Arsenal look back to their best thanks to the return to form of Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard in particular.

If Burnley have any chance of staying up they need to start picking up points rapidly. Throughout the season Vincent Kompany’s men have shown glimpses of the fluid football that got them promoted from the Championship, but haven’t managed to convert these into wins. This was apparent last week against Liverpool where Chelsea loanee David Fofana was sloppy in front of goal.

Despite having home advantage, I think this one will be a bridge too far for the Clarets. Arsenal’s dominant performance against West Ham shows a team with their sights firmly set on the title and I can’t see them slipping up at Turf Moor.

Score Prediction: Burnley 1-3 Arsenal

Joe Simpson

Fulham vs Aston Villa

Marco Silva should be commended for seamlessly transitioning away from the talismanic Aleksandar Mitrovic this season. After some saw the Cottagers as a side that could be battling relegation this season, he has managed to guide them to stability with the performances of veterans Willian and Tim Ream.

Aston Villa on the other hand are suffering from a mid season slump after their incredible start to the campaign. Unai Emery’s side were the better side against Manchester United last time out but as the season has gone on their high line at the back has managed to be exploited, while Ollie Watkins has been less potent in recent weeks. 

Both of these teams however try and play attractive football and this should be a highly entertaining game. As Villa have more to play for, I think they will just have the edge in this one. 

Score Prediction: Fulham 2-3 Aston Villa

Joe Simpson

Newcastle vs Bournemouth

Eddie Howe’s former side visit St James’ Park after a dip in form over recent weeks. Despite reasonable performances, defensive errors have meant that the Cherries have cooled off since their scintillating run over the month of December.

In what has been a tumultuous season in the North East, the Magpies will be relying on their home form if they have any chance of securing a Champions League spot next season. Further disruptions have taken place this week with the news that Dan Ashworth wants to leave for Manchester United this summer, while Eddie Howe’s squad has been curtailed by injuries since the start of the season.

Howe does not have the best of records against the Cherries and this should be a hard fought, interesting fixture. The home advantage in Newcastle however is undeniable and I think they will just get over the line in this one.

Score Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Bournemouth

Joe Simpson

Nottingham Forest vs West Ham

Nottingham Forest host West Ham this Saturday afternoon for a game equally as important to both. 

David Moyes’ men are seeking to chase their way into the Europa League spots, whilst Forest look to get three points clearer of the relegation zone. Late history would favour West Ham to take the three points, having won two out of the last three games between the two sides. However, with Forest’s only win coming at home, a good performance with everyone on top form could amount to a huge result here for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side. 

It’s for the above reasoning and the changing in manager and adaptability that I’m going to back Forest to put in a performance here. 

Score Prediction : Nottingham Forest 2-1 West Ham

Harvey Marwood

Tottenham vs Wolves

The reverse fixture of this tie saw Wolves secure a stunning comeback victory in the final seconds of stoppage time. Spurs have been masters of the late win as well throughout the season, as evidenced by Brennan Johnson’s last minute winner against Brighton last time out.

Gary O’Neil has rightly received plaudits for stabilising a Wolverhampton team who could have been left in a shambles after the departure of Julen Lopetegui in the summer. Matheus Cunha and Pedro Neto have been sensational, while the return of Hwang Hee Chang up front will be a welcome one.

Spurs are probably out of the title race but are certainly well equipped to secure Champions League football for next season. The return of Micky van de Ven helps Ange Postecoglou play his high line and I think the Dutch defender can be a difference maker in this game. I expect a back and forth fixture with the home side coming out on top.

Score Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Wolves

Joe Simpson

Chelsea vs Manchester City

While Pep Guardiola lauded Chelsea as one of the toughest opponents in the league, it’s hard to not question if he is sound of mind when you actually watch the Blues. Their squad of expensively and non-discriminately acquired talent has again failed to live up to expectations even with the guiding hand of once highly rated coach Mauricio Pochettino. Chelsea have started picking up results but the opposition doesn’t exactly give you confidence that this is a page turned for the Blues. Saying that, the reverse fixture between City and Chelsea was a really evenly contested match ending 4-4 in a thrilling exchange. 

Pep’s side look to be in one of those 13 game winning streak moods and I doubt the same pestilence shown in the game at the Bridge will rear its head. I expect a controlled and dominant victory for the reigning champs at home.

Score Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Chelsea

Jesse Williams

Sheffield United vs Brighton

Sheffield United secured a vital victory against fellow strugglers Luton at Kenilworth Road last weekend. Chris Wilder was in desperate need of a victory and will have to put a run of form together if they have any chance of beating the drop.

Brighton will be disappointed after falling at the last hurdle against Spurs in their previous fixture. Roberto De Zerbi’s side have European ambitions but have found balancing both Europa and Premier League difficult this season. Having said that, when the Seagulls are at their best there are not many better in the division and I believe they will have enough to secure a victory.

Score Prediction: Sheffield United 1-3 Brighton

Joe Simpson

Luton vs Manchester United

Picking up points despite whether the performance warrants it or not is something that has become a characteristic of Ten Hag’s United side. It also leads to the now predictable delusional and ego driven battle cry from the Dutchman where he puts his team in conversations they have no reason to be in. While a lot of United fans have learned that lesson enough times to not indulge the man, fortunately for them that routine humbling is not around the corner just yet. While Luton have proven they can cause problems for any side in the league, United are running a bit too hot for them to snatch something at Old Trafford. 

This current United side are devoid of true controllers in the middle so expect a back and forth basketball match flow to this game, which should lend itself to goals but at the very least drama. I still think United just possess that crucial know-how and luck that will see them live to delude themselves another day. 

Score Prediction Luton 2-3 Manchester United

Jesse Williams

Everton vs Crystal Palace 

Everton host Crystal Palace for this game weeks Monday Night Football; due to be a scrappy and tight knitted fixture, this game will see two struggling sides giving their all to try and pick up some form. 

Despite 5 points between them, Palace sit higher than Everton due to the 10 point deduction they were handed mid way through the season. Sean Dyche since coming in has done a class job and you can never write the man off to help a team escape from relegation. Palace have lost all sense of direction and style of play with Hodgson still in charge, and the last 5 meetings have gone in Everton’s favour (3W 2D).

I’m going to back Everton to pick up all 3 points at home, however I don’t see it being an incredibly high scoring fixture. 

Score Prediction : Everton 1-0 Crystal Palace

Harvey Marwood