Premier League Predictions: Round 26

It feels a little while ago now after all the Champions League/Europa League matches but Round 25 of the Premier League was a fairly good one for me as I managed 7/11 with a couple of Exacts including West Ham's win over Spurs.

This week we have a monster round of 17 fixtures due to rescheduling around the FA Cup quarter-finals. Below, I've given my thoughts on the opening 10 games of the round and then I'll add some picks for the final 7 games on Tuesday once we've seen how the first 10 have gone.

There are some really big fixtures included too so there should be plenty of drama to enjoy over the next week. Best of luck with your own picks and feel free to let me know which ones I've got wrong in the comments.

Manchester City vs. West Ham

Impressed as I am with West Ham's season so far, this is a rather challenging fixture for them. City look so, so good at the moment and while it's still very unlikely they'll go the remainder of the season without dropping points, it's definitely not impossible. Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 West Ham

West Brom vs. Brighton

I'm fairly sure West Brom will be relegated anyway but looking at their fixtures, they need to win this one really to stand any chance of staying up. I'm a little more hesitant than I would have been because Brighton had another one of those games on Monday when they win 3-0 on 'XG' but actually lose the match. However, rather than doing that as regularly as they used to, they had actually been picking up good results before Palace and they're the far better side when compared to West Brom on paper. Prediction: West Brom 1-2 Brighton

Leeds vs. Aston Villa

This also isn't the easiest pick because both teams are set to be without an important player or two but I think Leeds are favourites. Villa seem to have lost their way a bit recently and with Grealish expected to be out, they understandably don't have a player that can come close to providing the quality of chance creation. Leeds managed a comfortable win against Saints and should be able to follow it up. Prediction: Leeds 3-1 Aston Villa

Newcastle vs. Wolves

This is the fixture that is always 1-1! I remember saying this earlier in the season for the reverse fixture and still picking Wolves so I felt stupid when there was another draw. I now have the same dilemma - I think Wolves will win, probably 0-1, but when there's been four 1-1s in a row it feels like you just have to pick that scoreline in case... I'm going with it because I'll be too frustrated if it ends 1-1 and I haven't got an Exact. Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 Wolves

Crystal Palace vs. Fulham

Fulham have done really well to get themselves in a battle for survival with Newcastle. Right now, I actually think it'll be Fulham that stay up as well though I'm hoping it all goes down to the fixture between the two in Round 38! This is a tough pick, I think Palace are the more likely to win but without Zaha I think I'm going for a draw. Fulham have become really difficult to beat. Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Fulham

Leicester vs. Arsenal

After defeats at Wolves and Villa, it's hard to see how Arsenal can win at Leicester where they don't have a good recent record. I think this will be quite close, especially since Leicester are missing a lot of players, but Vardy always troubles the Gunners. Harvey Barnes deserves a mention too, he's been excellent all season but especially in recent weeks. Prediction: Leicester 2-1 Arsenal

Tottenham vs. Burnley

Tottenham are obviously on an absolutely woeful run at the moment and this will be far from easy. It's not the easiest pick to justify because Burnley are going relatively well but I just feel Spurs will find a way to win. Being able to rest Kane and Son on Thursday will have really helped, especially since those Europa League games are helping to get Dele Alli and Gareth Bale some minutes. I don't think Spurs' bigger problems are going to be fixed anytime soon but they might well find a win this weekend. Prediction: Tottenham 1-0 Burnley

Chelsea vs. Manchester United

A big one! Chelsea managed a really impressive result against Atletico on Tuesday (though I wasn't too impressed with the LaLiga side) and have been solid if not incredible under Tuchel but I think United are still the slightly more likely to win this match. Solskjaer has been finding a lot of success in games at Stamford Bridge during his time as United manager and they're still unbeaten away from home in the league this season. Rashford in particular seems to always trouble Chelsea and it won't be easy for the hosts without Thiago Silva. I'm think I'm going for another draw but see United as the more likely winners as I say. Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United

Sheffield United vs. Liverpool

Liverpool will probably be glad this isn't at Anfield! The Reds are up against one of the few teams that have as many as injuries as they do and with Diogo Jota potentially fit enough to play a part, I think this should be a comfortable Liverpool win. Centre back is even more of an issue now that Henderson is also injured but Sheffield United aren't likely to threaten too much. Prediction: Sheffield United 1-3 Liverpool

Everton vs. Southampton

This is a golden opportunity for Everton to end their awful run of form at Goodison and after such a special win last week, I think they'll be okay. Romeu out for the season is a blow for Southampton and they were well beaten at Leeds. It seems Everton are close to getting back to their best XI as well with Calvert-Lewin and Allan returning. Prediction: Everton 2-0 Southampton





UPDATE: OK, 7 out of 10 so far isn't too bad. I was delighted that Newcastle v Wolves was 1-1 again! Here are my picks for the remaining games we have.

Manchester City vs. Wolves

City did well to come through that West Ham game and this looks like it should be more straightforward on paper, despite Wolves' win at the Etihad last season. City looked unbeatable even with players out but now that they've got all but Nathan Ake fit and available, there's just so many world class options. Prediction: Man City 3-1 Wolves

Burnley vs. Leicester

I think there's potential for an upset here as Leicester's injury list just continues to grow. Harvey Barnes is their most damaging absentee yet in my opinion and despite Burnley getting battered at Tottenham on Sunday, I think they'll give the Foxes a game. I might switch back to an away win if there's a surprise in the team news like Maddison being fit to start but otherwise, I'm going to gamble on a draw. Prediction: Burnley 1-1 Leicester

Sheffield United vs. Aston Villa

Sheffield United are another team with a lot of injuries and after winning at Leeds, Villa should win this too. The visitors could also have Grealish back available and if they can keep a clean sheet at Elland Road you'd think they can do the same at Bramall Lane. Prediction: Sheffield United 0-1 Aston Villa

Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United

Though Manchester United's struggle to score against the 'big sides' continued at Chelsea on Sunday, their long unbeaten away Premier League run did as well and I think they'll be fine at Palace. Strangely, the Eagles tend to trouble them far more at Old Trafford than they do at Selhurst Park. Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester United

Fulham vs. Tottenham

Tottenham handled Burnley far more easily than I expected and it's very encouraging for them to see some attacking returns from Gareth Bale. That said, we certainly shouldn't be convinced that they're set to just win and win now and this will be an interesting test at Fulham. Sheffield United are the only team Spurs have beaten away since November in the PL and Fulham are tricky to score against. I'm going for a narrow away win as Tottenham are still the more likely winner but I wouldn't be surprised to see a draw. Prediction: Fulham 0-1 Tottenham

West Brom vs. Everton

I'm really not sure how West Brom got 3 points against Brighton but that's a huge result for them which was badly needed at home and gives them an outside chance of survival so this will be interesting. It feels like Everton constantly threaten to actually make the top 4 this season before suffering an awful result that makes you feel stupid for even thinking Champions League qualification was possible for them, so I'm definitely hesitant about picking them but I think you have to. Richarlison getting back in the goals is big for the Toffees. Prediction: West Brom 1-2 Everton

Liverpool vs. Chelsea

I still can't believe Liverpool have gone 6 without a win at Anfield. This is a golden opportunity for Chelsea to find a win at Liverpool but it felt like they had a great chance for 3 points against Man United on Sunday too and they just seemed.. happy with 0-0? Given the table, a draw in this game wouldn't be the worst thing for the Blues and after that United performance and how blunt they currently look in the final third, I think they might 'half' play for one. Liverpool haven't looked sharp in attack at home themselves so I'm not sure this will be too similar to last season's 5-3! Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea