Premier League Predictions: Round 27

Round 26 was a bit of a marathon but things went pretty well for me with 11/17, 3 Exacts and pleasingly, lots of green arrows across the pools I'm in. If I can now just manage to put two good rounds together for once (I'm not asking for Manchester City level consistency!) then I'll hopefully be able to finish the season quite well.

This weekend we have lots of significant fixtures to look forward to including Chelsea v Everton, West Brom v Newcastle and the Manchester derby. Many of the big games in recent weeks have been pretty poor to watch as the league gets more and more fatigued but hopefully this round will somehow end that trend!

Here are my thoughts on Round 27.

Burnley vs. Arsenal

Burnley delivered an Exact for me with that 1-1 against Leicester last time out which I'm very grateful for but I think Arsenal might beat them here. Much is made of 'going to Turf Moor' as if it's incredibly difficult for the big teams but that's been outed as a bit of a myth this season as people realise that lots of said big teams have played there many times without tasting defeat, including Arsenal. The Gunners have been a bit up and down lately and the lunchtime kick-off is often unpredictable but I'm sticking with them. Prediction: Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

Sheffield United vs. Southampton

Not the easiest pick when you see all the red Ls on the form streak of either team but I think Southampton should win? Sheffield United actually have the better form which is a rarity but they've got about as many fit centre backs as Liverpool and Saints are far stronger on paper. It's not easy to pick Southampton because they haven't won for so long (especially away) but they won't get a better chance to end that run. Prediction: Sheffield United 1-2 Southampton

Aston Villa vs. Wolves

Another tricky one. It sounds as if Grealish won't be available which definitely reduces the likelihood of a home win and I think Wolves can get at least a point if so. I'm not sure this will be a classic and feel wary it might just be another 1-goal game between the two but I'm going for 1-1. Wolves have been pretty competitive on the road lately. Prediction: Villa 1-1 Wolves

Brighton vs. Leicester

I feel similarly about this game as I did about Burnley vs. Leicester. It's obviously a lot more difficult for Leicester to win games with so many key players injured and Brighton are another team that's hard to beat anyway. I'm not going to pick a home win because Brighton are so good at avoiding winning games but I think Leicester may well drop more points. Prediction: Brighton 0-0 Leicester

West Brom vs. Newcastle

Big game! Realistically, West Brom need all 3 points in this match to stand a chance of survival and I actually think they might get them. They never really look as if they're playing well enough to win in my opinion but they somehow beat Brighton and have been competitive in their other recent matches. They should be right up for this, Newcastle are there to beat without Wilson, Almiron and ASM and they'll surely know that this is their chance to keep survival hopes alive. Prediction: West Brom 1-0 Newcastle

Liverpool vs. Fulham

It's becoming so difficult to discuss games involving Liverpool because there isn't much logic behind picking them anymore but most of us still will this weekend simply because they have to surely improve? They were terrible against Chelsea, so toothless in attack and lots will question Klopp about the Salah substitution but the far more important question is why he's persisting with this high line when the players he has available clearly aren't capable of playing this way?

So why am I picking them to win on Sunday? I'm not sure Fulham will be as capable of taking advantage of the high line as other teams have been and the return of Diogo Jota could finally allow Liverpool to freshen things up a bit in attack. Realistically, Jota could replace any of Mane, Firmino and Salah and if he can help lead the press and be creative on the ball then Liverpool might finally be able to take the lead in a game again and go from there. It won't be easy against Fulham though, they've been really strong defensively. Prediction: Liverpool 1-0 Fulham

Manchester City vs. Manchester United

All I ask of this game? Please, please don't be like the reverse fixture. United going into this off the back of 2 more 0-0s hardly bodes well for that wish though and I think they will be able to stifle City for much of this game. I've been tempted to go with a draw because Solskjaer has done well at the Etihad but Pogba is a big miss and City have just been so good. I don't think it'll be too eventful but Guardiola won't care as long as City win - the run they're currently on is genuinely astonishing given the context of this season. Prediction: Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United

Tottenham vs. Crystal Palace

Spurs were fortunate at Fulham but I won't moan since it gave me an Exact and they should now win this match too. It sounds as if Zaha is back for Palace but the Eagles struggle in this fixture and Mourinho finally looks happy to use Alli and Bale in attack which adds so much quality - quality that you'd think will only grow as they play more minutes. Prediction: Tottenham 2-0 Crystal Palace

Chelsea vs. Everton

A big test for both teams but Chelsea have just matched Everton's achievement of winning at Anfield and I think they're gaining quite a lot of momentum under Tuchel now. They're still not blowing teams away in attack but the Blues look very assured in possession and Everton haven't won at Stamford Bridge for a long time. I can see Ancelotti's team potentially snatching a point which would be a great result for them but I think a home win is slightly more likely. Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Everton

West Ham vs. Leeds

West Ham are the fairly obvious pick here and I see no reason to go against that. They put in a decent performance at Manchester City and when you look back at their season results, they haven't lost many at all and the only game that they've lost which you'd say was a poor result was on the opening day! Leeds have been inconsistent all season and are always capable of competing but I think a home win is likely. Prediction: West Ham 3-1 Leeds

The final game in the round is Manchester City vs. Southampton on Wednesday night when attention will mostly be on the Champions League. Unless Southampton win 5-0 this weekend and City lose to United while suffering several injuries, I think I'll be playing safe and picking a home win.



Good luck in Round 27!