THE VERY BLUNT PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS (WEEK 25)
The Superbowl and Six Nations may have gotten in the way last weekend, but it’s all about the Premier League this time around…
Every week we’ll be giving you our blunt takes and predicting each Premier League match featured in our Pick 10 league along with any other big fixtures - will you take our advice?
Brentford vs Liverpool
A couple of wins in their last five outings are welcome results even if the other three were defeats. This hissy fit argument between Thomas Frank and Ivan Toney is laughable and pretty stupid from the outside. The England striker is clearly assessing his options and Frank is inviting a bidding war, it is that simple and really doesn’t need to be aired out in public. Prior to last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Wolves, Neal Maupay had scored in five successive games, maybe the Bees already have Toney’s replacement?
Underwhelming and underperforming, Liverpool still sit top of the tree. Key players are missing, Trent Alexander-Arnold is set for a spell on the sidelines but Mohamed Salah is back in training following a hamstring issue he sustained at AFCON with Egypt. Manchester City are breathing down their neck, but Jurgen Klopp’s side face Brentford, Luton and Nottingham Forest before welcoming Pep Guardiola’s outfit at Anfield. Yeah, we have a title race on our hands.
Prediction: Brentford 2-4 Liverpool
Burnley vs Arsenal
JJ Watt must’ve encountered a few funny looks last week in Las Vegas last week for the Superbowl while swanning about in a Burnley cap. The former NFL star is spreading the Turf Moor gospel, but the team he invested in last summer are on a one-way train back down to the Championship. For all of the exciting, attacking football Vincent Kompany wants to play, Burnley are continuing to struggle defensively and are conceding from set pieces. Things need to turn around, quickly.
Arsenal may have petered out in last season’s title race, but this time around they’re keeping pace with Liverpool and Manchester City. Mikel Arteta’s side have won four consecutive games, two of them were 5-0 and 6-0 routs, another was a 3-1 home victory over Liverpool. Gabriel Jesus isn’t reliable, but Arsenal are finding renewed success at set pieces. Selecting Declan Rice as their key corner-taker has paid huge dividends, he has taken 12 corners in their last four games and provided three assists.
Prediction: Burnley 0-4 Arsenal
Fulham vs Aston Villa
Let’s talk about Rodrigo Muniz. The Brazillian arrived from Flamengo in 2021 as a 20-year-old and struggled to adapt, but has scored three goals in his last two games. Muniz and Chelsea loan signing Armando Broja should help Fulham find the back of the net in the back half of the season. Having won five of their past seven home Premier League games, The Cottagers could feasibly consolidate last season’s comfortable mid-table finish.
Are the wheels starting to fall off? Aston Villa enjoyed a stunning first half of the season, but have managed just two victories in their last seven league fixtures. A lack of clinical edge has underpinned Villa’s success as of late, a streamlined squad compared to other teams around them hasn’t helped - but everyone knew that anyway. Upcoming fixtures against Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Luton could be pivotal for their European aspirations.
Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Aston Villa
Tottenham vs Wolves
An early title challenge charge started to falter when James Maddison went down with an ankle injury, but Spurs have the England midfielder back in the fold and are unbeaten over their past five league games. Late goals are proving to be a common theme when Tottenham are involved in Premier League action - thankfully Spurs were on the right side of that stat last weekend snatching a last-minute winner against Brighton. They’re still lurking behind the top three…
Let it be known, we still believe Gary O’Neil is a football genius. Worryingly, Matheus Cunha suffered a "significant" hamstring injury against the Bees, not ideal timing given he had burst into form with a hattrick over Chelsea just six days prior. Hwang Hee-Chan is back from the Asian Cup but even he is dealing with a calf issue, can he replicate the Brazilian’s fine form? Goals haven't been that hard to come by without an out-and-out striker, but can they cope without Cunha?
Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Wolves
Manchester City vs Chelsea
Struggle early in the season, turn a corner over Christmas and surge towards May. Rise and repeat. It’s hardly surprising City have won six consecutive games in the Premier League, especially with Kevin De Bruyne back in the team following a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Phil Foden is playing some of his best football, he’s probably the most in form player in the league at the moment. Guardiola’s side face Chelsea and their Manchester rivals in the coming weeks, both fixtures are at the Etihad, City might be title favourites by the time they travel to Anfield next month - if they aren’t already.
How many more times will Chelsea turn a corner this season? Mauricio Pochettino's side have been anything but convincing this season, reflected by the fact they’re 10th in the Premier League and trail fourth-placed Tottenham by 13 points. Conor Gallagher scored a brace against Crystal Palace on Monday night, the midfielder has been an important player for Pochettino, yet his long-term future seems uncertain. He needs to be tied down with a new contract, Chelsea will not progress with consistent chop and change.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Chelsea
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