Just when you thought the street of New Jersey were safe, Joey Peeps is back to take on Essential Football in another round of Premier League predictions.
We were beaten by the Italian Stallion last time out – can we regain honour within the family by picking up a win this time around?
As always in our Premier League predictions, you score five points for a correct result and ten for a correct scoreline.
Burnley vs Bournemouth
EF: This is a tough one for Burnley. They desperately need wins amidst their relegation battle, but it’s hard to see them getting anything against a free-flowing side like Bournemouth.
The Clarets have the worst defensive record in the Premier League this season – given the attacking talent at Andoni Iraola’s disposal, we’d expect them to take advantage of their frailties at the back.
EF’s Prediction: Burnley 1-3 Bournemouth
JP: Only a football fan with a heart of stone would fail to have a but of sympathy for Burnley this season. They’re a spirited side who try, they’ve conceded a few last minute goals to drop points, and ultimately, the Claret’s just don’t have enough quality for the Premier League. They would have known that in the summer, though.
The Cherries can smell Europe, but if they fancy visiting the bright lights of the continent, they need to start winning games. I had a look at the Essential.Football match centre (click on the fixtures for bundles of data), and although they’re unbeaten in five, four of those were draws. Since Antoine Semenyo moved to City in January, the goals have dried up.
Burnley caused an upset when they pinched a draw at the old Dean Court earlier in the season. I think this one will be closer than the table would have you believe.
JP’s Prediction: Burnley 1-2 Bournemouth
Sunderland vs Brighton
EF: Sunderland were subjected to an ignominious defeat in the FA Cup against Port Vale last time out – the Black Cats will be keen to right the wrongs with a win over Brighton.
However, their poor form must be taken into consideration. The Seagulls aren’t in top form themselves, but they’ve also won two of their last three games – a score draw seems to be the most likely outcome.
EF’s Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Brighton
JP: Two coastal clubs at opposite ends of the country clash. Black Cats vs Seagulls. I’ve got to be honest, I’ve never been a fan of Brighton, and this season, I think they’ve gone backwards under the guidance of man child manager Fabian Hürzeler. I thought it was rich for him to criticise Arsenal’s tactics after the champions-elect beat them 0-1 at the Amex last time out – his football has been more lemonade than champagne this campaign. I know Brighton fans aren’t happy with what they’re seeing.
Sunderland were spectacular earlier in the season, but things have flatlined for Regis Le Bris’ team. I’m sure they will want to get things back on track and may fancy a European charge for the last leg of the season. I fancy them to recover after the shock defeat to Port Vale.
JP’s Prediction: Sunderland 2-0 Brighton
Arsenal vs Everton
EF: Arsenal aren’t the sort of team who will rock up and bowl a team over – most of their wins have come by one or two goal margins. Against a tough outfit like Everton, you can expect much of the same here.
Everton are a solid outfit, but David Moyes’ safety-first brand of football won’t be enough for them to avoid defeat in this one.
EF’s Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Everton
JP: The Arsenal haven’t been irresistible this season, but find themselves chasing a historic quadruple. I get to watch them every week, and I have to say the football has been stodgy but efficient. I can’t look beyond the Gunners here despite Everton performing better on the road than at home this season.
David Moyes’ record against the top clubs throughout his career is pretty shocking – the old master will surely be on the end of a schooling from his former captain and current Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
JP’s Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Everton
Chelsea vs Newcastle United
EF: Newcastle were outstanding in midweek when they took on Barcelona in the Champions League, but they only had a draw to show for it when all was said and done thanks to a last minute penalty.
Chelsea aren’t in the best of form themselves, but this will have come as a major mental blow to the Magpies. With the game also being at Stamford Bridge, we’d expect Chelsea to narrowly come out on top.
EF’s Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle United
JP: What kind of reaction will Liam Rosenior get when he walks into the Bridge on Saturday? It’s hard to gauge whether the Chelsea fans fancy him or not, and after they took a spanking in Paris after some pretty naive management, things don’t look harmonious over in West London.
Newcastle have struggled themselves this season. They would have been sick as parrots to concede a last-minute penalty to Barcelona – it feels like the Mags season is on a knife edge. They’ve been poor in the Premier League this season.
Both teams will be looking at the Champions League ties next week, I don’t know why, they’ll be going out, and the match may suffer for that reason.
JP’s Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle
West Ham United vs Manchester City
EF: West Ham United‘s home record this season has been very poor – as such, this one looks like a real no-brainer on the face of it.
The Hammers will certainly put up a fight as they aim to avoid relegation, but Manchester City will surely be far too much for them to handle.
EF’s Prediction: West Ham United 0-2 Manchester City
JP: Knees up, Mother Brown. Let’s blow some bubbles at the London Stadium! It’s unlikely given where West Ham find themselves in the table, but can they cause an upset and inflict a serious wound on Manchester City’s title challenge? Oh god, I hope so.
JP’s Prediction: West Ham United 1-1 Manchester City
Crystal Palace vs Leeds United
EF: Crystal Palace may have just picked up a famous win over Tottenham in the Premier League, but given the Lilywhites’ current predicament, this doesn’t mean much at the moment.
Leeds, on the other hand, are very poor away from home. They need points to avoid relegation, but Palace will give them a stern test at Selhurst Park.
EF’s Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Leeds United
JP: Palace are having a strange season in what should have been a joyous campaign. Seeing the fans and Glasner bickering felt sad – why can’t they all just get along. It feels like things are moving into a phase on reconciliation. I fancy the Eagles to finish the season strongly and for Glasner and the fanbase to come together before he walks off into the sunset, possibly with a European trophy under his arm.
Leeds have impressed me. I’m confident they will stay up based on what they can do at the always hostile Elland Road.
JP’s Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-0 Leeds United
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
EF: Manchester United have looked like a transformed outfit under Michael Carrick, but they ran into a brick wall last time out when they were defeated by ten-man Newcastle United.
Thankfully for the Red Devils, Aston Villa have been hitting the buffers as of late. With just one win in their last six, United are the clear favourites in this one.
EF’s Prediction: Manchester United 1-0 Aston Villa
JP: Michael Carrick is the new Messiah, or at least he was until he got beat by Newcastle. Whatever the piece, United have looked like a proper outfit since giving Ruben Amorim the heave ho.
Villa are wobbling with the finish line in sight, something that has become a calling card of Unai Emery’s managerial career. They’re in woeful form – look at their form – and I don’t see that improving at Old Trafford.
JP’s Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Aston Villa
Nottingham Forest vs Fulham
EF: Nottingham Forest’s impressive 2-2 draw away at Manchester City last time out shouldn’t be so readily forgotten – it gave the squad hope that they can beat the drop.
On the other hand, Fulham have quietly been one of the better teams in the Premier League this season. They’ll want to push on and try to sneak into the top seven – a draw seems to be the most probable outcome here.
EF’s Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Fulham
JP: I would love to see Forest pick up some points here just to add a little bit of gasoline to the dumpster fire burning in North London.
Fulham are having a decent season, but have lost their last two fixtures. They’ll be reeling after going out of the FA Cup to Southampton in the last round and are in danger of moving into on the beach territory if they don’t start winning games soon.
JP’s Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Fulham
Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur
EF: We all know about Tottenham‘s current predicament – despite this, we do not know if Igor Tudor will still be in charge by the time this game rolls around.
Either way, it probably won’t matter. Liverpool aren’t in the best of shapes themselves, but they should have more than enough guile to see off a floundering Spurs outfit.
EF’s Prediction: Liverpool 4-1 Tottenham Hotspur
JP: Is there a funnier story in football than Tottenham at the moment? Ill disciplined, no spirit and a manager that looks like he’ll be given the boot after this fixture.
Things are going to go from bad to worse for Spurs. Liverpool will be looking to take advantage of a team that looks like its heading for the trap door.
JP’s Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Tottenham
Brentford vs Wolves
EF: Don’t expect fireworks from this one. Brentford often struggle at home due to Keith Andrews’ direct gameplan – something that doesn’t work against away teams that like to sit in.
Wolves have been on upward surge as of late, but we don’t think either team will be able to routinely break down the other in this game.
EF’s Prediction: Brentford 0-0 Wolves
JP: I think Jimmy is pretty much on the money with his analysis here, but I think the Bees, who are seventh in the table, will fancy grabbing three points and underlining their European credentials. Wolves have impressed despite being bottom of the table. I have a feeling that they will leapfrog Burnley before the season ends.
JP’s Prediction: Brentford 2-0 Wolves