We’re back for another round of Premier League predictions – this week, we’ll be taking on contributing freelance writer Graeme Hanna.
Graeme, a man best known for his excellent football coverage across the years, joins us to delve into the upcoming Premier League gameweek.
We have taken on the likes of Danny Murphy, Carlton Cole and ChatGPT in the past – can we come out on top this week?
Wolves vs Aston Villa
Essential Football: Wolves’ resurgence in form seems to have come to an end after they fell to defeat against a hapless Crystal Palace outfit at the weekend. However, this is a local derby – and in games such as this, anything can happen.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa themselves are in poor form at the moment. Having won just two of their last six Premier League games, we’re expecting a close, hard-fought encounter in this one.
EF’s Prediction: Wolves 1-1 Aston Villa
Graeme Hanna: The credible 2-2 draw with Arsenal is now in the rear-view mirror for Wolves, who were most recently narrowly beaten by Crystal Palace.
Expect high-flying Aston Villa to have too much for the hosts at Molineux, even if they have only one win in their last five games. Unai Emery’s side must find form soon or a Champions League return could be beyond them in the coming weeks.
GH’s Prediction: Wolves 0-2 Aston Villa
Bournemouth vs Sunderland
Essential Football: Sunderland’s season looks to be all but over. They were distinctly below-par in their most recent outing against Fulham – Bournemouth will be poised to put the Mackems to the sword.
Bournemouth haven’t lost in the Premier League since January 3, when they were defeated by league leaders Arsenal – Sunderland’s unconvincing away form leads us to believe that this could be a walkover for the Cherries.
EF’s Prediction: Bournemouth 3-0 Sunderland
Graeme Hanna: 8th meets 12th in this clash at the Vitality Stadium and both sides will go into the game thinking they can come away with the points. The Cherries and the Black Cats are on a respective run of mixed results and this encounter could produce a few goals.
The hosts will take the game to the visitors from Wearside, who have struggled to an extent on the road this season, losing their last three away PL fixtures. However, I predict this match will be an entertaining draw with both sides having to settle for a share of the points.
GH’s Prediction: Bournemouth 2-2 Sunderland
Burnley vs Brentford
Essential Football: Burnley are fighting for their lives at the moment. Brentford have had an excellent season, but we can’t help but feel they’re a little too inconsistent. We wouldn’t be surprised to see Burnley controlling the proceedings in this one, but it is unlikely that they’ll be able to secure the three points.
Players like Maxime Esteve and Joe Worrall are adept at clearing balls lofted into their box, which is Brentford’s modus operandi. Stylistically, we can’t help but feel that this is a tough game for the Bees – however, we’ll back them to pick up a point on the road.
EF’s Prediction: Burnley 1-1 Brentford
Graeme Hanna: The Clarets are fighting for top-flight survival with just four wins recorded this season. They are six points behind 18th-placed West Ham going into this weekend, with Keith Andrews buoyant Brentford coming to Turf Moor on Saturday.
The former Ireland international has worked wonders with the Bees this season and they will have too much for their hosts in this encounter. It won’t be an open, expansive game but Brentford will get the job done.
GH’s Prediction: Burnley 0-2 Brentford