EggHeads Gameweek 26 Premier League predictions

Fulham v Manchester United

United win for sure! Fulham look all over the place in defence, and I just can’t see how they will deal with United going forward. I fancy the Cottagers to get on the score sheet but that’s about where it starts and ends for Claudio Ranieri’s chargers.

For the betting man, United too win doesn’t offer much value, but Marcus Rashford to score certainly does.

Prediction: 1-4 

Liverpool v Bournemouth

Massive game for Liverpool this one, Bournemouth will come to Anfield and set up to play a little like Palace did…counter-attacking football. I think Liverpool’s defence has faltered a bit in recent weeks and so its been left to the attacking trio to pick up the slack. Liverpool certainly have the quality to win this game but it will be interesting to see how they respond to a little psychological pressure.

Anfield will be a melting pot of emotions, maybe even teetering on the edge of nervousness, so if the home side don’t get off to a great start that pressure will only build.

Prediction: 3-1 

C Palace v West Ham

Which West Ham side turn-up for this game? The side that conceded four goals to Wimbledon? Or the side who matched Liverpool the other night? I think to get anything from this game West Ham will have to play incredibly well, Palace know how to play at Selhurst Park and are terribly difficult to break-down.

West Ham aren’t great on the road and Palace always seem a little shy in front of goal so I expect a low-scoring affair come Saturday afternoon. 

Prediction: 1-0

Watford v Everton

If I had to pick one I’d go for Watford, but this is a close one for all the wrong reasons. Everton just rolled over for City in midweek; it was a really disappointing game for a side with so much ability. Lets not forget that Everton got their first choice manager in Marco Silva and shelling out some big money in the window, the Toffee’s just haven’t lived up to the hype.

Watford fans are slowly getting used to their inconsistent League seasons and so although everything points to a home win, I’m not sure they’d be too surprised to share points.

Prediction: 1-1 

Huddersfield v Arsenal

I know this may sound ridiculous, but I would not be surprised if Huddersfield came away from this game with all three points. Arsenal isn’t great defensively and sooner or later something has got to give with Huddersfield.

In order for the Terriers to avoid the drop – which is looking more and more unlikely with every passing week – they need to win football games. What’s the point of setting up defensively to try and salvage a point from a side you respect way too much only to get hammered 5-0…rather go out and play and have a go at teams, and if you still get beat 5-0 then you can hold your hands up and accept they were better!

Prediction: 1-2 

Southampton v Cardiff

What a great result for Cardiff the other day against Bournemouth, crazy what emotion can do in sport. The Emiliano Sala tragedy has been a widespread story in world football recently and rightly so. Nantes coming out and allegedly demanding payment from Cardiff for the transfer of Sala (whilst a mission to find his body is still underway) is as ridiculous as it is disgusting.

Anyway, back to this game, a lot of people still fancy the Saints to go down this season; I don’t see that happening not with the quality football they are beginning to show. They are unbeaten in five and find themselves two points clear of the relegation zone – not safe by any stretch of the imagination, but definitely no need to panic. 

Prediction: 1-1 

Brighton v Burnley

I know I keep saying it, but Burnley are looking more and more like their old selves and with it come positive results. They are a difficult side to score against again and are lethal in their ability to change defence into attack from anyway on the pitch.

I think Brighton missed the beat in their FA Cup game against West Brom, they made wholesale changes only to have Glenn Murray come on and score the important goal. Chris Hughton’s side looked very comfortable a couple weeks ago but now only five points clear of the drop zone they are beginning to flirt with trouble.

Prediction: 0-0 

Tottenham v Leicester

Leicester will be a test for Spurs at Wembley. The Foxes have been competing and causing issues for the so-called big sides in recent weeks and I don’t think that changes on Sunday. Spurs will want to go at Leicester, which will play into their hands really, given the pace they have upfront coupled with their affinity to counter-attacking football.

Nevertheless I think Spurs will get over the line, all that matters for them is they keep winning and earning the three points week in and week out. 

Prediction: 2-1

Manchester City v Chelsea

Can Chelsea really adequately deal with City defensively? In my opinion that’s the area of the field that decides whether or not Chelsea get anything from this game. The Blues have enough going forward to cause, a rather vulnerable City backline, serious problems.

There were times Arsenal looked the better team against City but just lacked the quality to put the game to bed. I think City want this game more and will go for the jugular early, and I just don’t think Chelsea will be able to come from behind – they simply aren’t that kind of team.

Prediction: 3-1 

Wolves v Newcastle

Is it too early to call Rafa Benitez the greatest manager (tactically) in the League? I mean he’s hardly in the press and yet from his self-assumed position under the radar is able to produce blockbuster results such as the one at the Etihad.

Newcastle will once again play a tight game and really just wait and see what Wolves has to offer, they will won’t mind being compact and patient. Wolves, on the other hand, struggle against sides that don’t play an open game and are notorious for losing their patience. Rafa will know this and rely on their inability to hold their resolve.

Prediction: 1-1

 Main image courtesy of AFP