Premier League Preview – Gameweek 36
Chelsea have previously effectively won Premier League titles by winning at Old Trafford. On Sunday, they have a more meagre motivation when they face Manchester United , which is simply securing a Champions League spot for next season. With United having already secured the league title, and having already been denied the opportunity to record a Premier League record points total, the Blues may hope the home side give a less than committed performance. See my full preview of this game here.
Prediction: Manchester United 1 – 1 Chelsea
The Merseyside derby has also had more significance in past iterations, but Everton need a point from Sunday’s visit to Liverpool in order to keep their noses in front of them in the Premier League and to secure a sixth-placed finish. Thus, this will be a hard fought affair, with neither side wishing to concede to the other lightly the prospect of Merseyside bragging rights. My full preview of this fixture can be read here.
Prediction: Liverpool 1 – 1 Everton
In addition to Liverpool, another side that scored an unlikely six goals in their previous fixture was Aston Villa. Battering Sunderland has given them a real chance of staying up, and if they were to manage to pick up three more points over the weekend against Norwich, then safety would beckon. The Canaries also need a win if they are to be 100% certain of safety, with Wigan still mathematically capable of catching them.
Prediction: Norwich 1 – 2 Aston Villa
Wigan, meanwhile, will travel to the Black Country, to face a West Brom team who have exceeded all expectations this term. There is no doubt which one of the two teams needs the points more, with the Latics entombed in the relegation zone, and games rapidly running out for them, but West Brom have been a formidable team on their home turf this season.
Prediction: West Brom 2 – 1 Wigan
Sunderland must dust themselves down quickly as they face Stoke City at the Stadium of Light. Just a couple of weeks ago, the Potters were facing a relegation fight of their own, but two good wins have seen them achieve safety. Sunderland fans will be hoping that Stoke replicate some of their poor away form from this season, and take their eye off the ball, with their Premier League status already secure.
Prediction: Sunderland 1 – 0 Stoke
The north east’s other team have much in common with the Black Cats at the moment, aside from the bitter rivalry between the two clubs. Newcastle had six put past them last week by Liverpool, and still face the lingering threat of relegation. They will go up against one of their old boys at Upton Park in Andy Carroll; a player who is still frequently linked with a move back to Newcastle after his £35 million move to Liverpool turned rather sour. Newcastle would certainly take a point.
Prediction: West Ham 2 – 1 Newcastle
The other two teams in the race for the top four look to have winnable games this week. Tottenham meet Southampton at White Hart Lane, with the home side knowing that anything less than a win could be curtains for their Champions League ambitions, with a tough trip to Stamford Bridge ahead of them next week. Nonetheless, one would expect them to see off the Saints.
Prediction: Tottenham 2 – 0 Southampton
Meanwhile, Arsenal will be extremely disappointed if they get anything less than three points from their away day at already relegated QPR. The home side will try to give a performance with some pride in it, but based on their toothless and benign draw with Reading last week, one shouldn’t expect too much from Rangers.
Prediction: QPR 1 – 3 Arsenal
Manchester City travel to Swansea still needing a few points to secure second place in the table. Swansea’s season has already been a success whatever happens in the remainder of it, and Swans fans will already be looking forward to European football next season.
Prediction: Swansea 1 – 2 Manchester City
Finally, in a typical end of season matches with nothing at stake, Fulham meet the already relegated Reading at Craven Cottage. Reading manager Nigel Adkins will already be planning for next season, and it’s hard to bet against the home team.
Prediction: Fulham 2 – 0 Reading
Saturday 4th May 2025
Fulham v Reading 15:00
Norwich v Aston Villa 15:00
Swansea v Man City 15:00
Tottenham v Southampton 15:00
West Brom v Wigan 15:00
West Ham v Newcastle 15:00
QPR v Arsenal 17:30
Sunday 5th May 2025
Liverpool v Everton 13:30
Man Utd v Chelsea 16:00
Monday 6th May 2025
Sunderland v Stoke 20:00
Premier League Table
