Premier League Predictions, Week 26
© Micah Veldkamp, 2019
Welcome back to another Premier League weekend! We now have just 8 matchdays left (at most) until your 2018-19 champion is crowned.
This weekend is an odd one. No, it's not that we're coming off of another Champions League midweek, but I will happily take this opportunity to brag about Liverpool reaching the Champions League quarterfinals (!!!). It's a different competition, the FA Cup, that is throwing a wrench in this week's fixture list, forcing a postponement of half the matches previously scheduled for the next two days. Though this preview tends to focus solely on the bigger clubs (and we are aware of our Big Six Bias), this week, we will be previewing the only 5 Premier League matches being played, which gives us a chance to get a better look at some of the overlooked sides.
The only downside to last week in fútbol were my predictions. I went a mediocre 3 for 5, once again placing too much misguided trust in Chelsea and Tottenham. That brings my record to a mark of 75 for 105. Now, the games are less than 12 hours away from kicking off, so let's not waste any more time groveling. Here are your 5 for Week 26!
West Ham vs. Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town are the best story in the Premier League, and have arguably the best fanbase as well. They've spent nearly the entirety of the season at the bottom of the table, though, and seem destined for relegation. If the Terriers are going to make a miracle escape, the wins are going to have to start now. However, that seems unlikely, given the form of their opponents over the 2nd half of the season.
The Pick: West Ham, 2-0
Burnley vs. Leicester City
Speaking of relegation, another team working to get out of the bottom zone is Burnley, who hasn't been able to replicate their trick of grabbing points off of bigger clubs this season. Leicester City has been up and down all year, a trend that hasn't changed since ex-Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers took the helm. It hasn't been the Clarets' year on the whole, but I think they still have enough talent to at least get a point off of Leicester.
The Pick: Burnley, 1-1
Bournemouth vs. Newcastle
No relegation drama here, but two sides fighting to get into the top half of the table. The 12th-ranked team hosts the 13th-ranked in a matchup of two "often exciting, often disastrous" clubs. When in doubt, go with the home side.
The Pick: Bournemouth, 3-2
Fulham vs. Liverpool
One of the only big clubs to play this weekend, Liverpool can take the lead back at the top of the table, though only nominally. You can never be too confident in the Premier League, but this is one where, despite Fulham's occasional attacking flair, you'd be a foolish person to bet against Liverpool winning
The Pick: Liverpool, 2-0
Everton vs. Chelsea
Undoubtedly the biggest match of the weekend, it's the only fixture featuring two clubs in the Top 10. Chelsea seems to be trying to play themselves out of the Top 4, but are still within striking distance of the Champions League spots, only 3 points behind Arsenal. Everton is just a couple weeks removed from a well-fought draw with then-leaders Liverpool. It's one that could go either way, depending on which team actually shows up to play. I'll give the benefit of the doubt to the Blues, who are more desperate for a win.
The Pick: Chelsea, 1-0