Premier League Predictions, Week 30

Welcome back to another edition of Premier League predictions! It’s another short week for several of our clubs, and boy, what a midweek the Big 6 had. Liverpool and Tottenham booked their places in the Champions League semifinals (in surreal fashion), as both Manchester clubs saw their time in that very competition come to a close. Meanwhile, in the Europa League, Arsenal and Chelsea are also both in the semifinal stage, thanks to victories by both London clubs on Thursday.

But, over the next few days anyway, all attention turns back strictly to the confines of the Great Britain border for thrilling Premier League competition. Last week in my predictions for the league, I went just 2 for the 4 I predicted. I errantly thought Liverpool and Chelsea would draw, and got burnt on my upset pick, mistakenly believing Watford would beat Arsenal. My total on the season is now a paltry 76 for 119. But no time for groveling, the matches are less than 12 hours away! Here are my 5 for Week 30.

Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur

The first match of the weekend is an absolute doozy. Even before the season began, City playing host to Tottenham would be a fixture you’d circle on your calendar. But given the added context of what has transpired over the last month-plus, this will be must-see television. In case you need a refresher: Manchester City currently cling to a 1-point advantage over Liverpool in the Premier League with just 5 matches remaining. The Spurs represent one of two seriously formidable obstacles remaining for the Citizens on their path to repeal as champions. And oh, by the way, not 3 days ago, Tottenham eliminated City from the Champions League, via one of the most absurd matches in the competition’s history.

Perhaps the fact that Tottenham ended their opponents’ dream of achieving the first-ever “quadruple”, as well as the fact that they will be serious underdogs once more will work in their favor. But, unless the post-Champions League emotional deflation is real, it’s hard to see City dropping three straight disappointing results against Tottenham.

The Pick: Manchester City, 3-1

Everton vs. Manchester United

Manchester United is in the midst of their first serious adversity under new manager Solskjaer. In the wake of a Premier League losing streak and a resounding Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona, it’s time to see what the Red Devils are made of as they push to finish in the Top 4. These next couple matches provide an ideal gut check, as next Wednesday they host league leaders and crosstown rivals Man City. Before they can focus on that, though, they will need to try for all 3 points on the road at Everton, who, as Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal can all tell you, are no pushovers. Particularly at home at Goodison Park, the Toffees have enough energy to spring a surprise on anyone. I for one will not be surprised in the least to see this end in a draw or even an upset victory for Everton. But, I think United will play with renowned focus now that they are concerned solely on finishing in the Top 4, and gut out a tough match.

The Pick: Manchester United, 1-0

Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace

Arsenal, like Liverpool in Klopp’s first year, are pulling together a strong finish to Unai Emery’s first season in charge: in contention for both a Top 4 finish and Europa League triumph. Yes, their almost comically leaky defense has led to several frustrating results, but on the whole, I think most Gunner fans would have happily accepted where they are currently if you offered them that at the start of the season. Crystal Palace, as has been mentioned here many times, is often a team that can play spoiler in significant Premier League races, but it increasingly looks like they are not that thorn-in-side team this year. They’ll get a goal, maybe even two, but Arsenal doesn’t lose this one at the Emirates.

The Pick: Arsenal, 4-2

Chelsea vs. Burnley

Chelsea, like Liverpool in Klopp’s first year, are pulling together a similar finish to Maurizio Sarri’s first season in charge: in contention for both a Top 4 finish and Europa League triumph. Yes, that sentence is nearly a carbon copy. So why do Chelsea faithful feel so disappointed in comparison to Liverpool’s of 2016, or Arsenal’s of 2019? It has everything to do with the lofty standards the team itself created with their early season start. After being right in step with City and Liverpool for the first 4 months of the season, their late-season struggle has been tough to swallow. All that being said, there are now multiple ways for the Blues to play themselves into the 2019-20 Champions League field, and the good news is, they have the easiest opponent of their peers this weekend. Chelsea isn’t losing to Burnley, not at home.

The Pick: Chelsea, 2-0

Cardiff City vs. Liverpool

This is already a match with massive implications on both ends of the Premier League table, and depending on how the City-Tottenham match plays out, the implications could be even bigger. Whether Liverpool will be playing for the outright Premier League lead or simply to stay right on Manchester City’s toes, their mission is simple: win the match. Get all 3 points. The problem? Cardiff City, who on paper doesn’t present much of a test, will be fighting with every fiber of their being. The Bluebirds kept their slim Premier League survival hopes alive with a midweek victory over 17th-placed Brighton and Hove Albion, and considering Brighton have a date with Spurs on the docket, you have to think any sort of positive result against Liverpool would go a long way for Cardiff's last-ditch effort to avoid the relegation zone. I am going to end this predictions piece with another huge upset pick, though mine fell flat on its face last time. I think Liverpool's post-Champions League stupor and an enormous Cardiff effort will be enough to see the hosts clinch a shock draw, seriously maiming Liverpool's title chances.

The Pick: Draw, 1-1

Premier League Predictions, Week 30

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