Premier League (Restart) Predictions, Week 35 (Kinda)
© Micah Veldkamp, 2019
Welcome back to your Premier League predictions! I hope you enjoyed your one day respite from Premier League action, because guess what? Yep, it's back tomorrow morning! Given the quick turnaround, I understand you don't have much time to read before delving back into the matches, so I've kept my previews to one sentence per match this time.
As we near the end of the season, the title race has obviously been wrapped up for some time, but this weekend could be a defining one in the other 'races.' Champions League qualification, Europa League qualification, and relegation might all have some locked-in places by this time on Sunday.
In my own personal race to save face on my predictions before the end of the season, last week started absurdly promisingly. Not only did I accurately predict a Watford victory, Chelsea victory, and an Arsenal-Leicester draw, I was a Christian Benteke goal away from picking 3 accurate scorelines. Then, Sheffield United's stoppage-time winner not only robbed me of yet another accurate scoreline prediction, it ruined an accurate pick for me, and set off a downward trend, as I whiffed on the Tottenham-Bournemouth result, and whiffed badly on the Manchester United-Aston Villa scoreline and analysis. The hot start was enough for me to still finish with 5 points out of 6 on the week, one of my stronger weeks on the year. But oh, what could have been.
The week brings my season total to a count of 77/125. But no time for rueing lost potential, the matches are less than 12 hours from resuming yet again! Here are 5 for Week 35:
Liverpool vs. Burnley
Liverpool's perfect form continues at Anfield and Alisson draws level with Burnley's Nick Pope in the Golden Glove sweepstakes, as Liverpool inch closer to a record-setting season.
The Pick: Liverpool, 2-0
Sheffield United vs. Chelsea
A resurgent Blades side steal points from Chelsea, meaning the Blues will be keeping an eager eye on Monday's decision by the CAS on Manchester City's European ban.
The Pick: Draw, 1-1
Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Manchester City
Jekyll (or is it Hyde?) Manchester City shows up again, notching yet another wild shutout scoreline to their post-restart collection.
The Pick: Manchester City, 3-0
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Arsenal
It's the least-impactful North London Derby in some time, but expect fireworks regardless, and a long-awaited Arsenal victory.
The Pick: Arsenal, 2-1
Bournemouth vs. Leicester City
Both sides need a win desperately, and while Leicester's form has been uneven and concerning, Bournemouth's has even more so; tie goes to the better team.
The Pick: Leicester City, 3-1