Premier League Predictions, Week 28

Welcome back to the weekly predictions, Premier League fans! If it feels like it's been a while since you heard from me, that's because it has. Two weeks ago, I took the week off since over half of the Top 10 were playing FA Cup matches instead of Premier League, and last week was an international break. But this week, we're back, baby!

You may not recall, since it happened so long ago, but my last time out was one of my best weeks in a while. I missed on one game, my bold prediction that Nottingham Forest would take points off Tottenham. But Bournemouth's shock win over Liverpool? Wins by Arsenal and the two Manchester teams? All on point, giving me a 4/5 week which puts me at a sterling 44/85!

But hey, the games are less than 12 hours away from resuming, so no time for strutting around like the cock of the walk. Here are your 5 for Week 28!

Manchester City vs. Liverpool

I've mentioned before how it's seemed the biggest matchup of the weekend has been bumped up to the early kickoff a weird amount. That's no different in this first weekend back from the international break: Manchester City and Liverpool are still two of the biggest names in the league, even if their two epic 2-2 duels last season feel like relics from another lifetime, as both sides have struggled all year to put together any sort of extended winning streak. Even within that classification, though, of "struggling to find footing," there are levels present. City are still the cream of the crop, winning and scoring enough to remain very much alive in the title race with Arsenal; Liverpool, meanwhile, appears allergic to the Top 4 this season, as every time they put together a decent run of form, they drop a baffling loss or two. The one thing that has been consistent about the Reds is their ability to show up in big games, so I'm tempted to predict them notching another surprise win (or at least draw) against Man City tomorrow. However, I honestly don't know if I have ever seen Liverpool win a lunchtime kickoff away match in my entire life, so I will refrain from the bold prediction this time.

The Pick: Man City, 3-1

Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Brentford

As the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle continue to play hot potato with the 4th place spot, a trio of plucky overachievers waits immediately behind them in case they all slip up for good. Two of those overachievers play each other tomorrow morning, and can get a real leg up on their peers with a win. Brighton and Brentford have both been joys to watch the last couple seasons, bringing a positive, attacking flair to the Premier League that is rare from underdogs hoping to remain in the top flight. Between the two, Brighton have seen higher highs, but Thomas Frank's Bees have been the far more steady over the course of the season. That said, their 12-match unbeaten streak that stretched back to Halloween 2022 finally came to an end with a shock loss at Everton a couple weeks ago, and a home draw against Leicester last time out made it two poor results out of three for Brentford. That slight, but sudden, dip in form plus Brighton's home field advantage makes me more bullish on the Gulls tomorrow.

The Pick: Brighton, 2-1

Arsenal vs. Leeds United

As we kick off the penultimate month of the 2022-23 season, Arsenal fans are in perhaps the most torturous position an Arsenal fan can be in: in the league lead, with a less-than-safe lead. These last 10 matches are going to be agony, as the Gunners can take one step towards an unexpected trophy with each victory. The first opponent on this homestretch is Leeds, who have looked incrementally better in their first month and a half under new manager Javi Gracia, and won't be the pushover they have been at times the last two seasons. Still, Arsenal as a team have looked mentally locked in most of this year, and I can't see them dropping this one at home.

The Pick: Arsenal, 3-1

Newcastle United vs. Manchester United

The rematch of last month's Carabao Cup Final comes with arguably even higher stakes. Sure, a trophy isn't involved in this regular season matchup, but I think just about any club would trade a Top 4 finish for that particular piece of silverware, and the winner of this match-- if there is one --could take a serious step forward in the Top 4 race. After a brief mini-spiral, Newcastle seemed to right the ship before the international break with back-to-back wins, while at the same time, Man United headed into the break with consecutive embarrassing results, their 7-0 humiliation at Anfield followed with a scoreless, 10-man draw at home against last-place Southampton. Given current form and home field advantage, you may think I'm going with Newcastle in this one. But you would be wrong. Ten Hag's United haven't stayed down for long this season, and the break will have provided a nice opportunity for them to recoup and rediscover their form. Newcastle, as good as they have been this season, haven't earned a single noteworthy victory in the league, just a slew of impressive draws. Tomorrow presents a great opportunity for their first, but I'll believe it when I see it.

The Pick: Man United, 2-1

Everton vs. Tottenham Hotspur

It might sound crazy to say, given they've been a fixture in European football over the last decade, but it's almost miraculous that Tottenham are in 4th place right now, given how turbulent this season has been under Antonio Conte. The "Conte vs.... everyone at Tottenham" saga finally ended this past weekend, when the legendary Italian manager was sacked. Spurs will try to salvage their Champions League qualification with interim manager Cristian Stellini at the helm, and up first is a Monday night date at Goodison Park with relegation-threatened Everton. A hostile atmosphere against a club fighting for its survival, especially a club that's slowly starting to improve under manager Sean Dyches, is not the ideal first matchup for a new head man. But, given what's in their sights and how much talent they still have at their disposal, I do think the "new manager bounce" will be real for Tottenham this time.

The Pick: Tottenham, 1-0