Premier League Predictions, Week 30

Welcome back to the weekly predictions, Premier League fans! Remember me? Daniel? Daniel from The Couch? For a while there, we got so used to having multiple "gameweeks" in one week to discuss that just an average week between these pieces felt abnormally long. But now that Premier League action returns after a three week layoff? Well, it feels like a different season altogether.

What you may not remember from back before all the FA Cup matches and the international break is that, well, unfortunately my predictions haven't been faring all too well this season. Or, should I say, HADN'T been! For the worst part about this extended layoff was actually that I had to wait so long to crow about how my fortunes had changed. Last time out, I had an almost flawless week, missing only on my bold prediction that West Ham would hold Manchester United to a draw. But that was only narrowly off (United would win 1-0), and the pain from the near-miss was offset by getting the much-anticipated North London Derby scoreline dead on. This resulted in my first week of 5 points from 5 in....I don't know, a calendar year? My season record to date now is a slightly more palatable 62.5/125, or in other words, a perfect 50%.

But, the matches are less than 12 hours away from starting back up, so let's not waste any more time strutting about and accepting your praises. Here are your 5 for Week 30!

Chelsea vs. West Bromwich Albion

In case you haven't heard, Chelsea are still yet to lose a match under Thomas Tuchel. I'm going to lead off every Chelsea preview with that sentence until it's no longer true, because it just becomes increasingly mind-blowing the longer that streak goes on. The Blues' 14 matches in all competitions sans defeat has been enough to see them jump firmly into the Top 4. They'll stay there, I imagine; West Brom gave them a hell of a time when they played all the way back in September, but this ain't that Chelsea team.

The Pick: Chelsea, 1-0

Leicester City vs. Manchester City

In what will likely be the most anticipated matchup of the weekend, the champions-elect return from their multiweek Premier League break with a tough task: a road match against 3rd-place Leicester City. The first time they played, all the way back in the 3rd week of the season, Leicester ran riot and inspired premature declarations of City's downfall in the process. Obviously, such declarations aged poorly, as City now sit atop the league by 14 points. Even though their rivals Manchester United recently showed that City is no longer invincible, and the Foxes always seem up for it in this matchup, I can't see Leicester winning this tie twice.

The Pick: Manchester City, 3-1

Arsenal vs. Liverpool

For the first time in a long time, perhaps all season, I don't really know what to make of either of these teams' form coming into this matchup. Arsenal recently had such a good run going, but have reverted to their inconsistent ways, taking 2 wins, 2 draws and a loss out of their last 5. Liverpool, conversely, have spent most of 2021 in total freefall mode but right before the international break, strung two straight wins together and seem to be a rejuvenated side with the insertion of Fabinho back into their midfield. This tactical change and Liverpool's away form this calendar year almost make me want to pick a Reds victory. But they haven't won my trust back quite yet, and Arsenal clearly have fight left in them.

The Pick: Draw, 1-1

Manchester United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

If this weekend's matchup is anything like the first meeting between these teams, which saw United win in almost criminal fashion, scoring a penalty after the full-time whistle blew (yes, after the full-time whistle blew), then we're in for another cracker. Brighton has shown so many positive signs this season and caused good teams trouble on several occasions, which is why their position just outside the relegation zone continually perplexes me. Close as they might be, though, they just can't seem to put the whole thing together for 90 minutes, and I expect that very well will be the same this weekend

The Pick: Manchester United, 2-1

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. West Ham United

Wolves' last match before the international break encapsulated how much of a shell of themselves they are this seasons. Their games vs. Liverpool have almost always been high-flying, down to the wire affairs, but this time, even against an extremely beatable Liverpool team, they looked downtrodden and pedestrian in a 0-1 loss. West Ham, meanwhile, probably lost a lot of sleep over blowing a 3-goal lead against Arsenal, and taking a serious hit to their Top 4 odds in the process. But they've had 3 weeks to stew over that and I imagine a focused, rejuvenated Hammers squad is bad news for Wolverhampton.

The Pick: West Ham, 2-0