Premier League Predictions, Week 32(ish)

Welcome back to your weekly predictions, Premier League fans! This past week saw thrilling conclusions to the quarterfinal rounds of the Champions League and Europa League, as well as some significant developments in the domestic league. This weekend, we get some star-studded FA Cup semifinal matches sprinkled in amidst the Premier League matches, which extend through the middle of next week, in a continued attempt to catch everyone up to the same matchweek.

Last week, my picks took the opposite direction of how the last several weeks had been going. This time, I started out horribly, completely whiffing on my Manchester United and Arsenal victory predictions, as both lost in stunning upsets. Whoops! However, I slightly righted the ship by getting Chelsea's win over Southampton right, and though I was well off again in projecting Villa would hold Tottenham to a draw, I absolutely nailed the biggest match of them all, correctly forecasting Manchester City and Liverpool's draw, right down to the analysis and scoreline. That was enough to rescue a 2.5/5 week, bringing me to a 64/125 total on the year so far.

But! The matches are less than 12 hours away from kicking back off, so let's not waste time trumpeting small victories. I've left it late and it's a holiday weekend, so I'm not going to devote more than a few sentences to each prediction, but regardless, here are your 5 for Week 30/31/32/33, depending on which team you cheer for!

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

All of a sudden, thanks to their own good form coinciding with their rivals’ loss of it, Tottenham are unexpectedly in the driver’s seat for 4th place. Can Brighton pull off a second straight road win over a North London team? It’s certainly not out of the question, but I don’t see lightning striking twice.

The Pick: Tottenham, 3-1

Southampton vs. Arsenal

Arsenal desperately need to win to reverse their tailspinning form. Fortunately, Southampton should be the kind of team they can rediscover their winning ways against. If The Gunners can’t pull this one out, I might be done picking them this season.

The Pick: Arsenal, 2-1

West Ham United vs. Burnley

Yesterday, West Ham dominated Lyon in France to clinch a spot in the Europa League semifinals. Yesterday, Burnley fired their iconic manager in a desperate attempt to rectify their relegation struggle. These are two clubs with very different trajectories.

The Pick: West Ham, 3-0

Liverpool vs. Manchester United

I don’t think we will see anything like Liverpool running riot at Old Trafford back in October, especially with Manchester United in the thick of a Top 4 race. But I also can’t see United coming into Anfield and taking points off Liverpool, when the latter is in the thick of a title race.

The Pick: Liverpool, 2-1

Manchester City vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

With a brutal three-game road stretch at Arsenal, Tottenham and then Manchester City, Brighton has the chance to play ultimate spoiler for multiple teams’ seasons. Regardless of how the Spurs match shapes up for them, though, I think taking points off City at the Etihad might be a bridge too far.

The Pick: Man City, 2-0