Premier League predictions – Gameweek 35: Chelsea to lose ground in top five race | OneFootball

The Premier League title and relegation races may be over, but there’s still a lot to play for.

Champions Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Sunday, in the highlight fixture of the week. The Blues will be hoping for a win to keep their top five hopes alive.

The weekend starts on Friday night with Manchester City hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers, holding their own top five hopes. And there’s another match with a top-five hopeful to close the weekend, as Nottingham Forest travel to Crystal Palace on Monday.

We’ve taken a look at all 10 matches from Gameweek 35 and offered our predicted scores.

Man City vs Wolves

Wolves are in fantastic form right now, winning each of their past six league games. But they face a Man City side that has finally found their feet defensively. The Citizens have kept a clean sheet in three of their past five Premier League games, picking up 13 points during that run. Man City have also won eight of their past nine home league games against Wolves, with the only exception a 0-2 defeat in October 2019.

Aston Villa vs Fulham

Aston Villa are one of the teams involved in the race for Champions League football, and they’re playing catchup. The Villans go into the weekend three points behind fifth-placed Chelsea, and they have an interesting matchup. Fulham have won three of their past six games, but they’ve also lost three. Last weekend they beat already-relegated Southampton to end a run of back-to-back defeats. Villa lost their last game, after a run of five consecutive victories in the league. And Villa have scored at least three goals in six of their last eight games across all competitions.

Everton vs Ipswich

Ipswich Town’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed last weekend, with this being the start of their farewell tour. The Tractor Boys are winless in their past four games, losing three of those since a shock win over Bournemouth. Everton, meanwhile, have won just one of their past nine games, losing their past two. The Toffees have also struggled in front of goal, scoring exactly one goal in six of their past eight league games — and failing to score in the other two.

Leicester vs Southampton

A battle between two sides already relegated, this one will be for pride. Southampton will be hoping for at least a point to move clear of Derby County’s record-low tally in Premier League history. Leicester City, meanwhile, will be looking to score at home in the Premier League for the first time since the start of December — now nine without a league goal at the King Power. Luckily, Leicester face the worst defence in the Premier League (the Foxes have the second-worst). Unfortunately, Leicester have the second-worst attack in the Premier League (behind Southampton).

Arsenal vs Bournemouth

Arsenal‘s main focus will be on the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, but the Premier League cannot be ignored. The Gunners still need to secure their spot in the top five, though they are close. Arsenal are on a bit of an underwhelming league run at the moment, drawing three of their past four games, with the only exception a 0-4 win over Ipswich. But Bournemouth have also drawn three of their past four games, and have never won away against Arsenal in their history. Arsenal have also scored at least three goals in four of their past five games against Bournemouth.

Brentford vs Man Utd

Manchester United travel to the Gtech Community Stadium without a win in their past five league games. They also have the Europa League to focus on in midweek, so Man Utd may be focusing elsewhere — especially as a top-half finish seems unlikely. They face a Brentford side now just one point behind eighth, who go into this game off the back of consecutive wins. Brentford have a chance of European football and will want to build up a winning run. But the Bees have still generally struggled at home of late, in stark contrast to the way they started the season.

Brighton vs Newcastle

Brighton and Hove Albion may harbour slim European hopes, though they are relying on certain competition results going their way. The Seagulls sit ninth, level on points with eighth-placed Fulham with four games left to play. Newcastle United, meanwhile, are third and in control of their destiny. But they don’t have a good recent record against Brighton. The Magpies are winless in all seven of their away Premier League games against Brighton, drawing three of those. Brighton have also beaten Newcastle twice already this season across all competitions.

West Ham vs Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur will have their eyes on the second leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday, and West Ham United will be looking to capitalise. Tottenham have lost five of their past six in the league, with the sole victory against Southampton. West Ham, though, are winless in their past six league games, alternating between draws and defeats. It was defeat last time out, and West Ham are also unbeaten in their past four home games against Tottenham — with two wins and two draws.

Prediction: West Ham 2-2 Tottenham (10/1 with Lottoland)

Chelsea vs Liverpool

Liverpool have already been crowned Premier League champions and will get their first guard of honour at Stamford Bridge. While they could theoretically take their foot off the pedal, Chelsea have to win. The Blues are in the race for the top five, but they’re the less-favoured side. Unfortunately for Chelsea fans, they haven’t beaten Liverpool for over four years, since a 0-1 win at Anfield in March 2021. Since then, the two have drawn seven of the 10 games across all competitions, with three Liverpool wins.

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest’s top five hopes have been rocked recently, with three defeats from their past four games leaving the Tricky Trees sixth with four matches left to play. They face a Crystal Palace side now winless in their past four in the league, losing two and drawing two. Forest are unbeaten in the Premier League against Palace, winning four and drawing five of their previous nine meetings in the competition. Palace are also winless in their last eight in the league against Forest, drawing five and losing three since a 1-0 win in the Championship in December 2011.

*Using Bookmaker/Affiliate links on squawka.com may earn us a commission, at no additional cost to you. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. For more information, visit gambleaware.org.