Premier League predictions: Gameweek 30
The 2023/24 Premier League resumes this weekend as clubs around the English top flight prepare to take on the daunting run-in to the end of the season.
The top three are separated by just one point and Sunday is shaping up to be a defining day in the title race, with Liverpool hosting Brighton before current leaders Arsenal visit reigning champions Manchester City.
With plenty of big games also taking place in the hunt for European football and the battle against relegation, here’s how 90min sees the weekend’s action playing out.
Saturday 30 March
Saturday’s early kick-off could provide plenty of entertainment when West Ham travel to St James‘ Park to take on Newcastle. The Magpies suffered more injury blows during the international break but the Hammers are prone to shipping goals away from home.
Nottingham Forest can jump out of the relegation zone with victory over Crystal Palace, but the drama of their points deduction and subsequent appeal could result in another difficult afternoon for Nuno Espirito Santo.
Sheffield United picked up a draw last time out but wins are desperately required to avoid a swift return to the Championship. However, the Blades have only managed three all season and are more likely to be outplayed at Bramall Lane by visitors Fulham.
The Cottagers were superb in beating Tottenham, who will hope to get back on track in their top-four bid when they host Rob Edwards‘ spirited Luton Town. A ten-player Spurs squeezed their way to a 1-0 success in the reverse fixture and will want a more dominant margin of victory against the Hatters.
Bournemouth are unbeaten in three games, beating Burnley and Luton, and their strength in attack may help them overcome an Everton side who continuously spurn chances in front of goal.
Chelsea are still scrapping to ensure they finish in the top half and avoid doing any worse than their 12th-place effort last season. Burnley have conceded 14 goals in their last five away games and the Clarets may fall to another defeat at Stamford Bridge.
Aston Villa face a defining few months both domestically and in Europe. They’ve relapsed in home fixtures, being defeated in four of six games having lost just once at Villa Park up until late January, but Wolves are without both Hwang Hee-chan and Pedro Neto and might lack spark up front.
Manchester United managed to roll back the years in their FA Cup classic with Liverpool before the international break. There’s still hope of a finish that could secure Champions League football next season, but games against the likes of injury-riddled Brentford – winless since early February – must result in victory for the Red Devils.
|
Kick-off Time (GMT) |
Fixture & Prediction |
|---|---|
|
12:30 |
Newcastle 2-2 West Ham |
|
15:00 |
Nottingham Forest 1-2 Crystal Palace |
|
15:00 |
Sheffield Utd 1-3 Fulham |
|
15:00 |
Tottenham 3-1 Luton |
|
15:00 |
Bournemouth 2-1 Everton |
|
15:00 |
Chelsea 2-1 Burnley |
|
17:30 |
Aston Villa 2-0 Wolves |
|
20:00 |
Brentford 1-2 Man Utd |
Sunday 31 March
Sunday’s fixtures are all about the Premier League title race – and Brighton.
The Seagulls provide the supporting cast to the other heavy-hitters in action but shouldn’t be overlooked when they travel to Anfield. Brighton are unbeaten in their last three trips to Liverpool, who were on the wrong end of late drama at Old Trafford. The Reds, however, will hope the goals of Mohamed Salah can earn them victory to reach the summit of the table before the day’s main event.
Manchester City were rocked by injury blows during the international break and there will be more than blind optimism in the Arsenal ranks before the clash at the Etihad. It’ll be an enthralling encounter which could still end in joy for treble holders City, who haven’t lost this fixture at home since January 2015.
|
Kick-off Time (BST) |
Fixture & Prediction |
|---|---|
|
14:00 |
Liverpool 3-2 Brighton |
|
16:30 |
Man City 2-1 Arsenal |