There is now a two week break before this season’s Fantasy Football reaches GW30 thanks to the upcoming international break. As we take a break from the domestic action, here we offer our early predictions on the next round of Premier League fixtures.
Tuesday 1st April
Arsenal v Fulham
We kick off GW30 with a huge London derby at the Emirates. Arsenal are hoping to consolidate second position whilst Fulham have real aspirations of Champions League qualification of their own. A top five finish is likely to be enough to secure Champions League football next season and Fulham currently sit just three points off Manchester City in fifth.
Arsenal have won just one of their last four league games while Fulham have won three of their last four away league games. The last three meetings between these sides have ended all-square and another draw could be on the cards in North London.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham United
Wolves did not miss talisman Matheus Cunha last time out as Jorgen Strand Larsen scored twice in their 2-1 win at Southampton. Whilst in-form West Ham United should provide a sterner test, The Hammers’ 17-point advantage over the bottom three has left them safe and with very little to play for over the next nine games. Wolves should win a second straight league game when West Ham visit Molineux.
Nottingham Forest v Manchester United
If at the start of the season you had predicted that Nottingham Forest would host Manchester United in the Premier League in April sitting ten places and 17 points above the visitors, you’d be carted off by men in white coats. But the fact is, Nottingham Forest have been by far the better side throughout the first 29 weeks of the season. According to the latest Premier League news from the top 20 UK betting sites here, Nottingham Forest are likely to go into this fixture as the bookies’ favourites but we have a feeling that Manchester United may get all three points out of this game. The Red Devils have been much improved in recent wins over Real Sociedad and Leicester City and could win a third straight game in all competitions for the first time since January.
Wednesday 2nd April
AFC Bournemouth v Ipswich Town
Bournemouth have been one of the surprise packages in the Premier League this season but have gone off the boil in recent weeks. The Cherries are winless at five league games and next up they host an Ipswich Town side fighting for their lives. Only the Premier League’s top three have conceded fewer goals than Bourneouth this season while Ipswich Town have averaged less than a goal a game. We’re not expecting too many goals down on the south coast and a low-scoring draw could be one the cards at the Vitality Stadium.
Brighton & Hove Albion v Aston Villa
Brighton’s draw at Manchester City last time out has extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to five matches. Next up The Seagulls host Aston Villa with both sides eyeing a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. A tough one to call at the Amex but Aston Villa’s poor away form this season may just give the hosts the edge.
Manchester City v Leicester City
Statistically this is shaping up to be Manchester City’s worst season under Pep Guardiola and they head into their next league game on the back of just one win in four. However, they should have far too much for a Leicester City side in desperate form. The Foxes lost 3-0 at home to Manchester United last time out to extend their losing streak to six league games.
Newcastle United v Brentford
Fresh from their Carabao Cup final triumph, Newcastle United’s priority now switches back to the Premier League. Eddie Howe’s side remain in the mix for Champions League qualification but three defeats in their last five league games is a concern. Brentford’s previously patchy away form has improved considerably and The Bees head to St James’ Park on the back of five successive away league wins.
Southampton v Crystal Palace
Southampton are enduring a torrid season and are statistically one of the worst teams in Premier League history. The Saints are still two points short of Derby County’s record low tally of eleven points and frankly we can’t see where those points will come from. Crystal Palace have earned three straight league wins and should prove too good for their hapless hosts at St Mary’s.
Liverpool v Everton
Defeats in both the Champions League and Carabao Cup has created a rather anticlimactic end to the season for Liverpool. The Reds were fighting on a number of fronts until quite recently but Arne Slot is now likely to lift just one single trophy in his first season on Merseyside. That being said, winning a Premier League title in your debut season is no mean feat and a win in this Merseyside derby will move Slot’s Liverpool one step closer to becoming crowned champions of England for a record-equalling 20th time.
Everton head across Stanley Park in good nick having gone nine league games without defeat. The Toffees have drawn their last four league games, including three consecutive 1-1 draws against Brentford, Wolves and West Ham United. 13 of the last 25 Merseyside derbies in the Premier League have ended all-square and according to most leading football tipsters offering betting tips, a draw is a realistic outcome once more here.
Thursday 3rd April
Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur
Chelsea have lost three of their last five league games but remain in pole position for a top four finish. In contrast, Spurs have taken just one point from their last three league games and now sit in a lowly 14th in the Premier League. The future of Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou remains up for debate and it seems only winning the Europa League will keep him in a job beyond the summer. As most of Spurs’ stars are near full fitness, a trip to Stamford Bridge could offer Postecoglou some brief respite.
GW30 Predictions
Arsenal v Fulham – Draw
Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham United – Wolves to win
Nottingham Forest v Manchester United – Manchester United to win
AFC Bournemouth v Ipswich Town – Draw
Brighton & Hove Albion v Aston Villa – Brighton to win
Manchester City v Leicester City – Manchester City to win
Newcastle United v Brentford – Brentford to win
Southampton v Crystal Palace – Crystal Palace to win
Liverpool v Everton – Draw
Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur – Spurs to win
