England legend Alan Shearer has been offering his Premier League predictions for the final weekend of games before the next international break. Here are his predictions in full, in association with Betfair.
EVERTON v COVENTRY
Coventry are doing really well. Frank Lampard’s doing a good job there. It’s always going to be tough for them, but they’re sat above Man United, so they’re doing a great job, but I think the form Everton are in, I think they will have too much for them, so home win.
He’s a clever manager David Moyes he knows what he’s doing. He’s been around the block. He’s a very experienced manager and I think on Friday he will get the home win definitely.
Prediction – Everton win
Betfair Predicts:
Everton 57%
Draw 24%
Coventry 19%
LEEDS v TOTTENHAM
This should be a good game. Leeds are not doing so well at the minute. Spurs have found a bit of form, but Elland Road’s a tough place to go. I’m going to go for a draw.
I think he’s got something going Roberto De Zerbi, he’s got a little bit of belief there and you just need something to happen like the red cards for the opposition, but I wouldn’t look too much into that. I think Spurs will be all right. I still think they need a forward, but I think it’ll be a draw there, point a peace.
De Zerbi has turned them around, but he needed to, and they’ve had to be patient, but he stayed calm. I think that’s the most important thing.
Prediction – Draw
Betfair Predicts:
Leeds 35%
Draw 29%
Tottenham 36%
ARSENAL V HULL
I don’t think it’ll be easy for Arsenal. I think it’ll be pretty tough. It always is after games in Europe. It’s never straightforward, but Arsenal, squad-wise, will have too much depth for Hull.
Hull started the season so well but no win in nine now, I still think they will be in trouble this season. I think it’ll be a tough season for them, they’ll be in and around bottom three, but I think they would have taken where they are at the beginning of the season, unfortunately for them I think Arsenal will have too much for them.
Prediction – Arsenal win
Betfair Predicts
Arsenal 85%
Draw 11%
Hull 5%
FULHAM v NEWCASTLE
This is a massive game. This is a tough one for Newcastle. Fulham have found a bit of form and got a good result last weekend. He needs a result Jaissle. I hope he gets it, but I’m going to go a draw.
The issue is where do the goals come from at the moment for Newcastle. That’s the problem that Newcastle have got. Wissa has to step up if he’s in there. Hopefully Fernandez-Pardo will be fit and back in the team and start scoring, but that’s the big issue for Newcastle and a big worry.
Prediction – Draw
Betfair Predicts:
Fulham 46%
Draw 26%
Tottenham 27%
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v MANCHESTER CITY
I don’t think it will matter that Forest are at home. I still think City will win, unfortunately. Forest are creating chances but not scoring goals. City will have too much of them, so away win.
You would have to say this is a good time to play City losing two on the spin in the league, but they might get a bit of confidence from the midweek win. So, I think they’ll have enough to beat for Forest at the weekend.
Prediction – Manchester City win
Betfair Predicts:
Nottingham Forest 20%
Draw 24%
Manchester City 56%
BRIGHTON v BRENTFORD
I was really impressed with Brighton in their win over City and they have got great momentum going at the moment. Brentford got back on track last week, but I think because of how Brighton are playing at the moment and off the back of their impressive win away at Man City last week, I am going for a home win.
Prediction – Brighton win
Betfair Predicts:
Brighton 50%
Draw 26%
Brentford 25%
CRYSTAL PALACE v LIVERPOOL
Iraola and Sage need a result, that’s the big thing, especially for Sage in the league. He is another manager under huge pressure. You just never know with this fixture, but I think in forward positions with Crystal Palace being as poor defensively as they are, I think Liverpool will have too much for them, so away win.
Prediction – Liverpool win
Betfair Predicts:
Crystal Palace 17%
Draw 22%
Liverpool 62%
IPSWICH v BOURNEMOUTH
I think Bournemouth will win, because of the form that they’re in, I know they have played in Europe but I still think they’ll have enough for them and the way they play will be tough for Ipswich so away win.
Marco Rose had a bit of a tough start, didn’t he? But there was no panic and they’re playing some really good football and there’s goals in the team, that’s why I think they’ll win.
Prediction – Bournemouth win
Betfair Predicts:
Ipswich 25%
Draw 26%
Bournemouth 50%
SUNDERLAND v CHELSEA
Sunderland are in Europe again, and Chelsea aren’t. Chelsea in terms of forward positions especially up top are struggling, I know they’ve got no João Pedro and he is a big miss, but they beat Man United last weekend. So, with all that I’m going to go Chelsea away win.
Prediction – Chelsea win
Betfair Predicts:
Sunderland 26%
Draw 27%
Chelsea 48%
MANCHESTER UNITED v ASTON VILLA
I think this one could be a draw actually. I just think because of the situation both teams are in, what’s happened in midweek, with Man United winning and Villa didn’t it could make it interesting. For Villa it’ll be a bit different team and a different attitude going to Old Trafford. Emery’s a very clever manager, he’s a brilliant manager, but I think it will be a draw.
Prediction – Draw
Betfair Predicts:
Manchester United 44%
Draw 26%
Aston Villa 31%
