Predictions Premier League - Gameweek 30 - Tuesday
The Premier League returns next week after a relatively low key international break, main takeaways being the commencement of Thomas Tuchel’s reign as England boss and a statement 4-1 victory for Argentina over Brazil at the Estadio Mas Monumental.
But now, attention swiftly switches back to domestic action and the home straight in terms of the season. Whilst the league title would appear to be a nailed on conclusion, there is still plenty to play for - mostly with regards to the Champions League places, with the Premier League all but certain to deliver 5 places rather than the traditional 4. So without any further ado, let’s dive into the predictions for Tuesday’s matches on Gameweek 30.
To add a bit of competition and to prove how useless my predictions may be, I will be competing against Chat GPT and will review who correctly predicted more outcomes in the following weeks predictions.
Arsenal Vs Fulham - 01 April 2025
Starting off with Arsenal vs Fulham, the Gunners steadied the ship somewhat in their previous outing vs Chelsea prior to the break. It was a win that offered some comfort in securing Champions League football for next season. The title may be nothing more than hope than substance by this point, but a win for Arsenal would see them close the gap on Liverpool to 9 points ahead of their Merseyside derby on Wednesday. Arsenal will no doubt be buoyed by the impending return of Bukayo Saka, who was pictured in full training this week. Although I Imagine there will be some hesitation to rush him back following the surgery and with the small task of Real Madrid on the horizon.
Fulham will not be visiting the Emirates to roll over for the Bukayo Saka return however, it is worth noting that the Cottagers are unbeaten in their last 3 meetings with Arsenal, notably snatching a point at The Emirates last season with 10 men following Calvin Bassey’s dismissal. Whilst Fulham’s form has been up and down in recent weeks, with wins at Old Trafford in the FA cup to last minute frustrations such as with Brighton last time out. Given the 5 potential Champions League places, Fulham are still very much in the hunt and will be eager to make it 4 unbeaten on the spin against Arsenal.
The Potential Headlines:
Bukayo Saka returns for Arsenal
Smith-Rowe haunts Arsenal upon return
Predictions:
I Predict: Arsenal 2-0 Fulham
Chat GPT Predicts: Arsenal 3-1 Fulham
Wolves vs West Ham - 01 April 2025
Wolves host West Ham following their much needed win at St.Marys in their last game. That win just eased some pressure in Vitor Pereira’s side, particularly with Ipswich and Leicester both faltering to create a 9 point gap between them and the relegation zone. If Wolves are to build on this success, they will need to do it without the help of their talisman Matheus Cunha, who is suspended until the 13th April. A huge loss for Wolves, Cunha has contributed to over 40% of their league goals this season and likely buoyed with confidence following his first Brazil goal in the week.
For West Ham, it has been a fairly underwhelming start to life under Graham Potter. They had a significant result against Arsenal, but have only won 3 out of their first 9 under Graham Potter. Defensively however, they look tighter and much more organised. Attack they have looked stale at times, struggling for creativity with Kudus out of form, injuries to Antonio and Fullkrug whilst Paqueta has also been injured for the last few weeks. Two sides who enjoy to play on the counter attack, this game could be a tightly contested affair and I can see Wolves taking something.
Predictions:
I Predict: Wolves 1-1 West Ham
Chat GPT Predicts: Wolves 1-2 West Ham
Forest vs Man United - 01 April 2025
If you were to be transported back to 2023, would you have predicted Forest vs Man United being a Champions League bound side vs a team dwindling in mid-table? You may have done, but perhaps with the roles of each side reversed.
Forest have been excellent this season and have managed to stabilise at times when they have been question such as the 5-0 defeat to Bournemouth. Their ability to be so stable defensively for the most part yet so devastating going the other way is a testament to the coaching and discipline that Nuno Espirito Santo has installed in his side. They tore Ipswich to shreds at times in the first half at Portman Road and will be more than capable of doing the same to an injury ridden Manchester United back line.
As for Manchester United, they’re almost impossible to predict these days and between now and the rest of the season, you just don’t know what side will show up. Since Amorin’s arrival, for me United have looked more comfortable when sitting in a lower block and it is no coincidence that some of their more impressive results (if you can call them that) under Amorin have come in games where they were able to sit a little lower, such as against Arsenal in the FA Cup and Liverpool at Anfield. I actually think they will make this a very awkward game for Forest and it will be much closer than the table would suggest.
Predictions:
I Predict: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Manchester United
Chat GPT Predicts: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Manchester United