Paul Pogba of Manchester United against Watford, Premier League, November 2017
Photo by Kieran McManus/BPI/REX/Shutterstock | Paul Pogba of Manchester United against Watford, Premier League, November 2017

Premier League Matchweek 28 Previews & Predictions

By Neil Leverett

  • The Britwatch Football Team give their preview and predictions for the weekend action
  • Follow their progress throughout the season and see which writer takes up the Premier League Prediction cup
  • Correct result gets one point, correct result and score gets three points.
PREMIER LEAGUE, UK – After a break for the FA Cup, league affairs resume this weekend for Matchweek 28 with Manchester City’s trip to Arsenal the standout fixture in an elongated program. As usual our writers have had their say on what will happen.

 

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Matchweek 28

Leicester City vs. Stoke City (Saturday, 12:30)

Neil: Matchweek 28 kicks off with a tale of two cities. Both sides are without a win in their last three league outings, with the Foxes sitting by far the more comfortable as the final third of the season approaches around the corner. Claude Puel’s men – aside from their draw to Swansea in their last home game have recorded 2-0 and 3-0 wins at the King Power. Stoke have the tools to find the net, but alas from a defensive point the Potters are far too inconsistent at the back. With Jamie Vardy hitting his straps once again, the hosts should be too much for Stoke to handle.

Prediction: Leicester 2-0 Stoke

http://gty.im/919111530

Niall: Both sides are winless in their last three, but it is the Potters who need the win more. Stoke sit 19th in the table and could climb out of the relegation zone with a win, whilst Leicester sit safely in mid-table. The issue is, Stoke concede a lot of goals, and Leicester do have goals in them. It may be more dropped points for Paul Lambert’s side.

Prediction: Leicester 2-0 Stoke

 

AFC Bournemouth vs. Newcastle United (Saturday, 15:00)

Neil: The Cherries’ seven-game unbeaten stretch in the league was ended by a well-organised showing from Huddersfield a fortnight ago, that might yet cause boss Eddie Howe to sit a little less comfortably in the standings coming into the final stretch. Newcastle stunned Manchester United in the Magpies’ last outing, but on the road are largely a less reliable commodity. The pace of Callum Wilson is likely to stretch Rafa Benitez’s men to their limit here, and though I see the visitors finding the net, Bournemouth should just about edge it.

Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Newcastle

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Niall: Bournemouth’s run came to an abrupt end when they were beaten 4-1 by Huddersfield, so it will be interesting to see how they respond to a Newcastle side coming off a win against Manchester United. The Cherries sit pretty in 10th, but they are not fully safe from the relegation battle so they need to win to keep the distance, and with the home advantage, I believe they edge this one.

Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Newcastle

 

Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Swansea City (Saturday, 15:00)

Neil: This is potentially a huge game in the battle to avoid the drop. For Brighton every home game in now vital and having struggled to score in previous weeks, there is however more than enough in Chris Hughton’s arsenal in attack. The Swans have taken eleven points from their last 15 on offer and all of a sudden seem capable of battling against seemingly inevitable relegation come May. That makes this one all the more essential for both sides, but just have a sneaking suspicion Brighton will get the job done here.

Prediction: Brighton 2-1 Swansea

http://gty.im/913695436

Niall: Swansea’s revival has taken them out of the bottom three, and all of a sudden the Welsh side look like they may survive another season. Brighton is a difficult away game however, and they are a threat to the Swans’ five-game unbeaten run. The Seagulls have only won one in their last five though, so adding it all up I think we have a draw on the cards.

Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Swansea

 

Burnley vs. Southampton (Saturday, 15:00)

Neil: The Clarets continue to drop like a stone in the league table, but having racked up a decent tally before a winless streak of now over two months, Sean Dyche’s men are keeping the bottom three at arms-length. The keen now for the hosts is to again find their scoring mojo and that could come through the return of fit-again striker Chris Wood in attack. Southampton have improved in the past few weeks and have began to grab the odd point on the road also. I am always wary of the first game back after a short hiatus and I think that might just favour Burnley here.

Prediction: Burnley 1-0 Southampton

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Niall: Burnley have gone off the boil in recent weeks, so they will be aiming to get back into the win column against Southampton. The Saints sit in the bottom three and are struggling for wins at the moment, only getting one in their previous five. It will be a tight game given the way both teams like to play, but I think Burnley will get back to winning ways in this one.

Prediction: Burnley 1-0 Southampton

https://britwatchsports.com/southampton-2017-2018/

 

 

Liverpool vs. West Ham United (Saturday, 15:00)

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Neil: The Liverpool goal machine continues to roll on almost inexorably. After the Mo Salah-Roberto Firmino partnership again sparkled at St. Marys’ last time out, the Reds put five past FC Porto in the Champions League ten days ago. With such an handsome advantage to take into their second leg in midweek, Jurgen Klopp may elect to play his strongest XI here, but some might say a weakened lineup may be sufficient regardless. West Ham United are plodding along as they are, but the return of Marko Arnautovic and the return (to form) of Javier Hernandez has been a double boost for Hammers boss David Moyes. That might see them push the hosts close here, but it will ultimately be in vain in front of the Kop.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 West Ham

 

Niall: Liverpool continued their goalscoring ways in the Champions League when they beat Porto 5-0. The Reds are a scary prospect at the moment, so we will see how the Hammers respond. Under David Moyes they will likely set up to defend and frustrate the Reds and in previous seasons that may have been enough for a win. However, with Mohamed Salah on fire, and Sadio Mane finding his goalscoring form, that will not be enough to beat this Liverpool side.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham

https://britwatchsports.com/liverpool-2017-2018/

 

West Bromwich Albion vs. Huddersfield Town (Saturday, 15:00)

Neil: The Baggies’ plight is looking trickier by the minute having now been cut adrift seven points from safety. Reports in the week suggest Alan Pardew’s tenure at the club might be cut short at the Hawthorns, and for that to be prevented three points is an absolute must here. The loss of Daniel Sturridge is a blow, but before the Liverpool loanee came in during the transfer window, Jay Rodriguez was in something of a purple patch for the hosts, who will now hope his scoring touch is still finely tuned. The Terriers after their 4-1 were given a much-needed shot in the arm, but on the road apart from a few sparse away wins are a hugely uncertain unit. I expect the hosts to capitalise on that statistic here.

Prediction: West Brom 2-0 Huddersfield

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Niall: This is a relegation six-pointer. West Brom are bottom and will remain there no matter what happens on Saturday, whilst Huddersfield sit 17th, just one point above the drop zone. The Terriers ended their losing streak against Bournemouth, so they come into this match in the better league form of the two, however Huddersfield struggle away from home. West Brom need a win and I think this is a good chance to get it.

Prediction: West Brom 1-0 Huddersfield

 

Watford vs. Everton (Saturday, 17:30)

Neil: Saturday evening of Matchweek 28 sees the potential re-emergence of memories of former boss Marco Silva and his perceived dissatisfaction of club politics which led to the Hornets drastic dip in from, and the subsequent sacking of the Portuguese. New boss Javi Gracia has brought a number of useful individuals into the club, not least Gerard Deulofeu who tore Chelsea apart a few weeks ago and will look to do the same here. For Everton, their chances may lie at the feet of the pacy Theo Walcott and their hold-up play across the park. I think this might be the game of Matchweek 28 here, and expect goals aplenty, but Watford could just nick maximum spoils.

Prediction: Watford 3-2 Everton

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Niall: Thrashing Chelsea failed to paper over the cracks at Watford. The Hornets sit 11th, but they are struggling to get wins and only sit four points above the relegation zone. The have a good chance to respond against and Everton side struggling for consistency. The Toffees won the reverse fixture, but at home Watford are a bigger threat. That said, I do not trust them to win at the moment so I think it will be a draw.

Prediction: Watford 1-1 Everton

https://britwatchsports.com/everton-2017-2018/

 

Crystal Palace vs. Tottenham Hotspur (Sunday, 12:00)

Neil: In the first of three Matchweek 28 games – including the League Cup final on Sunday – Tottenham Hotspur visit Selhurst Park in a London derby. Goals from the penalty spot have provided much of Crystal Palace’s ammunition in terms of an attacking threat, but for the Eagles to have any chance here they will need more than just the cool head of Luka Milivojevic. Spurs were in dominant form during their last London derby against Arsenal a fortnight ago, but after Rochdale took the visitors to another FA Cup replay, the chink in the armour remains for Mauricio Pochettino’s men. As it is, the form of Harry Kane is something to be feared and should get Spurs home here.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Tottenham 

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Niall: Winless in their last four, Palace are in need of three points when they host an in-form Tottenham side at Selhurst Park. Spurs were excellent against Juventus in the Champions League and come into this off some big results against top six sides. With Kane in goalscoring form and Christian Eriksen running things in midfield, I think Tottenham win this one fairly comfortably.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-2 Tottenham

https://britwatchsports.com/tottenham-hotspur-2017-2018/

 

 

Manchester United vs. Chelsea (Sunday, 14:15)

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Neil: The game of the weekend at least, plays out at Old Trafford, but what sort of game beckons remains to be seen. This will be Alexis Sanchez’s first opportunity to play top-six opposition since his switch from North London, but there is already evidence the Chilean is becoming isolated in the wide areas for Manchester United. Could that be underlined here?

After an impressive performance against FC Barcelona on Tuesday night, Chelsea will look to continue that momentum here. In these sort of matches I am loathed to say goals will be at an absolute premium but given the past meetings between the two sides, that could again be on the menu. I will tip a stalemate, but either way the draw looks a good bet.

Prediction: Man United 0-0 Chelsea

https://britwatchsports.com/manchester-united-2017-2018/

 

Niall: And we reach the main event of the weekend. Man United face Chelsea in a match between two Premier League giants battling for a top four position. With the nature of the way these two teams set up, the match will likely disappoint from an entertainment point of view. Both sides are known for their defence more than their attack despite the talent on the field. United are struggling going forward at the moment, but Chelsea are not in the best form themselves. I think we are in for a bore draw.

Prediction: Man United 0-0 Chelsea

https://britwatchsports.com/chelsea-2017-2018/

 

 

Arsenal vs. Manchester City (Thursday, 19:45)

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Neil: Just four days after both Arsenal and Manchester City do battle at Wembley for League Cup honours, the two meet again in North London to round off Matchweek 28. Revenge could be on the agenda here for either side and whilst the hosts struggle on their travels are again becoming an imposing presence – despite a Europa League scare to Swedish minnows Ostersund on Thursday night. The men in the frame are likely to be Kun Aguero and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the number nine slot.

Whilst the meeting at Old Trafford may be a more stifled encounter, this is likely to be the polar opposite in terms of a spectacle and again I expect goals to flow. Given home-field advantage I fancy the hosts to find their shooting boots, but the red defence leaves a lot to be desired currently and could be exposed again. I’ll sit on the fence for this one with a high scoring draw.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-2 Man City

https://britwatchsports.com/arsenal-2017-2018/

 

Niall: A lot will depend on the Carabao Cup Final as the winner will undoubtedly go into this match with the confidence and momentum. I think the Citizens will lift their first trophy of the season on Sunday, so I will also go with them on Thursday. The Gunners’ defence does not look solid at all, and going up against the league’s most devastating attack, that spells disaster. I will not be a thrashing, but I think City will be comfortable in victory.

Prediction: Arsenal 1-3 Man City

https://britwatchsports.com/manchester-city-2017-2018/

Premier League Matchweek 28 takes place between Saturday the 24th of February and Thursday 1st March

 

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