Premier League predictions: Gameweek 31
- Arsenal take on Luton Town and Man City host Aston Villa in Gameweek 31
- Fellow title hopefuls Liverpool face Sheffield Utd on Thursday night
- Midweek fixtures conclude at Stamford Brdige when Man Utd visit Chelsea
The conclusion of the March international break means we've entered run-in territory in the 2023/24 Premier League season.
A hectic conclusion to the campaign is in store, with plenty to be figured out at both ends of the table.
The division was at its scintillating best before Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta ruined the fun on Sunday afternoon. Don't fear, though, folks, there's a midweek slate of fixtures upon us!
Here's how 90min sees Gameweek 31 panning out in the Premier League.
Tuesday 2 April
The majority of the action in midweek takes place on Tuesday, with the standout fixture arriving in east London as West Ham host Tottenham.
The Hammers prevailed in the reverse fixture, but they'll need to pick themselves up swiftly having succumbed to a dramatic Newcastle turnaround on Saturday. Spurs were once again reliant on a second-half resurgence as they overturned an early deficit to beat Luton Town.
Newcastle are back at St James' Park on Tuesday, with a hapless Everton visiting Tyneside. Injuries still dog the Magpies, who are without star man Anthony Gordon in midweek, but their heroics last time out will ensure the home crowd is in a fervent mood. Everton haven't recorded a Premier League win since Christmas.
Nottingham Forest's point deduction has thrown them into a perilous position towards the foot of the table, but their heads are just about afloat for the time being. Nuno Espirito Santo's side drew to Crystal Palace last time out and they're now facing a Fulham outfit that has struggled mightily away from home.
Palace remain a pretty forgettable outfit with Oliver Glasner at the helm, but they're nonetheless poised for another comfortable bottom-half finish. They're on the road again on Tuesday as they take on Bournemouth.
Burnley's results either side of the break will inspire confidence in regards to their survival hopes, and Vincent Kompany, who won't be on the sidelines, will earmark Tuesday's game against Wolves as a must-win. The Clarets are four points adrift of 17th place Forest.
Kick-off Time (BST) | Prediction |
---|---|
19:30 | Newcastle 2-0 Everton |
19:30 | Nottingham Forest 1-2 Fulham |
19:45 | Burnley 1-2 Wolves |
19:45 | Bournemouth 1-1 Crystal Palace |
20:15 | West Ham 2-2 Tottenham |
Wednesday 3 April
Two of the three title race horses are in action on Wednesday, with Man City and Arsenal, who played out a drab stalemate on Sunday, hosting Aston Villa and Luton Town respectively.
The Gunners departed the Etihad pleased with their defensive efforts and will return to the top of the league with a win over Luton. The Hatters have been competitive against the division's best this season without securing a memorable win.
Villa were dominant in the reverse fixture against City, nullifying the Cityzens in a way similar to Arsenal did at the weekend. Villa's away form has picked up as of late, but beating Pep Guardiola's side at the Etihad has proven to be an impossible task for well over a year.
Wednesday's other game sees Brentford, who unjustly left with a mere point against Man Utd on Saturday, take on Brighton. The Bees are threatening to get dragged into the relegation dogfight having failed to win their previous ten games.
Kick-off Time (BST) | Prediction |
---|---|
19:30 | Brentford 1-2 Brighton |
19:30 | Arsenal 3-0 Luton Town |
20:15 | Man City 2-1 Aston Villa |
Thursday 4 April
It was a great day for Liverpool on Sunday with their title rivals sharing the spoils after they'd edged out Brighton at Anfield.
The Reds are likely to relinquish their lead before they kick off on Thursday against Sheffield United, but Jurgen Klopp's side will be expected to quickly return to the summit. Liverpool are unbeaten at Anfield this season, while the Blades boast the worst away record in the division.
Gameweek 31 concludes at Stamford Bridge where two former giants face off. Duels between Chelsea and Manchester United often expose their respective declines from grace, with both teams needing three points on Thursday for different reasons. The Blues merely need a morale boost (and some) having dropped points to ten-player Burnley on Saturday, while Man Utd are aiming to catch Aston Villa and Tottenham in the hunt for a Champions League place.
Kick-off Time (BST) | Prediction |
---|---|
19:30 | Liverpool 3-0 Sheffield Utd |
20:15 | Chelsea 1-1 Man Utd |