Matchweek 24 of the Premier League Season is here, and we once again try and take down the $50,000 prize by playing Premier League Pick Em’ on the NBC Sports Predictor App. NBC Sports Predictor is a sports app that gives you a chance to win huge cash prizes by simply making predictions on the games. This article is a guide to help you think about each match. This week we navigate through Matchday 24 of 38.
Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester City (Saturday, 10 am ET)
Nottingham Forest quietly had a nice five-match unbeaten streak. They were successful because much of their defensive woe seemed to have been settled. Forest haven’t been shy about buying the players they feel will bolster their rosters and make for a more competitive side. Unfortunately for them, they play against a hungry Manchester City side.
This sets up for an excellent fade spot of City. They just played a tough midweek match against Arsenal, and then next week, they play a midweek Champions League fixture in Germany against Leipzig. This would have fade written all over it. Forest aren’t the team I’d be willing to back to get a result against City. With City regaining the Premier League lead, I expect them to remain focused. For those with futures action on Arsenal or City, check out this week’s episode of Bet the Edge, where former US Men’s National team keeper Tim Howard said he still thinks Arsenal will win.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 0, Manchester City 2
Newcastle vs. Liverpool (Saturday, 9:30 am ET)
Newcastle sit fourth on the table and should be proud of their season thus far. They hold the league’s best defensive stats and are a club that believes they can win any game they are in. The press and the press and love to dominate possession. They have run into a scoring slump, but data suggests they should break it sooner than later. My biggest issue with Newcastle is that they will be without Bruno Guimarães for this contest. The Brazilian has been the attack’s heartbeat and the midfield’s backbone. Without him, I struggle to see how they score.
Liverpool have been awful this season. They are more likely to get relegated than win the league title. In their defense, they have been dealing with injuries. As they get healthier and Cody Gakpo takes that next step, they will be set up for success. If we look at the underlying xG and xGA numbers, they are the top club due for positive regression. They will probably win this game.
Newcastle 0, Liverpool 1
Manchester United vs. Leicester City (Sunday, 9 am ET)
United have done well finding their way from a club of disappointment to one that has climbed to third on the table. Leicester City have not had a similar fate. They are a club with players seeking new accommodations in the summer; defensively, they could be better. They concede a bunch on the road but still have players like Jamie Maddison, who can score at will and will their team to victory. United, led by Marcus Rashford, have done well scoring. Defensively they have been sound, but I expect them to concede a few in this match.
Prediction: Manchester United 2, Leicester 2
