Matchweek 29 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 29 of 38.
Crystal Palace vs Leicester City (Saturday, 10 am ET)
Crystal Palace now fight to find their footing with more than half the season to go against a Leicester City team who are in the midst of a relegation battle. Life without Patrick Vieira will need to come with more of a scoring prowess, if they continue to struggle in front of net, it doesn’t matter who Crystal Palace’s manager is. They will never be a team who will play in for Europe. A middling team who might find themselves bouncing from manager to manager.
They have the talent to compete. Especially in this match. They play against a Leicester City team who aren’t great. They struggle on defense and have struggled on the road. If I were to guess, both teams score in this match, but it’s not packed with fireworks. A low scoring match that might be end to end but lack the finishing quality we’d expect against two middling teams.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1, Leicester City 1
Chelsea vs Aston Villa (Saturday, 12:30 pm ET)
Chelsea may have found their footing going four straight unbeaten in all competitions. Their draw against Everton in Stamford Bridge prior to international break does concern me a bit, but their offensive output is finally matching the talent they have on the pitch.
Aston Villa themselves have been in fine form. They have gone three unbeaten and Unai Emery seems to be getting the most out of his squad, especially Ollie Watkins. While getting the results, defensively their underlying metrics suggest they might be due for some defensive regression. This could be a Chelsea explosion. I’m just not too sure it happens the way the numbers suggest. They still have work to do to be a massive scoring firepower. I do expect them to get the result.
If Everton can bag two on the Blues, then the Villains surely can get one of their own.
Prediction: Chelsea 2, Aston Villa 1
Newcastle vs Manchester United (Sunday, 11:30 am ET)
This match could be one for the ages. Manchester United depleted Newcastle 2-nil in the EFL Cup final. Since that match, Newcastle have seemed to find their footing. Especially in front of net. Much of that has to do with Alexander Isak playing out of his mind. He’s aggressive and scoring. He could be exactly what the best defensive unit in the Premier League needed.
United have a star of their own filling up the back of the net. Marcus Rashford is playing insane. Not only Rashford who deserves some praise; manager Erik tan Hag has been clinical in his coaching and decision making. While this isn’t a United team who can compete for a title, they will be very good until they get the additional pieces they need to compete for a title.
This match may have fireworks, but I think both will do well keeping the other out. I like a draw here. 1-1.
Prediction: Newcastle 1, Manchester United 1
