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The NBC Sports Predictor App is an app that gives you a chance at winning $50,000 just by picking the outcomes of each Premier League game. This week we tackle Matchday 35 of 38 in hopes of cashing a big payday. Last week there were two people live to the final match. Player one needed a Crystal Palace one-nil victory, and player two needed a two-new Palace victory. Unfortunately for them, the match ended nil-nil.
This week is a new week, and we will take our chance at winning our share of $50,000. Here is how I see this week’s slate shaking out:
Newcastle vs Liverpool (Saturday, 7:30 a.m. ET)
Liverpool are in the thick of a heavy title race with Manchester City and are semifinalists in Champions League. They are easily playing the best football in the world right now. The question is what or who is going to stop them. Across all competitions Liverpool are unbeaten through 11 games. Their last loss came at the hands of Inter in a second leg where a loss didn’t hurt them. Newcastle themselves are on a run of good form, winning their last four matches. In that span, they have three clean sheets. I think their wins are a bit of fool’s gold. They will face their first actual test since their 5-1 loss to Tottenham. Liverpool win this and likely keep a clean sheet.
Prediction: Newcastle 0, Liverpool 2
Watford vs Burnley (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET)
Watford are 19th on the table and nine points from safety. They are 1-4 in their last five games. They are only scoring 0.94 goals per match while allowing 2.03. They aren’t good. It’s not necessarily their coaching; some of it has to do with the quality of players they have on their roster. They aren’t as skilled or as deep as the other teams in the EPL. Burnley have similar issues. However, their managerial swap seems to have been effective. They have just one loss in their last five and three wins in such time. I don’t think Burnley will keep a clean sheet on the road, but I like them to win this weekend.
Prediction: Watford 1, Burnley 2
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Southampton vs Crystal Palace (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET)
Interesting game here. Both need to look in the mirror and see if they want to be a mainstay in the league’s bottom half or if they are serious about their European aspirations. Southampton have just one win in their last eight games and a few embarrassing losses on their resume. After Palace’s 3-0 win over Arsenal, there was a thought that they would build on that win. Instead, they’ve gone winless since. Their biggest issue has been their inability to finish. Southampton’s only conceding one goal per game. I think we see another draw here.
Prediction: Southampton 1, Crystal Palace 1
Wolves vs Brighton (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET)
I was dead certain last week’s Wolves and Burnley would end nil-nil. Wolves played a perfect game plan, and Burnley’s defense was stout throughout. Now the Wolves take on a better defense in Brighton but have the luxury of playing at home. Their offense is in shambles. It wouldn’t surprise me if this ended nil-nil with two stout defenses and struggling offenses. I’m siding with Wolves this week.
Prediction: Wolves 1, Brighton 0
Leeds United vs Manchester City (Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET)
Leeds have done much better under the tutelage of Jesse Marsch. I’m not entirely sure it’s Marsch who deserves the credit. The jury is out on Marsch. One thing is for sure, Leeds are finally getting healthy. Unfortunately for them, they are playing the league leaders this weekend. Regardless of who starts for Manchester City, I expect them to put a strong beat down on Leeds. If you look at the reverse fixture, it finished 7-0. Leeds are at home this time, but I see a similar result in their future. I’m not worried about their road match with Real Madrid. That’s another match that I expect them to win.
Prediction: Leeds 0, Manchester City 4
Tottenham vs Leicester City (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET)
This is a match I’m very interested in the betting market. I think we are getting a reasonable price on the under here. They have gone over five goals in back-to-back head to heads. You would expect goals, but current form and recent trends actually tell a different story. Tottenham have been shut out in back-to-back games. Then looking at Leicester, they have improved defensively with Jonny Evans and Wesley Fofana both being fit and available at the same time. They have seen four straight unders across all competitions. They still struggle to keep possession and aren’t very good on the road. Do they rotate with a midweek Europa semifinal? I like Tottenham to win. The question is if they win by one or two.
Prediction: Tottenham 2, Leicester City 0
Everton vs Chelsea (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET)
Chelsea have seemed to find their juice. They dominated United despite coming out of the match with a draw. Everton are fighting off relegation; they are two points behind safety and have a tough test against the Blues. Everton were able to get one point out of the reverse fixture. They surely should’ve lost that match, though. In the xG battle, they were dominated. They lost 3.07 to 0.49. Relegation seems imminent. Chelsea pretty much have a top-4 position solidified. Chelsea are fit and the health as they have been in a while.
Prediction: Everton 0, Chelsea 1
West Ham vs Arsenal (Sunday 11:30 a.m. ET)
West Ham suffered a 2-1 loss against Frankfurt in their Europa semifinal home leg. Now they must decide if they want to rotate or punt this weekend’s match with Arsenal. They are three points behind United and still want to win their midweek Europa fixture. Arsenal have been playing well; it’s going to be hard for them to keep West Ham out this weekend. They are banged up defensively and don’t have many options on the bench to help them see it out. I think Arsenal will win or draw, and goals will be had in this match-up.
Prediction: West Ham 1, Arsenal 2
Manchester United vs Brentford (Monday, 3 p.m. ET)
United have been a mess. I once heard an announcer say their biggest problem is it’s a group of individuals and not a team. It’s very accurate. When Erik ten Hag joins United, he plans on doing a complete overhaul of the entire team. Brentford, on the other hand, have been a team, a great team. They have gone four straight without a loss. With three wins in such time, I think they can get to United. This match is a wild card, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see it end 1-1.
Prediction: United 1, Brentford 1
