2020/21 Premier League Predictions
While the FA Cup semi-finals will be grabbing most of the headlines this weekend, the Premier League won’t be taking a back seat.
It could be a defining gameweek towards the bottom of the table, with Newcastle looking to move a hefty nine points clear of nearest rivals Fulham on Saturday.
Here’s our latest set of 2020/21 Premier League predictions….
EPL Predictions – Weekly Betting Preview
After bright starts to the campaign, the season is threatening to fizzle out with a whimper for both Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.
It’s high stakes at Goodison Park, with a win for one side likely to all but eliminate the other from the top four race…
Friday 16th April
EVERTON VS TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Carlo Ancelotti and José Mourinho are used to dining out at the top table in the Champions League, but on current form both might be forced to settle for the less appetising Europa League next season.
At least one of those sides looks destined to miss out on the top four, and this clash now looks ‘must-win’ rather than ‘must-not-lose’ territory for both given the ground that they need to make up to keep the pressure on the pacesetters.
Everton will be banking on a cleaner bill of health for this one after their lack of squad depth was exposed in a low-energy 0-0 draw at Brighton, while another stultifying display from Spurs against Man Utd has once against raised questions about Mourinho’s man-management methods and morale in the Tottenham dressing room.
While this pair are currently out of sorts, they did serve up one of the games of the season in the FA Cup back in March. The Toffees came out on top after extra-time in an incredible 5-4 encounter at Goodison Park, a game that saw seven different goalscorers find the back of the net.
VERDICT: EVERTON 1-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Saturday 17th April
NEWCASTLE UTD VS WEST HAM
Is Steve Bruce the ultimate survivor?
It’s been a bumpy road to say the least for Bruce from the moment he was unveiled as manager of his boyhood club back in July 2019, but his stickability has never been in question.
The Magpies boss has arguably just enjoyed his most satisfying fortnight of the entire campaign after picking up four points from two tough games. Committed displays against Spurs and Burnley have significantly eased the Toon’s relegation worries as they look to avoid becoming entangled in the mother of all final-day shootouts away at Fulham.
With their injury crisis easing and Allan Saint-Maximin back firing, the Magpies could put the first nail in the Fulham coffin before the Cottagers even take to the pitch against Arsenal.
That won’t be a simple equation against a West Ham side now looking serious contenders to snatch fourth spot and Champions League football next season under the rehabilitated David Moyes.
The Scotsman will be keen for an improved defensive display from his men on Tyneside after some nail-biting finishes to their recent matches.
The Hammers will be hoping to break their unfortunate habit of starting strongly before tailing off in the second half of matches. Moyes’ men have taken 3-0 leads in all three of their last EPL outings, holding out for victories against Wolves and Leicester, whilst being forced to settle for a point against Arsenal.
If they were to repeat that trend on Saturday against low scorers Newcastle, the xG data doesn’t favour the hosts’ chances of mustering a similar late rally to the Hammers’ three previous opponents.
However, this could be more of a grind for the top four challengers. Expect Bruce’s natural pragmatism to kick in here, with the Magpies boss aware that every point his charges accumulate now hands Fulham even less margin for error in their remaining fixtures.
VERDICT: NEWCASTLE UTD 1-1 WEST HAM
WOLVES VS SHEFF UTD
Is this the first ‘unofficial’ dead rubber of the season?
With Wolves now home and hosed in mid-table and nowhere near the fight for either European places or safety, Nuno Espírito Santo now has the luxury of experimenting for the final weeks of the season.
This could be an ideal opportunity to blood some fringe players against a Sheffield Utd side now simply counting down the days until their drop back into the EFL Championship.
The Blades are still on course to tot up the second worst ever points total in a Premier League season and have lost every single game since Paul Heckingbottom was handed the near-impossible task of salvaging some pride from a forgettable campaign.
His team need two more to surpass Sunderland’s miserable 15-point tally in 2005/6.
VERDICT: WOLVES 2-0 SHEFF UTD
Sunday 18th April
ARSENAL VS FULHAM
It’s six cup finals for Fulham now with the Cottagers rapidly running out of time to reel the relegation pack back in.
If the West Londoners are going to pull off a great escape, they’re going to have to do it the hard way.
A trip to the Emirates is the first of two London double-headers away from home, with Chelsea to follow this game.
With the Blues looking uncompromising under Thomas Tuchel, this matchup looks Fulham’s best bet for a much-needed reset in their survival bid.
With the Gunners involved in Europa League action on Thursday night, Parker will be keen for his neat-and-tidy Cottagers to test Arsenal’s resolve early. They aren’t without a hope having posted some of their best performances on the road with wins at Leicester, Everton and Liverpool.
Unfortunately for Parker, his squad have hit a wall at just the wrong moment after four defeats on the spin, and Arsenal have a formidable record in this fixture, winning all six of their last meetings home and away.
VERDICT: ARSENAL 1-0 FULHAM
MAN UTD VS BURNLEY
Second place effectively wrapped up, favourites to land this year’s Europa League trophy… after so many false dawns, is this the moment Ole Gunnar Solksjaer finally starts to earn some credit as Man Utd manager?
The Norwegian has enjoyed a fine fortnight after seeing his side fight back to beat both Brighton and Spurs, while also edging closer to landing his first silverware as manager of the Red Devils.
His next target will be getting Utd to exceed their best points finish since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club – 81 under Jose Mourinho in 2017/18.
They should edge closer to that tally against a Burnley outfit with good reason to be a little more nervous about their top-flight status.
Defeats to Southampton and Newcastle have left Sean Dyche’s men still a touch vulnerable should Fulham find a second wind in the coming weeks.
The Clarets boss will be out to stem the bleeding with a surprise result here, in the knowledge they still have to face the Cottagers in early May.
VERDICT: MAN UTD 2-0 BURNLEY
Monday 19th April
LEEDS UTD VS LIVERPOOL
With a mid-table finish in the offing, Leeds Utd can afford to play with the handbrake off here, safe in the knowledge they should be playing this kind of fixture in front of a packed-out Elland Road next season.
In truth, Bielsa’s boys have been playing with the shackles off all season – with their gung-ho style more than enough to unsettle ample Premier League defences throughout 2020/21.
Another high-energy performance here could all but extinguish Liverpool’s hopes of Champions League football next year after they crashed out the competition in midweek, but Jürgen Klopp’s side have generally remained resilient on the road despite their home discomforts.
Liverpool have lost just three times in league action away from Anfield and have won five of their last six on their travels.
The Whites put an early marker down for their season intentions in the reverse fixture on the opening day, losing 4-3 in a thriller at Anfield.
VERDICT: LEEDS UTD 2-2 LIVERPOOL
Tuesday 20th April
CHELSEA VS BRIGHTON
Chelsea were in rampant mood last time out in the Premier League against Crystal Palace. After a double dose of cup action, Thomas Tuchel’s Blues will be looking to continue their top four tilt at home to the Eagles’ great rivals, Brighton.
If recent history is anything to go by, a West Brom-style collapse looks unlikely as they return to Stamford Bridge for the first time since that shambolic first defeat of the Tuchel era.
The Seagulls are yet to even register a goal at this ground during their current four-year stay in the top flight but have more than matched Big Six opponents away from home in 2020/21.
While they’ve lost all but one of those trips to date – a famous 1-0 win at Anfield – they’ve yet to lose by more than one goal on any of their outings this campaign against the division’s elite.
This could be another narrow near miss for a Brighton side making a habit of mixing it with the divisional pacesetters without getting the points to show for it.
VERDICT: CHELSEA 2-1 BRIGHTON
All fixture information correct at time of writing (15/04/21).
Premier League Correct Score Predictions
Our score predictions for the next round of games in full…
Friday 16th April
EVERTON 1-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Saturday 17th April
NEWCASTLE UTD 1-1 WEST HAM
WOLVES 2-0 SHEFF UTD
Sunday 18th April
ARSENAL 1-0 FULHAM
MAN UTD 2-0 BURNLEY
Monday 19th April
LEEDS UTD 2-2 LIVERPOOL
Tuesday 20th April
CHELSEA 2-1 BRIGHTON
PREMIER LEAGUE BETTING | EPL TIPS | BEST BETS
Looking for Premier League betting tips ahead of the latest action?
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Odds correct at time of writing but may be subject to change.
Check our latest 2020/21 Premier League outright betting odds here.
