Matchweek 32 is upon us, but so is the FA Cup semi-finals. All four semi-finalists are Premier League teams, hence we have a rearranged matchweek in the Premier League. Thanks to the rearranging, Crystal Palace don’t have a fixture but Tottenham have two. Let us have a look at the fixtures and predictions for matchweek 32.
Matchweek 32 Predictions
Everton vs Tottenham, Goodison Park
Are Carlo Ancelotti’s men due to bounce back? Most certainly yes, and possibly yes. They are winless in five, including an FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester City. Perhaps they need a big game like this to reignite their top-four push. Spurs are a side which seem to be heading nowhere. It is a good opportunity for Everton to capitalize and get their campaign back on track, and I can see that happening.
Prediction: Everton 2-1 Tottenham
Newcastle United vs West Ham United, St. James’ Park
Four points from two games and a six-point cushion over Fulham means Newcastle can breathe a sigh of relief. High-flying West Ham are up next and they will surely fancy their chances. With Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson, they are capable of challenging any team in the league. West Ham have been the symbol of entertainment lately, but I think they will stumble in this one.
Prediction: Newcastle United 2-2 West Ham United
Wolves vs Sheffield United, Molineux Stadium
Wolves may not have hit the heights of last season, but they still remain a solid team, hard to break down. Couple this with the fact that their visitors are the league’s lowest scorers by a long way, a cleansheet for the hosts looks guaranteed. It’s only a matter of how many Wolves are able to score. I think they will score at least a couple, though more are also a possibility.
Prediction: Wolves 2-0 Sheffield United
Arsenal vs Fulham, Emirates Stadium
Arsenal will be on a high after a classy 4-0 away win against Slavia Prague. They will be confident, but their visitors will be exactly opposite. Four consecutive losses have taken the wind out of their sales. They can stay defensively organized and try frustrating Arsenal, but on current form it is hard to see that happening. Last night could be a catalyst for Mikel Arteta’s side for a strong finish to the season.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Fulham
Manchester United vs Burnley, Old Trafford
Manchester United also progressed into the Europa League semi-finals, though their journey was more straightforward. They are up against Burnley, who somehow always manage to get a result at Old Trafford, and are unbeaten in four visits. I would have predicted a draw, but Burnley have recently lost two games in which they were leading and look defensively a tad bit vulnerable.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Burnley
Leeds United vs Liverpool, Elland Road
Would-be champions one week, the defending champions the next. Life doesn’t get easy in the Premier League. However, this fearless Leeds team will be up for the challenge. They may have leaked a lot of goals away to Big Six teams, at home it has been a different story. This one is going to be high octane football and a competitive match, and a scored draw.
Prediction: Leeds United 1-1 Liverpool
Chelsea vs Brighton, Stamford Bridge
Thanks to Fulham’s recent dip in form, the teams above them are beginning to feel safe. However, that, or the fact that they are up against the big boys, will not change their approach to the game. Chelsea simply have to win this game to keep their top-four hopes alive, but it will be a tough match. They did score four last time in the Premier League, but we may see the goal-shy Chelsea once again in this one.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-0 Brighton
Tottenham vs Southampton
From challenging for European places to 14th, it has been some decline for the Saints. Spurs need a win desperately, and it looks a possibility in this fixture, particularly when you consider what happened to Southampton last time out. The capitulation against West Brom was desperately disappointing, and Spurs will look forward to mount some sort of a late season push for Champion’s League.
Prediction: Tottenham 2-0 Southampton
Aston Villa vs Manchester City, Villa Park
Aston Villa put up a good fight at Anfield last time out, and were unfortunate to lose in stoppage time. Manchester City progressed in the Champion’s League, and will likely do the same in the FA Cup before this game. At the moment, Villa don’t have much to offer offensively. They will make it hard for the Champions-elect, but City will come away with a win.
Prediction: Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester City
Leicester City vs West Brom, King Power Stadium
Is it happening? Are West Brom going to pull off one of the greatest ever escapes? They will fancy their chances against Leicester who have lost two on the spin. This match will of course be played after Leicester’s FA Cup semi-final tie, so I wonder if that could play a part in the outcome of this one. This is a must win game for the Foxes if they hope to finish in the top-four, but the pressure might get the better of them.
Prediction: Leicester City 2-2 West Brom