An intriguing midweek slate of fixtures in the Premier League awaits, with Man Utd looking to close the gap on the top four away at Brighton, while Man City will be looking to send out a warning shot for next season as they host newly-crowned champions Liverpool.
Here are our latest set of Premier League predictions for the midweek round of games…
Tuesday 30th June
BRIGHTON VS MAN UTD, 20:15
Brighton boss Graham Potter surely can’t believe his luck with all of the bottom five failing to register a win between win them since the restart.
Four points from two tough fixtures have given the Seagulls an excellent shot at survival. Another surprise victory tonight would leave Albion on 36 points, and with a healthy goal difference over their immediate rivals, that could just be about enough for safety.
However, the Seagulls’ good form could come to an abrupt halt against a Man Utd side that genuinely look in the mood to kick on and secure Champions League football. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be hoping key man Bruno Fernandes isn’t feeling the effects of a 120-minute shift in the FA Cup, but the five substitutes rule could play in his favour with the Norwegian shuffling his pack at the weekend. Utd are looking to end their recent hoodoo at the Amex, losing on both of their last two visits.
Prediction: Brighton 1-2 Man Utd
Wednesday 1st July
ARSENAL VS NORWICH CITY, 18:00
What a difference a week makes. Seven days ago, Mikel Arteta was a man under fire at Arsenal after two damaging league defeats all but ended Arsenal’s unlikely Champions League challenge.
Quickfire wins against Southampton in the league and Sheff Utd in the cup have given the Gunners new-found belief, and Arsenal’s rookie boss has also stamped his authority by dropping Matteo Guendouzi last time out.
Arteta has now been handed the ideal fixture to build on recent momentum as they host rock-bottom Norwich City. In fairness to Daniel Farke’s side, they showed plenty of fighting spirit in taking Man Utd virtually the distance in the FA Cup quarter-finals, but the German could probably have done without extra time given the lack of recovery time. Expect Arsenal to clip the Canaries’ tiring wings.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Norwich City
BOURNEMOUTH VS NEWCASTLE UTD, 18:00
If ever there was a must-win game for Bournemouth during their extended stay in the Premier League, it’s this game on Wednesday night. With a brutal run of fixtures heading down the tracks, Eddie Howe’s side simply cannot afford not to take full advantage of a Newcastle team effectively treading water in mid-table.
Bournemouth should be fresher after a week off from action, with the Magpies still reeling from a Man City masterclass at the weekend. The Cherries’ confidence has looked shot to pieces since the restart, but a back-to-basics approach for Howe could pay dividends here, given it’s the stage of the season where results matter far more than performance levels. Bournemouth need to learn to win ugly.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-0 Newcastle
EVERTON VS LEICESTER CITY, 18:00
Complacency. It’s a dangerous thing. Leicester City have been sitting pretty in the top four for practically the entire season, but Brendan Rodgers has some serious thinking to do this evening with the Foxes’ top four ambitions looking increasingly under threat.
The Northern Irishman’s first goal will be to stop the bleeding after a run of just one win in six games. However, this looks a tricky assignment for the Foxes to post a much-needed three points, with the Toffees looking far tighter at the back since the restart under Carlo Ancelotti’s assured guidance.
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Leicester City
WEST HAM VS CHELSEA, 20:15
Compared to some of their relegation rivals, West Ham’s run-in looks relatively favourable, but before games against Newcastle, Burnley and Norwich there’s the small matter of a London derby for the Hammers to contend with.
The good news for the home side is they boast an impressive recent record against the Blues, losing just twice in six meetings.
However, the Blues look transformed by the break after a patchy start to 2020, and Lampard has plenty of options to tilt this game in Chelsea’s favour if it’s a close-run thing late on.
Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Chelsea
Thursday 2nd July
SHEFFIELD UTD VS TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
The Blades have been the story of the season, but the final script could do with some work, with Chris Wilder’s side in danger of letting a top-draw campaign fizzle out.
Despite matching Arsenal for long spells at Bramall Lane, Utd buckled late on to exit at the quarter-final stage, and that leaves Chris Wilder realistically eying up a Europa League place as he looks to end the Blades’ recent barren run.
Spurs will be fully rested after over a week off, and that could give Jose Mourinho’s side the upper hand, with the Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son partnership likely to be approaching something like full match sharpness after their recent injury issues.
Prediction: Sheffield Utd 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
MANCHESTER CITY VS LIVERPOOL
Finally, it’s the battle of the top two at the Etihad, albeit this game has lost some of its shine given the Reds’ finally managed to wrap up their 30-year quest for another title last week.
Pep Guardiola’s side have been classy in promising the Reds a guard of honour, but don’t expect that to extend to events on the pitch, with the City boss aiming for a flying finish to the season before attention switches back to the FA Cup and Champions League.
City will be keen to put a marker down for next season with a statement win by consigning Liverpool to only their second defeat of the season. It could also be a case of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ for the Reds after the highs of the previous week.
Prediction: Manchester City 1-0 Liverpool
