Premier League Matchday 35 offers the champions in-waiting – Manchester City – the opportunity to win the title in style, as the battle continues amongst other teams.
READ: Premier League Matchday 34 Preview
Oladipupo Mojeed brings us details of what to expect in Premier League Matchday 35.
Leicester City v Newcastle United
This won’t be an easy clash for Leicester as they hope to hold the third spot that will guarantee them their second UEFA Champions League qualification.
The Foxes must be clinical if they want to get anything from this game. It is definitely an opportunity for Brendan Rodgers men to quickly close up the top-four race.
Newcastle on the other hand, are expected to give Leicester a run for their money. But they must up their game and be threatening in front of the goal as they did against Tottenham and Liverpool.
However, if they come up with the kind of performance they displayed against Arsenal, Leicester could end up quickly wrapping things up at home.
Prediction: 2-1
Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur
Both teams are attack-minded teams and so we expect to see a flurry of goals in this match.
Leeds is already guaranteed another season in top flight action while Spurs is still chasing a place in Europe. Therefore, the visitors are likely to give their all in the hope of emerging victorious.
Prediction: 1-3
Sheffield United v Crystal Palace
Welcoming Crystal Palace to Bramall Lane is an opportunity to gather some more points before the officially leave top flight football.
Having won their last game, the Blades could still spring up yet another surprise.
But Palace are better placed in terms of quality. Therefore, Roy Hodgson’s men are expected to take maximum points, but a draw is also highly likely.
Prediction: 1-1
Manchester City v Chelsea
This match is couldn’t have come at a better time. It is the ultimate dress rehearsal for the UEFA Champions League final later this month. Since Chelsea had the last laugh in their previous meeting, they could halt City’s celebration once more.
Furthermore, Chelsea has more at stake as they aim to cement the last Champions League spot. But Pep Guardiola has the chance to dash Chelsea’s hopes and so it will be a very interesting match indeed.
However, Chelsea also have the personnel to defeat the Citizens, but they may have to adopt Manchester United’s tactics to succeed. If they become wasteful as they did against Real Madrid in the Champions League second leg, they could find themselves out of the top four.
Prediction: 1-1
Liverpool v Southampton
The Reds have another shot at making it into the top four list when they welcome the Saints to Anfield in this Premier League Matchday 35 meeting.
As their Matchday 34 game with Manchester United was postponed due to the Red Devils’ supporters protesting before the game, they got an extra week’s rest and are at an advantage.
Liverpool is therefore expected to take this one and boost their chance in the fight for a top-four spot.
Southampton can also threaten with Djenepo, Danny Ings and Che Adams. They could well be the ones who finally end the Red’s dreams of European participation next season.
Prediction: 2-1
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Brighton & Hove Albion
Wolves have found it hard to get going, and their position on the log shows that. This is due to the absence of their talisman, Raul Jimenez, who suffered a skull injury in a clash with Arsenal’s David Luis.
Brighton will want to avoid end of season drama by trying for a win at the Molineux. Seeing that Burnley came here to get maximum points, it is possible for them as well.
But the hosts are expected to show their attacking intent despite the absence of Ruben Neves. They will have to rely on Traore and Willian Jose.
On the other hand, Brighton can bank on Danny Welbeck, who is able to bring a lot to the team.
Prediction: 1-1
Aston Villa v Manchester United
This will be another tough trip for Manchester United after reaching the Europa League final during the week.
Villa will be fresher, and Ollie Watkins might be too hot for Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof to handle. But United has all it takes to win this and further delay Manchester City’s celebration party.
I will go for a United win here as Ole Gunnar Solksjaer men are fired up at the moment.
Prediction: 1-3
West Ham United v Everton
The Hammers are meeting Everton at a time when the battle for the top is heated. A win for West Ham will surely boost their hopes further as they wait for Chelsea to slip.
On the other hand, Everton will want to get back to winning ways after losing the chance of closing the gap between them and the Hammers in their game against Aston Villa.
The return of Michail Antonio has given David Moyes’ men a further boost, and the lanky striker could continue from where he stopped by handing further blow to Everton’s four top hope.
Prediction: 2-1
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion
The Gunners are still chasing a Europa League spot. And so, this match is expected to be a breeze for them. But the Baggies believe that they could still escape relegation with four games to go.
Arsenal will be threatening against the visitors and are likely to get the maximum points here.
Whilst one can’t write off Sam Allardyce’s men having sniffed out some outstanding results, I am rooting for the Gunners.
Prediction: 3-1
Fulham v Burnley
It is a relegation battle game between these two. A win for Fulham will further increase their chance of survival. They are presently nine points adrift of Burnley and Newcastle in 16th and 17th position respectively.
However, Burnley have the necessary threat to hurt the Cottagers on the counter. A win here will take them further away from the relegation zone and secure another Premier League season for them.
This outcome of this fixture is highly likely to be a draw.
Prediction: 1-1
That’s the Premier League Matchday 35 preview. Let’s see if Man City will finally be declared champions this week.
