Premier League Matchweek 35 Preview and Prediction

West Ham vs Liverpool Prediction and Preview

It appears there will be no dream ending to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool tenure as his wounded Reds prepare to visit West Ham at London Stadium for Saturday’s early kick-off in the Premier League.

Everything seemed possible when Klopp announced his intention to leave at the end of the season, with Liverpool in the hunt for four trophies at the time, but they have come crashing back down to earth in recent weeks.

A dismal 1-0 loss at home to Crystal Palace stunted their Premier League title charge before Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat against fierce rivals Everton at Goodison Park inflicted further damage.

Adding in their UEFA Europa League elimination to Atalanta this month in the quarter-finals, Klopp appears set to depart Anfield with only EFL Cup success to his name this season, despite those dreams of an unlikely quadruple at the start of March.

Following a similar pattern to Liverpool’s April struggles, West Ham were thumped 5-2 by Crystal Palace in their last league outing. Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta (2) were all on target, along with an Emerson own goal as the Hammers were embarrassed at Selhurst Park.

Having been well beaten by their London rivals, West Ham conceded 5+ goals in three Premier League games this season. Only in 2001-02 (four) have they done so in more different games in a single campaign in the competition.

West Ham have lost 12 of their last 14 Premier League games against Liverpool, though both exceptions in this run came at home (1-1 in February 2019, 3-2 in November 2021).

That dominant Liverpool streak against the Hammers all came under Klopp, who has only won more Premier League games versus Palace (13) than his 12 against West Ham.

Liverpool have already beaten West Ham 3-1 in the Premier League and 5-1 in the EFL Cup this season at Anfield, though they’ve never managed to beat them three times in a single campaign from 10 attempts.

Moyes may still be concerned for this one considering West Ham have conceded at least once in each of their last 15 games against the Reds and let in multiple goals in 12 of those games.

West Ham’s home form has left much for Moyes to ponder after only winning one of their last eight Premier League games at London Stadium (D5 L2), beating Brentford 4-2 in February.

Moyes’ team lost 2-0 against Fulham last time out but haven’t suffered consecutive home league defeats since a run of three in November/December 2022.

In terms of the visitors, Liverpool have both scored and conceded in their last seven Premier League away games against London sides. That run started with a 2-1 win at West Ham almost a year ago as Gakpo and Matip were on target after Lucas Paquetá’s opener.

PREDICTION: OVER 2.5 GOALS @1.36

Everton vs Brentford Prediction and Preview

What a difference a week can make.

Everton entered last Sunday’s clash with Nottingham Forest knowing a defeat would leave them in the heart of the relegation battle, but Sean Dyche’s Toffees pulled clear with a 2-0 win, then bounded into Wednesday’s Merseyside derby to beat Liverpool by the same scoreline. Brentford have enjoyed a similar resurgence, and both sides have a chance to make their place in next season’s Premier League mathematically certain when they meet on Saturday.

Indeed, Everton scored once from a free-kick and once from a corner, taking their overall set-piece goal tally (excluding penalties) for this Premier League campaign to 17, a tally only bettered by Arsenal (20).

Like Everton, Brentford looks to have done enough to remain among England’s elite for another year, and another win at Goodison would make certain of their survival regardless of results elsewhere after a difficult campaign.

Thomas Frank’s team have won their last two Premier League games, beating Sheffield United 2-0 and Luton 5-1, after only winning two of their previous 18 (four draws, 12 losses). They last won three in a row between October and November.

Everton won September’s reverse fixture at the Gtech Community Stadium by a 3-1 scoreline, with Abdoulaye Doucouré and James Tarkowski on target alongside Calvert-Lewin.

Neutrals shouldn’t expect to see the points shared if past results between the teams are anything to go by. None of the previous 10 league games between Everton and Brentford at Goodison have finished level, with the Toffees winning seven and losing three.

Everton have won three of their last four Premier League matches (one defeat), with those victories over Burnley, Forest and Liverpool all coming on home soil. Before beating the Clarets, Dyche’s team were winless in 13 Premier League games (six draws, seven defeats).

However, Brentford have lost five of their last six Premier League games to kick off at 5:30 pm on a Saturday, the exception being January’s 3-2 win over Forest.

Everton, meanwhile, have won all three of their Premier League matches in this time slot this campaign. All of those victories came on the road, though, and the Toffees have lost their last four home league games played at 5:30 pm on a Saturday.

PREDICTION: OVER 2.5 GOALS @1.80

Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal Prediction and Preview

Tottenham Hotspur host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, with the title still up for grabs for the Gunners.

Spurs could spoil the title party for Arsenal in this game with a win over their fierce local rivals.

There's always a lot at stake in these North London derbies but it's more meaningful as Arsenal sit atop the Premier League with 77 points.

The Gunners do have a game played more than Man City but have a far superior goal difference to Liverpool, which means they just need to match their results from now on.

Arsenal have to hope that City don't win the remaining games in the Premier League and drop points somewhere.

They've gone on three wins in a row and show no signs of stopping, but the Gunners have also won four of their last five.

Tottenham have all but clinched the top five for a Europa League spot, and is still six points away from Villa in fourth. But they too have a couple of games in hand them, so this too is a must-win to get Champions League football.

Both sides will be after more than bragging rights in this vital derby clash. And it's unlikely this can end in a draw, and Arsenal have the upper hand in recent form with four wins and only one loss in their last six games.

Arsenal has been on fire recently, including grabbing two clean sheets in their last two games against Wolves and Chelsea, by winning 2-0 and 5-0 respectively.

That's a great defensive achievement going into the final couple of games in the Premier League as they aim for the title

But they'll struggle to do it again away from home at Tottenham.

Though they did manage it in this fixture last season, winning 2-0 and scuppering the home advantage rule of this fixture that had prevailed for so long.

Spurs rarely go goalless this season though and with the goals flying in for the Gunners on Tuesday night against Chelsea it's set to be another big scoring clash between these two London rivals that always gets heated, even when there's only pride to play for.

This time though, everything could be online regarding the Champions League hopes for the hosts and the title challenge for the Gunners.

Bukayo Saka has four wins and three losses in his eight appearances against Tottenham.

But he's also picked up two goals and two assists in that time, with all those goal contributions coming in the last five games.

He's been crucial for Arsenal this year, with Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard and plenty of other midfielders and wingers getting amongst the goals recently.

But Saka thrives in these games and can add to his impressive return with the title on the line.

PREDICTION: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @1.45

* Manchester United vs Burnley FC: Manchester United to win @1.53
* Newcastle United vs Sheffield United: OVER 2.5 GOALS @1.32
* Aston Villa vs Chelsea FC: OVER 2.5 GOALS @1.44