Premier League Predictions: Essential Football vs Graeme Hanna

We’re back for another round of Premier League predictions – this week, we’ll be taking on contributing freelance writer Graeme Hanna.

Graeme, a man best known for his excellent football coverage across the years, joins us to delve into the upcoming Premier League gameweek.

We have taken on the likes of Danny Murphy, Carlton Cole and ChatGPT in the past – can we come out on top this week?

Wolves vs Aston Villa

Essential Football: Wolves’ resurgence in form seems to have come to an end after they fell to defeat against a hapless Crystal Palace outfit at the weekend. However, this is a local derby – and in games such as this, anything can happen.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa themselves are in poor form at the moment. Having won just two of their last six Premier League games, we’re expecting a close, hard-fought encounter in this one.

EF’s Prediction: Wolves 1-1 Aston Villa

Graeme Hanna: The credible 2-2 draw with Arsenal is now in the rear-view mirror for Wolves, who were most recently narrowly beaten by Crystal Palace.

Expect high-flying Aston Villa to have too much for the hosts at Molineux, even if they have only one win in their last five games. Unai Emery’s side must find form soon or a Champions League return could be beyond them in the coming weeks.

GH’s Prediction: Wolves 0-2 Aston Villa

Bournemouth vs Sunderland

Essential Football: Sunderland’s season looks to be all but over. They were distinctly below-par in their most recent outing against Fulham – Bournemouth will be poised to put the Mackems to the sword.

Bournemouth haven’t lost in the Premier League since January 3, when they were defeated by league leaders Arsenal – Sunderland’s unconvincing away form leads us to believe that this could be a walkover for the Cherries.

EF’s Prediction: Bournemouth 3-0 Sunderland

Graeme Hanna: 8th meets 12th in this clash at the Vitality Stadium and both sides will go into the game thinking they can come away with the points. The Cherries and the Black Cats are on a respective run of mixed results and this encounter could produce a few goals.

The hosts will take the game to the visitors from Wearside, who have struggled to an extent on the road this season, losing their last three away PL fixtures. However, I predict this match will be an entertaining draw with both sides having to settle for a share of the points.

GH’s Prediction: Bournemouth 2-2 Sunderland

Burnley vs Brentford

Essential Football: Burnley are fighting for their lives at the moment. Brentford have had an excellent season, but we can’t help but feel they’re a little too inconsistent. We wouldn’t be surprised to see Burnley controlling the proceedings in this one, but it is unlikely that they’ll be able to secure the three points.

Players like Maxime Esteve and Joe Worrall are adept at clearing balls lofted into their box, which is Brentford’s modus operandi. Stylistically, we can’t help but feel that this is a tough game for the Bees – however, we’ll back them to pick up a point on the road.

EF’s Prediction: Burnley 1-1 Brentford

Graeme Hanna: The Clarets are fighting for top-flight survival with just four wins recorded this season. They are six points behind 18th-placed West Ham going into this weekend, with Keith Andrews buoyant Brentford coming to Turf Moor on Saturday.

The former Ireland international has worked wonders with the Bees this season and they will have too much for their hosts in this encounter. It won’t be an open, expansive game but Brentford will get the job done.

GH’s Prediction: Burnley 0-2 Brentford

Liverpool vs West Ham United

Essential Football: Are Liverpool back on track? Three wins in their last four Premier League games would certainly suggest as such, but West Ham have been no pushovers as of late.

Both teams need a result here. In games such as this, experience generally shines through – with players such as Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Alisson, Liverpool have plenty of it. This won’t be an easy game for either team, but Liverpool should come away with the win.

EF’s Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 West Ham United

Graeme Hanna: The Reds are back in decent form, with five wins from the last six across all competitions. Crucially, Arne Slot’s men have recorded two victories and two clean sheets in the last two PL games, following on from the disappointing late loss to Man City at Anfield.

West Ham visit Merseyside on Saturday and they will not disrupt the momentum for the Reds who are pushing hard for the Champions League chase. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are in a relegation battle, and their woes will continue in L4.

GH’s Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 West Ham United

Newcastle United vs Everton

Essential Football: Newcastle United looked excellent in their two-leg victory over Qarabag in the Champions League, but Everton are a much sterner outfit – furthermore, the Toffees have had the advantage of a midweek rest.

Additionally, Everton’s away form has been strong this season. Newcastle might dominate the play in this one, but we’re confident that David Moyes’ men can snatch a point.

EF’s Prediction: Newcastle United 1-1 Everton

Graeme Hanna: Fresh from their 9-3 dismantling of Qarabag in the Champions League, the Magpies host Everton this weekend. Eddie Howe’s men are striving to climb the Premier League table, having shown signs of better form in recent weeks, but they will face a typically dogged and determined opponent, under the tutelage of David Moyes.

The Blues are on a run of mixed form at present, but four of their last eight games have been decided by the odd goal, with the other four ending in a stalemate. Newcastle haven’t struggled for goals in recent weeks and that will see them through again in this clash.

GH’s Prediction: Newcastle United 2-1 Everton

Leeds United vs Manchester City

Essential Football: Expect plenty of opem play in this one – both Leeds United and Manchester City are free-flowing attacking teams with plenty of scope for scoring goals. Furthermore, neither of them are particularly secure at the back.

Ultimately, City should be able to outscore their Yorkshire opposition, but don’t be too surprised if the Whites give them a couple of scares along the way.

EF’s Prediction: Leeds United 1-3 Manchester City

Graeme Hanna: Leeds v Man City at Elland Road, yes please. Roared on by the vociferous Elland Road crowd, Pep Guardiola’s team will be in for a tough game on Saturday evening.

The Whites have just one win in their last five outings, but they will be forced to rise to the occasion against City, who are going through the gears once again. Leeds will score but Man City will have too much firepower for their hosts to contend with.

GH’s Prediction: Leeds United 2-4 Manchester City

Brighton vs Nottingham Forest

Essential Football: Brighton’s win over Brentford last weekend was massive for the Seagulls. They had been on a torrid run of form – with Fabian Hurzeler’s position being questioned, it was vital that they secured three points at the G-Tech Community Stadium.

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest’s new manager bounce has yet to materialise. Furthemore, they have a game to play in midweek, as they take on Fenerbahce in the Europa League playoffs – as such, they’ll probably look drained in this one, with just two days’ rest to consolidate.

EF’s Prediction: Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest

Graeme Hanna: The Seagulls enjoyed a welcome 0-2 win at Brentford last time out, ending a six-game losing streak, while Forest suffered late heartbreak against Liverpool, last week.

Vitor Pereira will have to shuffle his pack after the Europa League meeting with Fenerbahce, and this game won’t be one for the purists. Both sides will be content with a point when 14th plays 17th.

GH’s Prediction: Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest

Fulham vs Tottenham Hotspur

Essential Football: Tottenham need results – and they need them fast. Fulham certainly won’t be in a charitable mood, especially after their big win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Fulham may look like the better team for large stretches of this game, but we think a desperate Tottenham outfit will pull out all the stops to avoid defeat. It may not be pretty, but this certainly isn’t a game to miss.

EF’s Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Graeme Hanna: The Cottagers recorded a successful trip to the north east last weekend, winning 3-1 against Sunderland, and they will fancy their chances of causing further strife for Spurs on Sunday.

Igor Tudor is in at the deep end, with the honeymoon period ‘been and gone’, after the 4-1 North London derby humbling against Arsenal. The Croatian crosses the capital for his second game in charge of Spurs, and he will arrest the run of three consecutive losses.

GH’s Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace

Essential Football: Michael Carrick has moved mountains at Manchester United – for the first time in years, the Red Devils are a feared outfit again. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, are all at sea.

The Eagles might have picked up a result in their last game, but only against bottom club Wolves – furthermore, cynical audiences may suggest they were fortunate to claim victory. They won’t play into United’s hands like certain teams have recently, but they probably won’t do anything to threaten them, either.

EF’s Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace

Graeme Hanna: Michael Carrick is progressing well at Old Trafford, with his team firmly in contention for the Champions League. Five wins in the last six league games tells the story of the form under the former United midfielder.

Crystal Palace travel to Manchester following their ‘unwanted’  Conference League assignment, given the trajectory of this season for the Eagles and this game could be a stress test for Oliver Glasner’s dwindling time in charge.

GH’s Prediction: Manchester United 3-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal vs Chelsea

Essential Football: Arsenal will certainly enter this one as the favourites. You can never truly predict what will happen in these sorts of games, but we have to side with the Gunners over Chelsea this time around.

Liam Rosenior is doing an admirable job at the Stamford Bridge helm, but Arsenal simply have too many routes to goal – the Blues won’t be able to contain them over the course of 90 minutes, especially so away from home.

EF’s Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea

Graeme Hanna: What a clash to round off the Premier League action this weekend. Mikel Arteta’s side simply must win this London derby to continue their title aspirations, with Man City ramping up the pressure. 

The Blues, under Liam Rosenior, are producing mixed results at present, but finding the net isn’t a problem with 13 goals in their last six outings. The pressure is on for the hosts this Sunday, but the Gunners will display their firepower and prowess to deliver a massive three points.

GH’s Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

Previous results

Essential Football 5-15 Carlton Cole (only five games predicted)

Essential Football 15-15 ChatGPT

Essential Football 20-30 Danny Murphy

Essential Football 35-30 Jenn Harrison

Essential Football 20-25 Joey Peeps

Essential Football 25-40 Football Muse