Premier League Predictions: Writer vs Writer

We’re back for another round of Premier League predictions – this week, two of our writers will be going head-to-head. 

Jimmy Johnson will be taking on Jen Harrison – previously, Essential Football has played against Danny Murphy, Carlton Cole and ChatGPT.

Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest

Jimmy Johnson: Leeds have been much more successful at Elland Road than they have away from home this season – a familiar story for long-time Whites fans. Nottingham Forest, however, have been decent on the road and are in resurgent form.

With that being said, Leeds are a strong goalscoring team, despite their lowly league position. They should be able to pick up a crucial win over the Trees here, though they’ll certainly have to work hard for it.

JJ’s Prediction: Leeds United 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Jen Harrison: These two sides are now level on points and both are desperate not to involve themselves in a relegation battle.

Nottingham Forest have come into more recognisable form recently while Leeds have been pretty consistent with putting up a fight against even the toughest opponents. Neither team is going to make it easy on the other here.

JH’s Prediction: Leeds United 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Jimmy Johnson: Michael Carrick has been a godsend at Manchester United. With three wins out of three, including victories over Manchester City and Arsenal, no one can stop the Red Devils express at the moment.

Tottenham, meanwhile, are out of sorts. Carrick’s direct, high-tempo style of play will cause Thomas Frank’s men nightmares – I’m anticipating a big win for United here.

JJ’s Prediction: Manchester United 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Jen Harrison: Manchester United produced hard-fought, statement wins over Man City and Arsenal recently.

They have also become a real threat with late goals, which I can see coming to their aid again this weekend. Spurs will put up a fight but I can’t imagine it being enough for a result here.

JH‘s Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Bournemouth vs Aston Villa

Jimmy Johnson: At first glance, this looks like a straightforward away win for Aston Villa, but you have to remember that Bournemouth are in good form – Villa cannot say the same.

Unai Emery’s men have lost three of their last six Premier League games – the loss of Youri Tielemans will be a hammer blow. A low-scoring draw seems like the most likely outcome here.

JJ’s Prediction: Bournemouth 1-1 Aston Villa

Jen Harrison: Bournemouth have been a frustrating side for the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool in recent weeks. Their attack has made things difficult for those higher up the table and we can expect the same trickiness against Aston Villa too.

Recent frustrations for Villa, including defeats to Everton and Brentford, show that despite their challenge in the top four, they have their weaknesses.

JH’s Prediction: Bournemouth 2-2 Aston Villa

Arsenal vs Sunderland

Jimmy Johnson: Sunderland are no pushovers, but let’s not beat around the bush – this game is most certainly Arsenal’s to lose.

Regis le Bris has done a fine job with Sunderland. They’ll give the Gunners a solid challenge, but it’s very hard to see anything other than a home win here.

JJ’s Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Sunderland

Jen Harrison: Sunderland’s 3-0 win over Burnley last time out was their biggest scoring match in a while but they remain a team not to be underestimated this season.

While I expect them to hold their own against Arsenal and avoid an undesirable scoreline, it’s hard to see past any result other than a win for Mikel Arteta. They’ve got one hand on the Premier League title so they will want to wrap it up as soon as possible.

JH’s Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Sunderland

Burnley vs West Ham United

Jimmy Johnson: Last time out against Sunderland, Burnley looked dead and buried. The quality simply isn’t there – and neither is the belief. They desperately need a win against West Ham, but I don’t think they’ll have what it takes.

The Hammers aren’t great themselves, but the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Mateus Fernandes are in top form. Burnley look completely flat – they’ll have a field day against such a vulnerable outfit.

JJ’s Prediction: Burnley 1-2 West Ham United

Jen Harrison: Both sides will view this is a must-win clash to aid their fight against the relegation current.

West Ham made a strong account of themselves against Chelsea and beat Tottenham and Sunderland in consecutive results. This will be a high stakes game with not a lot in it, but I can see the Irons taking a crucial win home.

JH’s Prediction: Burnley 0-1 West Ham United

Fulham vs Everton

Jimmy Johnson: Don’t expect a classic out of this one – the clash of styles between Marco Silva’s patient style of play against David Moyes’ counterattacking game will make for a thoroughly dull watch.

Everton have struggled to score goals as of late. On the flipside, they have been solid at the back – nevertheless, I think Fulham can break them down with enough effort.

JJ’s Prediction: Fulham 1-0 Everton

Jen Harrison: Everton are in good form and looking to get a win on the board but they may need to wait a little bit longer.

This feels quite an evenly-matched clash and I can’t see much separating the two, especially with Everton’s habit of 1-1 draws recently.

JH’s Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Everton

Wolves vs Chelsea

Jimmy Johnson: Wolves have showed a bit of fight in recent weeks, picking up some decent results, but Chelsea have looked like a much-improved outfit under Liam Rosenior.

Ultimately, despite Wolves’ best efforts, Chelsea will simply have too much for them here. I’m expecting a dominant win for the Blues.

JJ’s Prediction: Wolves 1-4 Chelsea

Jen Harrison: Chelsea’s wins haven’t been overly dominant recently and Wolves have worked on not shipping bag-fulls of goal in recent weeks.

Slimmer scorelines have been kinder to the relegation-threatened Wolves so I expect them to dig deep once again but Chelsea’s impressive attack will still get the job done.

JH’s Prediction: Wolves 0-2 Chelsea

Newcastle United vs Brentford

Jimmy Johnson: This is a tough one. Newcastle United are struggling at the moment, while Brentford are in decent form. Regardless, I can’t envision the Bees avoiding defeat at a fortress such as St. James’ Park.

Brentford have lost eight away games in the Premier League this season – only Burnley and Wolves have lost more than this. Eddie Howe has a habit of pulling a rabbit of out his hat when he needs a result, so I’ll expect him to do so here.

JJ’s Prediction: Newcastle United 2-1 Brentford

Jen Harrison: Newcastle are without a win in their last four games in all competitions and they will certainly be frustrated following recent 4-1 and 3-1 defeats to Liverpool and Man City respectively.

The Magpies will be eager to get back to positivity and they can capitalise on Brentford’s own inconsistent form to get a win on the board.

JH’s Prediction: Newcastle United 2-1 Brentford

Brighton vs Crystal Palace

Jimmy Johnson: Form tends to go out of the window in derby games. Normally, this would be a comfortable win for Brighton, but the element of animosity will shake things up a bit.

Crystal Palace are all over the place at the moment. Brighton look like a much more cohesive and spirited unit – with the home advantage, I think the Seagulls should be able to edge this one.

JJ’s Prediction: Brighton 2-1 Crystal Palace

Jen Harrison: After adding new attacking firepower to their roster over the winter window, Crystal
Palace will be working on getting more goals in the back of the net.

Brighton are a tough opponent to break down but with just one win in their last ten league games, Palace can look to exploit the Seagulls’ struggle to take hold of games and keep them in their grip.

JH’s Prediction: Brighton 1-2 Crystal Palace

Liverpool vs Manchester City

Jimmy Johnson: By far the marquee match of the weekend, Liverpool and Manchester City have been the cream of the Premier League crop for several years now. This might not be the case any more, but this should still be a real heavyweight slugfest.

I’m expecting a high-scoring draw here. The home advantage will benefit Liverpool greatly here – additionally, Hugo Ekitike is in fantastic form. Nevertheless, I don’t think they’ll be able to defeat City – the Sky Blues are simply too strong.

JJ’s Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City

Jen Harrison: Having scored ten goals in their last two games against Qarabag and Newcastle, Liverpool will be feeling the fire in their bellies again. Confidence has been missing from this Reds team this season and they could really use this game as their chance to keep a strong winning run going.

Man City have also been inconsistent and have struggled with frustrating draws in recent weeks. Imagine both sides will be desperate for the win here but Liverpool could edge a high-scoring clash.

JH’s Prediction: Liverpool 3-2 Manchester City