Match week 30 is finally here after the EPL was put on pause thanks to the international break.
Nations Cup and World Cup Qualifiers are all out of the way and we’re on the home stretch to crown a Premier League Champions.
For match week 30, here are my best for each of the 10 games:
This could be the lowest-stakes relegation clash ever. With both clubs sitting above the drop zone, Wolves, 17th and West Ham, 16th neither side are in real jeopardy of being related.
The Hammers sit eight points clear of Wolves and took out this fixture at home 2-1 back in December.
You have to go back two years now to find a fixture between these two sides that haven’t seen both teams scoring, so that’s what I’m backing to kick the round off.
Arsenal’s hopes at a title are be fading and if they fail to beat the Cottagers at home this week, that hope will be all but gone.
I say this because Fulham have avoided a loss in 10 of their last 12 away games, and drawn two and won one of their last three matches against the Gunners.
Fulham are only four points shy of the top four and with a good stretch of result, could find themselves pushing for a European football spot.
Questions around whether or not Forest’s main man in Chris Wood will be suiting up. I don’t imagine he will be and think the Trees will struggle to create and convert chances against United.
Morgan Gibbs-White may also miss out after he had to come off before penalties when they faced Brighton in the FA Cup quarter-final.
United should have a decent chance this week because Amorim’s players have returned from international duties rather unscathed, however, Nottingham are undefeated at home in their last eight with six wins and two draws.
Based on that stat, I’m leaning towards the two sides being even after 90 minutes.
Crystal Palace should win this game.
We’re talking about a Southampton team that has managed nine points all season. They’re on a nine game losing streak and they’re taking on Palace who are experiencing a decent run of form.
Crystal Palace should be able to find the back of the net at least twice while cruising their way to three points.
After facing disappointment in the FA Cup, Brighton will be hoping to bounce back when hosting Aston Villa. Villa tasted success in their FA Cup quarterfinal and have won each of their last five games in all competitions.
Based off recent form it’s hard to look past Aston Villa to upset the Seagulls at home.
The Magpies have been in dreamland after their win at Wembley before the international break. Ending their major trophy drought that had lasted more than 70 years.
Newcastle should be a level above Thomas Frank’s side who have had a good run of form themselves but their five wins in five games comes against lesser opposition.
A Newcastle win and plenty of goals are on the forecast for this midweek clash at St James’ Park.
After bowing out of the FA Cup to Man City over the weekend, Bournemouth will be hoping to break their bad run of form when they take on the Tractor Boys who looked doomed for relegation.
A stand out for Bournemouth through the second half of the season has been Evanilson, he scored the opener against City in the Cup making it three in four games.
In a game where Bournemouth don’t offer too much value, Evanilson to continue his goal scoring form seems like a good play.
Man City have the upper hand in this match up and should be able to make light work of the Foxes who have struggled to score goals.
With just four goals in their last 14 league games, they don’t seem to be a threat to Ederson in goal who has just made his return from injury
Liverpool host the reverse fixture of the Merseyside Derby.
After a drama-filled first edition which ended 2-2 with red cards being dished out, both sides will be eager to claim the bragging rights heading into the summer.
The break should have given Arne Slot’s squad a good chance to rest on focus on closing out the Premier League and making a deep run in the Champions League.
His side has only lost once this season, early on to Forest. A derby is different though and quite often chaotic and full of surprises so don’t be shocked if Everton give the Reds a hard time on Thursday morning.
We wrap things up with a London derby on Friday morning.
Spurs head to Stamford Bridge taking on Chelsea who surprisingly still sit in fourth place. Their grip on that top four spot has loosened significantly and with their remaining schedule they could quite easily drop a couple of places.
Chelsea have bullied a few teams this season but the common factor is that all those teams are sitting in the bottom five.
When they face stronger opposition, they’ve struggled to pump out results.
There’s not a lot splitting these two sides so I’ll take the draw.