The Premier League what if series returns for another gameweek. This week has a few big games in the relegation scrap and also clashes with the FA Cup semi finals. I’m going to say the games that clashed with the FA Cup would’ve been played the following midweek so I’m going to class them as in this gameweek still. I’d have said Sheffield United, Man United, Man City and Chelsea would’ve progressed in the FA Cup so their games will all be moved to midweek in my predictions. Scroll down to see what I believe would’ve happened this gameweek.
Bournemouth vs Tottenham Hotspur
What would have happened:
This would’ve been an interesting game. Both teams would’ve been far better going forward than they were playing before football stopped by this point but would still be shaky at the back and I could see this being a very similar sort of game to the reverse fixture where there was 5 goals. But I believe Bournemouth would get a draw this time. Spurs have only won 3 times away from home all season and Bournemouth created a lot of chances at White Hart Lane.
Bournemouth 2-2 Tottenham
Arsenal vs Leicester
What would have happened:
Leicester have lost every game they’ve played at the Emirates since their return to the Premier League and they could find themselves playing into the hands of an Arsenal team that are far better at home than they are away. Leicester will have come into this in good form but will have mainly played weaker teams in that run of games and I can see Arsenal taking this one. They tend to go on a run towards the end of the season most years and I can see this as a launchpad for them playing better football.
Arsenal 2-1 Leicester
Everton vs Southampton
What would have happened:
Southampton have proved hard to beat with a run of 3 consecutive draws but I can see them coming unstuck against Everton. Everton will have only lost once at home in 2020 coming into this and were completely dominant in the reverse fixture between these sides and I believe that despite not performing to expectations this season that they’re a better side than Southampton currently and can pick up a comfortable win here.
Everton 3-0 Southampton
Watford vs Norwich City
What would have happened:
This is the biggest fixture of the week in terms of the relegation battle. Watford were pretty comfortable and clinical when they last played Norwich and with Norwich needing a win here to really have any chance of staying up there’s a good chance they’ll play an extremely attacking game and end up getting picked off on the counter by Watford again. I think they’ll score this time but will still lose this one pretty comfortably.
Watford 3-1 Norwich
West Ham vs Burnley
What would have happened:
David Moyes has never beaten Sean Dyche and I can see that run continuing. They’d be coming into this off back to back losses and would be trying to make sure that wasn’t 3 in a row while Burnley would probably be happy to take a point and move on. I don’t trust West Ham’s defence enough to stop Burnley from scoring and can see this one finishing 1-1 in a cagey affair.
West Ham 1-1 Burnley
Brighton and Hove Albion vs Liverpool
What would have happened:
Brighton have played Liverpool very close the last few times they’ve played them and were unlucky not to get a result at Anfield. With Liverpool having effectively nothing to play for and Brighton coming into this off the biggest win of the season they’d have every chance of picking up a result here. Brighton may finally start to get the results that their play at home has warranted and though I’m unsure they’d be able to win this I could see them getting a 1-1 draw out of this.
Brighton 1-1 Liverpool
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea
What would have happened:
Palace do have the advantage of extra rest for this game but Chelsea have a deep squad and with Palace struggling I can’t see them getting a result out of this one and I’d fear that their scoreless run would continue. This just feels like a game that Chelsea would grind a 1-0 win out of to make sure their top 4 push keeps going in a fairly forgetful affair.
Palace 0-1 Chelsea
Manchester City vs Newcastle
What would have happened:
City would be rotating here but would still have far too much at home to have any real issues in seeing off a Newcastle side who probably wouldn’t be too bothered losing here with 3 decent chances of picking up results coming up after this one. This will likely be a pretty poor game and an easy 2-0 win for City.
Man City 2-0 Newcastle
Aston Villa vs Manchester United
What would have happened:
Villa would still definitely fancy their chances of staying up with the fixtures they have left after this one and they could make this a tough game for United having played very well at Old Trafford earlier in the season in a 2-2 draw. United have struggled all season to put away these sorts of sides away from home and I could see them dropping points again here with Grealish scoring again.
Aston Villa 1-1 Man United
Sheffield United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
What would have happened:
I’m struggling to separate these sides. Sheffield United played extremely well against Wolves earlier in the season but Wolves will have the advantage of having some rest coming into this one. If it wasn’t for the FA Cup fixture a couple of days before I’d have had Sheffield United winning this one but because of that I can see this being another 1-1 draw.
Sheffield United 1-1 Wolves
Updated table:
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