Premier League predictions: Gameweek 32

Gameweek 32 offers another tantalising set of Premier League fixtures this weekend as the end of the season draws near.

Liverpool continue their charge towards the title on Sunday as the battle for European places heats up below them. The news that the Premier League’s fifth-placed side will secure Champions League qualification is only likely to see the battle intensify.

The relegation race may be run for the promoted trio after last weekend’s defeat for Ipswich Town saw Wolverhampton Wanderers move 12 points clear of the drop zone, but there is still pride to play for among the bottom-dwellers.

Here is how 90min believes Gameweek 32 might pan out.

The well-rested Manchester City kick off the weekend having had the rare luxury of not being involved in the Champions League quarter-finals midweek. The Cityzens are still attempting to qualify for next year’s competition – which is far from guaranteed – and will be aiming to bolster their bid with victory over the in-form Crystal Palace.

Brighton & Hove Albion haven’t been themselves since the international break but they still have an outside shot of finishing in the top five. Anything but victory over doomed Leicester City could prove catastrophic in their European hunt. The Foxes have lost their last eight Premier League matches – failing to score in any of said defeats.

Aston Villa are another side vying for a Champions League berth and they have the even easier task of beating bottom of the table Southampton. The Saints were relegated in record time after defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend and should prove no match for the Villans – even if Unai Emery’s side have one eye on their Champions League quarter-final second leg with Paris Saint-Germain.

One side in a more commanding position in the fight to reach the Champions League is Nottingham Forest. While defeat to Villa last weekend set them back, they remain third in the standings and will be expecting to return to winning ways when they host recent draw specialists Everton.

Arsenal are another club with eyes on Europe midweek but they have a visit from Brentford to concern themselves with first. The Gunners can cut the gap to league leaders Liverpool to eight points before the Reds take to the field on Sunday, although they’re extremely unlikely to usurp Arne Slot’s side in the closing weeks of the season regardless.

Liverpool will be seeking to respond to Arsenal’s result less than 24 hours later as they host West Ham United at Anfield. The Irons, who have conceded ten times in two meetings with the Reds this season, will be eager to cause an upset, but Liverpool, buoyed by Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk contract updates, should triumph relatively comfortably.

Chelsea are aiming to boost their hopes of Champions League qualification at home to Ipswich following their trip to Poland on Thursday. The Blues have ground out results in recent weeks without inspiring and could use a handsome victory against the Championship-bound Tractor Boys at Stamford Bridge.

Tottenham were also in action on Thursday night and face a quick turnaround when they battle Wolves at Molineux on Sunday. Spurs have proven hugely unpredictable this term and it would be far from surprising to see them struggle against the in-form Old Gold, who have won their last three Premier League games.

It seems some time since Manchester United journeyed to St James’ Park as favourites and the struggling Red Devils will be underdogs once again this weekend. Newcastle United, who are still riding high following their Carabao Cup triumph, will be expected to pile more misery on Ruben Amorim and his players on Tyneside.

Fulham produced a mammoth victory over Liverpool last weekend – handing them their first away defeat in the league all season – and could follow up their scalp with another triumph at Bournemouth. The Cherries have been in surprisingly disappointing form recently and have lost their last six home matches in the Premier League.

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