English Premier League: Predictions for Gameweek 37

It's that time of the week again when I attempt to predict the outcome of this week's Premier League games. There's only two games left for each team this season, and a lot of the big issues have been resolved already. Manchester United have almost tied up the title, and the other three teams to qualify for the Champions League have been decided too.

Fifth place is still up for grabs, and it could be decided when Liverpool play Tottenham on Sunday afternoon. The biggest question is who will be relegated, and there are still six teams capable of dropping down to the Championship next season. Of those six teams, West Ham look to be the most likely to be relegated, but the other two places are certainly far from decided yet.

I've being running a predictions league all season long, and it's coming to a very exciting conclusion. The long time leader has been Stephen Bradley, but his lead has gradually been clawed back in recent weeks, and he could still be caught. I'm back in a distant fifth place, and all I can hope for is to finish fourth. Here's a look at how the league table stands.

Blackburn are still in relegation trouble, and they could really do with a win in this game to ensure their Premier League status for another season. Their home form has been pretty good this season, and they have not conceded too many goals at home. However, they will have a really tough task against a team that only need one point to clinch a record 19th league title.

United are within touching distance of the title, and they have a Champions League final to look forward to as well. Their away form in the league has been poor, but it would be hard to imagine them losing this game, and giving Chelsea a glimmer of hope. I'm sure they will get at least the point they need to set up a big celebration in their final game at home to Blackpool next week.

I think Blackburn will manage to get a point although they really need three, and that will suit United's needs as well.

Prediction 1-1.

Blackpool started the season really well, but their form since the turn of the year has been that of a team destined for the Championship. They have the worst home record in the Premier League, and they have conceded more goals at home than any other team. They are in the relegation zone now, and they simply have to get a result in this game, as their last game is away to Man Utd.

Bolton have done well to get into ninth place considering the fact that they have only won away from home twice all season. They beat Arsenal a few weeks ago, and since then they have lost three games in a row, as their season seems to be ending with a whimper. A couple of wins in their last two games would probably see them move up to eighth, and that would be a very good return for them this season.

I think Blackpool will just about manage to get a home win to keep their Premier League survival chances alive.

Prediction 2-1.

Sunderland have had a very poor run of results since they sold Darren Bent in January, but they managed to get enough points to ensure their safety for another season. I'm sure the fans won't be overly happy to finish in mid table, after their impressive start to the season, and the board may not be too happy either. They did manage a good win away to Bolton in their last game, and they will want to end their home campaign on a high with another win.

Wolves managed a win at home to West Brom last time out, and it was enough to get them out of the bottom three. Another win in this game would make them clear favourites to stay up, but they have the worst away record in the Premier League. Their defensive errors have been very costly this season, and if they can cut them out they have to be favourites to avoid the drop.

I think Sunderland will take advantage of Wolves slack defending, and send their fans home happy for the summer with a win.

Prediction 2-1.

West Brom's defence was found to be wanting when they lost 3-1 to Wolves last week, but Roy Hodgson has done enough since he took the reins to ensure their Premier League survival. Peter Odemwingie has had a great season for them, and I'm sure he will be closely monitored by many other clubs over the summer. It's the final home game of the season for West Brom, and like a few other clubs they will want to give their fans a good send off.

Everton have had a good run since the turn of the year, but it now looks like they can finish no higher than their current seventh place. If only they could perform in the first half of the season, as well as they do in the second half. Their away form isn't great, but they are never an easy team to beat.

I think this should be a fairly good game, as both teams are in a safe position in the league, and it should end in a draw.

Prediction 2-2.

Chelsea know that only a miracle can see them retaining the league title now, after they were beaten by Man Utd last week. I'm sure they will also look to give their fans a good send off, and tie up second place with a good win. Their home form has been very good this season with 14 wins in 18 games, but it hasn't been quite as good as United's, which is why Chelsea will finish second.

Newcastle don't score many goals on their travels, but they have done well to get 19 points from only 13 goals. When they lose they tend to get well beaten, and I think they might suffer the same fate in this game. The club is still for sale, as far as I know, and it will be interesting to see if they reinvest the money received for the sale of their star player in January.

I think Chelsea should get a good win to seal second place, but it won't be enough to save Carlo Ancelotti's  job.

Prediction 3-0.

Arsenal put up another very poor show last week when they were beaten 3-1 by Stoke, and they need to put on a performance for their fans in their final home game of the season. Their season promised so much only a few months ago, but yet again they have flattered to deceive. They need a maximum of four points from their final two games to make sure they finish third, and it's possible a win in this game will ensure that. They need to get that third spot to avoid a qualifying round in the Champions League, which includes an open draw. 

Villa could still go down if results conspire against them, but it's about as likely as Chelsea winning the league. They have only won three times on their travels, and they have conceded more goals away from home than any other team in the league. It has been a poor season for Villa, and they will want to put it behind them as soon as possible.

I think Arsenal will get the win without too much trouble, as long as they try a lot harder than they did last week.

Prediction 3-1.

Birmingham haven't managed to escape from the relegation battle yet, but a win in this game should be enough to do so. It would be a great season for them if they do stay up, as they have European football to look forward to, after winning the Carling Cup. However, if they lose this game they could go to Tottenham next week in a lot of trouble.   

Fulham have only won two games away from home this season, but that's one more than last season I think. They have managed to draw nine times away from home, and Mark Hughes will be looking for a reaction from his players, after Monday night's thrashing at home to Liverpool. Until Liverpool scored five goals in that game their defence had looked very solid this season.

I think Fulham will do enough to get a point, but that point should probably be enough to keep Birmingham up too.

Prediction 1-1.

Liverpool have been so much better since Kenny Dalglish took over as their manager from Roy Hodgson, and he has been rewarded with a three year contract. Even their away form has improved, and they were very impressive in beating Fulham 5-2 on Monday night. If they win this game they are guaranteed to finish fifth, and qualify for next season's Europa League.

Tottenham were very impressive in reaching the last eight of the Champions League, but they look to have paid a price in the Premier League. If they lose this game they won't even qualify for next season's Europa League, and even a draw probably won't be enough for them. It will leave them with a big task this summer to strengthen their squad, but at least they won't have the distraction of European football to hamper their chances next season.

I think Liverpool will have too much for Tottenham, and they should get the win they need.

Prediction 2-0.

Wigan need to win this relegation six pointer if they are going to have any chance of staying in the Premier League, and they have to be favourites to get the three points. I think they are good enough to stay up, but they have drawn too many games for their own good this season. A win should be good enough to get them out of the bottom three, before they travel to Stoke on the final day of the season.

West Ham will be relegated if they lose this game, and the way they are defending at the moment that looks to be the most likely scenario. If they are relegated all of their big earners would have to be sold, and it would leave them with a tough task to win their way back to the Premier League. Even if they win this game they will need to beat Sunderland at home next week, and it's been a while since they won two games in a row.

I think Wigan will get the win they need to keep their chances of survival alive, and to send West Ham down to the Championship.

Prediction 2-1.

Man City play Stoke in the FA Cup final on Saturday, and by a strange quirk of fate they play each other on Tuesday in the Premier League as well. With City already qualified for the Champions League they will want to keep up the pressure on Arsenal to finish third. A lot might depend on the outcome of Saturday's cup final, and if City win it I think they will win this game too. It's been 35 years since City won a trophy, and hopefully they will end that drought on Saturday.    

Stoke are safe in mid table, and their FA Cup final appearance has made their season a successful one, as they are guaranteed Europa League football next season. The rest of Europe can look forward to seeing both Stoke and Birmingham in action next season, and I'm sure they won't be relishing the prospect. Stoke have lost 12 times away from home this season, and they will do well not to lose for a 13th time.

I think City should get a win to bring their battle for third place with Arsenal to the last day of the season. 

Prediction 2-1.

As usual feel free to agree or disagree with my predictions, and tell me what your predictions are.

That's it for today

See you tomorrow with my preview of Arsenal's game against Aston Villa.