Alan Shearer’s Premier League predictions including Chelsea vs Man City

After a seemingly never-ending international break, the Premier League is back with a bang this weekend.

Arsenal have crashed out of two competitions since their last league outing but are still nine points clear at the summit. After returning to winning ways in Europe midweek, they face a stern test at home to Bournemouth in Saturday’s early kick-off.

Roberto De Zerbi will hope to spark Tottenham into life away to Sunderland while Liverpool are hoping to end their miserable run of form at home to Fulham.

Manchester City, emboldened by that Carabao Cup victory, still have hopes of chasing Arsenal down but another slip-up away to Chelsea on Sunday will surely end them for good.

Manchester United and Leeds United close out the action on Monday night.

As ever, England legend and Betfair ambassador Alan Shearer has revealed his Premier League predictions to Metro.

West Ham vs Wolves

The reverse game was the fixture where I thought West Ham were done. I thought they were dead and buried. But you’ve got to give them credit for the way they’ve come back. Wolves have come back better as well over the last couple of months. It’ll be a really tense one for West Ham.

It was a bit of a blow for them in the FA Cup and going out in the manner that they did. But in the long run, if they were able to stay up, then that would be a good thing, them going out. So I’m going to say West Ham win here at home because I think it’ll be a great atmosphere, and everyone will be up for it.

They have a big opportunity to put pressure on their relegation rivals playing on Friday night. This is such a huge game, not only for West Ham, but for the teams around them, because if they don’t win, this is what everyone’s looking at in terms of West Ham. This is a great opportunity for them to put huge pressure on the other clubs, but on the flip side, if they don’t win, then there’s huge pressure on themselves.

Prediction – West Ham win

Arsenal vs Bournemouth

This is huge for Arsenal. If they can win again, then I think it would really, really set them up for a strong finish because I think they’d get a bit of morale and a bit of confidence back. They gave themselves a great opportunity in midweek with the hard work and the performance that they put in. So they’ve got to go again.

It would be a massive blow though if they did drop points, I think because of the noise, it’s a great opportunity to quiet everything down again. They did that on Tuesday, they’ve got to do it again on Saturday and if they can, as I said, I just think the momentum is huge.

They were really disappointing against Southampton and didn’t deserve to win against City. So, to get it back in midweek without playing that well. I think they can use that as a strong platform going forward if they get another result this weekend.

I think Arsenal will win.

Prediction – Arsenal win

Brentford vs Everton

You know what, with Everton’s away form, I’m going to go for an away win. I know Brentford are a tricky customer, strong, physical, and Keith Andrews has done a magnificent job and Thiago up front is a real threat. But I just have a sneaky feeling for Everton.

Prediction – Everton win

Burnley vs Brighton

I think an away win here. I think Burnley are gone and have been for a while. They’ve never really given me any thought or hope that they could stay up, unfortunately. So, Brighton win.

Prediction – Brighton win

Liverpool vs Fulham

You can imagine the noise if Liverpool lose here and are already under huge pressure being really, really poor defensively. Fulham will go there knowing the job that they have to do. If they can quieten down Anfield for 20 minutes, then you definitely hear the moans and groans after that and that will be part of their job done.

I’m going to back Liverpool though. I think I’ll back Liverpool. Arne Slot will without doubt will change the system again and Salah will be back. Home win.

Prediction – Liverpool win

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

Nottingham Forest were brilliant at Spurs, weren’t they? That sets them up really nicely. I think Villa will make it a tough one. I’m going to sit on the fence with this one and go for a draw.

Prediction – Draw

Crystal Palace vs Newcastle

Newcastle have been hammered after their performance and result against Sunderland, and rightly so. That will hurt them and it will stick with them until they play them again. But I always say you get the chance to reply as a player, and they have to come out and reply not only this weekend but next weekend as well because they’ve been miles off it in terms of their league campaign this year.

I can’t say with any huge confidence that they can go there and get the three points. I think I’ll sit on the fence and say they’ll get a point. Crystal Palace will be tough. They’ve had an up and down season as well, particularly after last season. But they’ve got some really talented players in there, Crystal Palace. So, I’m going to say a draw.

Prediction – Draw

Sunderland vs Tottenham Hotspur

I guess it’s a guessing game in terms of the impact that De Zerbi can have. I just think with Sunderland and everything else that goes with them, I think the momentum that they’ll take from beating Newcastle, I’m going to say Sunderland to win.

If Spurs go there and win, then I would think that will be enough to get them through to the end of the season. Again, if they go there and Sunderland beat them, then you know the noise that will happen. So, I just think Sunderland with the form and everything else, it’ll be a great atmosphere. They’re tough anyway, but they’re tougher at home. So, Sunderland to win.

Prediction – Sunderland win

Chelsea vs Manchester City

Man City have to win every game with that huge game against Arsenal next weekend.

I think with what we saw against Arsenal, with what we saw particularly against Liverpool after 25 minutes, City were brilliant, probably one of the best performances of the season. I would think they would carry that on, and I think City will win against Chelsea.

If Man City don’t win and Arsenal win this weekend, I think the Premier League title race will be dead and buried.

Prediction – Manchester City win

Manchester United vs Leeds

This is a big game and a big rivalry. Michael Carrick is doing a brilliant job and I’m pleased for him. If it was away,  then it might be different, but because it’s at Old Trafford, then I think Man United will have enough to win.

It’s not always a good thing not playing for a long period of time because you can come into it a bit rusty and depending on what they’ve had off and where they’ve been and all of those things. But in the main, I think they’ve had such a relatively easy season anyway because of no European football. So, it should work in their favour.

Prediction – Manchester United win