Alan Smith’s Expert Analysis: Premier League GW25 Predictions & Analysis

Can Sunderland Upset Arsenal?

I can’t see an upset, to be honest with you. Brilliant result against Burnley on Monday night for Sunderland. But Arsenal getting to Wembley last night, they’ll make a few changes as well, I would imagine. So, I can’t see Sunderland causing a shock. A bit of revenge in the air as well after they got a point off the Gunners up there.

Mikel Merino Injury

There was talk of Leon Goretzka, from Bayern Munich, coming in to replace him. I don’t know how much truth there was in that, but he’s a loss because he’s been such a great player for Arsenal, can play in a variety of positions, and he’s worn the captain’s armband quite a few times, which tells you everything about his character. Scored some important goals, but Havertz being back, Jesus as well, not overly surprised that they didn’t do anything.

Prediction

I think Arsenal will get a bit of revenge. I think 3-0 to the Gunners.

Arsenal 3 – 0 Sunderland

Ekitike-Wirtz Partnership

It’s looking good. Both players are doing well. But the fact that those two are building up an understanding is great news for Liverpool. Ekitike is a fine player, a brilliant finisher. The way he’s taken to life at Liverpool has been very impressive indeed. And, Wirtz has taken his time, but he’s showing his qualities, his class now. So that’s been the plus point for Liverpool.

Alexander Isak and Ekitike

They might well play together. It’s two lads bought for a lot of money. Both want to be playing in their favoured positions. So we’ll see how that one pans out. It might be that, maybe Mo Salah drops out. We’ll see. It’s a nice problem to have for Arne Slot.

Mo Salah’s Future

It looks that way. I did his first game back after the AFCON at Bournemouth, and I don’t know whether he can reach the levels that he has reached so often in the past. So, probably I would say the summer would be the right time to wave goodbye. He’s been one of Liverpool’s all-time greats, no question about that.

Prediction

Might be a tight one. 1-1, I’m going.

Liverpool 1 – 1 Manchester City

Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro

Mainoo comes back in and hits the ground running, looking like the player that got picked for England, and it just shines a light on how crazy it was for Amorim to leave him out, stick him in the wilderness, really. Whether something went on behind the scenes, I don’t know, but he’s come back in, Mainoo, and next to Casemiro, that’s a nice blend. It allows Bruno Fernandes to play in a slightly higher position.

Casemiro, he’s kind of enjoying a farewell tour, isn’t he, at Man United at the moment. But he’s loving life, really enjoyed it at the weekend against Fulham. And I wouldn’t be surprised if both go to the World Cup. We haven’t got, from England’s point of view, we haven’t got too many quality central midfielders. So, maybe Mainoo’s got a good shout.

Marcus Rashford Return?

Hard to say if it would be the right decision to bring him back. He’s done well at Barcelona, but he’s been a substitute quite often; he’s been in amongst the goals lately. If he did come back, it might be a different sort of player that we’d see. Listen, who knows what’s going to happen with Carrick at the end of the season? And if a new manager came in, what would they think about it? But Rashford’s done well going over there, and he’s revived his career.

Prediction

Quite a good game, I think, but maybe Spurs snatch a point, 2-2.

Manchester United 2 – 2 Tottenham

Brighton Fans Booing

Everybody gets booed these days, really. There were some boos for Arsenal after Man United beat them, and they’re comfortably top of the table. So it’s a part of modern-day life with some fans. But it’s a testing season for Brighton. It’s not like they’ve been awful or anything. They’ve had loads of draws, haven’t they? Loads of draws and conceding late goals. The Brighton fans shouldn’t forget the work that’s been put in there to make them a very decent Premier League team.

Prediction

I’m going to go 1-0 to Brighton. I think they’ll now get a win, a rare win.

Brighton 1 – 0 Crystal Palace

James Ward-Prowse

Maybe they will focus more on set pieces now. That’s obviously one of his assets. It certainly didn’t work out for him at West Ham; he couldn’t get a game. So, if he plays, he’ll have a point to prove. Set pieces are so important for everybody these days, but you’ve got to win the set piece, you’ve got to win the free kicks and corners in good positions. I think there’s more to come from Ward-Prowse. He’ll be eager to show the Burnley fans that he’s still got something to offer.

Prediction

I think West Ham might just get a win here. 2-1 to West Ham.

Burnley 1 – 2 West Ham

Leeds’ Belief After Arsenal Loss

I don’t think they would have lost a lot of belief. They caught Arsenal at the wrong time, really, when they needed to bounce back, the Gunners. So, 4-0 is not great in front of your own fans, but they can put that to bed and move on. They’ve been looking like a threatening team. They’re six above the drop zone, so they’ve got that cushion, but they certainly can’t take it for granted.

For Daniel Farke, he’s obviously got Calvert-Lewin doing really well. The wingbacks are getting forward. He’s got some decent options, attacking ones off the bench as well, when you look at Gnonto, Okafor, Buonanotte and Piroe. Unlike a lot of teams down there, he can change things up a little bit, so he’ll want to bounce back, I’m sure.

Prediction

I don’t think it’s a must-win. You certainly don’t want to lose, but I think it might be a draw. Forest, they can be awkward customers, so I think it might be 1-1.

Leeds 1 – 1 Nottingham Forest

Sandro Tonali Transfer Rumours

It was a strange one, the Tonali to Arsenal rumours. I looked at his contract. He’s contracted until 2029 with an option for another year, and so what his agent’s playing at, I do not know. You can’t offer a player to somebody if the club, if Newcastle, aren’t willing to let him go. Didn’t shine a good light on his agent whatsoever, and not on Tonali if he’s sanctioned that, after Newcastle have stood by him over the betting ban.

He’s a very good player, there’s no doubt about it. But Newcastle will be keen to keep him. I think they’ve got it all on now to qualify for the Champions League, with Liverpool and Chelsea going for it as well. They’re seven points off fifth at the moment, so it might end in disappointment.

Prediction

I’m going to go with a resounding win. Brilliant win for Brentford at Villa, but 3-0 to Newcastle.

Newcastle 3 – 0 Brentford

Harrison Armstrong Chance

Harrison is a young, promising player, a teenager still and a local boy. David Moyes isn’t going to shove him in week in, week out if he feels he’s not ready. They’ve got good strength in central midfield, so he’s not a replacement for Jack Grealish. You’d look at somebody like Tyler Dibling, who’s that kind of jinky player, make things happen. It’s been hard for Dibling at Everton.

But it’s a blow to lose Grealish. Harrison Armstrong will get some more appearances, but I think it’d be gradual, bits and pieces here and there.

Prediction

1-0 to Fulham.

Fulham 1 – 0 Everton

Wolves vs Chelsea

Wolves Chelsea, Wolves making provisions for the Championship, Strand Larsen gone. 2-0 to Chelsea.

Wolves 0 – 2 Chelsea

Bournemouth vs Aston Villa

Bournemouth v Villa… Always tricky with Bournemouth, but I think Villa might bounce back from that home defeat to Brentford and win 2-1.

Bournemouth 1 – 2 Aston Villa