Alan Smith’s Premier League GW28 Predictions and Tips

Gyokeres Silencing His Doubters

It’s an interesting stat that he has more non-penalty goals than anyone else in 2026. I didn’t actually realise that. But it was a big game for him against Spurs, definitely. And also the fact that the second goal of Arsenal’s, his first, was big. It was an important goal.

There’s one thing scoring for your club. But getting those big goals, to put your side ahead in the derby, he’d have really enjoyed that. So, I think the doubters will have been quietened down a little bit, and he could play a big part at the end of the season.

Eberechi Eze’s Future

I hope we see more of him down the stretch. The change from playing for Palace to Arsenal, and the expectation that maybe he’s felt it a little bit, I don’t know, out of sorts. But now, the thing is, Odegaard is a very good player. He’s the captain. But Eze will give you more goals; he’ll give you more of a goal threat. So whether it’s either or, we’ll wait and see. But you would hope now he’d be able to kick on and not just score against Spurs, and have a real effect.

Maresca to Rosenior

It was a big call. Obviously, they had a fallout with Maresca. Rosenior; he’s a very inexperienced manager for a team the size of Chelsea, and they’ve had a couple of dodgy results. So, I think the fans are on the fence anyway. They’re not happy with the ownership, a lot of them, with why things are being done. So, he needs a good run now, doesn’t he? It might be hard to finish in a Champions League place, and if they don’t, there’ll be big questions asked.

Cole Palmer to United Rumours

Chelsea, they’ve got this policy of buying young players with a view to making a profit on them. And they’d certainly make a profit on Cole Palmer. I mean, it would go down like a lead balloon with Chelsea fans, wouldn’t it? So they would be aware of that, I’m sure. So I would be amazed if they were to sell him, even if they’re going to make 50 million profit, because it’s kind of waving the white flag, isn’t it? It would be so unpopular.

Playing After City

Listen, this is all a part of a title-challenging run. At the end, it’s psychological quite often. You’ll hear about the result of your rival, and you’ve just got to do it. City have done it plenty of times in the past. So, it’s just something that Arsenal have got to cope with and hope they will be able to.

Title Race Fixtures

I was just looking at the fixtures. Arsenal got Chelsea, then Brighton away, and Bournemouth at home, which is not a bad one for them. City after the Leeds game, they’ve got Forest at home, West Ham away, and Chelsea away. So, I don’t think that there will be a massive points swing. I still think Arsenal will be ahead.

Daniel Farke vs Bielsa

Well, he’s not the same as Bielsa in terms of that kind of swashbuckling style, all at them, running like maniacs as Bielsa’s team did and overcoming opposition that way. But I mean, I remember earlier on in the season when people were talking about Farke getting the sack and talking about replacements, but he’s done a very good job. This five at the back or three with the wing-backs bombing forward has worked really well and he’s getting a really good tune out of Calvert-Lewin. That’s good management. So, I’ve been impressed with him.

Nick Woltemade’s Future

I’ve enjoyed watching him at times. He’s different. Such a tall player, but he loves dropping back. He’s got quite quick feet. But he’s enduring a bad time. I think he’s just got one goal in 18. I know what that feels like. First season isn’t easy, so I would imagine they’ll persist with him and with Wissa, it’s been hard for him as well, but it might be that they can both come good with time, so I would imagine they’ll stick with him.

Everton’s Striker Situation

Tierno Barry is a young lad who’s shown glimpses of doing the business.

But, Liam Delap, you could see him there, couldn’t you really? I think he’d maybe suit Everton’s style, perhaps more than he suits Chelsea’s style. I don’t think Chelsea would be averse to selling him on, but I think with Delap, it’s been hard for him, and maybe he would be available. So that would be an option. And I think he could do well at Everton, actually.

Liverpool’s Performance vs Forest

I was really surprised by how poor they were. I think we all were in that first half at Forest. You got a bit more of a tune out in the second half, but it wasn’t brilliant still. I don’t know what it is, sat there commentating, you’re thinking, well, these are the champions of England, they’ve fallen so far.

We’re looking for an explanation, speaking about the new lads coming in and not playing well. But are the players behind him? Who can say? I would imagine they are, but they’ve got to get much better.

Liverpool’s Lack of Depth

Well, in hindsight, obviously, Isak getting the injury at Spurs and being out, and Ekitike doing well. That was all a bit messy, wasn’t it, really? They didn’t need both, I don’t think.

So, it is what it is. They spent shedloads of money, didn’t they? And suddenly they find themselves short on numbers, but if they can get Frimpong back, Wirtz and Isak, then it’s still a very good squad.

United’s Best Signings

I think you’ve got to say Lammens has been the best, haven’t you? The keeper. When they bought him, and you thought, well, he’s only 23. He’s coming from the Belgian league, from Antwerp. Hadn’t played loads of games for them. Played for Belgium under-21s and that. He’s still behind Courtois for the senior team. So very little experience, but his maturity and his composure have been outstanding.

Amplified it at Everton the other night when all that nonsense was going on in the box, barging and pushing, and he coped with it. So he’s been a spectacular signing, really. Obviously, Cunha, Mbuemo and Sesko have been good, but the keeper’s been brilliant.

Sunderland Finding Their Level

I don’t think there’s any doubt that they did overperform, up in the top four at one stage. They were always going to find their level again, but they’d have taken this level at the start, snatch your hands off, so no danger of relegation.

So, they are just finding their level, I think, but plenty of reasons still to be optimistic.

Players Behind Scott Parker?

The fans have been turning. I know they’ve booed the team off the pitch a few times. But the Burnley players are still going at it. As you say, kept going till the end at Chelsea. And, they know. They know within themselves that they’re relegated. But I suppose they’re all playing for themselves.

Perhaps hoping that they can stay in the Premier League when Burnley do get relegated. It’s always difficult to say whether the players are with the manager, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to maintain your own standards and do the best you can.

James Milner Continuing

I think he’ll carry on as long as he can. Age 40. Hürzeler, his manager, says he’s still, in terms of the stats, the running and everything, he’s still producing. No sign of slowing down, which is amazing for someone of that age, so given his character, he’ll just want to keep going and break Teddy Sheringham’s record. He was like 40 going on 41, I think, in terms of an outfield player in the Premier League, so I’m sure that’ll be in his sights now to break Sheringham’s record.