Alan Smith’s Premier League GW33 Predictions and Tips

Arteta’s Approach

It’s going to be interesting how he approaches it. You park the bus, and then you concede the goal, and it’s hard to switch to a more attacking approach. So, listen, he’s kind of, in his DNA, he’s a defensive sort of coach. They’ve leaned on that back four in the way that they keep clean sheets.

But they’ve got to go at City. They’ve got to try and get a goal. So, you’ll know first 10, 15 minutes what the approach is going to be. So, that’s going to be a big test of Arteta.

Key Battlegrounds

Well, City are really looking strong on the wings, aren’t they? Semenyo, Doku. Arsenal’s full-backs have got to perform. A couple of injuries. You want Timber in there, Calafiori in those two full-back positions. So, keeping their wide players, City’s wide players, would be a key element of it.

Saka’s Importance

He’s not had a great season, but he is a player who can make something happen, isn’t he? He’s a top-quality player for club and country, and they do miss him when he’s not there.

Madueke is a different sort of player. He’s not really firing at the moment, Madueke. So it’d be great to have Saka back. And it’s easy to underestimate what a good player he is and the difference he can make to Arsenal’s attack.

Saka and Rice Injury Doubts

There’s no replacement for Declan Rice, really, is there? Norgaard, I suppose, would be the natural one as a midfielder. I’d be reluctant to put Havertz back there because he’s an attack-minded player more than defensively. And the other problem is that Zubimendi is not playing well. So, if Rice isn’t there, that’s going to be a worry for Arsenal.

Everton Finishing Above Liverpool

What an achievement that would be. You look at David Moyes’ squad. That would delight the blue half of Merseyside, wouldn’t it? So, they’ve got their kind of tails up, and Liverpool’s is down, really, if you want to put it like that. So, there’s a chance there. It hasn’t happened in ages, but there’s a chance for them. What motivation?

Isak’s Return

I don’t think it’s so much about repaying the favour. It’s about him getting up to speed again, trying to get some goals from now until the end. And if it wins them a Champions League spot, great. They’ve certainly missed him, certainly missed that quality. Ekitike will be a big loss as well because he’s been really good.

So, Isak coming back at the right time, it might take him a little bit of time to get up to that high level. They haven’t really got that time. But it’s a boost for the club with Ekitike dropping now.

Rio Ngumoha Role Next Season

He’s capable of staying at Liverpool and playing more often. I was amazed he didn’t play last night, really. I know he’s young, but he’s been a spark that they’ve been lacking at times. So, no, he should stay there. The Liverpool fans would be upset if he left after what he’s shown. So he can gain experience at Liverpool and have an impact.

Everton Home Form

It’s been a funny one. I don’t know whether the opposition enjoys going there. It’s a lovely ground. It’s new for everybody. When that’s settled down, hopefully Everton will be hoping to make it a grittier place in the way that Goodison was. He’s been brilliant away from home, David Moyes’ team has been, but if they can marry the two, then they are set for an excellent season next year, maybe even better than this. So, he’ll be hoping that the home form can improve.

Martinez Red Card and Leeds Goal

The opening goal, one of those, a more pernickety ref in VAR might have said, oh yeah, that’s a foul, the arm’s come across. I’m glad it wasn’t given as a foul, not because I’m supporting Leeds, but I feel you should be allowed those kinds of challenges. It’s a natural movement of the arm. The hair pull, I felt for him a little bit, Martinez. It was very brief. It wasn’t particularly aggressive.

I think refs should have a bit more leeway in those instances. I know the letter of the law, violent conduct, pulling hair, but when he goes to the monitor, he sees the nature of it. It would be good if refs could say, ” Okay, well, it’s not a red card, it’s a yellow”. So, he was a bit hard done by.

Leeds Halfway to Safety

What a performance against Man United, first half especially. They went at United. I saw a stat the other day, a Sky stat, the average point to stay up in the last nine seasons has been 32.4 points. Leeds have got 36 now, so they’d be really unlucky if they didn’t stay up. And that performance would have really encouraged everybody within the football club. Daniel Farke probably didn’t see it coming, but what a win that was.

Anthony Gordon to Bayern

He is good enough. He’s still got improvement to do. In his time, he’s an intelligent lad. He would be able to adapt to a different style of play and different culture as well. He’s certainly got that pace in his favor. Luis Diaz has done really well there on the left. They’ve had Gnabry there before. That would be really interesting.

I’m sure he’d fancy it. What an opportunity if he could go there. But some people might think, oh, no, he’s not good enough for that. But it’s only when you get there that you see how somebody reacts and how they can blossom. And he probably could.

Eddie Howe’s Future

It’d be harsh to let him go. He’s a talented coach and he’s been hamstrung, hasn’t he, by the financial regulations. He’s not been able to add to the squad, even though the money’s there. And as a result now, you’re going to see players looking elsewhere, thinking, well, maybe my future’s not here. I want to go to a Champions League club.

So it’s going to be a difficult summer for everybody concerned at Newcastle. And Eddie Howe will be desperate to get reinforcements and he’ll be really desperate to keep his top players, the likes of Tonali, Guimarães and the rest. But I wouldn’t want to see him dismissed because he’s a very good coach.

Armando Broja Future

I’ve been looking at him for quite a long time now, back to the Chelsea days. And when he was at Southampton, I thought, oh, you could become a player. It kind of reminds me a little bit of Mitrovic, who did so well at Fulham. But obviously, Broja hasn’t scored the goals. He’s capable. And certainly in the Championship, you’d feel that he’d be an asset for them. So, he’s only 24. I’d stick with him for that championship campaign.

Mats Wieffer and Hürzeler

He can rub people the wrong way, Hürzeler. He’s a bit lively on the touchline, loves to get involved. He can be hard to like sometimes, but there’s no doubt about his coaching abilities. You look at where they are in the table. They’ve won five of the last six.

Hürzeler must be absolutely delighted, and getting a tune out of players like that, good recruitment and good coaching with people like Wieffer. So, that shines a favourable light on the manager.

Villa Champions League Hopes

They’ve got a great result out in Bologna, didn’t they? Which is no mean feat. Then they’re a bit disappointing at Forest coming off that. That’s always the challenge, isn’t it? On the two fronts. Unai Emery’s been there many times before. But I think they will finish in the Champions League spots. They’ve been on a bad run, but I think they will get Champions League football.

Seven points ahead of Chelsea in sixth place, so they would need to continue dropping points for the likes of Chelsea to catch them, but they’ve got a very good coach in Unai Emery, and he’ll see them home.

Brentford vs Fulham

Brentford-Fulham. Drawn the last four, Brentford, but a brilliant debut season for Keith Andrews. But not much to split the two teams, 2-2.

Palace vs West Ham

Palace-West Ham, not for the purists, maybe. West Ham, maybe we’ll get another point, but no goals, nil-nil.