Alan Smith’s Expert Football Predictions: Premier League GW35 & Managerial Insights

Arsenal’s Season Review

If you’d have been told at the start of the season that Man City would be fighting for the Champions League place, that they weren’t going to be title contenders, you’d immediately think that Arsenal are next in line. That’s why it’s been a disappointment.

Obviously, there are all sorts of factors that have meant that Arsenal weren’t next in line, but looking at the overall picture, I feel it’s a missed opportunity.

Arsenal’s Squad Needs

More strength in depth is needed. I’ve spoken a lot about Arsenal needing a centre forward, and they do. That’s the number one priority. However, if you’re going to challenge on multiple fronts, they’ve got to cope with injuries better.

You looked at the bench last night, and I know there were injuries, but compared to PSG’s, it was a fairly weak bench in terms of experience. The fact that Havertz got injured and Jesus got injured—Merino has done ever so well, but you’re asking somebody who’s not a centre forward to do that role quite often.

Bournemouth Talent

In terms of the players Bournemouth have, there are a few that I think teams will be interested in this summer. Dean Huijsen, the young lad at centre back is a player that has had a lot of interest in him. He’s very composed on the ball and looks a real star of the future.

Semenyo has probably been the standout player. He’s so strong and skilful, I think there’ll be a lot of interest in him.

Iraola’s Future

Iraola is clearly a very talented coach. It’s not a given somebody like that can go to a big club where the expectations are much different and you’ve got a different profile of players in that dressing room, with maybe more egos, who are more difficult to manage.

He’s certainly got the potential to go on and manage a big club. Spurs, I think, may well be looking for a manager at the end of this season. It’s going to be an interesting time.

Prediction

It’s a tricky one now because obviously Arsenal are thinking all about next midweek. For Bournemouth, I see Evanilson’s red card got overturned, so he’s not going to miss out. Arsenal have had a lot of draws. It might be another one. So I’ll perhaps go for a 1-1.

Arsenal 1 – 1 Bournemouth

United Squad Rotation

Amorim was talking about playing some of the kids in between European games. However, he went with a fairly strong side against Bournemouth. Harry Amass, who has been playing, and Fredricson, the other young lad, didn’t start this time.

Luke Shaw came in and it was his first start in a while. I’m sure they’ll be careful with him after such a long injury. So those boys I mentioned, maybe could come back in again. Obi, the youngster up top, could get a chance, but Højlund got his goal, so that bodes well, hopefully, for him starting.

United’s Transfer Window Challenge

The two lads who have gone on loan, Antony and Rashford, will they both come back? I’m guessing Rashford will come back to United. Antony, I don’t know. He’s obviously enjoying his time at Betis.

It’s a really difficult job getting players out. Finding somewhere else on the same wages is difficult for these players, particularly Rashford.

Rumours are saying United won’t have a lot of money to spend, aren’t they? That would increase the need to get some players out and free up some space, and generate some money. I think it’s going to be a really difficult transfer window for Ruben Amorim. He’s got to be a little lucky in terms of getting players out the door. He’s going to need to be quite creative, I think.

United’s Standout Players

For me, Bruno Fernandes has been their star man virtually every week. He had a slightly quieter game at Bournemouth, but he’s been so consistent, and where they would have been without him, I don’t know. He’s virtually been their man of the match every week.

I think Diogo Dalot’s been steady as well and maybe a little underrated. He’s played both sides, left wing back, right wing back. He’s versatile, and he’s a threat. Mazraoui has come in as well done quite well.

Thomas Frank’s Importance

He’s massively important to Brentford. I think he’s a fine manager. It’s quite a fine art judging when to move on and if he gets an offer, when to say goodbye to Brentford. And this summer might be that time.

They’ve enjoyed a really good season, obviously with the front lads Mbeumo and Wissa, plus Damsgaard in midfield, they’ve done so well for the team. It’s an achievement each year to keep on doing that with those resources at Brentford.

Prediction

I think Brentford might nick this one at home. 2-1.

Brentford 2-1 Manchester United

Potter at West Ham

It’s been underwhelming so far under Graham Potter. We haven’t seen the improvement that I’m sure he would have wanted. He’s inherited a team, and like all managers, they want to get their own players in. You read that West Ham are restricted financially as well. You can feel the frustration building amongst the West Ham supporters.

I don’t think they want to go full out on Potter because they’ve had all these changes and a new manager, so they want to give him a chance. So it’s a big summer for him, and a big preseason. If it doesn’t get any better at all, he will come under a lot of pressure. I think he is a good coach – what he showed us at Brighton kind of proves that.

Postecoglou’s Spurs Future

Spurs should get through to the final, shouldn’t they? Bodo Glimt, with all due respect, I know they’ve beaten Lazio, but they’re a little-known Norwegian team that’s punching above its weight.

Do you keep a manager on the strength of one game, one performance, rather than the 19-20 league defeats that they might end up with? It’s been a miserable campaign in the league, it really has. I think you’ve kind of got to be judged on that.

I know football’s all about trophies, but it’s just seemingly gone from bad to worse there. So I would be surprised, winning the Europa League or not, if he were still there next season.

Prediction

It might not be the best of games to watch, this one, so maybe I’ll go for a draw. Not the most exciting, perhaps and maybe another 1-1.

West Ham 1 – 1 Tottenham

Liverpool’s Title Success

Liverpool are really well-run, which goes without saying. Just look at their choice of new manager – I mean, they wouldn’t have even imagined it could have turned out this well with Arne Slot. He’s got the best out of those players. That new midfield has been brilliant. He has changed the way they play slightly, a bit more control. Probably if they could get a centre forward in there, Darwin Nunez might move on. I don’t think he’s quite good enough for that level.

If you can get the same out of the players next season that he has this year, they’re going to be a force again. They’ve had a little bit of good fortune with injuries, with Van Dijk being there week in, week out, Mo Salah hardly missing a minute, never mind a game. If he can continue scoring in that vein, it gives them a great chance.

Chelsea’s Champions League Hopes

I’ve commentated on a few Chelsea games and the fans – you can hear the moans and groans quite a lot. Not overly impressed with the style of play. They feel it’s a bit conservative, a bit boring at times, with a lot of passes involved.

If they don’t finish in the Champions League spots, the owners at Chelsea, I think they are fairly ruthless. They know what they want. They’ll look at that black and white in figures – we’re not in the Champions League, what does this mean for our finances? I think it’s going to be touch and go for Chelsea. I’ve got a feeling they might just creep in.

Prediction

I imagine the Liverpool players might have been celebrating quite a lot. It doesn’t happen quite to the same extent it used to in terms of going out, but it could be a good opportunity for Chelsea to pinch something, but I still think Liverpool will win that. 2-1.

Chelsea 1 – 2 Liverpool