Alan Smith’s Premier League GW37 Predictions and Tips

Bukayo Saka’s Recent Form

He has set really high standards, hasn’t he? So I suppose when you fall below them, people do notice it, talk about it. But yeah, since he’s come back, he’s been really important. Wasn’t quite so influential against West Ham the other day. That might have been a physical thing as much as anything. But in these last few really vital games, it’s brilliant to have him back.

Saka vs Olise Comparison

I might be biased. You see the odd game of Olise. I mean, he’s settled in Germany brilliantly, hasn’t he? And at Bayern, that’s not easy. It’s such a huge club to really nail down a place and become important, which he has been. So I’m really pleased for him. Saka’s just got that bit more maturity and experience, with England as well. So you’d probably just plump for Saka. But yeah, Olise is a lovely player to watch.

Zubimendi Being Subbed On and Off

It’s his first season in the Premier League, and it’s probably caught up with him physically because Arteta didn’t give him too many rests in the first two thirds, really. Playing every week, and then flying back, playing for Spain and everything. So I think it has caught up with him. The good thing for Arteta and Arsenal is that Lewis-Skelly is a different sort of midfielder; he’ll drive with the ball a bit more, rather than Zubimendi, who will pass through the lines very well positionally.

Going forward, it’s a choice, isn’t it? It’s a decision for Arteta to make, for the league final and the last couple of games, really. It’s a nice choice now that they have got that option in Lewis-Skelly.

VAR Decision Against West Ham

I do think the goal was correctly ruled out. It was a foul. Obviously, everybody’s talking about all the fouls that have gone on all season that haven’t been penalised but I think this needs to be a sea change now for the refs to look at it and try and cancel out all the holding, all the fouling before set pieces are coming in because it’s got ridiculous.

I’ve said it in commentary many times, when did it become allowed just to have two arms around an opponent, not even looking at the ball and nobody gives a pen. So yeah, it was a foul, they came to the right decision but yeah, moving forward they’ve got to sort it out.

Champions League Race

Villa, they’ve slipped up, haven’t they, last few games, dropped points. When they drew at Burnley the other day and Bournemouth are four points behind. I mean, they’ve got City at home and Forest away. Bournemouth, I mean, they could easily finish strongly. So, yeah, both Liverpool and Villa will be looking over their shoulders.

Morgan Rodgers Transfer Links

If Villa did let him go, as you know, with other cases, the fans would be up in arms. You could see, I mean, there’s a place for him at Chelsea, if you think playing off the left. They’ve obviously got Cole Palmer there, Enzo Fernández, who likes to play through the middle.

You could see him at Man United. There’s a spot there. Matheus Cunha has played off the left and I really rate him but that might be an option. I don’t see him at Arsenal so much given the players that the Gunners have got but yeah I’d be surprised if Villa did let him go.

Andy Robertson to Celtic

He’s still good enough, I think. I mean, 32 years of age, he’s still got that desire. It’s whether he wants to go back to his boyhood club for his last few years, whatever. I mean, who knows how long he’s going to play for, but he came through the youth ranks there, didn’t he? The pull might be there, but most footballers want to play at the highest level that they can for as long as they can. I suppose it depends on who else would want him really.

Cole Palmer to Man United

Obviously, Bruno, player of the season, according to the football writers. He’s the man at Old Trafford, but I think you’d still bring Cole Palmer in if you could, because you can play him off the right, and you could just drop Fernandes back at times. So, if he was made available, there’ll be quite a few clubs after him, I think. It’s not been his best season, but he’s a huge talent. So, yeah, we’ll watch this space.

Marcus Rashford Return to United

I suppose it’s whether Rashford will want to go back to United or whether he thinks that’s a chapter he’s ended and said goodbye to. It looks like he’s happy in Barcelona. I guess why wouldn’t you be if you are getting the game time, and of course, he scored that brilliant free kick at the weekend.

I don’t know whether he could go back to United and find his form again – sometimes you have to move on. I don’t know this for certain, but I suspect he would like to move forward now and perhaps not go back to United.

Nathan Patterson to Rangers

He’s been there four years now, Nathan Patterson, and he’s had his moments in the Everton shirt, but hasn’t been able to hold down a place. And he had that bad injury, didn’t he, that kept him out for nearly a year, I think. It might be time for him to move on, whether it’s to Rangers or elsewhere. He needs to be playing football, I think, and it doesn’t look like David Moyes is going to give him a regular game there. So, yeah, up to him really where he fancies it.

Granit Xhaka to Man United

Well, Sunderland certainly wouldn’t want to let him go. He’s been instrumental in their season. Without him, they would be a lot poorer. He’s 34 in September, so that’s something you’ve got to consider. Maybe it’s a little bit too late in his career to be going to United.

We think of Casemiro as a senior player in his mid-30s, but he’s not. I’d be surprised about that, to be honest with you. I would be. I mean, great for Xhaka. But for Sunderland, certainly that would be a dangerous move, I think, to let him go.

Anthony Gordon to Bayern Munich

You listen to him; he’s an intelligent boy. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he did fancy a move abroad. I think he could handle that. He’d enjoy it. The different culture, language, style of football, everything. But yeah, I mean, would Newcastle let him go?

There’s going to be, you suspect there’s going to be a fair bit of turmoil in the summer with one or two players engineering to try and get away, and not an easy one for Eddie Howe and his future as well. But for Gordon, they wouldn’t want to lose him. But yeah, you wouldn’t be surprised to see Bayern Munich go for him.

Darwin Núñez to Newcastle

Again, they’d probably have to move Woltemade out the door, get some money for him. I mean, Darwin Núñez, there were times when he shone for Liverpool, weren’t there? He’s a physical player. He’s been in Saudi Arabia. Can he come back to a Premier League level?

He’s not the finished article. I don’t know whether Newcastle would fancy him. I don’t know what he’s been like out in Saudi, but that would be a great move for him if he wants to get back to the Premier League.

Zian Fleming to Leeds

Joel Piroe, he couldn’t really make the step up, could he? Calvert-Lewin came in and he’s been used but Piroe couldn’t get the goals he did in the Championship. So they would want an alternative to Calvert-Lewin, certainly. And also somebody that can partner him, because Calvert-Lewin’s injury record, you’re always a little bit on edge as to whether he’s going to be available. Ten goals for Burnley, a really struggling Burnley team. He’s got some good goals; he’s lively. Yeah, I think definitely there’ll be some offers for him.

Kaoru Mitoma Injury

Really upsetting for him if he misses the World Cup. Really upsetting, and not great for Brighton. They’ve got Man United at home in the last game of the season. They’d want to finish on a high there. But you always feel sorry for players. Romero was the same for Spurs in tears when he got injured the other day. They all want to play for their country in the States. So, yeah, it would be a blow for both him and Brighton.

Josh Acheampong to Bayern Munich

At one stage, he was being used quite regularly. He’s a versatile player as well; he can play across the back line. Talented boy. Those that have known him in the academy and that, everybody spoke very highly of him. But I mean, Chelsea’s financial situation seems to be a mess and it looks like they do have to generate some revenue.

Selling an academy player is probably the best route because it’s pure profit, isn’t it? And you’d imagine they will get a good price for somebody like Josh Acheampong. But it’s just a shame, isn’t it? I think the Chelsea fans would feel that they’ve lost one of their own. And you could see him going on elsewhere and having a really good top flight career.

Enzo Fernández to Arsenal

Again, that would sting badly. Sting badly. Do you know what? I don’t see him in the red and white. Some players, you can’t imagine playing for certain clubs. And I can’t imagine him playing for Arsenal. I mean, he’s a very good player. There’s no doubt about that. But we’ll see. It’s going to be really interesting seeing how Chelsea deals with their financial situation in terms of comings and goings.

Brentford vs Palace

Brentford, I think, will win 2-0.

Wolves vs Fulham

Wolves can’t wait for the season to end. I think it’ll be 2-1 to Fulham.

Bournemouth vs Man City

I’m down there for that. City, obviously, have to keep winning. I think maybe they will. Just about 2-3 to City.