Connor's Blog

Arsenal v Brighton A few weeks ago, the Gunners looked set to finish in the middle of the league. After four straight league wins, they are now very much in the hunt for a European place. Looking at the final day fixtures as well means for me they are the favourites. It would still be a disappointing season but at least it would end on a high. Brighton have done OK this campaign but definitely have the potential to do more next season. Prediction 3-1 Aston Villa v Chelsea Chelsea should be alright for a top four finish, although there are easier games they could have finished with. A narrow win over Leicester in their last game steadied the ship after a couple of agonising defeats, but the home side will not roll over for them. Villa have been solid this season and only began losing their way when Jack Grealish got injured. However, he is back now and their performances have picked up again. I expect Chelsea to win here but it might be a nervy afternoon for their fans. Prediction 1-2 F...

Manchester United v Fulham It is completely understandable that Manchester United have more than one eye on the Europa League final that is coming up, but that does not change the fact they have lost their past two league games at Old Trafford. With fans back in the stadium, I can not see that run continuing. Scott Parker has said numerous times this season that they are unable to compete at this level and this could be another example to prove him right. Prediction 3-0 Southampton v Leeds These are two teams who both began the season like a train and looked like exceeding all expectations, but they have gone in very different directions since. The Saints have fallen by the wayside and will be grateful for such a strong start, while Leeds have maintained that run and will finish in the top half on their first season back in the Premier League. That is an outstanding achievement and I fancy them to win this one too. Prediction 1-2 Brighton v Manchester City Brighton have been within sig...

Leicester City - route to the final 3rd round: Stoke City 0-4 Leicester City 4th round: Brentford 1-3 Leicester City 5th round: Leicester City 1-0 Brighton Quarter final: Leicester City 3-1 Manchester United Semi final: Leicester City 1-0 Southampton The Foxes have been defensively sound throughout the competition and have only conceded twice in their five games on route to the final. The comfortable quarter final victory over Manchester United was their stand out performance and also when people began talking about them as serious contenders. They rode their luck a little against Brighton in the fifth round, only going through thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho's added time header. They might start this final as underdogs, but they were much bigger underdogs when they won the Premier League back in 2015. Chelsea - route to the final 3rd round: Chelsea 4-0 Morecambe 4th round: Chelsea 3-1 Luton 5th round: Barnsley 0-1 Chelsea Quarter final: Chelsea 2-0 Sheffield United Semi final: Chelsea...

Newcastle v Manchester City This is the first of many games across the next week with nothing riding on it for either team. Newcastle will be relieved to have secured survival last weekend and the big question now is do they stick with Steve Bruce in the summer or look to bring in someone who can propel them higher up the league. Manchester City will be wanting to take momentum into the Champions League final later this month and they should not have much problem here. Prediction 0-3 Burnley v Leeds A few months ago, people were criticising Sean Dyche when it looked like Burnley might be in trouble of going down. However, once again he has showed his class as a manager and steered them to safety for another season. I do wonder though if Burnley fans are soon going to get fed up of finishing 17th and will call for a change? Leeds have had a wonderful season and a win here would go a long way to securing a top half finish for them. Prediction 1-1 Southampton v Fulham I thought the Saints...

Leicester v Newcastle Leicester will want to win this and hope other results go their way. If that all happens then they will be almost guaranteed a top four spot and will be able to focus fully on the FA Cup final next weekend. Newcastle's last game is against Fulham which means they might need one more result to confirm their stay in the top flight, although they obviously believe they are already safe with their lacklustre performance against Arsenal last week. I am expecting a similar result here. Prediction 2-0 Leeds v Tottenham Leeds will once again be without Kalvin Phillips and Raphina which are massive blows for them. They usually score goals for fun but fell completely flat against Brighton last weekend. Spurs need to win every game and hope other results go their way if they are to achieve a European spot for next season, and with the likes of Son and Kane firing again, I would expect them to win this one. Prediction 0-2 Sheffield United v Crystal Palace Sometimes after ...

Southampton v Leicester Leicester look like they have done enough to hold onto a top four finish which would be an amazing achievement for them this season. Kelechi Iheanacho for so long has been in Jamie Vardy's shadow but he has more than taken his chance and looks to have secured his side Champions League football next season. Southampton were awful when these teams met at Wembley recently and will definitely want to prove a point, but the Foxes will be too strong again. Prediction 1-2 Crystal Palace v Manchester City There are some question marks surrounding the future of Roy Hodgson that I really do not understand. He has guided Palace to a comfortable mid-table finish which is surely the best they can be hoping for. City, meanwhile, are just a couple of wins away from the league and might have half an eye on the second leg against PSG on Tuesday. They have such a large group of talent to pick from though and I expect them to maintain their good form. Prediction 0-2 Brighton v...