Liverpool will travel to Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth on Saturday to kick off Game Week 27 matches. Leicester City will welcome Chelsea at the King Power Stadium. Leeds United will face Brighton, and Tottenham will host Nottingham Forest at The new Tottenham stadium.
Previewing the games on Sportkeeda, Paul Merson said:
Bournemouth vs Liverpool
“Bournemouth have done a decent job in recent weeks. A couple of weeks ago, Bournemouth would have fancied their chances heading into a game against Liverpool.
“But suddenly, the Merseysiders have beaten Manchester United 7-0 and are back in the race for a top-four berth. It goes to show that the timing of games matters.
“It’s probably the first time in three or four years that you haven’t given Liverpool much of a chance against Manchester United. So the 7-0 win at Anfield over the Red Devils was an unbelievable result for me.
“Bournemouth did really well against Arsenal last week. It was a good performance and they’d be gutted to have lost with effectively the last kick of the game.
“Liverpool’s front three are starting to click. Confidence is such an important thing and last week, the trio of Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah looked much better than they have all season. That win will do their confidence a world of good.
“Salah might just be Liverpool’s best forward of the Premier League era. He plays on the right wing and has been scoring a ridiculous number of goals on a consistent basis and he’s done it longer than Luis Suarez. Prediction: Bournemouth 2-0 Liverpool.”
Leeds United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
“It’s a massive game for Leeds United. They’re playing okay but they keep losing matches. Sometimes teams play poorly and get beaten. This Leeds team is playing alright but they’re still getting beaten and that would worry me if I was their fan.
“Brighton are a very good team and they are playing really good football. Even when they got beaten by Fulham a few weeks ago, they dominated the game. I’d be shocked if Brighton don’t get the win here against Leeds. Prediction: Leeds United 0-3 Brighton & Hove Albion.”
Everton vs Brentford
“It’s a huge game for Everton. They led twice against Nottingham Forest last week but couldn’t convert it into a win. Brentford are a very good team and we saw that the other night. The Bees beat Fulham 3-2 and the Cottagers have been a pretty solid team this term.
“Brentford have the longest unbeaten run in the Premier League right now. On current form, they are one of the teams to beat in the English top flight. Everton will have to do something special to get a result here.
Prediction: Everton 1-2 Brentford.”
Leicester City vs Chelsea
“Chelsea are starting to look like an interesting unit now. Two back-to-back wins and two clean sheets and all of a sudden, you start to see their potential.
“I would want Graham Potter to stay with the same team that beat Borussia Dortmund comfortably on Tuesday night. I hope he doesn’t go and alter the team and make a number of changes.
“For me, Potter has to pick his strongest team and get a roll going. You need stability and you need continuity and Chelsea have suffered from making too many changes in recent times. His team selection was spot on against Dortmund and they reaped the rewards for it.
“I think Leicester are a different team with James Maddison in the playing XI. He’s got the guile to work Chelsea and I’ve got the feeling that the Blues are going to make five or six changes for this one. If they do that, I don’t see how they’re going to win it. Prediction: Leicester City 1-1 Chelsea.”
Tottenham Hotspur vs Nottingham Forest
“Nottingham Forest are awful away from home. Unless they sort out their away form, they are in huge trouble. They need to start getting results on the road.
“Nottingham have earned just three points away from home this season. As a Premier League side, you’ve got to do better than that.
Tottenham Hotspur fell to Wolves in their latest outing but they’ve got a great opportunity to bounce back and regain their confidence here. Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Nottingham Forest.”
