2021/22 Premier League Predictions: Matchday 27
Pintsized Background
If anything, Sky’s ‘Premier League years’ for the 2021-22 season is going to be a cracker. World wars, global pandemics and classic Spurs bottle jobs will keep eyes glued to the screen. Matchday 27 is a little spicier than expected after City shaved their dominant lead with a slip-up at home. Whether three points will matter in the grand scheme of the season, however, is a bit of wishful thinking.
A little Brucie Bonus from Ryan too for those interested in the League Cup Final:
Talk about an even final. This is one of those games where any outcome is possible. Chelsea are getting over their jet lag and World Club triumph and are back in the swing of things at home. Liverpool are on a hot streak at the moment with a huge 6-0 victory over a struggling Leeds. This seems like one of those slow-starter games that will gradually pick up steam in the later minutes. As it’s difficult to predict a one-off game, I’ll go with penalties on this one for excitement and drama. Toss a coin after that and I’ll edge Chelsea with their previous success in shootouts.
Prediction: Chelsea vs Liverpool 2-2 (Chelsea win on penalties)
Pintsized Football content from the week before:
🚀 Preview: Premier League Predictions: Matchday 26
📊 Statistics: Premier League Statistics: Matchday 26
⚽ PI’s Recommended Match: Leeds United vs Manchester United
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Bitesize Predictions
| Fixtures | Pintsized | Ryan | Steviano | Results |
| Friday, 25 February | ||||
| Southampton vs Norwich | 1-0 | 2-0 | 2-1 | 2-0 |
| Saturday, 26 February | ||||
| Leeds vs Spurs | 1-3 | 2-2 | 0-2 | 0-4 |
| Brentford vs Newcastle | 0-2 | 0-2 | 1-1 | 0-2 |
| Crystal Palace vs Burnley | 1-1 | 1-1 | 2-2 | 1-1 |
| Brighton vs Aston Villa | 1-1 | 3-1 | 2-1 | 0-2 |
| Man United vs Watford | 2-0 | 2-0 | 4-0 | 0-0 |
| Everton vs Man City | 1-3 | 0-3 | 0-2 | 0-1 |
| Sunday, 27 February | ||||
| West Ham vs Wolves | 2-2 | 1-2 | 2-1 | 1-0 |
Premier League Predictions: Matchday 27
Friday, 25 February
Southampton (#10, 32pts) vs Norwich (#20, 17pts)
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Undefeated in their last four games, Southampton has been quietly amassing an impressive record. A dominant 2-0 drubbing of Everton last time out, restricting the victors to ZERO shots on target, explains why Ralph Hasenhuttl is regularly linked to bigger jobs. With only fifteen goals so far in the season, Norwich is starting to enter true panic mode following Burnley’s shock back-to-back wins.
Prediction: 1-0
Ryan
Friday Night Football is back… with a less than exciting affair. A tad harsh perhaps given Norwich still have Premier League survival to play for but it’s not the most inspiring game to open up the weekend. With Southampton’s surprisingly hot run of form, I back them to continue this here.
Prediction: 2-0
Steviano
Norwich had put a nice run together before facing City and Liverpool in consecutive defeats but they visit a Southampton team in good form. Norwich’s appalling lack of goals will cost them in this one.
Prediction: 2-1
Premier League Predictions: Matchday 27
Saturday, 26 February
Leeds (#15, 23pts) vs Tottenham (#8, 39pts)
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It’s going to take a monumental performance from Leeds to recover from their 6-0 thrashing to Liverpool. Spurs’ were equally humiliated away at Burnley, but with neither side showing any particular semblance of form, Tottenham’s far stronger squad have to be favoured. Leeds’ injury list is frightening.
Prediction: 1-3
Ryan
Two teams that are coming into this match on the back of devastating and humiliating defeats. One was more expected than the other but it still doesn’t make it any less embarrassing. Conte’s outburst during the week pretty much confirms the circus lives on. This should be an interesting game with both teams on a downturn happy to settle for the draw.
Prediction: 2-2
Steviano
Four defeats in 5 has seen Spurs drop out of the top 6 and Conte’s grumblings have grown louder which is worrying for a team desperately looking for managerial stability. Leeds have similarly lost 4 of their last 5 including shipping an avg 3 goals a game to have a worse defensive record than Norwich now and that will probably decide this one.
Prediction: 0-2
Brentford (#14, 24pts) vs Newcastle (#17, 22pts)
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Uh oh. With only ONE Premier League victory so far in 2022, Brentford cannot seem to create anything in the final third. Yet to notch more than a single goal in any game in 2022, Brentford’s defence has also opened up to three goals on four occasions. On the polar opposite, Newcastle’s January boost has seen the Geordies fly out of relegation and march towards mid-table. Kieran Trippier’s injury is a worry, however, as the former Athletico man was flying since his return to England in January.
Prediction: 0-2
Ryan
Newcastle are staying up. A determined performance at European contending West Ham earned themselves a hard-fought point showing all the character to live on another day. Brentford need to be careful not to be dragged down after a hot start to the season. This will be a tough one but I’ll back the away team here.
Prediction: 0-2
Steviano
Two teams heading in opposite directions with Brentford without a win in 5 and Newcastle unbeaten in 5. Toney is expected to return which will be critical for Brentford whilst Newcastle have a raft of injuries. Draw may be ok for both teams.
Prediction: 1-1
Crystal Palace (#13, 26pts) vs Burnley (#19, 17pts)
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WHY? HOW? I am a fool for doubting the Dyche. The man has forged a mighty career keeping up a laughably weak side on a shoestring budget. Wilfried Zaha appears to have shaken off the cobwebs from AFCON, slotting two goals in a majestic performance against Watford during the mid-week. Expect a dull, tactical affair with both teams happy to take a point.
Prediction: 1-1
Ryan
Another team that are finding their mojo at the right time, Burnley are racking up the wins now from their many games in hand. They’ve found that steel again typical in a Sean Dyche side whilst Palace are continuing to flounder mid-table in a decent campaign. I can see this being a draw.
Prediction: 1-1
Steviano
Burnley appear to be hitting some form at last with b2b wins at Brighton and home to Spurs – Weghorst may turn out to be an upgrade on Chris Woods and shrewd business by Dyche if he keeps them up. Palace remain comfortable mid-table with a young squad having understandably inconsistent performances.
Prediction: 2-2
Brighton (#9, 33pts) vs Aston Villa (#12, 27pts)
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With Lewis Dunk still out after his red card against Manchester United, Brighton’s defence is doomed to once again fold. Selling Ben White and Dan Burn in the same season has heaped the pressure on poor ol’ Potter. Gerrard’s initial honeymoon appears to have well and truly ended, yet with the creative quality in the midfield, there is no chance of any relegation fears.
Prediction: 1-1
Ryan
Two teams who have seen their recent hot streaks fizzle out this month. Brighton still have a shot at getting into Europe but they’re definitely not the shoo-in they were a few months ago. Meanwhile at Villa Park, the honeymoon period seems to have come to an end with Stevie G as they’re not the confident team at the start of his reign. This is a great opportunity for the Seagulls to step up and I think they’ll rise to the occasion.
Prediction: 3-1
Steviano
Gerrard fever appears to have settled down with b2b defeats and a loss at home to Watford which should raise warning signals. Brighton also coming off b2b defeats but still sit nicely in the top 10 which will be progress for the Seagulls if they stay there.
Prediction: 2-1
Man United (#4, 46pts) vs Watford (#18, 18pts)
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With the number of scrappy results that United have racked up since Ralf’s appointment, you have to wonder whether the German’s tactics are working as intended. Watford broke their slide with a rare victory over Aston Villa, but looked toothless on Wednesday against Crystal Palace. Emmanuel Dennis has not rebounded following his return from suspension.
Prediction: 2-0
Ryan
Where to begin with United? The positive results are picking up although it’s never easy to predict which United will turn up. It’s a bit easier to predict where Watford will end up and that’s in the Championship. This won’t be a blow away win a la City or Liverpool but a ‘job well done’ performance will be sufficient for the home side.
Prediction: 2-0
Steviano
United may not be exciting to watch under Ralf but they have put a nice unbeaten run together and will be boosted by a great draw in Madrid mid-week. Facing a Watford team that appear destined to go straight back down this should be a formality.
Prediction: 4-0
Everton (#16, 22pts) vs Man City (#1, 63pts)
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Hell knows no fury quite like a Pep with egg on his face. Antonio Conte may have meme’d a result at the Etihad, but Everton will face the full wrath of Pep’s megabucks squad. Desperate to push past their current three-point lead in the title race, expect goals galore as City also attempt to creep ahead on GD too.
Prediction: 1-3
Ryan
Has a door been opened up for Liverpool to re-enter the title race? City will be hoping their slip-up against Spurs was a one-off fluke. To be fair, Everton will also be hoping that was the case too although their honeymoon period with Fat Frank seems to have been even shorter than his compatriot at Villa. Whilst the away team might be a bit nervy, the home side should pose no problems and get the reigning champions back on track.
Prediction: 0-3
Steviano
Any City defeat generates a media shockwave and pointing to a lack of a genuine striker which was highlighted with Kane scoring twice. Reality was 70% possession and 21 shots to Spurs 6 so hardly a cause for crisis for City compared to an Everton team with no shots on target last time out and sitting 2 points above the drop zone. This game is not a formality but City should take it.
Prediction: 0-2
Premier League Predictions: Matchday 27
Sunday, 27 February
West Ham (#5, 42pts) vs Wolves (#7, 40pts)
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I’ve got to be honest, I’m starting to worry now about our chances of holding on to a European spot. With our eyes firmly locked on the Europa League, our wafer-thin squad size is beginning to rear its ugly head. Wolves, if anything, offer a brutally difficult defensive affair that Antonio will struggle to pierce consistently. A toughie with honours likely even.
Prediction: 2-2
Ryan
This is a tasty one. Two teams that are well in the hunt for an unlikely European spot. Both teams have exceeded expectations this season, particularly the away side who are looking like a defensive juggernaut. The fact their blown chance of a point at Arsenal in the dying seconds was seen as a failure highlights the excellent job Bruno Lage has done. I’d go a step further and say he should be in contention for Manager of the Season if they finish in the Top 6. As for this game, this will be a close affair and with West Ham faltering slightly, Wolves can seize the opportunity to leapfrog their rivals.
Prediction: 1-2
Steviano
Averaging 1 goal a game should not get you into Europe but it could happen and this is a key game for Wolves as they sit two points behind the Hammers with a game in hand. I have a feeling Moyes might get the best out of his boys for this one though and sneak the result.
Prediction: 2-1
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Pintsized Interests is just a baby finding its first steps in the big, bad world of sports journalism. If you enjoy the content that is regularly uploaded then please consider donating via the link below. Any amount is greatly appreciated, and will go towards ensuring the survival of Pintsized Interests in the long-term.