{"id":8648,"date":"2026-05-15T08:23:46","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T08:23:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=8648"},"modified":"2026-05-15T08:23:46","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T08:23:46","slug":"dans-epl-predictions-week-36-fa-cup-final-and-a-home-win-for-arsenal-v-burnley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=8648","title":{"rendered":"Dan’s EPL Predictions Week 36 – FA Cup Final and a home win for Arsenal v Burnley"},"content":{"rendered":"


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FA Cup Final and the race for Europe<\/h2>\n

FA Cup Final (90 mins only, so if you think extra time or pens, pick a draw)<\/p>\n

Man City 2-1 Chelsea<\/strong><\/p>\n

You just don\u2019t know which version of C<\/p>\n

helsea shows up.<\/p>\n

It wouldn\u2019t shock anyone if they got humiliated at Wembley, yet they have enough players self-involved enough to deliver because a medal is at stake.<\/p>\n

For instance, their only win in their last six fixtures was in the semi-final.<\/p>\n

In a record fourth successive FA Cup Final, Man City play in a way where they will concede chances, but Chelsea could have done with Palmer and James 100 per cent fit. I\u2019m not sure Palmer ever has been that this season.<\/p>\n

I still don\u2019t understand why their owners are sending their club to a final with an interim manager in charge. Why not give your team the best possible chance, especially as they might have to lift the trophy to qualify for Europe?<\/p>\n

Villa 2-2 Liverpool<\/strong><\/p>\n

Villa would love to go into the Europa League final without the pressure of having to win the trophy to qualify for the Champions League.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why their draw with Burnley was a missed opportunity. Beat the team 19th in the table, and you don\u2019t have to worry about getting a result against the champions and\/or at the Etihad.<\/p>\n

Arne Slot could do without the headache of a top five place not being guaranteed going into the final week of the campaign. Especially with sections of the Anfield crowd starting to boo their own team, he could really do without the idea of Chelsea enquiring about Xabi Alonso. Many Liverpool fans will question why they have not acted if a club legend ends up at Stamford Bridge, especially if they don\u2019t fly out of the traps next season.<\/p>\n

If Unai Emery is successful in Turkey, sixth will be enough to be in the Champions League, but only if Villa finish fifth.<\/p>\n

So a bunch of clubs don\u2019t want a home win at Villa Park on Friday.<\/p>\n

Man United 2-1 Notts Forest<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some Gooners are not happy that a Gunner has been overlooked by journalists for the Football Writers Award.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t think you can criticise anyone for their opinion, and Arsenal\u2019s squad might be victims of having more than one candidate for Player of the Year, meaning split votes.<\/p>\n

Whereas at Man United there would be only one contender.<\/p>\n

You can\u2019t argue that Bruno Fernandes hasn\u2019t been crucial in his club returning to the Champions League. The Portuguese needs two more assists to break Henry\u2019s and KDB\u2019s record of 20.<\/p>\n

My own viewpoint is it\u2019s easier to play one game a week compared to playing every few days in must-win conditions.<\/p>\n

Forest did well to respond so soon after the disappointment of being knocked out of Europe.<\/p>\n

Will this be Michael Carrick\u2019s farewell to Old Trafford?<\/p>\n

United were seventh when he returned, 11 points away from third.<\/p>\n

Brentford 3-1 Crystal Palace<\/strong><\/p>\n

Brentford have a great chance of playing in Europe for the first time in their history.<\/p>\n

They will kick off knowing if eighth is enough to qualify for the UEFA Conference League.<\/p>\n

Yet the Europa League and Champions League are not out of the question either.<\/p>\n

The Bees lost so many players in the summer I picked them for relegation, so Keith Andrews is a contender for manager of the season.<\/p>\n

This game obviously means more to the home side, and it\u2019s hard to predict how teams respond to not playing with any consequences at stake.<\/p>\n

Some play with freedom, others need to play with jeopardy.<\/p>\n

Oliver Glasner has yet to start resting players for Palace\u2019s European final. Let\u2019s hope he does a week on Sunday?<\/p>\n

Everton 1-0 Sunderland<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Toffees still have an outside chance of a European spot, although it would be more realistic had they not conceded the amount of late goals they have recently.<\/p>\n

David Moyes might have regrets.<\/p>\n

Arsenal must hold their nerve<\/h2>\n

Leeds 1-1 Brighton<\/strong><\/p>\n

Brighton will go sixth with a victory at Elland Road which could yet be enough to qualify for the Champions League.<\/p>\n

They will know the outcome of the FA Cup Final at this point and so at the very least can cement European football for only the second time in their history.<\/p>\n

There was nothing about Leeds\u2019 performance on Monday, though, to suggest they will take their foot off the pedal now that safety has been assured.<\/p>\n

Promoted clubs in the future would be wise to copy Daniel Farke\u2019s policy of recruiting players suitable for physicality.<\/p>\n

Wolves 1-1 Fulham<\/strong><\/p>\n

The fact that Wolves are relegated, having been bottom of the table for so long, yet might get a decent reaction from the crowd in their final home game of the season speaks volumes about the job Rob Edwards has done since he returned as manager.<\/p>\n

They will be okay in the Championship.<\/p>\n

Newcastle 1-1 West Ham<\/strong><\/p>\n

When Callum Wilson was having his goal ruled out on Sunday, Hammers fans would have bitten your hand off for a scenario where they could get out of the bottom three with victory at the Toon.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s because Spurs didn\u2019t take advantage, and suddenly the Irons can send Tottenham to Stamford Bridge in the relegation zone. If you\u2019re a Chelsea player and you can\u2019t get motivated for helping relegate your rivals, your fans will never forgive you.<\/p>\n

It might depend on what version of Newcastle shows up. The visitors will hope that because the game means more to them, the Magpies go through the motions. Nuno might have to show more ambition, though, than he did last weekend.<\/p>\n

Bournemouth 0-1 Man City<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many highlighted this fixture for a while as a potential banana skin.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard enough to beat a team on a 16-match unbeaten run without the pressure of having to win. The Cherries still have dreams of playing in the Champions League, so it\u2019s not like Man City are playing a team with nothing to play for.<\/p>\n

Normally, a draw on the south coast would be a decent result, but if Arsenal win the night before, anything other than an away win at the Vitality means the Gunners are champions.<\/p>\n

It would mean Gooners can avoid the anxiety of the final day, yet we learned a long time ago nothing is that simple, is it?<\/p>\n

I think our hopes will be raised on Tuesday and then dashed.<\/p>\n

Chelsea 1-1 Spurs<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s kind of fitting that it\u2019s the 10-year anniversary of Chelsea costing Spurs the Premiership.<\/p>\n

The Blues finished 10th that year but turned up for this fixture specifically.<\/p>\n

At 2-2, they were keeping the ball in the corner not because a point benefited them, but because they knew the least they could do was make their fans happy by hurting their rivals.<\/p>\n

Whether they have the FA Cup or not, their supporters won\u2019t forgive them if they give their neighbours a free pass here.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s questionable whether the same characters exist at Stamford Bridge anymore.<\/p>\n

<\/source><\/picture>
(Photo by George Wood\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Arsenal 2-0 Burnley<\/strong><\/p>\n

Goal difference currently means that any Arsenal slip-up would put the destiny of the title back in Man City\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n

That might leave some Gooners demanding or expecting Mikel Arteta to target this game as a chance to get a few goals. Do that, and assuming City don\u2019t score more at Bournemouth, a point at Selhurst Park might be enough for the Gunners to be champions, although a favour from the Vitality and all this anxiety goes away.<\/p>\n

There is enough pressure for our players to handle without worrying about the size of the scoreline. As the last few weeks have shown, it only takes a second for something to go wrong. It takes one game where you just can\u2019t score.<\/p>\n

Last time out the Gunners beat Burnley 2-0 away, with goals from Gyokeres and Rice.<\/p>\n

The more people tell you Monday is a forgone conclusion, the less straightforward it will be.<\/p>\n

It wouldn\u2019t be Arsenal if we didn\u2019t make it hard for ourselves, would it?<\/p>\n

An early goal would make the evening less nervous.<\/p>\n

Can Arsenal keep their nerve and take the title race to the final day, Gooners?<\/p>\n

Dan Smith<\/strong><\/p>\n

Top 48 Qualify For The World Cup <\/b><\/p>\n

EJS 254<\/p>\n

Sue P 243<\/p>\n

Terrah 238<\/p>\n

Gunnerstew 236<\/p>\n

JRA 234<\/p>\n

J Gunners 234<\/p>\n

Me 227<\/p>\n

Gunsmoke 227<\/p>\n

Okobino 226<\/p>\n

Matthew 225<\/p>\n

Adeski 224<\/p>\n

GB 220<\/p>\n

Dave 220<\/p>\n

Sue 219<\/p>\n

Okobino 219<\/p>\n

J Gunz 217<\/p>\n

Antivirus 217<\/p>\n

IGL 216<\/p>\n

Ayan 215<\/p>\n

Akeem 215<\/p>\n

Lady 214<\/p>\n

Timothy Adegbola 212<\/p>\n

Classy Gunner 210<\/p>\n

Angelo 210<\/p>\n

Prince 209<\/p>\n

Mena 93- 209<\/p>\n

And Kit 207<\/p>\n

Ackshay 207<\/p>\n

rick wonder 207<\/p>\n

MTG 206<\/p>\n

Stephanie 205<\/p>\n

Only A 204<\/p>\n

Samson 202<\/p>\n

I 201<\/p>\n

Achizzy 200<\/p>\n

Tom 200<\/p>\n

Kenya 001- 199<\/p>\n

NT Gunnerz 199<\/p>\n

Sagie 199<\/p>\n

Kendrick Ohis 197<\/p>\n

Drayton 192<\/p>\n

iGL 191<\/p>\n

Objection 185<\/p>\n

QB 183<\/p>\n

183 of the USSR<\/p>\n

Onyango 182<\/p>\n

O Achiel 178<\/p>\n

Baron 168<\/p>\n

Illiterate 166<\/p>\n

Holes 164<\/p>\n

Famochi 141<\/p>\n

Enzo 129<\/p>\n

Solwills 126<\/p>\n

Samson 126<\/p>\n

Freddy 104<\/p>\n

Bergkampfwagen 114<\/p>\n

J Bauer 86<\/p>\n

Amir 73<\/p>\n

Chronicle 51<\/p>\n

waal2waal 50<\/p>\n

Okechy 49<\/p>\n

E Augustus 44<\/p>\n

Splendid 43<\/p>\n

Alfie G 35<\/p>\n

Arsenal Chief Prices 34<\/p>\n

T blaze 29<\/p>\n

Amabachew 24<\/p>\n

Tom Odey 19<\/p>\n

wirtz 18<\/p>\n

Gunner For Lyf 14<\/p>\n

Gabriel 13<\/p>\n

Emperor A 12<\/p>\n

Illiterate 12<\/p>\n

Kobin 11<\/p>\n

JT Gunner 11<\/p>\n

Uzi Ozil 11<\/p>\n

Leon 10<\/p>\n

9. Habtamu<\/p>\n

Bertie 8<\/p>\n

Priest 8<\/p>\n

Charles Lwanga Jnr 8<\/p>\n

M leashim 7<\/p>\n

Joe book<\/p>\n

gio19<\/p>\n

Charles Baron 7<\/p>\n

Joseph Ejeh 5<\/p>\n

Winston 5<\/p>\n

Elsammy 5<\/p>\n

Michelle 5<\/p>\n

This is 5<\/p>\n

Joseph B Sax5<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
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