The Premier League is back this weekend after an FA Cup break and there’s a cracking slate of games in store.
Nine matches kick off from Saturday lunchtime through Monday night, and Clive Allen – Spurs legend and still the club’s single-season record goal scorer with 49 in 1986-87 – joins me to break it all down.
This season’s been a strange one, hasn’t it? Unexpected results, surprise packages like Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth, and the FA Cup throwing up shocks left, right, and centre.
Clive reckons it’s wide open now, especially with Manchester City the only “expected” big gun still standing in the Cup’s last eight.
For me, it’s the Premier League’s unpredictability that’s got me hooked – and this weekend’s fixtures look primed for more twists.
Here’s what Clive and I reckon will happen. Buckle up for some cracking games!
Paul Coyte and Clive Allen give their Premier League predictions for this weekend’s fixtures
GB News
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester City (12:30 PM)
Clive: 1-2 | Paul: 1-2
Forest have been the shock of the season, sitting third with 48 points, but they’ve not won in five since that 7-0 thrashing of Brighton.
City, just a point behind in fourth, always finish strong – Clive’s banking on Pep’s young guns turning the corner for that big end-of-season push. I’m with him; Forest’s Champions League dream faces a reality check here. City to edge it.
Brighton vs. Fulham (3:00 PM)
Clive: 2-1 | Paul: 1-1
Brighton (eighth, 43 points) have bounced back brilliantly post-Forest drubbing, while Fulham (ninth, 42 points) are right on their tails.
Clive’s backing Brighton’s recent form at home, but I reckon this’ll be tighter – both are still in the FA Cup, keeping their cup runs alive. A draw feels right.
Crystal Palace vs. Ipswich (3:00 PM)
Clive: 1-0 | Paul: 2-0
Palace (12th) are hitting their stride, buoyed by that FA Cup win over Millwall – though we’ll get to that keeper incident later.
Ipswich (18th, 17 points) are scrapping for survival with just three wins all season. Clive sees a narrow Palace win; I’m going bigger – they’re looking strong now.
Liverpool vs. Southampton (3:00 PM)
Clive: 3-0 | Paul: 3-0
Top versus bottom. Liverpool (67 points) are 13 points clear and cruising, even after a shaky Champions League showing.
Southampton (nine points) are having a nightmare. No shocks here – we both see a Reds rout. Sorry, Saints fans.
Brentford vs. Aston Villa (5:30 PM)
Clive: 2-0 | Paul: 1-1
Brentford (11th, 38 points) host Villa (10th, 42 points) in a clash that could go either way. Clive’s all in on Brentford’s home form – not many leave there with points – while Villa’s patchy league run (one win in five) worries him.
I’m torn; Villa’s midweek Champions League win over Brugge was big, but I’ll call a draw.
Wolves vs. Everton (8:00 PM)
Clive: 1-1 | Paul: 1-1
Wolves are five points above the drop, but Everton’s resurgence under David Moyes – 32 points and theoretically safe – has Goodison buzzing ahead of the new stadium move. Clive and I both see a stalemate; neither side’s firing on all cylinders, but both will scrap.
Mohamed Salah has been in scintillating form for Liverpool
PA
Sunday, March 9, 2025
Chelsea vs. Leicester (2:00 PM)
Clive: 2-0 | Paul: 2-0
Chelsea (fifth) are a tough nut to crack – inconsistent, sure, but capable of a 4-0 hammering like they gave Southampton.
Leicester are in freefall, barely scoring or winning. Clive and I both see a comfortable Blues win – no lifeline for the Foxes here.
Tottenham vs. Bournemouth (2:00 PM)
Clive: 2-1 | Paul: 2-0
Spurs (13th) welcome Bournemouth (seventh), who’ve wobbled lately after a stellar start. Clive’s never betting against his old club – returning players like Kulusevski (despite his injury) give them hope – but he sees a fight. I’m more confident; Spurs at home, 2-0. Bias? Maybe a little!
Manchester United vs. Arsenal (4:30 PM)
Clive: 1-2 | Paul: 1-3
United (14th) are a mess – on and off the pitch – while Arsenal (second) just smashed seven in the Champions League.
Clive likes their confidence but gives United a goal; I’m going bigger after that midweek display. Those 17-year-olds – Worley, Lewis-Skelly – are unreal. Arsenal to roll on.
Monday, March 10, 2025
West Ham vs. Newcastle
Clive: 1-0 | Paul: 1-2
West Ham (15th) have Graham Potter starting to imprint his style, and that Arsenal win was massive. Newcastle (sixth), three points off the Champions League spots, are hot-and-cold. Clive fancies a Monday night upset at home; I’m backing Newcastle’s ambition to nick it.
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Talking Point: That Palace-Millwall FA Cup Moment
We couldn’t skip the controversy from Palace’s FA Cup win over Millwall. The keeper’s high, reckless kick caught Mateta – a clear red card after the ref initially missed it.
Clive, who was covering the game, called it dangerous play, not malice, and backs the three-match ban. I agree – it’s about the act, not intent. Reckless is reckless.
Ever faced a flying keeper yourself, Clive? “You brace yourself,” he says. Yikes.
Final Thoughts
Clive’s loving the FA Cup’s unpredictability bleeding into the league, and I’m just baffled by this season’s wild ride.
Forest in third? Southampton on nine points? Anything’s possible this weekend.
Enjoy the games, folks – we’ll catch you next week.
Cheers from Paul and Clive.