Welcome to the Premier League predictions challenge, where subscribers are closing in on the top spot just like Arsenal. Last weekend was tense for Aston Villa fan and guest predictor Jack, but Manchester City’s stoppage-time third goal against Brentford gave readers a crucial spot-on prediction, extending their lead at the summit.
That lead now stands at six points with 21 games remaining. Each week since August, four participants—an algorithm, a rotating guest subscriber, six-year-old Wilfred, and I—have been forecasting Premier League results with varying success. We award three points for an exact scoreline and one for a correct result, with a bonus point for any unique correct prediction.
I felt a late surge building after backing Brighton to beat Wolverhampton 3-0, thanks to another stoppage-time goal. But on Sunday, brief hopes of two more spot-on predictions vanished when Aston Villa and Everton both drew 2-2, while Nottingham Forest’s late equalizer against Newcastle ended my comeback dreams. Wilfred remains a contender, earning steady correct results without exact scorelines. The algorithm stole the show with a record 18 points, vindicated by three 1-1 draws and several correct results.
Now, with only one midweek match to preview, Jack stays on to predict Manchester City vs Crystal Palace.
Oli says: “A few comments last week questioned why City are often assumed to breeze to wins while Arsenal predictions are tight and nervous. It’s a fair point. City have only scored four more goals this season, with this and last being their lowest-scoring campaigns under Guardiola. I feel City are better at winning comfortably, while Arsenal excel in tight games. I initially considered a big City win here, given their need to close the goal-difference gap and Palace’s focus on the Conference League final, but City also have the FA Cup final on Saturday. They could win comfortably but not emphatically.”
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Crystal Palace
