Premier League Saturday Predictions: Can Leeds and Brighton secure back-to-back wins?

This weekend brings the penultimate round of Premier League fixtures before the World Cup - Greg Lea previews the five matches taking place on Saturday and provides his Premier League predictions.

Leeds v Bournemouth

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Jesse Marsch appeared to be on the brink of losing his job less than a week ago, but a 2-1 victory over Liverpool has earned the Leeds boss a stay of execution. His team certainly did not look like a team that had given up on their manager last weekend, but Marsch knows that the side must build on that triumph when Bournemouth come to town.

The Cherries let slip a 2-0 lead over Tottenham last time out. They have now lost three games on the bounce and will arrive at Elland Road with the joint-worst defensive record in the division. Leeds, with renewed confidence, can take advantage.

Prediction: Leeds to score in both halves @ 2.52

Manchester City v Fulham

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

With Erling Haaland out injured, Manchester City needed a moment of magic from Kevin De Bruyne to pick up all three points against Leicester last Saturday. Pep Guardiola hopes to have the Norway international available for the visit of Fulham, which would only heighten the difficulty of the Londoners’ task.

Yet because they are seventh in the standings, Fulham will arrive at the Etihad Stadium with the pressure off. Only five teams have found the back of the net more often than the Cottagers this season, so perhaps Marco Silva’s side will be able to give City something to think about.

Prediction: Both teams to score @ 1.98

Nottingham Forest v Brentford

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

After a run of just one defeat in their previous four matches, Nottingham Forest were sent crashing back down to earth by Arsenal last time out. A 5-0 loss at the Emirates Stadium has left Steve Cooper’s side at the foot of the table and with the worst goal difference in the Premier League.

This is the type of match that Forest really need to win, but prior 3-2 home defeats by Bournemouth and Fulham suggest it will not be easy. 

Last season’s Championship play-off winners are still struggling to find the right balance between defence and attack. They are unlikely to shut up shop at home to Brentford, so this is likely to be an open game. Even without the suspended Ivan Toney, the Bees can cause problems for their opponents.

Prediction: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals @ 2.14

Wolves v Brighton

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Roberto De Zerbi finally got off the mark as Brighton boss last weekend, and the club’s fans will surely believe that it was worth the wait. A 4-1 thumping of Graham Potter’s Chelsea ended a five-match winless streak and lifted the Seagulls back into the top eight.

Wolves remain in the bottom three despite a 1-1 draw with Brentford in their last fixture. The club is in limbo until a new permanent manager is appointed in 2023, and this could be another tough afternoon for the former European aspirants.

Prediction: Brighton to win @ 2.2

Everton v Leicester 

Kick-off: 5.30pm Saturday

A new centre-back partnership of Conor Coady and James Tarkowski has gone a long way to tightening up Everton’s defence this season. Only the backlines of Newcastle, Arsenal and Manchester City have been breached less often than that of the Toffees, who battled to a 0-0 draw with Fulham in the Saturday teatime fixture last weekend.

After shipping goals for fun in the early part of the season, Leicester have conceded only once in their last four outings. Brendan Rodgers will be keen to protect that record, so this could be a slow burner.

Prediction: 0-0 at half-time @ 2.76

Premier League predictions

Leeds United v Bournemouth: Leeds to score in both halves @ 2.52
Man City v Fulham: Both teams to score @ 1.98
Forest v Brentford: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals @ 2.14
Wolves v Brighton & Hove Albion: Brighton to win @ 2.2
Everton v Leicester City: 0-0 at half-time @ 2.76