Liverpool are Premier League champions, while Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton have been relegated, but there is still plenty to play for in the latter stages of the 2024-25 campaign.
Manchester City kick off this gameweek, hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday night, while Aston Villa will welcome Fulham, and Arsenal will host Southampton, in two important matches on Saturday.
Manchester United will be aiming to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they head to Brentford on Sunday, while there is a good-looking London derby on the same afternoon, with West Ham United welcoming Tottenham Hotspur.
The standout fixture in this gameweek comes at Stamford Bridge later in the day, though, with Chelsea hosting Liverpool.
The action then concludes on Monday evening, with FA Cup finalists Crystal Palace welcoming a Nottingham Forest outfit that sit sixth in the Premier League table, level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea.
Another Premier League gameweek means another Sports Mole prediction competition, and this week, we are facing off against Georgie – singer of three-piece rockers GIRLBAND! – who is a Liverpool fan.
Read on to discover Georgie’s and our predictions for gameweek 35, as well as finding out the results of our head-to-head with Faris Badwan – lead vocalist of The Horrors – from gameweek 34.
Friday, 8pm
Georgie: Man City 2-0 Wolves
Sports Mole: Man City 2-1 Wolves
Though Man City are no longer a formidable force, they seem to have steadied the ship; conceding far fewer goals, the outgoing Premier League champions should beat Wolves.
This game will put the visitors’ new-found form to the test – but, for all their improvements, it may prove one step too far.
Saturday, 12.30pm
Georgie: Aston Villa 2-1 Fulham
Sports Mole: Aston Villa 2-1 Fulham
Fulham have already beaten the likes of Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea this season and they have the players at their disposal to cause a wounded Aston Villa outfit problems this weekend.
Having said that, the Lions boast a strong home record, not losing in front of their own fans since October last year, and we expect Emery’s men to bounce back from their recent wobble to claim three valuable points.
Saturday, 3pm
Georgie: Everton 2-0 Ipswich
Sports Mole: Everton 1-0 Ipswich
Everton have performed well for the most part against sides in and around them in the table and they thrashed Leicester 4-0 here a few months ago, so they are rightfully clear favourites.
Three of Ipswich’s four Premier League wins this season have come away from home, but they were utterly outclassed by Newcastle last weekend, and while Everton may not be on that level, there is still a clear gap in the quality between the two sides.
Saturday, 3pm
Georgie: Leicester 1-1 Southampton
Sports Mole: Leicester 1-2 Southampton
Both teams are unsurprisingly down in the dumps and are keen to restore a sense of pride in their remaining fixtures. Leicester can also complete the Premier League double over Southampton for the first time since 1999-00 if they collect maximum points this weekend.
However, it is difficult to ignore the Foxes’ miserable home form, while there have been signs of improvement – albeit very minor ones – in the last couple of games from the Saints, who we are backing to come out on top and subsequently avoid equalling Derby County’s record-low points tally (11).
Saturday, 5.30pm
Georgie: Arsenal 3-1 Bournemouth
Sports Mole: Arsenal 1-1 Bournemouth
With ample time to rest in between both battles with PSG, Arsenal’s team should have a near full-strength feel to it this weekend, but they will no doubt be pre-occupied with Parisian thoughts and have struggled to cling onto leads all season long.
As Bournemouth are no pushovers and have lost just four Premier League games on the road all season long, the Cherries should be good enough for a point against their distracted hosts.
Sunday, 2pm
Georgie: Brentford 1-1 Man Utd
Sports Mole: Brentford vs. Man Utd – to follow
Sunday, 2pm
Georgie: Brighton 1-2 Newcastle
Sports Mole: Brighton vs. Newcastle – to follow
Sunday, 2pm
Georgie: West Ham 3-2 Spurs
Sports Mole: West Ham 1-1 Spurs
As abysmal as West Ham’s recent record may look at face value, each of their last six defeats has been by just the one goal, and they have given the likes of Bournemouth, Liverpool and Newcastle United good runs for their money.
Potter’s men therefore have our backing to avoid successive losses, but their winless streak will surely be prolonged as a rotated Spurs side head home with a share of the spoils.
Sunday, 4.30pm
Georgie: Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool
Sports Mole: Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool
It is inevitable that Liverpool’s foot will come off the gas – if just ever so slightly – with the Reds in party mode, and Slot’s confirmation of rotations spells optimism for Chelsea’s chances of a shock.
The Blues have had no problems finding the back of the net at Stamford Bridge all season long, and Maresca’s men can realistically expect to hold the champions to a score draw in Sunday’s blockbuster.
Monday, 8pm
Georgie: Crystal Palace 0-1 Nott’m Forest
Sports Mole: Crystal Palace vs. Nott’m Forest – to follow
Georgie Q&A
How did you come to support Liverpool and what are your favourite memories from your time as a fan?
Georgie: Mine was through my family. My mum was a Liverpool fan and my uncle was a professional footballer so it was quite strong on that side of the family. I remember when my uncle took me to see my first game as he was friends with the Sheffield United coach so they got us in to see them play Liverpool. But of course we were in the Sheffield stand so I had to put a t-shirt on top of my Liverpool shirt.
Who have been your favourite five players for Liverpool?
Steven Gerrard
Michael Owen
John Barnes
Andrew Robertson
Kenny Dalglish (of course!)
What’s going on with the band at the moment?
We’ve just released a new single which is exciting called ‘Talk Me Down’. We also have loads of festivals on the horizon including Glastonbury and a few in Europe!
‘Talk Me Down’ by GIRLBAND! is available to stream now.
You can follow GIRLBAND! on Instagram
2024-25 SEASON LEADERBOARD (ARTISTS)
Scores are calculated as one point for a correct result and five points for a correct scoreline.
1. Kyle Starkey (16pts | Gameweek 3)
2. Make Friends’ Max Lewin (15pts | Gameweek 2)
3. Kids Return’s Clement (14pts | Gameweek 27)
= Mychelle (14pts | Gameweek 28)
5. Everyone Says Hi’s Nick Hodgson (13pts | Gameweek 1)
6. The Horrors’ Faris Badwan (12pts | Gameweek 34)
7. Blitz Vega’s Kav Sandhu (10pts | Gameweek 5)
8. Trampolene’s Jack Jones (9pts | Gameweek 4)
= Kneecap’s Mo Chara (9pts | Gameweek 6)
= The Slow Readers Club’s James Ryan (9pts | Gameweek 20)
= Alex Spencer (9pts | Gameweek 21)
= Better Joy’s Bria Keely (9pts | Gameweek 22)
= The Florentinas’ Paddy Boyd (9ts | Gameweek 31)
14. Feet’s Harry Southerton (7pts | Gameweek 13)
= IN PARALLEL’s Harrison Baker (7pts | Gameweek 15)
= HIMALAYAS’ Joe Williams (7pts | Gameweek 25)
= Matilda Shakes’ James Hallam (7pts | Gameweek 32)
18. Kids in Glass Houses’ Iain Mahanty (6pts | Gameweek 7)
= proFESSional’s Rob Hennebry (6pts | Gameweek 8)
= Solar Eyes’ Glenn Smyth (6pts | Gameweek 24)
21. Cardinal Black’s Chris Buck (5pts | Gameweek 30)
22. Maddox Jones (4pts | Gameweek 9)
= The Farm’s Peter Hooton (4pts | Gameweek 18)
= Danko’s Lewis White (4pts | Gameweek 23)
= The Pale White (4pts | Gameweek 26)
26. She Drew The Gun’s Louisa Roach (3pts | Gameweek 10)
= The Now’s Shane Callaghan (3pts | Gameweek 17)
= Chilli Jesson (3pts | Gameweek 11)
= PG Ciarletta (3pts | Gameweek 29)
30. Soft Launch’s Josh McClory (2pts | Gameweek 12)
= My First Time’s James Mellen (2pts | Gameweek 14)
= Apollo Junction’s Ben Hope (2pts | Gameweek 16)
2024-25 COMPETITION HISTORY
Gameweek 1: Everyone Says Hi’s Nick Hodgson 13-14 Sports Mole
Gameweek 2: Make Friends’ Max Lewin 15-4 Sports Mole
Gameweek 3: Kyle Starkey 16-13 Sports Mole
Gameweek 4: Trampolene’s Jack Jones 9-9 Sports Mole
Gameweek 5: Blitz Vega’s Kav Sandhu 10-11 Sports Mole
Gameweek 6: Kneecap’s Mo Chara 9-4 Sports Mole
Gameweek 7: Kids in Glass Houses’ Iain Mahanty 6-3 Sports Mole
Gameweek 8: proFESSional’s Rob Hennebry 6-7 Sports Mole
Gameweek 9: Maddox Jones 4-10 Sports Mole
Gameweek 10: She Drew The Gun’s Louisa Roach 3-4 Sports Mole
Gameweek 11: Chilli Jesson 3-8 Sports Mole
Gameweek 12: Soft Launch’s Josh McClorey 2-3 Sports Mole
Gameweek 13: Feet’s Harry Southerton 7-10 Sports Mole
Gameweek 14: My First Time’s James Mellen 2-8 Sports Mole
Gameweek 15: IN PARALLEL’s Harrison Baker 7-2 Sports Mole
Gameweek 16: Apollo Junction’s Ben Hope 2-3 Sports Mole
Gameweek 17: The Now’s Shane Callaghan 3-6 Sports Mole
Gameweek 18: The Farm’s Peter Hooton 4-4 Sports Mole
Gameweek 19: N/A
Gameweek 20: The Slow Readers Club’s James Ryan 9-14 Sports Mole
Gameweek 21: Alex Spencer 9-7 Sports Mole
Gameweek 22: Better Joy’s Bria Keely 9-6 Sports Mole
Gameweek 23: Danko’s Lewis White 4-3 Sports Mole
Gameweek 24: Solar Eyes’ Glenn Smyth 6-4 Sports Mole
Gameweek 25: HIMALAYAS’ Joe Williams 7-8 Sports Mole
Gameweek 26: The Pale White 4-8 Sports Mole
Gameweek 27: Kids Return’s Clement 14-22 Sports Mole
Gameweek 28: Mychelle 14-4 Sports Mole
Gameweek 29: PG Ciarletta 3-12 Sports Mole
Gameweek 30: Cardinal Black’s Chris Buck 5-7 Sports Mole
Gameweek 31: The Florentinas’ Paddy Boyd 9-18 Sports Mole
Gameweek 32: Matilda Shakes’ James Hallam 7-5 Sports Mole
Gameweek 33: N/A
Gameweek 34: The Horrors’ Faris Badwan 12-10 Sports Mole
