Arsenal are staring at a fourth straight defeat in all competitions, with the Gunners preparing to continue their Premier League campaign away to the champions Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
The race for the title, and the relegation positions, have already been decided, but there is a fascinating battle for European football, with a number of clubs battling to secure a place in the top five in the Premier League table, which translates to Champions League action for next term.
There is a huge game on Sunday afternoon, as fifth-placed Chelsea head to fourth-placed Newcastle United, while third-placed Manchester City are in action on Saturday away to relegated Southampton.
Nottingham Forest, who are sixth, are at home to relegated Leicester City on Sunday, while seventh-placed Aston Villa head to Bournemouth in what is a huge match for Unai Emery‘s side on Saturday night.
Europa League finalists Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will also play on Sunday, with the former welcoming West Ham United, while the latter will host Crystal Palace.
Another Premier League gameweek means another Sports Mole prediction competition, and this week, we are facing off against singer-songwriter James Bradshaw, who is a Liverpool fan.
Read on to discover James’ and our predictions for gameweek 36, as well as finding out the results of our head-to-head with Georgie – singer of three-piece rockers GIRLBAND! – from gameweek 35.
Saturday, 3pm
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Sports Mole: Fulham 1-1 Everton
Fulham are infrequently involved in draws, but that does not seem to matter when Everton are around, who have ended level in a whopping 15 games this season.
Both teams are struggling for form at present, and that could show here, despite the fact there is a lot riding on the game for the hosts.
Saturday, 3pm
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James: Ipswich 0-2 Brentford
Sports Mole: Ipswich 1-4 Brentford
Each of Ipswich’s last seven games have seen at least three goals scored, while Brentford have found the net 10 times in their last three matches and also netted four in the reverse fixture with the Tractor Boys, so there could be plenty of goalmouth action at Portman Road this weekend.
The in-form Bees are buzzing right now, though, and we expect Frank’s side to outscore their opponents, who are merely playing for pride, en route to claiming three valuable points in the race for a top-eight finish.
Saturday, 3pm
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James: Southampton 0-3 Man City
Sports Mole: Southampton 0-4 Man City
The confidence in Man City’s camp has sky-rocketed in recent weeks and Guardiola’s Champions League chasers will be regarded as firm favourites to come out on top against a struggling Southampton side that have conceded in each of their last 18 league games, shipping at least two goals in 14 of those.
A combination of dogged Saints defending and poor finishing from the Citizens resulted in a low-scoring affair in the reverse fixture, but we are backing City to win in convincing fashion this time around to consolidate their place in the top five.
Saturday, 3pm
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James: Wolves 1-1 Brighton
Sports Mole: Wolves 2-2 Brighton
No sheets should be clean by the close of play on Saturday, as Brighton and Wolves have conceded from a higher share of shots than all other teams in the Premier League this season (14%).
With two key cogs in Strand Larsen and Mitoma likely to be back in the ranks too, attacking excellence should take centre stage as the two mid-table clubs play out an entertaining draw.
Saturday, 5.30pm
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James: Bournemouth 1-2 Aston Villa
Sports Mole: Bournemouth 2-2 Aston Villa
Saturday’s evening kickoff should not be short of entertainment value, and we can envisage a high-scoring stalemate between two attack-minded teams desperately fighting for European football.
Do not be surprised by any late drama either; Bournemouth have scored eight goals in second-half stoppage time in the 2024-25 Premier League – more than any other team – while Villa have conceded an identical amount after the 90th minute, the second-most in the league behind relegated Southampton.
Sunday, 12pm
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James: Newcastle 2-2 Chelsea
Sports Mole: Newcastle 3-1 Chelsea
Given that Forest are expected to beat relegated Leicester on Saturday, neither Newcastle nor Chelsea can afford to lose on Sunday.
Despite the Blues’ run of victories and Lavia’s return to fitness giving Maresca’s men a different dimension, the Magpies have shown consistency on home turf for a longer stretch than their opponents, who still have question marks surrounding their away form, regardless of the Fulham win.
Considering Howe’s winning record whenever the Blues visit Tyneside, Isak scoring in four of his previous five matches at St James’ Park and the Swede’s impressive record against Chelsea, the Toon Army are backed to leave Sunday’s lunchtime fixture in higher spirits.
Sunday, 2.15pm
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James: Man Utd 1-1 West Ham
Sports Mole: Man Utd vs. West Ham – to follow
Sunday, 2.15pm
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James: Nott’m Forest 2-0 Leicester
Sports Mole: Nott’m Forest 2-0 Leicester
With an away match and a clash with Chelsea on the horizon, Nottingham Forest will be desperate to earn an expected three points against Championship-bound Leicester.
The Foxes put in a convincing display to beat Southampton last time out, however we feel that the visitors will struggle to keep up with the Tricky Trees at the City Ground.
Sunday, 2.15pm
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James: Spurs 1-2 Crystal Palace
Sports Mole: Spurs 1-1 Crystal Palace
Ferocity and flair can normally be expected in London derbies, but surely not this one, as Postecoglou and Glasner’s chief priorities will no doubt be avoiding any more fitness concerns ahead of their respective cup finals.
As a result, another underwhelming affair should be expected at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where both bottom-half clubs will be content with a point.
Sunday, 4.30pm
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James: Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Sports Mole: Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Liverpool and Arsenal have enjoyed a good stalemate in recent times – especially at Anfield – but a trip to the champions was the last thing that the Gunners needed after a massive dose of Parisian pain.
With the Reds back at a vibrant Anfield, likely back to full strength and simply out-gunning Arsenal on the attacking front all season long, Slot’s men should prove why they are champions and why the visitors are not.
James Bradshaw Q&A
How did you come to support Liverpool and what are your favourite memories from your time as a fan?
James: I became a Liverpool FC fan through osmosis of being a kid and witnessing my Dad and Grandad watching games. But, I became a diehard Red after watching the Champions League final win with my Dad in 2005. I still can’t explain the emotions of that night!
Who have been your favourite five players for Liverpool?
James: No.1 – Steven Gerrard (forever and always). No.2 – Luis Suarez (never been more excited to watch a player). No.3 – Joel Matip (funniest player ever to play and still the profile picture of our LFC group chat).
No.4 – Sami Hyypia (underrated defender, true Red and was the nicest man in the players’ lounge when I got the opportunity to go in when I was 10). No.5 – Sir Kenny Dalglish (undisputed legend of the club and despite rivalries, still showed up at my elder cousin, Bill Kenwright‘s funeral).
What’s going on with you at the moment?
James: I’ve spent the last few years touring/performing internationally as a session vocalist with artists like Dermot Kennedy, Dua Lipa, Elton John, Coldplay, Sister Sledge and Freya Ridings.
But after some time off the road, I have felt inspired (and finally had time) to start finishing songs that I’ve been sat on for a while and putting pen to paper for new things… So, this year I am putting lots of energy into my own project and will be giving people things to listen to very soon – I cannot wait!
‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ by James Bradshaw is available to stream now.
You can follow James Bradshaw 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)
= GIRLBAND! singer Georgie (2ps | Gameweek 35)
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
Gameweek 35: GIRLBAND! singer Georgie 2-8 Sports Mole
