Premier League GW35 predictions: Arsenal to bounce back, champions Liverpool to extend winning run

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.

Man City vs. Wolves

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.

Aston Villa vs. Fulham

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.

Everton vs. Ipswich

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.

Leicester vs. Southampton

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).

Arsenal vs. Bournemouth

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.

Brentford vs. Man Utd

Sunday, 2pm

Georgie: Brentford 1-1 Man Utd

Sports Mole: Brentford 3-1 Man Utd

After beating top-five hopefuls Nottingham Forest on the road, Brentford should have no issues putting a second-string Man United side to the sword on Sunday.

The Bees face a quick turnaround from the City Ground success, but the same can be said for the Red Devils, who are likely to have more than just one eye on next week's second leg against Athletic Bilbao.

Brighton vs. Newcastle

Sunday, 2pm

Georgie: Brighton 1-2 Newcastle

Sports Mole: Brighton 1-2 Newcastle

After winning dramatically on home soil last time out, Brighton will be looking to repeat the trick when Newcastle visit The Amex this weekend.

The Magpies have hit their stride at an ideal stage of the season and should have enough firepower to claim a much-needed three points on the South Coast.

West Ham vs. Spurs

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.

Chelsea vs. Liverpool

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.

Crystal Palace vs. Nott'm Forest

Monday, 8pm

Georgie: Crystal Palace 0-1 Nott'm Forest

Sports Mole: Crystal Palace 3-1 Nott'm Forest

With Forest's backline increasingly permeable, Santo hinting at changes in his pre-game press conference and the visitors only working with a few days' rest, the Garibaldi's plight will surely continue on Monday.

The manner of Palace's annihilation of Villa was nothing short of magnificent, and even though the magnitude of the occasion on Monday may not be so great, the FA Cup finalists should carry that momentum forward and finally beat Forest in a Premier League match at the 10th time of asking.

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