Premier League predictions gameweek 26: Chiedu Oraka vs. Sports Mole

As leaders Liverpool switch their focus to the EFL Cup final against Chelsea, gameweek 26 provides an opportunity for two teams to close the gap on them at the top of the Premier League table.

Manchester City visit Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, but any slip-up at the Vitality Stadium could open the door for Arsenal to leapfrog them into second.

The Gunners host Newcastle United in an 8pm Saturday kickoff, bringing the curtain down on a day which also features Manchester United and four of the bottom six.

Wolverhampton Wanderers then take on Sheffield United in the only league game on Sunday, before West Ham United and Brentford meet in a Monday night London derby to bring the gameweek to a close.

Each gameweek, Sports Mole is taking on a famous musician or band in a prediction competition, and this week it is the turn of Newcastle fan Chiedu Oraka.

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Aston Villa vs. Nott'm Forest

Saturday, 3pm

Chiedu: Aston Villa 1-0 Nott'm Forest

Sports Mole: Aston Villa 3-1 Nott'm Forest

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Brighton vs. Everton

Saturday, 3pm

Chiedu: Brighton 1-2 Everton

Sports Mole: Brighton 2-0 Everton

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Crystal Palace vs. Burnley

Saturday, 3pm

Chiedu: Crystal Palace 2-2 Burnley

Sports Mole: Crystal Palace 1-0 Burnley

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Man Utd vs. Fulham

Saturday, 3pm

Chiedu: Man Utd 1-0 Fulham

Sports Mole: Man Utd 3-1 Fulham

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Bournemouth vs. Man City

Saturday, 5.30pm

Chiedu: Bournemouth 0-3 Man City

Sports Mole: Bournemouth 1-3 Man City

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Arsenal vs. Newcastle

Saturday, 8pm

Chiedu: Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle

Sports Mole: Arsenal 2-1 Newcastle

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Wolves vs. Sheff Utd

Sunday, 1.30pm

Chiedu: Wolves 2-0 Sheff Utd

Sports Mole: Wolves 3-0 Sheff Utd

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West Ham vs. Brentford

Monday, 8pm

Chiedu: West Ham 0-1 Brentford

Sports Mole: West Ham 1-1 Brentford

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Chiedu Q&A

How did you come to support Newcastle and what are your favourite memories from your time as a fan?

It's pretty simple this answer, I began supporting Newcastle as soon as Alan Shearer signed for us in 1996. I just remember all the fuss surrounding the price tag and instantly became a fan of the club.

My two favourite memories have to be when we thrashed Man United 5-0 and when we beat Barcelona in the Champions League 3-2, with that famous Faustino Asprilla hat-trick.

Who have been your favourite five players for your club, historically or currently?

This is a very difficult question because there have been so many sick players that have pulled on the famous black and white strip. But if you had to push me, I would say these are the ones who have gave me my favourite moments - in no particular order except number one: 1. Alan Shearer 2. Laurent Robert 3. Kieron Dyer 4. Les Ferdinand 5. Hatem Ben Arfa

What's going on for you as an artist at the moment?

All roads lead to two things right now. My performance at SXSW in Texas in March and the release of my debut mixtape 'Misfit' which drops on April 26.

Check out 'Rhythm of my Pain', the latest release from Chiedu Oraka, available on all digital streaming platforms now.

You can follow Chiedu Oraka on Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter).

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2023-24 SEASON LEADERBOARD (ARTISTS)

Scores are calculated as one point for a correct result and five points for a correct scoreline.

1. SPRINTS' Sam (19pts | Gameweek 9) 2. Flat Party's Nic (18pts | Gameweek 7) 3. SPRINTS' Jack (16pts | Gameweek 9) 4. SPRINTS' Karla (14pts | Gameweek 9) = Noah and the Loners' Noah Riley (14pts | Gameweek 20) 6. Palace's Leo Wyndham (13pts | Gameweek 24) 7. Flat Party's Dylan (12pts | Gameweek 7) 8. Flat Party's Rory (10pts | Gameweek 7) = Master Peace (10pts | Gameweek 23) 10. Tom Speight (9pts | Gameweek 2) = Majestic & Beyond Chicago (9pts | Gameweek 3) = Sea Girls' Andrew Dawson (9pts | Gameweek 8) 13. New Rules' Ryan Meaney (8pts | Gameweek 6) = K.A.D (8pts | Gameweek 12) = Solar Eyes (8pts | Gameweek 25) 16. Kid Kapichi's Jack Wilson (7pts | Gameweek 5) = Feeder's Taka Hirose (7pts | Gameweek 18) = Fat White Family's Lias Saoudi (7pts | Gameweek 21) 19. Ed Cosens (6pts | Gameweek 22) 20. Sainte (5pts | Gameweek 13) 21. Insincere (4pts | Gameweek 1) = STONE (4pts | Gameweek 10) = Slick Don (4pts | Gameweek 14) = The Blinders' Charlie McGough (4pts | Gameweek 15) = Alex Spencer (4pts | Gameweek 16) 26. Barry Can't Swim (3pts | Gameweek 4) = Keen Roy (3pts | Gameweek 11) 28. Bill Ryder-Jones (2pts | Gameweek 19)

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2023-24 COMPETITION HISTORY

Gameweek 1: Insincere 4-16 Sports Mole Gameweek 2: Tom Speight 9-16 Sports Mole Gameweek 3: Majestic & Beyond Chicago 9-9 Sports Mole Gameweek 4: Barry Can't Swim 3-9 Sports Mole Gameweek 5: Kid Kapichi's Jack Wilson 7-11 Sports Mole Gameweek 6: New Rules' Ryan Meaney 8-10 Sports Mole Gameweek 7: Flat Party's Rory, Nic & Dylan 10/18/12-3 Sports Mole Gameweek 8: Sea Girls' Andrew Dawson 9-9 Sports Mole Gameweek 9: SPRINTS' Jack, Same & Karla 16/19/14-16 Sports Mole Gameweek 10: STONE 4-6 Sports Mole Gameweek 11: Keen Roy 3-9 Sports Mole Gameweek 12: K.A.D 8-8 Sports Mole Gameweek 13: Sainte 5-2 Sports Mole Gameweek 14: Slick Don 4-6 Sports Mole Gameweek 15: The Blinders' Charlie McGough 4-4 Sports Mole Gameweek 16: Alex Spencer 4-3 Sports Mole Gameweek 17: N/A Gameweek 18: Feeder's Taka Hirose 7-9 Sports Mole Gameweek 19: Bill Ryder-Jones 2-7 Sports Mole Gameweek 20: Noah and the Loners' Noah Riley 14-5 Sports Mole Gameweek 21: Fat White Family's Lias Saoudi 7-10 Sports Mole Gameweek 22: Ed Cosens 6-4 Sports Mole Gameweek 23: Master Peace 10-12 Sports Mole Gameweek 24: Palace's Leo Wyndham 13-11 Sports Mole Gameweek 25: Solar Eyes 8-9 Sports Mole

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