Premier League Prediction Review: When the Crystal Ball Fogged Up
03/01/2026 Sometimes football humbles you. Sometimes it laughs directly in your face. This round of Premier League fixtures managed both, and then checked VAR just to make sure it was really happening.Below is a fixture-by-fixture review of my predictions versus reality — spoiler alert: reality won on points.
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Sunderland 0–0 Man City
Prediction: 2–2 I expected chaos, goals, and a brave Sunderland rear-guard action that still conceded twice. Instead, everyone agreed to simply… not score. A tactical stalemate, or 90 minutes of mutual politeness.Verdict: Overthought it.
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Brentford 0–0 Tottenham
Prediction: 2–1 Brentford This had “goals at both ends” written all over it. Unfortunately, the pen ran out of ink. Spurs huffed, Brentford puffed, and the house stubbornly refused to blow down.Verdict: Entertainment tax unpaid.
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Liverpool 0–0 Leeds
Prediction: 3–1 Liverpool This prediction was built on history, form, and logic — all three of which football enjoys mocking. Anfield saw plenty of effort, but no finishing touch.Verdict: Data ≠ destiny.
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Crystal Palace 0–0 Fulham
Prediction: 1–1 Credit where it’s due: I called a draw. Less credit: I also called goals. This was football in beige.Verdict: Half right, fully bored.
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Man United 1–1 Wolves
Prediction: 3–0 Man United Apparently Wolves did not read the script. United dominated on paper, Wolves dominated the “doing annoying things” metric.Verdict: Overconfidence punished immediately.
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Arsenal 4–1 Aston Villa
Prediction: 2–1 Arsenal At last — a correct direction. Arsenal were ruthless, Villa were generous, and the goals arrived in bulk. I undersold the chaos but got the winner right.Points: Earned Verdict: Small victory dance.
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Burnley 1–3 Newcastle
Prediction: 1–2 Newcastle This one behaved sensibly. Newcastle were better, Burnley were stubborn, and the scoreline made logical sense.Points: Earned Verdict: Finally, football cooperates.
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West Ham 2–2 Brighton
Prediction: 1–2 Brighton This match politely ignored my prediction and did its own thing. Goals flew in, momentum swung wildly, and neither side felt like stopping.Verdict: Correct chaos, wrong outcome.
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Chelsea 2–2 Bournemouth
Prediction: 3–1 Chelsea Chelsea scoring wasn’t the surprise. Chelsea conceding twice definitely wasn’t either. Bournemouth showed zero respect for reputations.Verdict: Chelsea remain unpredictable by law.
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Nottingham Forest 0–2 Everton
Prediction: 1–1 Everton calmly ruined this prediction with efficiency and defensive discipline — two things no one saw coming.Verdict: Apology accepted, Everton.
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Final Whistle Summary
- Exact scores: None (VAR check ongoing) - Correct outcomes: A couple - Lessons learned: - Football hates certainty - 0–0 is always lurking - Confidence should be hedged
On to the next round — wiser, humbler, and ready to be humbled again.