O’Hara’s Hunch: Premier League Gameweek 35 Preview
Grosvenor Sport ambassador Jamie O’Hara breaks down three must-watch matchups from the upcoming Premier League gameweek, including a big clash as newly crowned champions Liverpool visit Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Brighton v Newcastle – Sunday 14:00
Brighton have had a pretty average season by their standards, to be honest. They’re still in the mix for European football, but it’s been a bit up and down. You’ve had moments where you think, “Yeah, this is a proper side,” but then other games where they’ve been poor and just haven’t turned up. They’ve been a bit inconsistent.
That said, they’ve got a young manager, some top young players, and they always recruit well—so it’s not all doom and gloom.
The big question for me with Brighton is: what’s their ceiling? Because every time they build something, they end up selling their best players. And let’s be real—teams that make the Champions League don’t sell their stars. That’s why you always see similar names towards the top knocking about.
Now, if Newcastle can keep hold of Alexander Isak this summer, and they bring in someone like Marc Guehi plus a couple of midfielders to strengthen that engine room, I honestly think they can push for the title next season. They’re a serious team. So for this one, I reckon they’ll have too much and take all three points.
Prediction: Brighton 1-2 Newcastle (15/2)
Brentford v Manchester United – Sunday 14:00
We go on about Thomas Frank being a great manager—and don’t get me wrong, Brentford are a good side and he’s done a brilliant job—but I’m never blown away when I watch them. I don’t think they’re an amazing footballing team.
Any season Brentford stay in the Premier League has to go down as a good season for them, no doubt. They’re not a massive club, but they’re a proper club—well run, smart recruitment, good setup.
But I actually fancy Brentford to beat Manchester United. Let’s be honest, United look like they’re already on the beach. All they’re thinking about now is winning the Europa League—that’s the only thing that matters to them.
This game just feels like a nuisance for them, something in the way of their European hopes. Brentford are still scrapping, still hungry. I can only see one winner here.
Prediction: Brentford 3-1 Manchester United (21/2)
Chelsea v Liverpool – Sunday 16:30
If you’re the Chelsea manager, you’re always under pressure—simple as that. The fans still have that old-school mentality: if you’re not getting it done, you’re out. I do like Enzo Maresca, though. He comes across well in interviews, handles the media properly, speaks well… but the football? It’s dull.
And I actually think that’s part of why Cole Palmer hasn’t been as involved recently. He was flying earlier in the season, but now it’s all just slow, lethargic, possession-based stuff. He’s not getting on the ball enough. It’s always out to the full-backs, sideways, backwards—no excitement.
Look at PSG—young, hungry, full of energy. Chelsea have that too! Let them off the leash. Let them play quick, give the ball to Palmer, take risks. That’s why I don’t think Maresca will last. Fans will get the hump with that style of football—it’s just not what they want to see.
As for Liverpool, they’ve done their job. Mentally, they’ll have switched off a bit—they’ve been celebrating, and rightly so! They’re allowed a drop-off. But then again, you could flip it and say these lads are absolute pros. I think I even saw a photo of Mohamed Salah in the gym the next day—that’s why they’re champions. Every game matters to them.
They could turn up in this one and absolutely put on a show with no pressure on them. It’s a tough one to call—you’ll know in the first ten minutes whether they’ve taken their foot off the gas or not.
Prediction Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool (6/1)
O’Hara’s Hotspots: Chelsea vs Liverpool Bet Builder
- Draw
- Over 1.5 goals
- Cole Palmer To Score Anytime