Good day everyone,
I hope you all are ready for an exciting weekend full of top-class games, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. Today we will be previewing the upcoming round of matches in the English Premier League, and making my predictions based on form, team news, and injuries. After the international break, we are getting into the busy winter period of games, and it should be a very exciting couple of months ahead.
Fixtures - Times are shown as U.K. Time
This weekend's fixtures will take place over 2 days, from Saturday lunchtime until Sunday evening.
Saturday 20th November
Leicester City - Chelsea 12.30pm KO
Aston Villa - Brighton 3pm KO
Burnley - Crystal Palace 3pm KO
Newcastle - Brentford 3pm KO
Norwich - Southampton 3pm KO
Watford - Manchester United 3pm KO
Wolves - West Ham 3pm KO
Liverpool - Arsenal 5.30pm KO
Sunday 31st October
Manchester City - Everton 2pm KO
Tottenham - Leeds 4.30pm KO
Predictions
Now for the most exciting part, as I go through the latest info regarding each team to make an attempt at predicting the results for this weekend. Remember this is just my fun analysis and should not be taken as advice or a guarantee.
Leicester City - Chelsea
This should be quite the opener for the weekend's fixtures. Chelsea are sitting comfortably at the top of the table, while Leicester is in 12th, exactly 7 points from the Champions League spots and 7 points from relegation. Chelsea has managed to concede only 4 goals from open play so far this season. They are performing quite amazingly but will likely concede more as they have been giving up good chances. Leicester could be the team to take advantage of this, with Rodger's side known for their impressive firepower. This game could be end to end and go either way, so I will call it a 2-2 draw.
Aston Villa - Brighton
This should be quite an exciting game for everyone associated with Aston Villa, and possibly Liverpool also. Steven Gerrard is back in the Premier League, and it should be quite the exciting first game in charge. Gerrard made Rangers into champions, but the Premier League is a different task altogether. Brighton meanwhile has been slipping down the table, with 5 draws and a defeat in their last 6. Potter will want to change this and get his team back to winning ways, but their excellent start to the season means they are still comfortably in 7th. Gerrard will hope to get a reaction from his players, but I don't think it will be enough for the win. I am going for a final scoreline of 1-1.
Burnley - Crystal Palace
Viera will face a real challenge up against Sean Dyche's side. While Palace are playing impressive football and tactically strong performances that have gotten wins against the likes of Man City, Burnley will come flying at them from the off. The tough tackles and solid defence will likely match up to Palace and their cautious and controlling approach to games. An early goal for Burnley would make life very difficult for Palace. Expect this to be a tight game, but given Burnley have only won twice this season, I think Palace will get the points. A tight game and controlled in the middle of the pitch, with a final score of 1-2.
Newcastle - Brentford
Eddie Howe will be determined to get things off to a good start with Newcastle, and he is fortunate that his first fixture is against a newly promoted side. That being said, they are sitting 7 points above Newcastle after 11 games. Newcastle are yet to win this season and will need to start picking up points soon or the richest club in world football may be in the Championship next season. Unless they are out of the relegation zone in January, I find it difficult to see which top-star players would want to transfer there. The fact Brentford has lost their previous 4 games will give the Toon Army hope that the good times are starting now. Brentford can score goals though, and Newcastle will need to be mindful of that. With Dummet out and Frazer a doubt, this game could go either way. I expect Newcastle to put in a good performance but a draw is on the cards, with 1-1 my prediction.
Norwich - Southampton
Dean Smith has quickly moved on from Villa, finding himself at the helm of Norwich. With their victory in Farke's final match, some optimism might be spreading through the team under new management. Cantwell should be back, hopefully giving another boost to Norwich. A bounce under the new manager might not happen, but nothing is impossible. Southampton, Smith's final opponent as Villa manager, will be hoping for more points on the road in this game. They have only conceded 6 goals in their previous 8 games, including against City, West Ham, and Chelsea. Those are the current top 3 in the table. Impressive stats. With Ward-Prowse and Livramento back available alongside Redmond, Southampton will hope to continue that form and should get the away win, with a score of 0-2.
Watford - Manchester United
Ole has come out firing after some awful result for Utd before the international break. Utd are 6th, and if they don't start picking up wins they will seriously be in threat of missing out on the Champions League places. Unless something crazy happens, Liverpool, Chelsea, and City should take at least 3 of those spots. Pogba is out for the next 2 1/2 months (thigh), along with Varane (hamstring), while Shaw and Cavani are serious doubts for this game. Utd have only taken 4 from the previous 18 available points, and with Watford sitting just above relegation, this is a must-win. Ole wants his side to be attacking and on the front foot, but that has been their downfall so far. Ranieri will be more than willing to add another defeat to Utd this season and has the tactical nous to achieve it. It will be a close game full of counter-attacking football, and without Ronaldo, I would back a Watford win. However, I will go for a 2-2 just because of his magical ability to drag Utd through when needed.
Wolves - West Ham
With the form the Hammers are in I fully expect them to win this game and quite comfortably at that. Ogbanna is out with knee ligament damage but Rice will be back, and he is vital to their cause. Moyes has made this team gel into a unit that plays as a tough outfit with a very strong goal threat upfront. They know how to run at teams, as shown in their comeback against Liverpool, and get the ball in dangerous areas. Wolves have lost that magic of previous seasons but still find themselves in 8th. They have won 4 of their last 6 and are putting points on the table. This will be too big a test for them, and I expect West Ham to win this 1-2.
Liverpool - Arsenal
This could be the fixture of the round in my honest opinion. Arteta has gotten Arsenal on great form, with 4 wins and 2 draws in their previous six. Ramsdale looks a very astute signing in goal, but he will certainly be tested to his limits at Anfield if Salah is firing. Smith-Rowe will be a danger-man, and Ben White alongside Gabriel makes a tough shield in front of Ramsdale. When Liverpool get going, especially with the crowd behind them, they can be unstoppable. Their defense has let them down recently, exposed by West Ham and unsettled against Brighton and Brentford. Liverpool has only won 2 of their last 6 and will want to rediscover that early season form once again. Henderson and Mane both had issues during the international break but should be fit to play. Robertson on the other hand is only 50-50, and may not be risked. Jones, Keita, Milner, Firmino and Gomez are all out, so Liverpool really has to contend with the same injury issues as they did last season. Their only respite is that they have qualified in the Champions League, so will most likely give some youngsters an opportunity in those games and allow their key players a much-needed rest. It will be a tight game, but the goal threat of Liverpool along with the fact Arsenal will probably play deep, means I expect a win for the Reds and a score of 2-0.
Manchester City - Everton
From the form charts, Everton is a team in trouble. They were challenging Tottenham at the top back in the beginning of the season, but things can change quickly in football. 2 points in their last 5 games is telling, and with Cancelo and Grealish threatening down the left, I expect City to triumph. Benitez will look to make things difficult for them, but Pep and his talented squad show find a way through. Laporte should be back but most likely will not be starting, and Grealish has a minor doubt ahead of the match. Expect Sterling or Foden to fill his boots if he is not available. I think the game will be tight to start but City will break Everton down, and most likely win with a decent margin. A final scoreline of 3-1.
Tottenham - Leeds
This will be Conte's game to show what his Spurs side are all about. Kane will be relishing the game, having scored 7 over the international break with England. The downside is that Romero and Hojbjerg both picked up knocks and will most likely miss the match. Leeds meanwhile have an awful record this season against teams above them, with 8 of their 11 points this season coming from teams below them. Bielsa is struggling to find a real rhythm in this team when they face opposition with individual talent above their own. Raphina is their shining light and anything is possible when he is on form, and the same can be said of Moura on the Spurs side. He is playing centrally under Conte and along with Kane and Son will look to make a big impact. A home victory should be on the cards, with a scoreline of 3-1.
Have a great day and enjoy the games over the weekend.
Peace. CryptoGod-1.
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