Good day everyone,
I hope you all are ready for an exciting midweek round of fixtures, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. This round includes some mouth-watering ties and a challenge for most teams who are more used to having a full week break between games.
Fixtures - Times are shown as U.K. Time
This weekend's fixtures will take place over 3 days, from Tuesday evening until Thursday evening.
Tuesday 30th November
Newcastle - Norwich 7.30pm KO (Kick-Off)
Leeds - Crystal Palace 8.15pm KO
Wednesday 1st December
Southampton - Leicester 7.30pm KO
Watford - Chelsea 7.30pm KO
West Ham - Brighton 7.30pm KO
Wolves - Burnley 7.30pm KO
Aston Villa - Man City 8.15pm KO
Everton - Liverpool 8.15pm KO
Thursday 2nd December
Tottenham - Brentford 7.30pm KO
Man Utd - Arsenal 8.15pm 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.
Newcastle - Norwich
This match will give Eddie Howe a realistic chance of getting a first win of the season for Newcastle, and more importantly, a desperately needed win. They are currently the only team in the League yet to register a victory and are running out of time to put points on the board. With a busy month of fixtures in December, they will want to get one over on the team above them and pull themselves out of the relegation places. If Newcastle really wishes to attract some top talent in January, they will need to make themselves into an attractive prospect. Victory over Norwich could be a catalyst for that. They are strong upfront and that will be the key to getting the three points here. Norwich meanwhile are looking much improved under Dean Smith, with seven points out of their last nine showing they won't give up without a fight. As much as I would like to see Newcastle do well, I think this will be another draw, and I'm backing a 2-2 result.
Leeds - Crystal Palace
Two sides with very contrasting face each other in this encounter. Palace has looked a new side under Vieria, and find themselves currently in 11th while playing some excellent football. Villa got the win over them the last time out, but this team should have more about them than Leeds. Palace has a mean defence, and while they are conceding they have the best stats in terms of expected goals against. Leeds are the polar opposite of this, conceding too many chances to their opponents and star player like Phillips being played out of position. The rumours of a rift between himself and Bielsa are not helping, as this squad needs to be unified and working towards the same end goal. It's still and a long season and anything is possible, but I suspect this will be after defeat for Leeds. They need to improve both in defensive situations and attacking ones, letting too many shots o their goal and wasting glorious opportunities at the other end. A final score of 1-3 for Palace, especially if Benteke keeps up his good form.
Southampton - Leicester
The match at the weekend showed the difference in class between the top three and the rest, as Southampton got torn apart by Liverpool. Leicester similarly showed their talents by putting four past Watford but also conceding two. This to me highlights the major gulf in the league, and why Leicester are more of a mid-table team now than one challenging for the top-four. Vardy found his form again. but the Foxes have troubles at the back, constantly facing more shots than the rest of the league bar Newcastle. Southampton will hope to return to their excellent form under Hasenhuttl and put one over Rodgers. They are defending well and scoring goals, and I expect them to win this game comfortable at home. The final score should be 3-1.
Watford - Chelsea
In the grand scheme of things, this should be a walk in the park for Chelsea. Leicester put four past Watford last time out, and Tuchel will want his side to make amends for the previous two matches where they only managed to acquire two out of four points. They have talent in abundance all over the field and will have a very hectic schedule with the Club World Cup in February. These are the games they need to win, and with Watford sitting in sixteenth anything less would not be acceptable. Ranieri has done well, helping his side find a style and form but they are far from a team who can challenge big sides, barring the victory against United. I expect Chelsea to take the spoils and win this match 0-3.
West Ham - Brighton
This fixture has a habit of ending all square in the previous encounters, having drawn the previous five times they met. West Ham are flying and continuing where they ended last season, with a strong realistic hope of getting European football again next season. Graham Potter will have other ideas, and after the boos from his home fans last weekend he will be happy to face a side in the away dugout. Brighton will look to manage the ball and control the game in periods, while West Ham will be rigid at the back and quick on the break. I expect it to be close but the Hammers should see this one through and get their mojo back having lost to Wolves at the weekend, grabbing themselves a home victory of 2-0.
Wolves - Burnley
It can be very difficult to predict what Wolves team will turn up, with their attack looking imperative at times, and others looking very weak. They are strong at home and perhaps this will play to their advantage. Burnley meanwhile will be the freshest team in the league, having been the home side when their match with Tottenham was postponed due to heavy snow. Whether that will help them or not, it's tough to know, but it does mean their legs should be fresher. Their star man, Cornet, will be in for a tough test of the winter schedule in the English game, and it will be interesting to see how he handles the cold conditions. I believe this game has a draw written all over it, and expect the final scoreline will be 1-1.
Aston Villa - Man City
Steven Gerrard has been a breath of fresh air for Villa, making things simpler and ensuring his team are getting the basics right. Only one goal conceded in his first two matches, the fans will be delighted with how he is shaping his squad and getting them to a level where they are difficult to beat. This will be his biggest test as a manager so far, facing Pep, and it should be a thrilling encounter. Similar to Southampton earlier this season, deep defence and quick breaks could be the key to getting anything from this match. For City, having won their last match in a snowstorm, I find it difficult to see who can match them in a game like this. These are the games where big teams often slip up and Gerrard would love to do Liverpool that favour. It will be close but I am going for City to win this 1-2.
Everton - Liverpool
The Merseyside derby is always an excellent game with a super atmosphere, but I fear for Everton in this match. Rafa is having a torrid time and I don't think it will get any better here. Richarlison will be hoping to be the during force for the Toffees, and catch Liverpool on the break. While West Ham have shown it's possible, I don't think Townsend and go will be able to hurt the Reds. Liverpool are excellent with their high line and pressing, and with how they score goals for fun this should be a high scoring game. The players will be fired up, and the likes of Van Djik won't want a repeat of the injury Pickford gave him last season. Expect tough tackles and a fiery atmosphere, but Liverpool to continue their record-breaking numbers and win this by a high margin, possibly 1-4 for the away side.
Tottenham - Brentford
The fact Spurs travelled to play Burnley last weekend before the match was called off will be a pain to Conte. It's additional wear and tear his side does not need. They will hope to get back to winning ways in this game and find a way of getting Kane, Son, and Moura to form a formidable front three. The players clearly have the skill and talent but are nowhere near the levels they should be at, sitting in seventh in the league. It's the negative goal difference of -6 that will have the fans especially unhappy. Brentford, in twelfth position and only three points behind Spurs, could leapfrog them with a win. Toney is on fire, scoring his goals, and showing he can match the pace of the Premier League. An interesting tie, but Conte will demand so much from his players and anything less than a home win will not suffice. I will back a 2-1 result for Tottenham.
Man Utd - Arsenal
It's confirmed, Ralf Rangnick has taken over the United hot-seat on an interim basis. It will certainly but a tough challenge for the new manager, having seen how Man United rode their luck against Chelsea at the weekend. His work permit means he will not be available for this game, and Carrick will continue in charge. Will Ronaldo get a start? I think he has to, seeing as he was benched for the game against Chelsea. Carrick has gotten good results so far, and Arteta will need to be aware of this seeing as United seem to be finally playing as some sort of unit. With Arsenal in fifth and level on points with West Ham above them, they will know a win over their top-four rivals will be huge come the end of the season. They are a young side but have an abundance of talent and should be able to carve United open and take a victory of 1-2 at Old Trafford.
Have a great day and enjoy the midweek round of games.
Peace. CryptoGod-1.
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