Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and having a great week after the exciting midweek action, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. Today we will be looking at the upcoming matches in the Premier League this weekend. There are some interesting fixtures ahead, with a big relegation match kicking us off, and a London Derby to finish the weekend.

Fixtures - Times are shown as U.K. Time

This weekends round of fixtures take place over 3 days, from Friday evening until Sunday evening.

Friday 21st January

Watford - Norwich 8pm KO (Kick Off)

Saturday 22nd January

Everton - Aston Villa 12.30pm KO

Brentford - Wolves 3pm KO

Leeds - Newcastle 3pm KO

Man Utd - West Ham 3pm KO

Southampton - Man City 5.30pm KO

Sunday 23rd January

Arsenal - Burnley 2pm KO

Crystal Palace - Liverpool 2pm KO

Leicester - Brighton 2pm KO

Chelsea - Tottenham 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 weekends matches. Remember this is just my fun analysis and should not be taken as advice or a guarantee. 

Watford - Norwich

Another relegation six-pointer for Watford this weekend, and after their game with Burnley was postponed in midweek, they will be looking to put more distance between themselves and the drop in this match. The Hornets managed a late equalizer againsts Newcastle last weekend, putting an end to a run of seven defeats in all competitions. Norwich meanwhile will be hoping they can record back-to-back Premier League wins after beating Everton emphatically last weekend to cost Rafa Benitez his position. That win moved Norwich off the bottom of the league, leaving them only one point and one place behind Watford in the table. Both teams have five losses out of their last six league games, so this will be a huge game if either can muster a win. Watford will be without Nkoulou, Etebo, Baah, and Saar with injuries, while Louza, Masina, and Troost-Ekong are still in action at AFCON. The Canaries will be missing Gilmour, Zimmermann, Normann, Rupp, and Omobamidele with injury. McLean has a positive Covid-19 result so he should also miss out. Both these teams are touch and go at times, although Watford have an excellent home record against Norwich. With that in mind, I think Watford will just about manage a victory here and put daylight between themselves and the relegation zone with a 1-0 home win.

Everton - Aston Villa

The Toffees being life after Rafa without a permenant manager in the dugout, with Duncan Ferguson taking charge for this one. Benitez was always going to have it difficult at Everton, but the form and results had been terrible. Six points ahead of the relegation zone and sitting in sixteenth was not the plan at the beginning of the season. With one league win in their previous six, the hopes that a manager bounce can help drag them up the table. Villa, under Gerrard, will be relishing this one. Its unfortunate that Gerrard wont get to face the manager he wont he Champions League under, but in Coutinho they have shown they mean business. If the Brazilian can have the same impact as he did in the draw at Old Trafford, then Villa are in for some exciting times. That was also their first draw in the league since August. Davies will be out with injury for Everton, while Iwobi is still involved at AFCON. For Villa, Nakamba and Bailey will be joined in the treatment room by Konsa, and Trezeguet and Traore are both still at AFCON. Even with 'Big Dunc' back in the Everton dugout I cannot look past Villa for this one. Their manager will want nothing more than to add more misery to his Merseyside rivals, and the level of quality in the Villa squad who will be sky high after last weekend means they should get the three points here. A 1-3 away victory for Aston Villa.

Brentford - Wolves

The Bees were unfortunate to loose against United in midweek, having wasted a number of glorious opportunities. After their excellent start to top flight football, Brentford are now sitting only ten points above the relegation places in fourteenth. They have lost their last three games in the league and conceded ten goals in the process. Wolves meanwhile are continuing their push for European football, and possibly even a top-four finish. The midlands side are on an excellent run of form, with three wins and a draw in their previous four league games. Brentford did secure a 2-0 win at Molineux earlier in the season, but Wolves have become a stronger force since then. The Bees will be without Raya, Dasilva, Goode, and Jeanvier, while Onyeka is still involved at AFCON. Wolves will be welcoming back star midfielder Neves after a positive Covid-19 result ruled him out last weekend, while Saiss is still at AFCON and Neto, Boly, Hwang, Mosquera, and Jonny are all unavailable with injury. While Brentford put in a strong first half at United, they faded in the second. I expect Wolves to continue their excellent run of form here and secure more points in the race for Europe, with a final score of 1-2.

Leeds - Newcastle

The mood around Elland road has been lifted after a thrilling match against West Ham United which ended 3-2 last time out. The club are now nine points above the relegation zone with a game in hand on 18th-placed Norwich City, albeit the game in hand is against Liverpool. After a disappointing first half of the campaign, Leeds will hope to continue their 100% start to the Premier League in 2022 against Newcastle. Discontent is growing around Newcastle again, who were initially lifted by their January signings. With ten days left in the window their fans will be hoping for a few more reinforcements. They missed the chance to get a priceless win against a relegation rivals last weekend, with the boos ringing out around St James' Park following the final whistle. They languish in nineteenth, two points off safety. Newcastle have conceded nine goals across their three most recent away league defeats, although they managed a share of the spoils in a 1-1 stalemate with Leeds earlier this season. For Leeds, Bamford, Phillips, Cooper, Gelhardt, Shackleton, Roberts, and Cresswell all remain side-lined with injury. For Newcastle, Clarke, Wilson, Hayden, and Fernandez will all miss out. With Leeds looking strong at home of late and Newcastle yet to address their issues at the centre of defence, I can only see one winner in this game. Leeds should win this game at home with a scoreline of 2-0.

Man Utd - West Ham

This should be a thrilling and important encounter in the race for top-four. During the midweek games Man Utd eventually prevailed against Brentford after a nervy first half. De Gea once again proved how important he is to the side. Sitting seventh in the table and with only three wins from their previous six league games, the Red Devils are seen as rank outsiders to secure Champions League football. A win against rivals West ham would be a big step towards it. The Hammers' lost their four-game winning streak across all competitions on their own turf last weekend against Leeds. They are still sitting in fourth in the table but have played up to three games more than the chasing pack. They will know that the fact United have kept just one clean sheet in fifteen league games means their attackers should have a good day. United will be without Wan-Bissaka, Pogba, Shaw, and Cavani, while Sancho may be unavailable due to a personal issue. Lindelof will also miss out after a break in at his home recently. The Hammers will be missing Ogbonna, Noble, and Zouma with injury while Benrahma absent at AFCON. This will be a really close game and David Moyes will love the chance to show the Old Trafford faithful how far he has come as a manager. West Ham will look for Bowen to inspire them again, and while I think United have strength up front, West Ham should sneak a victory at Old Trafford with a final score of 2-3.

Southampton - Man City

Its difficult to look past Man City not only in this game, but any game this season. They will be going for their thirteenth successive league victory when they arrive at St. Marys, and face a Southampton side languishing in midtable. The sides played out a 0-0 earlier in the season, but City seem to be unstoppable currently and even though they play without a recognised number nine, Guardiola's men have scored a mouth watering thirty-four goals over the course of their 12-game winning streak in the league. Southampton will need to put in the same sort of defensive display which got them a point at the Etihad in September. Unfortunately, the Saints have only managed three clean sheets since that result, conceding twenty-seven goals alomg the way. The Saints have positive Covid-19 results in Walcott and Elyounoussi and will miss this game. Djenepo is sill involved at AFCON, while Livramento and Smallbone are both injured. For City, Zinchenko and Palmer are missing with injury, while Mahrez will be back from AFCON after Algeria were knocked out but may not be in contention to play. This game should only go one way, with City potentially turning on the style and taking a 0-3 win away from home.

Arsenal - Burnley

After being eliminated from the Carabao Cup at home to Liverpool, Arsenal will be looking to bounce back against Burnley. Arsenal sit sixth in the league and have two games in hand over fourth placed West Ham. Out of both cups means top-four is their only hope of success this season. Arteta will need to get the discipline of his team sorted, with three defeats and a draw from four games in all competitions so far in January and no goals scored in any of their last three games. Burnley have been decimated by Covid-19 this season and have a remarkable five games in hand. They have not played a game since being knocked out of the FA Cup by Huddersfield Town on January 8th. Somehow they are still only three points off safety even though they sit bottom of the league. They have yet to win away from home in the league and are still waiting to sign a replacement for Chris Wood. Arsenal will be without Pepe and Elneny due to AFCON, while both Partey and Xhaka are suspended. Chambers, Soares, and Leno are all out with injuries. The Clarets will be struggling again to field a team, with Gudmundsson, Collins, McNeil, Taylor, Pieters, and Vydra all affected with Covid-19. Some may return for this game, but Cornet will be at AFCON while Roberts and Barnes are injured. With Burnley out of action for so long, coupled with Arsenals impressive home form, I can only see one winner. The Gunners should win this game comfortably even with their midfield problems, with the final score being 2-0.

Crystal Palace - Liverpool

The Reds will be flying high after their victory against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup and ensuring a trip to Wembley next month. Palace played out a thrilling draw with Brighton in their last match, which saw plenty of controversy with a missed penalty, a woodwork hit and plenty of VAR intervention. They have yet to win in the league in 2022, finding themselves in eleventh in the standings. They have two wins in their last ten league encounters, showing there is plenty of work still to be done for Vieira. They are impressive at home though, having only lost two of their eleven league games at Selhurst Park. Liverpool will be looking for more magic from Jota, who stole the show in the cup. Klopp's men have kept three consecutive clean sheets in all competitions of late, and will be determined to put an end to their three-game winless run away from home in the league. They managed to win 7-0 at Selhurst Park last season and would relish a similar result. Palace will be without Zaha and Kouyate who are at AFCON, but Ayew may be available after Ghana were eliminated. Tomkins and McArthur will also miss out through injury. Liverpool will be without Salah, Mané, and Keita who are still involved at AFCON. Thiago, Phillips, Origi, and Elliot will all be unavailable, but Oxlade-Chamberlain may be fit to return. Elliot is back in training but will need time to get back fitness. Liverpool will expect to take the elevation of their win at Arsenal into this game, and even without their star wingers are looking very capable. This will be their final league game without Mané and Salah and will hope to secure the three points to keep their faint title challenge alive. Jota is more than capable of scoring, and Firmino and Minamino can also cause trouble for the Eagles, with a final result at Selhurst Park of 0-3.

Leicester - Brighton

The Foxes were left heart broken in midweek when two injury time goals from Tottenham flipped the game on its head. Brendan Rodgers has seen his side slip from the high standards set over the previous seasons, and certainly nobody is considering Leicester as a contender for top-four this season. Brighton meanwhile will be on a high after their recent draw with Chelsea, showcasing their never say die attitude after coming from behind for the fourth time in their previous five matches in all competitions. The Seagulls have lost just one of their last nine league games and will fancy themselves against a confidence stricken Leicester side. Leicester will be missing a host of players with injury including Bertrand, Castagne, Evans, Fofana, Pereira, and Vardy. Iheanacho, Mendy, and Ndidi will also be absent due to AFCON. Brighton will be missing Steele, Duffy, Mwepu, Sarmiento, and possibly Lallana with injuries. They will also be without Bissouma who is still at AFCON. With Leicester low on confidence one of two things could happen, either they fall apart again in this match, or come back with a strong response. With Potter's side famous for getting draws this season, I believe this game will end all square between the sides. A final score of 2-2 is what I will predict.

Chelsea - Tottenham

Probably the most high profile game of the weekend, and a chance for Conte and his side to get revenge for their Carabao Semi-Final exit earlier in the month. Chelsea will be disappointed with their draw against Brighton during the midweek, and will hope to record a fifth straight victory against Spurs in this match. Tottenham are flying after their late winner against Leicester, and will look to take advantage of Chelsea’s woes at the back. Since Conte arrived Spurs have been playing much better and Kane, who spurned plenty of chances against Leicester, will hope to add more goals to his league tally in this match. To give perspective to how much Chelsea are on a downwards slide, Spurs are now just eight points behind the third placed team, and have four games in hand. Tuchel will hope the superiority shown in the Carabao Cup Semi-Finals will be shown again at the Bridge. The Blues will be missing Chillwell, James, and Chalobah with injury, while Christensen is expected to miss out with Covid-19. Mendy will also be absent as he is still away at AFCON. Spurs will be without Romero and Son with injury, while Dier and Emerson Royal are doubts. While this will be a close and tough match, I think Conte will ensure his side does better than the last two encounters between these sides this month. A tough game all around, but I think Spurs will just scrape a victory with a 0-1 score.

Have a great day, I hope you enjoyed the preview of the league matches and get to see the games over the weekend.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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