Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and having a great week after the exciting midweek return to league action, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. Today we will be looking at the upcoming weekend matches in the Premier League. The fixtures see the top two taking on relegation strugglers, some mid table matchups, and Chelsea's game against Arsenal is postponed due to Chelsea being involved in the FIFA Club World Cup Final. I have done a write up on the FIFA Club World Cup if anybody is interested, it can be found here: FIFA Club World Cup

Fixtures - Times are shown as U.K. Time

This weeks round of fixtures take place over 2 days, from Saturday lunchtime until Sunday evening.

Tuesday 8st February

Manchester United - Southampton 12.30pm KO (Kick Off)

Brentford - Crystal Palace 3pm KO

Everton - Leeds 3pm KO

Watford - Brighton 3pm KO

Norwich - Manchester City 5.30pm KO

Wednesday 9th February

Burnley - Liverpool 2pm KO

Newcastle - Aston Villa 2pm KO

Tottenham - Wolves 2pm KO

Leicester - West Ham 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. 

Manchester United - Southampton

We kick off the weekend with two sides who had very different fortune during the midweek round of games. United were held to a draw by Burnley at home, while The Saints picked up all three points in a spirited performance against Spurs. Following their FA Cup exit, it was another disappointing result for United, who will need to improve form drastically if they wish to remain in the hunt for top four. Rangnick's side have a positive record of four wins from their previous five league fixtures at Old Trafford, but Southampton are more than capable of taking points off Big Six sides as they demonstrated against Spurs along with two draws against City this season. Southampton are winless against United in a run of 12 games in all competitions, but will fancy their chances this weekend. United will be without Bailly, Fred, and Matic, but will hope Telles can return after having Covid-19. McCarthy will be missing for the Saints, while Redmond and Tella are also likely to miss out. Southampton have a habit this season of ensuring they score but also concede, so expect goals in this game. If Ward-Prowse is given time and space, or a dead ball situation, United could be in trouble. Southampton give everything against Spurs and this may play against them here, especially with Ronaldo likely to be reintroduced to the starting line up. A tough game to call, but I will go for a draw, with both teams scoring and finishing as 2-2.

Brentford - Crystal Palace

Both these sides will be looking to return to winning ways, and move themselves away from any possible relegation dogfight that is ensuing below them. The Bees sit 14th in the table and six points above the relegation zone, but they have played a game more than Norwich. They played well against City during the week and were undone by their own mistakes. A win for Brentford would see them climb above Palace, who themselves are 13th having failed to win any of their last four in the league. Palace are on a winless streak of six matches away from home, but have a healthy squad to choose from with Ferguson their only injury worry. Kouyate is back from celebrating his AFCON triumph, but will most likely start on the bench. Brentford will be without Fosu, Jeanvier, and Jorgensen, but should hope to have Toney back to lead the line. Christian Eriksen is still building up match fitness and its unknown when he will make his first appearance for the club. Both of these sides are capable of dominating the game, especially Brentford in front of their home fans. With Palace amassing more draws than wins of late, and Brentford in desperate need to end their streak of five league defeats in a row, I expect this game to end as a 1-1 draw.

Everton - Leeds

Frank Lampard will hope for a better performance from his side as they welcome Leeds to Goodison Park. One place and four points separate these sides, who have both ended up being dragged into the relegation battle of late. Everton are down in 16th in the ranking and sit two points above the drop zone, albeit with games in hand over some of their bottom-five rivals. They are currently on a losing streak in the league which spans four matches. The Whites have now gained seven points from the last four games in the league, but their inability to keep a clean sheet away from home has seen them ship 15 goals in their last four top-flight away games. Everton have added Gray and Mina to their injury list which already contained Doucoure, Davies, Delph, and Godfrey. Alli and Van de Beek may be sharper having gained minutes during the week and could be in contention for starts. Leeds will be missing Klick, Phillips, Cooper, Greenwood, Firpo, and Bamford. This could be the game where Lampard shows he can fix Evertons fortunes, with Calvert-Lewin bound to benefit alongside Alli and Van de Beek. Leeds struggle on the road, and because of that I will back Everton to close the gap on the side above them by claiming a 2-1 home win.

Watford - Brighton

Hodgson is still looking for his first goal and first win as Watford manager, and will face a Brighton team who have not played since facing Spurs in the FA Cup last week due to Chelsea being away at the FIFA Club World Cup. Watford were solid against West Ham in midweek, but were undone by a deflected strike. They have improved defensively since Hodgson's arrival, but are currently 19th in the league. Brighton are currently 9th and the draw specialists in the league, remaining unbeaten in their previous six league encounters. Watford will be without Nkoulou, but will hope to welcome Sarr back after AFCON. As for Potters side, Mwepu and Sarmiento are both out with injury but should have Trossard and Mac Allister back available. With both these side known for little in attack, and Watford in desperate need of points, I can see Brighton recoding their famous result this season and this game ending in a 1-1 draw.

Norwich - Manchester City

Surprisingly enough, this match sees two inform teams meets, as The Canaries are unbeaten in their previous four matches across all competitions, while the Citizens last tasted defeat domestically way back in October. Norwich have given their survival hopes a real boost, claiming seven points from the previous nine available to climb up to 18th in the table. Considering this team was rooted to the bottom of the league for the majority of the season, it shows how well Dean Smith has done. They face a real challenge this weekend, against a team they have lost against in eight of their last twelve league games, conceding 41 goals along the way. City have won 35 of their previous 36 games against teams sitting in the relegation zone, although their one defeat was against Norwich at Carrow Road in 2019. Krul, Sorensen, and Omobamidele will all miss out through injury for Norwich, while Kabak, Sargent, and Rupp will need to be assessed. Palmer and Jesus are the only injury concerns for City heading into this match. With City playing Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Tuesday, they may rest a few of their key players for this encounter. Even so, they should have enough about them, and barring a shock result, I would expect City to win this game by a score of 1-3.

Burnley - Liverpool

After 6ft 5in Dutchman Wout Weghorst gave Maguire such a torrid time in his performance for Burnley against United during the week, this will give Van Djik the opportunity to show he is really a class above his United counterpart. It will be a fascinating fixture, similar to Norwich against Man City, as title challenger faces relegation candidate. Burnley have two games in hand on 17th placed Newcastle, but face a tough task against a Liverpool side which will have Salah and Mané available for selection after their runs to the final at AFCON. Burnley are unbeaten in six games at home, although have drawn five of them. As for Liverpool, with Diaz seemingly fitting in with ease and Jota handling the goal scoring burden with ease, they have a freighting attacking line-up at their disposal. Liverpool will be looking for their sixth win in all competitions, and although they face Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday, will have plenty of options for a strong line up. Henderson is the only concern for Liverpool, with the rest of the squad fully available. Cornet was taken off with cramp for Burnley against United, but should be available this weekend. Vydra, Gudmundsson, and Taylor are all doubts however and are not expected to feature. Burnley have shown they can hold the top teams, with their recent draws against Arsenal and United a clear indication of this, but Liverpool are a cut above those teams. Even if Klopp decides to rotate with the likes of Elliot, Chamberlain, and Konaté, Liverpool should still prove too strong and win this game away from home with a score of 1-3. 

Newcastle - Aston Villa

The Magpies head into this game seeking to record their third league victory in a row. This is a team transformed, mainly due to their activity in the winter window, having taken until 5th of December to get their first win of the league campaign. Newcastle have picked up eight points from their previous four game and this upturn in form has helped them climb out of the relegation zone for the first time since the beginning of October. They are unbeaten in their last 12 league games at home to Aston Villa dating back to April 2005; although their three recent league meetings at St James' Park have ended as 1-1 draws. Villa meanwhile have shown they are a new force with Coutinho full of magic for the Villains. Gerrard will be concerned with his team's inability to keep clean sheets, having only recorded two clean sheets in their previous ten league games. Villa are also unbeaten against Newcastle in seven league encounters and will have to record the double over them this season. Wilson, Ritchie, Hayden, Clark, Dummett, and Fernandez are all out with injury, while Trippier is a doubt after going off with a calf injury in midweek. Targett will also be ineligible as he is on loan from Villa. For Villa, Konza will be out due to suspension, while Nakamba is also out through injury. Bailey is back in training and may make an appearance. In what should be a thrilling encounter, expect the Brazilian of Guimaraes and Countinho to shine for their respective teams in the middle of the park. Newcastle will be determined to continue their good form and this should ensure the goals are a plenty, and I will go for a 2-2 draw.

Tottenham - Wolves

Spurs came unstuck against Southampton during the week, and will hope to get the better of their top four rivals in Wolves. Lage's side lost against 10 men Arsenal, although should probably have at least drawn the match. Spurs twice took the lead against the Saints but still lost out, and remain four points behind West Ham United in fourth with three games in hand. They have managed to put the ball in the back of the net at least twice in their last six home games in the league, although will face a mean defence in Wolves. Wolves suffered back-to-back 1-0 home defeats as they try to keep their top-four hopes alive, but Lage's men have won each of their last three away games in the league. Skipp and Tanganga will miss out with injury while Dier remains a doubt for Spurs, but Bentancur could be in line for his full debut. For Wolves, Neto, Boly, Moutinho and Mosquera will all miss out with injuries. Hwang should return to give Wolves that extra need firepower upfront, and could make the most of Spurs defensive weakness. With both sides in contention to claim a Champions League place, its unlikely to be a dull affair. I imagine this will be a close game and can just about see Spurs sneaking a result at home, winning the match 2-1.

Leicester - West Ham

The Hammers will look to make sure the off field problems associated with Kurt Zouma do not distract from this game. Currently in 4th place, they will face a Leicester team in 12th place and 14 points behind Moyse's men. The Foxes have lost each of their three previous encounters against West Ham, and after their FA Cup exit and defeat to Liverpool midweek, will want to improve their fortunes. The Foxes are yet to win at home in 2022, having won their previous six at the King Power before the turn of the year. The Hammers have played at least one more game than the chasing pack behind them in the race for top four, but have the inform Bowen to rely on as he has contributed to 21 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions. Vardy, Fofana, Evans, Bertrand, and Castagne will all miss out with injury for the Foxes, while West Ham have no injuries but must decide if it is wise to play Zouma. He did a terrible thing to his cats, and while it was right for Antonio to defend his teammate, the comparison with racism was not required. A person can defend themselves, a cat cannot. That being said, the Hammers are the inform team heading into this one, and because of that I am tipping them to emerge victorious with a 2-4 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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