Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and having a great start to the weekend, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. Today we will be looking at the upcoming weekend games in the Premier League. This round sees some big clashes, as in-form Newcastle travel to a Chelsea club stricken in turmoil, United and Tottenham face-off in a clash for top four, while struggling Leeds host bottom side Norwich.

 

 

Fixtures - Times are shown as U.K. Time

This weekends round of fixtures take place over 3 days, from Saturday lunchtime until Monday evening.

 

Saturday 12th March

Brighton - Liverpool 12.30pm KO (Kick Off)

Brentford - Burnley 3pm KO

Manchester United - Tottenham 5.30pm KO

 

Sunday 13th March

Chelsea - Newcastle 2pm KO

Everton - Wolves 2pm KO

Leeds United - Norwich 2pm KO

Southampton - Watford 2pm KO

West Ham United - Aston Villa 2pm KO

Arsenal - Leicester 4.30pm KO

 

Monday 14th March

Crystal Palace - Manchester City 8pm 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. 

 

Brighton - Liverpool

We start the weekend with a big game, with Liverpool having the opportunity to once again reduce the gap to 3 points on City. After their midweek loss to Inter, albeit progressing to the quarter finals of the Champions League, the Reds will be determined to get back to winning ways. Brighton meanwhile are on a four game loosing streak and face an uphill battle against Liverpool. The Seagulls did manage to score a league goal for the first time in those four games when they lost to Newcastle, but have also picked up just one win from their last ten league games at the Amex stadium. The Reds' 12-game winning streak in all competitions came to an end at the hands of the Nerazzurri, although they are the in form team in the league having won seven straight games while only conceding twice. Brighton will be without Webster, although doubts remain over Bissouma and Lallana. Liverpool will welcome Firmino back into the squad for the trip to the Amex, but Konate will need to be assessed. The Reds face Arsenal next week so will likely rest some key stars, but I feel they will have enough fire power up front to secure the win with a 0-3 result.

 

Brentford - Burnley

The Bees sit six points above their visitors having played two games more than them. Brentford ended their run of seven defeats and one draw when they secured victory against fellow strugglers Norwich last time out, and will hope for more good fortune against more relegation strugglers. Burnley had a good February but have suffered back to back defeats so far in March. The relegation fight is still very much on, and victory for either side would be huge for their survival hopes. Dasilva is still banned for Brentford, while Norgaard and Ajer will need assessment. Eriksen should be starting again and will offer a lot of class to the Bees. Mee, Vydra, Gudmundsson, Pieters, and Stephens will be out for Burnley due to injury. This should be a close game, and I expect Weghorst to test the Brentford defence throughout. Even so, Eriksen showed he can transform this Brentford side in his play and set pieces last weekend, and I think he will have a big influence once again. Expect it to be a close encounter, but Brentford managing a narrow 2-1 home win. 

 

Manchester United - Tottenham

A clash for fourth, United will welcome Spurs in a fixture that could go either way. Both these sides had contrasting results on their recent visit to the Etihad stadium, with Spurs deserving a win against City and United being humiliated.  The Red Devils were outclassed and outfought and paints ominous signs ahead of this clash. The positives for Rangnick's side are the fact they have a four-match unbeaten streak at home in the league while only conceding once in that run. Spurs are a mixed bag currently, but have managed to claim back-to-back league wins while taking nine points from their previous twelve available. With Kane finding his goal scoring boots of late the signs could be positive for Conte's side. United will start this game two points ahead of Spurs having played two games more than their top four rivals. Shaw and McTominay will be missing for United, but they will hope to have Ronaldo and Varane back. For Spurs, Skipp, Tanganga, and Sessegnon will be missing through injuries. In such an important clash, both sides will be giving it their all to push Arsenal for fourth place. Although a draw is probably the most likely result, I think Spurs will have enough about them to take the points with a 1-2 victory at Old Trafford.

 

Chelsea - Newcastle

The old guard passing over to the new rich kid on the block? The Blues will be hoping to make it five league wins in a row, but have a lot of turmoil happening at the Bridge currently. With club owner Abramovich sanctioned by the UK government the club is in unchartered territory and facing an uncertain future. For now they will focus on the pitch, having managed a victory on Thursday night to strengthen their grip on third. Newcastle also won on Thursday, remaining unbeaten in the league since December 19 and winning six of their last seven. They have pushed themselves ten points clear of the drop zone and if they can maintain this sort of form could push for a top half finish. Chelsea will be without Chilwell, James, and possibly Pulisic, Azpilicueta, and Alonso. As for Newcastle, they will be missing Wilson, Lewis, Trippier, and Hayden. This will be a true test of how far Newcastle have come, and it will be an interesting clash. Chelsea are in great form and although they have the second-best away record in the league, they have suffered five home draws. I think this will be close, and I will go for a 2-2 draw as the final result.

 

Everton - Wolves

Lampard's side were torn apart by Spurs last weekend and sit one point above the drop zone. Wolves meanwhile sit in eighth position, five points behind fourth-placed Arsenal having played three games more. Reports have also emerged how Everton could be hit by a points deduction after an alleged breach of the top flight's profit and sustainability rules, which would certainly relegate them. The Toffees have games in hand on the teams around them so could pull themselves away from the drop if they start picking up wins. Wolves beat relegation candidates Watford on Thursday and will hope for the same again this weekend. Heading to Merseyside, Lage's side have the fourth-best away record in the league this season. Everton will be missing Davies, Mina, and Delph. As for Wolves, Jana-Hoever and Semedo will both be missing for this match. With Evertons struggles at the back and the likes of Neves on fine form for Wolves, I think the away side will manage a win here to pile more misery on Lampard. A final score of 1-2 for Lage's side.

 

Leeds United - Norwich

A battle at the bottom as two struggling teams meet at Elland Road for the relegation six pointer. Leeds are two points above the drop zone having played two games extra than 18th placed Burnley. Marsch has overseen two defeats as new Leeds manager, but will hope this will be his chance to secure their first victory. They have not won in the league since mid January and not scored in their last four games, and have the fourth-worst home record in the league this term. The Canaries have the second-worst away record and have lost their last two away league matches. They sit bottom of the table and five points off safety. Leeds will be without Phillips, Cooper, Hjelde, Firpo, and Roberts. Norwich will be missing Idah and Omobamidele for this clash. With both sides desperate for a win and in poor form, with both having lost their last six in the league, I can see this ending as a draw. A 0-0 is the most likely result with neither of these sides showing anything that could make me separate them. 

 

Southampton - Watford

Two recent losses in succession has left the Saints in 10th position, they face a Hornets side sitting 19th in the table. They have managed to pull themselves up to 10th in the table, and made it into the FA Cup quarter finals. Watford on the other hand look destined for the Championship under Hodgson. They went 3-0 down inside 21 minutes against Wolves, and Southampton have the capability to do the same to their opponents. They sit three points from Everton in 17th, but have played three games more than them. Neither of these sides have any major injury concerns and should have full squads to choose from for this match. Hodgson will push his side to improve for this game, but I still think Southampton will have too much for them. Ward-Prowse will pull the strings with their strikers testing Foster after his error prone recent performance. A home win of 2-0 at St. Marys will be the final score.

 

West Ham United - Aston Villa

The Hammers have suffered three defeats in a row in all competitions, but they sit fifth and only two points behind United above them. They have managed to take seven points at home from their last three games, but an in form Villa side will visit the London Stadium full of confidence and inspired by their Brazilian loanee Coutinho. Gerrard has helped him rediscover his magic, with has four goals and three assists from his eight league games for Villa. They have also managed three clean sheets in a row, and with a game in hand over West Ham and Wolves, will have slight hopes of securing European football for next season. West Ham will need to assess Rice ahead of this encounter, but Bowen is expected to miss out. Villa should have a fit and healthy squad to choose from, with plenty of positives from another winter signing in Chambers in defence. I would have Villa as favourites for this game given the form of these two sides of late. That being said, I think this will end as a 1-1 with both sides sharing the points. 

 

Arsenal - Leicester

An exciting clash is certain with this game as Arsenal look to hold on to fourth place while Leicester return from their European endeavours. Arsenal have strung together a four-game winning streak in the league while averaging two goals per game and earnt 25 points from their last 10 games. Leicester are on a four game winning streak in all competitions and will be one of the favourites for the Europa Conference League. They have however won just one of their last seven top-flight matches away from home. Tomiyasu will be missing for Arsenal, but they should expect to have Smith-Rowe back available. Leicester will be missing Vardy, Evans, Bertrand, and Cadtagne for this game. Fofana is back from injury but will be missing due to a positive Covid-19 test. With the Foxes most likely accepting their best chance of European football next season is via winning the Europa Conference League, I expect them to prioritise their squad for the second leg against Rennes. This should see Arsenal winning this game, getting themselves a comfortable home victory of 2-0.

 

Crystal Palace - Manchester City

City will be hoping to make it three league wins in a row when they travel to Selhurst Park on Monday. They humiliated United in the derby last weekend, and progressed into the Champions League quarter finals during the week, so will look to push on from there. They had the luxury of resting key players during the week and will be fresh for this encounter. Palace managed to beat City back in October and will hope to complete the double over the Champions. The Eagles have won three of their previous four games, with victory at Molineux over Wolves one of the finest displays of the season so far. City will be without Diaz and Ake, while Steffen, Cancelo, and Palmer are doubts for the game. Ferguson and McArthur will be missing for Palace, while Ward is a doubt. Crystal Palace are full of speed and creativity with their attack more than able to cause City problems, especially with Diaz missing. However, City have an abundance of talent available and will know if Liverpool win they will be at risk of allowing them to draw level assuming they win their game in hand against Arsenal. All in all, City have such a strong team I can see them getting the win here, but the fact Palace are on such good form and City are capable of a slip up, I will go out on a limb and say this will end as a 2-2 draw.

 

 

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

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

 

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