Good day everyone,
I hope you are all well and having a great weekend, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. Today we will be looking at the upcoming games in the Premier League for the final round of matches this season. Both Man City and Liverpool will be hoping to win the title, Spurs just need a point to secure Champions League football for next season, and its between Burnley and Leeds to see who will be the final team relegated.
Fixtures - Times are shown as U.K. Time
This weekends round of fixtures will see all games kicking off on Sunday at the same time.
Sunday 7th May
Arsenal - Everton 4pm KO (Kick Off)
Brentford - Leeds 4pm KO
Brighton - West Ham 4pm KO
Burnley - Newcastle 4pm KO
Chelsea - Watford 4pm KO
Crystal Palace - Manchester United 4pm KO
Leicester - Southampton 4pm KO
Liverpool - Wolves 4pm KO
Manchester City - Aston Villa 4pm KO
Norwich - Tottenham 4pm 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.
Arsenal - Everton
There were jubilant scenes at Goodison Park on Thursday evening after Everton overcame Crystal Palace, although it was marred by the incidents on the pitch between the fans and Palace players / manager Vieira. As for Arsenal, their season looks set to end in disappointment after a long battle to try reach the Champions League. They will be hoping Spurs slip up in their match to allow Arsenal the chance to take fourth, but it will be against the odds as Spurs play bottom side Norwich. Arteta still believes they can get top four but of course he has to say that for the cameras. A big improvement for the last game where Newcastle outplayed and bullied Arsenal is required. They are without a clean sheet in nine and with Everton flying high will be up against it here. The Toffees will be relieved to have secured their survival but could move up a place to 15th if they manage a win here and Southampton loose or draw. Lampard would certainly love to end the season with another win for his adoring fans. Tomiyasu, Tierney, and Partey are all out injured for Arsenal, while Everton will be without Townsend and Patternson, but Mina and Delph have a chance to return. While Arsenal are low on confidence and Everton are flying, I still think the Gooners will have enough about them to secure a win at home on the final day of the season with a 2-1 result.
Brentford - Leeds
The Bees will welcome a Leeds side fighting for survival as they currently occupy the final relegation spot heading into this one. Brentford find themselves in 11th and will have an outside chance of getting into the top ten in their first season in the Premier League. They have seven victories from their last ten in the league and taken ten points from their last four home league games, while keeping four clean sheets in the process. Leeds will be up against it as they play a side who have conceded less than 20 goals at home this season. Marsch will be hoping his side can overcome the odds and overtake Burnley, although goal difference is against them. They are winless in the league for five games and know a win might not be enough for them to stay up. Pinnock, Ghoddos, and Jorgensen will be out for Brentford but Onyeka has a chance to return to the side. James and Ayling are both suspended for Leeds, while Dallas, Forshaw, Summerville, and Roberts are out injured. While Leeds will be fighting for their lives, its difficult to look past Brentford for this one. They are the form side of the two and have been very impressive at home, meaning I will go for a 2-0 home win for Frank's side.
Brighton - West Ham
The Hammers start this game in 7th and only two points behind United in 6th, knowing if they win and can overtake the Red Devils they will secure a Europa League place instead of a Europa Conference League spot. Brighton meanwhile could secure their first ever top half finish in the Premier League as they currently sit in tenth and could climb as high as eight. Four wins and just one defeat in their last seven has seen them climb up into record high places for the club. West Ham are on a run of just one win in eight fixtures across all competitions including their Europa League exit but will push to get themselves back into that competition once again. Their last game saw them hold Man City to a 2-2 draw and the confidence will be high that they can overtake United. Mwepu and Moder will be missing for the Seagulls in this match, while the Hammers will be without Diop, Ogbonna, and possibly Benrahma. This looks to be a very evenly matched encounter, with Moyes and Potter both getting the best from their sides. Due to this fact it seems likely that the final result will end up as a draw and I will go for 2-2.
Burnley - Newcastle
Newcastle will be up against it as they visit Burnley who are fighting for their Premier League status in this final day clash. With both Bunrley and Leeds level on points, Jackson's side just need to match or better Leeds result to guarantee their safety but Newcastle will be fired up after their win against Arsenal during the week. With only one point from their last three games the good start for Jackson at Burnley seems to have come to an end. Burnley have a strong home record and will be boosted by the fact Newcastle have a poor recent away record which has seen them loose four of their last five away from St. James Park. After winning just one of their first twenty league games Newcastle are in with a chance of moving into the top half on the final day of the season. Howe has done an excellent job so far and they have won five of their last seven, only loosing to Liverpool and Man City. Mee, Gudmundsson, Westwood, Vydra, and Pieters will be missing for Burnley due to injury, while Lowton will be suspended. Fraser, Schar, Manquillo, Shelvey, Lewis, Willock, and Wood are the concerns for Newcastle heading into this one. With so much on the line this is likely to be a tense game at Turf Moore, and because of that I think Burnley will have just enough about them to secure a 1-0 home win to beat the drop and get a seventh season in the top flight.
Chelsea - Watford
With third place all but secured for Chelsea and Watford already relegated, this game is unlikely to go down as one of the better ones. The Blues are two points ahead of Spurs with a superior goal difference so a point will be enough to get them third. Its been a disappointing campaign for the reigning European champions after their bright start to the season, and coupled with two cup final defeats to Liverpool they will be happy to see the end of this season. They have just twelve points from their last nine league games which is terrible form and will give Hodgson's side hope they can end their season with a win. Watford have been strong away from home but they are on an eight game winless streak in the league. It will also most likely be Hodgson's final game as a manager so he will be hoping his side send him off in style. With a host of players leaving Chelsea at the end of their contracts expect Azpilicueta, Alonso, and Rudiger to start this game. Werner is unlikely to play though with his recent hamstring injury. Foster will be making his final appearance for Watford in this game also. With the form of both sides being fairly poor, it will still most likely be Chelsea who win this game with a 2-1 scoreline.
Crystal Palace - Manchester United
Rangnick will take charge of his final Manchester United game here as they travel to Selhurst Park. United are two points ahead of West Ham but anything less than a win could see them drop to seventh due to their goal difference. Palace are 13th and will have an outside chance of getting into tenth if they win and results elsewhere go their way, but the loss to Everton basically put an end to their top half aspirations. The unsavoury incident at the end of the match at Goodison Park which saw Vieira kick a supporter who got in his face will certainly be a talking point, but there should be no pitch invasion after this game. Its been a good season for Palace and they will hope to build on it next season. They were on a four game unbeaten run before the defeat at Goodison and will take confidence from that. United will have ten Haag watching on from the crowd and they have won six, drawn five and lost seven of their 18 away league fixtures this term. It has been a disappointing season compared to the hopes of a title challenge at the start of the season. Palace will be without Guehi, Ferguson, and Olise. McArthur and Tomkins are also major doubts. United will be going into this one without Sancho, Jones, Ronaldo, Greenwood, and Shaw. With United so low on confidence its difficult to see them winning this one, and I think Rangnick's final game in charge will end up as a 1-1 draw.
Leicester - Southampton
The Foxes host the Saints with very little to play for as both sides are safe from relegation and are unable to qualify for Europe. Both sides will be disappointed with how their seasons have gone, with Leicester potentially moving into 8th with a win and Southampton unable to move higher than 15th. Rodgers side have failed to get into Europe for the first time in three seasons, but have improved of late and gotten seven points from their last three games. Hasenhuttl's side lost to Liverpool last time out but played well and did manage to take the lead. A run of nine defeats and just one win from their last 12 games in all competitions has summed up their poor season but relegation was never a fear. Ndidi and Bertrand will be out for Leicester while Tielemans and Justin are doubts. Perrard, Livramento, and Forster will all miss out for Southampton at the King Power. This should result in an open game with both sides playing their expansive styles, and I suspect the home side will manage a 2-1 win to ensure Leicester finish in the top half of the table.
Liverpool - Wolves
The Reds know even a win might not be enough to secure them the title but anything less definitely wont be. Their final home game of the season, with a trip to Paris next weekend for the Champions League final, will be full of nerves and excitement. Their hopes of a quadruple have lasted until the final day of the season, longer than any other English side before. Their weakened side overcame Southampton last Tuesday to keep the dream alive and will hope they can add a third trophy after the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. Liverpool have won 15 of their last 17 league matches and remain unbeaten in the league in 2022. Wolves will arrive at Anfield having failed to win any of their last six games and picking up just two points from a possible 18. They have missed out on the chance for Europe next season but are ensured of a top half finish. Gomez added to the already injury woes of Salah, Van Dijk and Fabinho for Liverpool, with all four needing to be assessed and unlikely to be risked if not fully fit. Origi may also be in line to feature in what will be his last appearance for Liverpool at Anfield. Wolves will be missing Saiss, Kilman, and Semedo for this one, while both Moutinho and Neves may be making their final appearances for Wolves. Although Liverpool have nothing to loose they also have so much to potentially gain, and because Wolves are playing for nothing I can only see one winner for this encounter. The Reds will win comfortably with a 3-0 result and Klopp along with the Kop will be anxiously awaiting the news of the result from the Etihad.
Manchester City - Aston Villa
With De Bruyne and Foden named the player and young player of the year, Man City will be looking to round off the season in style at home to secure the Premier League title. They are a point ahead in the table and know a win will guarantee them the title. Aston Villa will be hoping to cause an upset and have a slight chance of finishing in the top half of the table if they can secure a win here. Pep's side have found the net at least twice in their previous eight league games, and are unbeaten in eleven league fixtures. Villa have failed to keep a clean sheet in four league games while only managing to win in two of their previous ten league matches. Gerrard will hope to inspire his side in a bid to help out his boyhood club but are up against one of the best sides here. City have Walker and Stones back in training and could welcome them back to the line up here, but Dias will definitely miss out. Hause and Konza are both ruled out for Villa, while this game may come too soon for Bailey. While anything is possible in football and a fairy tale of Gerrard taking points off City would be an amazing end to the season, I can only see one winner. Pep will ensure his side don't slip up and win this game at home with a 3-1 result.
Norwich - Tottenham
Already relegated Norwich will face a difficult task as Tottenham know a point or a win will guarantee Champions League football for next season. Norwich have been hot and cold of late, with a point against Wolves thanks to Pukki's 11th goal of the season last time out. The Canaries have only managed to score 12 goals at home this season which is the worst in the league. Spurs have taken control of the top four race thanks to Kane's penalty against Burnley last time out. Conte's side have now taken 11 points from the last 15 and should be able to handle the pressure of this match, although they have been known to loose when it mattered most. Norwich will be without Idah, Gilmour, Normann, Omobamidele, McLean, Sargent, Kabak, and Zimmermann. Spurs will head into this one without Tanganga, Skipp, Reguilon, and Doherty, while Romero will need to be assessed. Norwich will hope to end the season on a high note and could even move into 19th if they win and Watford loose or draw, but it is too difficult to look past Spurs for this one. They have too much to loose against a side playing for nothing and therefore I can only see an away win with a 1-3 result.
Have a great day, I hope you enjoyed the preview of the matches and get to see the final round of league games.
Peace. CryptoGod-1.
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