Good day everyone,
I hope you are all well and had an excellent week, welcome to CryptoGod-1’s blog on all things sports. With the busy festive period ahead this weekends round of games is certain to be full of blockbuster action as Arsenal host Wolves, Burnley and Sheffield United play a huge relegation encounter, Forest host Everton, Newcastle welcome struggling Manchester United, while Manchester City host their bogey team Tottenham.
Fixtures — Times are shown as U.K. Time
This weeks round of fixtures will see the games spread out across two days, from Saturday morning until Sunday evening.
Saturday 2nd December 2023
Arsenal - Wolves 3pm KO
Brentford - Luton 3pm KO
Burnley - Sheffield United 3pm KO
Nottingham Forest - Everton 5.30pm KO
Newcastle - Manchester United 8pm KO
Sunday 3rd December 2023
Bournemouth - Aston Villa 2pm KO
Chelsea - Brighton 2pm KO
Liverpool - Fulham 2pm KO
West Ham - Crystal Palace 2pm KO
Manchester City - 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 week matches. Remember this is just my fun analysis and should not be taken as advice or a guarantee.
Arsenal - Wolves
Arsenal are sitting top of the table with 30 points heading into this one against a Wolves side on 15 points and sitting in twelfth.
A huge win over Lens in their Champions League midweek game ensured Arteta's side topped their group following the league leaders win over Brentford last weekend. Havertz got his first goal from open play in 31 games when he scored the winner to send Arsenal top of the league and Arteta will know his side are in the title race. They have the best defence with only ten conceded and have won their last four games in all competitions. The club is yet to taste defeat at the Emirates Stadium in 2023/24 and can further cement themselves as the side to beat with a victory here.
O'Neil's side lost 3-2 against Fulham in very controversial VAR circumstances last Monday and will look to ensure they are not at the end of more wrong officiating decisions. They sit comfortably in midtable and ten points clear of the relegation places, but the club could be as much as seven points better off had decisions not gone against them this season. They have scored in each of their last 12 league games, although have conceded in 11 of those contests. O'Neil will need to motivate his side to ensure the injustice of previous games does not follow them here.
Arsenal will be missing Vieira, Partey, Smith Rowe, and Timber. Wolves will be without Hodge, Neto, and Dawson, while they also need to assess Ait Nouri.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: WDWLWW
Away: DWDLWL
Arsenal beat Wolves 5-0 at home last May and 2-0 at Molineux back in November 2022, as the Londoners have four wins in their last five against Wolves. Arsenal will have their stalls set out but should expect a conservative approach from Wolves. The visitors will aim to make things difficult and while Arteta's side will need to be at their best, they should have enough to secure a victory.
Final score: 2-0
Brentford - Luton
The Bees are currently eleventh with 16 points as they host seventeenth placed Luton, who have 9 points.
Brentford lost 1-0 against Arsenal last time out and slipped into the bottom half in the process. The game was the first in 2023 where the Bees failed to score at home in the Premier League, and only the third time overall since they were promoted. Having lost to Liverpool in the game prior to that, Frank will be looking forward to facing a side from the other end of the table. With only two wins in eight home games so far this season Brentford will be looking to avoid losing three league games in a row without scoring for the first time since they were in League One in 2011-12. Before the Arsenal match they had managed to score in 19 home Premier League games.
Luton managed a win over Crystal Palace in their previous game to send their home fans wild, and they will be hoping the Hatters can produce more of the same here. It was only their second league win on the season and came almost two months after their beat of Everton, but in doing so they ended a run of six games without a win. With a four point gap over the bottom three Luton are certain to remain out of the relegation places no matter the result here, but Edwards would love to see his side get their first clean sheet of the season in any competition.
The Bees will be without Henry, Schade, Toney, Hickey, and Collins, while they also need to assess the fitness of Dasilva, Damsgaard, Jensen, and Rasmussen. Luton will be missing Lokonga, Potts, Anderson, Nakamba, and Burke, while they also need to assess Woodrow and Kabore.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LWWWLL
Away: LDLDLW
It was back in 2020-21 when these sides last faced off in league clashes, with Brentford winning their home Championship clash 1-0 and emerging with a 3-0 victory at Kenilworth Road. While Luton will be full of confidence following their win over Palace, I feel Brentford should have too much for them. Frank's side maintained a marvellous defensive structure and although they have struggled in front of goal recently, they should have enough about themselves to secure the win.
Final score: 2-0
Burnley - Sheffield United
Bottom of the league Burnley have 4 points and take on fellow new-boys and relegation rivals Sheffield Untied, who are eighteenth with 5 points.
Kompany's side let their one goal lead slip in a loss to West Ham last weekend and are on a run of seven defeats in all competitions. During that run since they beat Luton in early October the club have only managed to score four times and conceded 19 times. They are without a win at home this season and a loss here would see that extend to eight games at Turf Moor in 2023/24 where they have failed to produce for their fans. Doing so would make them the first team in the entire English Football League to endure an eight-game streak of such defeats at the start of a campaign.
The Blades lost to Bournemouth last time out while Bramall Lane booed their own team off. Heckingbottom will know his job is very much in the balance, similar to that of Kompany, and a 10th defeat from 13 Premier League games leaves them only a point better off than their hosts. Their 34 goals conceded thus far is the worst in the division and they have the worst attack with only 4 league goals scored. No clean sheets means their Premier League journey this season has been as rough on the fans as much as it has on the players.
Burnley will be missing Foster and Cork, while Muric is also a doubt. Sheffield United will be without Basham, Egan, Davies, Jebbison, Brewster, and Norrington-Davies.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LLLLLL
Away: LLLWDL
Defeat is not an option for either side going into this one. Last season they met in the Championship as Burnley won 2-0 at home in November but Sheffield United managed a 5-2 win in November 2022. I think both managers will be feeling the pressure here and therefore I cannot separate these sides. The final result should be close, with a draw the most likely outcome although never side will benefit much from it.
Final score: 1-1
Nottingham Forest - Everton
Forest are fifteenth with 13 points as they welcome nineteenth placed Everton, who have 4 points.
Cooper's men were beaten by Brighton last weekend and have now managed just a single win in their last nine games. They have been scoring, getting two or more goals in six league games they have lost since promotion back to the top flight. With two goals scored in four of their last five they need to tighten up at the back to ensure they can take more points, with only four take from that possible fifteen. While they remain eight points clear of the drop for now, they need to steer themselves back towards the upper half of the division to ensure they are not dragged in a relegation battle later in the campaign.
Dyche will be disappointed his side could not muster a performance last weekend when they lost at home against Manchester United. They sit five points from safety and will remain in the bottom three regardless of their result here. Their lack of attacking power, underperforming their xG by 6.6 this season, means sorting out their shooting boots should see them remain in the division. The ten point deduction will hurt, but they have managed to secure wins in three of their last four games away from home. Without the deduction, the club would be sitting two points away from the top half of the table.
Forest will be missing Awoniyi, while they will also need to assess Felipe and Sangare. Everton will be without Alli and Gomes, while Onana is also a doubt.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: DDLWLL
Away: WLWDWL
Last season these sides played out a 2-2 draw at the City Ground in March, while it ended as a 1-1 draw at Goodison back in August of 2022. This game may not be as intense as last season, when both clubs were battling to stay in the league, but it is bound to entertain. The lack of defensive ability from Forest coupled with the lack of firepower from Everton should certainly make things interesting. I think that although it will be close and Everton should be favourites on their overall form, a draw is the most likely result here.
Final score: 2-2
Newcastle - Manchester United
The Magpies are sitting in seventh with 23 points and will host sixth placed Manchester United, who have 24 points so far.
Newcastle managed a 1-1 draw away to PSG to keep their Champions League hopes alive during the week following their victory over Chelsea last weekend. They remain a point and a place behind United in the standing and both these sides will want to show their top 4 credentials in this encounter. The Magpies have won five of their last eight home league games, and had four clean sheets in a row at St. James Park before Sterling scored for Chelsea last weekend. Newcastle have the superior goal difference and will want that to show in this game with their impressive attacking power on display in front of their own fans.
Manchester United allowed their lead over Galatasaray to slip twice during the week in a 3-3 draw which leaves the English side in real danger of being knocked out of European competition this season. The club put Everton to the sword in the league last weekend but have struggled in Europe this season. It was their third Premier League win and clean sheet in a row, while they have also won in each of their previous four away league matches. Ten Hag has accepted blame for his side being on the cusp of elimination in the Champions League, but the fans will begin to question their manager if he cannot produce the goods against top 4 rivals in the league.
Howe will have to do without Tonali, Burn, Murphy, Wilson, Anderson, Botman, Barnes, Willock, Targett, and Manquillo. They also need to check on the fitness of Longstaff. Ten hag meanwhile will be without Casemiro, Martinez, Mount, Evans, Malacia, Eriksen, Sancho, and Amad Diallo Traore.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: DWDWLW
Away: WWLWWW
Newcastle beat United 3-0 at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup earlier this season, enacting revenge on their Carabao Cup final loss last season. Newcastle also beat United 2-0 at St. James Park last season while drawing 0-0 at Old Trafford. The pressure will be on Ten Hag, with his side showing decent domestic form but will have to show what they are made of now they are facing a top 4 rival. Given how Newcastle performed against PSG, I have a feeling they will want to right that wrong and claim three points here to show they can mix with the biggest of clubs.
Final score: 3-1
Bournemouth - Aston Villa
The Cherries are sitting in sixteenth with 12 points as they go up against high flying Villa, who occupy fourth with 28 points.
Iraola's side have managed back to back wins in the league following their triumph over Sheffield United last weekend. The Cherries have moved seven points clear of the relegation zone and their uptick in form, seeing them also overcome Newcastle before the international break, means Iraola's side now have three wins from their last four Premier League games. His playing style is finally showing within the team, with the club aiming for three top flight wins in a row for the first time since August 2018.
The Lions overcame Legia Warsaw during their midweek Europa Conference League game to follow up their win over Tottenham last weekend. The club are a point off progressing in Europe, but will be disappointed in the violence which saw four police officers injured after the match. Domestically, Villa moved into fourth following their win over Spurs and Emery will want to reaffirm his side as Champions League contenders here. With nine wins from their last eleven games in all competitions, but they are without a clean sheet since early October.
The Cherries will be missing Adams, Scott, Aarons, Fredericks, Marcondes, and Randolph, while they need to assess the fitness of Kelly. Aston Villa will be without Traore, Buendia, Kamara, and Mings, while they also need to check on Watkins.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LLWLWW
Away: DWWLWW
Villa overcame the Cheeries 3-0 at home last May, but it was Bournemouth who emerged victorious with a 2-0 win at the Vitality Stadium in August 2022. Bournemouth have emerged victorious in four of their previous six Premier League fixtures with Villa, but Emery has got his side playing better than they have in years. It wont be an easy task, but I can only see one winner and Villa should be leaving with the three points here.
Final score: 1-2
Chelsea - Brighton
Chelsea are currently tenth with 16 points and will be up against eight place Brighton, who have amassed 22 points.
The Blues were humbled 4-1 by Newcastle last weekend as Pochettino is still searching for solutions within his squad. Pochettino admitted it was the "worst game" of the season so far for his side, leaving them parked in midtable. His side are eleven points clear of the relegation zone, but also sit ten points off the top four. However, their loss at St. James Park was their only defeat in their last nine matches across all tournaments. Improving their home form, with only one win in their last fourteen league games, is the first port of call for Pochettino as they have only managed two points from their last five home league games.
Brighton overcame AEK Athens 1-0 in their midweek Europa League clash to guarantee passage into the knockout rounds, although they remain a point off Marseille in top spot and will need to overcome them to avoid the playoff round. Their win over Nottingham Forest last weekend ended their six-game winless streak in the top flight. De Zerbi's men are on a seven game unbeaten run and have won their last three on the road and finding the back of the net in their last eleven games. However, they have failed to keep a single clean sheet in the league all season.
Chelsea will be missing Wesley Fofana, Chilwell, Lavia, Nkunku, James, Cucurella, Chalobah, and Chukwuemeka, while Gusto is also a doubt. Brighton will be missing Estupinan, Lamptey, Fati, Welbeck, Dahoud, Enciso, Webster, March, and Dunk.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: WDLWDL
Away: DLDDDW
Chelsea managed a narrow 1-0 win over Brighton in the Carabao Cup back in September, but Brighton managed a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge in the league last season when recording a 4-1 win at the Amex in October 2022. The Blues are without a win in their last five league games with the Seagulls and Pochettino will be desperate for his team to change that record. With suspensions and injuries to deal with, I expect goals in this one for both sides and the game to end in a draw.
Final score: 3-3
Liverpool - Fulham
Liverpool are sitting in third with 28 points as fourteenth placed Fulham, with 15 points, make the trip to Anfield.
The Reds put in a professional performance to overcome Linz ASK to cruise into the last 16 of the Europa League during the week following on from their impressive draw against Manchester City at the Etihad. Sitting two points off the top of the Premier League, Klopp will be delighted with his teams progress this season. They have won all ten of their games at Anfield this season while scoring two or more goals and will be full of confidence. The club has also seen five or more players hit five goals before December in all competitions, as Salah (13), Jota (8), Nunez (7), Diaz (5) and Gakpo (6) have been in lethal form this term.
The Cottagers overcame Wolves last Monday thanks in no small part to some VAR controversy. The result, which saw three penalties awarded in the second half, means Fulham moved ten points clear of the relegation zone but they have now conceded in each of their last nine games in all competitions. They are also without a win in their last six away games in the league, as Silva's side are struggling for goals with only 13 scored in their 13 league games so far.
Klopp will be missing Thiago, Jota, Robertson, Alisson, and Bajcetic. As for Marco Silva, he will travel without Muniz, Diop, and Diarra.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: DWWDWD
Away: WLDLLW
Liverpool managed a 1-0 win over Fulham at Anfield last May, while these sides played out a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage in August of 2022. Fulham have only managed to score 4 goals in their 16 Premier League games against Liverpool at Anfield and they will be up against it once again. Silva will target the fact Liverpool's first choice keeper Alisson will be missing, but Klopp will have plenty of faith in his side emerging with a solid win here as they enter the hectic winter schedule looking to climb to the top of the table.
Final score: 3-1
West Ham - Crystal Palace
West Ham are sitting in ninth with 20 points as they host thirteenth placed Crystal Palace, who have 15 points.
The Hammers managed a narrow 1-0 away win against Backa Topola to secure qualification and only needing a point to top the group. Domestically they have won their last two, including overcoming Burnley last weekend. With five wins from their last six in all competitions and a win in each of their last four games, confidence will be sky high at the club. They have won their last three home games and currently sit eight points off the top four. The Hammers will be dreaming of a push up the table to secure more European football for their expectant fanbase next season.
Palace have been on a poor run of late, losing their last two in the league including against Luton town last weekend. With only two wins from their last ten games in all competitions, against Manchester United and Burnley, Hodgson is beginning to feel the pressure. The club are ten points clear of the relegation zone but only the three newly-promoted teams have scored fewer this term. With a tricky festive schedule ahead getting points on the board now will be imperative for the club, but getting their attacking power fit and firing will be the most crucial task for Hodgson over the coming weeks.
West Ham will be missing Antonio, while they also have doubts over Bowen and Kudus. Palace meanwhile will be without Rak-Sakyi, Henderson, Eze, and Doucoure, while they also have doubts over Tomkins.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: DLLLWW
Away: DLLWLL
Last season Palace managed a 4-3 home win while the Eagles also recorded a 1-2 away win against the Hammers. There have been plenty of goals in meetings between these sides, with both sides scoring in the last 12 encounters with each other. While the Hammers will be tired from Europe and likely missing talisman Bowen, they should have enough about themselves to ensure a victory at home.
Final score: 2-1
Manchester City - Tottenham
The Etihad once again host the game of the round as fifth placed Spurs, with 26 points, go up against second place Manchester City who have 29 points.
Following their 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool last weekend, Manchester City overcame RB Leipzig in the Champions League to sit comfortably top of their group with five wins from five. A win is imperative for Pep's side here who will be looking to avoid going three top-flight games without a win for the first time since 2017. With only five clean sheets from twenty games in all competitions, Pep will want his side to tighten up at the back. They have won 11 of the 15 games they conceded in, but Pep will want more control and dominance from his side.
Spurs were beaten by Villa last weekend to make it three league defeats in a row as the wheels have come off for Postecoglou's side. Ten games in they looked unstoppable, but the loses and injuries have derailed the club. While they have slipped out of the top four, a win could see them draw level on points with second placed City. Postecoglou will be determined not to match the last time the club lost four league games in a row, dating back to 2004. The club will be confident facing the champions given their excellent record against Pep, but Postecoglou will still need full focus and determination to get something from this game.
City will be missing De Bruyne for this one while they also have fitness concerns over Kovacic and Nunes. Tottenham will travel to Manchester without the services of Perisic, Bentancur, van de Ven, Maddison, Sessegnon, Solomon, Romero, Whiteman, and Richarlison. They also need to assess the fitness of Sarr.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LWWWDD
Away: WWWLLL
Spurs beat City 1-0 at home in the league last February, while City overcame Spurs 4-2 at the Etihad in January. Man City have lost more games to Tottenham (six) than they have against any other opponent since Pep arrived, while conceding 19 times in the process. Its their home form against Spurs which will give the Citizens confidence going into this one, having beaten Spurs 9 out of their 13 home encounters at the Etihad. While Pep will be cautious to avoid another defeat to Spurs, I feel the lack of confidence in Ange's side will allow the Citizens to record a comfortable home win here.
Final score: 3-1
Match Prediction Summary
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
Brentford 2-0 Luton
Burnley 1-1 Sheffield United
Nottingham Forest 2-2 Everton
Newcastle 3-1 Manchester United
Bournemouth 1-2 Aston Villa
Chelsea 3-3 Brighton
Liverpool 3-1 Fulham
West Ham 2-1 Crystal Palace
Manchester City 3-1 Tottenham
Check out my 2023/24 Season Predictions here: Predictions 23/24 Season
Have a great day, I hope you enjoyed the preview of the matches and get to see the games.
Peace. CryptoGod-1.
Referral Links and Follow Me:
