Good day everyone,
I hope you are all well and had an excellent week, welcome to CryptoGod-1’s blog on all things sports. This weekend will see Chelsea welcome struggling Sheffield United, Manchester City host Palace, Newcastle welcome Fulham, Arsenal face off against Brighton, while Manchester United visit the ground where they conceded 7 times last season.
Fixtures — Times are shown as U.K. Time
This weeks round of fixtures will see the games spread out across three days, from Friday evening until Sunday evening.
Friday 15th December 2023
Nottingham Forest - Tottenham 8pm KO
Saturday 16th December 2023
Bournemouth - Luton - 3pm KO
Chelsea - Sheffield United 3pm KO
Manchester City - Crystal Palace 3pm KO
Newcastle - Fulham 3pm KO
Burnley - Everton 5.30pm KO
Sunday 17th December 2023
Arsenal - Brighton 2pm KO
Brentford - Aston Villa 2pm KO
West Ham - Wolves 2pm KO
Liverpool - Manchester United 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.
Nottingham Forest - Tottenham
Forest are currently sitting in sixteenth with 14 points as they host fifth placed Spurs who are on 30 points.
The Tricky Trees secured a point against Wolves last time out and in doing so apparently got manager Cooper a stay of execution. In doing so the club avoided a fifth-straight defeat and remain five points clear of the relegation zone. The club have lost in their previous two home games, against Brighton and Everton, and will be looking to get back to the sort of form that saw them go eight unbeaten at the City Ground between April and November. The home fans will be out in full support once again and back their manager as the players are shown they need to start producing for the club.
Spurs managed a comfortable 4-1 home win over Newcastle last weekend to end a run of five league games without a victory. Spurs have been somewhat of a mixed bag this season, having seen Postecoglou break records to earn the most points as a new top flight manager to then setting a record for going 1-0 up and still losing in five straight games. Spurs are without a clean sheet in seven attempts as the high octane nature of Ange's football has seen their backline exposed, but the goals flew in against Newcastle and the fans will hope for more of the same here.
Forest will be without Awoniyi and Aurier while they have doubts over Murillo. Spurs meanwhile will be missing Perisic, Bentancur, van de Ven, Maddison, Sessegnon, Solomon, Dier, and Whiteman, while Le Celso remains a doubt.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: WLLLLD
Away: LLLDLW
Last season Tottenham won both league encounters with Forest, managing a 2-0 win at the City Ground in August 2022 and a 3-1 home win in March. However, Forest did eliminate Spurs from the Carabao Cup third round with a 2-0 home win back in November 2022. Spurs are still dealing with a number of injuries and the City Ground will be fired up for this one. Pressure is on both clubs for different reasons, but I think for all Spurs attacking power they remain vulnerable at the back, so this should end in a thrilling draw.
Final score: 3-3
Bournemouth - Luton
The Cherries are sitting in fourteenth with 19 points while Luton remain in eighteenth with 9 points.
Having beaten Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford last weekend, Iraola's side will be looking to make it six unbeaten Premier League games in a row here. Only a last minute equaliser conceded against Aston Villa stopped the Cherries taking 15 points from their last five league encounters and they will be full of confidence. Sitting ten points clear of the relegation zone, the club have scored at least twice in each of their last five as they fast became one of the leagues form sides. Only Liverpool have achieved more points, 17, than Iraola's side have with their 16 points from their last seven league games.
The Hatters fell against Manchester City at Kenilworth Road last weekend having once again opened the scoring in front of their own fans but lost for the third league game in a row. At Kenilworth the club has yet to lose by more than a single goal in this Premier League campaign, but the club are still without a clean sheet in the league. Sitting four points from safety and a point ahead of their fellow promoted sides, Luton will look to extend a league scoring streak which has seen them net in each of their last four encounters.
Bournemouth will be missing Adams, Scott, Kelly, Aarons, Hamed Traore, Fredericks, Marcondes, and Randolph. Luton will be missing Woodrow, Potts, Marvelous Nakamba, and Burke, while Osho remains a doubt.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LWWDWW
Away: DLWLLL
These sides last met in the Championship during the 2021/22 season. Bournemouth managed a 2-1 home win in September 2021 while Luton emerged with a 3-2 home win in January 2022. The Cherries will be hoping to make it three Premier League wins with cleans sheets for the first time in their history, but Luton have found a recent scoring touch and will want to make things difficult. It should be a close game, but Bournemouth are in fine form and should record another win here.
Final score: 3-1
Chelsea - Sheffield United
The Blues are sitting in twelfth with 19 points as they host bottom of the table Sheffield United with their 8 points.
Chelsea suffered defeat away to Everton last weekend as they club have now lost three of their last four in the league. Pochettino has seen his sides away form plummet with the club now losing their last three away days in the league. They sit ten points above the relegation places as the club remain in the bottom half of the table, while they sit an agonising 14 points off the top four. The club has suffered 18 defeats in the calendar year of 2023, with only Bournemouth doing worse on 19. The side have also seen two or more goals conceded in their last five Premier League games.
The Blades managed a 1-0 win over Brentford last weekend as the impact of reappointing Chris Wilder as manager began to show. Liverpool may have ruined Wilder's Bramall Lane homecoming but his impact is showing. The club are still bottom but only a point behind eighteenth placed Luton and five points from safety. Away form needs addressing however as they remain the only Premier League side without an away win this season. They have also only scored four on their travels while conceding twenty.
Chelsea will be missing Wesley Fofana, Chilwell, Chalobah, Ugochukwu, Chukwuemeka, and James. They will also need to check the fitness of Sanchez, Cucurella, Madueke, Nkunku, Lavia, and Malo Gusto. Sheffield United will be missing Norrington-Davies, Basham, Egan, Davies, Jebbison, Robinson, Brewster, while assessments need to be made on the fitness of Baldock.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: WDLWLL
Away: WDLLLD
Chelsea beat the Blades 4-1 at home back in November 2020 while they managed a 2-1 away win in February 2021. Chelsea also managed a 2-0 FA Cup Quarter Final win over Sheffield United in March 2021. As crazy as it might seem I have a feeling that Chelsea will be stuck in their Christmas blues with another defeat here. Pochettino is struggling to get a tune out of this side and Wilder will be ready to pounce on any mistakes, meaning the Blades should emerge with a well fought victory.
Final score: 1-2
Manchester City - Crystal Palace
City are languishing in fourth with 33 points while Crystal Palace occupy fifteenth with 16 points.
Pep saw his side emerge with a 2-1 victory at Kenilworth Road last weekend, while they overcame Red Star Belgrade during their midweek Champions League tie to finish top of their group with maximum points. The club will be off in Saudi Arabia for the FIFA Club World Cup next weekend so Pep will want to ensure his troops put more points on the board before then. They are four points off top spot and remain unbeaten in their last 18 top-flight games at the Etihad.
Palace fell to a late defeat at home to Liverpool last weekend as Hodgson's side meaning the club has managed a disappointing return of just five points from the previous 45 available. While they remain seven points clear of the relegation zone, pressure is beginning to mount on the oldest manager in Premier League history. A win could see the club move up into eleventh if other results go their way, and while Palace have an extremely difficult festive fixture list, they have been known to cause upsets in being only behind Manchester United (3) with their two wins at the Etihad over Pep's side.
City will be missing De Bruyne and Doku, while Haaland and Grealish are doubts. Palace will be without Doucoure, Rak-Sakyi, Holding, Henderson, Ayew, Eze, Johnstone, and Edouard. They will also need to check the fitness of Lerma and Mitchell prior to the match.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: WDDDLW
Away: WLLDLL
City did the double over Palace last season, beating the Eagles 1-0at Selhurst Park in March 2023 while also winning 4-2 at the Etihad in August 2022. Having only lost two of their previous 16 meetings with Palace, Manchester City will certainly be the favourites going into this one. However, Pep's side lost both those games at the Etihad, meaning they cannot take this game for granted. With Hodgson's side out of form and unrest amongst the fanbase, it seems unlikely they will pull off a surprise win here. However, anything is possible, but I think Pep's side should have enough to get the win.
Final score: 2-0
Newcastle - Fulham
Newcastle are currently sitting in seventh with 26 points as they host tenth placed Fulham, with 21 points, at St. James Park.
Howe's side lost 4-1 against Spurs last weekend before their Champions League match with AC Milan ended in defeat and Newcastle being eliminated from all European competitions this season. With their European adventure at an end the club suffered their third defeat in a row in all competitions and Howe will need to rectify things to close the seven point gap on top four. Having lost their last two in the league by an aggregate score of 7-1, the clubs injury dilemma means they have now lost six league games this season, more than the five league defeats they suffered all of last season.
Fulham put five unanswered goals past West Ham last weekend to follow up their 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest. The win made it three from their last four in the league as they goals have been flying in, with Fulham scoring 16 times in their last four games having only scored ten times in their opening 12 league fixtures. If they score five again here they will become only the third team to score five or more goals in three successive Premier League games. However, they are winless in seven successive Premier League away matches as the club has struggled on the road this season.
Newcastle will be without Tonali, Pope, Murphy, Anderson, Botman, Willock, Barnes, Manquillo, and Targett. They will also need to do an assessment on the fitness of Gordon and Trippier. Fulham have no certain injuries but do have fitness concerns over the availability of Ream, Adama Traore, Diop, and Willian.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: WLWWLL
Away: LLWLWW
Newcastle managed a 1-0 home win over Fulham back in January while they also secured a 4-1 away win back in October 2022. Newcastle have not lost against Fulham in the Premier League since March 2014 and I am backing them to extend that run here. The club is struggling of late thanks to woeful luck with injuries, but they will benefit from Fulham's struggles on the road this season and secure a point in front of their home fans.
Final score: 2-2
Burnley - Everton
The Clarets are sitting in nineteenth with 8 points as they go into this relegation clash against seventeenth placed Everton, who have 13 points.
Kompany saw his side draw away to Brighton last weekend but the club have seen an upturn in form which has returned 4 points from the last 9 available. The point was only the fourth time all season the club has avoided defeat in the Premier League with Trafford playing a key role between the sticks. They remain off the bottom of the league on goal difference alone and five points from safety. They will be hoping to make it back-to-back home league wins following their 5-0 victory over Sheffield United in their last clash at Turf Moor, which followed a run of seven home league loses in a row.
The Toffees overcame Chelsea at Goodison Park last weekend to move four points clear of the relegation zone. They conceded the ball to the visitors but stifled the Blues attacks to mark their third consecutive Premier League win. They have not conceded since a home loss against Manchester United at the end of November, with Dyche's side looking to make it four successive Premier League wins for the first time since December 2020. Sitting only four points above the relegation zone, they will want to ensure their good form continues to negate the ten point deduction received earlier in the season.
The Clarets will be missing Koleosho, Foster, Taylor, and Cork, while they also need to check the fitness of Ramsey and Cullen. Everton will be without Alli, Gueye, and Branthwaite, while Young, Coleman, Keane and Gomes are all doubts.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LLLWLD
Away: DWLWWW
The Clarets secured a 3-2 home win over Everton back in April 2022 while while Everton managed to beat Burnley 3-1 at Goodison in September 2021. They also met in the Carabao Cup this season where Everton emerged with a 3-0 victory in September. The Toffees have only won one of their last six matches with the hosts at Turf Moor back in December 2018. While Everton should be favourites for this one, I feel the pressure of the relegation battle should ensure that Burnley secure at least a point in front of their home crowd.
Final score: 1-1
Arsenal - Brighton
Second place Arsenal, with 36 points, will welcome eight placed Brighton, with 26 points, to the Emirates Stadium in this one.
Arteta's side relinquished top spot last weekend when they fell to a 1-0 away defeat against Aston Villa, but they followed that up with a midweek Champions League draw with PSV Eindhoven to ensure top spot in their Champions League group. Now sitting only a point above Villa and a point behind Liverpool, with City three points off, Arsenal can go top, for the time being, with a win by kicking off a day earlier than Liverpool. Anything else would be the first time all season Arsenal go three games without a win. They are unbeaten at home so far this campaign and a win here would make it seven wins in a row at the Emirates.
The Seagulls drew against Burnley at the Amex last weekend before their Europa League clash against Marseille ended with a late 1-0 victory to secure Brighton top spot in their group. Sitting four points off fifth, Brighton will look to push back into the European places with their upcoming fixtures as De Zerbi's side have now scored and conceded in each of their last twenty Premier League games. Having not kept a clean sheet since keeping Arsenal out last May, Brighton will look to reassert their defensive capabilities on their trip to the Emirates.
Arsenal will be without Tomiyasu, Vieira, Partey, Elneny, and Timber, while they will also need to check the fitness of Martinelli. Brighton will be without Estupinan, Fati, Lamptey, Enciso, Welbeck, and March, while they also need to check on the fitness of Webster.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LWWWWL
Away: DDWLWD
Brighton beat Arsenal 3-0 at the Emirates last May while they also pushed Arsenal close in a 4-2 loss at the Amex back in December 2022. The Seagulls also emerged from the Emirates with a 3-1 victory in the Carabao Cup third round back in November 2022. Brighton have also won their last three away to Arsenal and will be confident of extending that record here. Arsenal meanwhile will want to go back top to puut pressure on Liverpool, but I think they will stumble here against the Seagulls in a thrilling draw.
Final score: 1-1
Brentford - Aston Villa
The Bees are currently eleventh with 19 points as they go up against third placed Aston Villa who currently have 35 points.
Brentford lost 1-0 away to Sheffield United last weekend and Frank's side will be up against it here to ensure the club does not suffer three Premier League defeats in a row. Frank has already called it the worst injury crisis he has experienced in his managerial career, with the club having lost four of their last five games. It was also their sixth consecutive game without a clean sheet but the Bees have won in three of their last four games in front of their own fans. Sitting ten points from relegation, the club wont be fear the drop just yet but will need to see some marked improvements going forward.
After a massive week in which Villa beat treble winners Manchester City during their midweek clash, Emery's side followed that up by overcoming then league leaders Arsenal 1-0 at the weekend. Their Europa Conference League game away to Zrinjski saw Villa draw but still finish on top of their group. Having secured their 15th home league win in a row and sitting just two points off league leaders Liverpool, Villa will be hoping results go their way and they could potentially sit top of the table come the end of the weekend. However their away form is poor, with only three wins from their previous twelve away Premier League games.
The Bees will be missing Henry, Hickey, Mbeumo, Schade, Toney, Ajer, and Collins, while they also need to assess the fitness of Jensen and Dasilva. Villa will be without Buendia, Mings, Digne, Douglas Luiz, and Bertrand Traore.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: WLLWLL
Away: LWWDWW
These sides played out a 1-1 draw at the Gtech Community Ground last April, while Villa secured a 4-0 win over the Bees at Villa Park back in October 2022. Brentford are unbeaten in their last five home league games with Villa and Frank will want to extend that record here. They will be up against it as Emery's side look to mount a challenge on the title. I expect Brentford to make it difficult but Villa should secure the three points with a victory.
Final score: 0-2
West Ham - Wolves
The Hammers are sat in ninth with a healthy 24 points as they face off against thirteenth placed Wolves who have accumulated 19 points thus far.
West Ham suffered at the hands of Fulham last weekend when Moyes' men shipped five goals without reply before their midweek Europa League game with SC Freiburg ended in a comfortable victory to ensure the Hammers finished top of their group. Looking to get on form domestically, Moyes' men sit six points off fifth and only two off seventh placed Newcastle. The Fulham defeat was their only loss in their previous eight games in all competitions having won six games within that run.
Wolves drew 1-1 with Forest last weekend as O'Neil's side sit ten points clear of the relegation zone. They have ensured to avoid defeat in their last six home league games but have lost each of their last three league away days. O'Neil will want to see his sides attacking prowess continue, having witnessed Wolves scored in each of their previous seven away games. The club is only two points off the top half and while European football may be a step too far for now, continuing in this form will see the fans dreaming of higher achievements within the league.
Moyes will be without Antonio as his only certain absentee here. O'Neil will bring his side to London without Otto and Hodge while Neto and Ait-Nouri are doubts.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LWWDWL
Away: LWLLWD
Wolves managed a 1-0 win over West Ham at Molineux in January 2023 while the Hammers beat Wolves 2-0 at home back in October 2022. West Ham have managed to win in each of their last three home games against Wolves but the Hammers will be tired following their European trip. Wolves should score, and it should be enough to secure a point.
Final score: 1-1
Liverpool - Manchester United
League leaders Liverpool, with 37 points, welcome sixth placed Manchester United with their 27 points to Anfield in the tie of the weekend.
Liverpool managed a late 2-1 victory away to Crystal Palace last weekend as Klopp's side moved to the top of the table. The Reds had already qualified for the latter Rounds of the Europa League prior to their midweek game away to Union SG ended in defeat for the Reds but still finished top of their group. With Klopp's charges finding impeccable form of late to win their last five in all competitions, and have not lost since Toulouse overcame them in early November. The Reds only league defeat thus far has been in contentious VAR circumstance against Spurs and they are looking like serious contenders for multiple trophies this season. Repeating their dominant performance against Manchester United last season would rubber stamp their credentials and spend a message to the rest of the league.
It was a week to forget for Manchester United fans as Bournemouth beat them 3-0 at Old Trafford last weekend, while their crucial Champions League clash with Bayern Munich ended with in United being eliminated from Europe altogether. Ten Hag is facing serious questions with the rumoured Radcliffe investment looking to bring in their own manager. His signings are being questioned, his tactics, his management of players such as Ronaldo, Sancho, Maguire, etc. They sit only six points off fourth placed Manchester City, so the rot may not be as deep as it seems, but only 18 goals scored is the worst of the top 14 sides. Their record against the top 9 from last season has yet to improve, especially on the road, and they will really need a big performance to change that here.
Liverpool will be without Thiago, Matip, Robertson, Jota, Alisson, and Bajcetic, while Mac Allister is also a minor doubt. Manchester United will be missing Malacia, Casemiro, Martinez, Eriksen, Bruno, Sancho, and Amad Traore. They will also need to check on the fitness of Maguire, Shaw, Mount, Martial, Rashford, and Martial.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: DWDWWW
Away: WWWLWL
Last season Liverpool put seven unanswered goals past Ten Hag's side when they met at Anfield in March, although the Red Devils did manage a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford in August of 2022. Prior to that Liverpool had beaten United 4-0 at home and 5-0 away in the 2021/22 season. The balance of power has clearly shifted between these clubs over the last decade or so, and while Ten Hag will be hoping for a performance here it seems highly unlikely. Liverpool are top of the league for a reason, as they are grinding out results and outscoring opponents. With the fans behind them I feel Klopp's men can make a statement with a convincing win here.
Final score: 3-1
Match Prediction Summary
Nottingham Forest 3-3 Tottenham
Bournemouth 3-1 Luton
Chelsea 1-2 Sheffield United
Manchester City 2-0 Crystal Palace
Newcastle 2-2 Fulham
Burnley 1-1 Everton
Arsenal 1-1 Brighton
Brentford 0-2 Aston Villa
West Ham 1-1 Wolves
Liverpool 3-1 Manchester United
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.
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