Happy New Years everyone,
I hope you are all well and had an excellent festive period, welcome to CryptoGod-1’s blog on all things sports. This weeks round of games will see Luton try continue their good form against an out of form Chelsea, City host bottom side Sheffield United, Liverpool welcome Newcastle to Anfield, while Spurs face high flying Bournemouth and Manchester United visit Forest.
Fixtures — Times are shown as U.K. Time
This weeks round of fixtures will see the games spread out across four days from Saturday morning until Tuesday evening.
Saturday 30th December 2023
Luton - Chelsea 12.30pm KO
Aston Villa - Burnley 3pm KO
Crystal Palace - Brentford 3pm KO
Manchester City - Sheffield United 3pm KO
Wolves - Everton 3pm KO
Nottingham Forest - Manchester United 5.30pm KO
Sunday 31st December 2023
Fulham - Arsenal 2pm KO
Tottenham - Bournemouth 2pm KO
Monday 1st January 2024
Liverpool - Newcastle 8pm KO
Tuesday 2nd January 2024
West Ham - Brighton 7.30pm 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.
Luton - Chelsea
The Hatters sit eighteenth in the league with 15 points, while Chelsea are in tenth with 25 points.
Luton managed to overcome fellow relegation rival Sheffield United 3-2 away from home last time out to make it two league wins in a row for the first time ever in the Premier League. Their recent upturn in form has coincided with the recent collapse of Lockyer, with the team clearly galvanised over their captain. They are a point off safety, with a game in hand, and a win here would make it three top-flight successes on the bounce for the first time since December 1991.
Chelsea held on to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at home during the Christmas period and although the performance wasn't the convincing, it got them over the line. It was their fourth home win in a row in all competitions and shows signs of progress given their struggles at home over the last calendar year. Their away form however sees them entering this game on the back of four away defeats in a row as Pochettino aims to avoid a loss in momentum here. His charges have yet to fully click but Nkunku is showing signs of what to expect once his is back to his best.
Luton will be without Lockyer, Kabore, Burke, and Potts, with Marvelous Nakamba and Clark doubts. Chelsea will be missing Wesley Fofana, James, Cucurella, Sanchez, Chilwell, Palmer, Sterling, Enzo, Chalobah, and Chukwuemeka.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: WLLLWW
Away: WLLWLW
Chelsea beat Luton 3-0 at Stamford Bridge back in August but this is a different test at Kenilworth Road. The Hatters are on a run and will want to keep it going, while no team has gotten an easy game at the ground. Pochettino will want his players proving their worth before the January Transfer window opens, so I think with both sides going for it this game will end in a draw.
Final score: 1-1
Aston Villa - Burnley
Villa sit third in the table with 39 points and welcome nineteenth place Burnley, with 11 points, to Villa Park.
Unai Emery saw his side let a two goal lead slip as they lost 3-2 at Old Trafford last time out. The Spaniard seemed agitated with the result and will have drummed it into his players not to let a similar lead slip in a similar fashion. Their ten game unbeaten run in all competitions was ended, but they returning to Villa Park where the club recently made their 15 game winning Premier League run club-record, before Sheffield United ended the run. Emery will want to avoid dropping more points against a newly promoted side, while also looked to end Villa's winless run of nine game's when played on the final day of the calendar year.
Burnley lost 0-2 at home to Liverpool on Boxing Day to continue their struggles at Turf Moor this season. They remain five points clear of safety and will end the calendar year in the relegation zone regardless of results, and may even slip to the foot of the table. They do have four points from their last two away league games, against Fulham and Brighton, and Kompany will want his troops to try build on their away day momentum. With the potential of the January Transfer window ahead to further bolster his side, Kompany will continue to push their football method forward and try to match opposition with intensity.
Aston Villa are missing Buendia, Mings, Tielemans, and Olsen, while they also need to check on Digne. Burnley are without Koleosho and Cork.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: DWWWDL
Away: WLDLWL
Burnley have managed to avoid defeat in their last four games to Villa Park, but Villa did beat Burnley at Turf Moor back in August. While Burnley will likely try to make a contest of this, I can only see one winner. Emery will want his side getting back to winning ways and the home crowd will cheer them onto a comfortable win.
Final score: 3-0
Crystal Palace - Brentford
Palace occupy fifteenth with 18 points and go up against fourteenth placed Brentford with 19 points.
Hodgson's side were beaten by Chelsea over the festive break with the Eagles manager joining the growing list of those complaining about the application of technology (VAR) in the game. His side lost to a late penalty to leave them only three points clear of the relegation places. Questions remain over the managers future with Cooper now available following his dismissal at Forest. They have managed to score in nine of their last ten games in all competitions, but the Eagles are without a win since beating Burnley on the 4th of November.
The Bees were torn apart by Wolves over the festive period in a game which Nathan Collins will want to quickly forget. The defeat was the clubs fourth Premier League loss in a row and sitting only a point above Palace in the league table. The club have lost six of their last seven Premier League games, barring a victory over Luton, to see the club looking over their shoulders at the relegation places. Improving results, especially against clubs around them, will be Frank's prerogative going into the new year where the club will need to make a decision on Ivan Toney's future.
Palace will be without Doucoure, Rak-Sakyi, Ward, Johnstone, Holding, and Edouard. Brentford will be without Henry, Mbeumo, Hickey, Mee, Toney, Ajer, Schade, Dasilva, and Onyeka.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: DLLDDL
Away: LWLLLL
These sides played out a 1-1 draw at the Gtech Community Stadium back in August and there has never been a victory in the previous five top fight games between these clubs. I can see that trend continuing here and these side cancelling each other out in another draw.
Final score: 1-1
Manchester City - Sheffield United
Manchester City sit in fourth with 37 points and face bottom side Sheffield United, who have 9 points.
Pep's side beat Everton in their first game following their FIFA Club World Cup triumph and moved within five points of leaders Liverpool. The Citizens have a game in hand and have won five and drawn another in their last six in all competitions. They are looking weak at the back having conceded in each of their last eight league games, and are also on a run of three straight league draws at the Etihad. In each of those games Pep's side had been in a winning position. He will be keen to ensure there is no repeat of that today.
The Blades were beaten at home by Luton last time out and conceded two own goals in a Premier League game for the first time in the process. It put paid to any chances of getting a second victory under Wilder, and they will be up against it here. Sitting seven points adrift of safety, they have conceded the most in the league with 47 and conceded at least twice in 14 different league games so far. They are also without a clean sheet on the road and Wilder will be keen to ensure there is no repeat 8-0 drubbing like against Newcastle.
City will be without Stones, while Dias, Haaland, Doku, and De Bruyne are all in need of fitness checks. The Blades will be without Basham, Egan, Davies, Jebbison, Hamer, McAtee, and Ahmedhodzic, while Bogle needs to be assessed.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: DDLWDW
Away: LLWLDL
City have won the last six encounters with Sheffield United, and are unbeaten in their last eleven against the Blades. In five of those games Sheffield United only lost by a single goal, but I have a feeling Manchester City will want to beef up their goal difference here. Wilder will need to ensure his side are structured in defence and quick on the break, but I can only see one winner.
Final score: 3-1
Wolves - Everton
Wolves sit in eleventh with 25 points while Everton are currently in seventeenth with 16 points.
Wolves secured a huge win over Brentford last time out to make it back-to-back league wins for the first time this season for O'Neil's side. They tore Brentford apart when the opportunities arose, and a win here would make it three in a row for the first time since January 2022. At home they have been strongest, with Wolves going unbeaten in their last seven games at Molineux. They moved level on points with Chelsea and if results go their way, a win here for Wolves could see them move into the top half.
The Toffees lost at home to Manchester City over the festive fixtures but know they are in good stead given their points deduction. Without those ten points gone, Everton would be ahead of Wolves in the table and sitting in the top half. Dyche's side only have a single point lead over Luton in the relegation battle, and have played a game more than their rivals. Their end of year form has been good with no defeats in their final game of the calendar year over the past four seasons. Pushing away from the dotted line has to be the priority for Dyche in the upcoming transfer market.
Wolves will be missing Otto while they will also need to check on Dawson, Traore, Hwang, and Fabio Silva. Everton will be without Gueye, while they also need to check on Doucoure and Young.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LWDLWW
Away: WWWWLL
Wolves have four wins and a draw from their previous five meetings with Everton, including a 1-0 win for Wolves at Goodison back in August. Dyche has his side playing better these days, but O'Neil is doing as good a job with Wolves. Both these sides should be evenly matched and I don't expect either side to run away with it, but I think at Molineux Wolves will have enough to get the job done.
Final score: 1-2
Nottingham Forest - Manchester United
Forest are in sixteenth with 17 points while Manchester United sit in seventh with 31 points.
Nuno Espirito Santo managed to secure his first win as Forest manager when they overcame Newcastle over the festive fixtures. Sitting only two points above the relegation zone, Forest are adapting to Santo's methods but showed positive progress last time out. Wood got a hattrick and the learning process is clearly going right so far, but Forest have still found themselves in a relegation fight. The win ended a seven game winless run but Newcastle have been out on their legs of late and further improvement is required.
United came back from two goals down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 at home over the festive games and Ten Hag will be delighted with Höjlund scoring his first Premier League goal in the process. It was a huge result and relief for the striker who netted in his 15th Premier League appearance. They sit six points off City in fourth having played a game more, and have only managed to score eight goals away from home this season. They have also failed to score in each of their three previous away games.
Forest will be missing Awoniyi, Felipe, Sangare, and Aurier. Manchester United will be without Malacia, Martinez, Maguire, Casemiro, and Sancho. They will also need to check on the fitness of Lindelof, Mount, Shaw, Amrabat, Martial, and Amad Diallo Traore.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LLDLLW
Away: LWLDLW
Forest have lost their last eleven games against Manchester United, including a 3-2 home victory for United in August. Its a tough one to call as Santo is capable of pulling off a result with this squad, while Ten Hag will want to build on their comeback win against Villa. United have not been daunted by the City Ground in the past, winning on their last four visits, so I suspect they will succeed once again here.
Final score: 1-2
Fulham - Arsenal
The Cottagers are thirteenth with 21 points as they go up against second place Arsenal with 40 points.
Fulham were beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth on Boxing Day with their last three games seeing the club lose by an aggregate score of 8-0. Prior to that they had put five away in two consecutive games, so Silva will need to find the balance between attack and defence within his squad. The last time they lost four without scoring was back in September 1971. Sitting only six points clear of the relegation zone, Fulham will need to find their form once again or risk being dragged back into the relegation fray.
Arsenal were beaten 2-0 at home by West Ham in their festive fixture and will enter this game looking to leapfrog Liverpool back to the top of the table. The frailties have shown as the club aims to end its 20 year wait for a Premier League title, but it should be considered that no team has bettered their 11 set-piece goals in the Premier League this season. Arteta needs to banish any demons from last season within his side, as the club have ten points less than at this stage last season. With City only three points behind with a game in hand, Arteta needs his side to continue their good run of not losing in any of their last nine away London derbies.
The Cottagers will be without Adama Traore, They will also need to check on Ream and Willian. Arsenal will be missing Fabio Veiria, Tomiyasu, Partey, Havertz, and Timber.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LWWLLL
Away: WWLWDL
These two drew 2-2 at the Emirates back in August and Silva will hope his side can go one better here. Doing so would only be the third time in Premier League history that Fulham avoided defeat in both league games with Arsenal in a single season. Arteta will have other ideas, with the club having won their last five away days at Craven Cottage and scoring three or more goals in four of those games. Arsenal should have enough about them, but a low block approach could suit Fulham here. I am going to back a narrow away win.
Final score: 2-3
Tottenham - Bournemouth
Spurs sit in fifth with 36 points and face twelfth place Bournemouth with 25 points.
Ange's side lost 4-2 against Brighton in their festive encounter and now sit a point behind Manchester City in fourth. Their troubling defensive performance was not helped by the absence of key defenders Romero and van de Ven, but they went 4-0 down before getting two in the final ten minutes. It marked their fifth defeat in their last nine games since the start of November no other Premier League side has allowed more expected goals against them, at 21.4 xG. Postecoglou’s side will need defensive reinforcements in the window window as they look to reduce the number of goals they are conceding.
Since Iraola got the Cherries their first win back on the 28th of October, no side has won more games in that period, including the 3-0 victory over Fulham on Boxing Day. They have scored at least twice in their last seven and won six of those, drawing the other game. Solanke has eight in his last seven with his irresistible run of form seeing Bournemouth move ten points clear of the relegation zone. A win here would make it five top flight wins in a row for the very first time for the Cherries.
Tottenham will be without Perisic, Romero, Bentancur, van de Ven, Maddison, Sessegnon, Bissouma, and Solomon. Bournemouth will be without Adams, Hamed Traore, Cook, Fredericks, Kelly, and Marcondes. They will also need to assess the fitness of Randolph and Kerkez.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: DLWWWL
Away: WDWWWW
Tottenham won 2-0 on the South Coast back in August when these sides met in the return fixture, but the sides are very different now. Iraola's men are looking like one of the most capable in the league, with Solanke leading the line with venom. Spurs meanwhile are relying on a makeshift defence but do have Richarlison back in form. It will be a tight match with Tottenham just the more likely to secure the win here, even though Bournemouth could easily cause an upset.
Final score: 2-1
Liverpool - Newcastle
Liverpool are top of the table with 42 points as they face ninth place Newcastle with 29 points.
The Reds overcame Burnley away from home last time out to move top of the Premier League table at the halfway stage. Their home form has been strong, although recent draws at Anfield against Manchester United and Arsenal has raised questions over it being a fortress just yet. There were some heroic defensive displays in those games from the opposition, as Klopp has his attacking quintet back firing. Keeping themselves at the top of the league, with Manchester City five points behind with a game in hand, will be imperative for going into the new year with the Reds still alive in all four competitions this season.
Newcastle fell at home against Forest over the festive period as Howe's side fell further away from the Top 4. They have fallen short of late, with only one league win in their last five, as fatigue and injuries have decimated the squad. Howe will need to continue with his depleted side until the window opens, and they are now sitting 8 points off fourth place Manchester City having played a game more. The need to improve is obvious with the club well below the Champions League places and January could see incomings in defence and midfield areas.
Liverpool will be without Bajcetic, Matip, Thiago, Tsimikas, and Robertson. They will also need to check on Mac Allister. Newcastle will be missing Tonali, Pope, Murphy, Barnes, Lascelles, Willock, Anderson, Targett, and Manquillo.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: WWWDDW
Away: WLLWLL
Liverpool won the reverse fixture back in August thanks to two Darwin Nunez goals, and have won their last five encounters with Newcastle. Klopp's side should have enough about them to navigate this tie with Howe's injury hit squad, although Newcastle will give a proper go of it. I feel Liverpool's attack will be too strong though and there should be plenty of goals in this one.
Final score: 4-2
West Ham - Brighton
The Hammers are in sixth with 33 points as the face eight place Brighton with 30 points.
Moyes saw his side overcome Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates in their festive encounter to follow up their recent win over Manchester United. The club are in the mix for the European places and expectations are rising with the club sitting only four points off Manchester City in fourth. Securing European football for next season will be top of the list, followed by a good run in the Europa League. Improving their home form, where they have only managed three wins in their last six, will be an important factor in achieving those goals.
The Seagulls beat Spurs 4-2 last time out as De Zerbi's side but they have only managed a single win from their previous six away games in the league. Form has been patchy at best, but they have managed to score in 32 of their last 34 away games while they have also managed to avoid defeat in 11 of their previous 13 games in all competitions. De Zerbi will need to get his side back to their best but returning players from injury has somewhat eased the burden.
West Ham will be without Antonio and Paqueta, while they need to assess Aguerd and Zouma. Brighton will be missing Fati, Enciso, Veltman, Mitoma, Adingra, Webster, Lamptey, and March.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: DWLWWW
Away: LWDLDW
The Hammers beat the Seagulls 3-1 back in August and will look to build on that win having lost the three previous encounters with Brighton. Moyes has his side performing against some of the best in the league, while De Zerbi is always capable of causing an upset with his squad. This game has goals written all over it and I expect it to end in a high scoring draw.
Final score: 3-3
Match Prediction Summary
Luton 1-1 Chelsea
Aston Villa 3-0 Burnley
Crystal Palace 1-1 Brentford
Manchester City 3-1 Sheffield United
Wolves 1-2 Everton
Nottingham Forest 1-2 Manchester United
Fulham 2-3 Arsenal
Tottenham 2-1 Bournemouth
Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle
West Ham 3-3 Brighton
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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