Good day everyone,
I hope you are all well and had an excellent week so far, welcome to CryptoGod-1’s blog on all things sports. This weekend will see Brentford host Chelsea, Brighton travel to Fulham, Liverpool visit Nottingham Forest, Burnley host Bournemouth, while the big game of the weekend sees the Manchester Derby at the Etihad.
Fixtures — Times are shown as U.K. Time
This weeks round of fixtures will see the games spread out across three days from Saturday morning until Monday night.
Saturday 2nd March 2024
Brentford - Chelsea 3pm KO
Everton - West Ham 3pm KO
Fulham - Brighton 3pm KO
Newcastle - Wolves 3pm KO
Nottingham Forest - Liverpool 3pm KO
Tottenham - Crystal Palace 3pm KO
Luton - Aston Villa 5.30pm KO
Sunday 3rd March 2024
Burnley - Bournemouth 1pm KO
Manchester City - Manchester United 3.30pm KO
Monday 4th March 2024
Sheffield United - Arsenal 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 week matches. Remember this is just my fun analysis and should not be taken as advice or a guarantee.
Brentford - Chelsea
The Bees are currently sixteenth in the table with 25 points, while Chelsea are eleventh with 35 points.
Brentford lost 4-2 against West Ham last Monday to make it 12 league defeats in their last 15 league games. The club sit five points above the relegation zone but for now there seems little pressure on manager Frank's job. They are without a win at home since mid-December and the Gtech Stadium crowd will be hoping to change that here. Frank's side have Toney back leading their push to move up the standings, but they have conceded nine in their last three league games while only scoring three of their own. Two of those fixtures were against Liverpool and Manchester City so Frank will hope to guide his side into easier games once they navigate this fixture and Arsenal next weekend.
Chelsea enter this game off the back of losing the Carabao Cup Final 1-0 against Liverpool last weekend, but they did manage to overcome Leeds 3-2 in the FA Cup during the week. Pochettino had Gallagher to think for a last minute winner against Leeds, but their performance in the Carabao Cup final during extra time left a lot to be desired. They are 4 points off seventh and European Football for next season, and nine points adrift of Manchester United in sixth and the Europa League places. Having gotten a point away to Manchester City in their last league game two weeks ago, Pochettino will look for more of that fighting spirit from his side to move up the standings.
Brentford will be without Dasilva, Mee, Hickey, Henry, Schade, Pinnock, and Mbeumo. Chelsea will be without Nkunku, Wesley Fofana, James, Badiashile, Chukwuemeka, Lavia, and Ugochukwu, while they also need to assess Cucurella and Thiago Silva.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LLWLLL
Away: WWLLWD
Brentford won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge back in October but this game is far from certain for either side. Pochettino's men will be seen as favourites given Brentford's struggles in recent games, but Chelsea are very hit and miss of late. I think Brentford's good record in London derbies, where they have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three, means this will be a tight contest and likely end in a draw.
Final score: 2-2
Everton - West Ham
Everton sit in fifteenth with 25 points while West Ham sit in eight with 39 points.
The Toffees drew 1-1 at Brighton last weekend and following on from that they had four points given back from their previous deductions as part of their appeals process. It moved them out of the relegation zone and they now sit five points clear of the dotted line. They are winless in their last six across all competitions, and are nine games without a win in the Premier League. They have managed draws in five of their last six in the league so Dyche's side will aim to push themselves up the standings amid a potential further points deduction ahead.
The Hammers were winless in the Premier League in 2024 before their 4-2 victory over Brighton last Monday night. In doing so they moved up to eight and only outside the European places on goal difference. United are five points ahead in sixth, with Spurs eight points off in fifth. West Ham will return to action in their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday with Freiburg, but Moyes will want his side to end their four game winless run away from home first. They failed to score in three of those games but Bowen is back in form and will want some winning momentum for the challenges ahead.
Everton will be missing Alli and Danjuma, while they also need to assess Gueye, Onana, Dobbin, and Gomes. West Ham will be missing Cornet.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: DDDLDD
Away: DDLLLW
Everton managed a 1-0 win at the London Stadium back in October and none of the last eight games between these sides has ended in a draw. However, with Everton elevated from the points ban news and West Ham keeping one eye on European, I think this game is set to be a good contest which ends in a draw.
Final score: 1-1
Fulham - Brighton
Fulham are currently twelfth with 32 points while Brighton are seventh with 39 points.
The Cottagers beat Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford last weekend to end their 11 game winless run in the Premier League. They sit five points off tenth placed Newcastle and the top half, and a win here would make it only the season time this season they could record back-to-back wins. They have managed 22 of their points at home so far this season with seven league wins in front of their own fans. With 12 points between themselves and the relegation places Marco Silva will be confident his side can keep clear of any relegation scrap and keep pace with the upper half of the league.
The Seagulls were knocked out of the FA Cup by Wolves during the week following their draw with Everton last weekend. De Zerbi's side will have one eye on their Europa League last-16 tie with Roma on Thursday, but they currently occupy the final European spot in the league on goal difference alone. United sit five points ahead of Brighton but the Seagulls have failed to win any of their five league ties in London so far this season. The Seagulls will hope having Ferguson back in contention will also boost their attacking efforts in this one.
Fulham will be without Raul Jimenez and Palhinha. Brighton will be missing March, Mitoma, Hinshelwood, Gilmoir, Joao Pedro, and Milner.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LDDWLW
Away: DLWLWD
These sides played out a 1-1 draw back in October but Brighton have lost two of their last three visits to Craven Cottage. Prior to that they had managed three wins on the bounce away to Fulham during their time in the Championship between 2014 and 2016. Generally these are close affairs and this game should be no different. Fulham will be elated following their win at Old Trafford, and Brighton will be deflated following their FA Cup loss. I think will Roma on the horizon Brighton will be conservative and therefore Fulham should do enough to get the win.
Final score: 3-1
Newcastle - Wolves
Newcastle are currently tenth with 37 points while Wolves are ninth with 39 points.
A Quarter Final against Manchester City awaits Newcastle in the FA Cup following their midweek win over Blackburn on penalties. Last weekend Howe's side were beaten 4-1 by Arsenal in the league and are now only two points ahead of Chelsea having played a game more. With only two wins in their last nine league games Howe will know FA Cup victory could be their best chance of getting into Europe next season. For now they are two points off seventh place Brighton, but United are seven points clear in sixth. With no wins in their last four home games Newcastle will need to amend their form to get the home crowd cheering once again.
Wolves beat Brighton 1-0 in the FA Cup during the week to reach the Quarter Finals following their back-to-back Premier League wins over Tottenham and Sheffield United. They remain in the hunt for European football next season, with Brighton only a point ahead and United six points above Wolves in sixth. O'Neil will want his side to push for an unexpected top seven finish as they sit fifth in the form table over the last ten games. They have also amassed ten out of twelve points from their last four away games as they head to St. James Park.
Newcastle will be missing Tonali, Wilson, Joelinton, Pope, and Targett, while Botman needs to be assessed. Wolves will be missing Cunha and Hwang.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LWDWDL
Away: DLWLWW
These sides played out a 2-2 draw at Molineux back in October but Newcastle have lost just one of their last eight Premier League home games against Wolves, having won the last two at St. James Park. An end-to-end encounter with plenty of goals should be expected, but given Newcastle's patchy form and Wolves strong showings of late I think O'Neil's side will get themselves over the line to cap a brilliant week for the club with another win.
Final score: 1-2
Nottingham Forest - Liverpool
Forest are currently seventeenth with 24 points while Liverpool sit top of the table with 60 points.
Nottingham Forest were beaten by Manchester United in their midweek FA Cup game following their 4-2 loss against Villa last weekend. They slipped down to seventeenth in the league standings and remain only four points above the relegation zone. Nuno Espírito Santo's side have also played a game more than Luton while they, along with Everton, still face potential points deductions for financial breaches. Goals have not been an issue of late, having netted at least twice in each of their last three Premier League games, having also scored in each league game since Nuno took charge but have only managed one clean sheet in that time.
Liverpool go into this game having beaten Chelsea 1-0 in the Carabao Cup Final last weekend before Klopp's youthful side beat Southampton 3-0 in the FA Cup during the week. The academy shone on both occasions with multiple kids making the step up to keep Liverpool battling for three more trophies. City sit only a point behind in the league, with Arsenal two behind, but Liverpool have struggled at the City Ground over the years. The club has never won away to Forest in the Premier League era but Klopp will be aiming for their fifth win in a row in all competitions before their trip to Sparta Prague during the week in their Europa League Round of 16 game.
Forest will be without Nuno Tavares, Aina, and Wood, while Sangare and Boly are doubts. Liverpool will be missing Matip, Jota, Alexander-Arnold, ALlisson, Jones, Bajcetic, Gravenberch, and Thiago, while they also need to check on Endo, Szoboszlai, Robertson, and Salah.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LLDLWL
Away: WWLWWW
Liverpool beat Forest 3-0 at Anfield in October but will have to overcome their recent injury issues along with their curse at the City Ground to secure maximum points here. However the Reds have shown of late they are capable of finding a way with their youthful side and I have a feeling Klopp's side will continue their good run of form by securing an important win here.
Final score: 1-3
Tottenham - Crystal Palace
Spurs are currently fifth with 47 points while Palace are thirteenth with 28 points.
Last weekend Spurs did not play due to Chelsea playing in the Carabao Cup Final, but they lost 2-1 against Wolves in the previous round of games. Villa have moved five points clear in fourth, although Spurs have that game in hand against Chelsea, and Postecoglou will aim for his side to end their eight game run without a clean sheet. United are only three points behind and Spurs will be aware they have already lost twice at home in London Derbies heading into this one but they have managed to score in an exceptional 37 league games in a row.
Crystal Palace new manger Glasner got things off to a great start with a 3-0 win over Burnley last weekend. That win moved them eight points clear of the drop to breathe some life into the side. The next aim will be to end the eight game winless run away from Selhurst Park, and they are without a win in an away London Derby in their last nine. With only seven league wins so far this campaign registering a couple more wins should be enough to drag the club away from any potential late season relegation battle.
Spurs will be missing Sessegnon, Forster, Solomon, and Richarlison, while they also need to check on Udogie and Porro. Palace will be missing Doucoure, Holding, Guehi, Olise, and Rak-Sakyi.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: WDWDWL
Away: LWLLDW
When these sides met in October Spurs got their fourth straight win over Palace, with the Eagles not winning away at Spurs since an FA Cup game in 2015-16. Spurs are unpredictable and have not been solid defensively at home recently, meaning Palace should get their chances here. However getting Eze back on the pitch will be key to their chances. All in all I think Spurs should get a win here, but Palace will put up a good fight.
Final score: 3-2
Luton - Aston Villa
Luton are currently eighteenth with 20 points while Villa are fourth with 52 points.
The Hatters were torn apart 6-2 by Manchester City during their midweek FA Cup clash, having lost each of their last three league games against Sheffield United, Liverpool and Manchester United. Edwards has seen his side lose four in a row in all competitions and they have dropped back into the relegation zone sitting four points from safety with a game in hand. They have managed to score in their last nine competitive fixtures, but conceding 19 in their last five is ominous signs.
The Lions overcame Forest 4-2 last weekend at Villa Park and have gone unbeaten in their five away games in 2024 so far. The win over Forest was their first at home in 2024 after their unbeaten sequence came to an abrupt end, and Emery's side sit five points clear of fifth place Spurs. Getting into the Champions League will rest on balance their Europa Conference League campaign with their domestic one, with their Round of 16 clash against Ajax looming. A win here would make it three away league wins in a row for the first time since Emery's three opening away league games at the club.
Luton will be without Lockyer, Nakamba, Potts, Brown, Adebayo, Lokonga, and Andersen. They will also need to check on Osho, Bell, and Johnson. Aston Villa will be missing Kamara, Buendia, Diego Carlos, Duran, and Mings.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: DWDLLL
Away: DLWLWW
Back in October Villa managed a 3-1 home win over Luton in the West Midlands, but Villa are without a win at Kenilworth Road since 1989 and have lost on their last three visits. I think Emery will get a tune out of his side here and push them to get a solid win ahead of their big game with Ajax. Injuries have hit the Luton defence and Villa should take full advantage with an away win.
Final score: 1-4
Burnley - Bournemouth
Burnley are currently nineteenth with 14 points while Bournemouth are fourteenth with 28 points.
Kompany's side were beaten 3-0 by Crystal Palace last weekend as Burnley languish 11 points from safety. Only goal difference has them off the bottom of the table, but Burnley have conceded 11 times in their last three games. They are nine games without a win and seem destined for an imminent return to the Championship. At Turf Moor they have been awful, only gaining five points all season with the club set to create a new club record for their most home losses in a single league season with an 11th defeat of the season possible here.
The Cherries were knocked out of the FA Cup by Leicester in extra time during the week after a 1-0 away loss to Manchester City last weekend. They are without a win in six games and Iraola's side have lost their form which saw them secure 8 wins from 11 games between November and January. Sitting 8 points clear of the relegation zone means the Cherries are in no danger of a relegation fight for now, but getting points on the board is key for their survival. With the club having scored in each of their last nine away days the likes of Solanke will be hoping to add to his tally here.
Burnley will be missing Redmond, Foster, Ramsey, Beyer, Brownhill, and Koleosho. Bournemouth will be without Fredericks, Adams, Aarons, and Hill. They will also need to check on Kelly, Unal, and Solanke.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: DLDLLL
Away: LDDLDL
Back in October Bournemouth managed a 2-1 win over Burnley and will be aiming for their very first league double over Burnley with a win here. The attacking ability of Bournemouth has lacked recently but they should have enough in attack to get over the line and secure the three points.
Final score: 0-2
Manchester City - Manchester United
Manchester City are currently second with 59 points while Manchester United are sixth with 44 points.
City managed to demolish Luton 6-2 in their midweek FA Cup encounter after beating Bournemouth 1-0 last weekend. Sitting only a point behind Liverpool in the title race, Pep's side are still very much alive in their pursuit of back-to-back trebles. Before their draw against Chelsea Pep's side were on an 11 game winning streak in all competitions. Haaland became the first player since George Best 54 years ago to score five in an FA Cup game and he will be raring to add to his seasons goal tally. Unbeaten in 18 games across all competitions means City are entering the phase of the season where they often go on unbeaten runs towards winning the title.
United lost 2-1 against Fulham last weekend but did progress in the FA Cup with a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest. Ten Hag will welcome Liverpool to Old Trafford for the FA Cup Quarter Final, but face their conquerors from last seasons final first. Sitting 8 points off the top four, United head to the Etihad having won all six of their away games in 2024 so far. Last weekend they came unstuck, and injuries have hampered the sides progress, but they have already suffered 10 league defeats this season and can ill-afford to slip further behind in the race for European football.
City will be without Grealish while Gvardiol needs to be assessed. United will be missing Shaw, Martial, Martinez, Malacia, Hojlund, Mount, and Wan-Bissaka, while Maguire is a doubt.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: WWWDWW
Away: DWWWWL
Manchester City secured a 3-0 win at Old Trafford back in October and Pep will be keen to ensure his side get the 3 points here. Ten Hag's side will be without their main striking option and it will show as City will look for Haaland to carve open their neighbours. It will be a one-sided affair and City will show the league why they are still favourites for the title with a win here.
Final score: 2-0
Sheffield United - Arsenal
The Blades are bottom of the table with 13 points while Arsenal are sitting in third with 58 points.
Sheffield United continue to prop up the table after their 1-0 loss to Wolves last weekend. Wilder's side are all but set for a return to the Championship as they sit 11 points clear of safety. The Blades have conceded five goals in their last three home matches as the home fans suffer watching their side. With such a porous defence Wilder's side will struggle to contain the attacking power of their opponents. The club has conceded 66 times in the league this season already and are on track to beat Derby's worst defensive campaign in 38-fixture Premier League history of 89 goals shipped.
Arsenal overcame Newcastle 4-1 last weekend and the Gunners will look to make a new record by becoming the first side in the top four tiers of English football to win three consecutive away games by five goals or more. They already put six past West Ham and five past Burnley on their recent travels and Arteta's side sit only two points off leaders Liverpool. With their goal difference the best in the league, and their defence the best in the league, Arsenal will want to show the league they are title challengers with a big performance here.
The Blades will be missing Lowe, Basham, Norrington-Davies, Egan, Archer, Holgate, and Jebbison. Arsenal will be without Timber while they also need to check the fitness of Zinchenko, Tomiyasu, and Partey.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: DLLWLL
Away: WWWWWW
Sheffield United have lost each of their last three Premier League games against Arsenal by an aggregate score of 10-1, having lost 5-0 back in October. The form is clearly favouring one side here and it should be a comfortable win in the end for Arsenal. Arteta will hope for plenty of goals to further boost his sides goal difference in their title charge.
Final score: 0-4
Match Prediction Summary
Brentford 2-2 Chelsea
Everton 1-1 West Ham
Fulham 3-1 Brighton
Newcastle 1-2 Wolves
Nottingham Forest 1-3 Liverpool
Tottenham 3-2 Crystal Palace
Luton 1-4 Aston Villa
Burnley 0-2 Bournemouth
Manchester City 2-0 Manchester United
Sheffield United 0-4 Arsenal
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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