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. Following the international break we are back into the home straight in the Premier League with no more international breaks left this season. This weekend will see Newcastle host West Ham, Spurs host Luton, United travel to Brentford, Liverpool host Brighton, while City welcome Arsenal to the Etihad in a huge title clash.

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 afternoon.

Saturday 30th March 2024

Newcastle - West Ham 12.30pm KO

Bournemouth - Everton 3pm KO

Chelsea - Burnley 3pm KO

Nottingham Forest - Crystal Palace 3pm KO

Sheffield United - Fulham 3pm KO

Tottenham - Luton 3pm KO

Aston Villa - Wolves 5.30pm KO

Brentford - Manchester United 8pm KO

Sunday 31st March 2024

Liverpool - Brighton 2pm KO

Manchester City - Arsenal 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.

Newcastle - West Ham

Newcastle are tenth with 40 points while West Ham are seventh with 44 points.

Howe's side lost 2-0 against Manchester City in the FA Cup Quarter Finals, having lost against Chelsea in the league the weekend before that. Their European hopes still remain alive as they are only three points behind West Ham but sit sixteen points off the top four. Their form has been poor this season and Howe will know his position may come under threat if they do not push up the table. After overachieving last season they are underwhelming this time around, but their goal difference is better than the four sides above them.

West Ham drew 1-1 with Aston Villa before the international break having also beaten Freiburg to progress into the Europa League quarter finals. They remain three points off sixth as the club looks to qualify for Europe once again. Questions remain over the future of Moyes, but their attacking quality is showing having scored 12 goals in their last four home games in all competitions. They are also unbeaten in their last four in the league, but have managed to conceded in 17 of their last 18 away games in the Premier League.

Newcastle will be missing Botman, Tonali, Miley, Wilson, Pope, Trippier, Joelinton, and Barnes. They also need to assess Livramento. West Ham will be without Edson Alvarez, while they also need to assess Kudus and Cornet.

Form Last Six League Games:

Home: DWDLWL

Away: LLWWDD

These sides drew 2-2 back in October and Newcastle have not lost against West Ham in their last four meetings. West Ham have struggled to score away from home in recent times, and Howe's side will have welcomed the international break. A narrow home win is on the cards in this one.

Final score: 2-1

Bournemouth - Everton

The Cherries thirteenth with 35 points while Everton are sixteenth with 25 points.

Bournemouth beat Luton 4-3 before the international break after a stunning comeback from three goals down. It means the Cherries are unbeaten in their last three games while also sitting five points off the top half. They have won their last two in the league but had failed to win any of their four league games prior to those wins. Iraola's men have put themselves in a strong position to preserve their top-flight status for a third straight season, and their win over Luton ended a three game homeless run without a win. Another win here would make it wins in back-to-back league matches at the Vitality Stadium for the first time since October/November 2023.

Everton lost 2-0 against Manchester United in their last Premier League game and will have enjoyed three weeks of rest before this one. They are without a win in their last eleven league games and Dyche's side are facing another potential points deduction. Four points separate the Toffees from the drop zone, while they also have a game in hand on the immediate teams around them. They have conceded in each of their last six league games, and upfront their attack has failed to click with Calvert-Lewin only netting four all season and Doucoure their top scorer with just six goals.

Bournemouth will be without Fredericks, Hill, and Sinisterra. They will also need to assess Senesi and Kelly. Everton will be without Alii, Danjuma, and Dobbin.

Form Last Six League Games:

Home: LDLWDW

Away: DLDDLL

Everton managed a 3-0 win over the Cherries at Goodison back in October and the Cherries have only managed two clean sheets across their last 12 Premier League matches. There should be goals in this as Everton need points, and I feel this game will end as a draw.

Final score: 2-2

Chelsea - Burnley

Chelsea are eleventh with 39 points while Burnley are nineteenth with 17 points.

Pochettino's side progressed to the FA Cup Semi Finals when they overcame Leicester 4-2. Their last league game saw them beat Newcastle 3-2 at Stamford Bridge and that made it three wins from their last four games before the international break. They remain a point off the top half and eight points off the top six, and a win would make it back-to-back wins for only fourth time this season. Their best chance of getting into Europe next season could be through the FA Cup, but Manchester City await them at Wembley for the semi final. 

Burnley managed a 2-1 home over Brentford before the international break and it was the Clarets fourth win of the season as they look to avoid the drop. With Forest's recent points deduction the Clarets are sitting five points from Luton in eighteenth. Their goals against of 63 equals a rate of conceding 2.2 goals per game as Kompany looks for a way to solidify his sides defence. With only a single win from their last six away league games, the form is against Burnley as they will be up against a Chelsea attack raring to click into form.

Chelsea will be missing Fofana, Lavia, Chukwuemeka, James, Colwill, Nkunku, Ugochukwu, Sanchez, and Chalobah. They will also need to check on the fitness of Chilwell and Enzo. Burnley will be without Ramsey, Redmond, Fofana, Koleosho, and Al-Dakhil. They also have a doubt over Beyer. 

Form Last Six League Games:

Home: LLWDDW

Away: LLLLDW

Chelsea beat Burnley 4-1 back in October and Burnley are winless in their last ten games against the Blues. I think Pochettino's side will make the most of their home advantage here and secure an impressive and morale boosting win.

Final score: 3-0

Nottingham Forest - Crystal Palace

Forest sit in eighteenth with 21 points while Palace sit in fourteenth with 29 points.

Nottingham Forest drew 1-1 with Luton last time out, but have dropped below the Hatters into the relegation places due to their 4 point deduction from the Premier League. While they have appealed that decision, the pressure is on for Nuno Santo as his side are now below the dotted line. With just one win in their last nine league games Forest are struggling, but they do have the best defence in the bottom four with only 53 goals conceded. They will cling to hope that the appeal reduces their points deduction, but getting points on the board is imperative for this side in their fight against the drop.

Crystal Palace drew 1-1 at home to Luton last time out and sit eight points above the relegation zone but have not played a competitive game since the 9th of March. Glasner had seen his side win, lose, and draw since he took over, and they have spent their free time at a week's warm-weather training camp in Marbella. They are on an eight game winless run away from Selhurst Park, but did beat Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt 1-0 in a friendly fixture a week last Thursday thanks to a goal from Eze.

Nottingham Forest will be without Nuno Tavares and Montiel. They will also need to check on the fitness of Boly, Aina, Wood, and Montiel. Crystal Palace will be missing Johnstone, Doucoure, Holding, Guehi, Olise, Franca, and Rak-Sakyi. They also need to assess Schlupp.

Form Last Six League Games:

Home: LWLLLD

Away: LLDWLD

These sides played out a 0-0 draw when they met at Selhurst Park back in October and Forest are unbeaten in their last seven league encounters with Crystal Palace. Both sides go into this with mixed form, although Forest fans will be feeling the pressure and need for a win more than Palace. The Eagles wont want to get dragged down into the relegation mix, so this should be a close game with a draw the most likely outcome.

Final score: 1-1

Sheffield United - Fulham

The Blades are bottom of the table with 14 points, while Fulham are twelfth with 38 points.

Sheffield United will not have played since their 2-2 draw against Bournemouth three weeks ago and will hope the fresh legs prove pivotal in their battle against relegation. The Blades remain eight points from safety and continue as the worst performing side in the division. While they do hold a game in hand over their main relegation rivals, few are holding out hope of Wilder's troops pulling off a great escape. Twenty-four goals scored and 74 conceded so far makes for the worst record in the division, and the Blades have conceded at least five times in their last four games at Bramall Lane in all competitions.

Fulham managed a huge 3-0 win at home against Spurs before the international break and have managed to win four of their last six games. They tore Spurs apart last time out and will be confident heading to Bramall Lane, and a push for Europe is not out of the question with Fulham sitting six points off seventh placed West Ham. However they have played a game more than most of the sides around them, and are without a win in their previous 13 away Premier League games. 

Sheffield United will be without Brewster, Lowe, Basham, Egan, Norrington-Davies, and Jebbison. They also need to assess Baldock, Slimane, and Archer. Fulham will have a fully fit squad to choose from.

Form Last Six League Games:

Home: LWLLLD

Away: WLWWLW

Fulham beat Sheffield United 3-1 at Craven Cottage back in October and a win here would also see Fulham do the top-flight double over the Blades for the first time in their history. I expect Fulham to have too much for the Blades and should secure a comfortable away win to potentially push themselves into the top half.

Final score: 0-3

Tottenham - Luton

Spurs are fifth with 53 points while Luton are seventeenth with 22 points.

Tottenham lost 3-0 away to Fulham before the international break and remain three points off fourth, although the Lilywhites do have a game in hand. Postecoglou has repeatedly played down the importance of judging his side on a top four finish alone, and they have managed six wins from their last seven home league games. At the back they are without a clean sheet in their last ten home league games, but Postecoglou's side have managed to score in-front of their own fans in the last 23 Premier League games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Luton drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest last time out but the Hatters have moved out of the relegation zone thanks to Forest getting a 4 point deduction. The Hatters have however conceded in their last nine league games but also managed to score in each of those. The problem for Edwards side is they failed to win any of them and still await the outcome of Forest's appeal in terms of their relegation fight. They can take solace from Spurs conceding in each of their last ten at home but Edwards side need to make the most of their rivals points deductions and drag themselves clear of the dotted line.

Tottenham will be missing Sessegnon, Forster, Solomon, and van de Ven. Luton will be without Lockyer, Bell, Nakamba, Adebayo, Potts, Johnson, Brown, and Ogbene. They will also need to assess Osho, Andersen, Doughty, and Mpanzu.

Form Last Six League Games:

Home: DWLWWL

Away: LLLDLD

Spurs managed a 1-0 win at Kenilworth Road back in October and Postecoglou's side should be plenty confident going into this one. They will need to make the most of Luton's injury issues but with his side rested and fully fit, they should comfortably win here.

Final score: 3-1

Aston Villa - Wolves

Aston Villa are sitting in fourth with 56 points while Wolves sit in sit in ninth with 41 points.

Emery's side drew 1-1 with West Ham before the international break and maintain their grip on fourth although Spurs are only three points behind with a game in hand. Emery side have only managed one point from the last six available, and with Spurs playing before Villa in this round Emery's side could find themselves outside of the top four before kicking a ball. Since the turn of the year they have lost three of their four home league games, and they have games against City, Arsenal, and Liverpool all ahead as their aim of securing Champions League football is put to the test,

Wolves lost 3-2 against Coventry City in their FA Cup Quarter Final, having beaten Fulham 2-1 in their last league game. The Old Gold are having a fantastic season and sit six points off sixth placed Manchester United. They will have hopes of breaking into European Football next season, and Wolves have a habit of succeeding when scoring first. They have gone unbeaten in their last ten when scoring first, while winning the last seven of them. Only Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool have picked up more points since Christmas and O'Neil will want his side to put down a marker of intent in this derby.

Villa will be without Boubacar Kamara, Buendia, Mings, and McGinn. They will also need to check on the fitness of Ramsey and Cash. Wolves will be without Neto and Hwang, while they also need to assess Cunha, Dawson, and Bellegarde.

Form Last Six League Games:

Home: LWWWLD

Away: WLWWLW

Wolves held Villa to a 1-1 draw at Molineux back in October and this West Midlands Derby should see a fascinating encounter. Villa are without a win in their last six against Wolves, and with big games against Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool still to come in the league, Villa will need to secure a result to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

Final score: 2-1

Brentford - Manchester United

The Bees are currently fifteenth with 26 points while Manchester United are sixth with 47 points.

Brentford lost 2-1 away to Burnley before the international break and Frank's side were left reeling after a red card for Reguilon early on. They sit five points clear of the relegation zone, and they have now lost five of their last six in the league. Only Burnley and Sheffield United have suffered more than the 17 league defeats the Bees have this season, and they are a shadow of their former Premier League selves. They have conceded multiple goals in each of their last four games, but injuries have played a big part in Brentford's woes.

Ten Hag's side managed an extra time 4-3 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford in the FA Cup Quarter Finals before the international break having beaten Everton 2-0 in their Premier League game prior to it. They sit six points off fifth placed Spurs, and nine points off Villa in the top four. An FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City awaits, but first of all Ten Hag will want to return to their six game winning run away from Old Trafford before their loss to Manchester City. A late push for top four and a chance to reach the FA Cup final should put Ten Hag in good standing in the eyes of INEOS founder Ratcliffe.

Brentford will be without Dasilva, Henry, Mee, Hickey, Schade, Norgaard, Reguilon, and Pinnock. Manchester United will be without Shaw, Martial, Malacia, Martinez, Amad Diallo, and Bayindir, while they also need to assess Evans, Maguire, and Casemiro.

Form Last Six League Games:

Home: LLLDLL

Away: WWWLLW

United managed a 2-1 win over Brentford back in October but Ten Hag will remember the 4-0 loss suffered against Brentford at the start of last season. Brentford rarely fail to score at home and will be backing themselves to cause United problems here, but I expect the Red Devils to have enough about them and secure the three points.

Final score: 1-3

Liverpool - Brighton

Liverpool are currently in second with 64 points while Brighton are sitting in eight with 42 points.

Klopp's side lost 4-3 after extra time at Old Trafford in the FA Cup before the international break and the German will want his side to push on in their quest to win the final two remaining trophies this season - the Premier League and Europa League. Liverpool have the chance to put the pressure on both Arsenal and Manchester City ahead of their huge game, with Salah needing one more assist this season to become the first player in Premier League history to notch ten goals and ten assists in three consecutive seasons. 

Brighton last played when they beat Roma 1-0 at the Amex in the Europa League on the 14th of March, having beaten Nottingham Forest 1-0 in their last league game. De Zerbi could be doing an audition to replace Klopp come the end of the season, and will be confident knowing his side have lost just once in their last seven league games against the Reds. They will be looking for Groß to continue his assist form, with ten already this term, while the Seagulls are only five points off sixth placed Manchester United.

Liverpool will be missing Thiago, Matip, Alisson, Bajcetic, Alexander-Arnold, Jota, and Jones, while Robertson and Nunez are doubts. Brighton will be missing Mitoma, March, Hinshelwood, Milner, and Joao Pedro.

Form Last Six League Games:

Home: LWWWWD

Away: WLWDLW

Brighton held Liverpool to a 2-2 draw at the Amex back in October and Klopp will be aiming to ensure his side do not slip up against the Seagulls once again. Given the attacking talent available to Klopp, even though his side are suffering with injuries, I expect the Reds to see off any threat from Brighton and continue with their title push.

Final score: 3-1

Manchester City - Arsenal

City sit in third with 63 points while Arsenal are top of the table with 64 points.

City progressed into the FA Cup Semi Final with a 2-0 win over Newcastle before the international break, having drawn 1-1 with Liverpool in their last league game. Pep's side ensured they undid Arsenal's title bid with a victory in this fixture last April, and will be hoping to do the same here. Guardiola’s side are in the Champions League last eight and FA Cup last four as they look to complete back-to-back trebles, and De Bruyne will be hoping to continue his excellent form against the Gunners where he already has eight goals and five assists against Arteta’s men.

Arsenal last played when they beat Porto 1-0 in the Champions League to progress into the Quarter Finals. Their last league game saw them beat Brentford 2-1 and they moved above Liverpool on goal difference in the process. Arsenal head into this game off the back of eight consecutive league wins after reaching the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years. Havertz is finding form, scoring in each of his last four league appearances, while Arteta's side will hope to bury their demons from last season and push clear of the Citizen's in the title race.

City will need to assess Ederson, De Bruyne, Stones, Walker, Akanji, and Matheus Nunes. Arsenal will be missing Timber, while they also need to assess the fitness of Saka, Gabriel, and Martinelli.

Form Last Six League Games:

Home: WDWWWD

Away: WWWWWW

Arsenal managed a 1-0 win at home against Manchester City back in October back not since January 2015 have Arsenal won at the Etihad Stadium. This game will mark the final encounter between any of the top three sides this season and it could prove pivotal in where the title ends up. Both sides are in great form and with so much at stake I cannot separate these sides so a draw is the most likely outcome.

Final score: 2-2

Match Prediction Summary

Newcastle 2-1 West Ham

Bournemouth 2-2 Everton

Chelsea 3-0 Burnley

Nottingham Forest 1-1 Crystal Palace

Sheffield United 0-3 Fulham

Tottenham 3-1 Luton

Aston Villa 2-1 Wolves

Brentford 1-3 Manchester United

Liverpool 3-1 Brighton

Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal

Check out my 2023/24 Season Predictions here: Predictions 23/24 Season

Have a great day, I hope you enjoyed the review of the matches and had a wonderful weekend. 

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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