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 round will see Arsenal travel to Bournemouth, Palace visit Old Trafford, City go to Wolves, Chelsea against Fulham, while Liverpool travel to Spurs in the big game this weekend.
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 evening.
Saturday 30th September 2023
Aston Villa - Brighton 12.30pm KO
Bournemouth - Arsenal 3pm KO
Everton - Luton 3pm KO
Manchester United - Crystal Palace 3pm KO
Newcastle - Burnley 3pm KO
West Ham - Sheffield United 3pm KO
Wolves - Manchester City 3pm KO
Tottenham - Liverpool 5.30pm KO
Sunday 1st October 2023
Nottingham Forest - Brentford 2pm KO
Monday 2nd October 2023
Fulham - Chelsea 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.
Aston Villa - Brighton
Villa are currently in sixth with 12 points and welcome third placed Brighton, who have 15 points so far.
Since Emery took charge last November Villa have made their home somewhat of a fortress, winning 11 of their 15 league games, and are currently on a run of 9 home league wins in a row. Last time out they managed to beat Chelsea away, but a home loss to Everton during the week in the Cup will have dampened spirits. Emery has also ensured 11 clean sheets since he took charge, with only United doing better, so they will be looking to make it five wins from their opening 7 league games here for only the second time in their history.
The Seagulls came back to beat Bournemouth last weekend, but lost against Chelsea in the midweek Cup fixture. League wise things are on track even if in the Cup and Europe Brighton are struggling, with 5 wins on the board already. It took 12 games to reach that milestone last season, but De Zebri is getting the best out of his side. They are juggling multiple competitions, but have managed to score in 22 consecutive league games scoring 51 goals. However, there have only been 6 clean sheets in that time, and none so far this campaign.
Villa will be without Bailey, Buendia, Mings, and Iroegbunam, while they have doubts over Ramsey. Brighton meanwhile will be without Gross, Enciso, and Moder.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LWWLWW
Away: WWLWWW
Villa have won their last four league encounters with Brighton, having only lost to the Seagulls back in November 2020. That was the only loss for Villa against Brighton in 14 encounters. However, I don't see either side winning this one. Both will have an eye on their upcoming European game next week, and therefore I think this will end as an entertaining draw.
Final score: 2-2
Bournemouth - Arsenal
The Cherries are in seventeenth with 3 points as they host fifth placed Arsenal who are on 14 points.
Bournemouth are still waiting for their first league win this season, having lost against Brighton last weekend after Solanke put them in the lead. They did overcome Stoke in the Cup but their league form sees them hovering just above the relegation zone. No wins in ten league games along with just two goals scored means their fate is likely sealed in this game, but with games against fellow relegation candidates over the next month, Iraola will know putting in a performance here matters most.
Arsenal meanwhile have a thing for clean sheets away from their Emirates, and will look to get back to winning ways following their draw with Tottenham last weekend. Prior to that they had secured three clean sheets in three away games, including their midweek Cup win over Brentford. Arsenal remain unbeaten in the league but their goal return of 11 is the joint worst in the top eight along with West Ham. Arteta needs to reaffirm that attacking desire from last season to put City once again this time around.
Bournemouth will be without Fredericks, Scott, Kelly, Marcondes, and Mepham, while Solanke is a doubt. Arsenal will be without Timber and Partey, while Martinelli, Trossard, Rice and Saka are doubts.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: DLLDDL
Away: WWDWWD
Arsenal managed to win the two encounters between these sides last season, winning 3-0 at the Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth have struggled for goals at home this term while Arsenal are finding ways through their games. It wont be easy, but Arsenal have to be favourites for a win here.
Final score: 0-2
Everton - Luton
The Toffees have 4 points as they sit in fifteenth, while Luton have 1 point and sit in eighteenth.
Everton managed their first league win of the season against Brentford last weekend and followed that up during the week with a Cup win over Aston Villa. Dyche will hope to build on those successes as he looks to push Everton up the table. They have been poor at Goodison, with only one win in their previous eight home games, as Dyche will look to rectify things. A loss here would see Everton lose their opening four fixtures, and defeat without scoring would see them become the first top flight side to lose all four opening home games without scoring a single goal.
Luton managed their first point of the season against Wolves last weekend, although fell to League One outfit Exeter in the Cup. Edwards might yet view it as a blessing in disguise for the club with their struggles in the league thus far. The Hatters will face up against Burnley days after this game to make up for their previously postponed encounter, and the club knows this could be a season defining set of fixtures. No wins in six and struggling thus far means their credentials as a top flight side are already in question.
The Toffees are without Alli, Coleman, and Gomes, while they have doubts over Mykolenko. Luton will be missing Lokonga, Potts, Clark, and Osho, while they have doubts over Barkleand Lockyer.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LLLDLW
Away: LLLLD
Luton did manage to beat Everton when the two sides met in the Cup back in 2007, but the Toffees have emerged victorious in each of the last six league encounters between these sides. Everton have been poor at home which should give Luton hope, albeit a slim amount. This will be close and while I think Everton should win, I believe Luton will be capable of emerging with a point.
Final score: 1-1
Manchester United - Crystal Palace
United are sitting in ninth with 9 points as Palace are sitting in tenth with 8 points.
The Red Devils beat Palace at home in the Cup during the week following their win over Burnley last weekend. Ten Hag will hope for more of the same in this repeat fixture as they aim for three wins on the bounce in all competitions. Clean sheets in both those games will boost the confidence of a side who lost three successive games and conceded 10 goals in early September. Two weeks ago Brighton ended the clubs 31 game unbeaten home run but United will be eager to show they have more to come.
The Eagles under Hodgson have shown their ability to push into the top half, with their draw against Fulham highlighting their cause prior to the Cup defeat against United. Palace have only three wins in their previous 14 away games since the turn of the year, so improvement on the road is a must. They are away from home in five of their next eight top-flight fixtures as the need to maintain results becomes imperative. Palace and Hodgson will know they have the ability and fire power to give any side in the division a tough game on their day.
United are without Shaw, Wan-Bissaka, Malacia, Antony, Sancho, Mainoo, and Diallo. United will also need to assess Martinez, Reguilon, McTominay, and Eriksen.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: WLWLLW
Away: WLDWLD
Palace have lost on their last two visits to Old Trafford in the league, but did taste success in their two visits prior to that. It wont be an easy game for Hodson or Ten Hag, but I feel United have enough about them at home to get a result here.
Final score: 2-0
Newcastle - Burnley
Newcastle are currently sitting in eight with 9 points, while Burnley are in nineteenth with 1 point.
Howe saw his side overcome Manchester City in the midweek Cup fixture to follow up from their hammering of Sheffield United last weekend. The Magpies have found their rhythm once again following their sticky start to the campaign and they are proving doubters wrong with every coming game. Their four game unbeaten run saw they break multiple records with eight different scorers against Sheffield United, and the club will look to push right back up the standings once again to challenge for European football.
Burnley meanwhile are in a precarious position. They overcame Salford City during the week in the Cup, but they are yet to win in the league following their loss to Manchester United last weekend. While the club is lacking in points on the board and looking increasingly likely for a relegation fight, they are unbeaten away from home this season, albeit because their away game with Luton was postponed. The Clarets will want to get a win on the board as quick as possible, although away to Newcastle seems an unlikely place to pick up their first league win this season.
Newcastle will be without Willock, Barnes, and Krafth, while they need to check the fitness of Wilson, Botman, Guimaraes, Isak, Burn, and Dubravka. Burnley meanwhile will be missing Churlinov, Obafemi, Foster, Ekdal, and Gudmundsson, while they need to check on Hedilazio.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: WLLLWW
Away: LLLDL
Newcastle overcame Burnley in their two league encounters back in the 21/22 season, and the Geordies are in a much stronger position now. Their squad has moved up levels from back then, while Burnley have won the Championship and returned to the Premier League in that time. There can only be one winner here and that is Newcastle.
Final score: 4-1
West Ham - Sheffield United
The Hammers are in seventh with 10 points as Sheffield United are bottom of the table with a single point.
West Ham managed a win over Lincoln during their midweek Cup encounter, but they were unable to resist the powers of Liverpool last weekend. Prior to that a loss against Manchester City, after going ahead, had dented West Ham in the league. They remain within the top seven after an excellent start to the season and those back-to-back losses were against the current top two sides in the league so there will be little fear for Moyes as of now. They managed their first clean sheet of the season in their Cup game and will want to get back to winning ways here.
The Blades had a horrendous time last weekend as they fell 8-0 at home to Newcastle, in a match they could define their season. Heckingbottom oversaw their heaviest home defeat ever in league football and will look to steer the club back towards winning ways. They have lost ten of their previous eleven away games in the Premier League as a revival seems increasingly unlikely for the bookies favourite to lose their job first.
West Ham will be without Cresswell for this one. Sheffield United will be missing Lowe, Fleck, Osborn, Brewster, Baldock, Norrington-Davies, and Jebbison. They will also need to assess Osula.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: DWWWLL
Away: LLLDLL
West Ham did the double over Sheffield United when the sides last met in 2020/21, and they will be looking for more of the same here. While Sheffield United will be boosted in being away from Bramell Lane following their thrashing last weekend, it will likely make no difference and therefore I expect a solid win for West Ham.
Final score: 2-0
Wolves - Manchester City
Wolves are currently in sixteenth with 4 points as Manchester City sit top of the pile with a perfect six wins from six.
Wolves lost to Championship side Ipswich Town in the midweek Cup fixture following their draw away to Luton last weekend. O'Neil has now overseen a four game winless run as their form at Molineux has seen them lose both games. Their upcoming home games are not a kind read, with a defeat against City this weekend meaning it would be only the third time in the clubs history they would lose all three opening games. Upfront they have outscored everyone in the bottom seven, so there are positives to be taken.
City fell to Newcastle in a tight Cup clash during the week having continued their perfect start in the league last weekend against Forest. It was just the second time within 90 minutes that City have lost in their previous 39 matches. Any thoughts of a quadruple are gone, but City are racing ahead in the league thanks to their perfect start. City have managed 11 goals in their last three games at Molineux and Pep will be hoping for a reacting here along with a healthy result.
Wolves will be missing Bellegarde and Doyle. City will be missing De Bruyne and Rodri. They will also need to check on Silva and Stones.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LLWLLD
Away: WWWWWW
Wolves have lost each of their last six games against Manchester City, although they did the double over them back in 2019/20. I cannot look past City and their perfect start for this one. Pep will want a response following their Cup defeat, and this could result in a big score here.
Final score: 0-4
Tottenham - Liverpool
Spurs occupy fourth on 14 points while Liverpool are in second with 16 points.
Spurs managed a point away to Arsenal last weekend as the Agne revolution continues in style. The result ended Spurs' three-game losing streak at the Emirates while also maintaining their streak of scoring at least twice in every league game since Postecoglou took charge. With no Cup commitments during the week Spurs will be rested and focused going into this one, but should be wary having conceded five goals in their previous three games. Having Maddison available could be crucial to Spurs ability in this game.
Liverpool meanwhile overcame Leicester in the midweek Cup fixture having beaten West Ham last weekend. The momentum is clear for all to see, with Liverpool's attacking threat firing on all counts. They are on a seven game winning run in all competitions while they are unbeaten in eight Premier League away games as part of a 19 game unbeaten run. Klopp has his new midfield gelling, with Gravenberch looking a strong addition to build on the excellent starts of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai.
Spurs will be missing Whiteman, Johnson, Sessegnon, Gil, Bentancur, and Perisic. They will also need to check on Lo Celso and Maddison. Liverpool are without Thiago, while they need to assess Alexander-Arnold.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: DWWWWD
Away: DWWWWW
Liverpool are unbeaten in 12 encounters with Spurs going all the way back to a 4-1 defeat in 2017. The Reds won both league encounters last season and Klopp will be looking for more of the same here. While Postecoglou will be a different challenge to face, the Reds are in form and will look to show they are the real deal here. I expect goals, and plenty of them, in this fiery encounter.
Final score: 3-5
Nottingham Forest - Brentford
Forest sit in twelfth with 7 points while Brentford are in thirteenth with 6 points.
The Tricky Trees lost to City last weekend but have had a full week to prepare for this fixture. Forest showed plenty of character after going down by two goals early on and even with the numerical advantage they could not produce a comeback. Cooper has already overseen two league wins this season and the improvements are there to see from last campaign. With only two loses in their previous 17 home league games, they will be looking to secure another positive result.
The Bees fell to Arsenal in the Cup following defeat against Everton last weekend and Newcastle in the game preceding it. Frank's side had 18 shots against Arsenal and will feel unfortunate to go out of the Cup, but their league form needs to be the priority. Their winless run stands at four games in all competitions, although Wissa and Mbeumo had more than stood in for the missing Toney. Getting the club, which has two points in four league games, back on track will be the immediate priority.
Forest will be missing Danilo while they need to check on Nuno Tavares. Brentford meanwhile will be without Toney, Schade, Dasilva, Mee, Damsgaard, Henry, and Baptiste.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LWLWDW
Away: DWDDLL
Last season these sides drew at the City Ground, with Brentford winning their home fixture. It will be a tall order for Brentford to pull off a win here, as they will likely suffer a fourth defeat in a row at the expense of Forest.
Final score: 2-1
Fulham - Chelsea
Fulham are sitting in eleventh with 8 points, while Chelsea are languishing in fourteenth with 5 points.
The Cottagers overcame Norwich in their midweek Cup clash, although they only managed a draw with Palace last weekend in the league. Craven Cottage will host the West London Derby with Fulham in form, having only lost once in their last six matches in all competitions. Silva has overseen back to back clean sheets, but they did concede 10 goals in the three games leading up to it. The club is showing they are more than capable of battling it out in the top flight and maintaining that self belief is vital for Silva's men.
Chelsea managed to beat Brighton in the Cup, but lost against Villa last time out in the league. The Blues are without a win in five of their six league outings so far, having only managed three points against Luton. Pochettino is making improvements, with the club sitting fifth in the expected points (xP) table. However, with only two wins in their last sixteen away league games the pressure is clearly on Pochettino to turn things around. With an average of less than a goal a game, Chelsea are struggling to finish their chances. Once that clicks, the club should be back on the correct trajectory.
Fulham will be missing Adama Traore and Adarabioyo, while they need to assess Tete and Lukic. Chelsea are heading into this one without Wesley Fofana, Lavia, Nkunku, Gusto, Chilwell, Bettinelli, and James. They will also be without Chalobah, Chukwuemeka, and Badiashile.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: WLDLWD
Away: DLWLDL
Fulham managed to beat Chelsea 2-1 at Craven Cottage last season and will fancy their chances of another victory here. The game is likely to contain fireworks, but I cannot separate these sides. Chelsea are vulnerable and Fulham should take advantage, but I feel this game will end in a stalemate.
Final score: 2-2
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.
Have a great day.
Peace. CryptoGod-1.
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