Good day everyone,
I hope you are all well and had an excellent week, welcome to CryptoGod-1’s blog on all things sports. Following the recent international break we are back for more action packed Premier League football. This weekend will see the Merseyside Derby, City host Brighton, Chelsea welcome Arsenal to the Bridge, while Spurs face off against Fulham.
Fixtures — Times are shown as U.K. Time
This weeks round of fixtures will see the games spread out across three days, from Saturday lunchtime until Monday night.
Saturday 21st October 2023
Liverpool - Everton 12.30pm KO
Bournemouth - Wolves 3pm KO
Brentford - Burnley 3pm KO
Manchester City - Brighton 3pm KO
Newcastle - Crystal Palace 3pm KO
Nottingham Forest - Luton 3pm KO
Chelsea - Arsenal 5pm KO
Sheffield United - Manchester United 8pm KO
Sunday 22nd October 2023
Aston Villa - West Ham 4.30pm KO
Monday 23rd October 2023
Tottenham - Fulham 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.
Liverpool - Everton
Liverpool currently sit fourth in the table with 17 points, while Everton sit in sixteenth with 6 points.
The Reds drew with Brighton prior to the international break, following their controversial loss to Spurs the weekend before that. Klopp has his side firing though, but set pieces let them down last time out. They will need to ensure they are more solid at the back, but having scored in each of their previous 21 competitive fixtures they will be confident here. Unbeaten at Anfield in the league in 2023, they also have managed to win all their five home league games so far while scoring at least twice in each of them.
The Toffees overcame Bournemouth last time out to shoot some life into their campaign, remaining out of the relegation zone in the process. However a loss to Luton in the game before that has dented the spirits around the club. Dyche will be happy they are finding the net, scoring in six of their previous seven having failed to score in their opening three games of the season. They have also managed at least two goals in each of their last four away fixtures.
Klopp will be without Jones, Thiago, Bajcetic, Kelleher, and Robertston, while Gakpo is a doubt. Dyche will enter the Merseyside Derby without Alli, while Coleman and Gomes are doubts.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: WWWWLD
Away: LDLWLW
Liverpool managed to overcome the Toffees 2-0 at Anfield last February, but Everton did manage a draw a home when they met in September 2022. Not since playing behind closed doors have Everton won at Anfield, and although they are beginning to find their scoring form, I can only see one winner here. Klopp's men will want to boost the crowd and potentially move top of the table, for the time being at least, with a solid win here.
Final score: 3-1
Bournemouth - Wolves
The Cherries are sitting in nineteenth with 3 points, while Wolves are in fourteenth with 8 points.
Bournemouth are still without a win this season as they lost to Everton last time out. Three defeats with nine goals conceded makes sorry reading for any Cherries fans, as Iraola is just to prove he is the right man to take the club forward. Their last Premier League win was in April of last season, making it 12 games where they are yet to prevail. Their home form is shocking, without a win in six and with only three wins at the Vitality Stadium sine the turn of the calendar year, a change in output is badly need for those at the top may reconsider their management appointment.
Wolves manager O'Neil comes up against his former side having seen his current side draw against local rivals Aston Villa prior to the international break. His side sits four points above the drop zone and four points from the top half as they will look to build on their three-game unbeaten league run. Only three wins in their last twelve away games shows their difficulties of last season remain but have scored in each of their last seven league games. As the last manager to record a league victory with both these clubs, O'Neil will be hoping to show his former employers what they are missing.
Bournemouth will be without Adams, Fredericks, Scott, Kelly, and Marcondes, while Billing is a doubt. Wolves will be missing Lemina, while Bueno is a doubt.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LDDLLL
Away: WLLDWD
These sides drew 0-0 in August of last season, while Bournemouth managed a narrow victory at Molineux back in February. Considering the rut that Bournemouth find themselves in one has to consider Wolves as the favourites here. Bournemouth need to end their winless run but Wolves are scoring and showing their worth, therefore I am backing a narrow away win.
Final score: 0-1
Brentford - Burnley
The Bees sit in fifteenth with 7 points, while Burnley are in eighteenth with 4 points.
The Bees narrowly lost late on against Manchester United before the international break having been in the lead at Old Trafford. Frank's side remain winless in their last six league games and are slowly falling towards the relegation zone with just three points between them and the dreaded dotted line. They have not won since beating Newport County on penalties in the Carabao Cup back in August, and although they have managed to score in every game at the Gtech Stadium in 2023, they are without a home win this campaign.
The Clarets were thrashed 4-1 by Burnley last time out as they once again failed to build on taking an early lead. It was their sixth loss of the season, but are only in the relegation places on goal difference. They have conceded 20 goals in the league so far, with only Sheffield United (22) conceding more. Kompany has brought an attractive style to the side but their inability to maintain leads and see off games in denting their hopes this term, as the club looks to push up the standings. Compromise between style and results will be imperative for Burnley going forward.
Brentford will be without Toney, Henry, Schade, Dasilva, Baptiste, and Damsgaard, while they will need to assess Mee, Lewis-Potter, and Flekken. Burnley will be without Gudmundsson, Redmond, Hedilazio, Ekdal, and Obafemi, while they will need to check on Beyer.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: DDLLDL
Away: LDLLWL
Back in 2021/22 Burnley won 3-1 in their first-ever Premier League meeting with Brentford at Turf Moor, but Brentford won the return fixture 2-0. This game should be fascinating as both sides desperately need points on the board to push away from relegation fears. I think this will be the perfect opportunity for the Bees to show their fans they are still a strong side, and therefore I expect a home win.
Final score: 1-0
Manchester City - Brighton
City sit in third with 18 points, while Brighton are in sixth with 16 points.
Pep's side enter this contest on the back of two league loses in a row, having succumbed to fellow title challengers Arsenal last time out. City are out to ensure they do not lose a third league game in a row for the first time since 2016, having also lost to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup. They will welcome Rodri back to tighten up the midfield, and their wobble was across four away games. Back at home City have won each of their last 20 games across all tournaments while scoring 65 goals and conceding just 10.
The Seagulls enter this contest on the back on the back of a four-game winless run in all competitions, although they did managed a draw with Liverpool before the international break. While Brighton have looked solid going forward this season, they have also shown their defensive frailties as they stand without a clean sheet in 11 games this season. They are without a win in three away games, but they did pick up a win away to Manchester United already. Five league wins already will have plenty of hope amongst the away fans as they visit the Etihad this weekend.
City will be without De Bruyne for this one. Brighton meanwhile will be missing Enciso, Estupinan, and Moder, while they will need to check on Lamptey, Milner, and Mitoma.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: WWWWLL
Away: LWWWLD
Brighton have only ever beaten Man City once in a league fixture, back in 2021 after City were already crowned champions. Pep will be determined to ensure his sides stops their losing streak, while De Zebri will be keen to secure a win. This should be an exciting game between two attractive styles, but I think City at home will be just too much for Brighton.
Final score: 2-1
Newcastle - Crystal Palace
Newcastle enter this round of games sitting in eight with 13 points, while Palace sit in ninth with 12 points.
The Magpies managed a 20-2 draw with West Ham before the international break, but the news of summer signing Tonali's betting scandal has rocked the club. An impending ban is almost guaranteed, but the club will maintain their focus having beaten both Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain. The club is unbeaten in eight games across all competitions, and have won four games in a row at home since their loss to Liverpool. They have also only conceded once in that time and will want to keep their good form going ahead of their huge Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund next week.
Hodgson oversaw his side drawing with Nottingham Forest before the break, as the Eagles continue their fine start to the season. Having already beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford this season, Palace will be more than confident of producing here. They are struggling for goals though, with only one from their last four games. They did manage three clean sheets in that time, and the side have scored at least once in each of their away league fixtures this term but they will need to fire on all cylinders to achieve a positive results on their visit to St. James park.
Howe will be missing Barnes, while they will also need to assess Willock, Botman, Gordon, Joelinton, and Isak. Crystal Palace meanwhile Henderson, Ahamada, Ferguson, and Eze. They also need to check on the fitness of Olise, Schlupp, Franca, Ward, Doucoure, and Riedewald.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LLWWWD
Away: DWLDWD
Both the league games between these sides ended in 0-0 draws last campaign, but Newcastle managed to beat Palace on penalties in the Carabao Cup third round last season. While Newcastle will look to move past the media distraction surrounding Tonali, the side could unify and be even stronger as a result. I think this will be tight game, but goals are expected in what should be a narrow win for the home side.
Final score: 2-1
Nottingham Forest - Luton
Forest are sitting in thirteenth with 9 points while Luton are in seventeenth with 4 points.
The Tricky Trees will be aiming to end a four game winless run in the Premier League after they drew with Palace last time out. Cooper maintains the positives, as his side sits 5 points clear of the drop zone. The progress since last season is clear, but the recent wobble means getting back to winning ways is imperative. Their home form sees them on a run of six games unbeaten, while they have only lost twice at home in their previous 18 Premier League home games.
The Hatters had ended September strongly with a win against Everton and point against Wolves, but two loses against Burnley and most recently Spurs has dented to fans hope of pushing away from the drop zone. Goal difference is keeping them above the drop zone, with manager Edwards claiming his side can produce even more. The benefit of training time over the international break should see them capable of challenging for their status in the division, but avoiding a third league loss in a row here before they face more difficult challenges will be key.
Forest will be missing Danilo, Felipe, and Montiel, while they also need to assess Aina, Awoniyi, Nuno Tavares, and Aurier. Luton meanwhile will be missing Lokonga, Potts, Clark, Osho, Bell, and Andersen.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LWDLDD
Away: LLDWLL
Luton have only managed to win once away to Forest in their previous 14 encounters, but they are unbeaten in their last two visits to the City Ground. Both sides will be optimistic of securing a result here, but it is the strong home form of Forest which should matter the most. It should be an exciting encounter but I expect the main threats to come from Forest, and therefore they should secure the three points.
Final score: 3-0
Chelsea - Arsenal
Chelsea sit in eleventh with 11 points, while Arsenal are second with 20 points.
Pochettino's side managed to beat Burnley last time out, making it three wins on the bounce following their victories over Fulham in the league and Brighton in the Carabao Cup. Not since the final days of Potter did they manage three wins in a row, with a sense that Pochettino is beginning to get the best from the expensively-assembled squad. A win here would make it three league wins in a row for the first time since October 2022, but their previous two home matches saw they lose 1-0 to both Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal overcame Manchester City last time out to secure a huge win in their title bid. Arteta's side remain one of only two unbeaten sides in the league, along with Tottenham. They will be aiming to push onto the top of the pile with a win here, and just as importantly if Arsenal win it will be the first time in their history the club has ever won its first four away games with four clean sheets. Hopes will be high of another push for the title this season and making a statement win here could be massive for the Gunners.
Chelsea will be without Wesley Fofana, Chilwell, Nkunku, Lavia, Chalobah, and Chukwuemeka. They will also need to check on the fitness of Badiashile, Broja, Disasi, Jackson, Palmer, James, and Bettinelli.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: WLDLWW
Away: DWWDWW
Arsenal have won their previous three away games at Stamford Bridge and will be confident of extending that run here, while they have also managed to win six of the last seven matches between these sides. Considering the defensive record of Arsenal away from home going into this one, Chelsea will be up against it. However, I think the Blues will have a point to prove, and there I am backing a home win here to inflict Arsenal's first loss of the season.
Final score: 2-1
Sheffield United - Manchester United
Bottom of the table Sheffield United have only a single point as they host tenth placed Manchester United, who have amassed 12 points so far.
Sheffield United remain winless in the league this season and look in serious danger of dropping out of the division come the end of the season. They suffered their seventh league loss of the season against Fulham last time out, and a loss here would be the joint ever worst return of a point, or less, from the opening nine Premier League games. They have conceded a league high 22 goals and at least two in each of their last seven. Heckingbottom will need huge improvements at the back to salvage anything of this campaign.
Manchester United have endured their worst start in 34 years under the guidance of Ten Hag, with a win against Brentford last time out covering over the recent cracks. Loses to Palace and Galatasaray had put the pressure on the manager, with questions rising over his midfield options. Their inconsistent home form is concerning but away loses to Spurs, Arsenal and Bayern Munich have also raised eyebrows. The club is without back-to-back away league wins in 2023, as they look to extend their record of wins in their last six against newly promoted sides.
Sheffield United will be without Basham, Baldock, Daugaard, Norrington-Davies, Egan, Lowe, Osborn, Jebbison, and Davies. Ten Hag will be without Martinez, Malacia, Amad Diallo, Casemiro, and Sancho. They will also need to check on the fitness of Varane, Amrabat, Reguilon, Shaw, Wan-Bissaka, and Mainoo.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: LDLLLL
Away: WLLWLW
Sheffield United managed a surprise win at Old Trafford back in 2021, but United beat them at Bramell Lane that season. The Red Devils will have to be considered the favourites going into this given their gulf in class, but I would not count out the Blades. There are problems arising at Manchester United once again, and both teams are under pressure to claim a positive result. It wont be pretty, but I can see the Blades scraping a point here as United's woes continue.
Final score: 2-2
Aston Villa - West Ham
With 16 points already Aston Villa are sitting pretty in fifth, while West Ham have 14 points as they occupy seventh in the table.
The Lions drew their West Midlands Derby against Wolves before the international break, as Emery's side secured their first draw of the season. Their Europa Conference League endeavours have been evident, but sitting only four points for the summit of the league will be pleasing to all Villa fans. They have managed to score in their last seven in all competitions as Villa are also on a remarkable 10-game Premier League winning streak at home. It has also been 12 months since they last managed to score in front of their home crowd.
The Hammers managed a draw with Newcastle last time out, continuing their strong start to the season and vanquishing their domestic woes from last campaign. Unbeaten in their previous four games, Moyes will want to ensure his troops are focused and continue their run of scoring in their last 15 games in all competitions. West Ham have also managed wins in four of their last five away games as they show form more than capable of pushing themselves into a battle for European places this season.
Villa will be missing Buendia, Mings, Moreno, and Ramsey, while they check on the fitness of Iroegbunam. The Hammer will need to check on the fitness of Cresswell, Johnson, and Fabianski.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: WLWWWD
Away: WWLLWD
These sides drew when they met in London last March, while West Ham managed a narrow one goal win at Villa Park last August. The Hammers have now won their last three at Villa Park, and goals should be expected in this one. Both sides on impressive runs and unlikely to see them end here as these two battle to become mainstay European sides. It will be end-to-end but I think Emery's side will have just enough about them to scrape a narrow win at home.
Final score: 3-2
Tottenham - Fulham
Spurs are currently top of the table with 20 points, while Fulham sit in twelfth with 11 points.
Tottenham will enter this game having beaten Luton after their controversial win against Liverpool. Postecoglou has exceeded all expectations as Spurs sit top of the pile and remain unbeaten in the league. With multiple club records shattered already, the Australian is on course to win more points than any other manager in their first nine games with a win over Fulham. Their three home league games have already resulted in wins this season, with Spurs having scored two or more goals in seven games already this season. They are also the fourth best side in terms of gaol-scorers in the league with 18 goals.
The Cottagers beat Sheffield United last time out, but fell against Chelsea in the game before that. It has been a mixed bag so far this campaign for Fulham, not nearly hitting the heights of last season. With only eight league goals scored so far this season the signs of trouble are clear for Marco Silva's side. He will ensure the players are well-organised for this one but the club has only a single victory in their last 21 away games against fellow London sides. They are also winless in three away league games since beating Everton on the opening day of the season.
Spurs enter this game without Perisic, Solomon, Sessegnon, Bentancur, Bissouma, and Whiteman. They will also need to check on Johnson and Romero. Fulham will be without Adarabioyo and Diop, while they also need to check on Adama Traore and Tete.
Form Last Six League Games:
Home: WWWDWW
Away: DLWDLW
Fulham managed to knock Spurs out of the Carabao Cup earlier in the season, but Spurs won both their encounter against Fulham last season by a single goal. With Fulham's struggles in front of goal and Spurs scoring for fun, it clearly has to be a home win on the cards. Fulham will put up a good fight, but Spurs should get over the line and maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Final score: 2-0
Match Prediction Summary
Liverpool 3-1 Everton
Bournemouth 0-1 Wolves
Brentford 1-0 Burnley
Manchester City 2-1 Brighton
Newcastle 2-1 Crystal Palace
Nottingham Forest 3-0 Luton
Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal
Sheffield United 2-2 Manchester United
Aston Villa 3-2 West Ham
Tottenham 2-0 Fulham
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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