Good day everyone,
I hope you are all well and had a great time enjoying the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the Christmas holidays, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. We are finally back to league action, and the first games back should prove interesting as we see what impact the World Cup had on the players. Every team will be looking to kick on from here as we enter a hectic schedule so resuming with a good result will be key for a lot of them.
Fixtures - Times are shown as U.K. Time
This weeks round of fixtures will see the games kicking off on Monday lunchtime and finishing on Wednesday evening.
Monday 26th December 2022
Brentford - Tottenham 12.30pm KO (Kick Off)
Crystal Palace - Fulham 3pm KO
Everton - Wolves 3pm KO
Leicester - Newcastle 3pm KO
Southampton - Brighton 3pm KO
Aston Villa - Liverpool 5.30pm KO
Arsenal - West Ham 8pm KO
Tuesday 27th December 2022
Chelsea - Bournemouth 5.30pm KO
Manchester United - Forest 8pm KO
Wednesday 28th December 2022
Leeds - Manchester City 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 weeks matches. Remember this is just my fun analysis and should not be taken as advice or a guarantee.
Brentford - Tottenham
The league returns with a tough clash for 11th place Brentford, as they welcome a Spurs side 10 points ahead of them and sitting 4th in the table. Prior to the World Cup break the Bees had only managed to win two from their previous six league games, with Frank also having the deal with the issues surrounding Toney and the gambling breaches. That could derail the harmony in the camp and squad, but so far they have showed resilience and guile to keep themselves within touching distance of the top half of the table. They will be boosted by the extended rest their players got, although six of their players were in Qatar but most have returned since the group stages ended. Conte meanwhile will have issues of his own to deal with from their 11 players at the World Cup, with Kane especially having to deal with the fallout from his missed penalty against France which saw England eliminated from the tournament. Lloris meanwhile will have to move on from the Final loss and focus on club matters once more. In terms of form, both these sides drew a friendly during the last month, while Spurs also managed a win over Motherwell in that period, however this will be a return to real competitive football. Brentford will be without Baptiste, Ajer, Strakosha, and Hickey. Spurs will be missing Richarlison, while Lloris is confirmed to be on the bench, and Romero, Bentancur, Perisic, Djed-Spence, and Skipp will require late fitness tests. It should be an interesting match up, with both sides likely to be showing a bit of rustiness after the World Cup break. However, I think Conte will be determined to get his side going again, meaning they will be firing against the Bees. Kane is likley to be a man on a mission, so I can see a 1-3 win for Spurs here.
Crystal Palace - Fulham
Vieira recently came out and condemned the actions of Emi Martinez during their parade of the World Cup in Argentina, where the player was mocking Mbappé. It is what it is, and clearly the eutrophic feelings of being world champions has gotten the better of some Argentinians, but back to league matters and 9th place Palace welcome 10th place Fulham to Selhurst Park, with both sides on 19 points. Palace had 4 friendlies over the break to keep their players fresh and fit, with only Awey and Andersen gone to the World Cup. Vieira's side has a somewhat slow start to the campaign but their form prior to the break had seen them win three of their last five league games, something they will look to push on with and maintain here. As for Fulham, Silva saw six of his squad represented in Qatar, with Wilson, James, Ream, Robinson, Palhinha, and Mitrovic playing for their countries. The Cottagers will be hoping they come back firing to continue with their impressive season so far, which has defied everyone's expectations. They did however begin to stutter before the World Cup break, with two defeats and a draw in their previous three, although those two defeats came against the Manchester clubs. Palace will be missing Johnstone, Guehi, McArthur, and Ferguson. Fulham will be travelling across London without Solomon and Kebano, while Kurzawa, Mitrovic, and Robinson all need to be assessed ahead of the game. It should be an interesting match, and how off the pace both sides are will play a big part in the final result. With the sides so evenly matched in terms of league positions, its difficult to separate them, and therefore I am going for a 1-1 draw.
Everton - Wolves
An early relegation battle here as 17th place Everton welcome bottom side Wolves to Goodison, however Wolves will be finally playing under new manager Julen Lopetegui in the league, who will be looking to turn their fortunes around. Lampard saw four players jet off for Qatar, including Pickford, Onana, Gueye, and Coady. With all four back the Toffess will look to reignite their season, which has seen them lose four of their previous six league games before the break and only four points ahead of the bottom placed side. Wolves meanwhile will be hoping for the new manager bounce to take effect immediately, and they can follow their Carabao Cup win during the week with a victory over a relegation rival. With only a single win in their previous six league games, and having had five players including Neves, Nunes, Sa, Jimenez, and Hwang at the World Cup, a change in fortune is needed. They have secured the loan signing of Cunha from La Liga side Atletico Madrid with a permeant transfer in the summer. They have struggled up front so clearly Lopetegui is looking to rectify that immediately. Everton will be missing Garner, Coady, and Townsend for this one, with Calvert-Lewin and Holgate doubts. As for Wolves, their injury list includes Neto, Kalajdzic, and Francisco Tavares Oliveira ruled out, while Traore and Otto are doubts. It will be a huge game for both sides, with Lampard needing to relieve the pressure which built up before the World Cup break, and Lopetegui hoping for a positive start. I think the unknown nature of Wolves will be enough to see them get something from this game, even though Everton have been stronger at Goodison this season. Therefore I will go for a boring 0-0 draw.
Leicester - Newcastle
Its been a strange season so far for both these sides, and for very different reasons. Leicester sit in 13th on 17 points, with Newcastle sitting in third position with a staggering 30 points. A massive turnaround from previous seasons for these sides. Both of them progressed in the Carabao Cup and will face each other in the quart finals, meaning this will be a nice preview to that game. Leicester saw seven players head to the World Cup, with Ward, Faes, Castagne, Tielemans, Maddison, Amartey, and Mendy on show. The club managed to vastly improve their league form before the break, winning four of their last five league fixtures having only tasted victory in one of the ten prior to that. As for Newcastle, they have been flying high in the league this season, having only lost once all campaign - away to Liverpool - and looking serious contenders to steal a top four spot. However, Leicester will be a great example to them of previous teams to try and fail at this feat. The Magpies saw five players go to Qatar, with Bruno, Schar, Wilson, Trippier, and Pope all gone. With five wins on the bounce in the league before the break, Newcastle will look to continue where they left off here. Injury wise, the Foxes will be missing Pereira, Justin, Bertrand, and Evans, with Maddison and Soyuncu doubts. Newcastle will be missing Dummett, Isak, Ritchie, and Krafth, with Anderson a doubt. This is a tough game to call, as earlier in the season it would have been clearly a game Newcastle should win, but the break coupled with the improved form of Leicester makes it a tough call. I think the Foxes will have something to prove here and try push themselves on up the table, but with Newcastle on such a high it wont be easy. Therefore I expect goals galore and I am backing a 3-3 draw here.
Southampton - Brighton
The Saints progressed in the Carabao Cup during the week, and will look to improve on their 12 points in the league so far which sees them sitting in 19th position. They welcome a Brighton side who were suffering a mixed bag of results prior to the break, but still sitting in 7th with 21 points. New manager Nathan Jones did not get off to the best start, but the cup win will have boosted spirits before the festive period. Southampton saw Salisu and Bella-Kotchap head off to Qatar while Brighton had eight player go, including Mitoma, Trossard, Sanchez, Lamptey, Caicedo, Sarmiento, Estupinan, and World Cup winner Mac Allister. The Seagulls were eliminated from the Carabao Cup during the week, and have only managed to win two of their last six games in the league. The Saints meanwhile have lost their last three games in the league, and in the process have conceded eight goals while only scoring twice. Southampton will be without Livramento, Larios, and Walcott, with Lavia also a doubt. Brighton will be missing Mac Allister as he continues to celebrate the World Cup win, with Webster, Moder, and Mwepu also ruled out. Welbeck is also a doubt for this one. With both teams struggling for form before the break, prehaps the World Cup came at the right time for both sides. They will have taken the chance to regroup and reassess their aims for the remainder of the campaign, with Southampton getting time to work with their new manager and De Zebri getting more time to align his ideas to his players. Its a tough game to call for sure but as Southampton have the worst home form in the league I think it should be a game for Brighton to win, and therefore will back a 1-2 away win.
Aston Villa - Liverpool
New Villa manager Unai Emery will be looking to make it three league wins on the bounce as they welcome a Liverpool side who lost out away to Man City in a thrilling Carabao Cup clash on Thursday night. Villa saw Cash, Martinez, Dendoncker, and Bednarek head off to Qatar, while Liverpool had Alisson, Fabinho, Konate, Nunez, Henderson, Alexander-Arnold and van Dijk representing their nations. Villa have managed to climb up to 12th place in the league on 18 points thanks to their impressive wins over United and Brighton in Emery's first league games in charge of the Lions. They played four friendlies during the World Cup period, although only managed to win once, but it will have given the Spaniard time to work with his players on his style and ideas. The positive heading into this clash is that only twice in their last nine Premier League games at Villa Park have Villa lost, having won three of their previous four home league games before the World Cup break. Klopp meanwhile sees his Liverpool side sitting in 6th place with 22 points after a tough start to the season. They headed off to Dubai during the break, and although their four game winning run in all competitions was ended by Man City during the week, the Reds did not show much if any rustiness after their prolonged absence from competitive football. If they can bring that vigour into this game then it should be an exciting watch for Reds fans. They won one and lost one of their friendlies in Dubai, but it is the fact the have only won once in six away league games so far this season which will have Klopp worried. Villa will be missing Ramsey and Diego Carlos, while Emi Martinez is still celebrating his World Cup win. Coutinho and Olsen are also doubt. Liverpool meanwhile will be without Diaz, Jota, Jones, Arthur, Firmino, and Milner, while Konate is not expected back after making it to the World Cup final with France, and both Alexander-Arnold and van Dijk being doubts. Liverpool could have been dead and buried in the first half against City, although they proved once again their goal threat is very much alive. The lack of a goal for Nunez may just spur him on for this one, determined to put his wasted chances behind him. All in all I can see the Reds getting a win him, albeit a narrow victory, with a final result of 2-3.
Arsenal - West Ham
Top of the table Arsenal will look to kick on from their impressive start to the season, with 37 points so far from a possible 42, as they welcome London rivals West Ham who are currently 16th with 14 points to show for themselves. Arteta saw ten players head off to Qatar, including Jesus. Martinelli, Tomiyasu, Xhaka, Saliba, Turner, Ramsdale, White, Saka, and Partey. Moyes meanwhile had Paqueta, Areola, Aguerd, Kehrer, and Rice away at the World Cup. Its fifteen years since Arsenal sat top of the table on Christmas Day, but that is no guarantee of winning the league come May. Just ask Liverpool (96/97, 08/09, 13/14, 18/19, 20/21), Norwich (92/93), Newcastle (95/96, 01/02), Manchester United (97/98, 03/04), Aston Villa (98/99), Leeds (99/00), and Arsenal (02/03, 07/08) fans! The Gooners did manage three league wins in a row before the break, moving five points clear of Manchestey City in second. Arsenal have also won their previous nine league home games, while also not losing at home on Boxing day since 1987, making this a tough ask for Moyes men. The Hammers have lost three Premier League games on the bounce and have won just one of their last six in the division, although have progressed with ease through their Europa Conference League group as a silver lining to an otherwise disappointing campaign. Two wins and a draw in their friendlies has seen an upturn in form which they will hope to bring into their league fixtures. They have however only scored three goals away from home in the league all season, and only managed one point in their last five Premier League away matches. Arsenal will be without Nelson, Zinchenko, and Jesus, while Saliba, Rowe, and Tomiyasu are doubts. West Ham meanwhile will be missing Zouma, while Cresswell, Scamacca, Aguerd, Antonio and Cornet will all need to be assessed ahead of this one. Arteta will know the loss of Jesus is a massive blow for his side, but will have confidence given that his side possess plenty of goal threat across the field. With the Hammers having an awful defensive record away from home, it is likley to be another win on the cards for Arsenal, although we can never rule out what impact the World Cup break will have on teams. However, I will back them to secure a 2-1 home win ahead of some gruelling fixtures in January.
Chelsea - Bournemouth
Potter sees his Chelsea side sitting in eight position with 21 points as they welcome a Bournemouth side sitting in 14th with 16 points. The Blues will be looking to end a three game loosing streak under Potter, while Bournemouth will be looking ahead to life under their new Bill Foley after the £120m takeover. Chelsea had 12 players in Qatar, with Kovacic, Silva, Zakaria, Pulisic, Ziyech, Havertz, Mount, Sterling, Gallagher, Mendy, Koulibaly, and Azpilicueta all taking part in the World Cup. Bournemouth had Mepham and Moore representing their nations in Qatar. It had been a miserable end to things for Potter before the World Cup break, as his side had been on a nine game winning streak under him before suffering four defeats from their last five competitive fixtures. They also lost a friendly to Villa over the break, and have not scored in their last four competitive and non competitive games. The Cherries lost to Newcatle in the Carabao Cup during the week, but got a good run out will see them try carry the form of beating Everton in both the league and Cup by a 7-1 aggregate scoreline back into the campaing. Chelsea will be missing Chukwuemeka, Broja, Kante, and Fofana, while Chilwell, Loftus-Cheek, Kovacic, Ziyech, Kepa, and Mount are doubts. The Cherries will be travelling to London without Brooks and Neto, while Kelly, Lerma, Tavernier, and Fredericks will all need to be assessed ahead of the game. Bournemouth are unbeaten in three Premier League games with Chelsea, having won two and drawn one between 2019 and 2020, and will travel to London full of confidence they can get a result against an injury ridden and low morale side. Chelsea have however been resiliant at home this season, meaning it wont be an easy task for the team in red and black. I will go out on a limb here and go for a 1-2 away win for Bournemouth to heap more pressure onto Potter.
Manchester United - Forest
Fifth placed Manchester United, sitting on 26 points, will welcome 18th place Forest who have 13 points on the board so far. United saw Antony, Casemiro, Fred, Eriksen, Varane, Maguire, Shaw, Rashford, Dalot, Bruno, Pellistri, Malacia, and Martinez on duty in Qatar, while Forest had Freuler, Hennessey, Williams, Johnson, and Kouyate. Ten Hag has outlined his plans to push United for a top four finish while also hoping to secure some silverware this season, and with the Ronaldo saga behind them, they will look ahead to what they can achieve. Man United have only lost once in the Premier League since the start of October, and progressed into the Carabao Cup quarter finals during the week. The form of Rashford at the World Cup should also give them hope going into the games ahead, although the furore around Sancho continues as he remains out of the squad indefinitely. Forest meanwhile also got through in the Carabao Cup, and will look to build on their pre World Cup form which saw them loose only once in their last five league games. However, Forest have the worst away record in the Premier League this season with the Reds only picking up two points from seven games and conceding 19 times in the process while only scoring once. Ten Hag will be missing Martinez who is enjoying his World Cup win, while Tuanzebe and Sancho are ruled with, with Greenwood still suspended by the club. Varane, Maguire, and Dalot will all require late fitness tests. Forest meanwhile will be missing Niakhate, Kouyate, Biancone, and Richards, while Dean Henderson is unable to play against his parent club. Gibbs-White, Aurier, and Hennessey are also doubts. While I would like to think Forest can put up a fight, I can only see one winner, with United getting a comfortable 3-0 win on Boxing day. The break could have worked well for Cooper, giving him time to work with all his new players and ensure his message is getting across, but I think this game will be too much for them.
Leeds - Manchester City
Its been a tough season so far for Leeds, who have 15 points and sit in 15th place, and welcome second place Manchester City who have 32 points so far this season. Leeds had Kristensen, Aaronson, and Adams representing their countries in Qatar, while Manchester City had a total of 16 players including Akanji, Ederson, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Stones, Walker, Phillips, Foden, Grealish, Cancelo, Dias, Silva, Ake, Laporte, Rodri, and Alvarez take part in the World Cup. The one thing we can almost guarantee with Leeds these days is goals, as there have been 22 goals scored in their last four league matches. Marsch has seen his team come from behind to beat Bournemouth last time out at home, but it is a different prospect playing Man City. Pep certainly ensured his side were right at it against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Thursday night, in what proved to be an excellent match. Haaland is clearly ready to start hitting the back of the net again, a major warning to all sides, while in general their play looked top notch. However it was against a weakened Liverpool defence, and the Citizens were exposed plenty of times. City will make sure they try eradicate any mishaps in their side, and get their title charge back on track having fallen five points behind Arsenal thanks to s surprise loss against Brentford in their last league game, which also ended their unbeaten home run. The Lillywhites will be without Sinisterra, Gray, Adams, and Dallas for this one, while Summerville, Machado, Cooper, Meslier, and Klich are all doubts. Pep will take his side to Elland Road without the services of Dias who is injured, Alvarez who is celebrating the World Cup win, and Phillips who is unfit. While Leeds will put up a good fight and can aim to build on wins this season over Liverpool and Chelsea, I think this will be one too far for them. Haaland will want to show Leeds what he can do having been known to support them as a child thanks to his father, and I can see this game ending with a 1-4 win for the reigning Premier League champions.
Check out my 2022/23 Season Preview and Predictions here: Premier League 2022/23 Prediction
You can also find my updated predictions after the Round of 16 Champions League draw here: Champions League 22/23 Round of 16 Draw & Prediction
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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