Good day everyone,
I hope you are all well and had a great New Years, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. The games don't stop with a constant barrage of games as we continue into the next round of fixtures. Liverpool will be looking to close the gap on the top four while Newcastle face the tough challenge of Arsenal. A bottom of the table clash between Southampton and Forest could prove huge in the relegation battle, while Man City will be hoping to cause more misery for Potter's Chelsea side.
Fixtures - Times are shown as U.K. Time
This weeks round of fixtures will see the games kicking off on Monday evening and finishing on Thursday evening.
Monday 2nd January 2023
Brentford - Liverpool 5.30pm KO (Kick Off)
Tuesday 3rd January 2023
Arsenal - Newcastle - 7.45pm KO
Everton - Brighton 7.45pm KO
Leicester - Fulham 7.45pm KO
Manchester United - Bournemouth 8pm KO
Wednesday 4th January 2023
Southampton - Nottingham Forest 7.45pm KO
Leeds - West Ham 7.45pm KO
Aston Villa - Wolves 8pm KO
Crystal Palace - Tottenham 8pm KO
Thursday 5st January 2023
Chelsea - 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 week matches. Remember this is just my fun analysis and should not be taken as advice or a guarantee.
Brentford - Liverpool
Sixth place Liverpool, with 28 points, will travel to play 10th place Brentford with 23 points on Monday night to kick off this round of games. Thomas Frank will be delighted how his side have played of late, with a big win over City before the World Cup followed up by more impressive displays against Spurs and West Ham. They managed six goals in those three games, and Toney is in fine form, however he was stretchered off at the London Stadium against the Hammers last time out. Their home form has also been impressive, with Arsenal the only side to emerge from the Gtech Community Stadium with all three points this season. The Reds may or may not be able to make use of new signing Gakpo depending on registration, but will need to improve from their showing against Leicester. They were fortunate to make the most of two own goals to get them over the line, but that did extend their winning run in the league on to four games. Nunez has not scored since returning from the World Cup but has been a handful, "Captain Chaos" as Jamie Carragher referred to him. He will certainly look to cause problems for the Brentford backline here and hopefully end his goalscoring drought, as he has been in some excellent positions in recent games just could not apply the finish. Brentford will be without Baptiste. Ajer, and Hickey, while Toney, Onyeka, and Strakosha will need to be assessed ahead of the game. Liverpool meanwhile will be without Arthur, Diaz, and Jota, while Jones, Firmino, Milner, Elliott, and Robertson will all need late assessments. Fabinho is also a potential doubt after the recent birth of his child. Depending on the availablity of Toney or not will have a huge impact on this tie. With him on the field there is a real threat from Brentford, although the returning Konate will help sure up the Liverpool defence. Mbeumo and Wissa will lick their lips at Liverpools high line, but the sheer attacking threat of Salah and Nunez should be enough to see Liverpool win this one. I will go for a 1-3 away win here for Liverpool.
Arsenal - Newcastle
Two unlikely side to be battling it out near the top of the table, leaders Arsenal with 43 points welcome third place Newcastle who have amassed 34 points so far this campaign. The Gunners ended 2022 with a big win against Brighton, as his side are now in prime position to go on and win the title. A seven point gap over City is not the biggest however, as has been proven many times. Arteta's side have 14 wins so far this season but enter a tough schedule of games which could make or break their season. Arsenal are also the only Premier League team with a 100% home record this season, however it is important to note only Forest have failed to score away to Arsenal this season. With City not playing until Thursday, could open a ten point lead at the top with a win here. Newcastle meanwhile struggled to a 0-0 with Leeds last time out, but the Magpies closed out 2022 after an amazing year which saw them go from relegation candidates to title challengers. Howe's men are only two behind the reigning champions and nine adrift of Arsenal, although both of those teams have a game in hand. More importantly, they have only lost once this season, and that was at Anfield, a ground where City also lost. Both these sides enter this game as the form teams in the league, with five wins and a draw in their last six for both sides. Arteta will be missing Jesus, Smith Rowe, and Nelson for this one. Howe's side meanwhile will travel to London without Dummett, Shelvey, Krafth, Isak, and Targett. Arsenal fans will be looking at their wonderful record against Newcastle heading into this one, but should not be fooled as this is an entirely different Newcastle. Howe has the spirits up, as does Arteta, and neither manager will want to loose this one. I think with Saint-Maximin and Wilson not starting against Leeds that Newcatle will be that bit fresher, compared to Arsenal who have a very thin squad. Therefore, I am going to back this to be an exciting battle which will end in a 2-2 draw.
Everton - Brighton
The Toffees sit in 16th position on 15 points as they welcome the Seagulls, who are 9th with 24 points, to Goodison Park. After a battling draw away to Man City Lampard's side are certain to be in high spirits. However, they are far from safe and have a lot of work to do this season. They can take heart from other results going their way and ensuring they moved another point away from danger, the same issues in attack remain. Their leveller against City was their first shot of the game, and unless they improve they could be facing a third successive home defeat here. Brighton put up a strong fight against Arsenal and almost came back into it at the death, but ended up losing 4-2. They are more attacking than previously under Potter, however seem more fragile at the back. De Zebri is getting his style across and his players are adapting, and they remain firmly in the top half of the table. Another positive note is their attacking players are scoring more than last season, with top scorer Trossard one goal away from equalling his tally from last campaign. Everton will be without Onana, Keane, Garner, and Townsend, while last fitness tests will be required for Gordon and Mina. As for Brighton, they will be without Caicedo, Mwepu, and Moder, while Welbeck, Webster, and Mac Allister are doubts. While Lampard will look to build on the momentum from the point away to City, I feel De Zebri will bring his sides New Year's joy to a rapid end. The style is clear for Brighton, but not quite so for Everton. Therefore I am backing the Seagulls to get 2023 off with a win and secure a 1-2 result at Goodison.
Leicester - Fulham
The Foxes are currently 13th with 17 points on the board and face high flying Fulham who are sitting in 7th with 25 points. A woeful display from Faes last time out undid all the good work from Leicester in their last few games, with the Foxes falling to Liverpool by a narrow defeat. They have however pulled themselves up the table and away from the relegation zone for now, albeit only three points from the drop and a loss at home to Fulham could drag them right back into the dog fight. Three wins and three defeats in the last six league games makes this a bit of a mixed bag for Rodgers side, and not since August have both sides scored in a match at the King Power Stadium. Fulham meanwhile saw their star man Mitrovic miss a penalty late on but still secure the win against Southampton, and have managed to take ten points in their last six league games. Their poor run before the World Cup is behind them having secured six points out of six since the restart. The Cottagers are riding their luck in a lot of games this season but their Serbian powerhouse upfront will likely see them finish safely away from the drop zone this season. The Foxes will be without Bertrand, Daka, Maddison, Evans, Justin, Praet, and Pereira. Fulham meanwhile will be missing Solomon and Kebano, while Kurzawa is a doubt. This will likely be an open and very offensive-minded game, as both sides go for it while leaving their defence somewhat exposed. Rodgers will need to get Faes concentrating once more and to get past his Anfield performance, and I think Mitrovic will fancy his chances here. but Leicester have plenty of fighting spirit. Its tough to separate these sides, and therefore I will back a 1-1 draw.
Manchester United - Bournemouth
The Red Devils moved up into fourth position with 32 points and welcome a Bournemouth side in 15th with 16 points to Old Trafford. United managed to make it three league wins in a row, and five in all competitions, when they beat Wolves last time out. Ten Hag have lost just once since the Manchester derby at the start of October, and are two points off third place Newcastle with a game in hand. They are also just four points behind second place Manchester City, with Pep's side struggling of late. After their poor start to the season things have been swimmingly ever since, with United facing an interesting January where a new striker is the primary target in the window. The Cherries meanwhile lost at home to Palace on New Year's Eve with their new owners watching on. Much speculation surrounds whether major investment in the squad will happen, which would certain boost O'Neil's chances of keeping this side up. They have the worst defensive record in the league with 36 goals conceded and having never beaten United in their history will be facing a tough task here. However it took a late winner from Rashford to see United overcome Wolves last time out, so there can be some hope for Bournemouth here. United will be without Tuanzebe, Greenwood, and Sancho, while Dalot, McTominay, and Martinez are all doubts. The Cherries meanwhile will be missing Neto and Brooks, while Stanislas, Fredericks, Billing, and Tavernier will need to be assessed ahead of the game. United have so far gained 16 points in seven home games this season, and are expected to add to that here. They have to be favourites against this Bournemouth defence, although it should be noted nine of those goals conceded were in a single game against Liverpool. There are always surprise results at this stage of the campaign but United seem solid all over the pitch and therefore I am backing them for a 2-0 home win.
Southampton - Nottingham Forest
The Saints sit bottom of the table with 12 points, while Forest are two places and two points ahead of them in what is bound to be a huge clash in terms of the relegation battle this season. It has been a difficult season for Saints fans, seeing their team suffering defeat in their last five league games to endure a horrid run of form. They have also seen three or more goals scored in five of their last six games, only managing to score 7 in that time while conceding 21. Southampton however have not lost to Forest in their previous two league meetings, but their home form of no wins in their last five in not good reading. Forest meanwhile got another excellent result against a big side in the previous round, with a point against Chelsea seeing Forest climb in 18th and level with West Ham who are in 17th. The style may not be the prettiest, only recording 28% possession against Chelsea but getting their point. Counter attacking seems to be working for them for now, but Cooper's side have not managed to win in any of their last five away league games. Southampton will be without Larios, Livramento and Walcott, while McCarthy is a doubt. Forest will face their relegation rivals without the services of Niakhate, Kouyate, Lingard, Richards, and Biancone. Neither of these sides will be entering this game on particularly good form, with Southampton awful at home and Forest awful away, Therefore this is the kind of game who could turn out to be a cracker, or a dull boring game. Likely it will be the latter, however with Ward-Prowse around a free kick could be all the Saints need to end their awful run of form. If either side can take all three points it will be huge in terms of the relegation battle, but likely this will end as a 0-0 draw.
Leeds - West Ham
Leeds are languishing in 14th with 16 points and welcome a West Ham side who have 14 points and sitting dangerously close to relegation in 17th position, level on points with Forest in 18th. Leeds can hold their heads high after emerging from St. James Park with a point last time out, with Meslier outstanding in goal. With only two points separating themselves and the drop, it was a huge result, and Leeds also have a game in hand over the majority of the teams around them. However, their record of only 2 wins from the last 13 league games needs improvement, and should be confident heading into this one as 11 of their 16 points so far have been won at Elland Road. West Ham meanwhile are in disarray, with Moyes overachieving for much of the last few seasons looking to be truly over. They lost their fifth successive league game when Brentford beat them last time out, and The Hammers are firmly in the relegation dogfight. Their away form is no better, having lost five and drawn one of their previous six away from the London Stadium, and only have goal difference keeping them out of the bottom three. Their away record in the entirey of 2022 has seen Moyes men only manage to win three times away from the London Stadium in the league. Leeds will be missing Sinisterra, Gray, and Dallas, while Bamford is once again a doubt. The Hammers will be without Cornet and Zouma for this one. Moyes has had an extra day to prepare his troops for Wednesday's game, which given the recent hectic schedule, could play a huge role in the outcome of this match. With their away form so poor, this really is a relegation battle between two teams desperate not to fall down into the bottom three places. I think Leeds will be favourites at Elland Road, but this game is likely to play out as a draw and finish 1-1.
Aston Villa - Wolves
This midlands derby will see Spanish managers in charge of both sides, with Villa sitting in 12th on 21 points and Wolves in 19th with 13 points so far. Unai Emery has certainly left his mark on Villa fans, having overseen wins over both United and Spurs in the league since he replaced Gerrard. With the Emery revolution is gathering pace at Villa Park having climbed up the standings and now remain just two points outside the top half. Nine points and eight goals in his first four league games is the stuff of dreams for Villa fans, but they are witnessing it first hand now and can rejoice in their upturn in form. They are also looking strong at home, with only three defeats from their previous ten league games at Villa Park. Lopetegui meanwhile will have a lot to ponder with his new side, having watched them hold off United for long periods of the game only to have Rashford come off the bench and score. There were positives in the performance and the Spaniard will hope to have Cunha available to him for this one, although it may be as a substitute for the Brazilian. Their away form however will be alarming the new manager as Wolves have only managed one victory in their previous twelve league away games. Emery will enter this midlands derby without Ramsey and Diego Carlos, and Luiz and McGinn are not quite at full fitness. Meanwhile Lopetegui will be missing Kalajdzic, Neto, and Francisco Tavares Oliveira. Wolves will be fancying themselves to cause problems for Villa, especially if Villa have a weakened midfield. The lack of goal threat could hamper Lopetegui's side here but they will look to their bench in the second half to inject some threat against a tiring Villa defence. I expect it to be a close a and tough derby, with Villa's home form just enough to see them over the line with a 2-1 win.
Crystal Palace - Tottenham
Palace enter this one on the back of a strong win over Bournemouth to leave them 11th in the table with 22 points. They welcome a Spurs side who are in a terrible run of form, with Conte's men slipping down to 5th on 30 points after their loss to Villa last time out. Palace made the most of their set pieces to get the win over Bournemouth last time out. They are sitting comfortably just outside the top half by a single point, and bar their disaster against Fulham where they went down to nine men, Palace have been strong at Selhurst Park this season and made it a tough stadium for teams to visit. However, the three teams to win at Palace this season have been London rivals in Arsenal, Chelsea and Fulham. Spurs will be encouraged by that fact, as Conte's men suffered defeat against Villa with a toothless performance. Spurs are unreliable, being hot one minute and cold the next. Their patchy form has seen them drop out of the top four and will be in real danger and sliding down further with Liverpool hot on their tails, sitting two points behind with a game in hand. To compound matters for Spurs, they have only managed two wins from their previous seven. Vieira's side will be missing Johnstone, Tomkins, Mitchell, McArthur, and Ferguson. Tottenham meanwhile will be without Richarlison, Kulusevski, Bentancur, and Lucas Moura, while Djed Spence is a doubt. The lack of attacking threat thanks to Kulusevski being injured has been a major concern for Spurs, along with Son being totally off form. However, with the Swede expected back soon, any potential crisis may be settled with him back. However, another poor result here could see the fans really begin to turn on the team, having booed the side at both half time and full time in their last game. I can see this being a close contest, but, I expect Conte to get his side playing properly again and narrowly securing a win to get them challenging for top four once again. The final result with be 2-3.
Chelsea - Manchester City
Possibly the biggest game of the round, struggling Chelsea who occupy eight place in the table with 25 points welcome second place Man City to Stamford Bridge. Pep's men have struggled themselves of late, taking only one point from the last six available at home to leave them on 36 points and seven behind leaders Arsenal. Potter's time at Chelsea has not been easy so far, after their bright start under him the Blues have only managed one win in their previous six league games. A lacklustre attack has been the focus of fans frustrations, with Chelsea only managing 20 goals in 16 league games so far. Getting the style right under Potter will be key and reinforcements in January are likely, but if they cannot become more clinical in front of goal they will be in real danger of missing out on the Champions League. In comparison, Haaland has 21 league goals so far this season! Man City however have been showing cracks of late, with their draw against Everton at home following their defeat to Brentford at the Etihad prior to the World Cup. Pep will be frustrated having fallen seven points behind Arsenal, although he will be well aware the title race is far from over. Some have questioned the reliance on Haaland so far this season for goals, as it seems to be hampering their other players. However, it seems more their inability to close out matches which has held them back of late. Even in their thrilling Carabao Cup game against Liverpool they conceded twice and never being able to pull away to secure the win. Pep will need to get that right if he is to push this side onto another title. Chelsea will be missing Broja, Kante, James, and Fofana, while Chilwell, Mendy, and Loftus-Cheek will all need fitness tests prior to the game. Its an interesting time for both of these sides to meet, with neither in particularly great form. Chelsea of course are in worse form, and City have been stronger away from home of late. Therefore, I will back City to return to winning ways here and get the three points with a 1-2 away win in what is bound to be a fiery and intense battle.
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. Have an excellent 2023.
Peace. CryptoGod-1.
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