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 weekend sees only 8 games taking place as the Carabao Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle has resulted in two league games being postponed. With the clubs back in action after some mixed European performances, we will seen Arsenal travel to Leicester and City away to Bournemouth, strugglers Leeds and Southampton face off in a huge relegation clash, and a big London derby takes place between Spurs and Chelsea.
Fixtures — Times are shown as U.K. Time
This weeks round of fixtures will see the games kicking off on Friday evening until Sunday afternoon.
Friday 24th February2023
Fulham - Wolves 8pm KO (Kick Off)
Saturday 25th February2023
Everton - Aston Villa 3pm KO
Leeds - Southampton 3pm KO
Leicester - Arsenal 3pm KO
West Ham - Nottingham Forest 3pm KO
Bournemouth - Manchester City 5.30pm KO
Crystal Palace - Liverpool 7.45pm KO
Sunday 26th February 2023
Tottenham - Chelsea 1.30pm 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.
Fulham - Wolves
Sixth place Fulham, flying high on 38 points, welcome struggling Wolves who currently have 23 points. Fulham managed a narrow 1-0 win over other European contenders Brighton last time out, while Wolves lost by the same score line to fellow relegation candidates Bournemouth. This time last season it was Wolves pushing for the European places, but Fulham have had a wonderful first season back in the Premier League. Silva's side have relied on their strong backline and in form attack of Mitrovic and Willian, but they have proved they can match the top performing sides. They are just four points off the Champions League spots and although they face a multitude of the sides in and around them over the coming months, they will fancy themselves to at minimum secure a top half finish while dreaming of the potentials of Europe. Wolves meanwhile have looked a much better side since Lopetegui took charge. Their loss to Bournemouth was not what he expected following wins over Liverpool and Southampton, but the West Midlands side have lost just one of their last five away from home. They are three points above the relegation zone going into this one and with a touch schedule in March, need to get some points on the board. Fulham will be without Kebano and Cairney, while Mitrovic is a doubt. Wolves meanwhile will be missing Kalajdzic, Hwang, and Francisco Oliveira, while Boubacar Traore is a doubt. Both Fulham and Wolves have won three and lost twice in their previous six league games. This is bound to be a closely-fought affair between two sides which rarely produce a masterclass against each other. Fulham will feel like the stronger side going into this but their form is similar and Wolves have produced surprises of late. Either side could take this one and therefore I am going to back a 1-1 draw.
Everton - Aston Villa
The Toffees sit in 16th with 21 points as they welcome 11th placed Aston Villa, who have 28 points, to Goodison Park. Everton will be hoping to secure a third successive Premier League home win under Dyche, with their loss to Liverpool the only blight of his tenure so far. They overcame Leeds 1-0 last time out, with captain Coleman the unlikely hero. They managed to get out of the bottom three in doing so, albeit only a point clear of the drop zone, but moving in the right direction. They have scored exactly one goal in each of their previous five home Premier League games, with just 17 scored throughout the campaign as the joint-worst record in the division. Villa meanwhile lost 4-2 in dramatic fashion to Arsenal last time out, after their excellent work was undone by a rebound going in off keeper Martinez head and then a break for Arsenal to score into an empty net. They have now lost three games in a row, with two of those being 4-2 home defeats. Emery will still have hope of pushing into the top half, with his side only three points behind Chelsea in 10th spot. They had three away wins in a row prior to their recent dip and will look to get back to winning ways on the road here. Everton will be without Townsend, while Calvert-Lewin, Patterson, and Garner are doubts. Villa meanwhile will be missing Steer and Diego Carlos while Olsen is a doubt. Everton have managed to win twice and lose four times in their last six league games, while Villa have two wins and three loses in their previous six. It seems a tough game to predict, as Dyche will make it very difficult to break down his side at home. Their goals under Dyche so far have come from defenders so Villa will likely be comfortable dealing with the Toffees attack, although will need to be weary of any potential breaks. I think it will be close but Emery's side will be just that cut above Everton and secure a 1-2 away win.
Leeds - Southampton
Leeds sit in 19th with a total of 19 points as they welcome Southampton, who sit in 20th with 18 points, to Elland Road. Leeds confirmed the hiring of Javi Gracia as their new head coach on Tuesday, with the former Watford and Valencia coach tasked with steering the club into safety. He has has penned a "flexible contract" and will look to draw on his experience of keeping Watford in the league in the 2017-18 campaign. His work permit still needs to be confirmed so he may or may not be in the dugout, but Leeds will need a quick turnaround after only winning at home once in their previous ten Premier League games. They also failed to score in their last two home games, but are facing perfect opposition in struggling Southampton. The Saints managed an impressive victory over Chelsea last time out as interim boss Ruben Selles continues to lead the side. They will be aiming for their third away league win in four games here, and their away form has been where they have amassed 12 of their 18 points so far this season. Both sides will need to show some fight here, as Southampton did in August to secure a 2-2 draw. Leeds will be without Rodrigo. Dallas, Wober, Gray, and Forshaw, while there are doubts over the fitness of Sinisterra, Struijk, and Roca Junque. Southampton meanwhile will be missing Armstrong, Livramento, and Larios. Adams and McCarthy are also doubts. Leeds enter this game on the back of four defeats and two draws in their previous six league matches, while Southampton have four defeats and two wins in their last six league games. This is a very difficult game to judge with so much on the line for both sides. The new manager bounce is something to be aware of for Southampton, but Leeds have struggled so much at home this season. I am going to back this close game to end with a narrow, and damning, 1-2 away win for Southampton to lift them off the foot of the table and knock Leeds down below them.
Leicester - Arsenal
The Foxes, currently in 14th with 24 points, welcome league leaders Arsenal who have gained 54 points so far this season. Leicester lost 3-0 last time out against United, failing to make the most of their first half dominance and paying the price as De Gea made some excellent saves. They are now just four points above the relegation zone and a turbulent season has seen Leicester drop from their previous seasons of battling in the top half of the table. Eight games without a clean sheet is telling, and without a clean sheet at home since October means Rodgers men have work to do at the back. As for Arsenal, Arteta's side have drawn Sporting Lisbon in Europa League last 16, and had an amazing finish to their game against Villa last time out, getting two late goals to seal a win. Following their defeats to Everton and Manchester City, Arsenal will be looking to make sure they are fully back on track in their title bid here. Their four game winless run ended with that victory over Villa but they have now gone six games in all competitions without a clean sheet. Their away form is encouraging though, with 24 away goals scored the best in the league this campaign. Leicester will be without Justin and Bertrand, while Maddison and Evans are doubts. As for Arsenal, they will be missing Jesus and Elneny, but have hopes Partey can make it through a fitness assessment to return to the side. Leicester have won two and lost three of their last six league games, while Arsenal have won three and lost two of their last six in the league. This is a tough task for Arsenal, regardless of the Foxes indifferent form. They put four past Spurs and would love to do the same here. That was without Maddison, showing they can still compete without their star man. Arteta will make sure his side are up to the task and ready to take advantage of their porous Leicester defence, meaning I expect them to win comfortably by 1-3 at the King Power Stadium.
West Ham - Nottingham Forest
Moyes side are currently 18th with 20 points so far and face a resurgent Forest side who occupy 13th with 25 points. West Ham fell to a 2-0 defeat against Spurs last time out, suffering their 13th defeat in the league this season. The Hammers, who discovered they will play Cypriot First Division leaders AEK Larnaca in the Europa Conference League draw, have won only one of their last 11 top-flight matches resulting in them slipping back into the bottom three. They have been stronger at home this season and a return to the London Stadium will be welcomed, where the Hammers have earnt 14 of their 20 points this season. West Ham have also only lost once in their previous ten home meetings against Forest, but the Tricky Trees will prove a formidable opposition here. Cooper oversaw his side going unbeaten in January before a mixed February has seen them win, lose, and draw a game each. However, their impressive draw against Manchester City last time out proved how difficult this Forest side can be to play against. At home they are at their best, unbeaten in eight games, but away from home its a different matter. Just one win in eleven away league games with three scored and 25 conceded does not make for pretty reading, but they did manage to beat West Ham 1-0 in the reverse fixture back in August. The Hammers will be without Cornet, while Zouma and Paqueta are doubts. Forest meanwhile will travel to London without McKenna, Boly, Aurier, Awoniyi, Henderson, Niakhate, Biancone, Richards, and Kouyate. They also have concerns over the fitness and availability of Yates and Lingard. West Ham have drawn three and lost two of their last six in the league, while Forest have won three and drawn two of their previous six league games. Both these sides will have relegation worries hanging over them. Forest, for now at least, are somewhat away from the drop zone but far from clear of it. The Hammers are mixed up right in it and will need a big upturn in form to pull themselves clear of the bottom three. With a lot to play for, I can see this going either way but just the fact Forest are so bad away from home I am going to back West Ham to secure a narrow 1-0 victory.
Bournemouth - Manchester City
The Cherries are in 17th position with 21 points and will have a tough task against second place Manchester City, who currently have 52 points. Bournemouth managed to scrap a 1-0 win over Wolves last time out to end their nine game winless run in the league, but will face a very tough challenge in continuing that upturn here. Manchester City beat them 4-0 earlier in the season, and while the Cherries are out of the bottom three it is only by a single point. They have struggled in front of goal this campaign and have only scored three in their previous eight league games. With every side in the bottom half having played an equal amount of fixtures, the pressure will be on Bournemouth to push themselves away from the dogfight of a relegation battle. As for City, they were shocked in the league last time out with a 1-1 late draw against Forest, and followed that up with a 1-1 draw away to RB Leipzig in the Champions League. Pep's side have only lost once in their last away games in all competitions, but they are looking a shadow of their former selves. They have failed to win five of their last six away games while also conceding in each of their previous five away from the Etihad. Sitting two points behind Arsenal again after their draw last time out, Pep will know his side can ill afford to drop any more points in the title race as Arsenal could be five points clear by the time this game kicks off. The Cherries will be without Brooks, Kelly, and Cook, while Zabarnyi, Tavernier, Lerma, Zemura, and Stanislas are doubts. Manchester City will be without Stones while De Bruyne and Laporte are doubts. Bournemouth have lost three and drawn two of their last six in the league, while City have won four and lost one of their last six league matches. While Manchester City have not gotten the desired results in their last two away games, they have been dominant albeit lacking that cutting edge. Expect them to be dominant again here against this struggling Bournemouth side, with the goals likely to flow in abundance. Guardiola's men should have too much strength for the hosts and therefore I am going for a 0-4 away win and a confidence booster for Pep's men in the title race.
Crystal Palace - Liverpool
Crystal Palace are in 12th with a tally of 26 points as they welcome 8th place Liverpool, who have 35 points, to Selhurst Park. Palace managed a 1-1 draw against Brentford last time out having led for most of the encounter. Palace are without a win in eight games across all competitions since the turn of the year, but they remain clear of the drop zone by six points. Their difficult run of fixtures has shown a resilient side to the Eagles, with four draws in their previous five league games including against Brighton and Newcastle. Their only defeat was a narrow loss to Manchester United, The Eagles last three home games at Selhurst Park have ended in a draw with Vieira's side not tasting victory in the league since October. They managed a draw against Liverpool earlier in the season when Nunez got a red card, so expect the atmosphere to be electric here. Liverpool meanwhile saw their top four hopes spark into life by becoming the only side to beat Newcastle at St. James Park in the league this season, but struggled miserably as they were demolished 2-5 at home against Real Madrid in the Champions League. They crumbled after racing into an early two goal lead and it will be fascinating to see how that impacts their confidence. After turning the corner and securing wins over Everton and Newcastle, Liverpool are seemingly right back where they began. Klopp has seen his side manage just three wins in their previous eleven league games, but are only seven points off fourth place Tottenham with two games in hand. They will need to regroup and refocus here against a Palace side who will be desperate to take advantage of any slips from the Reds. Vieira will be without Johnstone, Zaha, Tomkins, and Ferguson, while Ward is a doubt for this one. Klopp will have to do without Diaz, Thiago, Ramsay, and Arthur Melo, while Konaté and Gomez are both also unlikely to feature. Palace are struggling for form, with four draws and two loses in their last six league games. Liverpool meanwhile are not on a great run either, with two wins and three defeats in their previous six league games. Possibly one of the most difficult games to predict in this round. How will Liverpool react? The ease at which teams are playing through them is a huge cause for concern, and the rot could easily creep back into the team. However, I think Klopp will be hammering home the harsh truth that a lot of these players are playing for their place at the club, and the daunting task of playing against Madrid is not quite the same (no offence intended) as playing against Palace. It will likely be a tight and scrappy game with plenty of balls over the top, and therefore I can see Liverpool just about managing a 1-2 away win here.
Tottenham - Chelsea
Spurs are currently fourth and sitting on 42 points as they welcome tenth place Chelsea who only have 31 points so far this campaign. The Lilywhites managed a 2-0 victory over West Ham last time out which saw them climb above Newcastle into fourth place. Conte is likely to miss the match once again. meaning unbeaten Stellini will take charge. He has managed three wins in the three games he has overseen so far, and the fans will be hoping for more of the same here. While Spurs have been a mixed bag this season, both United (above them) and Newcastle (below them) are playing in the Carabao Cup final this weekend meaning a win will see them sitting securely in fourth and closing the gap on third. Spurs have managed to win their previous two home games in the league and secured clean sheets in both, and a win and clean sheet here would see them record three in a row for the first time since 2019. They face a Chelsea side in pure disarray, with Potter getting booed by his own fans following their lose to bottom side Southampton last weekend. He has since thrown some digs towards former manager Tuchel, claiming the players told him they had their "worst pre-season ever" last summer. That seems a bit harsh, ESPECIALLY considering the amount of new arrivals into the side in January alone. It feels a bit like Potter deflecting the blame for his sides awful form, but there can be no avoiding the fact that Chelsea have only won three of their last 16 games under Potter in all competitions. They have also only scored three in their previous nine in all competitions, and have failed to win in their last nine away games since beating Red Bull Salzburg in October. Awful stats and form which cannot be laid upon a former manager, especially considering Potter has been in charge since September. His claims that he has the 'hardest job in football' given Chelsea's ownership change is somewhat laughable as they have also spent more that anybody in the time. The pressure will have to mount on Potter if once again they fail to secure a win here, although Todd Boehly is backing him for now. Spurs will be missing Lloris, Bissouma, Sessegnon, and Bentancur. As for Chelsea, they will be without Broja, Azpilicueta, Kante, Pulisic, and Mendy. Spurs are in very mixed form with three wins and three loses in their last six league games, while Chelsea have been downright awful with three draws and two defeats in their last six league matches. On paper there should only be one winner, with Spurs in better form and much higher in the standings. However, that's not how football works. Spurs are unpredictable and Chelsea are full of quality players even if they are not performing. With many players back from injury Potter will have options here, but I still think his side will fall short. A battling encounter which leads to a 2-2 draw is the most likely outcome, which will do little for either sides hopes and ambitions this season.
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 a great day.
Peace. CryptoGod-1.
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