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 weekends will see a huge clash as Liverpool host Carabao Cup champions Manchester United, while strugglers Chelsea host Leeds, Manchester City welcome Newcastle who will focus on their top four race, while Arsenal will continue their title bid as they welcome Bournemouth.
Fixtures — Times are shown as U.K. Time
This weeks round of fixtures will see the games kicking off on Saturday afternoon until Monday evening.
Saturday 4th March 2023
Manchester City - Newcastle 12.30pm KO (Kick Off)
Arsenal - Bournemouth 3pm KO
Aston Villa - Crystal Palace 3pm KO
Brighton - West Ham 3pm KO
Chelsea - Leeds 3pm KO
Wolves - Tottenham 3pm KO
Southampton - Leicester 5.30pm KO
Sunday 5th March 2023
Nottingham Forest - Everton 2pm KO
Liverpool - Manchester United 4.30pm KO
Monday 6th March 2023
Brentford - 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.
Manchester City - Newcastle
Second place Manchester City, on 55 points, welcome fifth place Newcastle who have amassed 41 points so far this season. Manchester City continued their FA dream during the week with a solid win over Bristol City in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Foden was electric and Pep believes he is getting better and better. They will need his guile here as they remain five points behind leaders Arsenal. Their excellent win over Arteta's side was overshadowed by mixed results. The fact four of City's next five games are at home will be a huge welcome from Pep, as they boast the best home record in the league and the most goals scored at home by any side in the Premier League. However they have only managed to keep three clean sheets in their last 16 top-flight matches as Ederson has come in for criticism this season. Newcastle meanwhile saw their first trip to Wembley since the 90s end in disappointment as Manchester United beat them in the EFL Cup final last weekend. They will be fresher than City heading into this one, but their recent form has been disappointing compared to their comprehensive dominance earlier in the campaign. They have slipped out of the top four and are four points behind Spurs, albeit with two games in hand. Liverpool are also only two points behind but Newcastle have a game in hand on the Reds also. With just one win in their last seven Premier League matches the pressure will be on Howe to fix their form, although even the most optimistic of Newcastle fans would have been delighted with a top four push and domestic final at the beginning of the season. Their away form is strong, with zero defeats in their previous eight away games and Liverpool being the only side to defeat the Magpies so far this season. Pep's side will be without Ortega, while Laporte and Stones are doubts. Howe will travel without Krafth while Bruno Guimaraes is a doubt and Pope remains suspended. Form wise, Manchester City have won six and drawn two in their last ten league games, while Newcastle have won four and drawn five of their last ten league matches. The reverse game earlier in the season ended in a 3-3 draw as they goal flew in at St. James Park. Whether it will be quite so thrilling this time remains to be seen but there are many reasons to expect a good contest here. Neither side can afford to drop points in their respective races this season, but I think with Manchester City being at home the advantage will be theirs. Newcastle do not do defeat in the league this season, but its likely Pep's side will join Liverpool in being the only teams to overcome Newcastle and earn three points with a 3-2 win.
Arsenal - Bournemouth
Top of the table Arsenal, who have 60 points so far, welcome struggling Bournemouth who are in 19th with 21 points. Arsenal have bounce back from their mid season blip and are looking for their fourth successive league win in a row here. Their midweek win over Everton put the rest the surprising defeat against them last month, and ensured Arsenal maintain a five point lead with the same amount of games played as Manchester City. This was only their second win in their last five at home, and with the Europa League matches starting up for Arteta's side again soon, they can ill afford to lose focus here. They are firmly back to their free-flowing best and Arsenal's record against newly promoted teams is favourable heading into this one, having not lost against a side who came up since their opening day defeat to Brentford last season, winning each of their last eight such games. The Cherries meanwhile were undone by Manchester City's talent last time out and will face a similarly difficult test here. O'Neil has seen his side slip back into the relegation zone and have only managed one win in the league since the World Cup break. Their return of five points and only four goals since the break is the worst in the league and although they invested in January, so far they have not reaped any rewards from it. In their last eight matches against sides sitting top of the Premier League going into the game, Bournemouth has been on the losing side in each of them. Arsenal will be without Elneny, while doubts remain over Jorginho, Jesus, and Nketiah. The Cherries will be missing Brooks, Cook, Tavernier, Stanislas, and Viña, while Kelly and Zabarnyi are doubts. Arsenal have won six and drawn twice in their last ten in the league, while Bournemouth have won twice but lost six times in their last ten league games. Arsenal were comfortable victors the last August when these sides met, wining 3-0 and a similar result should be on the cards here. Bournemouth are not showing enough to inspire any confidence at the moment and with Arsenal focused on winning the title, this should be an easy three points for them. I am back a 3-0 home win here.
Aston Villa - Crystal Palace
Villa are currently 11th in the table with 31 points and welcome the side below them, Palace, who themselves have 27 points so far this season. Villa enter this game on the back of beating Everton 2-0 last time out, but had three defeats in a row which saw them concede eleven goals prior to that, albeit two of those teams were City and Arsenal. They could also be on the verge of three successive loses at home if they fall to another defeat here, and Emery will be very keen to avoid such a result. Watkins has been the shining light, breaking a Villa record by becoming the first Villa player in Premier League history to score in five successive games. With six wins in Emery's eleven league games in charge of Villa, things are looking good and his side have also scored in each of those games along the way. With a ten point gap to the bottom three, Villa are in prime position to overtake Chelsea and move into the top half of the table. Their home form is an issue though, with only one wins in their last five home league games. Palace meanwhile secured a draw with Liverpool last weekend and are yet to claim their first victory of 2023. That's nine games in all competitions without a win, and Vieira knows his side are in a dangerous position sitting only six points clear of the relegation zone. They failed to get a shot on target against the Reds last time out, but they did managed just their second clean sheet in their last 12 top-flight matches. Set pieces are the key to their success, with 9 of their 21 goals this season arriving in that manner. Villa are also the second worst in the league at conceding from set pieces so it is an area Vieira must focus on heading into this one. Villa will be without Steer and Coutinho, while Diego Carlos and Olsen are both doubts. Vieira will be without the services of Johnstone, while Zaha and Ferguson will need assessment ahead of the game. Form wise, Villa have five wins and four defeats in their previous ten league games, while Palace have one win and five draws in their last ten in the league. Last time these sides met it was Palace who claimed a 3-1 victory in August, but with Emery in the dugout this time it is likely to be different. Palace are not having the season they had hoped for, and while Vieira is doing a good job, I think it will be Villa who emerge with the win here by a narrow 2-1 score.
Brighton - West Ham
Eight place Brighton, with 35 points, will welcome 16th place West Ham who have 23 points so far this season. De Zebri's side progressed in the FA Cup during the week, while West Ham were eliminated by a surging United side. Brighton had not played in the league last weekend due to their clash being postponed thanks to the Carabao Cup final, and will be looking to push themselves back into European contention after being overtaken by Liverpool. They have two games in hand on the Reds but they did lose to Fulham last time in the league. A record of just one win in their last four league games has cast doubts on their ability to push for Europe, but they are on course for their best ever Premier League finish. West Ham meanwhile could not hold onto their lead against United in the cup and Moyes will hope his side puts that behind them and repeats their heroics of their last league game, where the Hammers were 4-0 winners against Forest. Ings inspired them that day and the January signing is delivering what they have lacked the most this season, goals up front. They are out of the drop zone for now but their away form is dire, with a league-low six points on their travels and no wins in their last 10 Premier League games away from home. West Ham have also failed to overcome Brighton since the Seagulls gained promotion to the Premier League back in 2017. Brighton will be missing Colwill, Moder, Mwepu, and Lallana, while there are doubts over the fitness of March, Gilmour, and Estupinan. The Hammers meanwhile will be without Fabianski and Cornet, while Coufal and Zouma are doubts. Brighton have managed five wins and two draws in their last ten league games, while West Ham have lost five and drawn three of their previous ten in the league. The last time these sides met it was Brighton who secured the win, but I am not so sure they can repeat that here. The Seagulls have possibly began to run out of steam, with their only recent win in the league against struggling Bournemouth. West Ham are unlikely to end their away day hoodoo anytime soon, and unless De Zebri can spark some life into his side then I can see this ending in a 1-1 draw.
Chelsea - Leeds
Tenth place Chelsea, who have 31 points and only remain in the top half on goal difference, welcome 17th placed Leeds who have managed 22 points and remain a single point above the relegation places. Struggling Chelsea come into this one having lost 2-0 against Spurs last time out, and the pressure is beginning to mount on Potter. They are on a run of only three wins in their last seventeen games, while Chelsea have failed to win any of their last six. They only scored one goal in all of February, that being from Joao Felix in a 1-1 draw against West Ham. They have only managed to score six goals in their last fifteen games in all competitions, which is the fewest of any team in England's top-four divisions. Chelsea fans are rightly losing faith in Potter and apparently he has two games to save his job. Last time out at home in the league they lost against bottom side Southampton, and are in serious danger of slipping into the bottom half with another defeat here. With only ten points between them and the bottom three, Chelsea could be in for a serious struggle ahead if they cannot improve things quickly. Leeds meanwhile have backed Javi Gracia to lead them away from danger. He oversaw a win against Southampton last weekend in the league, but they lost to Fulham in the FA Cup during the week. The wins over the Saints ended a run of ten in the league without a win, and they have only managed six points away from home all season. While Leeds remain only a point above the relegation zone they feel they have the manager in place to get them out of their predicament, the same as he did with Watford in the past. If he manages a win here he will be the first Leeds manager to win his first two league games since Venables in 2002. While Leeds have struggled away from home this season, they can take confidence from their, albeit unlikely, win at Anfield earlier in the season. Potter will be without Mendy, Pulisic, Kante, Azpilicueta, Broja, and Thiago Silva, while Kovacic is a doubt. Leeds will be missing Dallas, Forshaw, and Rodrigo, while Struijk, Cooper, and Sinisterra. Chelsea have drawn four and lost four of their previous ten league games, while Leeds have drawn four and lost five of their last ten in the league. Leeds managed a 3-0 win back in August when these sides met, and will fancy themselves here even though they are eight points behind their hosts. Chelsea just cannot seem to click, whether that is from too many new players or a lack of confidence in the managers tactics. Either way, they are showing little in terms of progress under Potter and I don't expect that to change here. Boehly may have to seriously consider whether he backed the correct man here as I can see Leeds emerging from Stamford Bridge with a 1-3 victory.
Wolves - Tottenham
Wolves are currently sitting in 15th with 24 points as they welcome fourth place Spurs with 45 points to Molineux. Wolves lost to Liverpool during the week in their league clash, while Spurs were shamefully dumped out of the FA Cup by Sheffield United to ensure it is 15 years without a trophy. Lopetegui has a side which lacks consistency and ruthlessness, but they have managed to move themselves three points clear of the relegation zone. They were not good enough against Liverpool but its their home form which will give fans confidence they can pull away from the relegation scrap. In their last six at home they have won one, then lost one, and this pattern will be what fans are hoping comes to fruition here after their most recent Molineux clash ending in a 1-0 loss to Bournemouth. Spurs meanwhile are in a similar sort of pattern, with consistency being a major issue. They overcame Chelsea last weekend only to get knocked out of the FA Cup during the week. They would have fancied their chances of winning the competition had they progressed, but it is not to be. Conte is expected back this weekend but his long-term future is uncertain. For now Spurs remain four points ahead of Newcastle having played two more than the Geordies. Spurs have lost each of their last three away matches and qualifying for the Champions League is likely as good as it will get for them this season. Wolves will be missing Kalajdzic, Hwang, Francisco Oliveira, and Bueno, while Cunha and Boubacar Traore are doubts. Spurs meanwhile will be without Bentancur, Sessegnon, Lloris, and Bissouma, while Emerson Royal is a doubt. Form wise, Wolves have four wins and four defeats in their last ten league games, while Spurs have five wins and four defeats in their last ten in the league. Spurs managed a narrow 1-0 win the last time these sides met in the league back in August, and will be hoping for a similar result here. Depending on how the football gods shine upon this game it could really go either way. Both these sides are lacking form and consistency, and both have dire need for points. Assuming Spurs go into this one with the same passion and fire they showed against Chelsea then they should be favourites, and therefore I expect them to emerge with a 0-2 away win here.
Southampton - Leicester
The Saints are currently bottom of the league with 18 points as they host 14th place Leicester who themselves have 24 points. Southampton lost to Leeds last time out in the league, and suffered humiliation in the FA Cup as they were knocked out by League Two side Grimsby. They have have lost each of their last five home league matches and Selles is struggling to get this team to gel following the disastrous spell of Jones in charge. The two defeats in a row followed on from the shock win over Chelsea, but the Saints have only managed six points at home all season which is the worst in the division. The additions in January have not propelled them up the table as hoped, and while they have 14 games to turn their fortunes around, managing to secure wins at home will be key to their survival. Leicester meanwhile will be delighted to be finished with February having suffered three defats in the month. After two strong wins over Spurs and Villa they have found themselves only three points above the relegation zone. Rodgers knows the Foxes need to improve after a loss to Championship side Blackburn in the FA Cup, and their leaky defence is doing them no favours. Their away days have be filled with goals for either side, as the Foxes have mixed their lacklustre defence with some impressive attacking displays. It all depends on which Leicester turns up, but they are unbeaten in each of their previous five visits to St Mary's going into this one. Southampton will be without Larios and Livramento, while doubts remain over the fitness of Salisu and Adams. Leicester meanwhile will be missing Tielemans, Justin, and Bertrand, while Evans is a doubt. Southampton have the worst form in the league with eight defeats and only two wins in their last ten league games, while Leicester have three wins and six defeats in their previous ten in the league. Southampton secured a narrow win over Leicester earlier in the season and will need more of the same here. This is certainly a battle of relegation candidates, and while Leicester are sitting in a much better position, they are still in danger. I can see this being an entertaining clash between two sides desperate for points, and while either could emerge with a win, I believe it will end all square in a 2-2 draw.
Nottingham Forest - Everton
Forest find themselves in 13th with 25 points as they host strugglers Everton, who have 21 points and sit in 18th position, a point from safety. Cooper's Tricky Trees had looked such an improved side after their draw against Manchester City, but they were torn apart by West Ham last weekend to leave them four points above the bottom three. To make things worse the Hammers scored all their goals within 14 second half minutes. They have a single point from their last three, from that draw against City, but they do remain unbeaten at home in their previous eight league games with four wins and four draws in that time. While they may have the worst defensive record in the league, they are a capable match for anybody on home soil. They have also managed to secure four clean sheets in their previous seven home league games. As for Everton, the honeymoon period for Dyche is truly over, and they were dismantled by Arsenal during the week. A point from safety and an away record which is only one point better off than Forest's, Dyche will be somewhat worried by their lack of being solid at home recently. With a defeat at home to Villa prior to their Arsenal loss, they will need to find a way to win away from home to maintain their status in the division. With only two points from a possible 24 on the road since their victory away to Southampton and no away wins in 2023, Dyche has a lot to ponder heading into this one. Forest will be missing Boly, Awoniyi, Aurier, McKenna, Kouyate, Biancone, and Richards, while Niakhate, Henderson, and Yates are all doubts. Everton meanwhile will be without Patterson and Townsend, while Calvert-Lewin and Garner are both doubts. Form wise, Forest have managed four wins and three draws in their last ten league games, while Everton have lost seven and won twice in their last ten in the league. The last time these sides met they played out a draw, and that could easily be the case here again. However, given the awful away form of Everton and the strong home form of Forest, I feel Cooper's side might just have enough about them to win this one. Therefore I am going for a 2-0 home win and a massive boost to Forest in their bid to climb away from the relegation zone.
Liverpool - Manchester United
The big game of the weekend and the North West Derby sees sixth place Liverpool, who have 39 points so far, welcome Carabao Cup winners and third place United who themselves have 49 points. Liverpool overcame Wolves during the week to strengthen their top four hopes, while United overcame West Ham in the FA Cup following their Carabao Cup victory last weekend. Klopp is overseeing a team with just four wins in their last twelve games but they have very much dragged themselves into the top four discussion. At one stage they were below Chelsea, but improved form and defensive work has seen them record clean sheets in their last four league games. They have lost just once in their previous 35 league games at Anfield, in a shock collapse against Leeds, with Real Madrid the only other side to taste victory at Anfield this season. With just six points separating them and fourth placed Tottenham, and with a game in hand, Liverpool would be in prime position to push right into the Champions League spots with a win here. They are facing their fiercest rivals and will need little motivation after seeing United claim the Carabao Cup last weekend to end their six year trophy drought. Ten Hag has worked miracles so far and the United fans adore him. United went on to come back from a goal down and beat West Ham in the FA Cup during the week as they hunt more silverware, and very much have the league and Europa League in their quest for glory. They have managed to win in each of their last four games, each in a different competition, and the win over Barcelona has really boosted confidence in this side. They have secured 23 points since the return from the World Cup, more than any other side, and the in form Rashford will be their biggest attacking threat here. However it is away from home where United struggle the most, and they have actually conceded more, 20, away from Old Trafford than they have scored, 17, this season in the league. They have also failed to beat any of the traditional big six away from home in their previous seven attempts. Ten Hag will be weary of how it went when they visited Manchester City and conceded six, but his side has evolved since then. They have not won at Anfield since early 2016 but would fancy their chances this time, with the drastic change in both clubs form evident. Liverpool will be missing Diaz, Gomez, Ramsay, and Thiago, while Keita and Arthur Melo are both doubts. United will be without van de Beek, Martial, Greenwood, and Eriksen, while Shaw and Sancho are doubts. Liverpool have managed to win five and lose three of their last ten in the league, while United are the in form team with seven wins and two draws in their last ten league games. United ran out winner earlier in the season but Liverpool will be hoping for a better showing this time around. Nunez was suspended that day and will likely cause havoc for the United defence having recently found his goalscoring touch. It is definitely set to be the tie of the round and I expect plenty of individual and tactical battles throughout. United will really believe in their title chances if they can win here, while Liverpool will be determined not to have another humiliation like they did to Real Madrid. It is a difficult one to call, but similar to when City visited Anfield this season, I can only see one winner. It will be close, but Liverpool will turn up for their fans and secure a 2-0 home win.
Brentford - Fulham
Brentford are currently ninth with 35 points and host the team two places above them, Fulham, who have 39 points so far this season. The Bees go into this game looking to extend their unbeaten run in the league to twelve games in this remarkable season, albeit after draws with Palace and Arsenal in their last two in the league. With games in hand over the sides around them, there is real optimism that they could push themselves into a European place by the end of the season. Brentford for made the most of set pieces this season along with having a league high five penalties, but the news of Toney accepting his betting charges and potentially facing a long term ban will have rocked the club. He has scored 31% of Brentford’s goals since their promotion and will be a massive loss if he does indeed get a season ending ban, likely to be decided in April. For now their focus will be on pushing as high up the standings as possible with their safety all but guaranteed. Fulham meanwhile are also having a remarkable season. They progressed against Leeds during the week in the FA Cup and have won four of their last five in all competitions. Silva has overseen Fulham winning eleven league games so far this campaign with five away wins in what is their best top flight season since 2011-12 where they won fourteen games overall. However travelling across London to visit Brentford has not been a happy hunting ground of late, having lost four of their previous five away to the Bees. Their set piece proficiency is also one of their biggest attacking threats, meaning both sides will need to be at their best when defending dead ball situations. The Bees have injury concerns over Strakosha, Onyeka, and Jansson and doubts remain over each of them. As for Fulham, they will be without Kebano, Cairney, and Palhinha. Brentford have managed five wins and five draws in their previous ten in the league, while Fulham have six wins and two draws in their last ten league games. Fulham managed a 3-2 win in this tie earlier in the season and this game is definitely going to be an exciting one to close out the weekend as depending on how other results have gone both could see themselves with realistic chances of moving into the top five or six teams in the league. I feel given that Brentford are at home they have that slight advantage and therefore should just about emerge victorious with a 2-1 result.
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.
**I first posted this article on Medium on the 3rd of March 2023, which can be found here: https://medium.com/@1r3n9project/premier-league-22-23-match-week-26-preview-a006d0776ae2?sk=56a07546220e6b4948bde9433ead2eaa **
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