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 only have seven games taking place as the FA Cup Quarter Finals clash with the other postponed fixtures. The games going ahead will see struggling Southampton hosting Spurs, Chelsea welcoming Everton, and Crystal Palace making the trip across London to face Arsenal.
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 17th March 2023
Nottingham Forest - Newcastle 8pm KO (Kick Off)
Saturday 18th March 2023
Aston Villa - Bournemouth 3pm KO
Brentford - Leicester 3pm KO
Southampton - Tottenham 3pm KO
Wolves - Leeds 3pm KO
Chelsea - Everton 5.30pm KO
Sunday 19th March 2023
Arsenal - Crystal Palace 2pm 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.
Nottingham Forest - Newcastle
Forest currently sit in fourteenth with a total of 26 points as they welcome fifth place Newcastle, who have earnt 44 points so far this season. After their mid season revival Forest find themselves on a run of just one win in their previous seven league games and right back in the middle of the relegation battle. They lost to Spurs last time out and the Tricky Trees are now sitting just two points above the relegation zone. Their away form has been awful, with just six points gained away from home this season. At home however they have the second best unbeaten run in the division at nine games, with only Manchester United, twelve games, going longer at home without a defeat. Newcastle meanwhile ended a five-game winless run last time out as they overcame Wolves. Their quest for top four is still very much alive, although they remain four points behind fourth-placed Tottenham. Their away form has seen them fail to win any of their last four games away from St. James Park and they only managed to score once in that time. They have also managed to concede in each of their last five league games although they do remain the Premier League's best defence. They will need to sort their backline out as they face a side who have scored in 12 of their 13 league games at home this season. Forest will be missing Richards, Biancone, Scarpa, Henderson, Wood, Awoniyi, McKenna, and Boly, while there are doubts over the fitness of Kouyate, Hennessey, and Johnson. Newcastle meanwhile will be without Joelinton, Gordon, Fraser, and Krafth. Form wise Forest have one win and three defeats in their previous six league games, while Newcastle have one win and two defeats in their last six in the league. Newcastle beat Forest 2-0 when these two sides met earlier in the season. This is a difficult tie to predict, as Newcastle have been so poor away from home while Forest have been so strong at home. I honestly cannot see Forest suddenly improving from their bad run of late, but also cannot see them being beaten at home. Therefore I am going to back a draw here, with the final score being 1-1.
Aston Villa - Bournemouth
Villa currently sit in eleventh position with a total of 35 points as they host eighteenth place Bournemouth who have earnt 24 points this season. Emery oversaw his side drawing with West Ham last time out as they push towards breaking into the top half of the table. While there has been a remarkable upturn in form since three defeats at the beginning of February, they have only managed two wins from their previous six league games at home. They have however gone on a quite unbelievable run of scoring in every league game under Emery and will look to continue that here, with Watkins in especially good form with nine league goals so far this campaign. Bournemouth meanwhile managed a surprise win over Liverpool last weekend to boost their hopes of climbing out of the relegation places. Having almost secured a win over Arsenal the week before, Bournemouth must certainly be applauded for their attacking output. Goal difference is all that keeps them in the relegation places but their away form will leave little hope of climbing out of them this weekend. They have endured seven defeats in their previous eight away league games, with a league high 35 goals conceded away from home this season. They have however won each of their last four games against Villa and will be looking to continue that fine record here. Villa will be without Coutinho and Steer while they also have doubts over Dendoncker and Kamara. The Cherries meanwhile will travel to the midlands without Stanislas and also have big injury concerns over Zabarnyi, Tavernier, Traore, and Smith. Form wise, Villa have two wins and three defeats in their last six in the league, while Bournemouth have also got two wins and three defeats in their last six league games. The last time these two met in the league Bournemouth emerged with a 2-0 victory. Emery's well-oiled goalscoring machine will be looking to put the Cherries to the sword here, but Bournemouth are just as capable of causing their own problems for Villa. Their quick flowing moves have looked impressive and their January signings have increased their overall threat tenfold. This is likely to be a close game and while either side could take the three points, I feel both sides will be satisfied with a 1-1 draw here.
Brentford - Leicester
The Bees are sitting pretty in eight position with 41 points this season, while Leicester are currently sitting in sixteenth with 24 points on the board. Brentford were in action during the week as they won against Southampton in a 2-0 victory following their loss against Everton last weekend. The defeat against the Toffees saw the Bees unbeaten league run come to an end, but they are still aiming to make it ten games unbeaten at home in this one. Having only lost once at home all season Brentford have put themselves into real contention for a European place this season. Their record against Leicester is not the best as they have failed to win any of their previous three Premier League meetings. The Foxes meanwhile are on a run of five straight defeats including to Chelsea last weekend. Having secured five successive top ten finishes in the league, Leicester are in real danger of relegation this season as they are only out of the bottom three on goal difference. Their away record is also of big concern, having lost nine of their thirteen away games in the league this campaign. With defensive frailties paramount to their decline this season, Rodgers will need to find a solution to their leaky backline soon. Brentford will be missing Lewis-Potter, Strakosha, and Janelt while they also have doubts over Rasmussen being available. The Foxes meanwhile will be without Justin, Tielemans, Kristiansen, Faes, Bertrand, and Vestergaard. Brentford have managed to win three and draw two of their last six in the league, while Leicester have won two but lost four of their last six in the league. These sides played out a 2-2 draw when they faced off back in August, while Leicester beat Brentford away in the FA Cup fourth round. Brentford have the momentum going into this one, and while Leicester will be fresher the odds are stacked in Brentford's favour. They are strong at home and will be unwilling to relinquish their unbeaten home run. With Europe a realistic aim they will likely add more pressure to Leicester and Rodgers by securing a 3-1 home win.
Southampton - Tottenham
The Saints are currently bottom of the table with 22 points and welcome fourth place Spurs who have 48 points on the board this term. Southampton were beaten by Southampton during the week following their draw with United last weekend. Selles has drastically improved the side since taking the reigns from Jones, but they are still two points from safety. They have played a game more than the teams around them, and have only managed to score three goals in their last eight league games. Their have also tasted defeat in six of their last seven Premier League home games. The upside is that they have only concede three goals in their last five league games, with clean sheets against Chelsea and Man United in that run. They will need to maintain that defensive robustness when they welcome the Lilywhites to St. Mary's. Spurs overcame Nottingham Forest in the league last time out and while plenty of speculation remains over both Kane and Conte's futures, they still have the top four to play for. They are a fierce side at home, but they have fallen to four defeats in a row in their last four away games in all competitions. They have also failed to score in their last three away games against AC Milan, Sheffield United and Wolves. Conte has shown his passion once again of late and while Spurs are clear of Liverpool in the race for fourth, for now at least, Newcastle do have two games in hand on them meaning there can be no more slipups. Southampton will be missing Livramento and Larios while there are doubt over the fitness of Walker-Peters and Maitland-Niles. Spurs meanwhile will be missing Lloris, Bissouma, Sessegnon, and Bentancur, while Emerson Royal is a doubt. Southampton have managed two wins and three defeats in their previous six league games, while Spurs have managed four wins and two defeats in their previous six league fixtures. Spurs easily beat Southampton at the beginning of the season with a comfortable 4-1 win. Southampton are very hot and cold right now, having been unlucky not to beat United before being schooled by Brentford during the week. It all depends on what side turns up, but the same can be said of Spurs. They instil so much confidence at home but so little away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This game could go either way, and a Ward-Prowse set piece could be enough for Southampton. However, I think Conte will be pushing his side for top four and that should be enough to see them over the line with a 1-2 away win.
Wolves - Leeds
Wolves are currently in thirteenth with 27 points and welcome a Leeds side in nineteenth with 23 points. Wolves lost to Newcastle last time out and while they are much higher in the table than their opponents, a mere three points separates them from the bottom three. Their patchy form has seen them beat Spurs and then lose last weekend, and currently have only one league win in their previous five games. Interestingly, Wolves have failed to win any of their last ten games when they have conceded, so keeping a clean sheet will be of vital importance. On top of that they have managed to keep a clean sheet in each of their five home league wins this season. Leeds meanwhile have failed to win any of their last three league games, with a draw at home to Brighton last weekend. Gracia has not had an easy start to life at Elland Road and his have drawn eight times in the league this season, and also won the least times with only five victories. Leeds have managed to pick up seven points in their last three meetings with Wolves and they will need that sort of form to climb up the table and away from the bottom three. Wolves will be missing Kalajdzic, Francisco Oliveira, Bueno, and Diego Costa, while Boubacar Traore and Sarabia are doubts. Leeds meanwhile will be without Forshaw, Cooper, Dallas and Adams. Wolves have two wins and three defeats in their previous six league matches, while Leeds have one win and three defeats in their last six in the league. Leeds managed to beat Wolves 2-1 back in August on the opening day of the season, but going into this one it really could go either way. This is a must win for both of these sides, with both of them struggling going into this one. However, with Wolves being at home I can see they coming out on top here. They are more than capable of better the better sides in the league and could easily secure a good win here, so I am backing them to pile more misery on Leeds and secure a 2-0 home win.
Chelsea - Everton
Sitting in tenth with 37 points, Chelsea welcome struggling Everton to Stamford Bridge, with the visitors in fifteenth with 25 points. Chelsea overcame Leicester City last weekend as the Potter revival continues. Potter has got his side working once again with a three at the back formation, having secured two league wins in a row after their comeback against Dortmund to progress into the Champions League Quarter Finals. While they are in an upturn in form, they still sit in the middle of the table and eleven points off fourth with a game in hand on Spurs. At home they are looking strong, having only conceded once in their last four games at Stamford Bridge, and are currently on a 29-year unbeaten home run against this weekends opponents. Everton managed to beat Brentford last time out and their push for survival is still very much alive under Dyche. They are sitting comfortable in fifteenth but are only a point clear of the bottom three. They have also played a game more than four of the five sides below them so a single bad result could put them right back into the bottom three. To add to their woes this weekend, all three of Dyche's win in charge of Everton have come at Goodison Park and currently they are on an eleven game streak with an away win in all competitions. They have lost six and drawn three of their last nine away from home in the league, conceding at least twice in each of their last five away games. Chelsea will be missing Azpilicueta, Broja, and Thiago Silva, while Mount, Mendy, Sterling, James, Kante, and Aubameyang. Everton will be without Townsend, while there are doubts over Calvert-Lewin and Patterson. Chelsea have two wins and two defeats in their previous six in the league, while Everton have two wins and three defeats in their last six league games. Chelsea managed to secure a narrow win the last time these two met in the league, and will be hoping for another victory here. With form on Chelsea's side and their current momentum, it seems likely Dyche's side will suffer here. With each passing game Chelsea seem to be gelling and clicking more and more, and this could be the game for them to really unleash their new attacking threat. Therefore, I am going to back Chelsea to win this one 3-0 at home.
Arsenal - Crystal Palace
League leader Arsenal, with a total of 66 points, welcome struggling Crystal Palace who occupy twelfth with 27 points. Arsenal will go into this game knowing Manchester City are not playing this weekend, and a win would ensure they are eight points clear going into the international break. A strong 3-0 win over Fulham last weekend saw Arsenal continue their march towards the title, but Arteta's side also had the difficulty of an European tie on Thursday night where they went to extra time and eventually lost the tie on penalties. While their European adventure is over, they have won their last five in the league and Arteta will focus his side purely on the league now. Their thin squad may be their undoing in the end, but for now Arteta is keeping faith in his side and they will push Manchester City all the way till the end of the season. Palace meanwhile have lost their last three games by a narrow score of 1-0, with Brighton adding to their woes during the week after Manchester City beat them last weekend. Goals have been lacking for Vieira's side this season, and they have failed to score in their last four league games. They are also without a win since beating West Ham on the 6th of November, before the World Cup break, making it eleven league games without a win. They will also be without their number one and number two between the sticks, meaning Whitworth is likely to continue in goal after his debut against Brighton. The odds are against Vieira's men here and they find themselves getting dragged into the relegation battle with only three points between Palace and the relegation places. Arsenal will be missing Nketiah and Elneny, while Palace will be without Johnstone and Guaita while they also have concerns over Hughes, McArthur, and Ferguson. Arsenal have managed to win five and only lost once in their previous six league games, while Palace have three draws and three defeats in their previous six in the league. Arsenal beat Palace 2-0 back at the start of the season, and they will be confident of repeating the result here. They are full of confidence as they face a team struggling for goals. Depending on who starts in goal for Palace they could be really up against it here. I can see Arsenal wanting to close off this part of the season before the break with a strong message and signal of intent, and therefore I am backing them to win this one 4-0.
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 16th of March 2023, which can be found here: https://medium.com/@1r3n9project/premier-league-22-23-match-week-28-preview-f8a41f7048d3?sk=99dedbae8061d65da6abdc83325dac45 **
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