Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and had an excellent week, welcome to CryptoGod-1’s blog on all things sports. We are back after the international break and facing into the final run of league games, with so much undecided from the title race and top four all the way to the relegation battle. This weekend sees massive relegation games between Forest and Wolves, West Ham and Southampton, and Palace and Leicester, while at the other end the European battles continue as Brighton host Brentford and Liverpool travel to take on Manchester City.

Fixtures — Times are shown as U.K. Time

This weeks round of fixtures will see the games kicking off on Saturday lunchtime until Monday evening.

Saturday 1st April 2023

Manchester City - Liverpool 12.30pm KO (Kick Off)

Arsenal - Leeds 3pm KO

Bournemouth - Fulham 3pm KO

Brighton - Brentford 3pm KO

Crystal Palace - Leicester 3pm KO

Nottingham Forest - Wolves 3pm KO

Chelsea - Aston Villa 5.30pm KO

Sunday 2nd April 2023

West Ham - Southampton 2pm KO

Newcastle - Manchester United 4.30pm KO

Monday 3rd April 2023

Everton - Tottenham 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 - Liverpool

We kick off the football following the international break with a big one, as second place Manchester City on 61 points host sixth place Liverpool on 42 points. Neither side is having as stellar a campaign as they have shown in recent years, but Pep has still got his side battling in the league, FA Cup, and Champions League. Pep will be very used to the pressure at this stage of the campaign, and he will be keen to pick up from where they left off prior to the international break. They have won their last six in all competitions and not conceded in their last five, with Haaland scoring eight in the process. Although their form is scintillating, it is often against Liverpool that City have struggled over the years, although they have only lost at home once against the Reds in their last 13 top-flight meetings. As for Klopp's men, twelve months ago they were chasing a quadruple but things have not panned out the same this time around. Their demolition of United was followed up by a poor loss against Bournemouth, and you never quite know what you will get with them this season. A Champions League elimination to Madrid confirmed a trophyless season, and have picked up only 12 points from 13 Premier League matches on the road with seven loses in the process. A win would give their top four hopes a major boost as they are in serious risk of missing out on the competition they have been so dominant in over recent years. Manchester City will be without Foden for this one, and potentially will also be missing Haaland. As for Liverpool, they will be without Bajcetic, Ramsay, Thiago, and Gomez, while Diaz is back in training but this game may come soon, and Tsimikas and Nunez are also doubts. City have managed to win five and draw once in their previous six league games, while Liverpool have won four and lost one of their last six league ties. Liverpool managed to beat City by a 1-0 score at Anfield back in October. This is a tough one to call, especially with the doubts over Haaland being available. If he plays, City are a different beast. Liverpool need to step up for the big occasion but have failed to do so all season, and because of that it is difficult to look past City. I expect the game to be close and it could easily be a draw, but I think City will just edge this one with a 2-1 home win to put the pressure back on Arsenal.

Arsenal - Leeds

Table toppers Arsenal, who have 69 points, welcome fourteenth place Leeds who have a total of 26 points so far. Arteta is on the verge of something special with Arsenal, but this is the business end of the season and where Arsenal have faltered in recent years. They dispatched Palace with ease last time out and with no other competitions to focus on, Arsenal can put everything into the league. Although they had a drop in form in February, Arsenal seem to have moved past that, having scored three goals in each of their last four league games while also on the verge of recording a seventh league win in a row for the first time under Arteta. Leeds, under new manager Gracia, put in a sublime performance last time out and won a six goal thriller against fellow relegation candidates Wolves. While they are still very much in danger of the drop, Leeds picked up their first Premier League away win since October with that victory. Leeds will need to put in the same sort of fight and spirit here if they want to push themselves out of the nine team relegation fight. Arsenal will be missing Nketiah, Tomiyasu, Elneny, and Saliba, while there are doubts over the fitness of Partey and Tierney. Leeds meanwhile will be missing Wober, Dallas, Adams, Gnonto, and Forshaw. Arteta's side have won their last six league games, while Leeds have won two and lost three of their last six in the league. Arsenal managed a narrow 1-0 win over Leeds when these sides met in October. While Leeds seem to have turned a corner since appointing Gracia, they are up against the most in form side in the league. Whether or not the international break will play its part remains to be seen, but if Liverpool take points off City in the earlier game then Arsenal will have the chance to go eleven points clear and all be guarantee the title. I can only see one winner, and it will be a 3-1 home win for Arsenal.

Bournemouth - Fulham

The Cherries are second from bottom on 24 points as they welcome high flying Fulham, who have 39 points and sit in ninth position. Bournemouth had ended a five home game losing streak when they beat Liverpool, but were brought back to reality with a loss against Villa last time out. They have lost eight since the World Cup break and although they are in the middle of the relegation scrap, they are only a point from safety. Their home form has been key to this as they have accumulated 16 of their 24 Premier League points at the Vitality Stadium this campaign. Fulham meanwhile are exceeding all expectations and have a real chance of getting into Europe this season, having been promoted as Championship winners last year. However, they have suffered defeats to Brentford and Arsenal in their last two league games and will need to survive without key attacking players following their collapse against United in the cup and subsequent red cards. They are unbeaten in their last eight against teams in the bottom half meaning they will fancy getting back on track in this one, but Silva will need to make sure all tempers are kept to a minimum as Fulham can ill afford any more suspensions. Bournemouth will need to assess Zabarnyi, Tavernier, and Stanislas ahead of this one, while Fulham will be without the suspended duo of Willian and Mitrovic, while Kebano and Kurzawa are also ruled out with injury and there are doubts over Duffy. The Cherries have won two and lost three of their last six league games, while Fulham have won two and lost two of their last six in the league. These sides played out a 2-2 draw when they met back in August. In normal circumstance Fulham would have to be considered the favourites going into this one, but without Mitrovic and Willian I expect them to be a lot lighter in attack. While they have every possibility of causing the Cherries problems, I think this game could be evenly matched and therefore I feel the final score will be 2-2.

Brighton - Brentford

Brighton are currently in seventh position with 42 points and take on fellow European hopefuls Brentford who also have 42 points and sit in eight position. The Seagulls booked their ticket to Wembley last time they played as they overcame Grimsby Town in the FA Cup, having beaten Crystal Palace in their league encounter prior to that. With games in hand on all the teams above them, De Zebri's side will be full of confidence they can secure a European place for next season. Youngster Evan Ferguson is their shining light in attack while they have won six of their previous seven home games in all competitions. Add to that the fact they have only conceded once at home in 2023 and they will be full of confidence. Brentford meanwhile will be just as confident in their ability to get into Europe as they are level on point with their opposition. Frank's men drew with Leicester last time out and have somewhat stuttered in their recent form, but there would be no better opposition to reignite their European dream against. Their away form has been problematic, with the Bees only managing three away wins in the league from their thirteen games so far. However they have only lost one of their last fifteen in the league and will hope Toney can continue his excellent work up front. The Seagulls have injury concerns with Mwepy, Lamptey, Lallana, and Moder, while the Bees will be missing Lewis-Potter, Baptiste, Ajer, and Janelt, while there are also doubt over Rasmussen. Brighton have won three and drawn two of their last six league fixtures, while Brentford have won two and drawn three of their previous six in the league. Brighton lost 2-0 against Brentford back in October when these two last met in the league. Brentford will look to take advantage of their strong set pieces, and Brighton vulnerability from set pieces, as they face off. A win for either side would put them in the driving seat in terms of the European race and while I can see both sides scoring in this one, I think Brighton will be too strong with them being the home team. Therefore I will back a 3-2 home win here for De Zebri's side. 

Crystal Palace - Leicester

Following the dismissal of Vieira, twelfth placed Palace who have a total of 27 points play seventeenth placed Leicester who are on 25 points. Roy Hodgson is back for his second stint at Palace following the sacking of Vieira, as the club hope he can drag them away from the relegation scrap. At 75 he will certainly be the oldest manager in the league, but he boasts a wealth of experience. They have not managed a win in their last thirteen games in all competitions, and that run sees them only three points above the drop zone and four off bottom. They have overcome their toughest run of games and although they lost their last four in the league, including against Arsenal last time out, the hope is Hodgson has one last piece of magic about him. As for Leicester, they ended a five-game losing run against Brentford last time out with a draw. This saved them from entering the international break in the bottom three, but they are living on fine margins. Rodgers side are without a clean sheet in their previous eight games in all competitions, but they are unbeaten in their last seven against Palace. Leicester have also managed to score more first half goals this season, 24, then Palace have managed gaols all campaign with 22. Palace will be missing McArthur, Guaita, Andersen, and Lokonga, while Richards, Johnstone, and Ferguson. Leicester are going to be without Justin, Tielemans, Bertrand, and Vestergaard, while they also have fitness doubts over Kristiansen, Souttar, Evans, and Praet. In their last six league games Palace have drawn twice and lost four times, while Leicester have won once and lost four times in their last six in the league. When these two met in October the game finished goalless. Its a tough one this, as Hodgson is likely to make his side solid at the back if nothing else. They have struggled upfront, while Leicester have struggled at the back. Therefore it is difficult to see where to goals will come from, and a single goal could be all it takes to win this one. I think Hodgson will be able to get a tune out of his side, and therefore I am going for a slender 1-0 home win.

Nottingham Forest - Wolves

Sixteenth placed Forest are on 26 points as they welcome fellow relegation strugglers Wolves, who have 27 point and occupy thirteenth position, to the City Ground this weekend. The Tricky Trees have failed to win any of their last three league matches on home soil and their nine-game unbeaten league run at the City Ground was ended last time out by Newcastle. Cooper's side had looked to have turned a corner in 2023, but their winless run of six games sees them right back in the mix of the relegation zone. Forest managed to beat Wolves at home earlier in the season when they faced off in the Carabao Cup, but it will be a different type of game this time around. As for Wolves, they lost three of their last four Premier League games as Lopetegui saw Leeds overcome his team last time out. They have played at least a game move than five of the sides below them, and with only two away wins in their 14 away league games this season, they need to improve that form to keep away from the bottom three. Forest will be without Boly, Henderson, Biancone, Wood, and Richards, while they will need to conduct late fitness tests on Aurier, Ayew, Hennessey, McKenna, Awoniyi, Kouyate, Dennis, Yates, and Johnson. Wolves will be missing Francisco Oliveira, Kalajdzic, Otto, and Hwang, while Bueno will require a late fitness test. Forest have two draws and four defeats in their previous six league games, while Wolves have one win and four defeats in their last six in the league. Wolves managed a narrow 1-0 win over Forest back in October when they faced off in the league. This will be a huge game in terms of the relegation battle, as neither team can afford to drop points here. A tight affair is the most likely outcome, as these are two of the joint lowest scorers in the league this campaign. A lack of firepower for both sides will result in another low scoring game, and with Forest being less than impressive at home of late I expect this game to end up 0-0.

Chelsea - Aston Villa

Tenth place Chelsea, with 38 points, host eleventh placed Villa who are on the same points and will be looking to push into the top half of the table with a win here. While things looked to have been improving under Potter, a draw away to Everton last time out dampened the spirits before the international break. They have all be ensured they cannot make the Champions League, but they are in with a faint chance of European football and a four game unbeaten run will give them hope. They have also managed to score at least twice in each of their last three games, but their have lacked consistency as they have only won three times in their last nine home league games. Of all the grounds in the Premier League, there have only been 26 scored at Stamford Bridge, the lowest amount in the league. Villa meanwhile dispatched Bournemouth before the international break and looked to have that fire back about them. Emery could see his side move into the top half with a win here and with ten points from their last four league games, they will hope that rhythm has not left over the break. Since Emery took charge Villa have scored at least one goal in each of his games in charge, and they will look to extend a four game unbeaten run here. Chelsea will be without Broja and Silva, while there are doubts over Mount, Azpilicueta, Havertz, Fofana, Mendy, Sterling, Aubameyang, and James. Villa meanwhile will be missing Steer while they also have concerns over Cash, Coutinho, Boubacar Kamara, and Dendoncker. Potter has overseen two wins and two defeats in their last six league games, while Villa have three wins and two defeats in their last six in the league. Back when these sides met in October it was Chelsea who came out on top with a 2-0 win. With Villa seeming unstoppable in terms of scoring this season, there will be pressure on Potters side here. Potter will have to negotiate the injuries plaguing his side as Emery will believe his side is more than capable of overcoming the opposition here and continuing their unbeaten streak, and therefore I think it will be very close but Villa will just about get over the line with a 1-2 away win.

West Ham - Southampton

The Hammers are sitting in eighteenth with 24 points as they take on bottom side Southampton, who are on 23 points, in a massive relegation clash. West Ham have had an extended break due to their last league game being postponed while the FA Cup games took place, so they last played when they faced AEK Larnaca in the Europa Conference League. While they will have plenty of confidence in winning that trophy, relegation is also a real possibility for Moyes side. Their last league game saw them draw with Villa, but they are in the somewhat better position of having at least a game in hand on all the sides around them in the battle to stay up. A run of five games at home unbeaten will have West Ham confident ahead of this one, as they have not lost at the London Stadium in the league since the final match of 2022. Southampton meanwhile managed a draw against Spurs last time out, while ultimately led to Conte having his infamous rant and being relieved of his position. Although the Saints are still bottom of the league, they have managed to take five points from their last four games. Unlike West Ham, the Saints have played a game more than the four teams above them and can now ill-afford to drop anymore points against relegation rivals. Their away form is also of dire concern, with only one goal scored away from St Mary's in their last four on the road. West Ham are sweating over the fitness of Antonio and Fabianski ahead of this one, while Southampton are without Larios, Livramento, and Bella-Kotchap, while also needing to assess Salisu and Adams. The Hammers have one win and two defeats in the last six in the league, while the Saints have two wins and two draws in their last six league games. These sides played out a 1-1 draw when they met in the league earlier in the season, and could very easily face a similar result here. Spurs were out of sorts when Southampton stole a point, while West Ham are looking strong at home. A Ward-Prowse set piece could easily determine things, so I find it difficult to separate these sides. However, I will back West Ham to secure a narrow 2-1 home win.

Newcastle - Manchester United

Fifth place Newcastle, who have 47points, will be looking to reignite their Champions League dreams as they welcome third place Manchester United who are on 50 points. Wins for Newcastle over Wolves and Forest have reinvigorated the Magpies spirits, having seen their top four hopes somewhat falter in a five game winless run. They face their Carabao Cup final opponents once again here, and will be looking to do one better this time around. Isak is finding form at the right time, but for a side that held clean sheet after clean sheet they have managed to concede in their last eight matches in all competitions. While they have only have two wins in their previous five home games, only Liverpool have beaten Newcastle at St. James Park this season. United progressed in the FA Cup and Europa League in their fixtures before the international break, but they only managed a draw last time out in the league against Southampton. They will need to improve their defensiveness on the road for this one as United have the fourth worst defence away from home in the league. conceding 27 times. With the games due to come thick and fast there is fear that tiredness could creep in, although Ten Hag will be keen to win as much as possible in his debut campaign. Getting a win in the league to put that 7-0 defeat against Liverpool will be top of his requirements for this one before focusing on the other competitions. Newcastle head into this one without Krafth, Almiron, and Fraser, while they also need to assess Pope, Gordon, Botman, and Saint-Maximin. United will be missing Garnacho, Greenwood, van de Beek, and the suspended Casemiro, while also needing to do fitness assessments on Eriksen, Martial, Sabitzer, Varane, and Rashford. Newcastle have managed two wins and two defeats in their last six in the league, while United have managed three wins and two draws from their last six league games. These sides played out a goalless stalemate when they faced off in the league back in October. The loss of Casemiro will be felt by United and this will likely be very different to the Cup final. While both sides are in the hunt for top four, Newcastle could overtake United in the table with a win here and both have played the same amount of games. I think this will be a very tight and close one, with a draw the most likely result or a narrow win. I will go for  a 2-2 draw as the final score here.

Everton - Tottenham

Strugglers Everton, with sanctions over FFP looming over the club, are in fifteenth and on 26 points ahead of their clash against fourth place Spurs, who themselves have fired Conte and sit on 49 points going into this one. Everton have been a much stronger side since Dyche arrived, and are unbeaten in their last three as they head into this one. Their home form has also been a strong point since Lampard left, with three wins from their last four at Goodison Park. Two points separates them from the bottom three although they have played a game more than four of the five sides below them. As for Spurs, the fallout since their draw at Southampton saw Conte have an outburst in his press conference and over the international break he was relieved of his position. Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason will be tasked with taking the reigns until the end of the season, and they will be looking to sort out their away form to kick things off. They are winless in their last three away from home and could be out of the top four by the time they kick off depending on other results. They have a great record at Goodison though, having not lost at Everton since 2012. Spurs will be relying on their attack, being the third highest scorers in the league this season with 52 goals netted. The new manager bounce effect, which helped Everton overcome Arsenal in Dyche's first game in charge, could come into play here also. The Toffees are without Calvert-Lewin and Townsend for this one, while Spurs are without Bentancur, Bissouma, Davies, and Emerson Royal, with doubts over Perisic, Lloris, Richarlison, and Sessegnon. Everton have two wins and two defeats in their last six league fixtures, while Spurs have managed three wins and two defeats from their last six league games. When these two met in the league back in October Tottenham won that game 2-0. Everton will need to be at it here and produce a solid defensive performance against the attacking threat of Spurs. With the future up in the air, it is likely Kane will still be giving his all to get Spurs securely into the Champions League even if he does depart the club in the summer. Stellini has impressed during his few games in charge already when Conte was unavailable, and therefore I think he will manage to kick this side on and they will end their poor away form with a 1-2 away win.

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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