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 will see Spurs fighting with top four rivals Brighton, European chasers Brentford host Newcastle, Manchester United face struggling Everton, and Liverpool welcome Arsenal to Anfield in the biggest game of the weekend.
Fixtures — Times are shown as U.K. Time
This weeks round of fixtures will see the games kicking off on Saturday lunchtime until Sunday evening.
Saturday 8th April 2023
Manchester United - Everton 12.30pm KO (Kick Off)
Aston Villa - Nottingham Forest 3pm KO
Brentford - Newcastle 3pm KO
Fulham - West Ham 3pm KO
Leicester - Bournemouth 3pm KO
Tottenham - Brighton 3pm KO
Wolves - Chelsea 3pm KO
Southampton - Manchester City 5.30pm KO
Sunday 9th April 2023
Leeds - Crystal Palace 2pm KO
Liverpool - Arsenal 4.30pm 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.
Manchester United - Everton
Fourth place Manchester United, who have 53, host sixteenth placed Everton who are on 27 points and only out of the relegation places on goal difference. United managed to secure a 1-0 win over Brentford during the week, moving back into the top four in the process. The previous weekend however they were taught a lesson by Newcastle, as United's poor form away to sides in the top half once more was their undoing. They have a Europa League Quarter Final with Sevilla ahead so Ten Hag will be keen to continue their run of 13 league games at Old Trafford without a defeat. They also have three clean sheets in their last three home games in all competitions. As for Everton, Dyche saw his side earn a point against Spurs last time out, and will hope for more of the same here. They are level with four teams on points and only out of danger thanks to goal difference, but Dyche has managed to oversee one win and three draws from meetings with Nottingham Forest, Brentford, Chelsea and Tottenham. Their away form is questionable at best, and Dyche has not found the solution as they are on a run of ten away games in the league without a win. Manchester United will be without Heaton, Garnacho, Greenwood, van de Beek, and Casemiro, while Eriksen and Shaw are doubts. Everton will be missing Townsend, Doucoure, and Calvert-Lewin, while Vinagre is a doubt. United have managed to win three and draw one of their last six in the league, while Everton have one win and three draws in their last six league games. When these sides played each other last October it was United who managed to win the game 2-1. This game will by no means be easy for United, as they will need to keep players fresh for their Europa League game while Everton have the luxury of not having played since last Monday. Ten Hag knows his side have their Champions League destiny in their own hands but can ill afford anymore slipups as the race is still wide open. I can see Dyche causing problems here and with Casemiro missing their is a void in the middle of the park for United. Therefore, I am going for a scrappy game which will end with a 1-1 draw.
Aston Villa - Nottingham Forest
Seventh placed Aston Villa, with 44 points, welcome seventeenth placed Nottingham Forest who are right back in the relegation mix. Villa have gone from strength to strength under Emery and compounded their desire to push up the table with a solid win over Leicester during the week. With Watkins scoring once again, the Englishman now has eight goals in his last ten Premier League games. They have managed to win ten of their sixteen league games under the Spaniard and only Arsenal and Manchester City have picked up more points since his appointment. They are now only nine points off the top four and will have real hopes finishing in the European places. As for Coopers men, they lost to Leeds during the week and only by virtue of goal difference are they not in the bottom three. They are without a win in their last eight league games and although most of the sides around them have changed managers this season, Forest seem to be sticking with their man. They have the worst away record in the league and have only managed five goals on their travels all season. Villa are expected to be without Steer, Coutinho, Cash, and Boubacar Kamara for this one. Forest meanwhile will be missing Richards, Biancone, Henderson, Wood, and Boly, while Aurier, Dennis, Lingard, Yates, and McKenna. Villa have managed to win five and drawn one in their last six league games, while Forest have managed two draws and four defeats in their previous six in the league. When these sides met in October they played out a 1-1 draw. With Villa in such good form and Forest somewhat fading away, there can only be one winner here. Add to that the awful away record of Forest and I feel it should be a comfortable 2-0 home win for Villa, and Watkins could easily get another goal here.
Brentford - Newcastle
Ninth place Brentford, with 43 points, will be up against it as they welcome a rampant Newcastle side who have 53 points and sit in third. The Bees fell to United during the week by a 1-0 score line, and it has severely dented their hopes for European football next season. Their run of two wins from eight league games and without a win in their last three has left them ten points off the top 4. Their home form is remarkable though as they have only lost at home once all season, back in September against Arsenal. They are ten home league games without defeat, and have managed to score in their last eight at the Gtech Community Stadium. Newcastle meanwhile put five past West Ham during the week and will be looking to make it five wins in a row here. Howe has seen his side move into third and if they can keep picking up the points they will be almost certain of a Champions League place for next season. They have scored 11 in their last four games, and are unbeaten in their 15 Premier League 3pm kickoffs under Howe thus far. Their drop in form from February is long behind them and they are clicking like a side determined to make amends for their Carabao Cup final defeat. Brentford will be missing Ajer and Lewis-Potter, while doubts remain over Onyeka. Newcastle meanwhile will be without Krafth, Almiron, and Fraser. Brentford have two wins and two draws in their last six in the league, while Newcastle have four wins and two defeats in their last six league games. When these sides met back in October it was Newcastle who won that game 5-1. Newcastle have the best defensive record in the league but they have been struggling with clean sheets of late. Brentford should be more than capable of scoring, but the same can be said for Newcastle. While the Magpies should have every chance of winning this one, I feel it will end in a 2-2 draw.
Fulham - West Ham
Tenth place Fulham, with 39 points, will be looking to push back up the table as they welcome strugglers West Ham, who have 27 points and sit in fifteenth. Fulham lost to Bournemouth during the week as their excellent form throughout the season has began to unravel. With the news of Mitrovic getting an 8 game ban rocking the club, and the threat of sanctions on manager Marco Silva also looming, their hopes of a return to Europe are fading. They have lost their last four in all competitions, while they are level on points with Chelsea. Their weakness at the back has cost them, with the Cottagers conceding at least two goals per game in their four recent losses. They have also only managed to win of their last four home league games. West Ham meanwhile were torn apart by Newcastle during the week with a 5-1 defeat. Moyes is trying to juggle their Europa Conference League campaign with their abysmal domestic one, and they are now level on points with four teams down to eighteenth in the table. They had been on a four game unbeaten run prior to the humiliation against Newcastle and Moyes will be looking to get them back on track here. Their away form has been awful this season and not since August have they managed an away win in the league. Fulham will be without Kebano, Kurzawa, and Mitrovic, while West Ham will be missing Scamacca. Form wise both Fulham and West Ham have managed two wins and three defeats in their last six league games. When these sides met back in September it was West Ham who secured a 3-1 win. This is a difficult one to call, as West Ham will have to give it their all to push away from the relegation zone, while Moyes will also need to ensure he keeps his players fresh for their European Quarter Final. The fact Mitrovic and Silva will be banned will be a boost for the Hammers, but I cannot see them ending their away day blues here. Whether or not Fulham can manage a win remains to be seen, so I will go for a 1-1 draw, which wont do much in terms of helping either of these sides in their aims.
Leicester - Bournemouth
The Foxes are in nineteenth with 25 points as they welcome fellow relegation candidates Bournemouth, who have 27 points and sit a single place above Leicester. Leicester have lost their last three home games in the league and decided enough was enough after their defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend and pulled the trigger on Brendan Rodgers. Then have since lost against Villa during the midweek clash, and are in danger of demotion to the Championship seven years after their miracle league win. Sadler is in charge for the time being, and a run of six defeats and one draw in their last seven games means they are rooted in the bottom three for now. As for Bournemouth, they beat Fulham last weekend before suffering defeat against Brighton during the week. Their poor away form is a major reason for their struggles, with only right points gained in their fourteen away league games. They have managed doubled that tally at home, but should feel confident against this haphazard Leicester side. The Foxes will be without Justin, Dewsbury-Hall, and Vestergaard, while Tielemans, Bertrand, and Evans are doubts. As for the Cherries, they will be missing Fredericks and Stanislas while Senesi is a doubt. Leicester have managed to draw one and lose five of their last six in the league, while Bournemouth have two wins and four defeats in their previous six league games. Bournemouth beat Leicester 2-1 when these sides met back in October. A win for Bournemouth would see them complete the league double over Leicester for the first time since the 88/89 season, and with how things are going its very possible. With both these sides stuck in the bottom three anything bar a win for either side will be seen as a failure. However, the league is so close this season that anything is realistically possibly enough for survival with so many teams on the same points. While I think Leicester will want to make a statement performance at home with Rodgers having left, I also feel the Cherries will have enough about them to get something from this game, and therefore I am going for a 2-3 away win in another thrilling Leicester game this season.
Tottenham - Brighton
Spurs are languishing in fifth on 50 points as their top 4 hopes are dwindling and they welcome high flying Brighton, who have 46 points, and occupy sixth place in the table. Managerless Spurs will continue with Stellini in charge and look to build on their draw with Everton last Monday night. The mess currently ongoing at Spurs is leaving their hopes of a top 4 finish in doubt while also big questions will surround players such as Kane. They have managed a four game unbeaten run in all competitions, but three of those games have ended in draws. Their home form is good however with wins in each of their last four home games in the league. They will also be the fresher side going into this one, as Brighton beat Bournemouth during the week. Teenage striker Ferguson has been the new kid on the block at Brighton. The Seagulls are on a seven game unbeaten run in all competitions, and have two games in hand over Spurs. They have also managed seven away league games without defeat and have managed to score at least twice in six of those games. Spurs will be without Emerson Royal, Lucas Moura, Davies, Bissouma, Bentancur, and Sessegnon, while Richarlison is a doubt. Brighton will be missing Lallana, Moder, Mwepu, and Sarmiento, while they have fitness concerns over Caicedo, Lamptey, and Mac Allister. Both Spurs and Brighton have managed to win three and draw two of their last six in the league. When these sides met in October it was Spurs who managed a narrow 1-0 win. Brighton have to be that favourites here, with their style under De Zebri nothing short of sensational. A win will propel them right into the Champions League race will almost certainly knocking Spurs out of it. There is plenty on the line for both these sides and availability of players will play a huge part in it. However, I think Brighton will have enough about them to cause an upset and win away with a 1-2 result.
Wolves - Chelsea
Wolves are fourteenth with 28 points as they welcome a lacklustre Chelsea side who sit in eleventh with 39 points. Wolves have found themselves in a bit of a rut lately, with only a single point from their last three games as they are embroiled in a relegation battle. They are a point above the bottom three and Lopetegui has a tough run left with five of the nine remaining games against top half sides. They are strong against teams above them, having managed to win in their last three games against such teams, including Spurs and Liverpool. A draw with Forest last weekend did little to help their position, but scoring more goals will be imperative as they have the joint lowest amount, 23, scored in the league this season. Chelsea have reappointed Lampard as their caretaker manager until the end of the season having released Potter from his job last weekend. During the week they struggled to a 0-0 at home with Liverpool and their lack of form in front of goal was telling. They have only managed two or more goals in three of their last twenty league games, and failed to score at all in ten of them. Defensively they had been solid under Potter but a large squad with plenty of players looking confused about their place in it has not helped. The club is considering permanent appointments for the summer, but for now Lampard needs to drag his club back into the top half along with facing Real Madrid in the Champions League. Wolves will be missing Kalajdzic, Francisco Oliveira, Neves, and Otto, while Boubacar Traore is a doubt. Chelsea meanwhile will be without Broja, Silva, and Azpilicueta, while there are doubts over the fitness of Aubameyang. Wolves have one win and three defeats in their last six in the league, while Chelsea have two wins and two draws in their last six league games. When these two sides met back in October it was Chelsea who won the game 3-0, recording their biggest league win of the season so far in the process. If Lampard's previous record is anything to go by then Wolves should have plenty of hope, but their inability to score is likely going to cost them here. Anything is possible at Molineux, and I don't doubt Wolves could go and score 2 or 3 goals, but I think Lampard will motivate his side enough to end their poor run and secure a 0-1 away win.
Southampton - Manchester City
The Saints are bottom on 23 points and face the unenviable task of welcoming second place Manchester City, who have 64 points, to Saint Mary's. The Saints lost against relegation rivals West Ham last time out, and will need to find a way of improving their home form if they have any hopes of staying up. They have managed ten points in fourteen home games, the fewest of all teams in the division this season, and Selles has only won one of his six top-flight matches in charge since taking over the position as Southampton manager. They are the joint lowest scorers in the division and have relied heavily on set pieces from Ward-Prowse. Four points from safety is far from dead in the league just yet, and their is plenty of teams who Southampton could get above if they can get an improvement in their results. However, facing Manchester City is no easy task. The defending champions are hunting down Arsenal and Guardolia secured his 100th home league win as City manager against Liverpool last weekend. A win will move them within five points of Arteta's side, who play Liverpool the following day. With Alvarez showing last time out he is more than capable of filling Haalands boots, Pep will likely want his side to end this game as a contest as quickly as possible to keep players fresh for the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich. They have however failed to win in two of their last three visits to St. Mary's, so there are no guarantees with this one. Southampton will be without Larios and Livramento while doubts remain over Adams, Bella-Kotchap, and Salisu. City will be without Foden while Haaland with need to be assessed ahead of this one. Southampton have one win and three defeats in their last six in the league, while City have five wins and a draw in their last six league games. When these sides met back in October Manchester City won 4-0, while also beating the Saints in the FA Cup but Southampton overcame City in the Carabao Cup in one of the few highlights of the Nathan Jones era. Despite City suffering defeat the last time they visited the South coast, it seems highly unlikely they will leave with anything bar a win this time around. Their finishing against Liverpool showed their hunger at the business end of the season is very much alive, and I think they could cause real damage here, so I am going for a 1-5 win for Manchester City.
Leeds - Crystal Palace
These two relegation threatened sides will face off with Leeds having pulled themselves up into thirteenth with 29 points as they host twelfth place Crystal Palace who are on 30 points. Last time out Leeds managed a priceless win over Forest, having been beaten by Arsenal the previous weekend. It was the wide play that saw Leeds over the line against Forest, and they are on a run of only one defeat in their last four league games. They have looked strong under Gracia and while they are likely the best of the nine team relegation battle on current form, they are still only two points above the bottom three. A three game unbeaten run at home is also likely to play strongly in their favour going into this one. Palace meanwhile managed a narrow win over Leicester for a badly needed confidence boost with their first win of 2023. Hodgson saw Zaha go off with tears as they will need to find a way forward without their star man, but their 31 shots showed a marked improvement. Their away form needs sorting next, with five defeats and a draw on the road since they last managed to pick up three points away from Selhurst Park. The 13-game winless run in all competitions had fans worried about dropping into the relegation mix and while they are a point ahead of Leeds, they remain only three points from the relegation zone and a bad run of form could easily see them dragged into the battle. Leeds will be without Wober, Dallas, Adams, and Forshaw, while Palace will be missing Zaha through injury and have doubts over Richards and Ferguson. Leeds have won three and lost two of their last six in the league, while Palace have won once and lost four times in their last six in the league. When these sides met in October it was Palace who won 2-1. Although Palace will be without Zaha, they proved last time out they are capable of surviving without him. This will be important with his contract due to expire in the summer, and they have the chance to show here they can be a competitive side within the top division regardless of his availability. Leeds wont make it easy, and they have not lost to a bottom-half team at home all season so I think a win will be a bit much for Palace to secure. All in all I am going for a 1-1 draw in this one.
Liverpool - Arsenal
The biggest games of the weekend as eight placed Liverpool, with 43 points, welcome table topper Arsenal who have managed 72 points this season so far. Having been demolished by City last weekend, Liverpool were lucky to escape with a draw against Chelsea during the week. They have not managed a league win since they put seven past United and Klopp decided to rotate his squad during the week, but with little effect, as they have three loses and a draw in all competitions. They have only managed to score once in that sequence, but all of those games were away from home. At Anfield, only Arsenal, Man United and Manchester City have a better home record this season, and Klopp will be keen to continue a run of four clean sheets in their last four home league games. Anything other than a win here will likely spell the end of their top 4 ambitions, which are hanging by a thread as it is. Arsenal meanwhile overcame Leeds with a comprehensive 4-1 win after a slow start, and they are now guaranteed to secure their best points total since the 2016-17 campaign. They will be looking to make it eight league wins in a row here, while they are also the best-performing side on their travels with 34 points from a possible 42. Anfield has not been a happy ground for them in recent years, as Liverpool have won their last six and are unbeaten in nine league home games against the visitors. The odds are with Arteta's men to end that run, as they have managed to score at least three goals in each of their last five league wins. Liverpool will be without Keita, Bajcetic, and Ramsay, while their are doubts over the fitness of Diaz, Thiago, and van Dijk. Arsenal will be missing Tomiyasu, Nketiah, Elneny, and Saliba. Liverpool have managed to win two and draw two of their last six in the league, while Arsenal have won all of their last six league games. When these side faced off back in October Arsenal managed to win 3-2. This game all depends on which Liverpool turn up, and if its the Liverpool we have seen over the last four games, then Arsenal will win with ease. However, as shown against Manchester United, when Liverpool get going at Anfield it is difficult to stop them. Arsenal have not been the most convincing at the back in their recent wins, but their attack has more than compensated for this. Liverpool's ability to keep clean sheets at home could be a deciding factor, and finding a way past Alisson is never easy. Therefore I am going against my better judgement here and will back Liverpool to secure a vital win with a 2-1 result, and in doing so blow the title race wide open.
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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