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 have reached the final round of the season, with all twenty teams kicking off at the same time, this weekend will bring a close to an amazing season. City have been crowned champions, while Arsenal, Newcastle and United got the Champions League places. Liverpool and Brighton will play in the Europa League, with Spurs, Villa, and Brentford all fighting it out for a place in the Europa Conference League. Southampton are relegated, but any of Leeds, Leicester, or Everton could join them in the drop in what should be some tense and nervous final day games.
Fixtures — Times are shown as U.K. Time
This weeks round of fixtures will see ten games all kicking off on Sunday afternoon at the same time.
Saturday 28th May 2023
Arsenal - Wolves 4.30pm KO (Kick Off)
Aston Villa - Brighton 4.30pm KO
Brentford - Manchester City 4.30pm KO
Chelsea - Newcastle 4.30pm KO
Crystal Palace - Nottingham Forest 4.30pm KO
Everton - Bournemouth 4.30pm KO
Leeds - Tottenham 4.30pm KO
Leicester - West Ham 4.30pm KO
Manchester United - Fulham 4.30pm KO
Southampton - Liverpool 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.
Arsenal - Wolves
Arsenal are sitting second in the table with 81 points, while Wolves are comfortably sitting in thirteenth with 41 points.
The Gunners will be going into this one having seen their amazing season fade away into nothing, conceding the title to City and ending without a trophy once again. They lost to Forest last time out, and the motivation seems to be gone. Whether Arteta will rotate for this game remains to be seen, but they have nothing to play for bar pride. Arteta will want to give the fans a proper send off, and they can be delighted in having secured Champions League football for next season, but two wins in their final eight league games has been a sour end to a promising campaign. However, one more league win would put them on 26 for the season, the same as their invincible side of 2001-02.
Lopetegui was brought in to save Wolves from relegation, and he certainly achieved that. Wolves were bottom when he arrived, but after the Spaniard claimed avoiding the drop was his greatest achievement, news has emerged over his future. Wolves apparently will have spending restrictions for the summer, and Lopetegui will consider his options. They did draw with Everton last time out, and with safety secured, many players are likely already on holidays in their minds. They have failed to win any of their previous seven away league games and therefore Wolves could finish the season as high as 11th or as low as 15th depending on results elsewhere.
Arteta will be without Martinelli, Zinchenko, Saliba, Tomiyasu, and Elneny, while there are also doubts over Nelson. Wolves meanwhile will be missing Kalajdzic and Francisco Oliveira.
Form Last Six League Games:
Arsenal: DLWWLL
Wolves: LWLWLD
Arsenal beat Wolves 2-0 in their final game before the World Cup break, and while that game was a team in form against a team out of form, this time it is more like two teams in mixed form. Arsenal have lost their way, while Wolves dont need to dig deep anymore. Neither side has anything to play for bar pride, and I expect so rotating of the squads, Therefore, I am going to back a narrow home win based purely on Wolves awful away form, although anything is possible on the final matchday.
Final score: 1-0
Aston Villa - Brighton
Villa are in seventh place on 58 points with Brighton are in sixth place with 62 points.
Villa are in charge of their own fate here, sitting a point clear of Spurs in the Europa Conference League position. A draw with Liverpool at Anfield last time out could prove vital as they look to break into Europe under Emery, although they have only managed one win in their last four games. As long as they better or match Spurs and Brentford in terms of results, Villa will be in Europe next season. Emery is up for manager of the year thanks to his work at the club since replacing Gerrard, and considering they have won each of their last six at Villa Park, few could argue if he wins it.
The Seagulls have confirmed their sixth place finish in the league after drawing against Manchester City during the week, and in doing so will be in the Europa League next season. The club will already be planning their trips around Europe for next season, and the likely the players will be relaxed going into this one. However, the priority for De Zebri and Brighton will be holding onto their key players, with many linked to the bigger sides in the league. Their away form has been inconsistent of late, but they have scored in every away game this season bar against Brentford.
Villa will be without Moreno, Steer, and Coutinho, while they need to assess Diego Carlos and Chambers. Brighton meanwhile will be missing March, Moder, Sarmiento, Lallana, Mwepu, Lamptey, and Sanchez.
Form Last Six League Games:
Villa: DWLLWD
Brighton: WLWLWD
Villa managed a 2-1 win over Brighton back in December, and with the Lions having more to play for here, I think a similar result could be in store. De Zebri's side have overachieved this season in many respects, but can play with freedom in this game knowing they secured their place in Europe next season. Villa still have work to do, but Emery will make sure his side are at the races to cap off a magnificent turn around since he took over. I expect Villa to do the business here and get over the line in securing Europa Conference League qualification, although a draw might be enough, I think they will win.
Final score: 2-1
Brentford - Manchester City
The Bees are sitting in ninth with 56 points as they host the champions, who are first with 89 points.
It has emerged that Ivan Toney had placed 13 bets on his own club to lose as part of his betting scandal, something which lead to his eight month suspension. The thought of him betting against his own side is sure to rock the club, but for now Thomas Frank will need to keep them focused on the task at hand. They still have an outside chance of finishing seventh and getting into the Europa Conference League, and their win over Spurs last time out keeps those slim hopes alive. They are guaranteed of a top half finish, and have the better goal difference between themselves, Villa, and Spurs, with four wins in their last five restoring their confidence of a late surge into Europe. Having only lost twice at home all season, and will likely be willing to give it all here compared to their opponents.
City drew with Brighton during the week, and with the league title already confirmed, their attention may well be focused on the FA Cup and Champions League finals. City are going for a treble and Pep will know that keeping his key players fit for those finals is the most important aspect right now. They will be looking to make it 25 games unbeaten in all competitions here, while this will be Manchester City's 1,000th Premier League game. Pep will likely give some of his fringe players and youngsters a chance, but the lure of hitting 90 points or more is very attractive for a manager aiming to go down as the best of all time.
Thomas Frank will be without Jansson, Toney, Lewis-Potter, and Norgaard. Pep meanwhile will need to assess Ake and Foden ahead of this one.
Form Last Six League Games:
Brentford: DWWLWW
Manchester City: WWWWWD
Brentford managed to beat Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad back in November, and I would not be surprised to see a similar upset here. Pep and his side will be partying and celebrating a fifth title in six years, while Brentford will be fighting to get into Europe. Another time in the season and I would expect City to win this with ease, but I think this will be a tight and close game, with the most likely result a draw.
Final score: 1-1
Chelsea - Newcastle
A difficult season for Chelsea sees them sitting in twelfth with 43 points as they host fourth place Newcastle, who have 70 points.
The Chelsea fans will be delighted to see this miserable season come to a close, having lost to United during the week and suffering their worst season in 27 years. They could finish as low as 14th if results go against them this weekend, having lost 16 times in the league this season. A win could see them move into 11th, but either way its been a disaster of a campaign. Pochettino will have his work cut out when taking over this squad, while Lampard has done his CV no favours with one win, one draw, and eight defeats since taking over from Potter. With no European football next season, the only way is upwards for this Chelsea side, and they will hope to give their fans a reason to smile in this final game at the Bridge this season.
The opposite is true for Newcastle, who secured their spot in the Champions League last weekend and will be looking to end the season on a high. Howe's side could see themselves move back into third in the table if they better United's result, but either way the fans will be delighted with the outcome of this season. It will be the clubs first time in the Champions League since 2003, and the summer could well see a spending spree. Their draw with Leicester last time out showed they are possibly tiring come the end of the season, but their hard work has paid off and expect a party atmosphere from the travelling fans regardless of the result here. They have won only once in their previous 27 visits to Stamford Bridge, but Howe will be wins away to the big six teams in the league become the norm for the club going forward.
Lampard will be missing Badiashile, Broja, Sterling, James, Kante, Chilwell, Cucurella, Mount, and Bettinelli, with doubt over Kovacic. Newcastle meanwhile will be missing Krafth, Pope, Manquillo, Lascelles, Ritchie, Fraser, Willock, and Joelinton.
Form Last Six League Games:
Chelsea: LLWDLL
Newcastle: WWLDWD
When these sides met back in November it was Newcastle who secured a 1-0 victory. While Chelsea showed moments of good play in their 4-1 defeat to United last time out, the club and players have clearly lost any desire and motivation. With next to nothing, bar pride, to play for, I can see another limp performance from this Chelsea side. Newcastle will not be at full strength on Sunday, likely allowing their most used stars a break and giving the youngsters and fringe players a chance. Therefore, while I think Newcastle will be the better side, this game will likely end in a draw.
Final score: 1-1
Crystal Palace - Nottingham Forest
Palace are sitting in eleventh with 44 points as they face sixteenth placed Forest, who have 37 points.
Hodgson has worked another miracle since he took over from Vieira, with 17 points taken from the 27 available under his charge. Their last outing saw Palace draw against Fulham last weekend now means all Palace need is to match or better Chelsea's result and they will finish in eleventh. Doing so will make it their joint best Premier League season in eight years, and they have an excellent record of seven wins and three draws in their final match of the season when playing at home. They are also unbeaten at Selhurst Park since Hodgson returned, with ten points taken from a possible twelve.
Forest have secured themselves in the league for another season and in doing so they won three straight home games to pull themselves away from the drop zone. Sitting six points clear of the dreaded dotted line is a dream for the fans, and their win against Arsenal last weekend has put a spring in the Tricky Trees step. Awoniyi is leading the line and scoring important goals, having put Forest 1-0 up on seven separate occasions this season. However, away from home they are a different prospect, having only managed seven of their points on the road this season.
Palace will be missing Ferguson, Zaha, Schlupp, Tomkins, and Milivojevic. Forest will be without Colback, Shelvey, McKenna, Richards, Williams, Wood, Henderson, and Biancone. Forest also have doubts over the fitness of Danilo, Navas, Scarpa, and Lingard.
Form Last Six League Games:
Palace: DLWLWD
Forest: LWLWDW
When these sides met back in November it was a 1-0 win for Forest, but Cooper's men have conceded two or more in all of their last eight away games, and although the pressure is off, I expect the goals to stack up here. They will be delighted with their place in the league for next season, but Palace will want to bid farewell to Hodgson on a high and therefore I think Eze and co will put on a display to remember in a high scoring win for the Eagles.
Final score: 3-1
Everton - Bournemouth
The Toffees are still in danger of relegation, sitting in seventeenth with 33 points as they host the Cherries, who are sitting in fifteenth with 39 points.
Everton have began to pick up some points in recent games, with their latest outing being a draw with Wolves. Their fate will be sealed on the final day of the season for the first time since 1998, having managed to secure their safety with a game to spare last season. A win will guarantee they remain in the Premier League and their top flight status for a 69th-successive campaign. Bettering their relegation rivals results will also keep them up, but Dyche wont want to tempt fate considering they have lost their last three home games. They have been stronger on the road of late, losing just once in seven away games, but will need to transfer that form to Merseyside if they don't want to rely on other teams doing them a favour. With only two wins in their last fourteen, all the pressure is on the Toffees here.
A season in which many expected the Cherries to go down, O'Neil has worked a miracle in keeping them up with games to spare. He took charge after the club had lost 9-0 away to Liverpool, and what a fitting location for his final match of the season. Their form in April, where the club secured five wins, secured their safety, but their recent form has stagnated somewhat. Three loses in a row, with the latest being against Manchester United, shows they are not quite at the races. Their defence has been leaky all season, conceding over 70 goals, and becoming only the eight side with such a porous defence to remain in the league. They will want to end the season on a high, and continue their run of winning the last four meetings between these sides.
The Toffees will be missing Calvert-Lewin, Patterson, Alli, Vinagre, Coleman, and Townsend, with doubts over Godfrey, Mykolenko, and Davies. The Cherries will be missing Semenyo, Rothwell, Tavernier, Fredericks, and Stanislas, with doubts over Billing and Traore.
Form Last Six League Games:
Everton: DLDWLD
Bournemouth: LWWLLL
Bournemouth beat Everton 3-0 when these sides met back in November, and the Cherries were also victorious with a 4-1 win in the Carabao Cup third round. While the pressure is off for O'Neil's side, there is plenty of pressure on Everton here. Going into this one they are outside the relegation zone, but even a draw might not be enough for them depending on other results. They will need to win and will be hoping the backing of the Goodison crowd can get them over the line, but I think the Cherries will be ready to put on a display and emerge with the win here.
Final score: 1-2
Leeds - Tottenham
Leeds are still in danger of relegation as they sit in nineteenth with 31 points, and will face a Spurs side sitting in eight with 57 points.
Elland Road will host their biggest game in years as the fate of Leeds hangs in the balance here. If they win, they have a chance of staying up providing Everton and Leicester lose. If the Foxes win Leeds will need to better their goal difference, while if Everton draw Leeds will also need to better their goal difference. Allardyce oversaw his side lose to West Ham last time out, after taking the lead but being brought back down to earth by the Europa Conference League finalists. Scoring goals is not the issue for Leeds, having scored in each of their last 12 league games, its keeping them out of their own net. They are without a clean sheet in 13 games and all the pressure is on them going into this one.
Spurs have been in a freefall of late, and since Conte was let go they have dropped all the way out of the European places. A win for Spurs may not be enough to get them into Europe next season, but if Villa lose and Brentford draw or lose then a draw will do for Mason's men, who would sneak into the Europa Conference League on goal difference. They lost to Brentford last weekend and the Lilywhites are having a forgettable season. They have not managed to win in their previous nine away games, and with speculation surrounding star players such as Kane, this may very well be the end of an era for the club. They are still searching for a new manager, but ending the season with some sort of European football secured may help lure a new manager into the hotseat.
Leeds will be without Adams, Sinisterra, and Dallas, while they also have doubts over Junior Firpo, Bamford, and Rodrigo. Spurs will be missing Bentancur, Dier, Sessegnon, and Lloris, with doubts over the fitness of Romero and Hojbjerg.
Form Last Six League Games:
Leeds: LDLLDL
Spurs: LDLWLL
Spurs managed to win 4-3 in a mammoth game against Leeds earlier in the season, where Leeds took the lead three times before Spurs managed to secure the win. This game promises to be just as frantic and feisty, as both have plenty to play for. Some will argue that Spurs maybe do not want to get into the Conference League, but some European football is better than none. Leeds will need to give it their all, and with the home crowd behind them, I think they may just have what it takes to win this game, but there will be goals a plenty and it could really go either way. Nonetheless, I will back Leeds for the narrowest of wins.
Final score: 3-2
Leicester - West Ham
The Foxes are sitting in eighteenth with 31 points as they face off against West Ham, who are in fourteenth with 40 points.
Leicester go into this game knowing they need to win to have any chance of staying up, needing Everton to draw or lose. Leeds are nine goals worse off in terms of goal difference so unless Leeds tear Spurs apart, the Foxes know a win will put them in the driving seat if Everton fail to win. The crowd will be anxious here for certain, having drawn their previous game against Newcastle. Seven years on from winning the title, they would become only the second side to win the Premier League and be relegated, after Blackburn. With just two wins in their last twelve home games, form is not on Leicester's side. They lost eight of those games and never once managed to keep a clean sheet, and have only won their final league game of the season once in the last seven years.
The Hammers endured a difficult season but managed to secure their Premier League status while also reaching the Europa Conference League final. It would be their first trophy since the FA Cup in 1980 if they can overcome Fiorentina in Prague, and many of the players may be focused on that ahead of this game. However, the party mood did not stop West Ham from beating Leeds last time out, and another win here would put them in good form heading into the final. Depending on results, they could move in 13th in the table with a win, which considering they spent most of the season battling relegation, would add excellent gloss to their season. West Ham have also lost their final game just once in the last six seasons and Moyes will be looking to fire his team up before they battle for silverware in a weeks time.
The Foxes will be missing Justin, Vestergaard, and Ward, while they have doubts over Evans, Ndidi, Soyuncu, Dewsbury-Hall, Bertrand, and Ricardo Pereira. The Hammers meanwhile will be missing Scamacca and have doubts over Aguerd and Downes.
Form Last Six League Games:
Leicester: WDDLLD
West Ham: LLLWLW
Leicester did manage a 2-0 win over West Ham when they met back in November, and will be hoping for more of the same here. The pressure will be on Leicester, and that will likely show between the crowd and the players. Many of this squad are FA Cup winners and although plenty are planning on moving during the summer, they wont want to leave on such a sour note. West Ham will likely be focused on their final and therefore Moyes could make plenty of changes to keep his players fit and fresh. Leicester will need to make the most of this if they do and attacking on the front foot while getting their fans behind them. Even if they win it may not be enough, but they need to at least make the effort. I think the Foxes could just about do enough to scrape a win here, but they are more likely to end with a draw due to their awful defending.
Final score: 2-2
Manchester United - Fulham
United are sitting in third with 72 points, while Fulham are in tenth with 72 points.
United managed to secure Champions League football for next season with their win over Chelsea during the week, meaning Ten Hag can be very satisfied with his first season in charge. Winners of the Carabao Cup, FA Cup finalists, and Champions League football back at Old Trafford is exactly what the fans needed. Three league wins in a row meant the pressure Liverpool had put on did not impact the club, and they showed excellent resilience to bounce back after defeats to Brighton and West Ham. Having conceded just nine times at home all season, with 45 points from their 18 games at Old Trafford so far, it is the away form Ten Hag will need to work on for next season. They could drop to fourth if Newcastle win and United lose or draw, but a win here will guarantee a third place finish for the Red Devils.
Fulham are basking in the glory of having secured themselves a top half finish in their first season back in the Premier League, when many had tipped them for the drop this campaign. They enter this game in excellent form, with seven points from their last three games, but with little to play for. They cannot move up or down in the table, but have plenty of reason to seek revenge on United after their infamous FA Cup game earlier in the season which led to Mitrovic's long term suspension. A win over Southampton last time out was routine, but Silva will need his side to be at their best here to add to their 23 points picked up on the road this season.
United will be without Martinez, van de Beek, Greenwood, Sabitzer, Antony, Jones, and Shaw. Fulham meanwhile will me missing Pereira, Ream, and Kurzawa, with doubts over James.
Form Last Six League Games:
United: WLLWWW
Fulham: LLLWWD
When these sides met back in November it was United who emerged with a narrow 2-1 victory. While United will be looking for more of the same here, and to give their fans a big send off, I don't think they will have it so easy. Many players will have one eye on the FA Cup final, as Ten Hag likely already knows his starting line-up. They wont want to risk injury against a fired up Fulham side, and therefore I think a couple of younger players could get some game time for both sides and this game will end in a draw.
Final score: 2-2
Southampton - Liverpool
Bottom place Southampton, with 24 points, host fifth place Liverpool, who have 66 points.
An awful season for the Saints is about to draw to a close, and one which will be full of regret and disappointment. Assured of finishing bottom of the table, they went through three managers, only won six times in the league all season, and lost a league high 25 games. Selles will leave at the end of the campaign and expect many changes at St. Mary's. The likes of Ward-Prowse is likely playing for Southampton for the final time, as they are without a win in twelve league games. Not since 2011/12 have they been in the Championship, and the fans will be desperate for the club to ensure they make a quick return to the Premier League. While they are not expected to win here, they have managed to secure draws with United, Spurs, and Arsenal this season, along with beating Chelsea, so anything is possible.
Liverpool drew against Villa at Anfield last weekend and wins for United over Chelsea during the week and a draw for Newcastle last Monday ensured the Champions League qualification dream was over for the club. They are on a ten match unbeaten run, winning seven of those games, and Klopp will be looking to get his side on the right track to push back to the top next season. Considering where they were a few months back, Klopp has stressed that fifth is a good finish and the club will build on that over the summer. For now it is about giving the departing players a final day out, and ending the season on a high note. They only won three of their first fifteen away league games this season, while suffering defeat in eight of them, but a win here would make it four away wins in a row as the Reds are showing their impressive winning form once again to kickstart into next season.
The Saints will be without Perraud, Bella-Kotchap, Salisu, and Larios, while they have doubts over Adams. Liverpool meanwhile will be without Thiago, Keita, Ramsay, and Bajcetic, while they also have fitness concerns over Robertson and Konate.
Form Last Six League Games:
Southampton: DLLLLL
Liverpool: WWWWWD
It was a 3-1 win for the Reds back in November when these sides last met in the league, and Klopp will be looking for more of the same here. His side can finish no lower than fifth and are guaranteed of their place in the Europa League next season, while Southampton are already relegated and will finish bottom of the league. While the Saints would like to give their fans something to cheer about, in all likelihood the atmosphere on the South Coast will be sour and Liverpool should emerge with a comfortable victory, even if they are expected to field a weakened side and give the likes of Milner and Firmino their final farewells for the club.
Final score: 1-4
Therefore, going into the final game of the season, I believe the key positions at the end of the weekend will be as follows:
1st - Manchester City (UEFA Champions League)
2nd - Arsenal (UEFA Champions League)
3rd - Manchester United (UEFA Champions League)
4th - Newcastle (UEFA Champions League)
5th - Liverpool (UEFA Europa League)
6th - Brighton (UEFA Europa League)
7th - Aston Villa (UEFA Europa Conference League)
........
17th - Leeds
18th - Everton (Relegated)
19th - Leicester (Relegated)
20th - Southampton (Relegated)
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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