Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and having a great weekend, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. Today we will be looking at the upcoming games in the Premier League as we continue into the fourth round of the season. The top three from last season are all at home on Saturday, with each of them having dropped points last weekend. The Group stages have been drawn for the European Competitions while the remaining sides battled in the EFL Cup during the week, and are ready to resume the fight in the Premier League this weekend.

 

 

Fixtures - Times are shown as U.K. Time

This weekends round of fixtures will see the games kicking off on Saturday lunchtime and finishing on Sunday evening.

 

Saturday 27th August 2022

Southampton - Manchester United 12.30pm KO (Kick Off)

Brentford - Everton 3pm KO

Brighton - Leeds 3pm KO

Chelsea - Leicester 3pm KO

Liverpool - Bournemouth 3pm KO

Manchester City - Crystal Palace 3pm KO

Arsenal - Fulham 5.30pm KO

 

Sunday 28st August 2022

Aston Villa - West Ham 2pm KO

Wolves - Newcastle 2pm KO

Nottingham Forest - Tottenham 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 weekends matches. Remember this is just my fun analysis and should not be taken as advice or a guarantee. 

 

Southampton - Manchester United

The Saints are a point ahead of United but will welcome a Ten Hag side which is full of confidence after their win over Liverpool on Monday night. Hasenhuttl has seen his side concede in a nine successive league outings but they turned it around and recorded their first win of the season last weekend against Leicester, meaning both of these sides will be hoping to continue their good form. That put an end to eight winless matches in the league for Southampton, but they have suffered five defeats in their last seven home league games. United had Rashford and Sancho to thank for their goals on Monday night against Liverpool, they will now look to put an end to a disastrous seven-game losing league streak on the road. Ten Hag will have Casemiro available to potentially make his debut, while the club will still hope to add a few more faces to the squad. Southampton expect to be without both Livramento and Perraud for this game, while Ten Hag will travel to the South coast without Williams, Lindelof, and Greenwood. Rumours still persist over whether or not Ronaldo will remain at the club, while Maguire and Shaw will be wondering about their own futures after being dropped for the Liverpool game. With both teams seeing a recent upturn in form this is certain to be an interesting clash. I will back a draw in this one, as I think once United face another team who will play it long to the front their old problems will re-emerge. Add to that the difference in finding intensity at home to Liverpool compared to away at Southampton, and I expect this early kick off to finish 2-2.

 

Brentford - Everton

Everton have seen a change of fortune over the last week, having first secured a point in their last game out against Forest, and then progressing in the Carabao Cup during the week. Brentford lost out to a late Fulham goal last weekend after their excellent win over United prior to it, but Frank also saw his side progress into the 3rd round of the Cup. Brentford have looked solid defensively at Gtech Community Stadium having ensured a clean sheet in five of their six previous league games at home. Lampard meanwhile will seek to improve on the form that saw Everton manage only 1 point away to London teams last season, and finding the solutions up front will be imperative. Gordon is continually linked with Chelsea, while Calvert-Lewin is unreliable with injuries. Ajer, Pinnock, and Canos will all sit this one out for Brentford, while Everton will the above mentioned Calvert-Lewin, Doucoure, Townsend, Gomes, Mina, and Godfrey. Davies will also need to be assed for his fitness before the match. This will be another tough away day for the Everton fans, with Lampard needing to find form quickly to make sure his side are not dragged into another relegation battle. They have lacked precision and creativity and Brentford will look to exploit this with their quick tempo and fast action football. I can only see one winner, and that is the home side, who should win this game 3-0.

 

Brighton - Leeds

Both these sides have made terrific starts to the season, with each of them collection seven points from a possible nine so far. The Seagulls have picked up where they left off last season with their ninth place finish, they have however still got the same flaw of struggling to break teams down and turn draws into wins, especially at the Amex Stadium. They only won five home games last season while only managed to score nineteen goals in nineteen home games. Welcoming an inform Leeds side will certainly be a test of how far they have progressed since last season, especially in loosing star players in Bissouma and Cuccrella to the big sides. Leeds have also suffered the loss of their big players in Raphina and Phillips, but similar to Brighton are not suffering without them. Marsch has implemented his American influence on the team as part of his five summer additions has paid dividends, with Leeds hammering Chelsea 3-0. Leeds will travel to East Sussex full of confidence after their excellent start and be looking to continue pushing themselves further, with quiet murmurs of possible European football for next season. Potter will be without Moder and Sarmiento for this one, while they welcome a Leeds side who will be missing Junior Firpo, Ayling, Dallas, and Bamford still needing to be assessed for his fitness. With both sides full of confidence and on excellent form heading into this one, I expect it to be a very close encounter. They cancelled each other out and drew 0-0 at the Amex Stadium last season, which is a favoured result at this ground. With the teams determined to show their improvement, I can see the final result being 1-1 this time around.

 

Chelsea - Leicester

These teams have had very different starts to the season, with Chelsea suffering a surprise result to Leeds last time out and Leicester struggling to find their feet this season, leaving them in 12th and 19th position in the table. Tuchel and Chelsea have spent big so far this summer and plan on spending a lot more if the rumours for Fofana, who could feature against them here, and Aubameyang are to be believed. They have failed to maximise Sterling so far upfront, and the new additions could be key in their seasons hopes. Rodgers meanwhile is yet to spend any money this summer, seeing his best players in Maddison and Tielemans also being linked with moves away from the club. They have conceded eight goals in three games and will need to sure up that defence if they have any hopes of mounting a challenge on Europe this season. The transfer saga's are not helping but Leicester know how to hold out for the fee they want, and may see more record levels of income from sales this summer. Kante and Kovacic are out with injury, while Broja will need to be assed ahead of this one. Chelsea will also be without Alonso as his protracted transfer to Barcelona carries on, and Koulibaly who is suspended after earning two yellows against Leeds last time out. Ricardo Pereira and Bertrand will be missing for the Foxes, and there is a high probability that Fofana will not want to feature against the side he is hoping to join before the end of the window. Generally this game would see Chelsea as winners written all over it, but their issues upfront and the fact their new summer signing in defence is banned could prove problematic. Leicester meanwhile will be hoping to put one over the team sniffing around their main centre back, and therefore I can see this being an exciting and end to end game. The most likely outcome will be a share of the spoils, with a final score of 3-3.

 

Liverpool - Bournemouth

After their disaster showing against United at Old Trafford following two draws to start the season, Liverpool will be hoping to kickstart things at home to newly promoted Bournemouth. The Cherries are one point and one place ahead of the Reds in the standings, and Parker will be hoping to get one over Klopp and earn himself another managerial win at Anfield. Klopp needs to find a solution to his midfield crisis, with injuries mounting up and a lack of movement in the transfer market hinting at internal solutions. One thing is for sure, 36 year old Milner and 32 year old Henderson cannot be seen as the long term option. Options could be given to youngsters like Carvalho and Elliot, but Klopp has always been steadfast to his players even if it is to his detriment. Bournemouth are looking to survive this season if possible, without aiming to be major players in the league. They have limited their spending and a sense of whatever happens it will be what it will be, but Parker will be hoping to work some magic with his squad. They will be without Brooks, Solanke, Fredericks, and Rothwell, while Stanislas will need to be assessed before the trip to Anfield. As for Liverpool, they will be without Thiago, Jota, Matip, Jones, Kelleher, Konate, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsay, Keita, while Nunez is suspended. It would generally be seen as an easy home win for Liverpool, but having lost for the first time in 2022 last Monday night, I don't think they will be taking anything for granted. That loss could turn out to be the spur they needed and a reminder that no win is guaranteed. I expect a reaction, especially at home, and unfortunately for Bournemouth I think Salah and co will go out with a high tempo and point to prove, A 4-1 win for the home side.

 

Manchester City - Crystal Palace

Champions Man City dropped points for the first time this season last weekend, although did excellent to claw back from two goals down away to Newcastle. They welcome a Palace side who won at Villa last weekend and in the Cup during the week meaning they will be in a confidant mood. City had gotten off to the perfect start, not conceding in their opening two and taking the lead against Newcastle, but they had to fight back from 3-1 down to earn a point last weekend. They had an unusual friendly against Barcelona during the week, but will steer their attention back to the league now. Pep knows his opposition wont be easy, as Vieira oversaw a 2-0 win at the Etihad for his side last season. The Frenchman has been excellent so far in charge of Palace, but a lack of consistency cost them at times last season. Form is on their side heading into this one, having claimed seven points from their last four away league games against Man City. Vieira could see his side draw level on points with City if they manage a win here, while Pep will hope to close that two point gap to Arsenal at the top of the table. Man City will be without Laporte, Phillips, and Mbete, while Grealish and Ake will require assessment. Palace meanwhile will have to make do without McArthur, Ferguson, Butland, and Tomkins for this one. It wont be an easy match, thats for certain. Can Palace contain Halaand? Can Pep vanquish the demons of Palace from last season. Either way this is bound to be an exciting fixture, and I am going to back Palace to cause an upset here. They will be full of vigour and force, more than capable of exploiting the weakness in the City defence. The final score will be a 1-3 away win for Palace.

 

Arsenal - Fulham

League leaders Arsenal have gotten off to a perfect start, and remain the only team with a 100% record in the Premier League. They welcome new boys Fulham who have gotten off to a flying start themselves, after drawing with Liverpool and Wolves while beating Brentford to find themselves in seventh. Jesus has been leading the line and showed what Arsenal were missing last season when they just missed out on top four by two points. Arteta's team won 22 league games last season but suffered 13 defeats which cost them fourth, and they will be aiming to keep up their impressive start here. Fulham dropped to the Championship both of the previous times they were promoted, but they will have hopes of retaining their divisional status this time. They did suffer a defeat in the Cup during the week, but will look to make amends here. They have not beaten Arsenal in the league since January 2012 and the odds will be against them. Arsenal will be without Nelson but should have a full squad to pick from beside that. Fulham meanwhile will be without Wilson and Soloman due to injuries, while Kebano is a doubt. This wont be an easy match for Arsenal, as Fulham have already proved they are no pushovers in the league this time around. The Gunners have been excellent though and due to their strong form and attacking threat, I am going to back the home side to emerge with a 3-2 victory here.

 

Aston Villa - West Ham

Both Gerrard and Moyes will be disappointed with how their campaigns have started, especially after strong summers of recruitment. Villa sit in 13th position while the Hammers are bottom of the league, although the London side have managed to progress into the Europa Conference League Group stages. Gerrard arrived to high fanfare last season after his work at Rangers, but things have not quite gone to plan in the midlands. The win rate has not been enough, with Gerrard overseeing only three wins from their previous fourteen in the league. They did however manage to progress in the Cup during the week and this could be a turning point for them. Moyes has overseen two campaigns with top seven finishes and is adored by the West Ham faithful after their run in the Europa League last season, but that will be quickly forgotten if they don't improve results in the league. Amazingly, West Ham also only have three wins from their previous fourteen in the league, and will hope new signing Scamacca will bring his European form into the league fixtures. Augustinsson and Diego Carlos are the only injury concerns for Villa, while West Ham will be without Aguerd and Dawson while Coufal needs to be assessed. It feels like a big game for both of these sides, with both managers beginning to feel the early season pressure. Although the Hammers will be in high spirits following their European win on Thursday night, I am going to back Villa to scrap a 2-1 victory at home against a tired West Ham side.

 

Wolves - Newcastle

Newcastle will look to make it four matches unbeaten into the new season when they travel to Molineux to face a Wolves side with just one point and one goal so far this season. Lage has seen Guedes and Nunes arrive to strengthen his side, which was badly needed, but will also be aware they will need time to settle and adapt. Wolves were impressive for long periods of last campaign but dropped off towards the end of the season, and that lack of form seems to have carried through into this campaign. Newcastle meanwhile are flying under Howe, pushing Man City last weekend and even racing into a 1-3 lead. They are showing real desire, passion, and hunger, especially considering twelves months ago they were relegation favourites. The spending has been smart and they are looking to break their transfer record with Isak, who would provide more power upfront. European qualification could be a real hope for this side if they play as they have, and keeping Saint-Maximin fit will be key to their success. Wolves will be without Chiquinho and possibly Boly along with Traore and Semedo being left out for this one. Newcastle will travel without the services of Shelvey, Wilson, and Krafth but expect to have Burn and possibly Fraser back. Wolves will be boosted by their new additions to the squad but Newcastle are ahead in those terms. Their signings last January have been instrumental in their rise through the league and Botmon along with Pope have sealed up that defence. It will be an exciting and lively match but I have to back the away side here, with Newcastle set to win this one 1-3.

 

Nottingham Forest - Tottenham

Big spenders Nottingham Forest have so far brought in sixteen players this transfer window, with Gibbs-White the latest and most expensive. They may not be finished spending yet, but for now they are tenth with four points from their opening three games. Tottenham are fourth with seven points, two points behind Arsenal and full of confidence under Conte with their unbeaten start so far in the league. Forest were somewhat lucky with their win last weekend and it was very much the lack of threat that Everton posed which allowed Forest to get their point. Cooper is finding the best way to make his players gel and he certainly has a strong core of Premier League quality level of players recruited and as a newly promoted side they will be delighted with their start so far. Spurs will likely have too much for their opponents, and Conte is getting his side to click even if their threat upfront has not looked sharp since their opening day win over Southampton. Richards and Niakhate are out for Forest, while Spurs will be without Skipp and need to assess Gil, Romero, and Lucas Moura. There can only be one winner here, and while I expect Forest fans to make an intimidating atmosphere for the visitors, Spurs should have more than enough about them to secure the win. A 1-4 result for the away side to help push Tottenham back up towards the top of the table.

 

 

Check out my 2022/23 Season Preview and Predictions here: Premier League 2022/23 Prediction

Also check out my review of the group draw and prediction of the Champions League for this season here: Champions League 2022/23 Prediction

 

Have a great day, I hope you enjoyed the preview of the matches and get to see the games over the weekend.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

 

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