Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and having a great start to the week, 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 fifth round of the season. This will be a midweek round, and sees league leader Arsenal host struggling Villa, Spurs and West Ham clash in London, while Newcastle will travel to Anfield.

Fixtures - Times are shown as U.K. Time

This weeks round of fixtures will see all games kicking off on Tuesday evening and finishing on Thursday evening.

Tuesday 30th August 2022

Crystal Palace - Brentford 7.30pm KO (Kick Off)

Fulham - Brighton 7.30pm KO

Southampton - Chelsea 7.45pm KO

Leeds - Everton 8pm KO

Wednesday 31st August 2022

Arsenal - Aston Villa 7.30pm KO

Bournemouth - Wolves 7.30pm KO

Manchester City - Nottingham Forest 7.30pm KO

West Ham - Tottenham 7.45pm KO

Liverpool - Newcastle 8pm KO

Thursday 1st September 2022

Leicester - Manchester United 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 weekends matches. Remember this is just my fun analysis and should not be taken as advice or a guarantee. 

Crystal Palace - Brentford

Palace welcome Brentford this week after their hard fought defeat to Pep's side over the weekend. Brentford came back against Everton to earn a point after going 1-0 down, and will hope for one better here. Vieira was very positive of his side after the weekend, and rightly so. They scored twice and could have added more to that, and were undone by one of the best teams around. They were overwhelmed in the second half by the quality of City, but will fancy themselves against the Bees. They have lost only two of their last nine EPL affairs at Selhurst Park and will be full of confidence in front of their home fans. Brentford have now got five points from their four games, having always shown their capability to remain in the contest even when going behind. Form is against them heading into this one, as the Bees are winless in their last four away games versus Crystal Palace. Frank will be satisfied once his team continues to pick up the points throughout this campaign. Palace expect to be without Zaha, Butland, McArthur, Tomkins and Ferguson, but Mitchell could be in line to return. As for Brentford, they will be without Pinnock and Canos while Ajer and Jansson will be touch and go ahead of the match. Both these sides have shown encouraging signs in their early games, meaning unless disaster strikes both sides should be alright this season and possibly pushing towards top half finishes. It will be a close and tight game, likely with little separating the sides, but I will go for a tie in this one with the match ending 1-1.

Fulham - Brighton

Fulham will be hoping to make it three games unbeaten at home in the top flight when they welcome high flying Brighton this week. Fulham were undone against Arsenal over the weekend while Brighton continued their excellent start to the season in beating Leeds. Mitrovic has been the brightest spark for Fulham so far, as the Cottagers have proven to be no pushovers in the Premier League. They have played well and showed courage but their inability to put games to bed will cost them down the line if they do not rectify it soon. Five of the six goals conceded so far have come in the second half, showing they tire as the game take it all out of them. The Seagulls meanwhile have a lot to be excited by, as they extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to nine matches last Saturday. Potter will be looking to oversee his side recording three consecutive away wins for the first time in the Premier League, having already recorded their best ever start to a Premier League season with ten points from a possible twelve. The Cottagers will continue without Wilson and Solomon, while Duffy will be unable to face his parent club. Brighton will be without Moder and Lallana, while Sarmiento and Veltman may not be rushed back into this one. While Fulham will form a composed and tough defence to break down, with Mitrovic leading the attacks, I believe Brighton will have the experience to see this game out and get themselves a convincing 0-2 away win here.

Southampton - Chelsea

Southampton will face another tough task after narrowly losing out to Manchester United over the weekend, and welcome a Chelsea side looking to push further up the table after their narrow win over Leicester. Tuchel will be back after his touchline ban, but will have to reshape his side once again after seeing Gallagher getting sent off while playing in a deep midfield role. He will be hoping to see Fofana and others signed in the coming days but they are unlikely to be registered in time for this one. Sterling has gotten off the mark but Mendy has looked problematic in goal, so Tuchel will be demanding his players do not slip up any further this early in the season. Hasenhuttl will be disappointed as his side were ultimately made to pay for squandering numerous opportunities against United, and could have easily won the match. His team has done well so far after the awful opening day against Spurs, and will be hoping to add a couple of new faces before the close of the window to ensure another safe season in the division. Chelsea will be without Gallagher who is suspended, Kante who is injured and Alonso who is desperate for a move to Barcelona. Koulibaly should return to the lineup after his own red card, while Livramento is the only player expected to miss out for the Saints. Chelsea have not looked solid this season, and while they will probably go with a back five again, I can see Southampton causing them problems. This game will be a real test for the Blues, and assuming Southampton can finish their chances here, I can see this match ending 2-2.

Leeds - Everton

This was the relegation battle last season and just look how things have changed. Leeds are flying under Marsch, albeit having lost to Brighton on the weekend, while Everton are continuing to struggle near the bottom end of the table under the guidance of Lampard. Leeds will be hoping to maintain their position in fifth, with seven points from a possible twelve so far. They have no fears of a relegation battle so far and outplayed their opponents until they came up against Potters side. Marsch will need to players to regain focus and rhythm as Lampard has not yet got his team to click. They have yet to score more than once in a game this season, while Maupay has been signed to alleviate that issue upfront. Gordon could be out the door in the coming days but signed off in style with his goals against Nottingham Forest and Brentford recently. Either way Lampard needs to get this team working and pushing up the table, with them currently sitting 18th with two points. Leeds will be without Dallas while Junior Firpo and Ayling should be back in training, and Bamford and Cooper will need to be assessed before the match. Everton will be missing Calvert-Lewin, Townsend, Godfrey, and Mina for this one. The Toffees will be more hopeful of getting results with their new striker, but it is a tall order expecting him to score the goals needed by this club. It will be another difficult match for Lampard and I fully expect Leeds to continue their excellent start to the season, winning this game comfortably 3-1 at home.

Arsenal - Aston Villa

Table toppers Arsenal will hope to continue their 100% start to the season here as they welcome an Aston Villa side who lost out to West Ham over the weekend, piling more pressure on manager Gerrard. Arsenal were far from their best against Fulham on the weekend, but they managed to grab the win while showing that never say die attitude. Some are calling them title contenders, but I think it is much too soon for that. Only a week ago United were relegation contenders, so lets see how the table is after ten games before any of that is talked about. They will also have the Europa League to contend with, which could have a knock on effect on their squad playing Thursday nights. As for Villa, Gerrard is in a huge mess currently. They sit 15th with three points after another summer of big spending, and have lost their last two in the league. They have managed to win three of their last five league matches with Arsenal, but have lost the previous two. Gerrard did oversee a 14th place finish last season and will be hoping to kick start the season and see his side push for a top half finish. Arsenal will be without Nelson while Zinchenko and Partley have also been ruled out of this one. As for Villa, Carlos is the major long term injury, but Mings is expected to recover from his illness and return to the side. Villa need to take heed of how Fulham caused Arsenal problems over the weekend and follow that format. They wont be expected to get anything from this game but Gerrard has called on his players to step up, and this would be the perfect time for it. I will go for an unexpected and heartfilled Villa win here, ending Arsenal 100% start to the season by claiming a 1-2 away win.

Bournemouth - Wolves

After their trashing at Liverpool over the weekend, Bournemouth have sacked Parker but will look to pick the side up for the visit of Wolves to the Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth are 1 point and 1 place ahead of Wolves in the table, with both sides getting off to slow starts this campaign and the Cherries hoping for their first win of the season. Having faced Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool already while conceding 16 goals, they will look towards building a positive momentum within the side and building towards moving up the table. Goal shy Wolves could provide the perfect opposition in that regards, with the midlands side having struggled in front of goal so far this season. Lage has made his new signings in Guedes and Nunes, settling them into the side and providing the platform to build a team around. They need to produce more in games, with their poor return in the final third being cancelled out by the fact they will head into this fixture with the joint-fourth best defensive record in the division. If Lage can find his sides shooting boots, there is no stopping what they can achieve. Pearson will be missing for Bournemouth while Stanislas, Kelly, Rothwell, and Brooks are all also expected to miss out. Wolves will be missing Boly and Francisco Tavares Oliveira for this encounter. Both sides need to start putting performances and points together to get their seasons going, with Parker especially knowing he needs his side to show character after their 9-0 defeat. Their biggest hope is having Solanke back and the fact Wolves struggle in front of goal, meaning this game has a low scoring draw written all over it. I am going to back a 1-1 draw as the result here.

Manchester City - Nottingham Forest

City will be going for back to back wins after they stumbled to a draw at Newcastle and then came from behind to beat Palace last weekend. Forest suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Tottenham but will be heartened by their performances so far in the league. City have unusually been behind by two goals in their last two games, showing great character to come back in both encounters thanks to Haaland in particular. The biggest worry is regarding to any injuries Haaland may get which could derail their season. Nonetheless, Pep's side have won three and drawn the other to collect ten points from their opening twelve available. They sit second and will hope to beef up their goal difference even more here. Forest will be playing against Man City for the first time since 2009 where they met in a cup match which Forest won 3-0. Coopers side have started the season well and occupy 14th with four points so far. Their home fans are a twelfth man in themselves, but the away games will be the real test of this expensively assembled side. City will be without Grealish, Laporte, Phillips, Mbete-Tabu, while Ake is a doubt. Forest will be without Mangala, Richards, and Niakhate. Forest will have great belief in themselves, especially with the array of talent they have got in their side. Awoniyi can do damage up front and could be what they need to break down the City defence, but they will need to be resilient themselves in containing one of the best sides around. Pep will have his side more than ready for the challenge and because of the quality available I have to back City for this one, with the home side winning comfortably 3-0 here.

West Ham - Tottenham

Moyes oversaw his sides first league victory of the season last weekend when a late goal saw West Ham beat Villa, while Spurs had a comfortable 2-0 win against Forest on the weekend. The win moved the Hammers off the bottom of the table but there is still much to do if they wish to challenge for Europe once again this season. West Ham lost their opening three matches without scoring a single goal so Moyes will be aware of how important it is to get his side firing, especially with their Europa Conference League campaign starting next week. They have a tough run of fixtures and will need to bed in their new signings and find their shooting boots asap. Spurs meanwhile are soaring under Conte, sitting third in the league after picking up 10 points from their four games. They managed to finished fourth last season, largely thanks to Arsenal slipping up and relinquishing the position, but Spurs are expected to achieve much better this season. They also have European game from next week, with their Champions League group fixtures starting. West Ham will be without Cresswell, Johnson, Dawson, and Aguerd for this game, while Spurs will head to the London Stadium without Lucas Moura and Gil, with Romero and Skipp back in training but potentially this game will be too soon for them. This should be an exciting and entertaining encounter, with both sides going for it to get the three points. West Ham have always looked strong at home, and their first win of the season should boost their confidence majorly ahead of this one. Spurs meanwhile are flying high so goals will be expected. I will back Spurs to narrowly win this game and continue their excellent start to the season, securing a 2-3 away victory.

Liverpool - Newcastle

The Reds destroyed Bournemouth over the weekend when they put nine past them, and welcome a Newcastle side to Anfield who earnt a last gasp draw to Wolves last time out. Liverpool managed to put nine past Parkers side to quiet any whispers of a crisis at the club, and this will be the perfect game to show they really are back and on form. With Champions League games coming thick and fast in the coming weeks, Liverpool will need to start putting points on the board to keep pace with those above them. Newcastle meanwhile will take this as an opportunity to test out record signing Isak in the Premier League. The striker was not register in time to play against Wolves, but will be a certain to start here. He is a talent and can certainly cause Liverpool problems, and once Newcastle have a fully fit squad they will certainly be pushing for the European places on their current form. Liverpool remain with a large injury list and their fans are screaming for a transfer into midfield, along with Klopp and Van Djik making comments that they could use more legs in that area. They will be missing Jota, Thiago, Kelleher, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Keita, Konate while Nunez is suspended for his third and final match. Elliott took a knock against Bournemouth so may sit this one out, while rumours are that Matip, Jones, and Ramsay are back in training but wont be available for this match. Newcastle meanwhile have their own injury crisis as Saint-Maximin is being assessed for a hamstring injury, joining Shelvey, Wilson, Bruno Guimaraes, and Krafth on the side-lines. This is a very tough match to call, as it depends on which Liverpool side turn up. If the same momentum and tempo shown against Bournemouth is on display here, it could be another big result. Otherwise it could be a long night for the Reds fans. Purely due to them being at home and Newcastle missing their talisman in Saint-Maximin I am going to back Liverpool to win this one 4-1 at home.

Leicester - Manchester United

The Foxes have not had the start to the season they were hoping for, currently sitting bottom of the pile with one point. They welcome a resurgent United side who have won their last two and moved up to eight in the standings with six points. Rodgers has had a tough time of late, with Leicester showing very little movement in the transfer market while the club has agreed a fee to sell Fofana to Chelsea. After their weakness in defence over the past year, it is a tough blow to loose such a key player to the teams plans. United on the other hand have been showing signs of improvement under Ten Hag, winning their last two, albeit if not the most convincing against Southampton. Anthony is on his way into the club and Casemiro should be looking at getting a starting berth here. Signs are positive for United but they cannot let any negotiations around Ronaldo distract them here. Leicester will be without Pereira and Bertrand for this one, while Maddison may also need to be assessed ahead of the game. United meanwhile will be without Lindelof, Williams, Rebollo and possibly Martial. This one wont be easy for either side, as Leicester will be determined to get their season going. Rodgers will also want to prove he cant match it with whats considered some of the best coaches around, and new United manager Ten Hag will be a great test. Given the location and fanfare of whats going on around United, I think they might secure a third win on the bounce and really push themselves up the table, but at the same time I think The Foxes are one of those teams that knows how to turn up against the bigger sides. Therefore, I am going for a 2-2 draw here and a share of the spoils.

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 during the week.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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