Good day everyone,
I hope you are all well and having an excellent start to the weekend, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. This weekend sees some huge clashes on Sunday, as Arsenal host Liverpool while Everton face United. On Saturday we have a bogey team for City as Southampton visit them, while Leciester will hope to build on their first win of the season as they face Bournemouth.
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 Monday evening.
Saturday 8th October 2022
Bournemouth - Leicester 3pm KO (Kick Off)
Chelsea - Wolves 3pm KO
Manchester City- Southampton 3pm KO
Newcastle - Brentford 3pm KO
Brighton - Tottenham 5.30pm KO
Sunday 9th October 2022
Crystal Palace - Leeds 2pm KO
West Ham - Fulham 2pm KO
Arsenal - Liverpool 4.30pm KO
Everton - Manchester United 7pm KO
Monday 10th October 2022
Nottingham - Aston Villa 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.
Bournemouth - Leicester
The Foxes will be looking to build on their first win of the season as they visit 13th placed Bournemouth. The Cherries are unbeaten since they lost 9-0 to Liverpool, and they will hope to continue that here. O'Neil has made this side look more compact, although they have failed to score in their previous three home games. They have never lost a Premier League game against Leicester at the Vitality Stadium and will be looking to continue that record here. Rodgers ended a six-match streak of Premier League defeats last time out as the Foxes hammered Nottingham Forest. Leicester have the unusual stat of having outscored every other side in the bottom half of the league so far this season, meaning if they can sort out the defence they could be a real force. Bournemouth will be without Brooks, Kelly, and Stanislas, while Pearson, Rothwell, and Fredericks will need to be assessed. As for Leicester, they will be without Bertrand, Mendy, Ndidi, and Ricardo Pereira. This will be Bournemouth's 100th home game in the Premier League, and while they have been excellent so far under 0'Neil, I feel this game will be their undoing. Rodgers will be determined to keep his side on an upwards trajectory, and they should just about manage to win this game 1-2.
Chelsea - Wolves
Chelsea will be looking to make it three wins in a row in the league as they welcome manager-less Wolves who let Lage go after last weekend's defeat to West Ham. Potter's side managed to comfortably beat AC Milan during the week, sitting four points behind Spurs in third with a game in hand. They have not beaten Wolves in the league since July 2020 but will fancy changing that stat this weekend. Wolves have only managed one win so far from eight matches in the league, meaning they had to act and decided it was best to let Lage go. They will be hoping for a change in fortunes, although this wont be an easy game to turn things around. Costa will be hoping to face his former side, while they will look to get their solid defensive form back which started them off so well last season. Chelsea will be without Fofana for this one while Chukwuemeka and Kante will need to be assessed. As for Wolves, they head to Stamford Bridge without Raul Jimenez, Kalajdzic, Neto, Francisco Oliveira, Collins, and Ruben Neves. Hwang will also need to be assessed to see if he can return to the team. While Wolves are short on confidence they also have plenty of talent in their squad, meaning they will most likely make this a tough game for Chelsea. With Wolves being fresh as they have no European fixtures, they will hope to steal something from this match, and I can see they sneaking a 2-2 draw here.
Manchester City- Southampton
City go into this game on fine form, with Haaland having scored yet again during their midweek Champions League game. A win would put them top, with Arsenal not playing until the following day. The striker continues to amaze with his goal tally for the season now 19 after just 11 games in all competitions. They will be apprehensive of their upcoming opponents though, having dropped points in both encounters with them last season, drawing both matches. City are on a 15-game unbeaten run at the Etihad in all competitions and will be tough opposition for any side visiting them this season. Southampton meanwhile are currently 16th, and will be looking to end a run of four defeats in five league matches. Hassenhutl's side have failed to win any of their last 11 Premier League visits to the Etihad and will be hope to match their results of last season against the champions as they look to pull away from the relegation zone. They have also conceded in their previous 18 matches away from home in the league, meaning Haaland will be chomping at the bit to face them. Phillips, Stones, and Walker will all be missing for City, while the Saints will be without Lavia and Livramento. While previous encounters have shown Southampton are one of the few teams who could keep City at bay, Haaland changes everything about this fixture. He is goal hungry and on such form that there is no way not to back him. I am going for a 3-0 home win.
Newcastle - Brentford
Seventh place Newcastle welcome tenth place Brentford, with the Magpies looking to secure back to back league wins after beating Fulham last time out. The Bees, meanwhile, will be seeking to avoid a third successive top-flight game without a win. Newcastle had gone six league games without a win before they beat Fulham, and will be determined not to fall back into that slump. They have only lost once in their last fourteen games at St James' Park, turning it into somewhat of a fortress in recent months. They are also unbeaten in their last six meetings with Brentford. The Bees have not managed to score in their last two games, having amassed 15 goals in their opening six Premier League matches. They currently six exactly four points from the relegation zone, and four points from the top four. Their goalless draw with Bournemouth last time out ended a run of 19 consecutive away games in the league without a clean sheet. They have however conceded 11 in their previous three trips to St James' Park. Isak and Wood are missing for Newcastle, along with Shelvey, Kraft, and Darlow. Saint-Maximin will need assessment. Jansson, Norgaard, and Pinnock are all expected to miss out for the Bees. With an average of 4.8 per match in the previous five meetings between these two sides at St James' Park, expect goals here. With Newcastle at home and in good form I expect them to follow up their win last weekend with another here, finishing the game 3-1 winners.
Brighton - Tottenham
Spurs lost to Arsenal last time out while Brighton drew with Liverpool, meaning both these sides, currently 3rd and 4th in the table, will be looking to return to winning ways. De Zerbi got off to an excellent start as Brighton's new manager, securing an impressive draw at Anfield to keep his side fourth in the table. Their total of 14 points from seven matches has propelled them into Champions League contention and a win against Spurs, who they beat twice in their last three Premier League encounter, will give real belief to the team. Conte will need to motivate his side after their midweek a goalless draw with Eintracht Frankfurt in their tight Champions League group. Focus must return to the league for now, as their excellent start to the season hit a blip against in form Arsenal. They have only won one of their last four games in all competitions and Conte needs to get them back to winning ways if they wish to keep pace at the top of the league. Moder will be missing for Brighton, while Mwepu is also a doubt heading into this one. Spurs will be Kulusevski, Lucas Moura, and Tanganga, while Emerson Royal is suspended. Brighton are a very tough side to face currently and will be the fresher of the two sides. I expect them to go at Spurs, similar to how they played at Anfield. De Zerbi will want to implement his own style but so far if it ain't broke, don't fix it seems to be the way forward. I expect another goal filled encounter and this one will likely finish level with a final score of 2-2.
Crystal Palace - Leeds
Both these teams meet on the back on four match winless runs which they will be hoping to end. Leeds sit in 12th position and visit Selhurst Park with Palace sitting in 17th. Only goal difference has Vieira's side above the relegation zone, although they have played four time against 'big six' opponents in their opening seven fixtures. They are also only six points off United in sixth, meaning a good run could propel them up the standings. While they have not kept a clean sheet at home so far this season, only conceding six goals in four goals at home is good showing for their defence. Leeds have only managed to amass two points in four games since they beat Chelsea. Marsch will rue those chances as their opposition in those fixtures had been what many would consider beatable teams. They have yet to win away from home this season and are only three points above their hosts heading into this one. Andersen, McArthur, Butland, and Clyne will be missing for Palace, while Leeds will travel without Sinisterra after his red card against Aston Villa. Dallas, Forshaw, Gray, and Fuhr Hjelde are also ruled out for Leeds. Pressure will be on both sides to secure a good result here, and while a draw might seem the most obvious outcome, I am going to back Palace at home to have enough about them in a 2-1 home win.
West Ham - Fulham
The Hammers sit in 15th heading into this one, and after their third win from three group games in the Europa Conference League, they welcome a Fulham side sitting in 8th position. Their opening seven games saw West ham gain only four points, but a win against Wolves last time out has helped move them away from the relegation zone. Scamacca is beginning to get goals with Bowen also looking back on form, and Moyes will be hoping his side can secure back to back wins for the first time this season. Fulham meanwhile have been excellent so far this season, and while they could only manage a draw with Villa last time out, their league position is better than most expected. The loss of top scorer Mitrovic to injury last time out will not help their cause, but their schedule is kind in the weeks ahead. The Hammers will be without Aguerd and Cornet, while the Cottagers will be missing Kurzawa, Solomon, Chalobah, Wilson, Palhinha Goncalves, and likely Mitrovic also. Although Fulham will be the fresher of the two sides, it is also key that they will be without some big players. I feel this will hamper them, and with West Ham on good spirits after their recent wins they will want to push on in the league. Therefore, I am going for a 1-0 home win.
Arsenal - Liverpool
Table toppers Arsenal welcome struggling Liverpool to the Emirates for this one. Arteta has made his side formidable so far this season, as shown against Spurs last time out. They did stumble at Old Trafford but at home will expect to continue their good form. Another comfortable Europa League win has put them in a great position in their group, and the focus must be on the league now. After narrowly missing out on top four last season, Arsenal will want to maintain their title challenge and push City as much as possible. Klopp meanwhile has had his worst start to a season with Liverpool and they sit 9th, eleven points behind Arsenal with a game in hand. While things have not gone to plan so far, they looked a different side against Rangers during the week. A change in formation and personnel, with Nunez starting upfront, seems like a strong tactic to move forward with. Arsenal will prove a tough proposition however, and maintaining a rigid defence which has looked leaky so far will be important. Liverpool generally struggle against the sides who sit back, so potentially this Arsenal game could be a good opportunity for them to show what they are capable of. Klopp knows he needs to get this team going one way or another if they want to be in contention for honours at the end of the season. Arsenal will be without Smith Rowe and Elneny, while Liverpool will be missing Oxlade-Chamberlain, Keita, Arthur, and possible Robertson and Jones also. Expect both sides to be at it for this one, regardless of the European hangover. Both need points, as Arsenal may be in 2nd when this game kicks off. I think Klopp is beginning to get his team going and this would be a perfect stage for Nunez to show what he can do in bullying the Arsenal backline. Jota also love a goal against Arsenal, therefore I am going to back Liverpool to continue their turn around and win this tough away game by a score of 1-3.
Everton - Manchester United
Lampard has managed two wins in his last two league games with Everton, seeing them climb up to 11th in the table. Ten Hag however watched his side get torn apart by Man City last weekend, before staging a comeback in the Europa League to secure a narrow victory on a night Ronaldo will hope to forget. Everton are aiming to be unbeaten in seven league games if they avoid defeat here, and after the near relegation last season they are looking much more solid this time around. With only seven goals conceded, they have the best defensive record in the league. However, they have only managed to score seven goals and will need to improve at that end of the field now they are robust at the back. United will be hoping to boost themselves after being thrashed 6-3 at Manchester City last weekend. Ten Hag needed Rashford and Martial during the week to bring his side back from behind to ensure they did not lose to Omonia in the Europa League. Ten Hag branding them "not very good" in his post-match press conference and will be hoping for improvements going forward. Everton will be without Patterson, Townsend, Godfrey, and Calvert-Lewin, while Mina and Holgate are doubts. United will be without Maguire, Van de Beek, Williams, and Wan-Bissaka, with Varane needing to be assessed. This will likely be a close and tight game. With United likely tired after their tough match in Cyprus, Everton will hope to exploit that and therefore I am backing a 1-1 draw here.
Nottingham - Aston Villa
Bottom side Forest head into this match having only managed one point from their previous fifteen available, but have handed manager Cooper a boost by giving him a new contract. Villa meanwhile are 14th and Gerrard will be hoping his side can build on their three draws and a win from their previous four. Forest have spent a lot but seen little in return for it so far, although Cooper is determined to guide them to safety. Their first season back in the Premier League in over two decades has been tough so far, with only one win in their opening eight games. After their goalless draw with Leeds last time out when playing against ten men, Villa know they need to improve to climb the table. So far they are two points above the relegation zone but things change quickly in this league. A couple of wins could see them pushing for European places, but so far have been let down by their inconsistent attackers. Improving their goal conversion rate will be key to pushing into the top half for Gerrard's side. Forest will be without Niakhate and Richards. Villa meanwhile will be without Diego Carlos, Digne, Augustinsson, and Kamara, while Bailey and Chambers are doubts. This should prove an interesting game. With the backing given to Cooper there will be hopes he game fine tune this side into achieving more, while Gerrard will be keen for his side to score some much needed goals. It could go either way, and likely be a goal thriller. Therefore I will go for a 2-3 away win as the result.
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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