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 City look to extend their lead over Arsenal when they face Allardyce, Wolves and Villa clash in the midlands derby, Liverpool host Brentford in their battle for European football, Newcastle welcome Arsenal, and Forest play Southampton in the big game at the bottom.
Fixtures — Times are shown as U.K. Time
This weeks round of fixtures will see ten games kicking off on Saturday morning until Monday evening.
Saturday 6th May 2023
Bournemouth - Chelsea 3pm KO (Kick Off)
Manchester City - Leeds 3pm KO
Tottenham - Crystal Palace 3pm KO
Wolves - Aston Villa 3pm KO
Liverpool - Brentford 5.30pm KO
Sunday 7th May 2023
Newcastle - Arsenal 4.30pm KO
West Ham - Manchester United 7pm KO
Monday 8th May 2023
Fulham - Leicester 3pm KO
Brighton - Everton 5.30pm KO
Nottingham Forest - Southampton 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 week matches. Remember this is just my fun analysis and should not be taken as advice or a guarantee.
Bournemouth - Chelsea
Bournemouth are in thirteenth with 39 points, while Chelsea are one place above them and only ahead of the Cherries on goal difference.
Last time out The Cherries secured a 4-1 victory over fellow strugglers Leeds, gaining a huge victory in the process as O'Neil looks to have found the winning formula for his side. They have managed five victories in their last seven league games and sit nine points above the bottom three. One more win should be more than enough to guarantee another season of top flight football on the South Coast, and their form against Chelsea in getting seven points in their previous four league encounters will put a further spring in their step here.
Chelsea meanwhile are looking just as bad, if not worse, under Lampard. They lost during the week against Arsenal and have lost all six games he has been in charge of, while only scoring two goals in the process. Chelsea have now suffered defeats in 14 of their 33 league games this season and are, remarkably, still not clear of relegation. A defeat in this game would ensure they cannot finish in the European places, which seem impossible as it is, but would also set a new unwanted club record for the most consecutive losses in all competitions. After spending more this season than most clubs could in a decade, they need to find a way to stop the rot and quickly.
Bournemouth will be without Fredericks, Stanislas, and Tavernier, while they also have doubts over Hamed Traore, Moore, and Mepham. Chelsea meanwhile will be missing Broja, Mount, Koulibaly, James, Cucurella, and Bettinelli.
Form Last Six League Games:
Bournemouth: LWWLWW
Chelsea: LDLLLL
Chelsea did manage to win 2-0 against Bournemouth when they met earlier in the season, but that seems like a long time ago now. Their players look disinterested and lost tactically, the entire club looks a mess. Bournemouth meanwhile are the opposite, showing character and fighting spirit which has dragged them level on points with their visitors this weekend. While it wont be easy, I think Bournemouth will make the most of the lack of confidence at Chelsea and secure a narrow win.
Final score: 2-1
Manchester City - Leeds
Manchester City are sitting top of the table with 79 points, while Leeds are in seventeenth with 30 points.
City took one step closer to a third title in a row when they beat West Ham during the week. Haaland scored his 35th league goal of the season, and his 51st from 44 appearances in all competitions. He now holds the records for most goals scored in a single Premier League season and will be looking for more here. They have moved back top of the table and still have a game in hand over Arsenal, meaning one bad result in their run in will still be enough to secure the title. With one eye on the Champions League semi final against Real Madrid next week, Pep may consider some changes here, but expect Haaland to be on the field until City are comfortably a couple of goals ahead at the very least.
While the prospect of scoring multiple goals against Leeds has been very plausible of late, they have made the shock decision to appoint Sam Allardyce for their remaining games. Gracia did not make the impact they had hoped for, having lost 4-1 to relegation rivals Bournemouth last weekend. Its the ninth Premier League club he will have managed in his 29 year career, and his first job in the league in two years. They have conceded more goal, 67, than any other side in the league and that will be hist first point of call. The job at hand is a difficult one, but Big Sam is certainly a solid pair of hands, having only been relegated once from the Premier League, albeit that was in his previous job with West Brom.
City will need to assess De Bruyne ahead of this one, but bar that have a fully fit squad to pick from. Leeds meanwhile will be without Sinisterra, Dallas, and Adams, while they also have doubts over the fitness of Cooper.
Form Last Six League Games:
Manchester City: WWWWWW
Leeds: WLLLDL
The last time these two met in December, it was City who managed a 3-1 victory. With City at home and edging closer and closer to the title, and possibly a treble, Allardyce has been given one of the most difficult games to start off. Leeds are running out of games to save themselves and I don't think they will have any luck here. City will want to continue their fine form and get a comfortable win by killing the game as quickly as possibly, while then conserving their energy for their massive clash with Real Madrid. City to win with a dominant display and score to match.
Final score: 4-1
Tottenham - Crystal Palace
Spurs find themselves in seventh with 54 points as they host eleventh place Palace who have 40 points on the board.
Spurs lost late on against Liverpool last time out, thinking they had come back from three down only to concede in stoppage time a minute after getting level. Mason has had a tough time since taking over, and Spurs are beginning to slip away from European football contention. It was their fourth game without a win and they sit nine points off fourth place. They have also conceded a whopping 15 goals in those four games, having not kept a clean sheet since their goalless draw with AC Milan back in March. They need to sort out their leaky defence as the goals from Kane and co can only do so much while they keep shipping so many, and such easy, goals against.
Palace meanwhile overcame West Ham last time out for a fourth win in six games since Hodgson took charge. While they looked to be stuttering in their games with Everton and Wolves, Palace are a force to be reckoned with. They have struggled in keeping clean sheets, with only two in their last ten games, but such has been the impact of Hodgson that they are only five points off moving into tenth and the top half of the table. Having moved above Chelsea in the standings they are all but mathematically assured of their status in the league for next season and wont be worried about getting dragged into a relegation battle.
Spurs will be missing Emerson Royal, Bissouma, Bentancur, and Sessegnon for this one. Palace meanwhile will be without Ferguson, Tomkins, Ahamada, and McArthur, while they will need to assess Zaha's fitness.
Form Last Six League Games:
Tottenham: DWLLDL
Crystal Palace: WWWDLW
Spurs managed to beat Palace by a solid score of 4-0 back in early January, but these sides are in very different form now. Palace are flying with Spurs are sinking, and the odds will certainly be in Palace's favour. Spurs still have a formidable attack, capable of causing damage, but their frailties at the back are letting them down. With Spurs having showed glimses of structure and form in their draw with United and loss to Liverpool, anything is possible here. I think Palace will make it very tough and their attacking talent will have plenty of chances. Therefore, with both sides capable of scoring, I can see this finishing as a draw.
Final score: 2-2
Wolves - Aston Villa
Wolves are in fourteenth with 37 points and face their midland rivals, Villa, who are in seventh with 54 points.
Last time out Wolves were put to the sword by Brighton, conceding six for the first time competitively in six years. They are as of yet unsure of their safety, although have a cushion of seven points over the bottom three places. Trips to United and Arsenal mean they are up against it and will need to make this game count in getting towards that magical 40 points. They have only lost two of their last six and Lopetegui will be keen to get back to Molineux, having made it into a tough ground for teams to visit. They are unbeaten in four with Villa and know a positive result here would not only help ensure they stay up, but also deter their rivals bid to get European football for next season.
Emery has overseen a remarkable upturn since he took charge of Villa, they were knocked back last time out having suffered a defeat against United. It was the first time they have failed to score a goal since Emery took charge and they will be looking to get back to scoring ways here. They may not have what it takes to push into the Champions League places, and have played more games than the likes of Liverpool and Brighton, but Villa will believe they can at the very least get into the Europa Conference League for next season. A ten game unbeaten run preceded the United clash, where they amassed 26 points from the 30 available, so they certainly wont be short of confidence or motivation going into this one.
Wolves will be without Francisco Tavares Oliveira and Kalajdzic, while they also have concerns over Semedo and Traore. Villa meanwhile will be Steer and will need to assess Boubacar Kamara, Cash, Bailey, and Coutinho ahead of the game.
Form Last Six League Games:
Wolves: DWWLWL
Aston Villa: WWWDWL
The last time these sides met it was a 1-1 draw. Both sides have plenty to play for, with the pride of the derby also on the line. It could really go either way, and with two astute tacticians, both hailing from the Spanish province of Gipuzkoa, bragging rights are involved for all. Wolves being at home will give them a slight advantage here, given they are a bigger threat in front of their own fans. Villa though are one of the best teams at picking up points on the road, and Watkins will want to get back amongst the goals. It is very difficult to pick a winner, and I think they will cancel each other out.
Final score: 1-1
Liverpool - Brentford
Liverpool find themselves in fifth with 59 points as they welcome ninth placed Brentford, who have 50 points, to Anfield.
Klopp saw his side secure maximum points last weekend with a late winner over Spurs, although he wont have been happy to see his side going 3-0 up and then easing their foot off the gas. During the week a Salah penalty helped them overcome Fulham and continue their late push for top four, sitting four points off United in fourth having played a game more than their rivals. They are on a five game winning streak, A win here would make it the first time since April 2022 that the Reds have managed six league wins in a row, and they are also unbeaten in seven. At Anfield they have not lost in ten league games, and as shown against Arsenal, the home crowd can propel them on to important results.
Brentford managed a narrow win over Forest last time out after they had dispatched Chelsea prior to that. The Forest game was a test Frank's side overcame with a late winner, and they would be more than happy with more of the same here. They managed back to back wins in the league for the first time in 2023, and their slim hopes of European football are very much alive. Sitting four points off seventh place Spurs means they are still in with a shout, but will be wary of Brighton having two games in hand. Their away form could be an issue though, having only won twice in their last eight away league games. They did manage a stunning win away to City earlier in the campaign so should not be written off, although it is evident that their stunning form earlier in the season has dropped off and no matter what happens they are in line for their best ever Premier League finish.
Liverpool will be missing Thiago, Ramsay, Bajcetic, and Firmin, while they also have doubts over Keita. Brentford meanwhile will be without Norgaard, Strakosha, Lewis-Potter, and Jansson, while they will need to assess Ajer.
Form Last Six League Games:
Liverpool: DWWWWW
Brentford: LLLDWW
Back in January it was Brentford who ran out 3-1 winners when these sides last met in the league. This should be an interesting encounter. Neither side have been at their best of late but have managed to secure wins. Liverpool will likely be the more tired side, but also have so much to play for in knowing, however slim it may seem, they could nab fourth from United. At home Liverpool are a strong beast and likely Klopp will be drilling his side to ensure further progress is made as they look to close out their awful season on a high. Therefore, while Brentford will provide a tough challenge, Liverpool will have too much for them and will secure a home win.
Final score: 3-1
Newcastle - Arsenal
The Magpies are sitting pretty in third with 65 points as they host second place Arsenal, who have 78 points.
Newcastle overcame Southampton last weekend to strengthen their grip on third place in the table, sitting two points clear of fourth place United with both teams having played the same amount of games. With eight wins from their previous nine league games, a win here would ensure they are guaranteed of a top seven finish and European football next season, although the aim is certainly now to ensure they get Champions League football. While they are scoring for fun, at least twice in each of their eight league games, they have also only managed to keep a clean sheet once in their previous fifteen. They have won their last four at home and have only lost to Liverpool at St. James Park, twice, since January 2022.
Arsenal overcame Chelsea during the week to get their title bid back on track, but sit a point behind City having played a game extra. After being lamented as bottlers following their three straight draws and then defeat against City, Arsenal got back on track against Lampard's men in what was an overall easy game for them. Having scored and conceded in each of their last eight league games, Arteta's men can secure a top two finish with a win here. Arsenal have failed to win their previous three away games but are still the best-performing team on the road this season. Their luck away to Newcastle though is not the best, having lost away to them last season and Arteta will want to right that this time around as his side make a final push for the title.
Newcastle will be missing Lascelles, Fraser, and Krafth, while they have doubts over Saint-Maximin and Longstaff. Arsenal will be travelling North without Tomiyasu, Elneny, and Saliba, while they also have doubts over Gabriel.
Form Last Six League Games:
Newcastle: WWLWWW
Arsenal: WDDDLW
These sides played out a 0-0 draw when the sides met in January. I think this game will have goals in it, and plenty of them. Neither side can stop scoring, and neither side can keep a clean sheet. Arsenal will face a much tougher challenge than against Chelsea, and Newcastle will be very focused on maintaining their top four push. It will be difficult to seperate these sides, and I cannot see Newcastle losing at home. I also cannot see Arsenal losing, so I am going to back this one as a draw.
Final score: 2-2
West Ham - Manchester United
The Hammers are sitting in fifteenth with 34 points as they welcome United, who have 63 points and sit in fourth, to the London Stadium.
The Hammers have a busy week ahead, as they have their Europa Conference League Semi Final on Thursday night. Last time out they lost to City, following defeats against Palace and Liverpool. The relegation worries looked to have eased, but suddenly Moyes' side are only four points clear of the drop. They do have games against two relegation rivals in their final four, meaning they can somewhat focus on their clash with AZ for now, but it would be naïve for Moyes to ignore the perils his side are facing domestically. Their home form is far from convincing, having only managed 22 points from their 17 home games this campaign. Any sort of result here would not only ease the relegation worries, it would also be a major confident boost ahead of their semi final.
United lost to a last minute penalty against Brighton during the week, following a narrow win over Villa last weekend. Ten Hag will be looking over his shoulder, as his side sit four points clear of Liverpool and have a game in hand, but their form has come into question. They have lost seven games away from home this season and have won just one of their last five on the road. While they have generally bounced back from poor results this season, the pressure will be growing as games run out. Having three home games in their final four after this could be their saving grace this season, with one eye potentially already on the FA Final with City.
West Ham will be missing Coufal, Scamacca, and Zouma, while they also have doubts over Soucek, Rice, and Aguerd, United meanwhile will be without Martinez, van de Beek, Varane, McTominay, Heaton, Jones, and Greenwood. They also have doubts over the fitness of Garnacho.
Form Last Six League Games:
West Ham: WDWLLL
Manchester United: LWWWDW
A narrow 1-0 win for United was the result when these sides met in the league back in October. Not since September 2019 have West Ham overcame United in the league, but Moyes knows his side could badly do with a win here. The Red Devils have struggled on the road and that could play into the Hammers hands, and I think they will make things very difficult for Ten Hag's side. West Ham will make this a tough game and are known for causing problems against the big sides at home, just ask Arsenal after their recent draw. Therefore I can see this one being very close, and while either side may just edge it, I can see this finishing in a draw.
Final score: 1-1
Fulham - Leicester
Fulham occupy tenth in the standings with 45 points and will provide a tough challenge for sixteenth placed Leicester, who have 30 points.
Last time out Fulham lost narrowly to Liverpool from a penalty. They have been struggling recently to score against the sides above them, getting just one goal in three games against City, Liverpool, and Villa. They have however been in full swing against lower sides, especially those battling relegation, managing five goals in two games against Everton and Leeds. The draw back is of course the fact Fulham are safe and sitting nine points off seventh with four games to go, meaning their chances of European football are all but over. Having lost three of their last four home games, they have little to play for and that could go against Silva's men.
The Foxes played out a thrilling draw with fellow relegation rivals Everton in their last game, which did little to help either in their relegation battle. They are out of the bottom three on goal difference alone and could easily get dragged back below the dotted line. Their away form has been awful, conceding 36 goals on the road this season. While Smith has somewhat instilled life back into the side, they still need to sort out their defence. Having conceded first in 16 of their last 17, they have also lost the only game where they scored first, against Palace. They have failed to keep a clean sheet away from home since the World Cup break, and also have only one once in nine away attempts.
Fulham will be without Pereira, Ream, Kurzawa, and Mitrovic. Leicester will be missing Iheanacho, Justin, and Vestergaard. They also have doubts over the fitness of Ricardo Pereira, Evans, and Bertrand.
Form Last Six League Games:
Fulham: LWWLLL
Leicester: LLLWDD
Fulham managed to win 1-0 when these teams met earlier in the season, although scorer Mitrovic wont be available this time. While the Cottagers have more than outperformed their expectations this season, they have very little to play for. Maddison is likely to be fired up having missed his penalty last time against Everton, and Vardy is rolling back the years in a bid to save the club from relegation. While it may be a tough ask given their recent away struggles, I think Leicester will pull off a shock win here to push themselves away from the relegation zone, while Fulham players will already have their heads on the beach.
Final score: 1-2
Brighton - Everton
The Seagulls are in sixth with 55 points as they face nineteenth placed Everton, who have only managed 29 points so far this season.
A solid, albeit late, win for Brighton over United during the week kept their European hopes alive, and got revenge for their FA Cup penalty shootout defeat last month. Sitting four points off fifth placed Liverpool with two games in hand, and eight points off fourth with a game in hand is a brilliant position for De Zebri's side. They look certain for European football if they can maintain their form, and have not lost at the Amex since February. They have also won five of their seven games against teams starting the match in the relegation places this season.
Dyche knows his side are running out of time, sitting a point from safety after their action packed draw with Leicester last time out. They have a huge clash with City ahead, and going into this one have not managed to win in their previous 13 away league games. They did however manage draws in four of their last five away from Goodison. Since the beginning of last season they have won less away games than any other side, while also scoring less on the road than anybody else. If they can put in a similar attacking display as they did against Leicester, then I believe they will have some hopes of getting some sort of result, but luck was on their side in that game.
Brighton will be without Moder, Lallana, Mwepu, Sarmiento, Lamptey, and Veltman, while they have doubts over the fitness of Ferguson. Everton meanwhile will be without Townsend, Vinagre, Alli, Godfrey, and Coleman.
Form Last Six League Games:
Brighton: DWLWLW
Everton: DLLDLD
Brighton comfortably won the reverse fixture 4-1 this season and will be looking for another strong win here. They have their tails up and are battling for a place in Europe, but Everton are also fighting for their lives. I think the Seagulls will prove a challenge too much, and while Dyche will try to keep things tight at the back, De Zebri will see his side break them down. Potentially the flood gates could open if Brighton really get going, so this will be a really difficult one for Everton fans to watch unless they secure an early goal and have a lead to protect.
Final score: 3-1
Nottingham Forest - Southampton
Forest are in eighteenth with 30 points as they face fellow relegation candidates, Southampton, who are bottom of the league with only 24 points.
Forest fell to a late defeat against Brentford last time out, losing three precious points in the process and leaving them firmly in the relegation places. They have the worst goal difference in the league so will need to get enough points on the board to drag themselves out of the relegation battle, and Cooper knows they cannot afford to slip up again here. The fact their home form has them 12th in the league, while their away form has them bottom, is very telling. Picking up maximum points at the City Ground is a must, although they only have one win in their previous six home league games. They have also lost five of their previous six games in the league as their form has fallen off at the worst possible time.
The Saints also lost their last game, having taken the lead against Newcastle but falling to a heavy defeat. They are winless in their last nine in the league and are all but guaranteed relegation at this point. They have been unable to hold onto leads, with the likes of Arsenal also fighting back to ensure Southampton are unable to hold on for a win. They are six adrift of safety and with only four games left they need to pick up wins. Ward-Prowse has been their shining light so far, with a club high seven goals. His set piece capability got them out of sticky situations in the past, but they have been let down by their lack of finishers up front. Their 11 straight seasons back in the Premier League looks like it could be coming to an end without a combined effort, and a lot of luck, for this side.
Forest will be missing Richards, Williams, Boly, McKenna, Wood, Biancone, and Henderson. They also have doubts over Scarpa, Shelvey, Colback, Danilo, and Johnson. Southampton will be without Larios, Perraud, and Salisu, while also having doubts over Onuachu and Livramento.
Form Last Six League Games:
Nottingham Forest: LLLLWL
Southampton: LLLDLL
Last time these sides met Forest won 1-0 back in January. For both of these sides its very much a case of do or die. They need to win and nothing less will suffice as they both sit in the relegation zone. Neither are filled with confidence going into this one and Forest look the more likely to pull themselves out of this relegation battle. A win for Southampton might just put the nail in both these sides coffins, depending on other results. They will be aware of how their rivals have performed going into this one and that could add an extra layer of incentive, but I think Forest should have enough about them to scrape a very slight win.
Final score: 1-0
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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