Aston Villa VS Leeds
After a week off for the FA Cup, the Premier League returns with Aston Villa hosting Leeds on Friday Night Football. Aston Villa drew one each with Wolves in their last league game whilst in the FA Cup, they suffered a terrible 2-1 loss at home to League 2 Stevenage. Villa currently sit 11th in the league. Leeds United drew two each with West Ham in their last league game and in the FA Cup, they also drew 2-2 in Cardiff. Leeds currently sit 14th in the table. In their previous 11 meetings, both Villa and Leeds have won 3 times each. For Aston Villa, they will be looking to bounce back after that poor loss against Stevenage. Villa are ranked 13th in GPG (1.1) and they haven’t won any of their last 5 home games. As for Leeds, they will be hoping to get back to winning ways tonight. They are currently ranked 10th in GPG (1.5) and they haven’t won a match in any of their last 5 games. They also have the third-worst away record in the league.
My Prediction: 1-0
Manchester United VS Manchester City
A massive game takes place in the Premier League as Manchester United host Manchester City in the Manchester Derby. Man U beat Bournemouth 3-0 in their last league game and in the FA Cup, they beat Everton 3-1. They also won 3-0 against Charlton in the Carabao Cup and they sit 4th in the league table. Manchester City beat Chelsea one-nil in their last league game and in the FA Cup, they beat Chelsea again, this time by four goals to nil. However, they suffered a bad loss against Southampton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and they sit second in the league. In the last 33 Manchester Derby’s, City have won 16 times compared to United’s 13 times. City have won the last 3 times these two teams have met. For Manchester United, this is an opportunity for them to move within a point of their local rivals. Man U are ranked 9th in GPG and they’ve won all of their last 8 competitive fixtures. As for Manchester City, they need to play a lot better than they did on Wednesday night if they are going to get anyway near Manchester United in this one. City are ranked 1st in GPG (2.6) and they have the second-best away record in the league.
My Prediction: 3-1
Brighton VS Liverpool
Brighton take on Liverpool in an intriguing Premier League clash. Brighton thrashed Everton 4-1 (away) in their last league game and in the FA Cup, they stuffed Middlesbrough 5-1 (also away). Brighton currently sit 8th in the table. Liverpool were comfortably outplayed by Brentford in their last league match (lost 3-1) whilst in the FA Cup, they were lucky to draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers (2-2). Liverpool currently sit in 8th place. In their last 13 meetings, Liverpool have won 9 whilst Brighton have only won once. That win came at Anfield in 2021. For Brighton, this is a big opportunity for them to take a massive 3 points. The Seagulls are currently ranked 5th in GPG (1.9), but they’ve also conceded more penalties in the league this season than anybody else. As for Liverpool, a win here would give the whole team a big boost. The Reds are currently ranked 4th in GPG (2.0), but they haven’t kept a clean sheet in the league since October.
My Prediction: 2-0
Everton VS Southampton
Everton were thrashed at home by Brighton (4-1) in their last league game and in the FA Cup, Man United comfortably beat them 3-1. Everton currently sit 18th in the Premier League table. Southampton suffered a poor 1-0 loss at home to Nottingham Forest in their last league match whilst in the FA Cup, they beat Crystal Palace 2-1 away from home. Also, they knocked Manchester City out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday so there’s a bit of momentum building for the Saints. However, Southampton currently sit bottom of the Premier League. In their last 22 meetings, Everton have won 10 times compared to Southampton’s 7. For Everton, this feels like a must-win game. The Toffees are currently ranked 18th in GPG (0.8) and they have the third-worst home record in the league. As for Southampton, this is an opportunity for them to maybe snatch a result. The Saints are currently ranked 16th in GPG (0.8) and they are also ranked 16th in the away league table.
My Prediction: 1-2
Nottingham Forest VS Leicester
Nottingham Forest picked up a big win away from home against Southampton in their last league game whilst in the FA Cup, they were stuffed 4-1 by Championship Blackpool. They did beat Wolves on penalties in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals though and they sit 15th in the PL. Leicester lost 1-0 at home to Fulham in their last league game whilst in the FA Cup, they managed to beat bottom of League 2 Gillingham 1-0. They then lost 2-0 away to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup and they sit 13th in the league table. In their last 12 meetings, Forest have won 3 times, Leicester have won 4 times and there have been 5 draws. For Nottingham Forest, this is a chance for them to move further up the table. Forest are currently ranked 19th in GPG (0.7), but they are unbeaten in their last 7 home games. As for Leicester, they really need to start winning more football matches. The Foxes are currently ranked 11th in GPG (1.4) and they have the 11th-best away record in the league this season.
My Prediction: 3-0
Wolves VS West Ham
Wolves drew 1-all with Aston Villa in their last league game and in the FA Cup, they drew 2-all at Anfield. They then draw (1-1) at Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup before they lost on penalties. Wolves currently sit 19th in the table. West Ham drew two each with Leeds United in their last league game whilst in the FA Cup, they went to Brentford and won 1-0. West Ham currently sit 17th in the table. In their previous 12 meetings, West Ham have won 50% of the time compared to Wolves’ 42%. For Wolves, this is a good opportunity for them to take all 3 points. Wolves are currently ranked bottom in GPG (0.6) and they have the second-worst home record in the league. As for West Ham, a loss here would see them fall into the relegation zone. The Hammers are currently ranked 16th in GPG (0.8) and they’ve been awarded more penalties than any other team in the league this season.
My Prediction: 1-0
Brentford VS Bournemouth
Brentford picked up a brilliant 3-1 victory at home to Liverpool in their last league game whilst in the FA Cup, they lost 1-0 at home to West Ham. Brentford currently sit 9th in the table. Bournemouth lost 3-0 at Manchester United in their last league game and in the FA Cup, they lost 4-2 at home to Championship leaders Burnley. Bournemouth currently sit in 16th place. In their previous 15 meetings, both sides have won 5 times each and there have also been 5 draws. For Brentford, this is a great opportunity for them to pick up another 3 points. The Bees are currently ranked 8th in GPG (1.7) and they also have the 8th-best home record in the league this season. As for Bournemouth, it’s important that they try and pick up a positive result. The Cherries are currently ranked 14th in GPG (1.0) and they’ve lost all 5 of their previous matches.
My Prediction: 4-1
Chelsea VS Crystal Palace
Chelsea lost 4-0 at the Etihad in the FA Cup last Sunday and last night, they lost 2-1 away to London rivals Fulham. Chelsea currently sit 10th in the league table. Crystal Palace were stuffed 4-0 at home by Tottenham in their last league game and in the FA Cup, they lost 2-1 at home to Southampton. Palace currently sit 12th in the table. In their last 21 meetings, Chelsea have won 17 times and Palace have won the other 4 meetings. Chelsea have won all 11 of their previous matches with Palace. For Chelsea, they need to win this game. The Blues are currently ranked 12th in GPG (1.2) and they have the 9th-best home record in the league. As for Crystal Palace, they can win this game if they get at Chelsea. The Eagles are currently ranked 15th in GPG (1.0) and they have the 10th-best away record in the league.
My Prediction: 2-1
Newcastle VS Fulham
Third play Sixth as Newcastle host Fulham. Newcastle drew nil-nil away to Arsenal in their last league game whilst in the FA Cup, they suffered a surprising exit at the hands of League 1 Sheffield Wednesday. They did however bounce back with a 2-0 win at home to Leicester in the Carabao Cup. Fulham went to Hull and beat the Championship side 2-0 in the FA Cup and last night, they beat London rivals Chelsea 2-1. In their previous 15 meetings, both sides have picked up 6 wins each. Fulham’s last victory against the magpies came in 2017. For Newcastle, they need to take advantage of the United v City and Spurs v Arsenal games. Newcastle are currently ranked 6th in GPG (1.8) and they’ve kept the most clean sheets in the league this season (10). As for Fulham, they’ve got so much momentum right now. Fulham are currently ranked 7th in GPG (1.7) and they’ve won every game that they’ve played since the World Cup (5).
My Prediction: 2-2
Tottenham VS Arsenal
The final game of the weekend sees Tottenham Hotspur host Arsenal in the North London Derby. Tottenham stuffed Crystal Palace 4-0 (away from home) in their last league game and in the FA Cup, they defeated League 1 Portsmouth by one goal to nil. Spurs currently sit 5th in the league table. As for Arsenal, they drew nil-nil at home to Newcastle in their last league game whilst in the FA Cup, they breezed past League 1 opposition Oxford 3-0. The Gunners currently sit top of the Premier League by 5 points. In their last 30 North London Derby’s, Arsenal have won 12 times compared to Tottenham’s 11. Arsenal’s last win away to Tottenham came in 2015 (League Cup). For Tottenham, this is an opportunity for them to move closer to their biggest rivals. Spurs are currently ranked 3rd in GPG (2.1) and they have the sixth-best home record in the league. As for Arsenal, a win here would continue to show that they are going to be very hard to stop. Arsenal are currently ranked 2nd in GPG (2.4) and they have the best away record in the league this season.
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