A great weekend of Premier League action is in store for us with top of the table clashes, bottom of the league survival campaigns, culminating with a North v West London derby clash on Sunday.
Fulham v Wolves – Friday 24th February
After a run of 4 winless games in all competitions and only managing to secure one point out of a potential nine in the Premier League, Fulham’s form had dipped. However, they have made a strong recovery by winning three consecutive matches. Their back-to-back victories in the Premier League have provided them with some momentum, and they have now emerged victorious in three of their last four league games played at Craven Cottage.
Tom Cairney is anticipated to be absent, and Fulham is assessing the fitness of their talisman, Aleksandar Mitrovic, who was unavailable in the previous weekend.
Wolves appeared to be gaining momentum after clinching three out of their last four Premier League matches, including back-to-back triumphs over Liverpool and Southampton. Nonetheless, the recent home defeat to Bournemouth has dealt a significant blow to their progress. Despite this, their away form has been reasonably strong, having only lost one of their last seven matches in all competitions. A few weeks back, they managed to come from behind and secure a win at St Mary’s against Southampton. Although they have only won two away League games this season, both of them have been under their current manager and since returning from the World Cup.
Mario Lemina is set to return from suspension, while Hee-Chan Hwang remains unavailable.
Wolves may find it more challenging to secure a win at Craven Cottage, given the current momentum behind the home team, who have won three consecutive matches. Furthermore, the absence of Aleksandar Mitrovic due to a slight hamstring issue may pose a significant challenge for Fulham against an improved Wolves backline that has recently shown more organization. Fulham may not risk playing Mitrovic in this game, with an important FA Cup Fifth Round tie coming up. Despite keeping back-to-back clean sheets, Fulham is still allowing chances in games.
Although Wolves have not been high-scoring this season, they have managed to score more goals than Fulham in their last six Premier League games. It is expected that the first goal in this game will be crucial, and there may not be a substantial difference between the two clubs. Wolves can bounce back from their recent setback, and there is a possibility that they may do enough to avoid another loss. Under Julen Lopetegui’s management, Wolves have shown that they can be a competent team. Although Marco Silva’s Fulham deserves respect, Wolves could display enough resilience to avoid defeat, especially if Mitrovic is absent again.
Premier League Head to Head Stats
13/08/22, 16:00 Wolverhampton Wanderers – Fulham 0 : 0 (0 : 0) (0 : 0)
09/04/21, 21:00 Fulham – Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 : 1 (0 : 0) (0 : 1)
04/10/20, 15:00 Wolverhampton Wanderers – Fulham 1 : 0 (0 : 0) (1 : 0)
04/05/19, 16:00 Wolverhampton Wanderers – Fulham 1 : 0 (0 : 0) (1 : 0)
26/12/18, 13:30 Fulham – Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 : 1 (0 : 0) (1 : 1)
Match Result Prediction
Both teams to draw.
Score Prediction
Fulham 1 – 1 Wolves
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Leicester City v Arsenal – Saturday 25th February
Leicester City came into their match at Old Trafford with a sense of assurance, having gone undefeated in their last four games across all competitions and securing three consecutive wins, including two back-to-back victories in the Premier League. Although they had not been able to clinch a victory in any of their three games at the King Power Stadium since their return from the World Cup, they managed to dominate Tottenham Hotspur in their last league game, defeating them 4-1, despite conceding the first goal.
Regrettably, Jonny Evans, Ryan Bertrand, and James Justin are all enduring long-term injuries and were not included in the squad.
After enduring a streak of four games without a win in all competitions, three of which resulted in losses, Arsenal’s form had taken a dip and they were also struggling to find the back of the net. However, their dry spell came to an end with a 4-2 victory over Aston Villa, and they have since gone on to win five out of their last six Premier League away games.
This weekend, Thomas Partey is expected to make a return to the squad, although Mohamed Elneny and Gabriel Jesus are still not quite fit to play.
Leicester City will host the current league leaders on Saturday, and they will draw confidence from Manchester City and Aston Villa’s recent success against Arsenal in terms of creating chances and scoring goals.
Nevertheless, Arsenal displayed their own resilience and determination in their 4-2 comeback victory against Aston Villa last weekend, which was a crucial result on a day when Manchester City lost points. This presents a genuine opportunity for Arsenal to apply pressure on the defending champions, especially since they have won five of their last six Premier League away matches.
Despite Leicester City’s belief that they can exploit Arsenal’s defensive weaknesses, the Gunners are confident they can score against a team that has conceded at least twice in seven out of nine Premier League games played since the World Cup, including against Newcastle United and Brighton. Both sides are expected to showcase their attacking prowess in what should be an exciting game, possibly rivalling the positive football played in the 4-2 Arsenal win over Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium in August.
Arsenal may be better equipped to keep a clean sheet, but Leicester City boasts attacking talents like Harvey Barnes and James Maddison who can create openings. As long as they are more efficient in front of goal than they were last weekend, Leicester City should contribute to a captivating fixture.
Premier League Head to Head Stats
13/08/22, 16:00 Arsenal – Leicester City 4 : 2 (2 : 0) (2 : 2)
13/03/22, 17:30 Arsenal – Leicester City 2 : 0 (1 : 0) (1 : 0)
30/10/21, 13:30 Leicester City – Arsenal 0 : 2 (0 : 2) (0 : 0)
28/02/21, 13:00 Leicester City – Arsenal 1 : 3 (1 : 2) (0 : 1)
25/10/20, 20:15 Arsenal – Leicester City 0 : 1 (0 : 0) (0 : 1)
Match Result Prediction
Arsenal to win.
Score Prediction
Leicester City 1 – 3 Arsenal
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Leeds United v Southampton – Saturday 25th February
The newly appointed manager has a successful track record in the Premier League from his previous tenure at Vicarage Road. However, he is faced with the challenge of leading a team that has fallen to 19th place in the league table. With 15 league games remaining, Leeds United still have a chance to avoid relegation as they sit only two points away from safety. The upcoming weekend game holds significant importance for them. Their home record in the league stands at 3 wins, 4 draws, and 4 losses at Elland Road.
Leeds United’s recent form is a cause for concern as they have gone winless for 10 Premier League games, losing three of their last four league matches. Their only victories during this time have come in the FA Cup. While they managed to secure draws against West Ham United and Brentford in home league matches, they suffered a 0-2 defeat to Manchester United in their last fixture played at Elland Road, conceding two late goals.
Max Wober is the latest player to join the long-term injury list, but Marc Roca and Pascal Struijk are expected to be available for the new manager’s first game in charge. However, Luis Sinisterra’s availability remains uncertain, and Rodrigo continues to remain sidelined.
Southampton’s relegation rivals picked up valuable points during the weekend, making it crucial for the team to stay in touch with those above them. Despite being at the bottom of the Premier League table, Southampton is now only 3 points away from safety. They carry a 4-0-8 away record into their upcoming long trip to the North.
Prior to their recent win at Stamford Bridge, Southampton had lost three consecutive games and were under pressure to make a significant change, leading to the sacking of Nathan Jones. The team had previously lost four out of five away Premier League matches, but the recent win has improved their record, with three victories in their last seven away matches in the top-flight.
Stuart Armstrong’s availability is uncertain, but Juan Larios and Che Adams are expected to push for a return to the squad.
Javi Gracia, who has prior Premier League experience and has previously led Watford to safety in the top flight, is expected to bring a sense of belief to Leeds United. The team has performed well in their recent home games, which could prove to be a crucial advantage for them in the upcoming fixture.
While credit must be given to Southampton for their win at Stamford Bridge, it was evident that they were fortunate on the day. Although Leeds United may not create as many chances as Chelsea did, they possess players in the final third who can make a significant impact, and I believe that the home team can secure an essential victory.
The visitors will undoubtedly arrive with confidence and belief, but the home advantage that Leeds United possesses can give them an edge in earning three points. With Javi Gracia boosting the entire stadium, I believe that the stronger Leeds United forwards compared to their Southampton counterparts can help settle this relegation six-pointer in their favour, albeit by a narrow margin.
Premier League Head to Head Stats
13/08/22, 16:00 Southampton – Leeds United 2 : 2 (0 : 0) (2 : 2)
02/04/22, 16:00 Leeds United – Southampton 1 : 1 (1 : 0) (0 : 1)
16/10/21, 16:00 Southampton – Leeds United 1 : 0 (0 : 0) (1 : 0)
18/05/21, 19:00 Southampton – Leeds United 0 : 2 (0 : 0) (0 : 2)
23/02/21, 19:00 Leeds United – Southampton 3 : 0 (0 : 0) (3 : 0)
Match Result Prediction
Leeds United to win.
Score Prediction
Leeds United 2 – 0 Southampton
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Everton v Aston Villa – Saturday 25th February
The January transfer window failed to impress the Everton fans, and their absence from Goodison Park has shifted the focus back to the pitch. However, Everton managed to secure a vital three points last week, propelling them up to 16th place in the Premier League table, one point above the relegation zone. Thanks to recent results under Sean Dyche, Everton has a 4-2-6 record at home in the League.
Despite their loss in the Merseyside derby a couple of weeks ago, Everton has followed it up with back-to-back home 1-0 wins over Arsenal and Leeds United, which have been invaluable for the club. Everton aims to secure their third consecutive home League win for the first time since September 2021.
Nathan Patterson and James Garner are expected to be in the squad, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a significant doubt. Amadou Onana has been an essential player of late, but he is doubtful for this fixture and is unlikely to play twice in a week since Everton has another Premier League game scheduled on Wednesday evening.
Aston Villa currently sit in the 11th position in the Premier League table, providing them with a considerable gap from the bottom three teams, alleviating the need to concern themselves with a potential relegation battle. Despite this, the manager and fans are seeking more from the team as they travel to the North West with a 3-2-6 away record.
After Aston Villa’s late goal against Southampton resulting in a 0-1 victory in January, the team has faced three league games in February and lost all three while conceding 11 goals. However, they had won three consecutive away Premier League games before the recent defeat to Manchester City.
Diego Carlos continues to make progress towards recovery from a long-term injury but the team is not looking to rush him back into action and it is unlikely he will return to the squad for this weekend’s game.
Although the layers are predicting a low-scoring game that favors the home team, I am inclined to follow my instincts from last weekend when I predicted that Everton and Leeds United could score at least three goals. Everton’s lack of a number nine is concerning, but their set-piece prowess makes them a threat, and Aston Villa’s playing style will likely present opportunities for them as long as they play confidently.
While Everton has won both games under Sean Dyche, Aston Villa poses a different kind of threat with their quality players on the ball, particularly the in-form Ollie Watkins. This should create more chances than Arsenal and Leeds United managed in previous games against Everton.
Though a first-half goal can help to open things up, five of the last seven away games played by Aston Villa in the League have ended with at least three goals. Unai Emery’s style makes Aston Villa a threat at one end and vulnerable at the other, and Everton has demonstrated an ability to score without relying on Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Premier League Head to Head Stats
13/08/22, 13:30 Aston Villa – Everton 2 : 1 (1 : 0) (1 : 1)
22/01/22, 13:30 Everton – Aston Villa 0 : 1 (0 : 1) (0 : 0)
18/09/21, 18:30 Aston Villa – Everton 3 : 0 (0 : 0) (3 : 0)
13/05/21, 19:00 Aston Villa – Everton 0 : 0 (0 : 0) (0 : 0)
01/05/21, 21:00 Everton – Aston Villa 1 : 2 (1 : 1) (0 : 1)
Match Result Prediction
Everton to win.
Score Prediction
Everton 3 – 2 Aston Villa
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West Ham United v Nottingham Forest – Saturday 25th February
Despite the board’s public support for David Moyes, there are hints that his position may be in jeopardy if West Ham United fail to win their upcoming match. The team is currently underperforming and cannot afford to drop out of the Premier League. Their recent loss to Tottenham Hotspur has pushed them down to 18th place in the table, with only a one-point difference between them and the relegation zone. Their home record this season has also been a concern, with only one win out of their last six games at the London Stadium.
Although West Ham had previously been unbeaten in four games across all competitions, their recent Premier League form has been poor, with no wins in their last three games. However, the team has managed to earn four points in their last two league fixtures played at home. Maxwel Cornet is still working towards full fitness, which could provide an additional attacking option for the team. Meanwhile, both Kurt Zouma and Lucas Paqueta are doubtful for the upcoming fixture, which is crucial for the team’s survival in the Premier League.
When facing the top teams in the Premier League, newly promoted sides must rely on luck, as Nottingham Forest did in securing a draw against Manchester City last weekend. Steve Cooper understands that his team were outplayed, but their resilience and late equalizer will boost their confidence as they strive to establish themselves in the top flight.
Nottingham Forest’s recent point has propelled them to 13th place in the Premier League table. However, victories for Bournemouth and Everton, who are fighting against relegation, mean that the gap to the bottom three is still five points. The team recognizes the importance of home form in their survival bid, but their record away from the City Ground has improved to one win, three draws, and seven losses.
While Nottingham Forest have won only one of their last six games across all competitions, their run of one defeat in seven Premier League matches has been instrumental in lifting them up the league standings. They won at Southampton and drew at Bournemouth in back-to-back away games, but were defeated 2-0 by Fulham in their most recent away fixture.
Nottingham Forest’s injury list is easing up, with Serge Aurier, Ryan Yates, and Jesse Lingard nearing a return. However, Willy Boly and Scott McKenna remain long-term absentees, while Dean Henderson could be back in action next weekend.
Premier League Head to Head Stats
14/08/22, 15:00 Nottingham Forest – West Ham United 1 : 0 (1 : 0) (0 : 0)
Match Result Prediction
West Ham United to win.
Score Prediction
West Ham United 1 – 0 Nottingham Forest
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Bournemouth v Manchester City – Saturday 25th February
In their quest to avoid relegation, Gary O’Neil and his Bournemouth squad desperately needed a significant result, which they secured with a 1-0 win over Wolves last weekend. The three points have reinvigorated the team, who were previously heading towards relegation. However, building on this success against the current Premier League champions will be challenging when Bournemouth hosts them.
Bournemouth’s win has pushed them out of the relegation zone, and they will begin the upcoming fixtures in 17th place in the Premier League table. With a record of three wins, four draws, and four losses at the Vitality Stadium, the Cherries will strive to improve their performance on Saturday and increase the narrow one-point gap separating them from the bottom three.
Bournemouth ended a nine-game winless run by defeating Wolves, and they have lost only one of their last four Premier League games, indicating positive recent form. Although they have lost one of their last four home Premier League fixtures, they have secured consecutive 1-1 draws against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. Bournemouth has won only one of their last six League games at home.
Several players, such as Jefferson Lerma and Marcus Tavernier, are dealing with injuries and will need to pass fitness tests to participate on Saturday.
Premier League Head to Head Stats
13/08/22, 16:00 Manchester City – AFC Bournemouth 4 : 0 (3 : 0) (1 : 0)
15/07/20, 19:00 Manchester City – AFC Bournemouth 2 : 1 (2 : 0) (0 : 1)
25/08/19, 15:00 AFC Bournemouth – Manchester City 1 : 3 (1 : 2) (0 : 1)
02/03/19, 16:00 AFC Bournemouth – Manchester City 0 : 1 (0 : 0) (0 : 1)
01/12/18, 16:00 Manchester City – AFC Bournemouth 3 : 1 (1 : 1) (2 : 0)
Match Result Prediction
Manchester City to win.
Score Prediction
Bournemouth 0 – 3 Manchester City
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Crystal Palace v Liverpool – Saturday 25th February
Crystal Palace’s recent form has raised concerns over the club’s direction, as they were denied a much-needed win by a late goal at Brentford. Despite the support of the board and the fans, the team’s improvement has been slow, and they are gradually being drawn into a relegation battle.
While being in 12th place on the Premier League table at this stage of the season might seem satisfactory for some teams, Crystal Palace are only 6 points clear of the bottom three, a gap that could easily close by the time they play their next match. To avoid slipping further, the team will need to improve their record of 4-4-4 at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace have not won any of their last 8 matches in all competitions, with their only points coming from 4 draws in their last 5 Premier League games. The team has failed to win any of their 6 home games since the World Cup, with 3 consecutive losses before the recent draws against Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Brighton.
Tyrick Mitchell is expected to be fit for the upcoming match, but Joel Ward and James Tomkins are doubtful. Wilfred Zaha may return to the team next week, having missed the last 3 matches.
Liverpool had a strong start with two early goals against Real Madrid in the Champions League Last 16 First Leg, but a shocking 5-2 loss left them with a difficult task in the second leg. Jurgen Klopp expressed confusion over the team’s performance and now Liverpool may need to shift their focus to securing a top-four spot for the rest of the season.
Their victory against Newcastle United last Saturday was crucial, placing them in 8th position in the Premier League table. Although they are 8 points behind Tottenham Hotspur in 4th place, Liverpool have two games in hand, giving them hope for a return to the Champions League. However, their poor 3-2-6 away record in the Premier League is the main factor contributing to their current position.
Liverpool have never suffered a Champions League defeat as severe as their loss to Real Madrid, but they are seeking their third consecutive Premier League win. Their victory against Newcastle United ended a streak of three away Premier League defeats in which they had conceded three goals in each game.
Joe Gomez is doubtful, and Joel Matip may replace him. Ibrahima Konate may feature in the matchday squad, and Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota are both vying for starting positions.
Premier League Head to Head Stats
15/08/22, 21:00 Liverpool – Crystal Palace 1 : 1 (0 : 1) (1 : 0)
23/01/22, 15:00 Crystal Palace – Liverpool 1 : 3 (0 : 2) (1 : 1)
18/09/21, 16:00 Liverpool – Crystal Palace 3 : 0 (1 : 0) (2 : 0)
23/05/21, 17:00 Liverpool – Crystal Palace 2 : 0 (1 : 0) (1 : 0)
19/12/20, 13:30 Crystal Palace – Liverpool 0 : 7 (0 : 3) (0 : 4)
Match Result Prediction
Liverpool to win.
Score Prediction
Crystal Palace 0 – 3 Liverpool
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Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea – Sunday 26th February
The Premier League’s top three teams have created a significant gap from the rest of the division, placing them in the running for three of the four available Champions League spots. With inconsistent performances from other teams, the final Champions League spot remains open, and Antonio Conte must have been pleased to see his Tottenham Hotspur side climb back into the top four last Sunday.
Although still recovering from surgery in Italy, the recent 2-0 win over West Ham United likely helped improve Conte’s mood. After the win, Tottenham Hotspur sits in 4th place and one point ahead of Newcastle United. Tottenham Hotspur boasts an 8-0-4 record at home, and they have a chance to widen the gap further since Newcastle United is not playing a League fixture this weekend.
Prior to the West Ham United win, Tottenham Hotspur had lost two games consecutively against Leicester City and AC Milan. However, they have since won four of their last six games in all competitions. Tottenham Hotspur has won three of its last four home games in all competitions, following a poor run at home either side of the World Cup break, including back-to-back Premier League victories.
Ryan Sessegnon, Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, and Hugo Lloris will likely remain unavailable until the end of the March international break. Rodrigo Bentancur is expected to be out for the remainder of the campaign.
According to reports, the Chelsea board is standing by Graham Potter and ignoring calls for him to be sacked as manager despite increasing pressure following a home loss to Southampton last weekend. The board sees Potter as part of a long-term project at Stamford Bridge and is giving him time to try and turn things around.
Chelsea’s hopes of returning to the Champions League have vanished, and they are unlikely to secure a spot in the Europa League or Europa Conference League, currently sitting in 10th place. Although a big win on Sunday could change this, their away record of 3-4-5 in the Premier League has been disappointing.
Chelsea has won only two of their last 14 games in all competitions and none of their last five, with losses to Borussia Dortmund and Southampton by the same 1-0 scoreline in their last two fixtures. However, they had drawn at Liverpool and West Ham United in the Premier League before the defeat in Dortmund in the Champions League Last 16 First Leg.
Cesar Azpilicueta sustained a serious injury last Saturday and is not expected to be risked, while N’Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic could potentially return to the squad next weekend.
Premier League Head to Head Stats
14/08/22, 17:30 Chelsea – Tottenham Hotspur 2 : 2 (1 : 0) (1 : 2)
23/01/22, 17:30 Chelsea – Tottenham Hotspur 2 : 0 (0 : 0) (2 : 0)
19/09/21, 17:30 Tottenham Hotspur – Chelsea 0 : 3 (0 : 0) (0 : 3)
04/02/21, 21:00 Tottenham Hotspur – Chelsea 0 : 1 (0 : 1) (0 : 0)
29/11/20, 17:30 Chelsea – Tottenham Hotspur 0 : 0 (0 : 0) (0 : 0)
Match Result Prediction
Tottenham to win.
Score Prediction
Tottenham 1 – 0 Chelsea
