Predictions for the 23rd round of the Premier League, January 24-26
West Ham vs Sunderland
The "Hammers" defeated Tottenham (2:1) in the last round, showing they are not ready to accept relegation to the Championship. The team is going to fight. At the start of the season, it seemed Sunderland would face the same challenge, but the "Black Cats" have surprised everyone by confidently holding a mid-table position. Regis Le Bris's men have lost only 1 of their last 8 matches. Their favorite result in this stretch is a 1:1 draw. Whether this will repeat is a big question, but we believe both teams will score. Sunderland has conceded in 8 of their last 9 away matches, while West Ham has conceded in 17 consecutive home games.
Match Prediction for West Ham vs Sunderland: Both Teams to Score (Yes)
Burnley vs Tottenham
Tottenham's poor form in the Premier League contrasts with their strong performance in the Champions League, where they are in the top 5. However, it's uncertain how the match against Borussia Dortmund (2:0) would have ended without the early sending off for the "Bees". We remind you that this game followed three consecutive defeats, and since the beginning of December, the "Spurs" have only secured two wins in the league. Meanwhile, Burnley has gained momentum, remaining unbeaten in three consecutive matches, and they have far fewer injury concerns. For this reason, we believe the underdog will pick up points.
Match Prediction for Burnley vs Tottenham: Burnley Will Not Lose
Fulham vs Brighton
Two solid mid-table teams occupying neighboring positions. The teams seem evenly matched, but there's a very important aspect – Fulham's dominance in head-to-head encounters. The "Cottagers" have not lost to the "Seagulls" in 10 of the last 11 Premier League meetings, and at "Craven Cottage," they have won 4 of the last 5 matches. We'll trust the statistics and side with Marco Silva's men.
Match Prediction for Fulham vs Brighton: Fulham Will Not Lose
Manchester City vs Wolverhampton
Man City, amid catastrophic injury losses, urgently signed Marc Guehi. However, it's hard to imagine the former Crystal Palace captain quickly stabilizing the "Citizens'" vulnerable defense. Yes, the last team in the Premier League is visiting the "Etihad," but Wolverhampton has gained serious momentum, scoring in four consecutive away matches, including against Arsenal and Liverpool. So, we'll take a risk and bet on a goal from the visitors.
Match Prediction for Manchester City vs Wolverhampton: Wolverhampton to Score
Bournemouth vs Liverpool
At the "Vitality Stadium," two of England's most draw-prone teams will face off. The "Cherries" have drawn 5 of their last 8 league matches, and the "Scousers" have drawn their last four. But the outcome is unpredictable, especially considering the unstable form of the opponents. Moreover, we have...a much stronger trend is hidden – in 15 of the last 17 matches between Bournemouth and Liverpool, the "over" on goals was recorded. Andoni Iraola's team has been exchanging goals with their opponents for eight consecutive games, so we see no reason for a low-scoring game.
Prediction for the Bournemouth vs Liverpool match: total over 2.5 goals
Brentford vs Nottingham Forest
Brentford's six-match unbeaten streak was broken in the last round. It wasn't entirely fair, as Keith Andrews' team played just as well as Chelsea (0:2). Meanwhile, Nottingham managed to take points from a tired Arsenal (0:0), but Sean Dyche's team is on a decline. At the "Brentford Community Stadium," the hosts are expected to dominate, having delivered more than 4.5 corners in 9 of their last 10 meetings with the "Foresters." We believe the "Bees" will achieve this mark once again.
Prediction for the Brentford vs Nottingham Forest match: total over 4.5 corners from Nottingham Forest
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea
It seems Crystal Palace's best days are behind them. Oliver Glasner brought the club two titles, but now he publicly criticizes the management and has announced his departure in the summer. Captain Marc Guehi has already left "Selhurst Park," and Jean-Philippe Mateta has expressed his intention to leave the team. The "Eagles" are in terrible form, having not won any of their last ten matches. Additionally, they have performed poorly against Chelsea at home in recent years, losing 6 of the last 7 matches. Therefore, it seems logical to expect success for the visitors, who are motivated by the arrival of a new manager.
Prediction for the Crystal Palace vs Chelsea match: Chelsea to win with a handicap (0)
Newcastle vs Aston Villa
One of the most intriguing matches of the round is expected at "St. James' Park." Newcastle plays strongly at home (one loss in the last 15 matches), while Aston Villa is not fazed by away games (losing only 1 of the last 9 matches). Both teams secured important European victories ahead of their head-to-head encounter, and both have significant personnel losses. In our view, this is an evenly matched contest that promises to be exciting and goal-rich. The over total was hit in 6 of the last 7 head-to-head matches between the opponents, as well as in 6 of Newcastle's last 7 home matches in the Premier League.
Prediction for the Newcastle vs Aston Villa match: total over 2.5 goals
Arsenal vs Manchester United
We've reached the main event! Arsenal risks dropping points for the third consecutive round, as a rejuvenated Man United arrives at the "Emirates." Michael Carrick came in and not only won the Manchester derby but also dismantled Man City (2:0). The "Gunners," however, continue to win everywhere except in the Premier League, where played out two consecutive draws with rather mediocre football quality. Everything suggests that the "Red Devils" might capitalize on points in the capital, or at least score. The bet on both teams to score has come through in nine consecutive away matches for United in the Premier League.
Match Prediction for Arsenal vs Manchester United: Both Teams to Score (Yes)
Everton vs Leeds
The tour will conclude with two mid-table teams. In reality, Leeds is in the lower part of the table, but the "Peacocks" have a more than comfortable gap from the relegation zone, and they've picked up an incredible pace, suffering only one defeat in their last ten matches. Everton, despite a solid tenth place, is extremely inconsistent, and they play noticeably better away than at home – their winless streak at "Hill Dickinson" has already reached four matches. We do not consider David Moyes' squad the favorites for the upcoming match.
