Predictions 21-22.01.2023

Liverpool vs Chelsea | Premier League (21.01.2023, 13:30)

They needed a victory that would restore some serenity, and, albeit narrowly, Liverpool and Chelsea got it. In fact, in their last match, the Reds passed the FA Cup round by conquering the Molineux Stadium against the Wolves, while Chelsea got the better of Crystal Palace. Both victories weren’t easy, and both certainly won’t be enough and will soon be forgotten in the event of a defeat in the direct match at Anfield, the first of the season between these two teams (since the first leg match was postponed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II) who, on the other hand, competed against each other four times last season. In the ninety minutes, there were four draws, but, in essence, there is much more, or rather, there are the two victories on penalties for the Reds, which gave the two national cups (the FA Cup and the League Cup) to Klopp’s team.

However, it was another Liverpool, but after all, it was also another Chelsea; this season certainly sees both teams disappointed by their performances, especially the one in the Premier League, where the top is really far away. The two teams are in fact paired in an unusual and almost unreal ninth position in the standings (the Reds have one game less) and will play this game perhaps more as a separate big match than as a useful match for a concrete goal. The distance from fourth place is ten points, and, despite the remarkable quality of both “rosters,” thinking of recovering many lengths and many positions now seems difficult.

However, this aspect will be able to make a match more beautiful and spectacular, which, as a result, appears free of major dynamics of the standings but, in the end, can restore the enamel and temper to whoever wins it, remembering how both Liverpool and Chelsea will be involved in the knockout stages of the Champions League and thus have a season that is far from over and which, right from the big match at Anfield, could possibly take an unexplainable turn. 


Form Guide

Liverpool WWLDLW

Liverpool will look to build off of their 0-1 FA Cup win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in their most recent match.

Liverpool had 42% of the possession and 7 shots (2 on goal) in that game. Eleven of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ shots were on goal, and two were successful.

In five of the last six matches featuring Liverpool, at least three goals were scored. Ten goals were scored by the opposition, compared to nine by Liverpool. I guess we’ll have to see if that pattern can be maintained here.

Liverpool enters the match having won their last two home league matches. 

 

Chelsea WDLLLW

Chelsea’s last Premier League game was a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace, so they’ll enter this one with some momentum.

As a team, Chelsea controlled 63% of the ball and had 15 shots (5 on target) in that game. Conversely, Crystal Palace had 10 shots, five of which were on target.

Graham Potter’s Chelsea have scored five times in their last six encounters, good for an average of 0.83 goals per game.

 

Liverpool vs Chelsea Predicted XI

Liverpool Predicted XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Konate, Robertson; Elliott, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo.

Chelsea Predicted XI: Kepa; Chalobah, Badiashile, Silva, Hall; Kovacic, Jorginho, Gallagher; Ziyech, Aubameyang, Mount.

Prediction

Chelsea will have to put in a strong effort if they want to break through this Liverpool defense, but we predict that Liverpool will score at least once in a winning effort.

In light of this, we expect a close game, with Liverpool emerging victorious by a score of 1-0 after 90 minutes.


Manchester City vs Wolves | Premier League (22.01.2023, 15:00)

Another Premier League weekend, another important match for the title race but also for salvation. Manchester City faces Wolverhampton at the Etihad, and the pace is expected to be very high given that both must absolutely score points. Manchester City are forced to win: the five points behind Arsenal are not small, and the Gunners are demonstrating enviable continuity. The 4-2 comeback victory against Tottenham was fundamental and once again highlighted the attacking potential of this team; the result was overturned with 3 goals in 12 minutes.

Wolverhampton, for its part, is having a troubled season. The recent victory over West Ham (and the previous draw at Anfield Road) has moved the Wolves from last place to the safety zone, but the road remains long even for a team of the Wolves’ caliber. Wolverhampton suffers little but scores little (only 12 goals) and will aim for a draw in this game. If it fails and City scores one or two goals in the first half, they will have the chance to spread.


Form Guide

Manchester City DWWLLW

After beating Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 in the Premier League, Manchester City wants to add another win to their record.

During that match, Manchester City held 59% of the possession and had 16 shots on goal, with 6 of them finding their mark. On the other hand, Tottenham Hotspur had nine shots on goal, with three of them actually hitting the target.

Manchester City, coached by Pep Guardiola, have scored 11 goals throughout the course of their last six matches combined. They have been defeated in the same matches by a total of seven goals, making them the team with the worst defensive record.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have not been able to defeat Manchester City in a league match for the past five times that the two teams have competed against one another.


Wolverhampton Wanderers LDDDWL

The previous time Wolves competed in the FA Cup, they were defeated by Liverpool; as a result, both the team and their supporters will be hoping for a different outcome this time around.

During that match, Wolverhampton Wanderers had 58% of the ball control and 11 shots on goal, with only two of those shots finding the back of the net.

The statistics speak for themselves, and they show that the Wolves have been held scoreless in 5 of their most recent 6 matches, while allowing their opponents to score 6 goals in total. The Wolverhampton Wanderers appear to have a bit of a vulnerable spot at the rear of their defense.

 

Manchester City vs Wolves Predicted XI

Manchester City Predicted XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo; Mahrez, Haaland, Alvarez.

Wolverhampton Wanderers Predicted XI: Sa; Semedo, Collins, Kilman, Bueno; Lemina, Neves, Nunes; Hwang, Cunha, Podence.


Prediction

We get the impression that it will be very difficult for Wolverhampton Wanderers to score even one goal against a Manchester City club that should dominate this game in all three phases of play (attack, midfield, and defense).

We anticipate that Manchester City will emerge victorious from this match with a score of 3-0, which will represent a decisive victory. 


Arsenal vs Manchester United | Premier League (22.01.2023, 17:30)

This Sunday’s postponement of the Premier League sees Arsenal face Manchester United at home; the match is the most eagerly awaited of this round, and with good reason. Arsenal are surprisingly first in the standings (“surprisingly” not because of the game but because of expectations at the start of the season), while Manchester United seem to have overcome many difficulties and are now holding onto fourth place. Both teams have come off an impressive run of positive results.

Arsenal have won 15 out of 18 matches in the Premier League, losing only against Manchester United on September 4, and have a few more days off than their rivals: Manchester United played in London against Crystal Palace, conceding a 1-1 draw in the last minutes. The hosts’ enthusiasm has taken a long time to develop, and seven wins and two draws in eight home games attest to how important the Emirates are. Furthermore, the Red Devils’ best player this season, Casemiro, is suspended, taking a lot of pressure off the midfield. 


Form Guide

Arsenal WWWDWW

After their victory over Tottenham Hotspur by a score of 0-2 in the Premier League, Arsenal will be seeking to add another victory to their record.

Arsenal held 49% of the game’s possession and had 14 shots on goal, with 5 of them finding the back of the net. Tottenham Hotspur, the team that they were playing against, had 17 shots on goal, with 7 of them landing on target.

The most recent performances of the Arsenal defense show that there is not much more that can be done by this unit. Arsenal has allowed three goals in their last six games, bringing their goal-scoring average to an all-time low.

Arsenal hasn’t lost any of their last five league games at the Emirates Stadium. 


Manchester United WWWWWD

The most recent match that Manchester United played in was a Premier League match against Crystal Palace, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

During that match, Manchester United held 60 percent of the possession and had 15 shots on goal, with four of them finding the target.

Manchester United has scored 13 goals in its last six games combined. This is an impressive scoring streak for the club. On each of those occasions, Manchester United also managed to find their way onto the scoresheet. During that span of time, they have conceded three goals to their opponents. In any case, it is still unknown at this point whether or not that pattern will continue to occur during this game.

Before this match, Manchester United had not prevailed against Arsenal in any of their previous four away league games against the Gunners in the Premier League.


Arsenal vs Manchester United Predicted XI

Arsenal Predicted XI: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Nketiah.

Manchester United Predicted XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Eriksen, Fred; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst.


Prediction

We believe that Arsenal will score at least one goal and emerge victorious from this match against Manchester United. We believe that Manchester United will have a difficult time scoring against this Arsenal team.

Taking all of this into account, we think that Arsenal will win a close game by a score of 1-0 after a hard-fought match.