English Premier League week 23 fixtures and preview

The fixtures for the English Premier League for match week 23, and a preview.

With Premier League’s match week 23 games fast approaching, we are previewing the games. You might not agree with all of my opinions, but save your judgments for after you read my previews and predictions for each of this week’s 10 premier league games.

The early kick off sees both teams go in to the game with little confidence after losing their last two games. Newcastle have only won two of their last seven games, which is just a little worse than the home team’s records. When the two teams met earlier in the season, it took a very late goal from Newcastle’s Papiss Cisse to earn them a draw (2-2).

This is a game that could go either way, but I am leaning towards a 2-1 victory for Hull.

Crystal Palace have seen themselves improve greatly under new manager Alan Pardew, and they’ve only lost one game out of their last five, 3-1 to Southampton.

Everton on the other hand, have been pretty atrocious of late. They have lost three and drawn two over their last five. Both teams sit level on 23 points, Everton are above the home team on goal difference.

You would assume that the rot in Everton has to stop eventually, but I don’t think it will be this weekend. I’m predicting a low scoring game, with Crystal Palace just edging it by one goal.

Liverpool are coming off of a disappointing and exhausting extra time defeat to Chelsea on Tuesday. West Ham are enjoying their best season for years, currently sitting in 7th place in the league. When the two teams met earlier in the year, the London club beat Liverpool 3-1, with ease. Having said that, Liverpool have had a positive run in the league, winning four of their last five games and drawing one. West Ham on the other hand have only won one of their last five.

Though Liverpool often seem to drop their performance level when playing lower opposition at home for some strange reason. It should be an entertaining game with a few goals. It will be a return to Anfield for Liverpool flops Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing, which should add a bit of spice to the atmosphere.

I’m predicting a 2-1 victory to Liverpool.

The previous meeting between the pair gave us all a very exciting affair, with Leicester twice coming from behind to beat United 5-3.

I’m not expecting a repeat of that incredible game, how could anyone expect a repeat? Leicester sit at the bottom of the table, three points from safety with two wins in their last five games.

Man United had a strange game on their last outing, failing to score in the FA Cup game against lower opposition Cambridge United. I don’t think they will have trouble scoring on Saturday, with the fans all desperate for the strikers to start firing again. This can sometimes put too much pressure on the team, but I believe that being at home against bottom of the league opposition will be enough firepower to see Leicester off.

I see United outplaying the away team and comfortably winning by at least two goals.

The home team definitely go in to this game as favorites, with a record of only one loss in their last five games. Teams often find it hard to go to the compact Britannia Stadium and get a favorable result.

QPR have won none of their last five league games, which of course is an atrocious record to bring in to the game. Though with their striker Charlie Austin continuing to bang in the goals, they have a fighting chance.

Former Barcelona striker Bojan has been in good form for the home team, and it wouldn’t shock me if he took advantage of QPR’s poor defense. It is bound to be a scrappy affair, with huge pressure on QPR to get a result.

It will be a close game, but I believe that Stoke will nick it by a goal. 3-2 to the home team is my final prediction.

This game will have big implications on the bottom of the table, both teams are destined to be involved in the relegation battle come the end of the season and are currently tied on 20 points.

Burnley have two losses in their last five games, both losses coming by a margin of one goal. Sunderland have lost four out of their last five and three in a row.

The home crowd will be expecting a victory against Burnley who were in the Championship last season. I don’t think a draw will do either team any good, but I can only see the game ending that way. It will finish 0-0 or 1-1, sending both teams deeper in the to the fight for survival.

With only three points seperating 16th place to 20th place, every victory is huge but I just can’t see either of these teams edging the other.

Tottenham are going in to this game after qualifying for the Capital One Cup final during the past week. This could see the London club win their first trophy since 2008, so spirits in the team must be high. Their league form has been decent, winning 3 of their last five and losing only one.

West Brom however have only won one of their last six games, scoring has been an issue for the club with only two goals in their last five games.

Even away from home, I think Tottenham will have too much class for West Brom. With Christian Eriksen coming off of a great performance mid week, I can see the midfield maestro running the show and Spurs winning by a two goal margin. 2-0 to the London club.

Here’s the big one of the weekend ladies and gentleman; first place vs second place. The majority of the footballing world have one of them picked to win the league, this game is HUGE!

Chelsea might be feeling a little tired after their game with Liverpool went in to extra time mid week. Last weekend both teams lost in shocking fashion, at home to lower league oppositions in the FA Cup. If Chelsea win they will go ahead of the Manchester club by 8 points, putting them in to a very secure position going in to the last 15 games of the season.

Man City will be desperate to win the game, narrowing the gap to two points. However I’m sure City will be pleased to get out of Stamford Bridge with a draw, living to fight another day. An added incentive for the game is the return of Chelsea legend Frank Lampard to his old stomping ground. Though he is unlikely to start, he will most likely come on later in the game…especially if Man City are in need of a goal, could the script be written for a dramatic Lampard goal to blow the title race wide open?

I’m predicting a close game (as are the majority of you), and I’m calling the game a score draw. 1-1 or 2-2.

Arsenal come in to the game in very good form, four wins in their last five and only two losses in their last 10 games.

Aston Villa come in to the game with only two wins in their last 10 games, the run includes four losses and four draws. Aston Villa are in danger of getting dragged in to the battle for relegation, though I think they will save themselves towards the end of the season.

In my opinion, there are definitely three worse teams in the league than Aston Villa. In saying that, I don’t see this weekend going very well for them at all. Arsenal are in a bitter fight with a number of clubs to get the coveted 4th place spot and secure a spot in UEFA Champions League soccer.

Every game is huge from here until the end of the season, and I think Arsenal will have all guns blazing at home against Villa. I fear for the visitors, and I think the home team could run away with the game. Villa have only conceded five goals in their last five games, but I think that average will be shattered on Sunday.

3-0 to Arsenal.

Southampton come in to the game in incredible form, on top of a fantastic season. After selling their star players during the summer they were expeccted to struggle in the league this year.

As we all know, it has been quite the opposite with the Saints currently sitting pretty in third spot. They have won five out of their last six including victories over Man United, Everton and Arsenal. Their only dropped points in the last six games was a draw with current league leaders Chelsea.

Swansea on the other hand come in to this game off the back of a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Man City. They have won only one of their last five games and I think the poor run is destined to continue when they play on Sunday.

I think Southampton will have too much for the visitors, and I only see them winning comfortably. 4-1 to the home team.

Here is the schedule for this weekend, and all times are ET:

Saturday

Hull City v Newcastle- 7:45 am
Crystal Palace v Everton- 10:00am
Liverpool v West Ham- 10:00am
Man United v Leicester- 10:00am
Stoke v QPR- 10:00am
Sunderland v Burnley- 10:00am
West Brom v Tottenham- 10:00am
Chelsea v Man City 12:30pm

Sunday

Arsenal v Aston Villa- 08:30am
Chelsea v Man City- 11:00am

H/T BBC Sports

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