Reason for being a Chelsea fan: The first official match I watched as a kid was a Chelsea match and I was really impressed with the style of play. So from then on, I became a fan of them. The Blues for life!
01-10-2022
🔴 ARSENAL VS TOTTENHAM ⚪
It is a London derby and also a clash of titans. Arsenal are top of the league table but they have got injury concerns going into this one. Nevertheless, I strongly believe that they will give us an exciting game to watch especially if the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli, Ødegaard, and Bukayo Saka come to the party because they will want to retain the top spot which is going to be difficult. Tottenham, on the other hand, are also doing well at the moment and I don’t think they’ve got any issue with injury. As long as Harry Kane keeps playing well, Tottenham will continue to get results – he doesn’t necessarily have to score in my opinion. So going by this factor, it favors the Spurs. Another interesting fact is that four (4) of their last six (6) meetings have ended with at least three (3) goals and I think we can get three or more goals here again.
PREDICTION: 2X (Over 2.5 alternatively)
TIP: ARS 1-2 TOT
Ayim Xavier: With the form Arsenal are in right now, it’s difficult to see them lose but given their record against the big six, the fixture is a cause for concern for them. Tottenham have not yet found their attacking stride this season but it’s difficult to see them lose.
PREDICTION: X (Full Time Draw)
TIP: ARS 1-1 TOT
RESULT: ARS 3-1 TOT
🍒 BOURNEMOUTH VS BRENTFORD 🐝
Only one point separates these two teams as it stands so a win for either side will mean a lot. One problem is common to both sides – they both have issues at the back and concede many goals. Although Bournemouth have changed since they parted ways with Scott Parker having picked 5 points in their last 3 games (DWD) but I’m still not convinced. It is hard to back a side for victory because Bournemouth have a poor home record while Brentford also have a poor away record. There will be goals here because both of them are liable to concede goals, so both teams to score could also be a considerable pick for punters.
PREDICTION: Over 2.5
TIP: BOU 1-2 BRE
Ayim Xavier: Bournemouth had a tough run of fixtures from the beginning of the season leading to their manager getting sacked. Since then, there has been significant improvement in their style of play. Brentford, on the other hand, have been in good form and their striker, Ivan Toney has been a revelation for the club this season. This encounter promises to be a good game.
PREDICTION: 2X
TIP: BOU 1-2 BRE
RESULT: BOU 0-0 BRE
🦅 CRYSTAL PALACE VS CHELSEA 🔵
Graham Potter has been in charge of only one game for Chelsea – against Salzburg in the UCL which ended in a 1-1 draw. After that, they went on an international break and now they are back. I feel they will be eager to get back to winning ways here as they are 7th on the league table meanwhile Chelsea have a good record against Crystal Palace. The Eagles have not been consistent this season and I can’t blame Patrick Vieira for that because I feel they didn’t invest enough in the team. They will be difficult to beat here because they are playing at Selhurst Park – where they usually give their opponents a good game.
PREDICTION: 2X
TIP: CRY 1-2 CHE
Ayim Xavier: Patrick Vieira and his young Crystal Palace side have been turning heads this season. They have been playing entertaining and attacking football, and being at home, they will be hoping to inflict misery on a disoriented Chelsea. After the sacking of Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea have looked a better team, reverting back to a back four hereby giving them more attacking options and with the new manager desperate to get his first win for the club, this is a must win match.
PREDICTION: 2
TIP: CRY 1-2 CHE
RESULT: CRY 1-2 CHE
Ayim Xavier’s Opinion about Chelsea this season: Chelsea were destined for a low place finish this season under Thomas Tuchel but with Graham Potter, things are looking good and I predict a 3rd place finish.
⚪ FULHAM VS NEWCASTLE ⚫
Fulham have been the surprise package in the #PL this season so far. They are 6th on the league table and are even right above Chelsea. They had an impressive 3-2 victory last time out and I think they will be confident going into this one – to grind out another victory. Newcastle have not been what I expected them to be this season with all the signings they’ve made although Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaeres have been good in my book. I am not confident that they will get something out of this game because Eddie Howe has got to deal with injuries in his team squad. For this reason, they might not be a handful to cause the Cottagers a lot of troubles at home. Nevertheless, I won’t rule them out.
PREDICTION: 1X
TIP: FUL 1-1 NEW
Ayim Xavier: Fulham were picked as relegation favorites before the start of the season, but now they have proved their doubters wrong. With the form Aleksandr Mitrovic is in right now, it’s hard imagining him not scoring in this game. Newcastle have not reached the expectations of the new season under the new ownership group but have shown promising signs. With the addition of striker Alexander Isak, they hope to pick up form sooner rather than later.
PREDICTION: X (Full Time Draw)
TIP: FUL 1-1 NEW
RESULT: FUL 1-4 NEW
🔴 LIVERPOOL VS BRIGHTON 🔵
Brighton’s new coach, Roberto de Zerbi will be in charge of his first game against Liverpool and I don’t think it will be a good game to start with because Liverpool are hungry at the moment. The Seagulls might take some time to adapt with the new manager’s tactics and as well get a new bounce but I doubt if they know what new bounce is. The Reds are nine (9) points away from the league table toppers (Arsenal) and will be determined to close the gap to the barest minimum as fast as they can. I feel it is going to be a good day for Liverpool at the Anfield but I don’t think they can keep a clean sheet because their defense line has been porous recently.
PREDICTION: 1
TIP: LIV 3-1 BHA
Ayim Xavier: Liverpool have experienced a significant drop in form since the departure of Sadio Mané and with the injury crisis they are facing, things don’t seem to let up. Also, Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez goals do not seem to come easy for them so this looks like a tricky fixture. Brighton have lost their manager recently, Graham Potter, who moved to Chelsea but have replaced him with a promising coach. So it doesn’t look like they will be slowing down anytime soon.
PREDICTION: 1
TIP: LIV 2-0 BHA
RESULT: LIV 3-3 BHA
⛔ SOUTHAMPTON VS EVERTON 🔵
These two teams have not been impressive in the Premier League this season. Southampton have had two consecutive losses and they will be eager to flip their form and rejuvenate themselves aiming to win this fixture. Everton, on the other hand, got their first win of the league against West Ham right before the international break and they will also want to win this game to extend their unbeaten run to five (5). Both Southampton and Everton are having 7 points each, the Saints are 14th while the Toffees are 13th on the table – separated by goal difference. So a win means a lot to both sides. Both teams are having difficulty scoring many goals which makes me feel this is going to be a low-scoring affair.
PREDICTION: Under 3.5
TIP: SOU 1-1 EVE
Ayim Xavier: Southampton have been so inconsistent so nothing much is expected of them. Frank Lampard was predicted to be the first manager to be sacked this season but having picked two wins, the confidence level has increased and they do not seem too threatened anymore.
PREDICTION: 2X
TIP: SOU 1-2 EVE
RESULT: SOU 1-2 EVE
🛠 WEST HAM VS WOLVES 🐺
These two teams have not been impressive this season. They do not score enough goals to win games and that’s why they have found themselves in the mess they are right now. No excuse or case can be made for Wolves for their poor run but I think European competition has been having effects on West Ham and a victory for the Hammers would send them up above Wolves on the table. But can they score the required goals? A question I can’t find an answer to. However, whoever scores first could snatch the victory which I think would be West Ham because of home advantage.
PREDICTION: 1X
TIP: WHU 1-0 WOL
Ayim Xavier: West Ham have hit the woodwork more times this season (5) than goals scored (3). This shows how unlucky they’ve been in front of goal this season. Being in the relegation zone and a drop in form of players like Antonio and Bowen, things don’t seem to look so good in the future. The only team who haven’t scored more goals than West Ham this season is Wolves. They seem to be more compact than the Hammers having shipped lesser goals than their opponents.
PREDICTION: 1X
TIP: WHU 0-0 WOL
RESULT: WHU 2-0 WOL
02-10-2022
💎 MAN CITY VS MAN UTD 👹
It is the Manchester derby and I am expecting an end-to-end game as both teams seem to be in good form but Man City have the edge over Man Utd. However, a win for Man Utd means they will be two points behind City. Man City, on the other hand, will be looking forward to overtaking Arsenal for the top spot or keep a tab on them if they beat Tottenham to remain as the league leaders. So it is going to be a difficult game for both sides. Erling Haaland is a player to look out for as he seems to be in red-hot form along with Kevin De Bruyne who is a force to reckon with in the midfield. Also, Man City are having the home advantage here and I think they will manage to cross the line.
PREDICTION: 1X
TIP: MCI 2-1 MNU
Ayim Xavier: “How will Lisandro Martínez stop Erling Haaland this season” has been the question all season with both signings being in scintillating form for their clubs. This fixture will be a delicious encounter for the neutrals.
PREDICTION: 1
TIP: MCI 3-1 MNU
RESULT: MCI 6-3 MNU
⚪ LEEDS UTD VS ASTON VILLA 🦁
This is hard to predict as these two teams are not doing well at the moment. I don’t understand what’s going on with Steven Gerrard and Aston Villa this season. The Villans have struggled to score goals which is why they are just 3 points above the relegation zone. Leeds Utd are 11th on the table having got 8 points in 8 games. Both sides are conceding goals and I think we will have goals here – at least two. And if anyone is going to steal the win, I think it will be Leeds Utd because Aston Villa have lost 3 of their away games plus the injury concerns they’ve got to deal with in this one.
PREDICTION: Over 1.5
TIP: LEE 1-1 ASV
Ayim Xavier: Leeds Utd have been playing a high pressing style of football while Villa deploy a narrow and straight forward approach to the game. This looks to be a tricky fixture for both sides.
PREDICTION: 1X
TIP: LEE 2-1 ASV
RESULT: LEE 0-0 ASV
03-10-2022
🦊 LEICESTER VS NOTT. FOREST 🎄
This is a bottom clash between Leicester (20th) and Nott. Forest (19th). So a win means a lot for both sides. Nott. Forest will be going into this game coming off from 4 consecutive defeats while Leicester coming from 5 consecutive defeats in the league. The Foxes are still in search of their first league victory but it is hard to make a case for them because of their inconsistency even though they are meant to be favorites here. I won’t pick a side here but I feel there will be goals because they are both liable to concede goals.
PREDICTION: Over 2.5
TIP: LEI 2-1 NFO
Ayim Xavier: Leicester’s depletion in form has largely been blamed on the management rather than the coach or players because of the lack of recruitment in the transfer window and the sale of Wesley Fofana and veteran goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel. Nott. Forest were the stack opposite of Leicester during the transfer window, signing more than 15 players which means they have enough options on the pitch and on the bench. So on paper, this appears to be a one-sided affair.
PREDICTION: 2
TIP: LEI 1-3 NFO
RESULT: LEI 4-0 NFO
Nice one