FUTBOL CITIZENS

25-08-2023 (FRIDAY)

🔵 CHELSEA VS LUTON TOWN 👒 (20:00 WAT)

In my opinion, Luton Town are not looking like a Premier League side as they do not play like one and if you are expecting them to get a result at Stamford Bridge against the Blues, then you are asking them to die; a suicide mission. I believe they will improve when they have Ross Barkley back from injury; he’s gonna bring in some kind of experience to their midfield and might change the way they play. Chelsea, on the other hand, suffered a 3-1 defeat against West Ham last time out away from home and will be keen to bounce back and get their first league win of the season here. Everyone will consider this fixture as the perfect game to get back on track, gain the needed momentum and build on it further more. I see nothing but a Chelsea win.

PREDICTION: 1

TIP: CHE 2-0 LUT

RESULT: CHE 3-0 LUT

26-08-2023 (SATURDAY)

🍒 BOURNEMOUTH VS TOTTENHAM ⚪ (12:30 WAT)

Bournemouth made a good start against Liverpool last time out but they could not keep out the Reds. Yes, they do not have the required quality to keep out such opponents but they are doing well not to concede too many goals like last season. It is a sign of improvement in my opinion and I think they will continue to build on it but I do not see them getting a result against Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham with the new style of play and beautiful football the Spurs are playing under him. Maddison has been a bombshell for Tottenham in his first two games and the most improved and impressive player for me has been Yves Bissouma. I strongly believe that Tottenham will get a result here even if it has to be a close one or low-scoring affair.

PREDICTION: 2X

TIP: BOU 1-2 TOT

RESULT: BOU 0-2 TOT

🔴 ARSENAL VS FULHAM ⚪ (15:00 WAT)

I do not understand Mikel Arteta’s perspective as he has been playing players out of position. He’s got a few players back from injury and I don’t expect him to do that again. Maybe he’s trying to be unpredictable and versatile but the truth is, it is detrimental and whatever he is testing in the team should not involve more than one position because it is clear that the midfield is unbalanced and a lot of fans have been lamenting on Kai Havertz. Fulham, on the other hand, are looking like a team that has no goal in them since the departure of Mitrovic. I’ve never for once thought that Raúl Jiménez is his perfect replacement. I don’t know where their goals will come from at the moment which is why it is hard to make a case for them. All I see is Arsenal victory unless their problem catches up with them and they settle for a draw.

PREDICTION: 1X

TIP: ARS 2-0 FUL

RESULT: ARS 2-2 FUL

🐝 BRENTFORD VS CRYSTAL PALACE 🦅 (15:00 WAT)

Crystal Palace played well against Arsenal last time out but were quite unlucky that they lost 0-1 due to a penalty in the second half. At some points, they will get a reward for their performance but I don’t think it will be in this game. Brentford are on a different level at the moment and I am impressed that they are doing very well without Ivan Toney – Yoane Wissa and Mbeumo have been up to task. In my opinion, Mbeumo is the best pick for FPL managers as a midfielder; he is the penalty taker for the Bees currently. I believe they will get a result here as they will enjoy home advantage plus fans factor.

PREDICTION: 1X

TIP: BRE 2-1 CRY

RESULT: BRE 1-1 CRY

🔵 EVERTON VS WOLVES 🐺 (15:00 WAT)

This has to be a low-scoring affair because these two teams do not score many goals. After two games, Everton have not yet scored a goal and conceded five goals while Wolves have scored only one goal and conceded five goals. Everton narrowly escaped relegation last season so I was hoping they would be busy in the transfer market but they disappointed me. Maybe this is the season they will relegate because you can’t be lucky every season; you have to work hard and pay your dues. The only reason I am tipping Wolves if they could steal the win is because they are working hard and their performance is not bad despite having a depleted squad. I can’t say the same for Everton; their spirit is totally down in my opinion.

PREDICTION: Under 3.5

TIP: EVE 0-1 WOL

RESULT: EVE 0-1 WOL

👹 MAN UTD VS NOTT. FOREST 🎄 (15:00 WAT)

Nott. Forest got an expected victory at home against the Blades last time out. They have just signed Montiel from Sevilla a few days ago and I think their game plan for this campaign is to capitalize on aerial threat and set-pieces. Hence, Man Utd will have to deal with that here and Lisandro Martínez must be very careful to avoid rough tackles which could give out set-pieces, especially around the 18-yard box. Man Utd’s attacking threat has diminished but I expect a few changes in this game as Højlund will be back from injury to lead the line. I expect to see Rashford on the wing and either Antony or Garnacho goes to the bench. I am not expecting many goals in this game but I am expecting the Red Devils to get the job done.

PREDICTION: 1X

TIP: MUN 1-0 NFO

RESULT: MUN 3-2 NFO

🐦 BRIGHTON VS WEST HAM ⚒️ (17:30 WAT)

I am expecting many goals in this fixture as Brighton have been scoring for fun while West Ham are also looking like they’ve got goals in them. The addition of James Ward-Prowse to the Hammers midfield is making a big difference to the team and I believe that they will leave a mark on the Seagulls’ torso even if they are going to fall off the cliff at the end. Brighton have not kept a clean sheet either (not even against Luton Town) despite the emphatic performances which means they are not immaculate and can be gotten if you are highly organized and precise when you attack them.

PREDICTION: Over 1.5

TIP: BHA 2-1 WHU

RESULT: BHA 1-3 WHU

27-08-2023 (SUNDAY)

📛 BURNLEY VS ASTON VILLA 🦁 (14:00 WAT)

Burnley would have had more than enough time to prepare for this game but again, looking at the negative side, you tend to lose your touches when you stay off football for some time. This might be their second/back-to-back defeat in the league because I do not see them taking any point away from the Lions due to the difference in quality between the two teams. I have a feeling that they could score their first Premier League goal of the season here which is why I will be throwing one of my legs in for them because sometimes, Burnley do throw a surprise unexpectedly as their reputation beseech them. Aston Villa, on the other hand, got an impressive win against Everton last time out to repair their goal difference quite well and will be eager to build on it here. Usually, going to Turf Moor is not always a smooth sailing in most cases so I am not expecting the Clarets to concede many goals.

PREDICTION: 2X

TIP: BUR 0-2 ASV

RESULT: BUR 1-3 ASV

⚔️ SHEFFIELD UTD VS MAN CITY 💎 (14:00 WAT)

I looked at Sheffield Utd and realized that they are trying so hard to control damage to goal difference as they are still missing a few key players and their goals are hard to come by. I believe that when they have players like Oliver McBurnie, John Fleck, and Rhian Bwrester back and available, their performance will improve and they will get a reward for good performance at some points. At the moment, I think it will be better if they go into the transfer market and buy a striker like Southampton’s Che Adams, or Adam Armstrong, or Crystal Palace’s Jean Mateta – a fee around £20m should do it at most because they need to start preparing for the mud while they pray for the rain. Moreover, this will also provide them more viable options. Asking them to get a result here against Man City is like asking them to die irrespective of the players Pep Guardiola advises or instructs his assistant to field. Everyone, of course, expects Man City to win this one.

PREDICTION: 2

TIP: SHU 0-3 MCI

RESULT: SHU 1-2 MCI

⚫ NEWCASTLE VS LIVERPOOL 🔴 (16:30 WAT)

Liverpool have finally signed a defensive midfielder, Endo Watari (30-year-old Japanese) from German Bundesliga and I will be expecting him to start this game to provide the required balance and pivot in the midfield, and shield the defense. He will also get help from Szoboszlai and Mac Allister (whose red card has been overturned after an appeal) who are quick ball recoverers and game phase changers. So it is going to be an interesting midfield battle between the Reds and the Magpies who’s got Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton in the midfield; a solid one as well. Newcastle are going to enjoy the fans factor which is the same for Liverpool because of a large fans base all over the country. With the success of Newcastle recently, it is difficult to back a side but Liverpool remain a favorite to snatch the win if we are to have a winner here. I am convinced well enough that there will be goals and it will be a close one.

PREDICTION: Over 1.5

TIP: NEW 1-2 LIV

RESULT: NEW 1-2 LIV

Dapo Olajuwon’s EPL prediction stats so far:

Total Prediction: 19

Correct Outcome: 17 ✅

Correct Score: 2 📌