Premier League: Preview and predicted lineups of ‘Matchday 23′ for remaining fixtures

Premier League: Preview and predicted lineups of ‘Matchday 23′ for remaining fixtures
Premier League: Preview and predicted lineups of ‘Matchday 23′ for remaining fixtures

New Delhi: Matchday 23 of the Premier League is set to deliver a thrilling set of fixtures, with five crucial encounters on Wednesday. Bournemouth will look to extend their impressive unbeaten run as they host Nottingham Forest, while Arsenal aim to bounce back from recent setbacks in their clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Southampton, struggling near the relegation zone, will face a tough test against a Newcastle United side in excellent form.

Liverpool will be hoping to continue their dominance at home when they meet Ipswich Town, and Brighton will look to build on recent momentum as they take on Everton. With so much at stake for all teams involved, Matchday 23 promises to be a captivating day of football.

Brighton vs Everton

Brighton have turned their season around following a difficult spell, with back-to-back away victories against Ipswich Town and Manchester United, the latter being their third straight win at Old Trafford under three different managers. The Seagulls’ form on the road has been strong, and their 4-0 FA Cup victory over Norwich helped rejuvenate players like Georginio Rutter and Yankuba Minteh, who were key in the United win. Brighton now sit ninth and are just three points off the top seven, with European qualification still in sight.

However, their home form has been inconsistent, with just three wins from ten games at the Amex this season. They’ll be looking to build momentum, especially after an impressive 3-0 victory over Everton on the opening day.

Everton, on the other hand, have been struggling with their away form, scoring only once in their last six matches on the road. However, their dominant 3-2 win over Tottenham showed promise, with a superb first-half performance. Despite faltering after the break, the Toffees managed to claim their first win in January in four years.

Under David Moyes, they’re hoping to turn around their form, particularly away from home, where they have been poor in second halves. Everton will need to maintain consistency throughout the game to overcome Brighton, who have previously beaten them with a commanding 3-0 victory.

  • Brighton predicted line-up: Verbruggen; Veltman, Webster, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Joao Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck.
  • Everton predicted line-up: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Lindstrom, Gueye, Mangala, Doucoure, Ndiaye; Calvert-Lewin.
  • Where to watch: Hotstar, Star Sports
  • Time: 8:30 PM (IST)
  • Match prediction: Brighton 2-1 Everton

Liverpool vs Ipswich Town

Liverpool vs Ipswich Town presents a tough task for the visitors, with the Reds in exceptional form. Their impressive European run continued with a 3-1 win over Lille, keeping them top of their group and one step away from finishing first. The victory also added to their unbeaten run in the Premier League, which now stretches to 17 matches.

Darwin Nunez’s late brace against Brentford further solidified Liverpool’s attacking prowess, and their home form remains strong, having scored at least twice in each of their last 14 matches at Anfield. With Ipswich next on the horizon, Liverpool will be aiming for another comfortable win.

Ipswich, however, are in dire form. Their recent 8-0 aggregate defeat at home to Brighton and Manchester City has pushed them back into the relegation zone. Despite a dismal home record, the Tractor Boys have done better on the road, earning 56% of their points away from Portman Road. Their last win over Liverpool at Anfield came in 2000, and it’s hard to see them replicating that result on Saturday.

  • Liverpool predicted line-up: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Chiesa; Gakpo.
  • Ipswich Town predicted line-up: Walton; Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis; Phillips, Cajuste; Johnson, Hutchinson, Philogene; Delap.
  • Where to watch: Hotstar, Star Sports
  • Time: 8:30 PM (IST)
  • Match prediction: Liverpool 4-0 Ipswich Town

Southampton vs Newcastle United

Southampton vs Newcastle United looks set to be another tough test for the Saints, who are deep in relegation trouble. Despite showing fight in a 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest last weekend, Southampton’s 18th defeat of the season has left them 10 points adrift of safety. Ivan Juric’s arrival has improved their spirit, but their struggles persist, particularly in defence, with 50 goals conceded so far—more than any other Premier League team.

Their scoring woes continue as well, with only 15 goals to their name. If they are to mount a miraculous survival bid, they must start winning, though their next challenge comes against a Newcastle side in excellent form.

Newcastle, despite a rare defeat to Bournemouth, have been one of the most in-form teams in the league, with a nine-game winning run before last weekend’s setback. Their attack has been prolific, with Alexander Isak in brilliant form, sitting third in the Premier League’s top scorers list. Eddie Howe’s side, sitting in the top four, will aim to bounce back and maintain their push for Champions League qualification.

  • Southampton predicted line-up: Ramsdale; Walker-Peters, Bree, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis, Manning; Downes, Fernandes, Aribo; Archer, Onuachu.
  • Newcastle United predicted line-up: Dubravka; Hall, Burn, Schar, Livramento; Joelinton, Tonali, Guimaraes; Gordon, Isak, Murphy.
  • Where to watch: Hotstar, Star Sports
  • Time: 8:30 PM (IST)
  • Match prediction: Southampton 1-3 Newcastle United

Wolves vs Arsenal

Arsenal vs Wolverhampton Wanderers is shaping up as a pivotal clash for both sides. Arsenal, fresh from a 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb in Europe, are one point away from securing a last-16 spot. Their domestic form, however, has seen recent setbacks, including a frustrating 2-2 draw with Aston Villa that left them six points adrift of leaders Liverpool. Despite that, the Gunners remain unbeaten in 12 Premier League games, with an attack that thrives against Wolves. Arsenal’s 2-0 win earlier this season extended their remarkable streak of scoring against Wolves in every meeting since 1979.

Wolves, on the other hand, find themselves in a relegation scrap. Vitor Pereira’s side has suffered three consecutive defeats, conceding nine goals in the process. Sitting 17th, the only goal difference keeps them out of the drop zone. With Arsenal boasting seven straight wins over Wolves, the visitors face an uphill battle to reverse their fortunes.

  • Wolves predicted line-up: Sa; Doherty, Agbadou, Bueno; Semedo, Andre, J. Gomes, Ait-Nouri; R. Gomes, Cunha; Larsen.
  • Arsenal predicted line-up: Raya; Timber, Kiwior, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard.
  • Where to watch: Hotstar, Star Sports
  • Time: 8:30 PM (IST)
  • Match prediction: Wolves 2-4 Arsenal

Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest

Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest promises excitement as two in-form teams lock horns. Bournemouth are riding an 11-game unbeaten run across all competitions, highlighted by a commanding 4-1 victory over Newcastle United last weekend. Justin Kluivert shone with a stunning hat-trick, continuing the Cherries’ giant-killing season, which includes wins over Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United. With 37 points from 22 games, Andoni Iraola’s side sits seventh, three points off the top four, and boasts an unbeaten league record against Forest since 2015.

Forest, meanwhile, are enjoying their longest Premier League unbeaten streak since 1995, winning seven of their last eight matches. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side earned a hard-fought 3-2 win over Southampton last weekend, reaching 44 points—level with Arsenal in second. Forest have won four straight away games and will aim to extend that run. This fixture’s unpredictability adds intrigue, as the team scoring first has never won their Premier League meetings.

  • Bournemouth predicted line-up: Kepa; Cook, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Adams; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Ouattara.
  • Nottingham Forest predicted line-up: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Yates, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.
  • Where to watch: Hotstar, Star Sports
  • Time: 8:30 PM (IST)
  • Match prediction: Bournemouth 2-2 Nottingham Forest

Manchester City vs Chelsea

Manchester City will face Chelsea at the Etihad in a pivotal clash for both sides. City’s Champions League hopes were shattered by a dramatic 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain, despite being 2-0 up. Guardiola’s men are under pressure, sitting 25th in the Champions League standings and needing a win in their next match to progress.

In the Premier League, they’ve failed to win nine matches where they’ve been ahead. Chelsea, on the other hand, are beginning to recover after a tough patch, with a 3-1 win over Wolves lifting them into the top four.

However, they’ve struggled in recent encounters with City, failing to win any of their last 10 meetings. Chelsea will need to overcome their poor record at the Etihad, where they’ve failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 16 visits, if they hope to continue their positive run.

  • Manchester City predicted line-up: Ortega; Lewis, Stones, Khusanov, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Bernardo; Foden, De Bruyne, Savinho; Haaland.
  • Chelsea predicted line-up: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Dewsbury-Hall, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.
  • Where to watch: Hotstar, Star Sports
  • Time: 8:30 PM (IST)
  • Match prediction: Man City 1-3 Chelsea

 This preview covers all the action for Matchday 23, including thrilling fixtures such as Manchester City’s encounter with Chelsea, where both sides are eager to secure vital points in their race for top positions.  Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today