Arsenal predicted to defeat Liverpool

On Sky Sports, football expert and former England international Chris Sutton said Arsenal will beat Liverpool 2-1 in round 23 to keep their hopes of winning the Premier League alive.

Arsenal - Liverpool : 11:30 p.m. Sunday, February 4 (Hanoi time)

Liverpool are in fine form. They really impressed me with their performance against Chelsea despite not having Mohamed Salah, who is recovering from an injury sustained at the Africa Cup of Nations. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson both came off the bench. In the absence of these three key players, Liverpool showed they still have the depth to pick up important points.

Jurgen Klopp's side have shown many other positives. I know Darwin Nunez hasn't scored yet but he's still a big threat to any defence and has done a lot of other things well. Liverpool also have Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota, who are in form. They have a lot of energy in midfield.

Liverpool beat Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium in the third round of the FA Cup in early January. Photo: Reuters

Arsenal, on the other hand, were not as impressive against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. But they still managed to win and that was the most important thing. We have seen how tense Arsenal-Liverpool matches can be. When Liverpool beat Arsenal 2-0 in the third round of the FA Cup in early January, the Gunners created plenty of chances but failed to capitalise.

Arsenal's weakness is that they still don't have a real striker. But I think the Gunners will find a way to finish off their attacks this time. I think Liverpool will score too, but I believe Arsenal will win. If they don't, it will be a blow to their title ambitions.

Prediction : 2-1

Statistics : Last season, Arsenal beat Liverpool 3-2 at home. The last time the Gunners won two consecutive home matches in the Premier League against Liverpool was in the 2014-2015 season.

Everton - Tottenham : 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 3

Everton are going through a tough time. They are winless in their last five games and face Tottenham and Man City in their next two games. Sean Dyche's men have been pushed back into the relegation battle and are struggling to score goals. They have scored just twice in their last six games in all competitions.

However, it is worth remembering that Everton almost took a point at Tottenham in the first leg on December 23. At that time, despite being punctured early by Richarlison and Son Heung-min, the Merseyside team fought back and scored a goal thanks to Andre Gomes in the 82nd minute. It can be said that Everton were unlucky to come away empty-handed in that match.

Tottenham midfielder Brennan Johnson celebrates after scoring against Brentford. Photo: Reuters

Tottenham came from behind to beat Brentford 3-2 last time out. Despite Son's absence, I don't think they'll have any trouble scoring. However, I also feel Everton won't lose. Sean Dyche's men beat Brighton 5-1 last season and Tottenham's open style of play could allow their counter-attacking ability to flourish.

Prediction : 2-2

Stats : Everton have failed to win any of their last 10 Premier League games against Tottenham (D7 L3). They last won 2-1 in December 2017. The last four meetings between the two sides at Goodison Park have all ended in draws.

Brighton - Crystal Palace : 10pm Saturday, 3/2

I can’t really judge Brighton’s ability at the moment, after their 4-0 loss to Luton in midweek. Crystal Palace were much better in their 3-2 win over Sheffield United. We could see how important Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze are to Palace’s attack in that game. Both players picked up minor injuries in the game and that would be a concern for Roy Hodgson even if they were fit enough to play.

Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton have won just three of their last 16 Premier League games, scoring 20 goals in that time. Only Everton, Crystal Palace and Sheffield United have scored fewer goals in that time. Once a team that was highly regarded for its attacking prowess, Brighton are showing signs of slowing down. An experienced manager like Hodgson knows how to stop attacking teams like Brighton. In his five meetings with Brighton as Palace manager, his side conceded just four goals.

Palace midfielder Michael Olise celebrates with teammates after scoring in the 3-2 win over Sheffield United on January 30. Photo: Reuters

Six of the nine previous meetings between the two sides have ended in 1-1 draws. However, I don’t see a repeat of that result this time around and I’m more inclined to believe Brighton will respond to their humiliating defeat to Luton.

Prediction : 2-1

Stats : Palace have failed to beat Brighton in their last five Premier League meetings (D4 L1). Their last win came in February 2021, when they won 2-1. Last season, Brighton beat Palace 1-0 at home.

Newcastle - Luton : 10pm Saturday, 3/2

Both teams had impressive victories in midweek. While Newcastle defeated Aston Villa 3-1, Luton impressed by crushing Brighton 4-0. Once considered to have the weakest squad in the Premier League this season, Rob Edwards' team has improved as they play. They have climbed to 17th place with 19 points, one point above the relegation zone and have played one game less.

Luton beat Newcastle 1-0 at Kenilworth Road in the first leg thanks to Andros Townsend's only goal. The Magpies will certainly want to avenge this defeat and I have faith they will. Alexander Isak's injury is a blow for Newcastle but I think they have enough attacking options to score without the Swede.

Newcastle centre-back Fabian Schar scored twice as Newcastle beat Aston Villa 3-1 on January 31. Photo: Reuters

Beating Villa helped Eddie Howe's men end a four-game losing streak in the Premier League. This performance could signal a return to form for Newcastle for the rest of the season. In the first leg, injuries to key players and the strain of competing on multiple fronts caused the Tyneside team to struggle. But in the second leg, without European football, Newcastle will be a serious contender for the top four.

Prediction : 3-1

Statistics : This is the first time Newcastle have hosted Luton in the national championship since September 1992. At that time, the "Magpies" won 2-0 in the First Division under the direction of coach Kevin Keegan.

Sheffield United - Aston Villa : 0:30 Sunday, February 4

Villa dropped points at home to Sheffield United a few weeks ago. But they really can't afford a repeat this weekend. Their defeat to Newcastle in midweek left Unai Emery's side in fifth. Although they are level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham, another poor result would be a blow to their Champions League hopes.

Emery has been praised for the changes he has made to Villa this season and I believe the Spaniard will help his side reassess their style of play and take all three points here. Ollie Watkins scored again against Newcastle after a couple of games without a goal and the England international will have the chance to improve against Sheffield United's defence, who have conceded the most goals in the league this season.

Unai Emery encourages Aston Villa players after losing 1-3 to Newcastle. Photo: Reuters

On the other hand, things are looking bleak for Sheffield United. They took the lead twice against Crystal Palace on Tuesday but eventually lost 3-2. That game said a lot about Chris Wilder's side. The only way I think Sheffield United can stay up is if the Premier League continues to deduct points from the teams above them.

Prediction : 1-2

Stats : Sheffield United have won their last three league games against Villa, since losing 0-1 in the Championship in January 2018.

Chelsea - Wolves : 9pm Sunday, 4/2

Chelsea need a performance that is impressive enough to dispel the disappointment after the 1-4 loss to Liverpool. What happened at Anfield showed that they are still far from the army under Jurgen Klopp. This is unacceptable for Chelsea fans after the large sums of money they have spent in recent transfer windows.

Mauricio Pochettino needs to convert that money into results on the pitch. But I’m not sure Chelsea can do that this season. I was quite optimistic about the Stamford Bridge side when I watched them play in the games leading up to Liverpool, but I’ve realised that Chelsea are still not in good shape, especially with their defensive problems and they are not as strong in attack as people think.

Chelsea goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic was helpless against Diogo Jota's shot in Chelsea's 1-4 loss to Liverpool on February 1. Photo: Reuters

The 4-3 defeat to Man Utd ended Wolves' seven-match unbeaten streak in all competitions. But as we know, the Wolves are a well-organised team and can threaten opponents at any point in the game. Chelsea are relatively unpredictable. It is difficult to know how they will play from round to round.

Prediction : 1-1

Stats : Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 10 league meetings with Wolves (W6 D4). Their last defeat at Stamford Bridge was in March 1979.

Man Utd - West Ham : 9pm Sunday, 4/2

Man Utd gave their fans another heartbreak with a 4-3 win at Wolves on Thursday. Erik Ten Hag was left holding his head as his side conceded two late goals in the second half, then burst into tears when Kobbie Mainoo scored the winner in the seventh minute of stoppage time.

Honestly, Man Utd deserved to win three points based on their performance in that match. The "Red Devils" attack is gradually finding its ability, scoring 12 goals in the last four matches in all competitions. In particular, the two main strikers Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund scored in the last two rounds against Tottenham and Wolves.

Man Utd players celebrate with Kobbie Mainoo after the midfielder scored the decisive goal in the 4-3 win over Wolves. Photo: Reuters

West Ham beat Man Utd 2-0 before Christmas thanks to goals from Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus. But I believe this will be a different game. I don't think the two teams will play openly because West Ham manager David Moyes will be cautious. But Man Utd will find the key to the match.

Prediction : 1-0

Statistics : Man Utd are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League meetings with West Ham (W12 D3). They have won their last three matches 1-0.

Brentford - Man City : 3am Tuesday, 6/2

Brentford beat Man City twice last season and will be hoping to carry that spirit into this one with two games against Man City in the space of two weeks. However, I don't think the Bees can do anything, at least this week.

Man City have just welcomed Erling Haaland back from injury. Pep Guardiola has confirmed that the Norwegian striker will start. Haaland came off the bench in the 3-1 win over Burnley in midweek and did not make much of an impact. But sooner or later, he will find his scoring touch again and become a threat to all opponents.

Haaland returned and played more than 20 minutes in Man City's 3-1 win over Burnley on January 31. Photo: Reuters

Haaland reminds me of myself at Chelsea, looking like a deer in front of goal. Against a team like Brentford who are defending poorly, it will be an opportunity for the Man City striker to come back, especially with Kevin De Bruyne behind him. Brentford will score. Anyone can score against Man City at the moment, including Burnley. But Man City will score more.

Prediction : 1-3

Stats : Guardiola has never lost three consecutive league games as a manager. Brentford have the chance to do so after beating Man City 2-1 away and 1-0 at home last season.

Vinh San (according to BBC )

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