Soccer English Premier League Prediction

Leeds vs Crystal Palace - Match Preview

⚽ 9 April 2023 - 13:00 GMT +0

Leeds United boss Javi Gracia was quick to credit his players as “the protagonists'' after they came from behind against Nottingham Forest to secure his third win in just six Premier League (PL) games at the helm (W3, D1, L2). That positive run has propelled Leeds to 13th place ahead of the weekend, though with just two points separating them from the drop zone, the battle for survival is far from over.

Elland Road has been the venue for most of Gracia’s success, with seven of his ten points earned during an ongoing three-game unbeaten run of PL home games (W2, D1). Further boosting Leeds’ confidence will be the fact they’ve won every home H2H encounter with Crystal Palace since the 2006/07 season (W7), a run they’ll be looking to extend whilst avoiding a first-ever top-flight losing league double against the Eagles.

The somewhat controversial re-appointment of Roy Hodgson as the Palace boss paid dividends immediately, as his opening game ended with a dramatic 2-1 win over fellow strugglers Leicester. That success ended the Eagles’ torrid 13-game run without a win in all competitions and lifted them to the top of a raft of eight sides separated by just five points between 12th-19th ahead of the round.

The change of tactics under Hodgson was clear to see as Palace recorded an incredible 31 shots last time out and nine on target - they only managed at least 20 attempts in one of Patrick Vieira’s 65 PL games at the helm! Keeping up that rampant barrage is necessary as their next task is to end their torrid six-game winless run of away games (D1, L5), with four defeats coming by just a single goal.

📋 Players to watch: Leeds midfielder Jack Harrison made his fourth goal contribution in as many games last time out (G3, A1), whilst three of his four PL goals this season came at home. As for Palace, Jean-Philippe Mateta may be knocking on Hodgson’s door asking for a start after earning him a victory on his second managerial debut at the club with a 94th-minute winner as a substitute last time out.

⚡ Hot streak: Leeds have scored just three goals across a winless seven-game run of PL games played on.

Liverpool vs Arsenal - Match Preview

⚽ 9 April 2023 - 15:30 GMT +0

In recent years, Liverpool have entered this time of the season embroiled in battles to secure the Premier League (PL) crown, but this campaign they’ll merely be spectators. Instead, it’s visitors and league-leaders Arsenal who are sweating on every point. European football isn’t even assured for the Merseysiders next season after a rotten run of no win in three league matches (D1, L2) has left them eighth and three points off of the top six coming into the round.

Each of those losses came on the road, and the Reds will hope Anfield can once again be the equaliser in terms of getting them back on track. It’s proven to be so recently and they have kept four consecutive home league clean sheets thanks to their most recent PL Anfield contest; a 7-0 thumping of bitter rivals Manchester United. Arsenal has often felt the wrath of a buoyant Kop too, with Liverpool winning each of the last six PL H2Hs at Anfield by an aggregate score of 22-4!

But this is a different Arsenal. Their 4-1 thrashing of Leeds last time out made it seven successive PL wins, adding to the belief that the red half of North London can see their first league triumph since 2003/04. Arsenal’s potential title-winning mettle was on full display in their 3-2 success over Liverpool in the reverse fixture, meaning they could earn themselves a first league double over the Reds since 2009/10.

The Gunners approach the weekend with an eight-point gap to Manchester City, thanks partly to their away form as they’ve won seven more points on the road than their closest title rivals. That includes victory in seven of their last eight PL away matches (L1) which has contributed to Arsenal owning both the league’s best defence (nine goals conceded) and offence (28 goals scored) on their travels.

📋 Players to watch: Mohamed Salah will be looking to maintain his perfect one-to-one record of 105 PL goal contributions (G74, A31) in as many league appearances at Anfield for Liverpool, with seven of them coming against Arsenal (G5, A2). Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus will be confident he can return the favour after his brace against Leeds. He’s also been involved in six goals in his last six encounters with Liverpool (G2, A4).

⚡ Hot streak: Liverpool hasn’t lost a PL game when leading at half-time since December 2016 (W109, D10).