⛅️ Friday Forecast: Silverware up for grabs and big battle at the bottom | OneFootball

A potentially pivotal weekend of Premier League action is upon us as the season hurtles towards a dramatic conclusion, while another piece of silverware will be decided on Sunday.

This is what lies in store.

💪 Game of the weekend

Chelsea v Liverpool

It may not be in the Premier League but the game of the weekend in England undoubtedly takes place at Wembley.

That’s where the first ‘major’ piece of silverware of the season will be decided as Liverpool and Chelsea compete for EFL Cup glory on Sunday.

The Reds come into it having hit scintillating form, winning their last nine games and going unbeaten since the start of the year.

Chelsea, meanwhile, may have stuttered a little in 2022 but they do have recent form for picking up trophies after being crowned Club World Cup champions for the first time in their history.

With most of the marquee names fit and available (there are doubts over some players) and memories of their 2-2 thriller at Stamford Bridge in January still fresh, this is not to be missed.

📊 Fun fact: Liverpool are seeking to win the competition for a record ninth time, while this is their 13 final appearance – four more than any other side.

🔮 Our prediction: Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool

😨 Potential upset

Leeds v Tottenham

A team bouncing back from a 6-0 loss to defeat the team who stunned the champions and league leaders a week ago? This is the Premier League, where anything is possible.

Leeds’ Anfield humiliation was a little harsh, with the scoreline not telling the full tale of a game in which they conceded two penalties and a flurry late on.

The defeat was more than merited but the severity of it a little less so.

At the same time that was happening, Spurs were following up their incredible win at Manchester City with a defeat against Burnley.

Particularly in the wake of Antonio Conte’s stinging comments afterwards, the Yorkshire side may view the visitors as a wounded animal ripe for picking off.

📊 Fun fact: Elland Road has proven a tough hunting ground for Spurs, who have lose eight and drawn three of their 13 visits there.

🔮 Our prediction: Leeds 1-1 Tottenham

👍 Big favourites

Everton v Manchester City

Beware the wounded beast, Everton.

After City’s chastening defeat last weekend handed them their first loss in all competitions since early December’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig, they’ll be out for blood.

Historically under Pep Guardiola, they’ve gotten it too. He has tasted 27 defeats in the Premier League since taking over in 2016.

In the games immediately following, City’s record reads as a staggering 22 wins, three draws and just two losses, while scoring 83 goals and conceding just 23.

Ominously for Everton, they’ve faced this same situation before and were sent packing with a ruthless 5-0 hammering. Will history repeat itself?

📊 Fun fact: Everton have won just one of their last 17 league meetings with City and have lost each of the last eight in succession.

🔮 Our prediction: Everton 0-4 Manchester City

🤔 Too close to call

Brentford v Newcastle

What a huge showdown this is in terms of the relegation battle.

Neither Newcastle nor Brentford are in the bottom three at the moment but are both perched precariously above it, looking behind them nervously.

After a strong start to the season, the Bees’ form has fallen off a cliff and they have just one win in the last two-and-a-half months, losing six of their last seven.

The Magpies are on the opposite trajectory, going unbeaten in their six games since Christmas to lift themselves out of the drop zone, helped by some astute January additions.

But by no means are either side of it, with Brentford just four points ahead of Burnley in 18th (who have three games in hand on them), with Newcastle just one Clarets win away from falling back in themselves.

Three points for either side would be massive.

📊 Fun fact: This is the first time Brentford have ever hosted Newcastle in the top flight, with all four previous meetings coming in the second tier, the first occurring in 1935.

🔮 Our prediction: Brentford 0-3 Newcastle

🔥 Your Fantasy Football captain should be …

Ché Adams (Southampton)

Adams is admittedly one of the streakier players in the Premier League.

But while he’s found a new purple patch, make the most of it, particularly the Scotland international will fancy his chances of filling his boots against bottom side Norwich.

Adams has two goals and an assist in his last three games. He’s a good bet to add to those numbers at St Mary’s on Friday night.

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