Prince-Wright’s Premier League picks: Everton, Manchester United, Liverpool

By Joe Prince-WrightDec 19, 2014, 10:02 AM EST

Week 17 of the Premier League is here, as the busy festive period kicks off up and down the land. We have huge rivalry matches, giants clashing and relegation scraps on top this weekend. What more could you possibly ask for?

[WATCH: PL TV schedule, Week 17 | Every PL game live online]

I’ve consulted my crystal ball (he wishes you all a Merry Christmas, by the way) and here’s how I see things panning out…

BASICALLY, FREE MONEY

Aston Villa vs. Manchester United – (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, NBCSN)

United are not churning out top class displays, but they do possess top class strikers. That’s the big difference right now. Ruthless and clinical, expect them to rack up a seventh-straight win away at Villa, which always seems to be a happy hunting ground for them. Having David De Gea in the form of his life always helps too.

Aston Villa 1-3 Manchester United

Southampton vs. Everton – (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, Premier League Extratime)

Poor old Saints. Five defeats on the spin in all competitions and a bout of injuries and suspensions now has their talented squad depleted. Everton outclassed QPR last Monday. Expect them to add to Southampton’s festive woe this weekend.

Southampton 0-2 Everton

Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace – (Saturday, 7:45 a.m. ET, NBCSN)

The Citizens have won five in a row and despite injuries to his striking stable, Manuel Pellegrini is finding contributors from all over the place. The Eagles badly need a striker and will struggle to score vs. City who are hot on the heels of Chelsea.

Manchester City 3-0 Crystal Palace

Hull City vs. Swansea City – (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, Premier League Extratime)

Only one win since the opening day of the season for Hull, but I fancy them to clip the wings of the Swans who have lost two-straight. The Tigers are ready to pounce and ease some pressure on Steve Bruce. Home win.

Hull City 2-1 Swansea City

West Ham United vs. Leicester City – (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, Premier League Extratime)

The Hammers are in the top four for a reason: they are a bloody good team. With creativity, pace and power, Sam Allardyce has added plenty of weapons to his offense and the defense remains sturdy. Sorry Leicester, yet another defeat.

West Ham 3-1 Leicester City

DON’T TOUCH THIS…

QPR vs. West Brom – (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, Premier League Extratime)

Yes, QPR are awesome at home. But the Baggies just beat Aston Villa and this will be a tight, tense relegation six-pointer. I wouldn’t touch this one.

QPR 2-2 West Brom

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Burnley – (Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, Premier League Extratime)

Spurs will probably win, but you just never know with them. Narrow away wins at Hull and Swansea in recent weeks has proved that they struggle when they are supposed to win. Plus Burnley have three wins in their last six matches. This one will be tight at the Lane.

Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Burnley

“SO YOU’RE TELLING ME THERE’S A CHANCE…”

Liverpool vs. Arsenal – (Sunday, 11 a.m. ET, NBCSN)

Look, I have to go with my gut and it’s telling me that Liverpool are not only due a big win but also a healthy dose of luck. The Reds played well against Manchester United and somehow lost 3-0 last week but Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana look dangerous in attack. That combined with Arsenal’s defensive injuries could be the key. Home win, just, as the Gunners always seem to unravel just when it seems like they have things figured out.

Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal

Stoke City vs. Chelsea – (Monday, 3 p.m. ET, NBCSN)

Stoke away on a chill Monday night in December… Grinding out a win there is the stuff champions are made of. I think Chelsea will come up just short against a fired up Potters side, but Mourinho’s men will not lose 3-2 like they did at the Britannia Stadium last season. Score draw.

Stoke City 2-2 Chelsea

Newcastle vs. Sunderland – (Sunday, 8:30 a.m. ET, NBCSN)

This derby is not one for the faint-hearted. Newcastle are struggling with injuries and with young goalkeeper Jak Alnwick in goal, expect Sunderland to make the most of that. Can Jozy Altidore be the hero in the Tyne-Wear derby? The Black Cats will nick this one.

Newcastle 1-2 Sunderland

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USMNT upcoming schedule – Nations League, friendlies, Gold Cup

By Andy EdwardsMar 21, 2023, 5:12 AM EDT

After reaching the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup, the USMNT have a big 2023 coming up as they aim to build off a successful showing on the world’s biggest stage.

[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]

For the next few months CONCACAF Nations League takes center stage, while the program is very much in transition as Anthony Hudson takes temporary charge and both the GM (Brian McBride) and Sporting Director (Earnie Stewart) left in recent months.

As for now, here is the USMNT’s upcoming schedule for 2023, with plenty more games to be added based on their potential qualification for the 2023 Gold Cup on home soil.

How to watch USMNT

TV channels in English: HBO Max, TNT
TV channels en Español: Universo, Telemundo Deportes
Streaming en Español: Peacock

USMNT upcoming schedule

* Friendly | ** CONCACAF Nations League | *** 2022 World Cup

2023

vs. Serbia* — Jan. 25, 10 pm ET — Loss 2-1 | Recap & highlights
vs. Colombia* — Jan. 28, 7:30 pm ET — Draw 0-0 | Recap & highlights
at Grenada** — March 24, 8 pm ET — St. George’s, Grenada
vs El Salvador** — March 27, 7:30pm ET — Orlando, Florida
vs Mexico* — April 19, 10:22pm ET — Glendale, Arizona – More details

2023 Gold Cup from June 16 to July 19 (USMNT yet to qualify)

USMNT games in 2022

vs. Morocco* — June 1 — Win 3-0
vs. Uruguay* — June 5 — Draw 0-0
vs. Grenada** — June 10 — Win 5-0
at El Salvador** — June 14 — Draw 1-1
vs Japan* — Sept. 23 (in Dusseldorf, Germany) — Loss 2-0
vs Saudi Arabia* — Sept. 27 (in Murcia, Spain) — Draw 0-0

USMNT at 2022 World Cup

Group B
vs. Wales*** — Nov. 21, 2 pm ET — Draw 1-1
vs. England*** — Nov. 25, 2 pm ET — Draw 0-0
vs. Iran*** — Nov. 29, 2 pm ET — Win 1-0

Last 16
vs. Netherlands*** — Dec. 3, 10 am ET — Loss 3-1

USMNT 2022 World Cup qualifying scores, recaps, analysis

at El Salvador — Sept. 2 — Draw 0-0
vs. Canada — Sept. 5 — Draw 1-1
at Honduras — Sept. 8 — Win 4-1

vs. Jamaica — Oct. 7 — Win 1-0
at Panama — Oct. 10 — Loss 0-1
vs. Costa Rica — Oct. 13 — Win 2-1

vs. Mexico — Nov. 12 — Win 2-0
at Jamaica — Nov. 16 — Draw 1-1

vs. El Salvador — Jan. 27 — Win 1-0
at Canada — Jan. 30 — Loss 0-2
vs. Honduras — Feb. 2 — Win 3-0

at Mexico — March 24 — Draw 0-0
vs. Panama — March 27 — Win 5-1
at Costa Rica — March 30 — Loss 0-2

Final CONCACAF World Cup qualifying standings

Canada — 28 points – (QUALIFIED) GD +16 – automatic qualification
Mexico — 28 points (QUALIFIED) GD +9 – automatic qualification
USMNT — 25 points – (QUALIFIED) GD +11 – automatic qualification

Costa Rica — 25 points (PLAYOFF) GD +5

Panama — 21 points (ELIMINATED)
Jamaica — 14 points (ELIMINATED)
El Salvador — 10 points (ELIMINATED)
Honduras — 4 points (ELIMINATED)

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Premier League top-four race: Current form, key fixtures, odds, predictions

By Andy EdwardsMar 21, 2023, 5:12 AM EDT

The Premier League’s top-four race appears set to be heated and last until the final day(s) of the 2022-23 season, with as many as four sides battling for one final spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.

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Tottenham currently find themselves in pole position, but inconsistent performances and questions over Antonio Conte’s tenure as manager have allowed Liverpool and a host of others into the race.

So who is going to seize the chance? Newcastle’s gotten back to winning ways and would be set for third place based on goal differential and points-per-game, though Manchester United will fancy the opportunity to stake its claim despite being alive in a host of competitions.

Brighton is also on a top-five pace when matches-in-hand are considered, and the Seagulls look prepared to challenge for a place in the Champions League well into the stretch run.

Below is a look at the key fixtures, current form, odds and predictions for the four sides currently chasing a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.

Remaining fixtures for top-four contenders

Tottenham: Everton (A), Brighton (H), Bournemouth (H), Newcastle (A), Manchester United (H), Liverpool (A), Crystal Palace (H), Aston Villa (A), Brentford (H), Leeds (A)

Liverpool: Fulham (H), Manchester City (A), Chelsea (A), Arsenal (H), Leeds (A), Nottingham Forest (H), West Ham (A), Tottenham (H), Brentford (H), Leicester (A), Aston Villa (H), Southampton (A)

Newcastle: Brighton (H – to be rescheduled), Manchester United (H), West Ham (A), Brentford (A), Aston Villa (A), Tottenham (H), Everton (A), Southampton (H), Arsenal (H), Leeds (A), Leicester (H), Chelsea (A)

Brighton: Newcastle (A – to be reschedule), Manchester United (H), Brentford (H), Bournemouth (A), Tottenham (A), Chelsea (A), Manchester City (H), Nottingham Forest (A), Wolves (H), Everton (H), Arsenal (A), Southampton (H), Aston Villa (A)

Key fixtures that will decide the Premier League top-four

Saturday, April 1: Manchester City vs Liverpool – 7:30am ET
Sunday, April 2: Newcastle vs Manchester United – 11:30am ET
Tuesday, April 4: Chelsea vs Liverpool – 3pm ET
Saturday, April 8: Tottenham vs Brighton – 10am ET
Sunday, April 9: Liverpool vs Arsenal – 11:30am ET
Saturday, April 1: Manchester City vs Liverpool – 7:30am ET
Saturday, April 15: Chelsea vs Brighton – 10am ET
Sunday, April 23: Newcastle vs Tottenham – 9am ET
Sunday, April 23: Brighton vs Manchester City – 11:30am ET
Thursday, April 27: Tottenham vs Manchester United – 3:15pm ET
Sunday, April 30: Liverpool vs Tottenham – 11:30am ET
Saturday, May 6: Newcastle vs Arsenal – Date/time to be confirmed
Saturday, May 13: Arsenal vs Brighton – Date/time TBC
Sunday, May 28: Leeds vs Tottenham – 11:30am ET
Sunday, May 28: Chelsea vs Newcastle – 11:30am ET
Sunday, May 28: Southampton vs Liverpool – 11:30am ET
Sunday, May 28: Aston Villa vs Brighton – 11:30am ET

Current form (As of March 7, 2023)

Tottenham’s last 5 results: DWWLW
Liverpool’s last 5 results: LWWDW
Newcastle’s last 5 results: WWDDD
Brighton’s last 5 results: WDDWD

Key injuries

Tottenham: OUT: Rodrigo Bentancur (torn ACL – out for season), Hugo Lloris (knee – out until mid/late March), Yves Bissouma (broken foot), Ryan Sessegnon (thigh)

Liverpool: OUT: Luis Diaz (knee – out until after international break), Thiago Alcantara (hip), Joe Gomez (undisclosed), Calvin Ramsay (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Naby Keita (knock), Arthur Melo (thigh)

Newcastle: OUT: Joelinton (suspension – two games remaining), Emil Krafth (torn ACL – out for season), Ryan Fraser (undisclosed) | QUESTIONABLE: Fabian Schar (head)

Brighton: OUT: Adam Lallana (thigh – out for season), Jakub Moder (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Tariq Lamptey (knee), Levi Colwill (undisclosed)

Premier League top-four odds (As of March 7, 2023)

(Betting odds provided by our partner, BetMGM ) BetMGM is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on BetMGM for the first time after clicking our links.

Manchester United: -650
Liverpool: -125
Tottenham: +200
Newcastle: +240
Brighton: +550

Prediction for Premier League top-four

4. Liverpool – 72 points
5. Tottenham – 66 points
6. Brighton – 64 points
7. Newcastle – 60 points

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Premier League table, 2022-23 season

By Andy EdwardsMar 21, 2023, 5:12 AM EDT

If it’s the 2022-23 Premier League table you’re after, you’ve come to the right place.

[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]

After the break for the 2022 World Cup, the Premier League returned with a bang and the start to 2023 has delivered plenty of fun.

Now we are approaching the final few months of the campaign, it is so tight up and down the Premier League table.

Who’s looking like title contenders and/or favorites?

As we head into the final months of the 2022-23 season, Arsenal and Manchester City are looking head and shoulders above the rest and although Manchester United briefly surged into the picture, they look more likely to cement their spot as the third best team in the Premier League.

[ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ]

The Gunners will have their hands full for the duration of their title challenge, as Erling Haaland continues to take the Premier League by storm with an almost impossible goal-scoring record.

What about the top four and European places?

Uneven Tottenham are hanging in the top four battle and for the moment have hunted down Newcastle, while Liverpool is back in the Champions League picture after their return to form and Chelsea looks like a top six finish is their ceiling. For now.

Surprising Fulham, Brentford, and Brighton are all hanging around on the periphery with fine campaigns. Can one of them surprise and qualify for Europe?

Who are the candidates for relegation?

Southampton, West Ham, and Bournemouth currently occupy the relegation places but that keeps changing all the time and it is so tight at the bottom of the table.

Nottingham Forest, Leicester City, Wolves, Leeds, Everton and Crystal Palace all find themselves within a few points of the bottom three as the race to stay in the Premier League intensifies. This could be the craziest relegation scrap in Premier League history.

Below you will find the latest Premier League table.

Premier League table – March 19

NBC Sports’ standings and scoreboard

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Ranking Premier League Player of the Season candidates

By Joe Prince-WrightMar 21, 2023, 5:12 AM EDT

We are entering the final months of the 2022-23 season and now is a good time to start thinking about the candidates for Premier League Player of the Season.

It’s not that easy this season, is it?

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From Erling Haaland banging in goals galore to Arsenal’s youngsters shinning and talisman across the league carrying their teams, this award could be heading to some very different places.

Below is a look at the Premier League Player of the Season contenders heading into the home stretch.

Ranking the Premier League Player of the Season candidates

7. Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)

KDB leads the Premier League in assists once again and his silky passes and crosses drive this Manchester City side. He has had dips in form this season and has struggled a little with injuries but he still delivers mind-boggling moments consistently and is always hungry to deliver. He is the kind of character you His connection with Erling Haaland has been particularly strong and KDB is ready to lead City to a late-season trophy push.

6. Harry Kane (Tottenham)

He has hit the 20-goal marker in the Premier League for the sixth time in nine full PL seasons in his career. The other three seasons he scored 17, 18 and 17. His consistency is remarkable and Kane is on track to beat his best-ever PL haul of 30. As well as becoming Spurs’ all-time leading goalscorer, his importance to the way they play is clear. With Heung-min Son having a poor season, Spurs will be worried about Kane suffering from a bad back late in the season from all the carrying he’s done this campaign…

5. Ivan Toney (Brentford)

Brentford’s main man is only behind Kane and Haaland in goals and is leading their unlikely charge for Europe. The Bees and Toney were supposed to be a bit of a one-season wonder but that isn’t the case. Toney has developed his game and like Kane, he links up play superbly and if he doesn’t score, he makes sure to help create plenty of chances. Off the pitch the FA charging him with alleged breaches of their betting rules is hanging over him but on it Toney has been incredible. Plus, his penalty kick record, and technique, is amazing.

4. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

In red-hot form since the World Cup, this is the Marcus Rashford we know and love. His runs in-behind have caused havoc and Rashford has become United’s talisman. He needs more help to share the goalscoring burden but he is seeing plenty of chances fall his way as United play direct and to his strengths. Rashford is so hard to mark wherever he starts on the pitch and he’s added clinical finishing to his wonderful pace and intelligent runs.

3. Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)

The Arsenal skipper has been majestic and is so calm on the ball but has also brought a steely determination to his game. He has blossomed as a leader under Mikel Arteta and has popped up with important goals and assists throughout the Gunners’ campaign. Odegaard was always seen as a silky playmaker but he’s added extra grit and drive to his play and his connection with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli is a big reason why Arsenal are challenging for the title.

2. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Scoring goals at an incredible rate all season long, Haaland is so tough to stop when Manchester City get going. He has scored all types of goals and has slotted in seamlessly. There are still spells when he goes a few games without a goal but he always bounces back and his hold-up play is improving even as Premier League defenders become more aware of his movements. He is a special talent, a powerhouse and a goal-machine. If City win the title, Haaland’s goals will be a huge reason why.

1. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

It’s hard to believe Saka is still just 21 years old. He was a star at the World Cup with England and his early goals and assists in games have been a key feature of Arsenal’s title push. Saka is so hard to stop when he gets going as he can go either way, whip in a delightful cross or score a beauty of his own. He is the complete attacking player and the Arsenal academy graduate is a club legend in the making. What a season he’s had and he never seems to run out of steam.

Honorable mentions: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Rodri (Manchester City), Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton), Moises Caicedo (Brighton), William Saliba (Arsenal), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Thomas Partey (Arsenal), Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal), Leandro Trossard (Brighton, Arsenal), James Maddison (Leicester City), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Miguel Almiron (Newcastle), Joao Palhinha (Fulham)

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[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]

Latest USMNT news

How to watch USMNT

USMNT upcoming schedule

USMNT games in 2022

USMNT at 2022 World Cup

USMNT 2022 World Cup qualifying scores, recaps, analysis

Final CONCACAF World Cup qualifying standings

Latest USMNT news

[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]

Latest Premier League news

Remaining fixtures for top-four contenders

Key fixtures that will decide the Premier League top-four

Current form (As of March 7, 2023)

Key injuries

Premier League top-four odds (As of March 7, 2023)

Prediction for Premier League top-four

Latest Premier League news

Who’s looking like title contenders and/or favorites?

What about the top four and European places?

Who are the candidates for relegation?

Premier League table – March 19

[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]

Latest Premier League news

Ranking the Premier League Player of the Season candidates

7. Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)

6. Harry Kane (Tottenham)

5. Ivan Toney (Brentford)

4. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

3. Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)

2. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

1. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)