Manchester United faces significant personnel shortages and a serious crisis; Coventry is pushing for promotion, Morocco is strong, and Egypt should be cautious.

1. Manchester United vs Newcastle

The home side is seventh in the league, with a recent six-game record of 2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses. At home, they have yet to win, with 2 draws and 1 loss, scoring 12 goals and conceding 10, showing good attacking but fragile defense. Over the past six home matches, they have 3 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss, scoring 13 and conceding 9, but have failed to win their last three home games against relatively weak teams, which is worrying. The African Cup of Nations has also taken away their main striker, adding to their difficulties.

The away team ranks eleventh, with a recent six-match record of 3 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss. Away, they have 1 win and 1 loss, scoring 12 and conceding 8 overall. However, most of their success comes from home matches. In their last six away games, they have only 1 win, 1 draw, and 4 losses, scoring 7 and conceding 10, showing weak away performance.

The data does not show a clear bias. Due to the home team’s defensive instability and the loss of key players, their attacking strength will be significantly reduced.

First choice: home win, second choice: away win.

2. Millwall vs Ipswich

The home team has dropped to sixth place, with a recent six-match record of 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses. At home, they have 2 wins, no draws, and 1 loss, scoring 7 and conceding 8, but they have failed to win in the last three games, losing to Blackburn and Hull City and drawing with Derby County, indicating a sharp decline in form. Over the last six home matches, they have 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, scoring 9 and conceding 6, showing solid home strength.

The away team is third, five points behind second place, so they will not relax. Their recent six matches include 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses. Away, they have no wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses, scoring 10 and conceding 7. Their three wins are at home, while away results are poor with no wins in the last three away games, showing weak recent away form.

The data favors the away team. Considering recent offensive and home-away attacking stats, the away side holds some advantage. However, both teams have shown relatively poor recent performances.

First choice: away win, second choice: draw.

3. Coventry vs Swansea

The home team leads the table and is highly likely to secure promotion, with a recent six-match record of 3 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss. At home, they have 2 wins and no draws or losses, scoring 10 and conceding 8. Their two draws and one loss came against strong Championship teams Ipswich, Preston, and Southampton. In their last six home games, they are undefeated with 6 wins, scoring 15 and conceding 5, making their home form reliable.

The away team ranks nineteenth, with a recent six-match record of 3 wins and 3 losses. Away, they have no wins, no draws, and 2 losses, scoring 9 and conceding 8. Their three wins are at home. Both teams have similar attacking and defensive stats, but the opposition is generally weaker than the home team’s opponents. In their last six away games, they have 0 wins, 2 draws, and 4 losses, scoring 5 and conceding 11, showing very limited away strength.

The data strongly supports the home team. From motivation perspective, the home side is clearly stronger. However, recent performances suggest the home team might not secure a comfortable win.

First choice: home win, second choice: draw.

4. Luton Town vs Watford

The home team ranks thirteenth and has been somewhat disappointing this season despite a decent squad. In the last six home games, they have 2 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses. At home, they have 1 win and 1 loss, scoring 11 and conceding 14, with a very weak defense. Over the past six home matches, they have 2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses, scoring and conceding 9 goals each. Their home form is inconsistent with big fluctuations, but they can still fight hard at home, struggling more against weaker teams.

The away team ranks tenth, with a recent six-match record of 2 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss. Away, they have no wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, scoring 9 and conceding 8. In their last six away games, they have 1 win, 2 draws, and 3 losses, scoring 8 and conceding 11. Their offense is decent, but their defense is unstable and inconsistent.

The data slightly favors the home team. Considering home and away strengths, the home side is stronger overall, mainly due to better squad quality.

Home win.

5. Middlesbrough vs Blackburn

The home team ranks second, five points ahead of third place, with strong hopes for promotion. Their recent six matches include 4 wins and 2 losses. At home, they have 2 wins and 1 loss, scoring 13 and conceding 10, showing strong offense but average defense with goals conceded in every game. Over the last six home games, they have 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, scoring 12 and conceding 9, maintaining good form.

The away team is twentieth, reflecting the big gap in form this season. Their recent six matches include 1 win, 3 draws, and 2 losses. Away, they have no wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, scoring 6 and conceding 6. Their offense lacks firepower, but defense is solid. In their last six away games, they have 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses, scoring 7 and conceding 6, showing some away capability and good defense.

The data supports the home team reasonably, based on recent form and home-away strength. However, historically, the home team does not have a psychological edge and the away team can be a tough opponent.

First choice: home win, second choice: away win.

6. Norwich vs Charlton

The home team is 23rd, with a recent six-match record of 2 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss. At home, they have 2 wins, 1 draw, and no losses, scoring 10 and conceding 8, showing decent overall form. They are unbeaten in their last three games. Over the last six home matches, they have 2 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses, scoring 7 and conceding 8, with improving home strength.

The away team ranks seventeenth, with a recent six-match record of 1 win, 1 draw, and 4 losses. Away, they have no wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses, scoring 5 and conceding 14, performing poorly. Over the last six away games, they have 1 win, 2 draws, and 3 losses, scoring 6 and conceding 9, showing weak away ability.

The data slightly favors the home team. The home side’s form is clearly improving, while the away team is inconsistent.

Home win.

7. Oxford United vs Southampton

The home team is 22nd, with a recent six-match record of 1 win, 2 draws, and 3 losses. At home, they have 1 win and 1 loss, scoring 5 and conceding 8, showing weak offense and defense, but their win over Ipswich is notable. Over the last six home games, they have 2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses, scoring 7 and conceding 9. This team tends to perform better against stronger opponents.

The away team ranks eleventh, with a recent six-match record of 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses. Away, they have no wins or draws and 2 losses, scoring 13 and conceding 9. Their wins are all at home. Over the last six away games, they have 2 wins and 4 losses, scoring 12 and conceding 12, showing poor away form but decent attack and average defense.

The data favors the away team, but not strongly, which is not ideal for the visitors.

First choice: away win, second choice: home win.

8. Portsmouth vs Rangers

The home team ranks 21st, with a generally poor performance. Their recent six matches include 2 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses. At home, they have 2 wins, no draws, and 1 loss, scoring 6 and conceding 8, showing weak offense and defense. Over the last six home games, they have 2 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses, scoring 6 and conceding 6.

The away team ranks seventh and performs much better. Their recent six matches include 4 wins and 2 losses. Away, they have 1 win, no draws, and 2 losses, scoring 12 and conceding 9. Over the last six away games, they have 2 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses, scoring 4 and conceding 7, showing limited away strength.

The data shows no strong bias, but considering home and away abilities, the away team is unlikely to escape unscathed. Historical head-to-head results also suggest the away team faces challenges.

First choice: away win, second choice: home win.

9. Stoke vs Preston

The home team ranks eighth, with a recent six-match record of 2 wins and 4 losses. At home, they have 2 wins, no draws, and 1 loss, scoring 6 and conceding 9. Though overall form looks poor, both wins are home games, and most goals conceded occurred away. Over the last six home games, they have 4 wins, no draws, and 2 losses, scoring 12 and conceding 5, showing strong home form.
The away team is fifth, with a recent six-match record of 2 wins and 4 draws, no losses. Away, they have 2 wins and 1 draw, scoring 9 and conceding 7, showing very good recent form. Over the last six away matches, they have 3 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss, scoring 10 and conceding 7, unbeaten in their last five, showing strong performance.

The data favors the home team, but considering recent form and home-away strength, this support might be excessive.

First choice: home win, second choice: draw.

10. Scunthorpe vs Bristol

The home team ranks sixteenth, with a recent six-match record of 2 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses. At home, they have 2 wins and 1 draw, no losses, scoring 9 and conceding 10. Away, they conceded 7 goals. Over the last six home matches, they have 4 wins and 2 draws, no losses, scoring 10 and conceding 5, showing excellent home form.

The away team is ninth, with a recent six-match record of 2 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses. Away, they have 1 win, no draws, and 2 losses, scoring 5 and conceding 6. While defense is decent, offense is weak. Over the last six away games, they have 2 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses, scoring 4 and conceding 9, showing average away performance.

The data supports the home team, though not strongly, aligning with their recent form and home strength.

Home win.

11. Rotherham vs Sheffield United

The home team ranks fifteenth, with a recent six-match record of 1 win, 3 draws, and 2 losses. At home, they have 1 win and 2 draws, no losses, scoring 7 and conceding 8. They have not won in their last five matches, mostly draws, indicating a clear decline in form. Over the last six home games, they have 4 wins and 2 draws, no losses, scoring 10 and conceding 5, showing very strong home performance, even beating the league leaders.

The away team ranks eighteenth, with a recent six-match record of 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. Away, they have 1 win, no draws, and 1 loss, scoring 14 and conceding 5. Their recent form is excellent. Over the last six away matches, they have 3 wins and 3 losses, scoring 12 and conceding 11, showing unstable performance with strong offense but weak defense.

The data favors the away team, but the strength is not strong. The home team’s home ability should not be underestimated, though the away team’s excellent form is also notable.

First choice: away win, second choice: home win.

12. Egypt vs South Africa

Both teams started their group with wins, making them the strongest in the group. The home team has superior overall strength, featuring powerful forwards like Salah and Marmoush. The respect from teammates towards the Pharaoh likely boosts this Liverpool striker’s form. However, in the first match, the home team struggled to break through the opponent’s defense, possibly not yet at peak condition.

The data strongly supports the home team, but judging from the first match, they still need to improve their attack.

First choice: home win, second choice: draw.

13. Zambia vs Comoros

The home team drew 1-1 with Mali in their opening match, while the away team lost 0-2 to Morocco. Morocco is clearly the dominant team in this group, followed by Zambia and Mali. The home team will undoubtedly give their all in this match.

The data supports the home team, but not strongly, as both sides are fairly evenly matched.

First choice: home win, second choice: draw.

14. Morocco vs Mali

There is no doubt the home team is the strongest in the group.

Home win.