Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and had a great weekend, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. This weekend saw plenty of exciting games and results at the top and bottom of the table. With European football on the line, and Quarter Finals this week in the three major competitions, teams had to choose which competition to prioritise ahead of these games. The top two showed why they are the ones in the title race, Spurs showed how good they can be under Conte, and Tuchel has a lot to ponder. You can find the preview to this round of matches here: https://www.publish0x.com/cryptogod-1-sports/english-premier-league-match-day-31-preview-xdgelxx

 

Weekend Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, I got 2/10 correct this weekend. In terms of match-winner/loser, I managed to predict 5/10 correctly in this round of games.

 

Predicted: Liverpool 4-0 Watford

Result: Liverpool 2-0 Watford

Jota, Fabinho

The Reds recorded their 10th league win in a row, although it was far from their best, they still got the job done to temporarily move top of the table. Watford showed their need for points as they managed to test Liverpool with presentable chances for both Cucho and Kucka, but Alisson showed his great shop stopping skills to deny both. Soon after Liverpool were up the other end, with Gomez showing Alexander-Arnold likeness as he played a delightful ball into the box for Jota to head home. Thiago was pulling the strings in the middle of the park, dominating the ball and putting in tough challenges. His no look passes were delightful, and time and time again cut the Hornets defence apart. Liverpool were awarded a penalty after Jota was hauled down at a corner, albeit via VAR, and Fabinho made no mistake from the spot. This was Liverpool's fifth consecutive clean sheet in the league, while they have now won each of their last seven home league games against Watford. The Hornets have picked up just four points from the last 33 available against Liverpool, and find themselves very much signed on for relegation with their current form.

 

Predicted: Brighton 0-1 Norwich

Result: Brighton 0-0 Norwich

Not a very surprising result to be honest, as the Seagulls once again drew a blank at home and recorded another draw. With 31 shots on goal, Potter will be disappointed his side only tested Krul in the Norwich goal four times. Both these sides have lost their previous six league encounters and it was telling in this game. Brighton had the best chance in the first half when Byram handled in the area, but Maupay sent his shot high over the bar from his spot kick. In the second half with 13 minutes to go Maupay had another brilliant chance but could not apply the finish. The result was probably fair, as Dean Smiths side got another point in their battle against relegation but remain bottom of the table. The Canaries haul of 18 points after 30 Premier League games is their lowest-ever tally at this stage of a top-flight campaign, and they look odds on for the drop. Brighton have been involved in 21 goalless draws in the league, more than any other side since they got promoted in the 2017-18 season.

 

Predicted: Burnley 0-2 Man City

Result: Burnley 0-2 Man City

De Bruyne, Gundogan

City regained the top spot with this result, as they made little of Burnley in this encounter. De Bruyne helped them take the lead after just five minutes when he latched onto Sterling's cushioned pass, drilling a first-time shot into the top corner of Pope's net. Twenty minutes later and the contest was over, as Sterling found space on the right before finding Gundogan, whose strike took a slight deflection off Long to wrong foot Pope. City continued to create chances but possibly with a busy month ahead, seemed to take their foot off the gas. They have now won their last 10 games against Burnley by a total score of 34-1. Burnley had their best chance when Grealish was dispossessed on the edge of the area, allowing Rodriguez to take a shot but nothing came of it. They have now failed to score in their last four league games, and sit four points behind Everton who are in 17th. De Bruyne also managed to score 10 league goals for Man City this season, which is only the second time he's reached double figures for goals in a single league campaign. He also managed it in 2019-20 with 13 goals.

 

Predicted: Chelsea 2-1 Brentford

Result: Chelsea 1-4 Brentford

Rudiger - Janelt x2, Eriksen, Wissa

I don't think anyone expected this result, and another bad day for Tuchel. After a goalless first half, the second half came to life. The Bees had looked good in the first half, but found themselves behind 3 minutes into the second as Rudiger fired home an incredible thunderbolt from 40 yards. Two minutes later Brentford were level, as Janelt struck from the edge of the area. Havertz then had an excellent chance but Ajer got in a block. A quick break from Brentford saw Mbeumo set up Eriksen to score from close range and give them the lead. Toney then set up Janelt for his second with a superb pass on the hour mark, which seemed to spark Chelsea into life. They threw men forward and Havertz thought he had scored, only for it to be ruled out. Brentford then got their fourth as Wissa made the most of Rudiger's poor clearance. The win moved Brentford 11 points clear of the drop zone and was their first win in nine meetings with the Blues since 1939. It also marked Eriksen first Premier League goal since December 2019 when he scored for Spurs against Norwich. As for Chelsea, maybe they had one eye on the Champions League clash this week with Madrid, as they lost control for 10 minutes from being mentally and physically tired according to Tuchel.

 

Predicted: Leeds 1-1 Southampton

Result: Leeds 1-1 Southampton

Harrison - Ward-Prowse

The home side were looking for a third win in a row under new manager Marsch, and were ahead at the break after Harrison managed to toe-poke his effort in just before the half-hour mark after a great move down the right which saw Raphina cross and Forster palm the ball into Harrisons path. Things quickly changed in the second half, as the Saints responded well and four minutes in they were level though another superb Ward-Prowse free-kick. The match was pacey and action filled throughout, Both teams pushed on to try find the winner, but great defending and goalkeeping along with some poor finishing meant it ended all square. The result moved Leeds eight points clear of the drop zone, while the Saints put an end to a run of four straight defeats in all competitions. It also marked the 13th time Ward-Prowse scored from a direct free-kick in the Premier League, and he is closing in on Beckham's record of 18 direct free-kick goals.

 

 

Predicted: Wolves 1-2 Aston Villa

Result: Wolves 2-1 Aston Villa

Otto, Young OG - Watkins

Wolves managed to give their European ambitions a boost with this west Midlands derby victory. They took a decisive lead in the 7th minute when McGinn slipped which allowed Moutinho to pick out Podence with a pass. McGinn managed to block his shot in the area, and Digne then threw himself in front of Silva's follow-up, but the ball landed for Jonny to smash it into the top corner from 12 yards. Villa were again too open for the second, which arrived nine minutes before half time as Marcal had space on the left and his cross was headed into his own net by Young. Villa showed more in the second half, but it took until four minutes from time for them to score in a controversial moment. Watkins and Wolves keeper Sa collided and a penalty was awarded, which Watkins fired in off the post. Gerrard admitted his players are fighting for their futures, as they have only managed to take just four points from 39 against teams above them in the league this season. After winning three consecutive Premier League games, Aston Villa have now lost three in a row, while Wolves have have won four of their last six league encounters with Villa.

 

Predicted: Man Utd 3-2 Leicester

Result: Man Utd 1-1 Leicester

Fred - Iheanacho

No Ronaldo for this one, and Rangnick's side started with no striker as Fernandes started up front in a false nine role. Having lost tow of their last three in all competitions, this result should spell the end of United top four hopes. United were sluggish throughout, although Fernandes had a good chance early on when Fred played him in, only for Schmeichel to save. Iheanacho had a chance to snatch a lead but blazed over, and the first halfalso saw Barnes flick a volley just wide of the post. McTominay could have seen red five minutes into the second half with a tough challenge on Maddison, and Iheanacho then finally gave the Foxes the lead just after the hour mark when he rose to direct Maddison's cross beyond de Gea. Four minutes later Fred made thing level, after Schmeichel saved Fernandes shot but the rebound fell to the Brazilian to smash into the roof of the net. Maddison was denied a winner with 10 minutes remaining as Varane was deemed to have been tripped by Iheanacho after a VAR review. United have now managed to win just one of their previous four in all competitions. Leicester are unbeaten in four league games with United, while they have lost just one of their last five league games.

 

Predicted: West Ham 2-0 Everton

Result: West Ham 2-1 Everton

Cresswell, Bowen - Holgate

Another disappointing result for Lampards side, who remain three points above the drop zone in 17th. Everton started well and had some decent chance, including when Iwobi and Gray combined to set Richarlison to round Fabianski but Fredericks produced a vital recovery challenge. Soon after Cresswell produced a masterful free-kick to get the Hammers the lead, and the Hammers looked comfortable from there. Richarlison had another chance before the break, but he struck his effort over the bar. Calvert-Lewin clipped the bar early in the second half after Rice lost possession, but they did manage to get level when Holgate saw his half volley hit the bottom corner of the net. Then a lapse in concentration by Iwobi allowed Antonio through on goal, with Pickford saving only for Bowen to apply the finish. Seven minutes later Keane got his second yellow, leaving Everton down to 10 men again. Since the start of October, Everton have won the fewest points in the Premier League and are the only side without an away win in that time. 

 

Predicted: Tottenham 3-1 Newcastle

Result: Tottenham 5-1 Newcastle

Davies, Doherty, Son, Emerson, Bergwijn - Schar

This was not a game to remember for the Newcastle fans, especially after they had taken the lead. For 43 minutes everything seemed to be going to plan for Newcastle, after Schar had seen his free-kick into the bottom corner go past Lloris on 39 minutes. Goals either side of half time from Davies and Doherty changed the direction of the game, with the first saw Son bend in a cross for Davies to head home, the second saw Doherty head in Kane's cross. From there Newcastle seemed at a loss, and somewhat desperate to get back into the game, which was their undoing. The third saw Kane pick out Kulusevski, who in turn found Son in the box to give Spurs a two goal advantage on 54 minutes. Emerson then managed to get on the scoresheet as Doherty's cross picked him out on 63 minutes. Son and Winks missed excellent chances to extend the lead, before Moura found his way through the middle of the park and played in Bergwijn to finish. A tale of two halves and sides with different mentalities, Spurs have now managed to gain 14 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, more than any other side. Conversely, Newcastle have now managed to drop 24 points from winning positions in 2021-22, also the leagues highest.

 

Predicted: Crystal Palace 2-2 Arsenal

Result: Crystal Palace 3-0 Arsenal

Mateta, Ayew, Zaha

Palace humbled Arsenal with this result, leaving the battle for top-four wide open, while Palace have now only lost once in their last 11 games in all competitions. Palace showed grit and aggression from the first whistle, with their desire to win the second balls forcing the opening goal as Mateta headed home from close range as Andersen forced the ball across goal when Gabriel mistimed his jump and failed to clear the ball into the box. The second arrived when Ayew sprinted onto a beautiful ball from Andersen which split Gabriel and Tavares before slotting home. On 67 minutes Arsenal created their first meaningful chance as Odegaard fired wide from 10 yards out. He was then the culprit as he conceded a penalty when tripping Zaha, who then coolly scored from the spot. Nketiah struck the bar with a beautiful curling late effort but it wasn't to be for Arteta's side. It was the 18th penalty that Zaha has won in the league, with only Sterling and Vardy winning more in Premier League history. The win sees Palace hold onto 9th while Arsenal are level with Spurs in the race for fourth.

 

 

 

Table After Match Day 31

A look at the top half of the table, and the top two continue their battle to see who will finish on top of the pile. Both recorded wins and face off next weekend in what will surely be a thrilling encounter. As for the top-four race, it seems like United are out of it, with Arsenal also recording a poor result. Advantage Spurs after this round, with West Ham only three points behind having played a game more.

As for the bottom half, no changes to the bottom three, with Everton sitting dangerously above them with only three points between 17th and 18th. Leeds and Brentford managed to put more daylight between themselves and the drop, while Newcastle will need to pick themselves up if they dont want to get dragged back into the relegation fight.

 

Top Goalscorers After Match Day 31

1 - M. Salah - Liverpool - 20 Goals   
2 - D. Jota - Liverpool - 14 Goals
3 - Son - Tottenham - 14 Goals  

+ 3 players on 12 goals

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the games over the weekend, and get to see the exciting Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League Quarter final matches this week.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

 

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