Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and had an excellent week so far, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. This week saw some of the previously postponed matches taking place as we head into the final few rounds of game. With big wins for Man City and Chelsea, along with a thrilling North London Derby, it certainly didn't disappoint. If you would like to check out my preview on this round of fixtures you can find it here: https://www.publish0x.com/cryptogod-1-sports/english-premier-league-midweek-fixtures-xeeyypk

Mid Week Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, I got x0/6 correct this week. In terms of match-winner/loser, I managed to predict 5/6 correctly in this round of games.

Predicted: Aston Villa 0-3 Liverpool

Result: Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool

Douglas Luiz - Matip, Mané

A bright start for Villa saw them take a shock lead against Liverpool after three minutes as Douglas Luiz made the most of a serious of errors in the frantic atmosphere of Villa Park. Both Tsimikas and Matip found themselves on the ground as Luiz headed towards goal, and Alisson palmed the effort away but Luiz was on hand to score the rebound. Questions over Ings being offside in the build up persist but apparently it was too far back in the play to be counted. Soon after Matip drew Liverpool level as Mings failed to clear and Van Djik's shot landed for Matip to prod home. With Salah on the bench Liverpool seemed to find their footing in the game and Jota and Mane both had decent chances. Watkins nearly got in from an awful Alisson clearance, and Ings headed over the bar, but it was Mané who had the final say. Luis Diaz managed to cross from the left and Mané was on hand to head the ball into the net. Fabinho got injured which was a major downside for Klopp and co, but they head into the FA Cup Final knowing there is still a slim chance of catching City for the title.

Predicted: Leeds 0-2 Chelsea

Result: Leeds 0-3 Chelsea

Mount, Pulisic, Lukaku

This was a game where Leeds needed a result to keep their dreams of remaining in the Premier League alive, but it wasn't to be. They had a nightmare start as Mount scored within four minutes with an excellent first time finish, which was followed by Dan James seeing a red card after 24 minutes for a reckless challenge on Kovacic. He let his side down as with ten men Chelsea secured the result with precise finishes from Pulisic and Lukaku. Llorente had to clear a Mount shot off the line prior to the red and Lukaku had headed wide soon after it. In the second half it was Mount who set up Pulisic, as the American dispatched a low finish into the bottom corner. Ziyech set up Lukaku for his goal, when he delayed his shot before shooting high into the net. The win should secure Chelsea in third place given the result of the North London Derby, while Leeds have it all to do as they have played a game more than the two above them and are behind Burnley on goal difference.

Predicted: Leicester 3-1 Norwich

Result: Leicester 3-0 Norwich

Vardy x2, Maddison

As Norwich heading into this game knowing they were already relegated, and the Foxes knew they couldnt reach European places, this game had the feel of an end-of-season game with little on the line. Both keepers, Schmeichel and Gunn, were instrumental in their teams performances during the first half, but Vardy stole the show in the second. Rodgers freshened things up at half-time, bringing on Mendy for Lookman and Leicester took control after Pukki and Springett had tested Schmeichel in the first half. Vardy scored his first from a deflection which left Gunn with no chance to save, and his second came from a Barnes through ball which Vardy finished with ease. Maddison killed off the tie as he shot with his left foot on the half volley after Dewsbury-Hall's cross was parried by Gunn straight into his path. The win moves Leicester into the top half of the table in 10th position, while Norwich remain bottom and two points behind Watford in 19th.

Predicted: Watford 0-2 Everton

Result: Watford 0-0 Everton

This was far from a thrilling encounter, with the best chance of the game coming in the second half when Richarlison came closest to opening the scoring. With Watford already relegated and Everton fighting to stay in the division, it was another point towards safety for Lampard's side. With the Hornets announcing new manager Rob Edwards for next season in the Championship, they picked up their first point at home since they beat Man United in Ole's final game in charge last November. The backing of the fans has gotten their team in a good position to remain in the Premier League according to Lampard, as Everton have lost just once in their last six league games, against Liverpool at Anfield. Watford meanwhile have kept their first clean sheet in the league since February 2020, when they beat Liverpool 3-0. 

Predicted: Wolves 1-3 Man City

Result: Wolves 1-5 Man City

Dendoncker - De Bruyne x4, Sterling

With Liverpool having won the night before Man City knew nothing short of a win would suffice, and up stepped KDB to lead the way. His four goal masterclass was stunning as he opened the scoring from a Bernardo Silva pass in behind the defence after 7 minutes. Wolves responded in quick fashion, as Jiminez led a counter four minutes later, feeding Neto who in turn played in Dendoncker to get the scores level. On 16 minutes KDB played a ball over the top to Sterling, and managed to gather the loose ball himself to double the lead and put an end to Wolves revival. Eight minutes later and the Belgian had his third when he unleashed a rocket of a shot into the goal from the right hand side of the pitch. On the hour mark he got his fourth when he arrived in the box late to finish with his right foot. Prior to this Sterling had a goal ruled out and Wolves had thought they deserved a penalty from a Zinchenko lunge. With six minutes to play it was Sterling's turn to score as he scored from close range, and KDB hit the post when trying for his fifth. The downside for City was that Laporte trudge off injured to add to Stones, Walker, and Dias being out, but City should have enough about them to see out their final two games and only need 4 points to seal the title. Wolves meanwhile are five points off West Ham in the final European place and with two games to go are likely to miss out on European football next season. 

Predicted: Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal

Result: Tottenham 3-0 Arsenal

Kane x2, Son

In this huge game in the race for top four, it was Arsenal who started brighter but soon imploded under the pressure. Midway through the first half Cedric's nudge prevented Son from reaching Kulusevski's cross and the referee had to award a penalty. Kane scored from the spot and from there things only got worse for Arsenal as Holding earnt his second yellow card for a collision with Son off the ball around the half hour mark. Four minutes later and Kane made it two as he evaded Tomiyasu to head home. Right after half time it was three as the ball fell for Son to finish in the Arsenal area after Gabriel's sliding challenge on Kane. Ramsdale made a string of fine saves to keep the score at three but it marked three home wins in a row for Spurs against Arsenal. The gap between fourth and fifth in the table now stands at just one point. Arteta will be disappointed with how this match went and claimed the referee had ruined it, but in fairness it was the lack of experience in that situation from holding which cost his team a chance in their fiery encounter.

Table After Mid Week Games

A look at the top half of the table, and City have continued their relentless run towards the title. They have retained their three point gap at the top along with adding to their goal difference so it seems likely the title is only heading to one place. Chelsea managed to record a win to retain their grip on third place, while the North London Derby saw Spurs close the gap on Arsenal to just one point.

As for the bottom half, defeat for Leeds leaves them in a very precarious position, although seeing Everton only manage a draw will give them some hope of survival in the top flight. With two points between 16th and 18th, albeit Leeds having played a game more than the two above them, its all still to play for for those three side in the fight to say in the top flight.

Top Goal scorers After Mid Week Games

1 - M. Salah - Liverpool - 22 Goals
2 - Son - Tottenham - 21 Goals
3 - Ronaldo - Manchester United - 18 Goals
4 - D. Jota - Liverpool - 15 Goals
5 - S. Mané - Liverpool - 15 Goals   
6 - K. De Bruyne - Manchester City - 15 Goals
7 - H. Kane - Tottenham - 15 Goals

I hope you enjoyed the games during the week. The FA Cup between Liverpool and Chelsea takes place this Saturday along with 8 league games on Sunday and Monday. Have a wonderful day.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

Referral links:

Publish0x - https://www.publish0x.com/?a=olejZqrzej

Splinterlands - https://splinterlands.com?ref=rnabc1

Upland - r.upland.me/NQAH

Binance - https://accounts.binance.com/en/register?ref=143611368

NFT Market Sales

Opensea - https://opensea.io/RNabc123

Follow Me

Twitter - @RNabc123