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 round of fixtures saw Manchester United lose again, Liverpool move top of the table, Villa continue their amazing home run, Sheffield United and Burnley pick up points, while Luton gave City a scare and Spurs bounced back against a depleted Newcastle.

You can find the preview for this round of games here: https://www.publish0x.com/cryptogod-1-sports/premier-league-202324-match-week-16-preview-xlgqzwr 

Week Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, I got 0/10 correct scores this weekend. In terms of match-winner/loser, I managed to predict 4/10 correctly this weekend.

Predicted: Crystal Palace 0-3 Liverpool

Result: Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool

Mateta - Salah, Elliott

Alisson returned from injury earlier than expected to give Liverpool a major boost, and it was after a quiet opening half hour that he produced a stunning save. Ayew had picked out Lerma at the back post but Alisson saved from close range. A minute later Palace had a penalty when van Dijk clipped Edouard, but VAR ruled the spot kick out for a foul on Endo in the build-up. Alexander-Arnold was moved into midfield in place of Endo at the break but Palace were the ones to take the lead on 57 minutes. Quansah had fouled Mateta and the referee went to the pitchside monitor before awarding a spot kick. This time Mateta dispatched it past Alisson to give Palace the lead. Liverpool were struggling but the game changed on 75 minutes when Ayew was sent off for a soft second yellow. A minute later and Liverpool were ahead when a Jones shot was badly cleared by Olise, allowing Salah to score. Palace keeper Johnstone had to go off injured and Liverpool began their onslaught. It was Elliott in the first minute of stoppage time who got the winner after Salah had played him in to curl a shot home. Diaz had a goal ruled out then in stoppage time, while Alisson kept an Andersen effort out to ensure Liverpool moved top of the table before Arsenal played later in the day. Palace meanwhile have lost four consecutive Premier League home games for the first time since 2016, while Salah managed to score his 200th goal for Liverpool Football Club.

Predicted: Brighton 3-1 Burnley

Result: Brighton 1-1 Burnley

Adingra - Odobert

The Seagulls dominated this match in the opening parts but it was Burnley who managed to create the games first chance when Berge pushed forward and played in Gudmundsson who just shot wide. Brighton began to grow into the game and Pedro's far-post cross was cleared by Taylkor before Adingra could tap in. Then Gross headed over from a lovely Milner delivery having already shot wide after good build-up play between Pedro and Adingra. De Zerbi's side were comfortably on top and Trafford had to save from Milner before van Hecke put an effort wide following an Adingra cross. Dahoud then saw a long range effort go inches wide as Brighton began to stretch the play. However, on 45 minutes Burnley took a surprise lead when Odobert took an effort from the right which slightly deflected off Milner before going in past Verbruggen. De Zerbi sent on Mitoma and Gilmour at the break but Odobert almost got a second as he forced a save from Verbruggen and Rodriguez failed with the follow up. Brighton were dominating by the hour mark as Mitoma put an effort over the bar and Ferguson headed wide. Gross found Adingra in space at the far post but Trafford was alert to close him down as the Amex grew nervous. However, on 77 minutes Brighton drew level when Gross beat Ramsey before crossing for Adingra to score. Hinshelwood then had a header saved by Trafford in stoppage time before he foiled Mitoma's curling effort in the dying seconds. Brighton are now unbeaten in four home games under De Zerbi, although three of those games ended in draws. Burnley meanwhile have now managed to drop 16 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season.

Predicted: Manchester United 2-2 Bournemouth

Result: Manchester United 0-3 Bournemouth

Solanke, Billing, Senesi

Ten Hag was named the manager of the month for November and fans would have hoped some of the momentum and form from their win over Chelsea would be evident here. However, Bournemouth made the most of some sloppy play but United to stun Old Trafford with the opening goal. Fernandes had played a weak ball to McTominay and Cook got there first before bursting past Amrabat and crossing for Solanke to flick home his eighth Premier League goal of the campaign in the 5th minute. United dominated the ball but struggled to create real chances, with a Maguire header being pushed over by Neto their only effort on goal in the opening half. Tavernier had seen an effort saved by Onana and Solanke had hit the post in the opening 45 as Bournemouth should have doubled their lead. After the break United looked improved but even bringing on Hojlund did not change their fortunes. Bournemouth defended well and got their second in the 68th minute when Solanke played in Tavernier, who crossed to the far post for Billing to score. Five minutes later and it was game over as the Cherries got their third when Tavernier's corner was headed home by Senesi. Loud boos came from the home fans as United once again showed little conviction or fight and it could have been worse when Sinisterra have a goal ruled out late-on by VAR for handball. To top it off Fernandes got a stupid booking which ensures he will be missing for the Red Devils trip to Anfield next weekend. As for Bournemouth, this was their first ever away win against Manchester United in all competitions after ten previous trips to Old Trafford.

Predicted: Sheffield United 0-2 Brentford

Result: Sheffield United 1-0 Brentford

McAtee

Wilder has clearly had an impact following taking charge of Sheffield United again as the club earned a huge three points here. The game had a quiet start but on the half hour mark burst into life when Onyeka tackled Souza and only got a yellow, and although VAR did not intervene it looked to have been a red card foul. Onyeka then had the first shot on 36 minutes, but it was straight at the keeper Foderingham. Sheffield United scored from their first shot on target in the first minute off first half stoppage time when McAtee curled into the top corner past Flekken. Onyeka was taken off at the break but it did not have the required impact as Slimane almost doubled the Blades lead as Flekken denied him. Wissa had some efforts saved from the Bees but they were struggling to create and the home side looked the most likely to score again. Archer forced Flekken into a save before sending another effort wide, while Slimane put an effort into the side netting. Brentford tried to put some pressure on at the death, but the Blades held on to the delight of Wilder who has gotten his club showing some real fight and spirit for the first time this season. The Blades have now won three in a row against Brentford for the first time. The Bees meanwhile have now lost four of their last five in the league as Frank ponders his options, but with Toney due back in a month (assuming he is not transferred) then the club may be in a prime position to push on once his suspension is over.

Predicted: Wolves 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Result: Wolves 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Cunha - Toffolo

Forest entered this match on the back of a 5-0 thrashing by Fulham and having lost their last four league games. Forest fans unveiled a flag in support of the manager pre-game as the pressure mounted on Cooper, but Forest made a bright start. In the 14th minute Kouyate won the ball in midfield and some nice passing with Gibbs-White saw the ball go out wide to Williams. He crossed for Toffolo at the far post the power a header past Sa. Wolves had been dictating possession with little effect, but on 32 minutes found themselves level when Cunha got onto a Sarabia cutback to score. Forest came out with renewed effort after the break as they had chances to win it when Kouyate and Elanga wasted chances, with Elanga hitting the crossbar. Cooper got booked on the touchline as he demonstrated his frustration, but post match he made it clear everyone at the club was pulling in the same direction. The Tricky Trees have only managed a single win in their previous 12 Premier League games when they beat Aston Villa in November. Wolves meanwhile were lacking quality according to manager O'Neil as they failed to get in behind enough to test the Forest defence and goalkeeper.

Predicted: Aston Villa 2-2 Arsenal

Result: Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal

McGinn

Aston Villa made it 15 home Premier League wins in a row with this results, and in doing so moved two points off the top of the Premier League table. Arsenal knew they needed a win to move back above Liverpool, but Villa came out in full force from the off following their midweek victory over Manchester City. It took 7 minutes for the Lions to race into a lead when McGinn swivelled and struck an effort past Raya. Arsenal began to control the game and dominate the ball and Villa needed Diego Carlos to clear a ball off the line after Martinelli’s shot had beaten Martinez. Odegaard saw an effort go straight at the keeper and Diego Carlos again had to hack clear after a mix-up between Martinez and Watkins. Odegaard wasted another effort and Arsenal were demanding punishment for Douglas Luiz's challenge on Jesus in the area, but no penalty was coming. Emery made changes to inject life into his side and Digne fired a powerful shot straight at Raya before the keeper stopped Watkins making it two. Havertz bundled the ball over the line late on but the referee and VAR confirmed there had been a handball and the goal was ruled out. Emery has won 26 of his 41 Premier League games in charge of Aston Villa, which is more than he managed during his 51 games in charge of Arsenal. Arteta meanwhile was dismissive of Villa after the game claiming they created nothing and his side were unfortunate to lose the match.

Predicted: Everton 1-1 Chelsea

Result: Everton 2-0 Chelsea

Doucouré, Dobbin

A massive win at Goodison Park for Everton as Pochettino's side continue to languish in mediocrity. While the result produced euphoric cheers from the crowd as Everton moved further away from the threat of relegation, the game had been a somewhat dull affair in the opening half. Pickford had to keep out Enzo and Palmer early doors but Chelsea struggled to produce much from there. The major incidents of the half were injuries which forced off both Reece James and Ashley Young. Harrison had put an effort from outside the box wide in the opening half, but Everton improved after the break. McNeil set the tone when he had an effort turned around the post by Sanchez, and it was McNeil who led the counter attack in the 54th minute for the opener. He played in Calvert-Lewin and Doucouré was on hand to score the rebound after the England attacker had his effort saved. Chelsea sprang into life from there, attacking in numbers but lacking quality to get a badly required goal. Palmer had a free-kick saved while Disasi and Sterling were both thwarted by the Everton defence. Mudryk was lacking end product in his numerous shots and crosses, while Petrovic was brought on for Sanchez but he flapped at a corner in the second minute of injury time which allowed Dobbin to head in and double the Toffees lead. With Everton now on 13 points, had they not been handed a 1- point deduction they would be sitting in tenth and only three points off Newcastle. Chelsea meanwhile have shown once again that throwing money at potential does not guarantee success or even results.

Predicted: Fulham 3-2 West Ham

Result: Fulham 5-0 West Ham

Jiménez, Willian, Adarabioyo, Wilson, Vinicius

Fulham have done it again, making it two wins in a row, and in the space of five days, where they have scored five times without reply in both. The Craven Cottage faithful have been handed a treat with 13 goals scored by their side in the last three home games for Fulham. The opening period saw both teams evenly matching each other, but on 22 minutes Fulham took the lead when Jiménez headed home from a perfect Palhinha cross. From there Fulham were on a mission and on 31 minutes they doubled their lead when Iwobi's shot was saved by Fabianski but Pereira got to the loose ball and crossed for Willian to score. West Ham were struggling but Bowen did have an effort saved by Leno in a rare Hammers break. However on 40 minutes Fulham killed the game when Adarabioyo headed in from Pereira's corner. The second half continued in the same manner and on the hour mark Wilson got on the scoresheet when he rifled a composed shot in following a ball over the top. In the 88th minute Vinicius added the cherry on top when he scored after Wilson unselfishly squared to him in the second minute of stoppage time. The result marked the Hammers heaviest ever away defeat in a London-derby, while Fulham have scored at least three goals in four successive top-flight league games for just the third time in their history.

Predicted: Luton 0-2 Manchester City

Result: Luton 1-2 Manchester City

Adebayo - Silva, Grealish

A massive result as Manchester City came from behind to beat Luton at Kenilworth Road and in doing so end their run of four league games without a win. City began without Haaland but tried to show their attacking prowess without the Norwegian Foden tested Kaminski in the opening minutes. Rodri and Foden both tested the keeper with efforts from the edge of the area before Alvarez put a close range chance wide. Luton grew into the game and Townsend had an effort from range before being involved in the opener. Barkley beat Bernardo for the ball and played it to Doughty, who in turn set up Townsend to cross for Adebayo to score at the far post in the second minute of first half stoppage time. Pep was furious at the break, exchange words with the fourth official, and he cleared laid into his side at half time. City played the patience game in the second half and it paid out with two goals in the space of three minutes. The first came on 62 minutes when Rodri burst into the box and a slide tackle saw the ball land for Silva to score. The second came in the 65th minute when Alvarez won the ball high up the pitch and crossed for Grealish to score. Luton tried to hit back but Barkley fired wide from the edge of the area. Luton striker Brown managed to avoid a red card and City saw out the game. While luck was against Luton, they have showed in their home games with Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City that they are capable of producing in front of their own fans. City meanwhile will hope to use this as a springboard to get back on track.

Predicted: Tottenham 2-1 Newcastle

Result: Tottenham 4-1 Newcastle

Destiny Udogie, Richarlison x2, Son - Joelinton

After the recent loss of form "Angeball" has come in for plenty of criticism, with many questioning whether or not its a style which can actually propel the club forward in the long-term. Postecoglou will be delighted to prove the doubters wrong, albeit against a depleted and weakened Newcastle side. The Australian decided to go with an attacking lineup, starting Son, Johnson, Richarlison, and Kulusevski. It was Newcastle who could have scored first but Davies stopped a cross finding Isak, but soon Spurs were on top. It took 26 minutes for the first goal when Son got the better of Trippier and crossed for Destiny Udogie to net his first goal for the club. Sarr put Johnson's low cross wide moments late when he should have doubled the score, but on 38 minutes Spurs got their second. Son beat Tripper again before crossing for Richarlison to score, and the Brazilian should have made it three before the break when he wasted a chance from a Kulusevski cross. He did get his second goal on the hour mark after controlling Porro's ball over the top and beating the out-of-position Dubravka. Spurs continued to dominated but Romero was lucky when only receiving a yellow for a rough tackle on Wilson. Spurs got their fourth from the spot in the 85th minute after Son drew a foul from Dubravka before converting the penalty. Spurs could have gotten more with Johnson hitting the woodwork and Skipp seeing and effort saved. It was Newcastle who got the final goal however when Joelinton scored from a Wilson pass following some defensive sloppiness from Spurs in the first minute of stoppage time. The result sees Newcastle faltering ahead of their huge Champions League clash with AC Milan, while Spurs are looking to get their season back on track in their own hunt for European football next season.

Table After Match Day 16

A look at the top half of the table and Liverpool have taken over at the top with 37 points. In second place sits Arsenal with 36 points. Villa have moved into third with 35 points, while Manchester City sit in fourth with 33 points. Spurs occupy fifth with 30 points while United are three points behind in sixth. Newcastle sit in seventh with 26 points, ahead of Brighton on goal difference alone. West Ham sit in ninth with 24 points, while Fulham make up the top half with 21 points.

As for the bottom half, Sheffield United remain bottom with 8 points, with Burnley only ahead of them on goal difference. Luton take up the final relegation place with 9 points, while Everton have now moved four points clear of the dotted line. Forest sit a point ahead in sixteenth, while Palace sit in fifteenth with 16 points. Three points ahead of them are Bournemouth, Wolves, Chelsea, and Brentford to make up the bottom half. 

Top Goal Scorers After Match Day 16

1 — E. Haaland — Manchester City — 14 Goals
2 — M. Salah — Liverpool — 11 Goals
3— Son — Tottenham Hotspur — 9 Goals
4 — J. Bowen — West Ham United — 9 Goals
5 — O. Watkins — Aston Villa — 8 Goals
6 — H-C. Hwang — Wolves — 8 Goals
7 — D. Solanke — Bournemouth — 8 Goals

+ 3 players on 7 goal

Check out my 2023/24 Season Predictions here: Predictions 23/24 Season

Have a great day, I hope you enjoyed the review of the matches and got to see the games during the week.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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