Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and having an excellent week, welcome to CryptoGod-1’s blog on all things sports. This round of games saw Forest secure a vital win in their relegation battle, the race for fourth hot up as Villa lost to City, the title race continue in a three way battle with all three sides returning to winning ways, while Burnley were the only bottom three side to secure even a point during this midweek round of games.

You can find the preview for this round of games here: https://www.publish0x.com/cryptogod-1-sports/premier-league-202324-match-week-31-preview-xlgwmdn 

Week Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, I got 2/10 correct scores this week. In terms of match-winner/loser, I managed to predict 3/10 correctly this week.

Predicted: Newcastle 2-0 Everton

Result: Newcastle 1-1 Everton

Isak - Calvert-Lewin

Newcastle started strong here, with Barnes forcing a save from Pickford early on. Tarkowski managed to see a headed chance saved at the other end but on 15 minutes Isak opened the scoring. The striker got past Branthwaite before firing a shot into the corner of the net. Isak forced another save from Pickford while Murphy and Longstaff also had opportunities. Tarkowski deflected the ball onto his own bar at the beginning of the second half but Burn had the ball in the net for Newcastle only for VAR to rule Isak had been offside. Garner hit the post after coming on for Everton, Isak had a goal bound effort cleared off the line by Mykolenko. Everton were awarded a penalty after Young was fouled by Dummett, allowing Calvert-Lewin to level the scores on 88 minutes. Neither side could find the winner and a point does little to help Newcastle in their push for Europe. Everton will be happy with a point given how the game played out, but they are far from away from any relegation dangers yet.

Predicted: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Fulham

Result: Nottingham Forest 3-1 Fulham

Hudson-Odoi, Wood, Gibbs-White - Adarabioyo

Forest had just a single win in their last ten games ahead of this one but Nuno's side made a wonderful start and took the lead in the 9th minute. Gibbs-White did a Cruyff turn before playing in Hudson-Odoi who scored into the far corner of the net. Ten minutes later Forest doubled their lead as Wood decided to take an effort from distance and he caught out Leno to score. Fulham made three subs around the half hour mark but in the third minute of first half stoppage time Forest got their third when Gibbs-White was played in on goal by Danilo. After the break Adarabioyo rose highest to head in Pereira's left-wing corner in the 49th minute as Fulham looked to stage a comeback. While the Cottagers pressurised the Forest goal, the home side held on to record a vital win in their battle against relegation. Fulham meanwhile remain somewhat hit and miss but are comfortably secure in the Premier League standings for next season.

Predicted: Bournemouth 2-2 Crystal Palace

Result: Bournemouth 1-0 Crystal Palace

Kluivert

The Cherries made the better start as Billing's long-range free-kick tested Henderson in the Palace goal as the conditions saw the game played in torrential rain and swirling winds. Henderson then had to save a Billing headed moments later as Bournemouth piled on the pressure. Kelly then headed wide when unmarked at the far post as the sides went in scoreless at the break. The second half followed the same patten until Bournemouth gradually brought on Semenyo, Kerkez and Kluivert. Their introduction made the difference for Iraola's side as Kerkez forced a save from Henderson before Solanke put the rebound wide. The Cherries got their reward in the 79th minute as Semenyo got the better of Ozoh down the right before Kluivert fired the cut back pass into the net. Glasner's side could not find a way back into the game and although they are comfortably clear of the relegation zone, its Bournemouth who passed the 40 point mark with the win and can start planning for another season of top flight football.

Predicted: Burnley 2-1 Wolves

Result: Burnley 1-1 Wolves

Bruun Larsen - Ait Nouri

The Clarets were without Kompany as their manager served a one game ban but his side look full of confidence but without a real goal threat. Joao Gomes headed just wide of the target for Wolves before Vitinho shot too close to Sa. Burnley's next attack proved more fruitful as Bruun Larsen volleyed a cross from O'Shea beyond Sa to open the scoring in the 37th minute. Burnley had the momentum, but squandered their lead in the third minute of first half stoppage time when Sarabia's cross was headed in by Ait-Nouri. After the break Ait-Nouri saw his effort blocked by Muric. Bruun Larsen forced another save from Sa. Cunha came off the bench for Wolves but they settled for a point in the end and both sides will be pleased to have gained something from the match, although Burnley need wins more than draws at this stage of the season.

Predicted: West Ham 1-1 Tottenham

Result: West Ham 1-1 Tottenham

Zouma - Johnson

West Ham made the brighter start here as Bowen shot wide following good work by Kudus. Spurs made West Ham pay almost immediately as Bissouma played Werner down the left, before finding Johnson to open the scoring. Kudus had another effort go over from a corner, but West Ham soon found themselves level. In the 19th minute Bowen's corner was met by Zouma at the near post to head the ball in unmarked. Ward-Prowse tested Vicario before Porro and Bentacur put efforts wide. Antonio had a chance saved early in the second half before Mavropanos saw his effort saved from a corner. Paqueta put an effort wide before Antonio ran through clear on clear but save his shot saved. Son fired wide and Porro had a shot saved before Udogie saw his shot saved in the dying moments of the game. Both will retain hopes of qualifying for Europe next season and its a point gained for both.

Predicted: Arsenal 2-0 Luton

Result: Arsenal 2-0 Luton

Ødegaard, Hashioka OG

Playing first out of the three title contenders meant Arsenal could move back to the top of the league with a win here. Saka was not in the squad while Rice was on the bench, but Arsenal delivered a professional performance. Their opener came in the 24th minute after Smith Rowe won the ball, allowing Ødegaard and Havertz to exchange the ball before the Norwegian stuck the ball into the back of the net past Kaminski. While Luton stood firm and tried to resist the Arsenal attacks, in the 44th minute they conceded their second. This time Smith Rowe's low cross was turned into his own net by Hashioka. The second half offered little as Luton failed to score for the first time in 19 Premier League games. Arsenal meanwhile continued to dominate but controlled the game knowing they have big games ahead in both the league and Champions League as Arteta's side look to end their wait for a title win.

Predicted: Brentford 1-0 Brighton

Result: Brentford 0-0 Brighton

Brentford played with the aim of causing problems for Brighton's build up play while also looking to hit their opponents on the break. The Seagulls controlled possession and territory but failed to really tested Flekken in the Bees goal. Wissa shot wide on the counter before Toney forced a save from Verbruggen. At the end of the first half the referee viewed a replay of a potential foul by Wissa on Dunk but the referee wert against giving a penalty to the dismay of the Brighton players. In the second half both sides struggled to create chances until late in the game when Joao Pedro had a shot deflect wide. Welbeck could have stolen the points late on but shot wide after being played into one-on-one against Flekken. A share of the spoils was likely a fair result in the end and although it does little for either side in their relegation and European qualification battles, neither side deserved anything more from the game.

Predicted: Manchester City 2-2 Aston Villa

Result: Manchester City 4-1 Aston Villa

Rodri, Foden x3 - Durán

Grealish and Foden started this game, allowing Foden to control the game from the middle of the park. In the 11th minute Foden played Doku down the right before the winger cut it back for Rodri to score. Villa had a depleted side, but in the 20th minute counter-attacked saw a one-two between Durán and Morgan Rogers before Durán found the back of the net. Guardiola's side looked vulnerable on the break but they managed to regain the lead in the first minute of first half stoppage time. Grealish won a free-kick before Foden tucked it into the net. In the second half Ortega produced good saves from Douglas Luiz and Lenglet before Foden stole the headlines. In the 62nd minute Rodri set up the Englishman to score before he got his hat-trick in the 69th minute when latching onto a loose ball before firing past Olsen. City maintain pressure on Arsenal and Liverpool in the title race, while Villa slipped up once again in their pursuit of a top four finish.

Predicted: Liverpool 7-0 Sheffield United

Result: Liverpool 3-1 Sheffield United

Núñez, Mac Allister, Gakpo - Bradley OG

With Arsenal and City both winning the pressure was on Liverpool to keep their title ambitions alive, however Sheffield United could have been ahead in the first minute when McAtee saw his point blank effort saved by Kelleher after a long throw had been flicked on. Trusty then struck wide from the the resulting corner but Liverpool did have two efforts of their own in the opening six minute. The Red began to dominate and Anfield erupted in the 17th minute after Núñez closed down Grbic and the keepers clearance rebounded off the striker and went into the net. Salah, Nunez, Bradley, Gomez, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, and Diaz all had efforts as Liverpool dominated the opening half. After the break Sheffield United found their way back into the game when Núñez lost the ball and the Blades broke forward and scored when Hamer's header went through Kelleher's legs and deflected into the goal off Bradley in the 58th minute. Liverpool made changes, including taking off Salah, as van Dijk and Robertson wasted chances. In the 76th minute Mac Allister scored a beautiful rocket of a shot into the top corner. The Argentine then hit the bar from a free-kick but a Robertson cross was deftly headed in by Gakpo in the 90th minute to seal the three points.

Predicted: Chelsea 3-3 Manchester United

Result: Chelsea 4-3 Manchester United

Gallagher, Palmer x3 - Garnacho x2, Fernandes

It was the perfect start for Chelsea when they Gallagher scored after Gusto's cross took a deflection off Varane to land for the English midfielder. Chelsea continued to look strong and in the 19th minute won a penalty after Antony fouled Cucurella, allowing Palmer to score from the spot. United did manage a response, when Antony kept a ball in play and Caicedo ended up playing a loose pass to Garnacho. The Argentine raced in on goal to score in the 34th minute. Five minutes later a deep Dalot cross to the back post was headed in by Fernandes to bring United level. It was an end-to-end start to the second half but in the 67th minute United took the lead. They hit the Blues on the break, with Antony crossing for Garnacho to head in past Petrovic. Chelsea kept going and were awarded a spot kick in the eight minute of stoppage time when Dalot made a clumsy challenge on Madueke. Palmer stepped up to score, before in the 11th minute of stoppage time a corner was played to the unmarked Palmer, who saw his shot deflect into the goal off McTominay. The result moves Chelsea to within five points of sixth place United and both clubs could still battle it out to qualify for Europe.

Table After Match Day 31

A look at the top half of the table and Liverpool remain on top with 70 points. Arsenal sit in second with 68, while City are third with 67 points. Villa occupy fourth with 59 while Spurs are behind them on 57 points. United sit in sixth with 48 points while West Ham have 47 points. Newcastle are eight with 44 points, while Brighton and Chelsea make up the top half with 43 points.

As for the bottom half Sheffield United remain bottom of the league with 15 points. Burnley have 19 points, while Luton make up the bottom three on 22 points. Above them are Forest on 25 and Everton on 26 points. Brentford have 28 points while Palace have 30 points, and thirteenth place Fulham have 39 points. Bournemouth are on 41 and Wolves make up the bottom half on 42 points.

Top Goal scorers After Match Day 31

1 — E. Haaland —  Manchester City — 18 Goals
2 — O. Watkins — Aston Villa  — 16 Goals
3— M. Salah —  Liverpool — 16 Goals
4 — D. Solanke — Bournemouth — 16 Goals
5 —  JC. Palmer — Chelsea — 16 Goals

+ 3 players on 15 Goals

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 had a wonderful weekend. 

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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