Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and had an excellent week, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. This midweek round saw some very low scoring games, which is to be expected with teams playing games in such quick succession. Liverpool built on their win over Man City with another three points, United put on a very impressive display against Spurs, and Zaha showed why he is the main man at Palace.

If you would like to check out the preview on this round of games it can be found here: https://www.publish0x.com/cryptogod-1-sports/premier-league-2223-match-week-11-preview-xozqemm

Weekend Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, it was a bad week. I got 0/9 this week. In terms of match-winner/loser, I managed to only predict 2/9 correctly in this round of games.

Predicted: Brighton 3-0 Nottingham

Result: Brighton 0-0 Nottingham

Brighton certainly will look back on this and rue their wasted chances, having created ample opportunities to score, especially in the first half. They paid tribute pre-match to Enock Mwepu in their first home game since his sad retirement before kick off, and played with real intensity. It did however take 29 minutes to create the the first meaningful opening as Veltman blazed over from 12 yards. March then tested Henderson with a low drive before Trossard hit the bar. Henderson then denied both Gross and Welbeck as it seemed only a matter of time before Brighton scored. Forest only had two shots for the entire game, with one being on 59 minutes when Johnson scampered away but his shot went out for a throw in. Brighton were cool on the ball but lacked that killer instinct to get themselves ahead. With eight minutes to go Henderson's brilliant reactions were enough to keep Gross from scoring. In the end it was a share of the spoils but certainly Brighton should have done better, They have now failed to score with their last 54 shots, out of which 18 of them were on target. It was their 23rd goalless draw in the league since their first Premier League game in 2017-18. De Zerbi has now failed to win any of his opening four games, while Forest have now only managed two points from their eight games.

Predicted: Crystal Palace 1-1 Wolves

Result: Crystal Palace 2-1 Wolves

Eze, Zaha - Traore

The opening five minutes could have easily seen both sides score, as Doucoure strode forward before unleashing a shot from 25 yards which hit the post, Costa's toe-poke was turned onto the post by Guaita at the other end. Both sides were creating chances, with Palace being the better but more wasteful. Just after the half hour mark they were made to pay, as Traore scored his first ever headed goal after debutant Bueno had crossed from the right. The remainder of the half was stop start, with the best chance coming to Neves, who hit the post with the final kick of the half for a free kick. The second half started fast, as Olise crossed from the right and Eze swooped in at the back post unmarked to level the scores. Edouard could have given Palace the lead with a brilliant overhead kick after being teed up by Zaha. It was Zaha who made the breakthrough in the end, as on 70 minutes he scored with a cool finish after finding himself one-on-one with Sa. Wolves threatened to get a late equaliser as Semedo's cross appeared to touch the arm of Guehi and Neves also had an effort saved. Vieira made the tactical changes at the break to get his side back into this, and Zaha has now scored in each of his last three appearances against Wolves in the league. The total of 9 points from their opening 11 games is the joint-worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign for Wolves.

Predicted: Bournemouth 2-1 Southampton

Result: Bournemouth 0-1 Southampton

Adams

With an end to end start here, it was Southampton who opened the scoring on nine minutes. Elyounoussi held the ball up well, picking out Perraud on the left wing, who crosses for Adams to head into the far corner. Bournemouth responded well but nearly conceded again when Aribo went close with a poked effort. Billing forced a good save from Bazunu in response, while Cook sent a free kick over the bar. The first half ended with a fiery exchange between Mepham and Saints midfielder Maitland-Niles, with both players getting booked. Senesi headed arguably Bournemouth's best chance of the game over the bar from a corner early in the second half, and Lerma saw a long-range effort fly off target. Bournemouth pushed on for an equaliser and thought they had it on 70 minutes only for an excellent block from Lerma. Southampton then had a scare when VAR checked for a potential handball against Salisu in his own box. Adams had the opportunity to secure the points late on with the Cherries pushed up the field, but his close-range effort was blocked. Salisu then cleared off the line in stoppage time to ensure Southampton ended a run of  who lost six losses in their past seven away league games. Bournemouth meanwhile saw head coach O'Neil's undefeated run come to an end with their defeat here.

Predicted: Brentford 1-3 Chelsea

Result: Brentford 0-0 Chelsea

Not the result Potter would have wanted, as his sides winning run in the league was brought to a halt by Brentford. Before the kick off, the two managers did a joint interview, praising each others work, but once the game started all that was put to one side. Toney was denied twice in the opening period by Kepa, the first a header on nine minutes and the second when Loftus-Cheek inadvertently flicked the ball onto him, but his header was kept out. Broja threatened for Chelsea, nearly getting on the end of an Azpilicueta cross. An Azpilicueta long range effort was about the best of the rest for Chelsea in the opening half. Chelsea started the second half well but it was Brentford who should have scored, when Mbeumo directed his free header straight at Kepa. Havertz saw a good effort saved by Raya but Chelsea could not find a way through. Pinnock made a last ditch tackle on Sterling while Wissa and Toney passed up good chances for the Bees. Overall it was a deserved draw, meaning Kepa managed to record his fifth consecutive clean sheet. Brentford meanwhile missed the opportunity to secure back-to-back league wins over Chelsea, having beaten them 4-1 last April.

Predicted: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham

Result: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Nunez

Having beaten Man City here over the weekend, Liverpool were looking to continue their good form against West Ham. They ensured they were not to concede first once again as they look to put that hoodoo behind them. They game was edgy to begin with, but Nunez looked a real menace up front, with Thiago releasing him for a beautiful long range shop which Fabinaski had to save. The goal came on 22 minutes, when Tsimikas crossed in and Nunez scored his first Anfield goal by heading it back across the keeper. Salah had a long range shot saved, and Nunez also crashed a shot off the post. The big talking point of the half came when Gomez gave away a penalty in the 45th minute, but Alisson managed to keep out Bowen's effort to retain the 1-0 leaf at half time. Henderson and Nunez shot over early in the second half, and Klopp wrung the changes near the hour mark with Thiago and Nunez big players to come off. The Reds missed their tempo as West Ham got a foothold in the game, with Benrahma and Scamacca wasting opportunities either side of Zouma almost turning into his own net. The Hammers looked to have found an equaliser at the death when Bowen squared for Soucek, but Milner was on hand to get a vital tackle in which sent the shot onto Alisson and out. The win only Liverpool's fouth in ten league games, but importantly they followed up their victory over Man City with another three points. For West Ham, their manager Moyes in still searching for his first win at Anfield. Virgil van Djik has yet to taste defeat as a Liverpool player at home in the Premier League, having gone an amazing 70 games without losing at Anfield

Predicted: Newcastle 2-0 Everton 

Result: Newcastle 1-0 Everton

Almirón

Another excellent result for Newcastle as they secured another three points in their quest to finish in the European places. It was a scrappy affair all round, with Everton lacking much despite Calvert-Lewin's return to the starting XI. Their were some dodgy tackles and blows early on, seeing Calvert-Lewin and Joelinton getting booked. Calvert-Lewin's only chance at goal saw him head over from Gray's corner. Just after the half hour mark and Guimaraes teed up Almirón on the edge of the area as the winger struck a beautiful effort into the top corner. Guimaraes then shot wide twice when he should have doubled his sides lead, and the half ended with Gordon getting booked for simulation, again. Almirón curled an effort over in the second half, while Everton failed to produce anything of note. Willock had a late chance to wrap up the points but wasted it, but all in all Newcastle deserved the win. It was Gordon's sixth yellow card of the season, more than any other player this campaign. Everton also failed to have a single shot on target all game, with only one shot overall. 

Predicted: Manchester United 2-2 Tottenham

Result: Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham

Fred, Fernandes

Spurs approached this match with the expected defensive approach from Conte's side, but United had plenty of success in carving them open. Their tally of 19 shots in the first half was the most of any side so fat this season, and the most United have managed in the first half of a league match since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson. Lloris had come to Spurs rescue plenty, including from Rashford, Fernandes, Fred and Shaw, while Antony struck the foot of the far post. It took two minutes into the second half for him to finally be beaten, as Fred saw his effort deflected in off Davies. From there the flow of the game did not change, worryingly for Spurs, as United pushed on. Fernandes expertly curled the ball into the corner of the net from the edge of the penalty box for their second on 69 minutes to all but end the tie. Rashford thought he would make it three after but a stunning save from Lloris kept him at bay. Overall United managed 28 shots compared to Spurs' nine. The performances of Conte's side against his big six rivals will be a worry, but they will still have belief in securing top four at a minimum. As for United, while it was possibly the best performance under Ten Hag so far, it was overshadowed somewhat by Ronaldo walking down the tunnel in the closing stages of the match. He was clearly unhappy being benched once again against a big side, having watched on so far this season against Arsenal and Liverpool along with this game. 

Predicted: Fulham 1-1 Aston Villa

Result: Fulham 3-0 Aston Villa

Reed, Mitrovic, Mings OG

A thrilling first half of football was on show in this game, as Martinez was required to make a number of crucial saves to keep Villa in it. Ming's produce a goal line clearance on 18 minutes when it seemed like Mitrovic's header was destined to go in, but Gerrard's side failed to produce any real threats on the attack. Reed opened the scoring on 36 minutes when Martinez cleared a corner only as far as Reed, who fires a right footed effort past the Villa keeper. Probably Villa's best chance came at the end of the half when McGinn saw his long-range effort pushed out by Leno. The keeper tried to catch the ball he ended up fumbling it, almost giving Watkins an opportunity to tap into an empty net but he could not connect. The second half did not get any better for Villa, as they lacked any spark which resulted in Buendia coming on close to the hour mark. Just a few minutes later Douglas Luiz get a red card, tearing apart Gerrard's plans. The worst was yet to come, as five minutes later Cash blocked a shot with his arm from close range in the box, and Mitrovic converted the penalty. Chants of 'we want Gerrard out' ring around Craven Cottage from the away fans as they became displeased for the substitution choices of their manager. To cap off the night Kebano beat Cash down the Fulham left and crossed the ball across goal, which deflected off Mings to make it three. A terrible night for Villa as time seems like it may be up for Gerrard, but another excellent performance and win for Fulham as they remain in the top half.

Predicted: Leicester 0-1 Leeds

Result: Leicester 2-0 Leeds

Koch OG,  Barnes

A big win for Leicester here as they ensured Marsch's side have now gone seven games without a win in the league, which lead to the away fans booing their side at the final whistle. The Foxes rode their luck at times, and on 17 minutes they got the lead. Roca lost the ball in midfield, allowing Leicester to break. Vardy got fouled but the ref allowed play to continue, allowing Praet down the right, who crosses for Barnes at the back post. Kock attempts a clearance and diverts the ball into his own net. From there Leicester pushed on and finished the game on 35 minutes, when Barnes got his sixth goals in six games against Leeds. A counter from right to left allowed Vardy and Praet to create space on the right, feeding Dewsbury-Hall in the box. He play it to Barnes who applies the finish past Meslier. Leeds huffed and puffed, even hitting the bar, but never really created much of note to get themselves back into this one. Leicester have now managed to keep three consecutive clean sheets at home in the Premier League for the first time since July 2020. Koch scored the first own goal in his top-flight career in this one.

Table After Match Day 11

A look at the top half of the table and Arsenal and Man City still lead the way even though they didnt play. Liverpool have moved up to seventh and are now only 4 points off top four. Chelsea, United, and Newcastle all have a single point between them, while Brighton, Fulham, and Brentford make up the top half.

As for the bottom half, Leicester moved off the bottom with their win, while Forest now prop up the table. Wolves, Villa, and Leeds sit level on points with goal difference putting Wolves in the final relegation spot. Evert, Southampton, and West Ham will also be looking over their shoulders as they sit two points above the drop zone in a very congested bottom half.

Top Goal scorers After Match Day 11

1 - E. Haaland - Man City - 15 Goals
2 - H Kane - Tottenham - 9 Goals
3 - I. Toney- Brentford - 8 Goals
4 - A. Mitrovic - Fulham - 8 Goals
5 - R. Firmino - Liverpool - 6 Goals   
6 - P. Foden - Man City - 6 Goals

+ 5 players on 5 goals

Check out my 2022/23 Season Preview and Predictions here: Premier League 2022/23 Prediction

Also check out my review of the group draw and prediction of the Champions League for this season here: Champions League 2022/23 Prediction

I hope you enjoyed the matches this weekend. We will be back again on the weekend for the next round of fixtures. Have a great day.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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