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 week saw

If you would like to check out the preview on this round of games it can be found here:

Weekend Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, it was a terrible week as I got 0/10 correct scores this week. In terms of match-winner/loser, I managed to predict 3/10 correctly in this round of games.

Predicted: Nottingham 0-3 Liverpool

Result: Nottingham 1-0 Liverpool

Awoniyi

It was a man who couldn't play for Liverpool back along the way due to registration and visa issues who put them to the sword in this one. Forest started this one brightly, showing effort and determination which led to the home fans giving them a standing ovation at the break. Liverpool had the better chances, without Nunez available in attack they looked fluid, with excellent interplay and movement but lacking that cutting edge. The Reds best chance fell for Van Dijk six yards out, but he decided to head down towards Firmino instead of attack the goal, wasting the chance. Awoniyi caused problems with Gibbs-White and Lingard playing off him, and in the second half he broke the deadlock on 55 minutes. Cook took the ball down from a free kick and blasted it across goal, where Awoniyi was on hand to score at the second attempt after his first effort hit the post. Alexander-Arnold came on and almost scored with a header, while Van Dijk in stoppage time say his header also excellently saved by Henderson. Liverpool dropped the chance to climb above United before they play later, and have yet to win away from home this season. They have also failed to ever record a Premier League win away to Forest in 13 attempts. This was Forest's first league win in ten games, with Awoniyi becoming the first Forest player to score in his first three league games at the City Ground.

Predicted: Everton 1-1 Crystal Palace

Result: Everton 3-0 Crystal Palace

Calvert-Lewin, Gordon, McNeil

An excellent result for Lampard as his side are finally starting to look like a threat and force. Everton started bright and having Calvert-Lewin back made a massive difference for the club as he got them under way after 11 minutes. He won the ball off Milivojevic and got the return from Iwobi before beating Guaita with a low shot. Guaita tipped Gordon's powerful long-range effort over as Everton controlled the game. Olise latched on to Jordan Ayew's low cross early in the second half after Palace showed little during the opening 45, but Coady got back to block. It was in vain, as on 63 minutes Everton got their second, as Mykolenko's shot was saved by Guaita and Gordon was there to score from the follow up. Five minutes from time and Everton got their third as McNeil played the ball to Iwobi before getting the return via a backheel and the winger finished off the move to seal the win. Palace failed to really get going in this one and talisman Zaha was off form, meaning they did not have the outlet the usually rely on.

Predicted: Manchester City 3-0 Brighton

Result: Manchester City 3-1 Brighton

Haaland x2, De Bruyne - Trossard

Another big win for Man City with a busy first half that saw them have three penalty appeals. The game started fast, with Man City showing their dominance. They had the first penalty appeal near the 20 minute mark, as Sanchez's tripped Haaland but it wasnt deeped enough for a spot kick. Moments later he opened the scoring as the striker got on the end of Ederson's goal kick and rounded the oncoming Sanchez. Grealish was caught by Veltman in the box on the half hour mark but again VAR deemed no penalty. Finally two minutes before the break they got their spot kick, as Silva was tripped by Dunk, but play continued for a long time before the referee eventually checked the monitor and pointed to the spot, where Haaland made it two. De Zerbi saw his side much improved in the second half, as on 53 minutes Trossard rocketed home after some lovely link-up play with March down the left. The game became end to end and Brighton looked more in control and more likely to score next, but it was De Bruyne on 75 minutes who made sure of the win. He took a stunning long-range strike after being given space and time on the edge of the box. Man City held on and remain unbeaten at home this season, while De Zebri continues to search for his first win as Brighton manager. Their goal today was their first since Trossard scored his hattrick against Liverpool in De Zebri's first game in charge. Haaland's second goal was also the 600th goal scored by Man City in the league under Pep Guardiola.

Predicted: Chelsea 2-2 Manchester United

Result: Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United

Jorginho - Casemiro

This game had all the action at the death, with Chelsea looking to have stolen all three points before United struck in added time. United controlled a lot of this match, with Kepa keeping his side in it with a string of fine saves. He tipped Antony's curled effort around the post around 15 minutes while stopping Rashford twice in the area when he looked odds on to score. Cucurella came off on 37 minutes for Kovacic as Potter looked to change the flow of the game, and it worked. Aubameyang wasted two good opportunities before the break as his side kicked into life, while Antony put the games best chance wide just before the half time whistle. Neither team asserted their authority after half time as the midfield battle intensified, but it was at the end that this game came alive. McTominay hauled Broja to ground in the box on 87 minutes leaving the referee no choice but to award a penalty, which Jorginho put away. In the fourth minute of added time Casemiro's header was deemed to have crossed the line via the referee's watch, after Kepa's attempt to save it turned the ball onto the woodwork and the ball trickled just over the line for the Brazilian's first goal since his move from Madrid. Chelsea are now winless in their last 10 Premier League games against Manchester United, while Sterling has now played against Manchester United 24 times in all competitions during his professional career, which is more than any other opponent he has faced. He has however never managed to score against them in 38 shots across those games.

Predicted: Aston Villa 1-2 Brentford

Result: Aston Villa 4-0 Brentford

Bailey, Ings x2, Watkins

The effect of firing a manager was certainly on display here, as Villa cruised to an emphatic victory over Brentford. This was not the same Villa under the final weeks of Gerrard who had only managed four at home all season and famed for poor defensive errors and all-round bad play. They were ahead when a corner was turned home by Bailey within two minutes. On seven minutes Bailey found Ings' run across the near post and the score was doubled. It only took seven more minutes for Villa to become three up, as Ings scored from the spot after Mings had been fouled by Ajer. Gerrard would have been stunned seeing his old side playing like this. With the game all but won inside 15 minutes the high intensity and pressing continued from the home side. Frank had seen enough of an abject Brentford performance by half-time, bringing on the subs. With little improvement, it was Villa who scored again, as Watkins met Bailey's cross only to be denied by Raya and then the post, before finally scoring.  Mbeumo missed a great chance to pull one back but the match was settled at this stage. Brentford have now conceded 15 goals in 6 winless games away from home this season, while Danks got off to an excellent start as caretaker manager of Villa, although the club have since appointed former Arsenal manager Emery to takes the reigns.

Predicted: Leeds 2-2 Fulham

Result: Leeds 2-3 Fulham

Rodrigo, Summerville - Mitrovic, Reid, Willian

Both these sides showed strong tempo from the off, with Leeds doing plenty of running and Fulham on the break. Roca came to Leeds rescue in the first real chance of the game, after Reed had flicked Mitrovic's crossed by the onrushing Meslier. Fulham looked to gain the advantage but it was Leeds who caught them on the break, as Aaronson found Harrison and his blocked cross found it way to Rodrigo who headed home on 20 minutes. Six minutes later and the sides were level as Pereria saw his corner headed home by Mitrovic. Pereria then found himself one on one with Meslier but could only shoot at the keeper when he should have scored. Leeds came flying out in the second half, as Aaronson, Rodrigo and Ayling all wasted half chances to score. Bamford came on around the hour mark as Leeds pushed on looking for a winner, as Leno stopped him from close range. Fulham caught them on the break, as Decordova-Reid was found by Pereria and nodded the ball home on 74 minutes. Ten minutes later and Fulham were out of sight as some excellent work from Reed in the right saw him feed WIllian, who found space in the box and managed to get the ball into the net. Leeds pushed to get back into the game, and in the first minute of stoppage time they got one back. Gelhardt produced a deft flick to set up Summerville but it as too late as Fulham held on for the win. 

Predicted: Southampton 0-2 Arsenal

Result: Southampton 1-1 Arsenal

Armstrong - Xhaka

The Gunners will be disappointed with this result, as they started strong in an attempt to restore their 4 point lead over City in the standings. Xhaka tested Bazunu  early on as Arsenal dominated, and on 11 minutes the Arsenal midfielder opened the scoring with a thunderous half-volley into the roof of the net from level with the penalty spot. The Saints, on the back of ending their 5 game winless run during the week, lacked any real attacking threat. They almost went two down as Jesus saw his volley pushed away by Bazunu before the break. Elyounoussi managed a last ditch tackle to prevent Jesus scoring around the hour mark after the Brazilian had broken through on goal. He then went on to be involved in getting Southampton level in the game on 65 minutes, as Elyounoussi crossed for Armstrong to turn the ball home. Odegaard though he had won it in the 79th minute when he put the ball in the net, but it was judged to have gone out of play before Tierney cut it back. That was the last real threat on goal and both sides settled for a point, with Hasenhuttl's side the happier of the bunch. This was Arsenal's first Premier League draw since January, having gone 27 games without one. Southampton have now gone three Premier League games without defeat for the first time since February.

Predicted: Wolves 0-1 Leicester

Result: Wolves 0-4 Leicester

Tielemans, Barnes, Maddison, Vardy

Amazingly, Wolves were the better of the two sides from the off in this one, with the home side having  13 of the game's 15 shots in the first half. The Foxes however had scored from their two shots to take a 2-0 lead at the break. Tielemans opened the scoring on 8 minutes as his stuck a thunderous strike into the top corner after a free kick had been cleared and headed back out to him. Their second came on 19 minutes as a one-two between Barnes and Dewsbury-Hall opened the Wolves defence and allowed Barnes to score. Wolves pushed back in the second half, but having not scored twice in a game all season they were up against it. Leicester played on the counter as Wolves attacked with little conviction, and the next shot from the Foxes made it three on 65 minutes. Maddison got into the box on the left and shot low, leaving Sa with no chance. With everything going Leicesters way it was time for Vardy to get his first of the season, which came on 79 minutes, when he turned Castagne's low cross home from close range to make it four. Leicester held on to make it three clean sheets in a row for Rodgers side, while Wolves, having confirmed Davis as their interim head coach into the new year, the problems deepen.

Predicted: Tottenham 2-1 Newcastle

Result: Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle

Kane - Wilson, Almirón

Conte will have been distraught at his side here as they found themselves two goals down, at home, at the break. It ended up being a massive win for Newcastle as they sent a statement to the rest of the league and climbing into the top four and ending Spurs home winning run of eight league games. Spurs started brightly, as Son had four attempts in the first half. His first was in the opening minute as Pope produced a routine save. His next two went over the bar in the opening ten minutes, and he should have scored from Kane delightful through ball. Newcastle got into the game from there, and opened the scoring on the half hour mark when Schar's long ball was poorly controlled by Lloris and Wilson pounced to score into the empty net. Things got worse for Spurs on 40 minutes when the in form Almirón scored after Longstaff had gotten to a poor pass from Lloris ahead of Sessegnon. After the break Newcastle felt they deserved a penalty on 52 minutes when Joelinton's far-post header appeared to hit the outstretched arm of Emerson. Two minutes later and Kane got one back, heading home after Lenglet flicked on Son's corner. Newcastle kept going though and did not sit back, nearly getting a third when Willock's shot nearly went in off Wilson. Spurs could not find a way back into it and Newcastle got the deserved victory, with them along with Arsenal and Man City the only side's in the division to have only lost once this season. For Spurs, they recent defeats have dented their title hopes but Kane has at least scored in each of his last five home games.

Predicted: West Ham 2-2 Bournemouth

Result: West Ham 2-0 Bournemouth

Zouma, Benrahma

Two later goals at the end of either half was what it took for West Ham to secure the three points in this one, although with only three wins in eleven games the West Ham fans were typically nervous. The game started slow, with it takin 20 minutes to create a real chance when Downes met Johnson's cutback only to see it blocked, and the follow up from Cresswell was well saved by Neto. Bournemouth saw their half disrupted by injuries, losing Solanke to a muscle injury. Then the first goal came, as on 45 minutes Zouma headed home after Soucek's kept the ball alive from a Bowen corner and some pinball in the box, but VAR had to check and ensure there was not a handball from Kehrer's arm. Finally it was awarded to the dismay of Bournemouth. Neto did not remerge for the second period as things got worse for Bournemouth, relying on set pieces and very nearly got a goal when Lerma just put the ball wide. It was as good as it got, as the Hammers sealed the result via the penalty spot as Benrahma converted after Zemura was judged to have his arm in an unnatural position and resulted in a handball as Coufal attempted to squeeze a cross beyond him. That was Zouma's 200th Premier League appearance and his first goal of the season. Bournemouth have now failed to find the back of the net in seven separate Premier League matches this season, which is the joint most of any team along with Wolves.

Table After Match Day 12

A look at the top half of the table and Man City have closed the gap on Arsenal to just two points now, with Spurs three points behind City. Newcastle have climbed ahead of Chelsea into fourth on goal difference, with United a point behind them. Fulham sit seventh and the final possible European spot in the league, with Liverpool two points off them after their loss at Forest. Brighton and West Ham make up the top half.

As for the bottom half, and it was a good weekend for the bottom two as they both picked up three points. Forest remain bottom but are now level with Wolves and Leeds in the bottom three, with Leicester climbing out of the relegation zone and sitting clear by two points. Southampton and Villa are a point ahead, with Bournemouth, Palace, and Everton all a point ahead of them. Brentford slipped into the bottom half of the table to make up the bottom ten after their loss over the weekend.

Top Goal scorers After Match Day 12

1 - E. Haaland - Man City - 17 Goals
2 - H Kane - Tottenham - 10 Goals
3 - A. Mitrovic - Fulham - 9 Goals
4 - I. Toney- Brentford - 8 Goals

+ 5 players on 6 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 next weekend for the next round of fixtures. Have a great 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/RNabc

Follow Me :)

Twitter - @RNabc123