Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and had an excellent Christmas and enjoyed the festive games, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. This week saw the return of the action and we got some cracking games, including a stuttering start for Spurs, Newcastle continuing their unstoppable form, more misery for Lampard, Arteta's men go marching on, and Ten Hag's Red turning on the style.

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-16-preview-xzgzwkx

Week Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, it was an interesting week as I got 1/10 correct scores this week but came very close with a couple of others. In terms of match-winner/loser, I managed to predict 5/10 correctly in this round of games.

Predicted: Brentford 1-3 Tottenham

Result: Brentford 2-2 Tottenham

Janelt, Toney - Kane, Højbjerg

From the off Spurs showed their problems in this one, having conceded in their previous eight competitive games, their makeshift defence struggled once again. Brentford put on the pressure and on 15 minutes got their reward, as a Mbeumo cross was met by Jensen, who saw his first time volley deflect off Lenglet and Forster could only palm in onto the onrushing Janlet to open the scoring. From there Son and Kulusevski tested Raya in the Brentford goal multiple times, but it was Brentford who scored next as Toney burst through and rounded the keeper, only to be flagged offside. Nine minutes into the second half saw Brentford double their lead, as Kane went down in the area when Mee was holding him only for the referee and VAR to wave it away. Soon after Dier conceded a needless corner, which Norgaard flicked the ball on and Toney was there to tap home at the near post. Spurs woke up from here, and on 65 minutes Lenglet put a superb deep cross into the area for Kane to head back into the opposite corner of the goal and half the deficit. Six minutes later and Hojbjerg struck home from the edge of the box with a lovely long range effort. Both sides pushed on in search of a winner with penalty shouts and wasted opportunities for both teams which included Kane hitting the bar and Toney hitting the ball over from six yards, but it was to end level. Also of note was that today was the first time Kane managed to score against Brentford, which was the only current Premier League side he had never found the net against. It may not have been three points, but certainly that's how you put the World Cup behind you. As for Brentford, Ivan Toney has now been directly involved in 30 goals in his first 50 Premier League appearances, with 23 goals and 7 assists.

Predicted: Crystal Palace 1-1 Fulham

Result: Crystal Palace 0-3 Fulham

Decordova-Reid, Ream, Mitrovic

An impressive win for Fulham in which they came alive after a dull and scrappy opening thirty minutes. Pereira saw his effort tipped over the bar, while Ayew rattled the woodwork at the other end but on thirty minutes the game came alive. Andersen allowed Mitrovic to get some space on right wing to send in a cross for Decordova-Reid to score. Two minutes later and things got worse for the home side, as Mitchell fouled Tete and got a straight red card. As if things could not get any worse in the second half, just twelve minutes in and Tomkins got his second yellow of the game after catching Mitrovic in the face with an elbow, leaving Palace with just nine men. Fulham took control from here, as Pereira struck the post once again before Guaita saved from Mitrovic. Some VAR drama came with the second goal for Fulham on 71 minutes, as a Pereira corner appeared to hit  Mitrovic in the arm before landing for Ream to stroke home. The referee consulted the pitch side monitor but the goal was given to the dismay of the Palace players. With ten minutes to go Mitrovic got his goal to cap off a fine performance, as he glanced his header home from a lovely Willian cross. Mitrovic has now scored an amazing 105 goals in the top four tiers of English football since joining Fulham in February 2018, which is level with Mohamed Salah in that time. As for Vieira's side, then have now gone two games without getting a shot on target, after also failing to register one against Forest before the break.

Predicted: Everton 0-0 Wolves

Result: Everton 1-2 Wolves

Mina - Podence, Ait Nouri

Lopetegui marked his Premier League bow with a late victory over Everton to move his side off the bottom of the league. It was Everton who made the brighter start though, as Mina glanced home McNeil's corner on seven minutes. Wolves did not let that knock them, and grew back into the game. On 22 minutes that were level as Podence finished off from Moutinho's ball after a fine team move. Gueye made the most of a lacklustre clearance from Collins, picking out Gordon, but his finish was easy for Sa to save. Everton looked good again after the break, threatening from a corner but Sa stood strong. Wolves once again grew into the game and Bueno saw a low shot saved by Pickford. Gray saw a free-kick whistle just wide and Neves had to clear a Godfrey attempt off the line. Wolves managed to catch Everton on the counter in injury time, as Traore saw his cross deflected into Ait-Nouri's path for the winner and a vital three points. The win leaves Wolves just a point behind Everton, as Lampard suffered his fourth straight defeat in all competitions.

Predicted: Leicester 3-3 Newcastle

Result: Leicester 0-3 Newcastle

Wood, Almirón, Joelinton

It took just over half an hour for Newcastle to bury the Foxes here, as Leicester were the creator of their own donwfall. Within 90 seconds Newcastle had a penalty after Amartey brought down Joelinton, and Wood dispatched the spot kick to give his side the lead. On seven minutes it was two nil as Almiron played a beautiful one-two with Bruno Guimaraes before continuing his goal scoring streak by slotting past Ward. Dewsbury-Hall played through Daka after twenty minutes for Leicester's best chance, but Pope saved and Botmon cleared the rebound off the line. Ten minutes later it was three nil as Trippier's corner was headed in by Joelinton. From there it was mostly comfortable for Newcastle, with Leicester failing to threaten much and the visitors enjoying more success this Boxing day. It leave Newcastle with just one defeat in their first 19 games in all competitions this season. Leicester meanwhile resume with another defeat after only one defeat in their previous five before today. Newcastle meanwhile climbed into 2nd position at the time with Man City having not played, to continue their incredible turnaround under Eddie Howe.

Predicted: Southampton 1-2 Brighton

Result: Southampton 1-3 Brighton

Ward-Prowse - Lallana, Perraud OG, March

New manager Jones will be disappointed with his sides display here, after their narrow Carabao Cup win during the week, as Brighton overwhelmed the Saints with an authoritative display. The first came just before the quart hour mark for Brighton, as Lallana's glancing header got the better of Bazunu who let the ball slip through his hands. Ward-Prowse flashed a free-kick narrowly wide but it was Brighton who struck next, with ten minutes of the half to go when Perraud bundled a Estupinan cross into his own net under pressure from March. The home crowd booed off their side at the break, and the second half saw them home side start brighter. It was all in vain though, as March cut in from the right to smash a stunning drive into the top corner from 25 yards on 56 minutes. On 73 minutes the Saints gave themselves some hope, as Edozie was fouled in the box to win a penalty. Sanchez saved the initial spot kick from Ward-Prowse but could do nothing about the follow up. From there Brighton coasted to another victory to keep their fans in lively spirits and dreaming of possible European football for next season. As for Southampton, they got booed off again at full time as they ended the match on the bottom of the table thanks to Wolves victory over Everton.

Predicted: Aston Villa 2-3 Liverpool

Result: Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool

Watkins - Salah, Van Dijk, Bajcetic

An assist to make Robertson take the record of most assist for a defender in the Premier League set Liverpool off to a flying start on five minutes. A corner had been cleared to Alexander-Arnold, who played a lovely outside of the boot pass into Robertson who squared for Salah to score. While Liverpool began to dominate from there, just after the quarter hour mark Watkins had an excellent chance from a McGinn cross but he headed straight at Alisson. On twenty minutes Matip headed home from a Robertson free kick, but it was flagged offside. On 37 minutes Liverpool doubled their lead, as Alexander-Arnold whipped in a corner which bobbled in the box, falling to Salah who set it up for Van Djik to volley into the net via a slight Mings deflection. Just before the break Nunez could have scored from an Alexander-Arnold free kick but Olsen held firm to deny him, before Villa had a chance of their own with a free kick but it came to nothing. The second half saw Villa start brightly, as Watkins had the ball in the back of the net but was ruled out as offside. Soon after McGinn wasted a glorious chance at the back post as Villa began to take control. Salah lead a counter attack from his own half but just lost his balance as he went to shoot, making it easy for Olsen on 50 minutes. With Villa pushing on they finally got their goal just before the hour mark. Douglas Luiz delivered a beautiful ball into the box and Watkins rose the highest to head the ball home. Emery clearly got his message across at half time, as the the game opened up from there and Klopp brought on Elliott and Keita to gain more control. On 75 minutes Salah played Nunez in but the striker dragged his shot just wide in this thrilling encounter. A clash of heads left Bailey needing more treatment as Liverpool made more changes, and it was the youngster Bajcetic who made the instant impact with his first senior goal. A long ball saw Nunez run in and keep the ball alive at the byline, with the rebound came out to the young Spaniard, who rounded the keeper and snuck the ball homer though Mings legs. To cap it off Klopp brought on Doak for Nunez at the end, meaning Liverpool ended the game with three teenagers on the pitch, with Carvalho also on the bench. 

Predicted: Arsenal 2-1 West Ham

Result: Arsenal 3-1 West Ham

Saka, Martinelli, Nketiah - Benrahma 

FIFA's chief of global football development and former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was in attendance for this one, as he saw his old side come from behind to win. It took only 4 minutes for the league leaders to get the ball in the back of the net, but Saka saw his effort correctly ruled out for offside. The Gunners dominated the early stages though and Odegaard should have set up  Xhaka for the opener. Soon after however West Ham were ahead, as Bowen forced Saliba into a desperate lunge just inside the penalty area to win a penalty which Benhrama scored on 27 minutes. Arsenal thought they had a penalty of their own just before the break, but after consulting the pitch side monitor the referee reversed the decision. Arsenal emerged with a determination and it paid off, thanks to some good fortune, on 53 minutes. Odegaard took a long-range effort which was well off, but landed perfectly for Saka who stroked it into the bottom corner. Five minutes later Arsenal were ahead, as the ball was worked to Martinelli, with the Brazilian striking a low finish past Fabianski at his near post. With just over twenty minutes left to play the Gooners got their third, when Odegaard's pass picked out Nketiah, and the striker beat Kehrer before finishing into the bottom corner. It was an excellent moment for Nketiah who will be tasked with filling Jesus' boots over the coming weeks. Arsenal have now managed to win an impressive 10 home league games in a row, while Moyes has now lost 15 league away games against Arsenal, making it the worst side he has ever faced.

Predicted: Chelsea 1-2 Bournemouth

Result: Chelsea 2-0 Bournemouth

Havertz, Mount

A strong showing from Chelsea here as they dominated the game from the off, putting an end to their run of five league games without a win. Bournemouth only had one win in seven league fixtures before this game but were dead and buried in the opening thirty minutes. Sterling set up the first goal with an excellent cross from the right on 16 minutes, allowing Havertz to slide the ball home. The second arrived on 24 minutes as this time Havertz set up Mount on the edge of the area to score. Silva almost gifted the Cherries a way back into the game late in the first half with some wayward passing in his own area, but Chelsea held on. Five minutes into the second half saw James signalling to the bench he needed to come off, with another injury set back for the right back. This seemed to dismantle Chelsea, who lost their grip on the game and became somewhat wayward in their play. Kepa was forced into a save from Christie, while Solanke headed a great chance wide. Chelsea saw out the match but a stronger opposition likely would have made Chelsea pay for their errors. Potter's side finally put to rest their awful league form, leaving them six points off Spurs in fourth. This was achieved by changing to a more attacking formation of 4-2-3-1 compared to the back five they had been playing before the break. Bournemouth meanwhile remain in the bottom half but for the moment clear of the relegation zone.

Predicted: Manchester United 3-0 Forest

Result: Manchester United 3-0 Forest

Rashford, Martial, Fred

A makeshift back four, which saw Shaw alongside Varane, was more than enough to see off the threat, or lack of one, from Forest in this game. From the off Wan-Bissaka and Malacia had space on the flanks, and even tested Hennessey with a long range powerful effort which he pushed onto the post. The first goal came on 19 minutes, with Rashford finishing off Eriksen's clever rehearsed corner routine. The second arrived three minutes later as United finished a counter, started by Casemiro winning the ball deep in his own half, when Rashford played in Martial who scored with a low effort. Yates had a goal ruled out by VAR following a free kick just before the break to ensure United retained their two goal cushion. The second half saw Forest start brighter, but United pushed on and Antony, Martial, Rashford and Casemiro were all denied by Hennessey. Johnson's backheel flick forced De Gea into a smart save, but United coasted to victory as Casemiro intercepted a Forest pass in the 87th minute and played in Fred who scored into the far corner and seal the win for United. Rashford has now scored five in his last eight games for United, along with three World Cup goals. Forest will need to work on their defending, as noted by Cooper, and it seems the break has not had the desired effect many had hoped it would. However, it was never going to be easy going to Old Trafford and they will hope for improvements in the games ahead.

Predicted: Leeds 1-4 Manchester City

Result: Leeds 1-3 Manchester City

Struijk - Rodri, Haaland x2

The final game in the first round back following the Qatar World Cup saw a bright start for Man City, with Haaland being found by Ake in the 2nd minute and the striker got away from Cooper with his run, but Meslier was on hand to save. It seemed like this was the tone the game would follow, but from there Leeds grew into the game and restricted City from creating much of anything for the next twenty minutes or so, but grew into the game from there. Grealish got some rough treatment, and blazed a chance over, but Rodri put the away team ahead just before half time. A lovely pass by Gundogan to De Bruyne on the counter saw the ball land for Mahrez to shoot, only for Meslier to save it straight into the path of the Spaniard to score his first of the season. Six minutes after the break it was 2-0 as Haaland finish off after great work by Grealish to nick the ball off Koch. City began to dominate from here and on 64 minutes Haaland got his 20th league goal of the season, after De Bruyne and Rodri combined to release Grealish who cuts it back for Haaland to finish. Leeds almost pulled one back a few moments later as a cross from Roca almost caught Ederson out, and he takes no chances putting it out for a corner, which comes to nothing. Leeds managed to pull on back on 73 minutes when he rose highest to head home from a Greenwood corner. The game opened up here, with both Leeds and City wasting chances to change this game. A late stop from Meslier stopped Haaland getting his hattrick, while Gelhardt saw a shot just go wide. It was a deserved three points for City, with Haaland becoming the quickest player to 20 league goals in the Premier League, doing so in just 14 league appearances. Leeds meanwhile remain just two points above the relegation zone.

Table After Match Day 16

A look at the top half of the table and Arsenal continue to lead the way with City five points behind. Newcastle stay third with Spurs falling three points behind in fourth. United, Liverpool, and Brighton make up the European places, while Chelsea, Fulham, and Brentford complete the top half.

As for the bottom half, Palace remain a point outside the top half, with Villa, Leicester and Bournemouth close on their tails. Leeds, West Ham and Everton all hover dangerously above the relegation zone with Wolves pushing up to 18th, and Forest and Southampton making up the bottom three.

Top Goal scorers After Match Day 16

1 - E. Haaland - Man City - 20 Goals
2 - H Kane - Tottenham - 13 Goals
3 - I. Toney - Brentford - 11 Goals
4 - A. Mitrovic - Fulham - 10 Goals
5 - Rodrigo - Leeds - 9 Goals   
6 - M. Almirón - Newcastle - 9 Goals

+ 5 players on 7 goals

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

You can also find my updated predictions after the Round of 16 Champions League draw here: Champions League 22/23 Round of 16 Draw & Prediction

I hope you enjoyed the matches this week. We will be back again at the weekend for the next round of fixtures as we head into 2023.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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