Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and had an excellent week while enjoying the latest matches of the festive games, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. This week saw Liverpool get exposed by Brentford set pieces, Arsenal drop points at home for the first time all season, Everton crumble to heap pressure on Lampard, United cruise under Ten Hag, and Man City secured another strong win over Chelsea.

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-18-preview-xnnwyjg

Week Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, it was a disappointing week as I got 0/10 correct scores this week. In terms of match-winner/loser, I managed to predict 6/10 correctly in this round of games.

Predicted: Brentford 1-3 Liverpool

Result: Brentford 3-1 Liverpool

Konate OG, Wissa, Mbeumo - Oxlade-Chamberlain

Both Toney and Gakpo missed this one for their perspective sides, but it was Liverpool who made the better start of the two. Nunez had a great chance after being played in by Salah, rounding the keeper but his shot was blocked on the line by Mee. It was Brentford who took the lead though, as on 19 minutes they scored from a corner which was won from a swift counter attack. The ball was swung in and everyone missed it, although it looked to hit Mee's hand, before hitting off Konate's knee and going into the bottom corner. VAR reviewed 5and gave the goal. Brentford had the ball in the net from another corner but this time it was ruled out as offside. Liverpool huffed and puffed but struggled to create any real chances on note, before on the 39th minute Brentford once again had the ball in the net from a corner. Wissa volleyed the ball which took a slight deflection on the way and was ruled out as offside. From the free kick Brentford harried and won the ball back, and a whipped in cross was header towards the goal by Wissa. Alisson dived and palmed the ball away but it had already crossed the line. The Reds started brightly in the second half, with Van Dijk, Elliott and Tsimikas off at the break for Matip, Keita and Robertson. On 48 minutes Nunez was played in and beautifully lobbed the ball over Raya, but VAR reviewed the goal and it was ruled out for offside. Two minutes later however Oxlade-Chamberlain got his side one back with a header from an Alexander-Arnold cross. Liverpool pushed on but found it difficult to break down this Brentford side, with Nunez skewing a shot across the box with twenty minutes to go. Brentford played with 11 men behind the ball, and while they made some counter attack breaks, it was all Liverpool for the majority of the second half. For all of the Reds pushing forward, they were caught on the break in the 84th minute when Mbeumo scored Brentford's third from the centre of the box. It was a poor result for Klopp's side who have seen their four game winning streak in the Premier League come to an end. Brentford meanwhile are now unbeaten in their last six Premier League games and firmly in the top half of the table.

Predicted: Arsenal 2-2 Newcastle

Result: Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle

A huge result here for Newcastle as Arteta's side drop points at home for the first time this season, but the Gooners started in a bright fashion which saw them register six shots in the opening five minutes. Newcastle composed themselves and made a game of it, battling hard in midfield and breaking Arsenal's rhythm. A spate of booking marred the encounter, although showed the competitive nature of the contest, and while Arsenal tried to compose themselves, it was Newcastle who almost stole a lead before the break. It was the best opening of the first half when Schar's near-post header came back for Joelinton but the Brazilian could not apply the finish from four yards out. Schar came close again after the break, seeing a header loop over the goal as Newcastle were looking dangerous from set pieces. Arsenal held the ball well but found it difficult to break through a solid Newcastle side, although Martinelli thought he had secured a winner when his flick at the near post from a corner went just wide. Nketiah managed to get through on goal with three minutes to go but Pope stood strong to block his effort. Arsenal furiously screamed for a penalty late on when a cross from Xhaka hit Murphy's arm, but the Newcastle player knew little about it and the ref and VAR waved play on. Newcastle are now unbeaten in 15 league games, having only lost once all season which was against Liverpool at Anfield. They have also kept six clean sheets in a row in all competitions, and have conceded just 11 goals in the league all season while keeping 10 clean sheets. Arsenal meanwhile lost their winning run at home in the league which lasted 11 games, stretching back to a 2-1 defeat against Brighton back in April.

Predicted: Everton 1-2 Brighton

Result: Everton 1-4 Brighton

Gray - Mitoma, Ferguson, March, Groß

Amazingly, Everton looked more than up for this from the off, likely buoyant from their draw against City last time out, and almost went ahead on ten minutes when Iwobi forced Sanchez into a fine save. Davies had a chance soon after, but it was Brighton who began to take control of the match. Mitoma headed a lovely March ball well wide but soon after he found the net, as Caicedo's cross-field ball found Mitoma, who got away from Patterson before drifting inside and shooting through Tarkowski legs and into the net. Ferguson then hit the post for Brighton when he connected with Mitoma's deflected cross. Calvert-Lewin was isolated and the fans were growing frustrated, and in the second half they saw their side collapse. First Ferguson scored his second in two game at only 18 years old when he slotted home from a Sarmiento cross on 51 minutes. On 54 minutes the Seagulls had their third as March was teed up by Ferguson before taking a couple of touches and slotting home. Astonishingly, on 57 minutes Brighton made it 4-0 when Gueye's awful pass back was pounched upon by Gross before he charged in on goal and clipped the ball over Pickford. The boos were in full swing from the home crowd, as Brighton coasted through the remainder of the game before Sanchez gave away a needless penalty in stoppage time. Gray stepped up to score what was only a consolation and did nothing to amend for the shocking demise of his side in the second half. Lampard bemoaned his sides mistakes, and they now have just one win in their last 10 matches. Brighton meanwhile are flying under De Zebri, and scored four goals in a top-flight away game for the first time ever. They also managed to win three consecutive away games in the top-flight for the first time ever, while young Evan Ferguson became the second-youngest player to both score and assist in a single Premier League game, with only Michael Owen in 1997 ahead of him.

Predicted: Leicester 1-1 Fulham

Result: Leicester 0-1 Fulham

Mitrovic

The Cottagers have made it three wins from three since the World Cup break as they added more misery for the Foxes here, who have now lost all three of their league games since play resumed. Fulham dominated from the off, although Leicester did lose Dewsbury-Hall in the warm-up, and Soumare had to go off ten minutes into the match. Willian looked lively from the off for Fulham, and on 17 minutes Mitrovic got on the end of the Brazilians lofted pass to score. From there Fulham seemed to sit off, offering little in terms of an attacking sense, instead sitting back to protect their lead. Rodgers side grew into the game and only really began to test Leno after the break. Barnes, Vardy and Perez all saw the German keeper save their efforts, and Leicester began to dominate this game. Tielemans tried his luck with some long range efforts but it was not to be, with his best chance coming back off the crossbar to sum up Leicester night. Wilson broke clear in the closing stages and could have sealed the win for Fulham but saw his effort go narrowly wide. Mitrovic got a booking late on which means the Serbian will now be suspended when Fulham face London rivals Chelsea next Thursday. 

Predicted: Manchester United 2-0 Bournemouth

Result: Manchester United 3-0 Bournemouth

Casemiro, Shaw, Rashford

United look back to their best under Ten Hag, and while Anthony was missing with Bruno on the right in his place, it did not impact the flow of this team. The midfield was solid with Casemiro at the heart of everything, connecting with Eriksen's cross to volley home on 23 minutes. Maguire and Rashford were back in the side, along with van de Beek, who was starting his first Premier League game at home for United in 19 months but got forced off with injury during the first half to compound his unfortunate time at the club. Garnacho came on and proved the difference in the second half, setting up Shaw for his goal in the 49th minute. Fernandes had played the ball onto Garnacho before he crossed for Shaw who scored with his weaker right foot. United were cruising at this stage, with Bournemouth struggling to offer much of a threat and especially finding it difficult to get past Casemiro in midfield, but after conceding the second grew into the game and forced three saves in quick succession from De Gea. United regained control in the 86th minute as Garnacho lofted a ball behind the Bournemouth defence to Fernandes who squared for Rashford to score. Dembele struck the bar with a cross in stoppage time for the Cherries but it was not to be, as they have now lost seven of their last eight. Garnacho also hit the post with an effort as the feel good factor seems to be back at United, who have won four consecutive home league games without conceding. Eriksen also has five assists in his last nine starts for Manchester United.

Predicted: Southampton 0-0 Nottingham Forest

Result: Southampton 0-1 Nottingham Forest

Awoniyi

In the big relegation six points as they are known, it was Forest who emerged victorious and condemned Southampton to their sixth consecutive loss and have only managed one win in their previous 12 league games, coming against Bournemouth in October. The game started brightly, with both sides wasting early chances to take the lead. Adams shot wide after being set through on goal by Walker-Peters, before Forrest hit the bar when Johnson made the most of Yates' mishit shot. With 27 minutes on the clock Johnson made the most of a Lyanco error to run in behind and set up Awoniyi by squaring the ball for the easiest of tap ins as the side with the worst away record in the Premier League took the lead against the side with the worst home record. It was only the second league goal Forest have scored away from home all season. Southampton offered little in response, failing to test Henderson throughout the entire match and getting booed off by their own fans. The Saints had plenty of the ball but could not find a way past Forest, who looked threatening on the counter. Forest have seen their upturn in form pull them out of the bottom three, and have now only lost twice in their last eight league games. This was also the first away league win of the season for Cooper's side. Nathan Jones meanwhile has seen his sides losing run since taking the job extend to four Premier League games.

Predicted: Leeds 1-1 West Ham

Result: Leeds 2-2 West Ham

Gnonto, Rodrigo - Paqueta, Scamacca

A nervy opening from West Ham saw Kehrer's blind pass to Rodrigo almost gift Leeds the opener early on, only for Aguerd to slide in and cover. It showed what was on the line for both teams here, and neither did a good job composing themselves and retaining possession. It was on 27 minutes when Leeds broke the deadlock, as Gnonto played some passes with Summerville from a throw in before striking the ball home. Aaronson and Gnonto both had chances to double the lead after that, but it was the Hammers who struck just before the break, as Struijk caught Bowen in the box and the referee gave a penalty after a pitchside monitor review. Paqueta stepped up and beat Meslier with a fine strike. The second half started fast, as West Ham raced into the lead as Aaronson misplaced a pass straight to Scamacca, who bended a curling effort past Meslier and in off the post from 25 yards out. Leeds responded, showing determination and having two good chances halted due to offside. However, with twenty minutes to go Harrison played the ball for Rodrigo to score with a smart finish. Fabianski had to be alert to thwart Rodrigo twice before the end of the game and it was a deserved draw. There were emotional scenes at the end of the game as West Ham joint-chairman David Gold passed away earlier that day, while Leeds wore shirts bearing Klich's name as he is rumoured to be transferring away. 

Predicted: Aston Villa 2-1 Wolves

Result: Aston Villa 1-1 Wolves

Ings - Podence

It was Wolves who started the better in this one, putting the pressure on Villa from the off. It showed on 12 minutes when Podence opened the scoring after Moutinho reversed the ball to him, before he finished superbly into the far corner. The away side dominated the ball and Villa struggled to get a grip on the match, with the home fans becoming increasingly agitated in the opening half. Nunes saw his effort saved by Martinez while Digne had a free-kick that was tipped over in the best of the opening half's action. Coutinho was introduced at the break and Wolves began to drop deeper, using Traore as a counter attacking threat. As Villa pressed on Kilman did excellent to clear Augustinsson's volley off the line but it was only a mater of time. On 78 minutes Ings got his side level by lofting the ball over Sa after Mings had played the striker in with a long ball. Ait-Nouri forced a fine stop from Martinez to remind Villa that Wolves were still a threat in this game, but it was Villa who should have won it late on. Bailey broke free and got around Sa, and with all of the goal to aim at looked certain to win it for the home side, but on his weaker foot the Jamaican missed the target. He was distraught when the final whistle was blown seconds later. The point was invaluable for Wolves before they face off against West Ham next time in the league. Villa meanwhile have only lost once in their last six league games and are pushing themselves closer and closer to the top half of the table, currently sitting in 11th.

Predicted: Crystal Palace 2-3 Tottenham

Result: Crystal Palace 0-4 Tottenham

Kane x2, Doherty, Son

A resounding win for Spurs here as they overcame the disappointment of their loss against Villa with a strong showing here, however for the opening 25 minutes or so there were not many chances. Olise's right wing cross just evaded Zaha before the France U21 international missed his own effort. Kane also saw a header effort go wide. Palace should have gone in at the break ahead when Zaha got past Skipp and Gil before playing the ball to Ayew, but the striker saw his effort saved. Around the half hour mark Andersen saw a sensational long range effort just curl wide, while Romero's poor control directly after the break should have seen Ayew score but Dier was there to block. Palace had dominated but were punished for their wastefulness on 48 minutes when Kane scored his first with a header from a Perisic cross. Five minutes later he made it two as he played a one two with Gil before slotting home. Olise and Mateta saw effort go wide for Palace as they continued to push on in search of a goal, but it was on 68 minutes when Spurs made it three. Kane played the ball out wide to Son, whose cross was deflected off Clyne and landed for Doherty to rifle past Guaita. On 72 minutes Son ended his goal scoring drought with a volleyed finish from a Kane ball over the defence. Ayew and Zaha both tested Lloris in the closing stages but it was a resounding result for Spurs. While Kane did not manage to get his hattrick, he did make history by becoming only the second player in Premier League history to score on his 100th, 200th, and 300th league appearance, with Palace having the better chances. Palace lost consecutive home games at Selhurst Park for the first time since February 2022, while also becoming the tenth side Kane has scored ten or more Premier League goals against.

Predicted: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester City

Result: Chelsea 0-1 Manchester City

Mahrez

It was a difficult start to the game for Chelsea, as they home side lost Sterling to injury after five minutes and then Pulisic had to go off after 22 minutes. City knew an opportunity had appeared for them thanks to Arsenal's draw against Newcastle but the defending champions were far from their best in the first half. After a frustration draw against Everton last time for City and a draw with Forest for Chelsea, the tension was tangible between these sides. Chelsea came closest in the opening half when substitute Chukwuemeka hit the post just before the break, having seen an effort blocked by Silva earlier in the half, but Ake headed onto the post early in the second half as City upped the pressure. Haaland had seen an effort go wide just before that, and City grew into the game from there. De Bruyne saw some chances go begging, while Silva wasted a rare chance for Chelsea. The goal came in the 63rd minute when De Bruyne drove forward with the ball and played it out wide to Grealish, who crossed it in low for Mahrez to finish. Aubameyang, who had come on for Sterling early on, was less than impressed when subbed off late on, and Haaland wasted a chance to double his sides lead. Chelsea ran out of ideas although the youthful energy from Gallagher, Hutchinson, and Hall was one of the few positive notes. This was the fourth league win in a row for Man City in the league, having last lost to Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League in 2021. Chelsea meanwhile suffered their sixth defeat in the league this season and are now 13 points adrift of the top four. These two teams meet again on Sunday at the Etihad in the FA Cup where Chelsea will be out for revenge.

Table After Match Day 18

A look at the top half of the table and Arsenal dropped points at home for the first time all season to allow City reduce the gap to five points. Newcastle sit in third, level on points with fourth place United. Spurs, Liverpool and Fulham make up the top seven, with Brighton and Brentford just behind. Chelsea meanwhile sit in tenth position just three points from the bottom half, and thirteen from the top four.

As for the bottom half, Southampton sit firmly on the bottom of the table, with Wolves and Everton making up the bottom three. West Ham are just outside of it on goal difference, while Bournemouth, Forest, Leeds, and Leicester are all within two points of the drop zone. Palace and Villa make up the bottom half with a five point cushion over the Foxes.

Top Goal scorers After Match Day 18

1 - E. Haaland - Man City - 21 Goals
2 - H Kane - Tottenham - 15 Goals
3 - I. Toney - Brentford - 12 Goals
4 - A. Mitrovic - Fulham - 11 Goals
5 - Rodrigo - Leeds - 10 Goals   
6 - M. Almirón - Newcastle - 9 Goals

+ 8 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 next week for more league games as the FA Cup 3rd Round games take place this weekend.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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