Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and had an excellent weekend while enjoying the latest matches, welcome to CryptoGod-1’s blog on all things sports. This weekend saw another bad result for Chelsea, a lacklustre Liverpool display, Everton falter at Goodison, while Arsenal and Manchester City maintained their close title battle.

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-25-preview-xmyekgq 

Week Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, I got 1/8 correct scores this week. In terms of match-winner/loser, I only managed to predict 5/8 correctly in this round of games.

Predicted: Fulham 1-1 Wolves

Result: Fulham 1-1 Wolves

Soloman - Sarabia

Fulham have been one of the inform teams in the league since the action resumed post World Cup, with only Manchester United picking up more points than the Cottagers in that time. They had to rely on substitute Soloman once again here to rescue a point after Wolves had been the better side in the first half. Sarabia had seen an early tame effort saved by Leno, however on 23 minutes he made up for that by opening the scoring. He started the move, feeding Nunes on the left before continuing his run into the box. Nunes played the ball in for Jiminez, who cushioned it down for Sarabia before the 30-year-old Spaniard struck his effort through the legs of Ream and beyond Leno. Fulham's run of three clean sheets was ended, they finally tested Sa towards the end of the half with a Vinicius header. Solomon and Lukic were brought on for the second half, but Wolves continued to dominate. Kilman's header drifted just over before Jimenez glanced Sarabia's cross just wide. With the game becoming tight and tense, on 64 minutes Fulham drew level. Solomon got the ball off Robinson, and although he was shepherded inside, he curled a lovely 20-yard shot low beyond Sa. Fulham grew from the goal and Sa was forced to pull off a save from Vinicius in stoppage time. Both sides saw out the result, and while Lopetegui was unsure if it was a fair result, it is another point for his side in their battle against the drop, having taken 14 points from the nine Premier League games he has managed. As for Fulham, their impressive season and battle for European places continues as their tally of 39 points from their first 25 games of this Premier League season is their second-best return at this stage of a top-flight campaign.

Predicted: Everton 1-2 Aston Villa

Result: Everton 0-2 Aston Villa

Watkins, Buendía

The Toffees were the dominant side in the first half of this one, but for all their possession in the opposition half they could never fashion a chance on goal. Villa entered this one on a run of three defeats in a row, but they did have a chance when Watkins was played in behind only for Pickford to deny him. He made up for that in the second half however, but not before a McNeil free-kick caused chaos in the Villa box. Iwobi got a shot off and Konsa blocked it, only for the ball to fall for Maupay to tap in, however off balance he ended up seeing his effort cleared on the line by Mings. Moments later Villa nearly repeated that when Digne's cross was nodded down by Watkins and turned onto the post by Pickford before Tarkowski put it wide. They made up for it with their next attack, as on 63 minutes Gueye fouled McGinn in the box and up stepped Watkins to dispatch the spot kick. Everton piled bodies forward but still lacked a real threat, and McGinn maanged to thread a ball through for Buendía on 81 minutes and the Argentine got away from Coleman before applying the finish. Watkins has now scored in five consecutive Premier League games for Villa, becoming the first player in the clubs history to do so. As for Everton, their honeymoon period at Goodison under Dyche has come to an abrupt end and they will have a lot of work ahead of themselves to avoid the relegation zone this season.

Predicted: Leeds 1-2 Southampton

Result: Leeds 1-0 Southampton

Firpo

A huge win for Leeds in this relegation six pointer against the struggling Saints, and it was the dream start for Gracia. Onuachu forced Meslier into a save approaching 40 minutes in what was the first real notable chance of the game, while McKennie blazed over the bar after a weak punched clearance from Banuzu. The second half started more frantic, as Bamford saw a penalty appeal turned away after he was brought down by Bednarek. Ward-Prowse managed to get Southampton's only shot on target in the second half when he tested Meslier from range, but the Saints could muster little else. With 13 minutes remaining in what looked to be a result which would do little to aid either side in their relegation battle, Firpo latched onto Harrison's clever backheel before shooting low under Banuzu to score the only goal of the game. Summerville almost got a second in added time but fired wide as Leeds held on to secure the three points. Leeds registered their first win without conceding in the competition since August, against Chelsea. Southampton meanwhile have now suffered defeat in 10 of their last 12 Premier League games.

Predicted: Leicester 1-3 Arsenal

Result: Leicester 0-1 Arsenal

Martinelli

It was a first half here which saw Leicester offer little to nothing in terms of attacking threat, instead more focused on stifling their opponents. After their late win against Villa last time out, Arsenal managed to win with a narrow score line here. They pinned Leicester back inside their own half for much of the first half, but for all their dominance Arsenal struggled to really create anything as Leicester frustrated them. Trossard did manage to score after a poor clearance by Ward went straight to Xhaka, but VAR advised the referee to review, and it was ruled out for a foul on Ward by White. Saka was then denied a penalty after a colission with Souttar towards the end of the first half as the teams went in level. Straight into the second half and Leicester gave up possession cheaply in their own half, with Arsenal getting the ball to Trossard, who held it up on the left before playing Martinelli in behind. The attacker kept his cool and slotted past Ward into the far post to open the scoring. From there Leicester had to attack, and after having no shots on target in the first half, Dewsbury-Hall flashed a long-range effort just wide but they struggled to create much else. The Foxes remained three points above the relegation zone at the time of the result as Rodgers men continued to stutter their way through the season, while Arsenal opened a five point lead at the top of the table before Man City played later in the day.

Predicted: West Ham 1-0 Nottingham Forest

Result: West Ham 4-0 Nottingham Forest

Ings x2, Rice, Antonio

The first half saw West Ham as the dominant side on the 30th anniversary of former England and West Ham captain Bobby Moore's death. They had nine corners and nineteen touches in the Forest box, but struggled to make the breakthrough. Felipe turned a cross against his own post in the Hammers best chance, while Ings was unlucky not to get the ball in the box at times. Johnson thought he had won a penalty for Forest just before the break when he was clipped in the box by Johnson, but it was waved away. The second half saw more of the same as Soucek header over from a corner and Bowen hit the post. Fabianski had to come off for Areola as Forest began to grow into the game, and it seemed like it was not to be the Hammers day but with twenty minutes to go everything changed. Ings got his first on 70 minutes when Bowen drilled a low ball across the box, and his second came three minutes later from Benrahma's cross into the six-yard area. On 78 minutes Rice got his goal as he latched onto Benrahma's cut-back and curled an effort over Navas into the net. Antonio came off the bench to make it four on 85 minutes as Forest had no answer and the striker powered a header home. Forest totally collapsed in the final twenty minutes and lost their composure, allowing West Ham a huge morale boosting win and one that will certainly help in their relegation battle.

Predicted: Bournemouth 0-4 Manchester City

Result: Bournemouth 1-4 Manchester City

Lerma - Álvarez, Haaland, Foden,  Mepham OG

It took City 15 minutes to go into the lead here, as Álvarez was alive to pounce on Haaland's effort which came back off the crossbar and finish from a yard out. Bournemouth tried to work their way back into the game but just before the half hour mark it was two, as Ake won the ball back and played Gundogan down the left. He found Foden in the middle but the Englishman was knocked off the ball by Zemura, but Haaland was in place to lash the ball home. Just before half time it was three as Foden got in on the scoring. The Cherries caused their own problems this time, as Billing played a lazy square pass without looking and Foden pounced to beat the keeper one on one. Five minutes into the second half and it was more of the same as City got their fourth, as Lewis crossed from the right when made its way to Foden. His effort was blocked but Álvarez managed to smash the ball in off of Mepham. Bournemouth thought they would have a penalty during a goalmouth scramble midway during the second half but nothing came of it. City did not take their foot off the gas and Grealish, along with his replacement Mahrez, caused plenty of problems. Bournemouth did get a goal for the home fans to cheer about with seven minutes to go, as Lerma blasted into the roof of the net after a lovely first touch from Solanke's low cross. It was nothing more than a consolation goal however and City secured the points, keeping pressure on Arsenal after their win earlier in the day. Bournemouth meanwhile remain in the bottom three but inly a point off safety.

Predicted: Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool

Result: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool

The fact Liverpool got dismantled by Real Madrid during the week was evident here, as they look out of sorts and short of confidence. Palace had a good chance earlier on after a poor pass by Alexander-Arnold to Henderson saw Mateta close in on goal but his chipped effort was palmed wide. Liverpool then had their chances, as Jota twice went close. First he volleyed straight at Guaita, then he saw a close range header smack the crossbar. Guehi sent a free header inches wide around the half hour mark from a beautiful Olise corner, while a goal bound Alexander-Arnold free-kick managed to get blocked by Henderson. Palace grew in confidence from there and crosses from Olise just evaded Schlupp and Mateta, before Mateta hit the crossbar with his own effort. Keita was withdrawn at the break as he looked destined for a red card, and in the second half Salah saw his effort go onto the bar. Palace looked good and pushed on but failed to register a shot on target in the entire match, while Gakpo missed a good chance to win the game when put through but his poked effort was just wide as Guita rushed out. Palace looked more dominant in the dying minutes and Liverpool will be happy to have emerged with a point after that display. Crystal Palace failed to have a single shot on target for the third time in a Premier League match this season. As for Liverpool, they had not failed to win an away league game against Crystal Palace since the 2014-15.

Predicted: Tottenham 2-2 Chelsea

Result: Tottenham 2-0 Chelsea

Skipp, Kane

A massive result at home for Spurs as they dispatch Chelsea and maintained themselves in the top four. As for Chelsea, they have now just managed to win nine times in his 26 matches in charge, and they are currently on their longest run in the Premier League without an away win going back to  since October 16th. Sterling’s appeal for a penalty after a challenge from Skipp was waved away early on, before Hojbjerg’s shot from the edge of the area was deflected onto the post in an intense opening period. As this intense derby continued, Ziyech was shown a red card for a push into Emerson Royal's face before the referee rewatched the incident and rescinded the red card. Bar that the first half showed little else, but the beginning of the second half changed all that. Skipp was centre of attention again, this time taking advantage of Enzo's weak clearance before blasting the ball past Kepa on  minutes. From there, Spurs controlled the game and Chelsea failed to really threaten with owner Todd Boehly in the stand. In the 82nd minute Kane was left unmarked in the area for a simple finish which doubled his sides lead and confined Chelsea to just one win in their last eleven games in all competitions. Chelsea are now closer to the relegation places than the top four, meaning their hopes for Europe next season are slim to none. As for Spurs, they are alive and kicking in the race for fourth, and even though they are four points clear of Newcastle, they have played two games extra than the Carabao Cup finalists.

Table After Match Day 25

A look at the top half of the table and Arsenal still lead Manchester City by two points, with United remaining in third. Spurs have opened a four point gap over Newcastle, although have played two games extra. Fulham and Liverpool occupy the remaining European places, with Brighton and Brentford a mere point behind Liverpool. Chelsea meanwhile are languishing in tenth and another defeat means they are only in the top half on goal difference. 

As for the bottom half, Southampton remain bottom, with Bournemouth and Everton just ahead of them. Leeds are out of the bottom three thanks to a single point, with West Ham another point ahead. Wolves and Leicester are three points off the relegation places, while Forest are a point ahead of them in thirteenth. Finally Palace and Villa make up the bottom half, with Villa level on points with tenth place Chelsea.

Top Goal scorers After Match Day 25

1 - E. Haaland - Manchester City - 27 Goals
2 - H Kane - Tottenham - 18 Goals
3 - I. Toney - Brentford - 14 Goals
4 - M. Rashford - Manchester United - 14 Goals
5 - A. Mitrović -Fulham - 11 Goals
6 - Rodrigo - Leeds - 10 Goals 
7 - M. Almirón - Newcastle - 10 Goals 

+ 3 players on 9 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

Have a great day, I hope you enjoyed the review of the weekends matches.

Have a great day.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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