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 Manchester City and Arsenal continue winning, a thrilling goal-fest between Brentford and Brighton, Palace getting back on track under Hodgson, and Newcastle got back on track against United.

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-29-preview-xlqkxqy 

Weekend Predictions & Final Results

So in terms of the predicted scores, 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: Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool

Result: Manchester City 4-1 Liverpool

Alvarez, De Bruyne, Gündogan, Grealish - Salah

While City started better in this one, controlling the ball and the game, it was Liverpool who drew first blood. The goal came on 17 minutes when Trent played a lovely ball over the top for Jota to run in, and the Portuguese laid the ball off for the onrushing Salah to bend it into the far corner. Ten minutes later Salah was through again on the left, but opted to try cross and Grealish managed to get back and block, proving to be a pivotal moment in the game as immediately after he was down the other end of the pitch crossing for Alvarez to slot home and level the game. The remainder of the first half was a somewhat heated affair with plenty of ongoing duels, but the second half was turned on its head 53 seconds in. Alvarez found Mahrez in space out wide and the disjointed Liverpool defence could not stop De Bruyne getting in and scoring. The third came on 53 minutes, with Alvarez involved once again, finding space in the box and seeing his left footed effort blocked by Alexander-Arnold, only for Gündogan to fire the ball in. Liverpool collapsed from there, with City dominating the ball and the match and Liverpool offering little in return. With just over fifteen minutes to go Grealish got in on the scoring as he slotted beyond Alisson after collecting De Bruyne's pass inside. It was a deflating loss for Liverpool, who have now loss their last three in all competitions since hammering Manchester United, and face Chelsea and Arsenal over the next week. As for City, they are demonstrating that even without Haaland they are more than capable of putting the pressure on Arsenal and hunting them down for the title.

Predicted: Arsenal 3-1 Leeds

Result: Arsenal 4-1 Leeds

Jesus x2, White, Xhaka - Kristensen

After Man City dismantled Liverpool in the earlier kick off, Arsenal knew they needed a win to maintain the gap over their title rivals. However it was Leeds who started brighter as Kristensen made the most of confusion between Magalhaes and Zinchenko to get in on goal, but Ramsdale saved. Ramsdale was kept happy as Summerville and Harrison tested him, with a nervousness apparent in the Arsenal performance. Jesus headed over from a Xhaka ball but the signs of Arsenal growing into the game were evident. He made the difference as Jesus managed to win a penalty after feinting to shoot and drawing Ayling into a challenge on 35 minutes which he dispatched down the middle of the goal. Early in the second half Arsenal got their second as Martinelli's superb cross was turned home by White on 47 minutes. With the game totally in their control, Arsenal got their third on 55 minutes when Jesus finished from a Trossard cross. With 15 minutes to go Leeds did manage to pull one back as Kristensen's strike beat Ramsdale thanks to a deflection off of Zinchenko's back. Arsenal were not done however, and restored their three goal advantage on 84 minutes when Xhaka climbed highest to head home from Odegaard's cross. This was the third consecutive Premier League game Arsenal have won and each was by a margin of 3 goals or more, the first time they have achieved this since October 2015. 

Predicted: Bournemouth 2-2 Fulham

Result: Bournemouth 2-1 Fulham

Tavernier, Solanke - Pereira

Although Fulham were missing both Mitrovic and Willian, Fulham had no issues at being the better side and took the lead after sixteen minutes when Solomon broke free down the left and cut the ball back for Reed. He in turn played in Pereira to fire home and from there Fulham pushed on. They could have had a second on 23 minutes when Robinson hit the bar, while Ouattarra had Bournemouth's first chance just after the half hour mark when his left-footed shot went just wide. Pereira produced an acrobatic overhead kick at one end while Solanke tested Leno at the other before the break. The second half saw O'Neil bring on Tavernier and Christie and the Cherries were much improved. Five minutes in and a Bournemouth corner saw them level as Leno punched clear but Tavernier collected the ball, cut inside from the right and curled the ball home. Moments later he could have had a second but Leno saved smartly at the near post. Lerma saw an effort deflected onto the roof of the net as Bournemouth pushed on looking for a winner, and eleven minutes from time it came from Solanke. He got to the rebound after Christie's initial low shot was saved by Leno and bundled the ball into the goal. Fulham struggled to get going in the second half and the result never looked in doubt once Bournemouth took the lead. Fulham have now lost three in a row in the Premier League for the first time since May 2021, while Bournemouth have managed to win two home games in a row in the Premier League for the first time since February 2020.

Predicted: Brighton 3-2 Brentford

Result: Brighton 3-3 Brentford

Mitoma, Welbeck, Mac Allister - Jansson, Toney, Pinnock

Two teams pushing for European football couldn't be separated here as they played out a thrilling encounter, seeing 28 shots within the opening half hour of action. It took all of ten minutes for the opening goal, as Jansson rose above Dunk to head home from Jensen's cross. Brentford should have been two up soon after when Steele picked up Estupinan's back pass but the indirect free-kick inside Albion's box was blocked by Mac Allister. On 21 minutes Steele made up for that mistake by bagging an assist when his long field kick found Mitoma, who raced clear and lobbed Raya to level the scores. It took a minute for Brentford to regain the lead as Veltman then conceded possession from a throw-in and  Mbeumo flicked the ball on for Toney to score his 17th league goal of the season. On 28 minutes Brighton pulled level once more as Welbeck leaped to head March's right-wing cross into the turf and beyond Raya. In this action packed game it was sloppy defending that seemed to cost Brighton the most, as four minutes after the break Brentford were once again in the lead. Pinnock put the ball in the net as he found himself unmarked from a Mbeumo free kick. From there it was nearly all Brighton as they attacked and attacked without pause, pushing Brentford deeper and deeper into their own half. March, Veltman, Gross and Dunk all saw chances wasted but they didnt give up, and in stoppage time they made their final attack count. Undav's close-range effort was deflected over the bar and although the referee pointed for a corner, replays showed it had hit the Brentford players arm and therefore Brighton won a penalty, which Mac Allister dispatched to steal a point. The race for Europe is still alive and well for both of these sides in what are certainly two of the best run clubs in the country and their encounter lived up to the billing.

Predicted: Crystal Palace 1-0 Leicester

Result: Crystal Palace 2-1 Leicester

Iversen OG, Mateta - Pereira

With Hodgson back in the hotseat at Palace, the home side set the tone for this match from the get go. Doucoure tested Iversen on seven minutes with a fierce effort, while Leicester failed to register a single shot in the first half. The visitors did manage to hit the woodwork though as a poor defensive pass from Palace allowed Kristiansen to cross in for Dewsbury-Hall at the back post, but the ball hit the bar on the way and Palace cleared. Eze and Zaha both forced saves and Andersen headed wide from an Olise corner before Edouard missed at the near post as Palace piled on the pressure. However the first half ended on a sour note as Zaha did his groin and had to be taken off, but was applauded by the home fans. Five minutes into the second half and Leicester had their first corner and effort of the game and soon after they were infront. Castagne squared the ball for Pereira and he fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner on 56 minutes. Just three minutes later and Palace were level as a free-kick from Eze struck the underside of the bar before bouncing into the goal off the backside of Iversen. The game became a bit more rugged and staggered, but Palace looked more dangerous. As the game would coming to a close, in the fourth minute of stoppage time Palace stole the three points. Ayew drove forward and played the ball to Mateta, who turned Souttar and scored to make Selhurst Park erupt in joy. Leicester have now failed to keep a clean sheet in 13 league games since the World Cup, while Palace scored their second-latest Premier League winner since records began in the 06/07 season. In a statement announced by Leicester on Sunday, Rodgers has left his role as manager of the club after four years in charge.

Predicted: Nottingham Forest 0-0 Wolves

Result: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Wolves

Johnson - Podence

A big game for two teams fighting to avoid the drop and one where neither could afford to drop points saw both sides enjoy sustained waves of pressure in the opening stages. Johnson tested Sa with a curling effort before Dennis appealed for a penalty after his effort hit Semedo's hand int he area. Cunha saw a header come back off the bar for Wolves as they began to assert themselves, and Nunes saw a great chance go begging as Williams got in the way. With 38 minutes gone Gibbs-White combined a one-two flick with Danilo before the ball was crossed for Johnson to run onto and fire in between the legs of Sa. Podence and Sarabia came on for Wolves at the break but Forest only appeared stronger as their attacking trio exploited acres of space.  Gibbs-White powered through the Wolves midfield and carved openings for team-mates but Dennis and Johnson wasted excellent chances. Their tally of 17 shots on goals should have seen them out of sight, but Wolves struck back with their only shot on target in the match. Podence got past Williams with a feint before he blasted the ball beyond Navas on 83 minutes, and the game got quite heated from there. Forest coach Alan Tate and Wolves assistant Pablo Sanz received red cards while Ruben Neves got his tenth yellow of the season and will face a two game ban. Podence could have also seen a red for spitting, but despite all the drama, the game finished level and Forest are now winless in their last seven league matches. As for Wolves, Podence ended a run of seven league games without a goal and they will need plenty more going forward to stay up.

Predicted: Chelsea 1-2 Aston Villa

Result: Chelsea 0-2 Aston Villa

Watkins, McGinn

A single point separated these sides prior to kick off and the game started in a frantic manner. Both sides had chances in the opening minutes, as Mudryk wasted an effort after nicking the ball off  Boubacar Kamara moments before McGinn played in Watkins only for the striker to strike his effort wide. Buendia played the ball to McGinn on the edge of the area and he saw his effort strike the bar a minute before Watkins opened the scoring on 18 minutes. Luiz's long pass created confusion as Koulibaly and Cucurella jumped for the ball and Cucurella managed to head it on for Watkins to lob Kepa and score. Immediately Chelsea tried to get level as Felix saw a near post effort saved, while Enzo put a header wide. Mudryk got played in one on one with Martinez but rushed his effort and in the end it was a routine save for the keeper. Havertz saw two efforts blocked before Chilwell had a headed goal ruled out just before the break for a push in the back on Young. Chelsea began to build momentum in the second half, with Chilwell putting two efforts wide, before Villa caught them cold. A corner was cleared as far as Ramsay, who played it to McGinn on the edge of the box and his first time effort flew into the bottom corner on 56 minutes. Madueke and Kante came on and both managed to put chances wide but the Chelsea threat fizzled out as the pressure grows once more on Potter. Bailey curled wide late on and Watkins wasted an opportunity when he picked up a James backpass but Kepa saved with his feet. Chelsea are now out of the top half and are in serious danger of a bottom half finish this season. As for Villa, they will have dreams of challenging for European football and other results mean they are only a point behind Liverpool having played a game more. Watkins also became the first Villa player to score in five consecutive away league game in the Premier League. 

Predicted: West Ham 2-1 Southampton

Result: West Ham 1-0 Southampton

Aguerd

A huge three points for West Ham in the battle against relegation, as they moved out of the bottom three with this win. The game was full of nerves in the opening period, with neither side managing to assert dominance in the opening period until West Ham struck the only goal of the game on 25 minutes. The opener came from a set piece, a particular weakness of Southampton this season, as Kehrer delivery was headed back across goal and into the net by Aguerd, and survived a VAR check to be awarded. Perraud tried to get one back for the Saints but Fabianski stood strong, and it was West Ham who should have had a second before the break when Bowen hit the crossbar. Alcaraz and Lavia tested the Hammers goal in the second half, but West Ham stood strong and battled intensely in the second period. Onuachu headed against the bar and it was as close as Southampton would come to getting back into the game, leaving them bottom of the table and a huge task on Selles' hands. Southampton have conceded 13 times from set pieces this season, only behind Bournemouth on 17. As for West Ham, they moved up the table having spent the international break in the drop zone and are now unbeaten in each of their last five Premier League games at home. With a huge Europa Conference League Quarter Final ahead, they will look to bring their European form into the domestic campaign and pull away from the relegation dogfight. 

Predicted: Newcastle 2-2 Manchester United

Result: Newcastle 2-0 Manchester United

Willock, Wilson

A huge win for Newcastle as they get revenge for the Carabao Cup final and overtook United in the table. It was all the home side in the first half of this one, with the only real question by half time being how they were not ahead. United failed to have a shot on target before the break, but Newcastle were quite the opposite. Longstaff had the first real chance of note, taking down Isak's ball and miskicked his effort from 12 yards out. On 16 minutes Isak should have opened the scoring as he headed Murphy's cross towards gaol but De Gea parried the ball to Willock, who then hit the rebound straight at the keeper. Murphy and Isak both saw good chances go begging. It was Longstaff and Willock who then shot over while Saint-Maximin caused all sorts of problems down the left. Antony curled an effort straight at Nick Pope in the second half to give United their first shot on target, but soon after Newcastle got the lead they deserved. Isak fed Guimaraes on the right, who in turn crossed to the back post for Saint-Maximin to nod the ball down to Willock on 65 minutes and the midfielder smashed the ball past De Gea. Joelinton almost made it two when he forced a save by De Gea and Schar headed the rebound onto the post. That sparked United into life, and Martial saw an effort deflected wide. Lindelof headed over from the resulting corner but on 88 minutes Wilson headed in from Trippiers set piece to secure the win and boost Newcastle's top four hopes. Newcastle had 22 shots on goal while United managed just six. United have now failed to score, or win a league game, since they beat Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final having been demolished by Liverpool, drawn with Southampton, and now a defeat to Newcastle. 

Predicted: Everton 1-2 Tottenham

Result: Everton 1-1 Tottenham

Keane - Kane

A huge point for Everton as they came from behind to secure the draw at home, while the post Conte era for Spurs did not get off to the best of starts. Both sides showed plenty of midfield endeavour from the off in this one, although both were lacking that final touch when it came to getting the opener. Gray curled over the bar early on while Kane saw an effort cleared off the line by Keane. Keane and Doucoure both went close for the Toffees, while Perisic was a creative outlet for Spurs and created good chances for Kane, who shot wide, and Porro who saw a last ditch clearance from McNeil. Everton came flying out in the second half and pinned Spurs back in their own area, with Gueye shooting over in one of their better chances. Doucoure had looked so solid in the middle and then all of a sudden was sent off after he was fouled by Kane and the midfielder put his hand on the Spurs captain's face on 58 minutes. Romero got to a loose ball in the box quicker than Keane on 68 minutes and won his side a penalty after contact, which Kane slotted home. Although Spurs had the extra man they failed to dominate the game, allowing Everton back into it as Gueye saw a rasping drive tipped over by Lloris and Keane had a header saved. Moura came on as a late sub but six minutes later, on the 88th minute, got his own red card for a needless challenge. Just when Spurs thought they had done enough, in the 90th minute Keane pulled a 25-yard shot while left Lloris with no chance and levelled the scores. It was a huge point for Everton as they battle to get any from the relegation zone, while Spurs missed the chance to move into third, although they did managed to move above United and reclaim fourth.

Table After Match Day 29

A look at the top half of the table and Arsenal continue to lead the pack with City hot on their heels. Newcastle sit in third with Spurs behind them on goal difference, and United in fifth due to their lesser goal difference. Brighton are seven points behind in sixth, with Brentford level on points with them in seventh. Liverpool sit a point behind in eight, with Villa and Fulham making up the bottom half.

As for the bottom half Southampton remain on the bottom, four points from safety. Leicester are a point ahead, while Leeds are another point ahead of them. Bournemouth are just out of the bottom three, level on points with Forest, Everton, and West Ham. Wolves are another point ahead of them and two points above them are Palace. Chelsea have slipped down to make up the rest of the bottom half. 

Top Goal scorers After Match Day 29

1 - E. Haaland - Manchester City - 28 Goals
2 - H Kane - Tottenham - 22 Goals
3 - I. Toney - Brentford - 17 Goals
4 - M. Rashford - Manchester United - 14 Goals
5 - G. Martinelli - Arsenal - 13 Goals
6 - B. Saka - Arsenal - 12 Goals
7 - M. Salah - Liverpool - 12 Goals 
8 - A. Mitrović - Fulham - 11 Goals
9 - M. Almirón - Newcastle - 11 Goals 
10 - Rodrigo - Leeds United - 11 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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