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 Chelsea's awful form continue, Everton and Southampton plunge deeper into the relegation dogfight, Haaland continue to score for fun, Arsenal drop more points and United look solid at home.

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-31-preview-xnndqzw 

Week 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 4/10 correctly in this round of games in what showed how unpredictable the games can be at this stage of the season with so much to play for.

Predicted: Aston Villa 2-2 Newcastle

Result: Aston Villa 3-0 Newcastle

Ramsey, Watkins x2

Villa started strong at home in this one, as Watkins hit the base of the post inside 30 seconds. On 11 minutes he was involved once again as a Buendia cross was kept in play by Watkins header, allowing Ramsay to fire home. Soon after a rebound from a Watkins effort fell for Ramsey but this time he bit the bar from eight yards. Newcastle meanwhile were forced into long range efforts as they failed to get close to their hosts or cause them any sort of problems. They brought on Wilson at the break to play alongside Isak, and while Newcastle looked stronger at the start of the second half, soon Villa were back in control. Watkins raced onto a ball in behind and beat Pope but was ruled offside by VAR. On 64 minutes he atoned for that error and Moreno's low cross was fired into the bottom corner by Watkins. The striker was running the show and Newcastle, one of the best defences in the league, couldn't handle him. On 83 minutes he got his second goal as he got onto Buendia's delivery at the back post and firing back across goal into the far corner. Villa are pushing towards getting themselves a place in Europe and under Emery they have been nothing short of exceptional. As for Newcastle, Howe will know his side can ill afford many more slip ups in their race for fourth as they look to get themselves into the Champions League.

Predicted: Chelsea 0-2 Brighton

Result: Chelsea 1-2 Brighton

Gallagher - Welbeck, Enciso

A third defeat in a row since his return, Lampard could do little to inspire a morale-boosting performance from his side. Brighton have now done the double over Chelsea this season, They did start better, and on 13 minutes Mudryk's driving run was finished off by Gallagher thanks to a deflection by Dunk. As good as that had been, the fact Chelsea had made six changes to the starting line up made for a disjointed performance. Ferguson had hit the woodwork and Mitoma and Mac Allister sent efforts on goal as Brighton looked for a way back into the match. They saw penalty claims waved away and saw Ferguson go off injured when testing Kepa with a header, but his replacement Welback got their leveller on 42 minutes as he nodded in off the back post with his first touch of the match. Brighton continued to dominate after the break as Enciso tested Kepa and even hit the post after Lampard had made four changes with little effect. On 69 minutes Enciso picked the ball up in space and sent an effort into the top corner from outside the area. Chelsea sprang into life as they tried to get back into the game, but their lack of finishing saw them create just two chances compared with Brighton's ten. The Seagulls are soaring and with an FA Cup semi final next weekend they will have plenty of belief in their ability to secure European football and potentially even claim some silverware. Chelsea meanwhile have failed to win in four home league games and although they have no fears of relegation, there is a real threat of them slipping further down the table if they cannot rectify their form.

Predicted: Everton 1-1 Fulham

Result: Everton 1-3 Fulham

McNeil - Reed, Wilson, James

It was a tense opening here with neither side really taking control, as Gray and Wilson had speculative efforts for their sides. Pereira shot wide as Fulham began to gain control of the match and on 22 minutes their broke the deadlock. Wilson's curling effort had smashed off the post and came out to Reed, who slotted home past Pickford before the defence could react. Everton switched around their formation to a 4-3-3 and grew into the match. Maupay saw a close range header saved before Tarkowski put the rebound over. Palhinha was dispossessed in his own half on 35 minutes and Garner fed McNeil, who turned and shot from 20 yards out to level the scores. Everton remained on top and looked full of confidence as Maupay was once again denied by Leno. McNeil  saw a cross hit the post early in the second half, but on 51 minutes Fulham restored their lead. Tete's cross to the back post was headed back by Willian for the oncoming Wilson to slot home. Pereira wasted chances as Fulham looked to extend their advantage as Everton struggled to deal with the pressure. On 68 minutes it was a free-kick over the top which caught the Everton defence out, with James taking the ball down before firing past Pickford. James had another chance late on but fired just wide as Fulham secured a huge win as they look to reignite their aims for a place in Europe next season. As for Everton, they managed to win two of their first three games under Dyche, but the honeymoon period is long over as they have only managed to win once in their previous eight.

Predicted: Southampton 1-3 Crystal Palace

Result: Southampton 0-2 Crystal Palace

Eze x2

Following their comfortable win over Leeds last time out, Palace continued their turnaround in form to make it three wins from three under Hodgson. However it was not all smooth sailing in the first half, as Palace lacked the intricate play which had helped them put five past Leeds last time out. Olise did have a goal ruled out after being found by Ayew, but it was Southampton who looked the stronger side. Aribo lifted a shot over when released by Walcott, while Walcott sent his own effort wide. After the break things changed, as Palace got that bit of fortune to put themselves into the ascendancy. Awey got the ball on the left and crossed into the area, with Banuzu failing to deal with it and Eze on hand to put the ball into the goal on 54 minutes. Southampton heads dropped and Palace took control from there, with Eze getting his second on 68 minutes when he shot low beyond Banuzu. Alcaraz hit the inside of the post as Southampton threatened a comeback, while Bella-Kotchap's thumping drive forced a good save from Johnstone. With Zaha out of action Palace have shown in Eze and Olise that they have their future stars secured, with Hodgson having ensured his side can now play their final seven league games knowing the chance of relegation is all but gone. As for Southampton, they are running out of games to save their top flight status and have now lost ten league games at home this season. Both times they lost ten or more home games in the past at this stage of the season they ended up being relegated.  

Predicted: Tottenham 2-1 Bournemouth

Result: Tottenham 2-3 Bournemouth

Son, Danjuma - Viña, Solanke, Ouattara

Tottenham went into this game knowing their top four rival Newcastle had lost earlier in the day, and made a fast start as Son scored on 14 minutes from a low Perisic cross. Neto soon saved from Son as he looked to add to his tally, but an injury to Lenglet changed the homes sides mood. His replacement Sanchez played a pass to Porro, who gave it away which allowed Solanke to set up Viña for a 38th minute equaliser. Early in the second half Bournemouth doubled their lead, as Tavernier turned Sanchez inside out before poking the ball into Solanke for the striker to score on 51 minutes with a chip over Lloris. The home fans began to boo Sanchez and he was replaced after 23 minutes for Danjuma. Chants against chairman Levy and calls for the return of Pochettino could be heard from the crowd. As time was ticking on it was substitue Danjuma on 88 minutes who managed to get Spurs level with a powerful low effort from the edge of the box. Richarlison headed wide from a corner in the 94th minute as Spurs almost won it, but the Brazilians poor form since his big money move continued. Bournemouth then managed to hit Spurs on the break as Solanke set up Ouattara to curl the ball into the far corner in the fifth minute of stoppage time. The goal was the latest goal Bournemouth have scored to win a game in the Premier League, while Perisic now has 11 assists for Spurs in all competitions this season, with De Bruyne the only Premier League player with more.

Predicted: Wolves 1-1 Brentford

Result: Wolves 2-0 Brentford

Costa, Hwang

The home side started strong here as they looked determined to push themselves further away from the relegation dog fight, with Lemina testing Raya within three minutes. Cunha and Costa then forced saves from him early on as Wolves pushed on for an opener, and it came on 27 minutes. Costa started the move playing in Toti on the left wing, who in turn crossed the ball into the box which deflected off Norgaard's toe into the path of Costa who applied the finish. Brentford reacted well to going behind but they failed to have a shot on target in the opening half. Dasilva tested Sa early in the second half and Costa tested Raya as both sides went close. Wolves saw two penalty appeals waved away, a handball against Pinnock and a Raya challenge on Toti. Wissa managed the first shot on target for Brentford after 66 minutes, but three minutes later Hwang doubled Wolves lead. Nunes did excellent down the right wing before his cross came back off Pinnock and Hwang was in the right place to apply the finish. Janelt saw a header saved late on before Toney hit the post in stoppage time as Brentford had saved their best chances for the end, but they failed to find a goal. Lopetegui has now won five of his eight games in charge of Wolves at Molineux, while eight of their nine clean sheets this season have also come at home. Brentford meanwhile has lost more ground in the race for Europe as recent results have not gone their way. With their league status ensured, perhaps the players are content with their efforts this campaign and are just focused on seeing out the rest of the season.

Predicted: Manchester City 5-1 Leicester

Result: Manchester City 3-1 Leicester

Stones, Haaland x2 - Iheanacho

Man City knew a win would put pressure on Arsenal with the gap reduced to three points before Arteta's side play, and they got off to the best possible start. Five minutes in Stones got the opening goal as his left-footed volley from the edge of the area went in. City continued to dominate and on 13 minutes Ndidi handled the ball from a Grealish cross, allowing Haaland to step up and score. On 25 minutes it was game over for the Foxes as De Bruyne skipped past a weak challenge by Ndidi and played the ball in for Haaland to add another. New manager Smith failed to get the response he would have hoped from his side, but with Pep deciding to take Haaland off at the break Leicester did show more spirit in the second half. City, with one mind on their second leg with Bayern and another on the title race, allowed Leicester back into it on 75 minutes when Iheanacho scored with a close range finish. Moment later he nearly got a second to make a tense finish to the match, but his effort came back off the post. Leicester can take heart from their late flurry and if they can bring that mentality into their upcoming games then relegation may not be a foregone conclusion. As for City, the substitutions certainly had an impact on the match as Stones also came off at the break, and Rodri, De Bruyne and Grealish were also withdrawn in the second half. A treble is still up for grabs as City know their next league match with Arsenal will be a big decider in the title race, while they need to navigate a FA Cup semi final and trip to Munich in-between. Haaland meanwhile now has 32 league goals and 47 in all competitions as he looks to smash all sorts of records this season, with the 60 goals of Dixie Dean most certainly within his sights.

Predicted: West Ham 2-3 Arsenal

Result: West Ham 2-2 Arsenal

Benrahma, Bowen - Jesus, Ødegaard

Keen to make amends for letting a lead slip last weekend, Arsenal came out of the blocks quick here. Gabriel headed Martinelli's cross wide early on but soon after Arsenal were ahead as White crossed for Jesus to score on 7 minutes. On 10 minutes they were two up as Martinelli was given time and space to play in an excellent ball for Ødegaard to score at the back post. Last last weekend, Arsenal tried to sit back on their advantage and that ultimately cost them once again. They had more than 75% of the ball but did little with it, and when Rice nicked the ball off Partey and fed Paqueta in the box, West Ham were back in it. The Brazilian was brought down by Gabriel and won a penalty, which Benrahma coolly slotted on 33 minutes. Antonio saw a header from a Bowen free-kick saved as West Ham looked more dangerous towards the end of the half. Both sides looked good at the beginning of the second half and Arsenal won a penalty when Martinelli's shot hit Antonio's arm in the box. Saka stepped up but missed, and soon after it was West Ham who got the decisive goal on 54 minutes. Kehrer lifted a long ball over Gabriel's head and Bowen raced in to smash the ball home. Both sides pressed on looking for a winner as Jesus came close and Saka saw an effort saved. Bowen tried for a winner on the break but saw his effort blocked as the sides had to settle for a point apiece. After seven league wins on the bounce, Arsenal have now drawn the last two and sit four points ahead of City having played a game more. The sides meet in two weeks time in a decisive match. As for West Ham, they secured a vital point to move four points clear of the relegation places while their Europa Conference League adventure continues against Gent this week.

Predicted: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Manchester United

Result: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Manchester United

Antony, Dalot

A strong display for a United side lacking some key players at the back, and United started as they intended to go on. Sancho saw an effort blocked on the line by Felipe within a minute, but Forest responded well. Awoniyi saw an effort blocked by Wan-Bissaka, and they had shouts for a penalty on 19 minutes when a corner came down on Maguire's arm inside the six-yard box. VAR waved the claims away. Maguire had a horrible opening, putting a pass out of play and being booked for fouling Awoniyi. Soon after he had a ball flick off him at a corner before it bounced off McKenna's arm and hit the post. As good as Forest were, they went behind on 32 minutes when Martial won the ball and combined with Bruno before seeing his shot parried into the path of Antony, with the Brazilian applying the finish. Awoniyi and Bruno both missed good chances for their sides as the half came to a close, and after the break Bruno again tested Navas with a low effort. United took control and pinned Forest into their own box, recording 22 shots throughout the match. Forest could still have gotten level as Felipe nodded over from a corner, but on 76 minutes United got their second as Antony dribbled and played a lovely through ball for the defender to score his score Premier League goal. Forest are without a win in ten games and remain in the bottom three of the league, with games running out for them to drag themselves to safety. United meanwhile strengthened their grip on third with so many of their top four rivals losing over the weekend, and Ten Hag will now need to turn his attention to their Europa League second leg tie with Sevilla.

Predicted: Leeds 1-2 Liverpool 

Result: Leeds 1-6 Liverpool 

Sinisterra - Gakpo, Salah x2, Jota x2, Nunez

A masterclass by Liverpool as they recorded their first away win against a bottom six club this season, and they did it in style. It was Liverpool's second away win of the season but Leeds had some chances early doors. However, it was their own individual mistakes which led to their downfall. The opening goal came on 35 minutes when Alexander-Arnold won the ball back from Firpo before laying it off for Salah. He in turn played Alexander-Arnold in behind who crossed for Gakpo to tap in. Liverpool began to cut Leeds open from there and on 39 minutes Jota won the ball back off McKennie on the halfway line before feeding Salah who smashed in the second. Just after half time Leeds managed to pull one back as Sinisterra nicked the ball off Konate and ran in to fire past Alisson. However, that was as good as it got for Leeds as on 52 minutes Jota scored his first goal in over a year when Jones played a lovely ball through the Leeds defence. On 64 minutes a darting Robertson down the left found Gakpo, who in turn fed Salah to score his second of the night. A Henderson cross on 73 minutes saw Jota get his second with a scuffed finished as the goals arrived like buses for the Portuguese. Late on substitute Nunez got onto an ALexander-Arnold pass in the 90th minute to get his goal and put the icing on the cake. Klopp claimed it was the best Liverpool display of the season and he hopes they can take this, along with their comeback against Arsenal, to kick on for the end of the season. As for Leeds, they have conceded five plus goals in back-to-back league games for the first time in the club's history. 

Table After Match Day 31

A look at the top half of the table and City have closed the gap on Arsenal to four points, with a game in hand. United and Newcastle make up the top four, with Spurs three points behind. Villa and Brighton take the final European places, with Liverpool, Brentford, and Fulham making up the top half.

As for the bottom half of the table, Southampton, Leicester, and Forest are the current bottom three. Everton are out of the relegation places on goal difference alone, with Leeds two points ahead. West Ham are two points ahead of them with Bournemouth a further two ahead. Wolves are seven points from the drop with Palace safely nine from the drop, and Chelsea making up the bottom half.

Top Goal scorers After Match Day 31

1 - E. Haaland - Manchester City - 32 Goals
2 - H Kane - Tottenham - 23 Goals
3 - I. Toney - Brentford - 18 Goals
4 - M. Rashford - Manchester United - 15 Goals
5 - M. Salah - Liverpool - 15 Goals 
6 - O. Watkins - Aston Villa - 14 Goals
7 - G. Martinelli - Arsenal - 14 Goals
8 - B. Saka - Arsenal - 12 Goals 
9 - M. Almirón - Newcastle - 11 Goals 
10 - Rodrigo - Leeds United - 11 Goals
11 - A. Mitrović - Fulham - 11 Goals
12 - M. Ødegaard - Arsenal - 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.

** I first posted this on Medium on the 18th of April 2023, which can be found here: https://medium.com/@1r3n9project/c55205b67eee?sk=ec32fadf8cfcb0048469753b9a5e9bab **

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