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 Arsenal draw for the third game in a row, a thrilling clash at Anfield. Leicester secure a vital win, Everton are running out of time to stay up, while Newcastle showed why they are the real deal in their destruction of Spurs.

You can find the preview for this round of games here: https://www.publish0x.com/cryptogod-1-sports/premier-league-2223-match-week-32-preview-xqejkdl 

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 managed to predict 2/8 correctly in this reduced round of games.

Predicted: Arsenal 3-1 Southampton

Result: Arsenal 3-3 Southampton

Alcaraz, Walcott, Caleta-Car - Martinelli, Ødegaard, Saka

Twenty-seven seconds in and Southampton took a surprise lead as Ramsdale tried to play a pass to Zinchenko but misjudged it and Alcaraz was alert to fire a diagonal finish into the far corner. Martinelli looked for an immediate response with an excellent run but overran the ball out of play, but Southampton keep pressing high and on 14 minutes made it two. Alcaraz played a lovely ball through for Walcott to run in on the right side of the box and the winger did not celebrate after scoring against his old club. Arsenal found their way back into the game on 20 minutes as Martinelli was on hand to score after Saka raced to the byline and cut the ball back into the area. Southampton remained dangerous and Ramsdale had to save from both Elyounoussi and Alcaraz. White thought he had levelled the score just before the break but saw his header cleared off the line by Alcaraz. The second half was just as lively, and on 66 minutes Southampton got their third as Bella-Kotchap flicked on a Ward-Prowse for Caleta-Car to head the ball into the goal. Arsenal brought on Trossard, Nketiah, and Nelson as they pushed forward to try find a way back into the match. Jesus missed a couple of decent chances before Ødegaard fired a lovely long range effort into the far corner on 88 minutes to set up a tense end to the match. With only one goal in it the tension was palpable and on 90 minutes Nelson's low shot was saved by Bazunu but Saka was alive to it and fired home the rebound. Arsenal pushed on in eight minutes of stoppage time with some penalty shouts from Jesus and a Nelson shot blocked by Ward-Prowse as Southampton held on for a vital point, although it will feel like two points dropped. They remain bottom of the league with games running out. As for Arsenal, they gave up more advantage in the title race as City are five points behind with two games in hand. Arsenal now need to win away at the Etihad and all of their remaining games to secure the title, a tough ask given they must also go away to Newcastle and Forest while hosting Brighton, Chelsea, and Wolves before the end of the season. 

Predicted: Fulham 2-1 Leeds

Result: Fulham 2-1 Leeds

Wilson, Pereira - Palhinha OG

In a game where both sides went without a recognised striker, it was a lacklustre opening half. Adarabioyo forced Meslier into a save in one of Fulham's better chances, but was flagged offside. Roca then tested Leno from a free-kick but it was a simple enough save as Leeds grew into the game. Pereira had some long range efforts saved, and another go wide, as neither side could find that killer instinct in the first half. That all changed in the second half as on 58 minutes Roca's poor pass was pounced on by Robinson, who played it to Willian on the left. The Brazilian crossed into the box and while Meslier should have saved, instead he palmed it to Wilson and the Welshman swivelled and rifled a shot into the roof of the net. Summerville tried to respond and sent a shot into the side netting while Pereira's free kick hit the bar. Leeds pushed on to find a goal and Fulham hit them on the break on 72 minutes when Pereira played the ball to Robinson. He crossed into the area and Meslier once again should have done better as he palmed the ball for Pereira to score from a few yards out. On 79 minutes Leeds did manage to get one back as Bamford's wayward effort deflected in off Palhinha into the bottom corner. Leeds failed to create much else from there and Willian had a free-kick saved by Meslier as Fulham secured the win. Leeds remain deep in the relegation battle while Fulham will still have some hope of pushing themselves up into the European places, or at the very least ensuring they secure a respectable top half finish. 

Predicted: Brentford 2-3 Aston Villa

Result: Brentford 1-1 Aston Villa

Toney - Douglas Luiz

The Bees entered this game having taken two points in their last five points and faced a Villa side on a surging run which has pushed them into European contention. The first half was quite even and open, with Buendia having Villa's best chance with a shot from the edge of the area while Mbeumo tested Martinez at the other end. Toney also saw an effort saved by the Villa keeper, but the World Cup winner was forced off at the break with an illness. The change seemed to knock Villa, who were second best during the second half. Olsen spilled the ball at Schade’s feet but the Brentford attacker only hit the side netting when he should have opened the scoring. Mbeumo wasted an excellent chance but soon after he atoned for it as he put in a cross from the right on 65 minutes for Toney to score. Villa came alive from there and Ramsey put a great chance over the bar before Onyeka should have sealed the win from a few yards out after Mings misjudged the ball. Luiz managed to get his side level on 87 minutes with an lovely goal but could have won the match with a stunner soon after only to see his 35-yard effort fly just wide of the top corner. The draw will be an acceptable result for both sides, with neither slipping up against their top half rivals in the race for Europe, and although neither would expect to be in this race, either could still managed to steal a place in the Europa League or Europa Conference League.

Predicted: Crystal Palace 3-1 Everton

Result: Crystal Palace 0-0 Everton

A bore draw and not a result either side would have hoped for, but in terms of relegation Palace are now all be assured of being safe, while Everton must take every point they can get. Dyche sent his players out to defend and they did just that, putting in a solid performance to stop this free flowing Palace side. Palace could only manage half chances in the first half as they struggled to break the Toffees down, while Calvert-Lewin provided an outlet for his side. Iwobi had Everton's best chance as his volley from outside the box forced a save from Johnstone. Olise played some lovely crosses into the area for Palace but while Ayew was lively and found himself in great positions, nothing came of them. In the second half Eze lifted the ball over Pickford but it was ruled out for offside, while Calvert-Lewin almost scored soon after but sent his effort just wide. Eze saw another chance then saved by Pickford and soon after Everton were down to ten men. Holgate got his marching orders in the 80th minute after Ayew got to a Pickford pass first, and his driving run forced a foul from the Everton defender and his second yellow. Palace pushed on from there and although they tried to break Everton down, the game ended in a stalemate. Hodgson is now unbeaten after taking over the Palace job from Vieira, while Dyche is running out of time to drag Everton away from the relegation zone.

Predicted: Leicester 1-2 Wolves

Result: Leicester 2-1 Wolves

Iheanacho, Castagne - Cunha

Leicester were missing Maddison here due to illness, but went with a strong attack of Vardy, Daka, Tete, and Iheanacho. Vardy was involved from the off, setting up Tete on three minutes only for Toti Gomes to block his effort. For all their positive start, on 13 minutes Tielemans was at fault as he lost the ball to Lemina, who in turn played in Cunha who fired the ball into the goal. Leicester looked shook from the goal and their defensive fragility became evident. Nunes began to dictate in midfield but Wolves could not build on their lead. Sarabia and Dawson wasted chances and on 37 minutes Leicester found a way back into the game. Iheanacho broke and played in Vardy, who rounded Sa and got brought down to win a penalty. Iheanacho stepped up and stroked in the penalty. Tete and Daka both had chances before the break as Leicester looked back at the races. Dewsbury-Hall  came on for Vardy at the break and sent an early effort over. Soyuncu saw Sa save his effort as Leicester pushed on and in the 75th minute they got their reward. Soumare swapped passes with Daka and then played in Kristiansen, who in turn crossed for Castagne to sweep the ball home. Neves' late free-kick tested Iversen in the Leicester goal but Wolves could not find a leveller. The win ended the Foxes run of nine games in the league without a win, while Cunha's opener for Wolves was their first ever away goal against Leicester in the Premier League.

Predicted: Liverpool 4-0 Nottingham Forest

Result: Liverpool 3-2 Nottingham Forest

Jota x2, Salah - Williams, Gibbs-White

It was a first half dominated by Liverpool but lacking any end product as they managed ten shots, but only had two on target, compared to one shot and one on target by Forest in the opening period. Van Djik had a great opportunity with a header but saw it well saved, while Jota was picked out by Alexander-Arnold at the back post but headed wide when it seemed easier to score. The game came to life early in the second half, as a corner into the box was headed back across goal by Fabinho for Jota to head home on 47 minutes. Forest got level four minutes later as former Liverpool man Williams got the ball off Gibbs-White and saw his shot deflect off Robertson, leaving Alisson wrong footed. On 55 minutes Liverpool were back ahead as Jota got his second when the Forest defence was a mess at a free-kick, with some stepping up and some dropping back, leaving Jota alone in the box to chest the ball down and unleash an effort into the goal. Both sides probed from there, as Jota had a looping header saved by Navas but on 67 minutes Gibbs-White got Forest level again. From a throw in Van Dijk initially clears but Gibbs-White fires in an effort which takes slight deflection off Alexander-Arnold and Konaté to beat Alisson. In this frantic match just three minutes later Liverpool were ahead again. Alexander-Arnold whipped in a cross with Salah on hand to fire the ball in with a half-volley. That goal put Salah level with Robbie Fowler, on 183, sitting sixth in the Liverpool all time scoring charts. Former Liverpool man Awoniyi saw a bicycle kick go over moments later as Forest attacked once again from a throw in. Johnson came on and managed to hit the bar after looping the ball over Alisson from another throw in. With every throw the nerves around Anfield grew, although Nunez could have made thing more comfortable when he headed wide in the box late on. Liverpool held on for a huge three points as they still have hope of pushing towards the Champions League places, or some European finish at the very least. As for Forest, they are still very much in the relegation places but remain only a point from safety.

Predicted: Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham

Result: Bournemouth 0-4 West Ham

Antonio, Paqueta, Rice, Fornals

West Ham boosted their survival hopes with a massive win here, easing the pressure on Moyes even more as they moved six points clear of the relegation zone. All of this on the back of their Europa Conference League progress last Thursday will have the fans delighted, and they were cheering in the fifth minute when Antonio got onto Cresswell's near-post corner. On 12 minutes they made it two when Bowen found Coufal, who in turn crossed for Paqueta to head home at the far post. Mepham tested Fabianski before Lerma had an effort as Bournemouth tried to get back into the game. Solanke had their best chance as he got past Aguerd but Fabianski saved with his feet. The Hammers then got the killer goal just before half time, as Cresswell's corner was cleared only as far as Rice, who fired in on 43 minutes via a deflection. In the second half saw Moore introduced for the Cherries but they failed to improve. After the hour mark they made a triple substitution, including Ouattara. He caused problems but could do little to change the match as on 72 minutes West Ham got their fourth. Bowen did well down the right and his cross found its was to Fornals who managed to backheel the ball into the far corner of the goal. Cornet had a stoppage-time effort ruled out for offside as West Ham looked to get even more but in the end it was a very professional and successful result. They moved above their hosts and Moyes now has the luxury of knowing he can navigate their upcoming games against Liverpool, United, and City, safe in the knowledge they are sitting pretty above their relegation rivals. They are not assured of safety just yet, but similar to the Cherries, the gap between them both and the dreaded dotted line is growing while the games are running out. 

Predicted: Newcastle 2-2 Tottenham

Result: Newcastle 6-1 Tottenham

Murphy x2, Joelinton, Isak, Wilson - Kane

Once again Spurs failed to turn up when it matter, and they were nothing short of disgraceful and unfit to take tot he pitch with their performance here. Three goal conceded in the opening nine minutes summed them up, as Joelinton cut inside from the left to shoot, only for Lloris to save with Murphy on hand to apply the finish on two minutes. On six minutes the Brazilian got his goal as Schar sent a speculative long pass over the top and Joelinton took it under control before scoring. With nine minutes on the clock it was three when Murphy hit a powerful long-range when found the corner of the net. Fans from both sides were shocked, and Spurs had a small glimmer of hope when Kane struck wide from a Skipp cut-back, but that hope faded fast. Willock played a wonder outside of the boot pass into Isak on 19 minutes and the striker duly applied the finish. Two minutes later it was five as Isak scored from a Longstaff's cut-back. Spurs were arguing amongst themselves while Sanchez came on for Sarr and Spurs went to a back five. Newcastle toyed with Spurs for the rest of the half, and at the break Lloris was taken off for Forster with an apparent injury. Kane managed to get one back on 49 minutes after a great run and finish but, understandably, he did not celebrate. Newcastle continued to dominate and Isak was not quick enough to a Longstaff's cross/shot when he could have had his third. Wilson came on for Isak and got the sixth for the home side as he poked home from Almiron's pass on 67 minutes. Gordon forced Forster into a save which required the ball being hoofed off the line towards the end of the game as Newcastle cemented themselves into the top four. Spurs meanwhile have shown once again why Conte was so infuriated with them before his sacking and likely them have blown their chance at securing a top four spot for next season, with games against Manchester United and Liverpool in the next week to define their season.

Table After Match Day 32

A look at the top half of the table and Arsenal and Man City remain in the top two positions, with Newcastle moving into third thanks to their big win at Spurs, who stay in fifth, and United in the final Champions League place. Villa sit in sixth, a point ahead of seventh placed Liverpool who have a game in hand. Brighton are eight and a further point behind but they have two games in hand on Liverpool and could be dark horses for a Champions League place. Fulham and Brentford make up the top half.

As for the bottom half of the table, Southampton remain bottom and four points from safety. Forest are nineteenth and a point off safety, with Everton in the final relegation place on goal difference compared to Leicester. Leeds are a point ahead of them, with Bournemouth comfortably four points ahead in fifteenth. Wolves and West Ham are both another point clear with Palace looking all but safe in twelfth on 37 points. Chelsea make up the bottom half on 39 points, and are five adrift of tenth place Brentford but have a game in hand.

Top Goal scorers After Match Day 32

1 - E. Haaland - Manchester City - 30 Goals
2 - H Kane - Tottenham - 23 Goals
3 - I. Toney - Brentford - 19 Goals
4 - M. Salah - Liverpool - 14 Goals 
5 - G. Martinelli - Arsenal - 15 Goals
6 - M. Rashford - Manchester United - 15 Goals
7 - O. Watkins - Aston Villa - 14 Goal
8 - B. Saka - Arsenal - 13 Goals
9 - M. Ødegaard - Arsenal - 11 Goals
10 - M. Almirón - Newcastle - 11 Goals 
11 - Rodrigo - Leeds United - 11 Goals
12 - A. Mitrović - Fulham - 11 Goals
13 - C. Wilson - Newcastle - 11 Goals

FA Cup Semi Finals

Also to note the two FA Cup semi finals took place over the weekend, with the results as follows:

Manchester City 3-0 Sheffield United

Mahrez x3

Brighton 0-0 Manchester United - Manchester United win 6-7 on penalties 

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.

Referral Links and Follow Me:

Linktree