Good day everyone,

I hope you are all well and had an excellent weekend while enjoying the penultimate round of Premier League matches this season, welcome to CryptoGod-1’s blog on all things sports. This weekend saw City crowned Champions before even kicking a ball, Brighton secure European football, Liverpool slip to give advantage to United and Newcastle in the Champions League race, while the battle for relegation will go down to the final day.

You can find the preview for this round of games here: https://www.publish0x.com/cryptogod-1-sports/premier-league-2223-match-week-37-preview-xpzqvpy 

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 had an excellent weekend where I managed to predict 3/10 correctly in this reduced round of games.

Predicted: Tottenham 2-3 Brentford

Result: Tottenham 1-3 Brentford

Kane - Mbeumo x2, Wissa

In their final home game of the season, it was a sloppy and forgettable performance from Spurs. They did get an early goal, with Skipp winning a free-kick in the 8th minute and Kulusevski laid it on for Kane to curl over the wall and into the net. Son went close soon after, and Emerson Royal's header was brilliantly cleared off the line by Henry. Kulusevski had an effort saved at the end of the first half as Spurs should have scored more, and on 50th minute he fed Wissa, who in turn played the ball into Mbeumo to score into the bottom corner. On 62 minutes the Bees were ahead as Hickey played the ball down the right for Mbeumo to ran onto, and he side-footed into the bottom corner. The home fans were chanting for "Levy Out" while Moura was introduced for his farewell appearance. Baptise managed to take the ball off Skipp in the 88th minute which allowed Mbeumo to set up Wissa, who curled the ball home. Richarlison did test Raya twice in stoppage time, but Brentford held on to move within one point of Spurs and league the race for European places wide open. Kane meanwhile scored his 28th league goal of the campaign in what has been another remarkable season for him, but downright awful for Spurs who could easily miss out on European football next season.

Predicted: Bournemouth 2-2 Manchester United

Result: Bournemouth 0-1 Manchester United

Casemiro

A single goal was the difference here as United secured a vital away win in their race for Champions League football. Rashford was absent due to illness, but Casemiro got the decisive goal after eight minutes when he volleyed in after Senesi couldn't deal with Eriksen's chipped pass. United continued to dominate without doing much with it, and midway through the half Bournemouth grew back into the game. Solanke’s deflected shot forced a save from De Gea, while Varane made an important block from Christie. Brooks tested De Gea once again after the break with a fierce drive, but soon after United began to regain control of the match. Weghorst and Fernandes both tested Neto as United looked to double their lead, but as the game began to draw to a close United found themselves entrenched in their own half. Moore and Sensi both had great chances to steal a point for the Cherries late on but De Gea produced the goods to ensure his team took the three points. De Gea has won the Golden Glove for the second time, previously doing so in 2017-18, after getting 17 clean sheets so far this season. As for Bournemouth, they have conceded 70 goals in the league this season, with only Leeds on 71 allowing more into their net.

Predicted: Fulham 2-1 Crystal Palace

Result: Fulham 2-2 Crystal Palace

Mitrovic x2 - Edouard, Ward

A first start for Mitrovic since his lengthy ban from the FA Cup game with United saw him steal the show with a brace. Fulham controlled the ball well but failed to really test the Palace keeper in the opening half, with Palace growing into the game. Leno had to react to stop an accidental own goal from Diop and Robinson, but could do little when Palace took the lead on 34 minutes. Palace cleared a Fulham corner to Eze, who went on a run before playing in Edouard to score. In the first minute of first half stoppage time Fulham got level, as Mitrovic converted a penalty after Wilson was fouled in the area by Mitchell. Mitrovic could have got a second right after half time but missed horribly with the goal gaping. However on 61 minutes Mitrovic made up for that miss as he got free at the far post and headed home from Willian's free-kick. Johnstone produced a heroic save to ensure Willian didn't make it three, while Edouard and Olise both tested Leno  in the final fifteen minutes. In the 83rd minute Palace got level when Olise's low free-kick went through to the back post and bounced off Robinson. Ward reacted quickest and saw an effort blocked by Leno, by scored on the second attempt. Mateta was then denied in a one-on-one by Diop, while Olise curled wide of Leno's post. Neither side had much to play for going into this but both can be happy with their performance, and points shared is likely the fairest result.

Predicted: Liverpool 3-1 Aston Villa

Result: Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa

Firmino - Rasmey

It was not the farewell Anfield had hope for their long serving stars such as Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlian, Keita, and of course Firmino. With Klopp in the stands, while John Brooks, the man whose face Klopp celebrated in front of against Tottenham, was the referee for this one. Both sides were playing with intent but Villa looked the stronger side, and on 21 minutes had a penalty when Konate fouled Watkins in the box. The England man stepped up but put his shot low and wide of the post. However on 27 minutes Ramsey spared Watkins' blushes as he fired home from a Diaz pass. Liverpool struggled with the Villa play, especially in midfield, but could (and probably should) have been down to ten men near the end of the first half as Mings caught Gakpo in the chest with his studs. A yellow card was all that was handed out. After the break the high line of Villa continued to cause problems, but Gakpo though he had scored from a rebound after a Konate shot was blocked on the line by Mings. VAR and Brooks decided Van Dijk was offside in the build up and ruled it out, although the ball had gone to him off a Villa player. Liverpool pressed on looking for a leveller and it came from none other than Firmino when he converted Salah's low cross. Liverpool had nine minutes of stoppage time where they applied plenty of pressure but could not find a winner. Fittingly, Firmino assisted Salah for his first Liverpool goal six years ago, and Salah assisted Firmino for his final Anfield goal. Other results mean Liverpool need either United or Newcastle to lose both their final games while Liverpool win theirs, and possibly overcome the Newcastle goal difference, to get into the Champions League next season. Villa meanwhile have moved into seventh as they look to secure themselves a spot in the Europa Conference League for next season, currently a point above Spurs in the table.

Predicted: Wolves 2-0 Everton

Result: Wolves 1-1 Everton

Hwang - Mina

The Toffees got what could prove to be a vital point in their battle against relegation, as a late late equaliser secured them the draw. Wolves were on top from the off, as Semedo drove down the right but could not find Sarabia with his cross. Calvert-Lewin then put an effort into the side netting as Everton grew into the game, and headed over from an Iwobi cross. On 34 minutes Wolves took the lead through Hwang when Traore broke from his own half, dribbling to the Everton goal and seeing his effort saved by Pickford only for Hwang to score the rebound. Wolves were alive from there and Gomes saw an effort saved before Podence had a header go over. Calvert-Lewin and Patterson were taken off injured at the break and Wolves dominated much of the second half. They could not find that second goal, as Semedo and Sarabia both wasted chances. Gray forced a save from Wolves keeper Bentley. Nunes saw a rasping effort saved by Pickford's leg, before Mina managed to score in the ninth minute of stoppage time after a Gray corner evaded Bentley, allowing Keane to to lay the ball off for Mina to score. The result means Wolves remain unbeaten in five games at Molineux, while Everton are still very much in the fight against the drop. They are two points ahead of Leeds, who play the following day, and will be nervously watching their result as the Elland Road faithful will be hoping their fans can take advantage of a tired West Ham to leapfrog Everton. Leicester are also only three points behind and have the better goal difference, so the Toffees will be very very nervous as the remainder of the weekends games are played out.

Predicted: Nottingham Forest 2-3 Arsenal

Result: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Arsenal

Awoniyi

Arsenal handed the title to City here by losing to Forest, ensuring that City were crowned Champions before they even played against Chelsea on Sunday. Forest also made sure of their safety in the league for another season thanks to this slender win. Forest were dominant from the off, bombarding long throws into the box. Arsenal survived, and Jesus had an effort saved by Navas as they grew into the game. Arsenal were playing in an unfamiliar shape, with Partey at right-back and Kiwior at left-back, but they struggled for ideas. On 19 minutes Forest got their decisive goal as Ødegaard lost the ball to Gibbs-White, who fed Awoniyi. Gabriel swooped in to tackle the striker but the ball came back off Awoniyi and went into the goal. Forest sat back from there and soaked up the pressure, with Trossard wide with their best chance of the half. Felipe sent an effort just wide after the break while Saka and Jorginho were wasteful at the other end. Gibbs-White dictated things on the counter for Forest and although Arsenal dominated the ball, they couldn't find a way back into the game. Forest secured their Premier League survival with this win, and in doing so made sure all three promoted side stayed up for only the fourth campaign in Premier League history. Arsenal meanwhile have lost three of their last five in the league as they title challenge very much faltered at the last.

Predicted: West Ham 1-2 Leeds

Result: West Ham 3-1 Leeds

Rice, Bowen, Lanzini - Rodrigo

Another huge result in the battle against the drop, as Leeds missed the chance to move out of the bottom three following Everton's results the previous day. While West Ham were still in celebration mode from reaching the Europa Conference League final, Leeds were busy making a bright start to the game. On 17 minutes they went ahead when Rodrigo volleyed in a long throw from McKennie. However their lead did not last long, as West Ham sparked into life. Soucek's close-range shot was saved and then on 32 minutes Rice met a Bowen cross at the far post to score. Bamford was taken off for Leeds with a suspected hamstring injury as West Ham pushed on looking to take the lead. Fornals slicked a shot wide after a slick Hammers move, and moments later he was set up by Emerson but saw his effort saved. After the break West Ham continued to pile on the pressure, with Paqueta forcing a saw and Soucek heading into the ground from a corner. On 72 minutes Bowen managed to time his run to beat the offside trap and score against Robles, and was taken off soon after to a standing ovation. Allardyce went attacking with his side, and Summerville was released only for Paqueta to make a vital last-ditch challenge. However in the fourth minute of stoppage time Rice found Lanzini for a simple finish to put the final nail in Leeds coffin. The Elland Road faithfail will need their side to overcome Spurs next weekend and hope other results go their way to have any chance of beating the drop. The Hammers meanwhile can relax in knowing their main focus should now be on their European final.

Predicted: Brighton 1-0 Southampton

Result: Brighton 3-1 Southampton

Ferguson x2, Groß - Elyounoussi

A huge result for Brighton and a huge moment in the clubs history as they guaranteed themselves a place in Europe for the very first time. Southampton were already relegated and their fans let their frustration be shown, mock cheering every time their side got on the ball. Mitoma hit the post and wasted another great chance in the opening period, while Alcaraz fired wide for the Saints. On 29 minutes Ferguson got the opener as Mac Allister danced through the Southampton defence and played him in. From there Brighton kept the ball and on 40 minutes got their second as Mitoma broke away on the counter and played in Ferguson to score his second. Southampton found their way back into it after the break when Ward-Prowse delivered and Elyounoussi flicked home on 58 minutes. Walcott scored soon after when he burst through and beat Steele, but VAR ruled it out for offside. De Zerbi's team got back ahead on 69 minutes when Groß smashed in a low effort. Brighton kept up the pressure and could have added more, but the win was secured. They cannot finish outside the top seven, and with a three point gap over seventh placed Villa and a game in hand, Brighton need just one more point to guarantee themselves a place in the Europa League. Southampton meanwhile suffered their 25th defeat in the league in what has been an awful season, with the fans frustration clearly on show and plenty of work to do over the summer.

Predicted: Manchester City 2-0 Chelsea

Result: Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea

Álvarez

Manchester City started this game as champions for the fifth time in six years, and were treated to a guard pf honour by Chelsea before kick off. The opener did not take long, as Fofana gifted the ball to City and Palmer found Álvarez. He produced a composed finish on 12 minutes to get the home fans going, as Palmer and Foden both had chances of their own soon after. Sterling and Gallagher both had chances, but it was the second string of City who looked stronger. Phillips hit the post, on his first Premier League start for City, and Sterling had a shot cleared off the line at the other end. Álvarez had another goal ruled out in the second half thanks to a VAR check, but all in all City were too good for their London opponents. A pitch invasion ensued at the full time whistle as fans flocked to the players to celebrate the title triumph. City go marching on towards a treble, with one down, two to go. Pep has worked wonders but many will point to the outstanding Premier League charges as a dampener on the celebrations. What comes of those is yet to be determined. As for Chelsea, they will want to put this awful season to rest and move into the new year under Pochettino, hoping for an upturn in their fortunes.

Predicted: Newcastle 4-1 Leicester

Result: Newcastle 0-0 Leicester

A nervy match which saw Leicester get their first shot in the 93rd minute, but ultimately Newcastle secured their spot in next seasons Champions League with the draw. Leicester went with a three at the back formation and left both Barnes and Maddison on the bench. It was all one way traffic, as Newcastle had 14 shots in the first half compared to none for the Foxes. Guimaraes could have been given a red card for a high boot on Soumare in the 9th minute, but a yellow was enough according to VAR. Wilson hit the post late in the half and had the rebound cleared off the line by Ndidi in the hosts best chance in the opening 45. Almiron then volleyed against the woodwork two minutes later and Wilson put an effort wide from a corner. At the break Maddison came on but Newcastle continued to dominate. Daka and Barnes came on after an hour as Leicester looked to go more attacking, but Newcastle kept going as Guimaraes hit the post and Iversen from Longstaff. The end was nervy, as Leicester began to string passes together and looked dangerous. Pope made a save from Castagne, who connected with Maddison's cross, in injury time but it was not to be. This was Leicester's first clean sheet in 22 league games, but the writing looks on the wall in terms of their relegation. This was Newcastle's seventh goalless draw of the season but they got the point to ensure they are not officially in the Champions League next season.

Table After Match Day 37

A look at the top half of the table and City have been crowned Champions, with Arsenal languishing behind in second. Newcastle and United make up the top four, while Liverpool are fifth and all but out of the Champions League race. Brighton are sixth and guaranteed European football next season, with Villa in the final European spot. Spurs are a point behind in eight, while Brentford and Fulham make up the top half.

As for the bottom half, Southampton are already confirmed as relegated, with Leeds and Leicester sitting two points behind Everton as those three clubs all face the possibility of also going down on the final day. Goal difference is in Leicester's favour but anything is possible. Forest sit in sixteenth in safety, with Bournemouth, West Ham, Wolves, Chelsea, and Palace making up the bottom half.

Top Goal scorers After Match Day 37

1 — E. Haaland — Manchester City — 36 Goals
2 — H Kane — Tottenham — 28 Goals
3 — I. Toney — Brentford — 20 Goals
4 — M. Salah — Liverpool — 19 Goals
5 — C. Wilson — Newcastle — 18 Goals
6 — M. Rashford — Manchester United — 16 Goals
7 — G. Martinelli — Arsenal — 15 Goals
8 — M. Ødegaard — Arsenal — 15 Goals
9 — O. Watkins — Aston Villa — 14 Goal
10 — A. Mitrović — Fulham — 14 Goal

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 preview of the matches and get to see the games.

Have a great day.

Peace. CryptoGod-1.

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