The highlight games for the first set of EPL matches are ARSENAL versus WOLVES and CHELSEA versus MAN CITY. Our feature columnist, John Newsome, previews these and all game week 1 matches with his unique and insightful commentary. You can view all previous analysis from John’s regular column here: English Premier League Predictions For Saturday.
Please note all prices quoted below were correct at the time of publication.
Game Week-1
Friday 16th
MANCHESTER UNITED v FULHAM
20.00 in England
Sky Sports
In the words of Marshall Mathers,
‘Guess who’s back, back again, PL’s back, tell a friend!’
‘Yes it’s back, Yes it’s back, Yes it’s back!’
John Newsome is like a kid on Christmas Eve, awaiting the arrival of the Big Fella in Red bringing the presents of the Premier League for another campaign that will no doubt, once again be gone in a blink of an eye, so let’s all enjoy 380 games of pure bliss from the best League in the World.
The purchase of Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee initially gave the Red Devil faithful optimism about the upcoming season, however, that optimism has somewhat faded away following an injury to Leny and another injury to Rasmus Hojlund.
Added to that, there hasn’t been any sign of Joshua, who, although named as a substitute for the Community Shield, didn’t see any action.
Marcus Rashford has seen game time in the pre-season friendlies against Rosenborg, Arsenal, Real Betis and Liverpool that produced defeats against Rosenborg, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Marcus did score in the victory against Real Betis and started at Wembley against the Noisy Neighbours.
That said, of late, Marcus isn’t playing particularly well so does need to vastly improve if United are to challenge for anything this term.
Casemiro, Harry Maguire, Mason Mount, Jadon Sancho and Antony are all still at Old Trafford for the time being and all saw some action in the pre-season games with none being selected for their respective International Teams at the Euro’s or Copa America.
Casemiro, Harry and Mason started at Wembley against City with Jadon seeing game time from the bench.
Antony wasn’t needed.
The Community Shield finished in an honourable draw, by a 1-1 score, with the Blue Half of Manchester winning the subsequent penalty shootout.
Alejandro Garnacho, who started as a substitute and replaced Amad Diallo on the hour mark, scored the United goal with a superb individual effort.
It was noticeable that Pep Guardiola didn’t play any of the players from Spain and England (Rodri, John Stones, Kyle Walker and Phil Foden) yet Erik Ten Hag threw Kobbie Mainoo straight into the starting eleven for the Community Shield.
Luke Shaw hasn’t played for United since February, then gets himself fit for England, plays 180-minutes over 3 games at the Euro’s (Kieran Trippier in the background shouting ‘Cheers Gareth!’) and is now back on the injury list.
Although Scott McTominay played (well put on a shirt and ran about in Germany) for Scotland, the lad was home in time to also see some action in the pre-season friendlies over in America.
Scott is still a United player but again, for how long, as there is interest from other clubs including today’s opponents.
Maybe, Mr McTominay will jump on the Fulham Coach after the game and restart his career at Craven Cottage.
Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich.
The move will be worth around £43 Million, with a payment of £39 Million plus around £4 Million in add-ons.
The Transfer is subject to Mr De Ligt passing a medical, with personal terms not expected to be a problem.
MDL would need to be registered by Midday on Thursday to be available for this opening Premier League fixture against Fulham on Friday.
United are interested in some Beer Gardens, which regular readers will know is an anagram of the ex-Sheffield United and current Burnley Midfielder Sander Berge.
That deal could get done before the Window shuts as ‘surprisingly’ Sander is up for a move to Manchester United.
The Red Devils need a cautionary warning regarding the Norwegian Midfielder.
Old Beer Gardens has been part of a relegated team, twice in the last 3 seasons.
Sheffield United in 2021, then went to Burnley in 2023 and was relegated with the Clarets last season.
To add to that and put a positive spin on Sander, the lad was part of the Blades team that gained promotion back to the Promised Land in 2022/23 then headed to Turf Moor.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has ended his time at Old Trafford and headed back down South to the London Stadium, joining Julen ‘No I’ at West Ham with the Hammers paying £15 Million.
There are probably mixed reviews regarding Double-A-Ron’s time at United but one shouldn’t be too negative with Aaron coming in and playing in one of the worst periods of unrest and instability the club has experienced in the Premier League era.
Whilst it can be assumed that AWB isn’t a World Class player, the lad still has a lot to offer and is still a great Defender.
Let’s just see how many times a United player such as Alejandro Garnacho or Marcus Rashford or whoever is out on the left, gets past Aaron when the two teams meet up this season.
All the best Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
In last week’s EveryTip column, John Newsome predicted Manchester United would finish in 4th place.
That may have been a bit optimistic but it was sort of based on the fact that Eric Ten Hag is drinking in the ‘Last Chance Saloon’ and simply cannot afford to lose too many games, married with the fact that Liverpool and Chelsea have New Managers and Aston Villa are in the Champions League.
Tottenham and Newcastle will be in and around the mix with the possibility that Crystal Palace could be up there if Oliver Glasner continues where he left off.
It will be interesting to see who is in the starting eleven for this opening night fixture against Fulham.
This game could certainly set the benchmark for the season.
An emphatic home victory will give everyone a huge boost, however, a dismal performance ending in a draw or defeat could see the hierarchy contacting the Manchester Job Centre to provisionally book an appointment for Erik Ten Hag, for around the first week in September, coinciding with the first International Break.
‘Has anyone got Gareth Southgate’s number?’
A quick note regarding the International Break.
After a month of competition at the Euro’s, the English Premier League have just 3 Game Weeks before the first break.
Serie A in Italy are the same, as are Ligue Un in France.
The German Bundesliga have just 2 Game Weeks as they kick off their campaign a week after the English.
La Liga in Spain, remember, Spain won the Euro’s in Germany, start their season over the same weekend as England, Italy and France, however, have slipped in an extra midweek set of fixtures to make it 4 Game Weeks before the International Break.
Couldn’t the Premier League, Ligue Un and Serie A have done that?
Granted there is always conjecture as to the players playing too many games and the older viewers (such as John Newsome and the rest of his mates) will always offer up the view that these ‘young lads’ are just playing football and not working 10 hours a day as a Policeman, on a Building Site or Down the Pits, however, the Managers and the Players will say they ‘play too many games!’
One is not going to offer up the tap in easy words that ‘these players are on X amount of money a week!’
That really is irrelevant as to how much the players get.
The argument is, if the players are supposedly playing too many games, why have Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United all played 4 or 5 games on jaunts over in America?
Tottenham and Newcastle finished the 2023/24 Premier League Campaign on Sunday the 19th of May, then both teams jumped on a plane (supposedly the Premier League want to promote Zero Carbon Footprint) and travelled to Melbourne and played against each other at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) 3 days later on the 22nd of May.
Tottenham will have played 7 pre-season games before this New Season begins, including 2 fixtures against Bayern Munich, 1 in Seoul and 1 in London, obviously fixtures that have followed off the back of the Harry Kane transfer.
Newcastle have been in Japan.
The rest of the Premier League and the other clubs in the English Pyramid will have played pre-season fixtures, it’s part of the process, however, the argument then doesn’t stand when the Managers say that the ‘players’ play too many games.
So the fact that the players get paid exorbitant amounts of money, isn’t a correlation between how many games they play.
It’s down to the clubs to use some of the money they earn from the said trips to America, Australia, Japan and Seoul to make their squads bigger so that the ‘players’ are not ‘allegedly’ playing too many games.
‘Players’ has a ‘ ‘ at the beginning and end, because that’s exactly what these Men are!
They turn up and ‘play’, everything else is done for them.
There are 4 Game Weeks before the next International Break in October, then another 4 before the November Break.
So a total of 11 Premier League games over 13 weeks.
From the 23rd of November 2024, which is the start of Game Week-12, there will be 8 Game Week sets of fixtures up to the end of the year, over a total of 5 weeks.
Surely, one of those 8 Game Weeks could have been fitted in before the first International Break in September, as La Liga have done, giving the players a better rest over the Christmas period.
There’s always an argument that the fans love the football over Christmas.
Whilst that is correct, most fans would accept one of the set of fixtures to be moved.
There are always the Boxing Day games that are a must if only to save a lot of relationships between couples who have been together since Christmas Eve, with the kids and the in-laws and want a bit of ‘me time!’
However, the games between Boxing Day and the New Year which are scheduled for on or around the 29th of December, could be moved and played in August, when the players, who, in theory, should be fitter in August after 3 Game Weeks than December after 18 Game Weeks.
Fulham and their Cottage faithful head to
Manchester for this opening fixture on a Friday Night for an 8 PM kick-off.
Surely that must be questioned?
Why have the Premier League Fixture Compilers (PLFC) offered up this opening game, making the Fulham fans travel up to Manchester on a Friday Night through rush hour traffic in vehicles up the Motorway or on Trains?
If the Premier League and Sky Sports wanted Manchester United to kick off the New Season on a Friday Night, would it not have been better to compile a fixture (Premier League Fixture Compilers) against maybe Everton who are situated around 30 Miles away from Old Trafford.
One could also offer up Liverpool or even Man City but there was no way the PLFC were ever going to offer up an opening match against two of the Heavyweights.
Granted Manchester United have lost a bit of their fighting weight of late and are maybe no longer classed as Heavyweights but still Liverpool and Man City were not on the opening day list to visit Old Trafford.
Any of the Midlands teams, Aston Villa, Leicester, Nottingham Forest or Wolves could have switched places with Fulham.
Now, both sets of fans will have to travel the 360-Mile/8-Hour round trip from London up to Manchester, on a Friday Evening.
Cheers!
It’s hoped the Rattler Companies put on a few Trains for after the game has finished, which will be around 10 PM.
One is only joking about most of the Manchester United fans being London-based, that is scandalous.
The New Boy Emile Smith-Rowe made an instant impact for the Cottagers, scoring within 7 minutes of his debut against Sevilla.
In last season’s affair between these two at Old Trafford, it was Fulham that came away with all 3 points following an away day victory over United by a 2-1 scoreline.
Calvin Bassey scored the opener in the 65th minute before Harry Maguire scored the equaliser in the 89th to set up an exciting final few minutes.
When it appeared that both would share the points, Alex Iwobi scored the winner for the Cottagers in the 97th minute to give Marco Silva’s Men the win over Erik’s Ten Bobs.
Most of those in attendance at Old Trafford then headed to the Train Station for the long journey back home to London.
Scandalous!
Betfred offer Manchester United at Odds On 8/15, the draw at 7/2 and 9/2 for Fulham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 8/5 that Marcus Rashford Scores Anytime and 21/20 that Manchester United Score In Both Halves.
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Saturday 17th
IPSWICH v LIVERPOOL
12.30 in England
TNT Sport
On the 15th of December 2021, less than 3 years ago, Ipswich were sitting in 12th place in League One with 28 points after 22 games played.
The day after, Kieran McKenna was appointed Manager of Ipswich Town.
At the end of that 2021/22 League One campaign, Ipswich finished in 11th place with 70 points from 46 games played.
In the following season, the Tractor Boys finished 2nd in the League One Table with 98 points and were promoted along with Plymouth Argyle (who finished Top with 101 points) and Sheffield Wednesday (who were promoted via the Play-Offs).
Ipswich then excelled in the Championship eventually finishing 2nd with 96 points, just one adrift of Leicester who won the Title.
Now it’s the Promised Land for Kieran McKenna and all connected with Ipswich, who have spent a few Bob on players such as Liam Delap (£20 Million from Man City), Omari Hutchinson (£18 Million from Chelsea), Jacob Greaves (£15 Million from Hull), Arijanet Muric (£15 Million from Burnley), Conor Townsend (£500 K from West Brom), Leon Elliott from Crystal Palace on a free and as the Olympics are on, Ipswich have brought in the Canadian Sprinter from 1988, Ben Johnson.
Only joking, the Ben Johnson in question comes in from West Ham on another free.
For the FIFA’24 brigade out there, type Ben Johnson into Instagram or Tok Tik or whatever the latest Social Abuse sites are nowadays and see the Canadian Sprinter, sprint back in 1988 at the Seoul Olympics.
The Tractor Boys will be hoping their new asset is up there in the Sprint Department, however, not with the added extras.
A few years ago, back in 2013, John Newsome had the privilege of seeing Rory Delap play briefly in the iconic Barnsley FC Jersey.
The ex-Republic of Ireland player was probably more famous for his long throw-ins than his ability with his feet and regularly caused all sorts of problems on a cold Tuesday Night in Stoke, throwing in the ball whilst playing for the Potters.
It’s now Rory’s son’s turn to take over the family trait with Ipswich taking young Liam from Man City and paying the princely sum of £20 Million.
To be fair to Liam, the ex-City player is a Striker and will probably want someone else to do the long throw-ins that hopefully land near the lad and provide opportunities for a goal or two.
Omari Hutchinson spent last season on loan at Portman Rd and has made that move a permanent one.
Jacob Greaves and Ben Johnson will add security at the Back along with the ex-Burnley Goalkeeper Arijanet Muric, who, along with Liam, have all joined Omari and gone straight into the team for the pre-season friendlies.
A couple of old Barnsley Boys, Conor Chaplin and Sam Morsy have retained their places in the starting eleven and should be looking forward to life in the Promised Land, with the Oakwell faithful wishing the lads ‘all the best!’
As with all the teams that come up from the Championship, it will be a tough ask to gain enough points to stay in the Premier League but one thing is for certain, the Tractor Boys (and Girls) will enjoy their ride in the Sunshine.
Liverpool gained a victory over Manchester United in a recent pre-season friendly in Columbia, South Carolina, with goals from Fabio Carvalho, Curtis Jones and Konstantinos Tsimikas giving Arne Slot the Dutch bragging rights over his mate Erik Ten Hag.
Both teams did have a fairly decent starting lineup which in the case of Liverpool, included Mo Salah, Diogo Jota, Ryan Gravenberch and a few more regulars from Jurgen’s time.
In truth, all of Arne’s Reds (one must get used to putting that instead of Jurgen’s Reds) are all Klipperty Klopp’s as Liverpool haven’t ventured into the Transfer Market just yet.
There is talk of a possible bid for the Real Sociedad Midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who if one remembers, replaced Rodri at half-time in the Euro Final against England.
The Spaniard has a release clause of £51 Million, with Liverpool looking down the back of the sofa to see if they can find the money to prize Martin away.
The Window is open until Friday, August the 30th and ‘slams shut’ at 11 PM, so there is still time for a few acquisitions, however, Jurgen Klopp has left Arne Slot a decent squad which when one looks at a Managerial change, is not usually the case.
Usually, the Manager is sacked because his squad weren’t good enough.
That’s certainly not the case on this occasion.
In last week’s Season’s Preview, a few eyebrows were raised about the fact that John Newsome suggested Liverpool would finish 6th in the Premier League Table.
That was in no way being derogatory about the Reds, it was purely based on the New Manager coming into Anfield and the fact that Arne Slot and his Liverpool team will have to navigate the Champions League also.
The Anfield Rappers will be hoping John Newsome is wrong.
********Betfred offer Liverpool at 11/4 to Win the Premier League Title Without Man City.*********
It’s been a while since Liverpool last ventured East over to Suffolk to face Ipswich at Portman Rd.
In February 2002, the Ipswich Manager at the time, George Burley, sent out the following set of Tractor Boys to face the Reds-
Andy Marshall, Herman Hreidarsson, Chris Makin, John McGreal, Mark Venus, Jamie Clapham, Jermaine Wright, Matt Holland, Sixto Peralto, Alun Armstrong and Marcus Bent.
Substitutes-
Marcus Stewart for Jermaine Wright 38th Minute
Jim Magilton for Alun Armstrong 71st Minute
The Liverpool Gaffer Phil Thompson started the following-
Jerzy Dudek, Stephen Wright, Stephane Henchoz, Sami Hyypia, John Arne Riise, Abel Xavier, Steven Gerrard, Dietmar Hamann, Danny Murphy, Emile Heskey and Michael Owen.
Substitutes-
Pegguy Arphexad for Jerzy Dudek 56th Minute
Nicolas Anelka for John Arne Riise 73rd Minute
Gary McAllister for Steven Gerrard 83rd Minute
Liverpool gained an easy away day victory by a 6-0 scoreline with the goals going in as follows-
16′ Abel Xavier (Liverpool 0-1)
43′ Emile Heskey (Liverpool 0-2)
Half-Time Pie and Pint
52′ Sami Hyypia (Liverpool 0-3)
62′ Michael Owen (Liverpool 0-4)
71′ Michael Owen (Liverpool 0-5)
90′ Emile Heskey (Liverpool 0-6)
Full-Time Pan of Scouse and Chips
If one looks at the ‘Liverpool Gaffer’ it states Phil Thompson.
Gerard Houllier was the Manager of Liverpool for the start of the 2001/2002 campaign but became ill early in the season, so the Assistant Manager Phil Thompson took over for a few months.
Gerard returned around a month after this drubbing of Ipswich.
Although the fixture at Portman Rd took place in March 2002, the two had not met yet in the 2001/02 campaign with the fixture at Anfield eventually coming in the final game of the season in May 2002.
Liverpool gained another easy victory over Ipswich by a 5-0 score in front of the Anfield Rappers, to finish 2nd in the Premier League Table behind Arsenal.
Before the final fixture, Arsenal had 84 points, Liverpool had 77 points and Manchester United had 76.
Arsenal gained a victory over Everton, to finish with 87 points, Liverpool got the win over Ipswich to end with 80 points and Manchester United drew their final fixture against Charlton to end the season in 3rd place with 77 points.
Ipswich were sitting in the final relegation place with 36 points, 3 adrift of Sunderland with both having a similar goal difference.
In theory, Ipswich had to beat Liverpool and hope Sunderland lost against Derby, to have any chance of staying in the Premier League.
As it turned out, Sunderland gained a draw in their final game against Derby to finish in 17th place with 40 points.
Ipswich finished in 18th and were relegated along with Derby and Leicester.
It’s been 22 years in the wilderness for the Tractor Boys who are now back in the Promised Land hoping to at least finish above the relegation zone.
Betfred offer Ipswich at 7/1, the draw at 9/2 and Odds On 1/3 for Liverpool to come away with all 3-points.
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ARSENAL v WOLVES
15.00 in England
This is one of the oldest Top Flight fixtures dating back to September 1904 when Woolwich Arsenal gained a victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers by a 2-0 scoreline.
The goals were scored by Tim Coleman and Charlie Satterthwaite who in their day were both prolific goal scorers.
Almost 120 years later, Mikel Arteta’s Young Guns take on Gary O’Neil’s Gold and Blacks in the opening game of the season.
Arsenal have been on their travels over the past month and like Manchester United, suffered a pre-season defeat against Liverpool in Philadelphia by a 2-1 scoreline.
Kai Havertz with the Gunners goal.
Both teams again put out a strong starting lineup with the usual suspects all starting for Arsenal, apart from David Raya, Riccardo Calafiori, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice.
So Mikel Arteta will argue that with those 4 playing, the result against Liverpool would have been different.
The 4 did then make an appearance in the last 2 pre-season friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon.
In fairness, the pre-season games are more about making money from Jollies overseas and getting fitness into the legs, than the actual result.
Arsenal should again be the ones to rival Man City with Pep 1 and Pep 2 going head to head once more.
********Betfred offer Arsenal at slight Odds On 4/5 to Win the Premier League Title Without Man City.*********
Wolves have themselves been over in America for a few pre-season games, facing RB Leipzig, Crystal Palace and West Ham, with victories against the Hammers and the Energy Drinkers plus a defeat against Oliver’s Army.
The New Boy Rodrigo Gomes scored 3 times in the friendlies with Gary O’Neil hoping that the Portuguese Winger will carry on that form into the Premier League.
Gary has lost Pedro Neto, who has headed to Stamford Bridge to join Chelsea and stated that the Midfielder was ‘irreplaceable!’
With that in mind, Wolves will be after someone to try and replace The Supermarket Man Pedro Neto.
Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard scored the Gunners goals in the 1st-half when these two met at the Emirates last season.
Matheus Cunha did score for Wolves late on but ultimately that was just a consolation with Arsenal holding on for the home victory by a 2-1 scoreline.
The Wolves Goalkeeper Daniel Bentley replaced Jose Sa after Arsenal had scored both goals.
Just to clear things up from the last EveryTip column, it was mooted that Daniel was joining the Gunners as a backup to David Raya but for the time being, Wolves have rejected the bid and as of now, Mr Bentley is still at Molineux.
Betfred offer Arsenal at Odds On 1/5, the draw at 11/2 and 14/1 for Wolves to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 4/1 that Bukayo Saka Scores First and slight Odds On 5/6 that Arsenal Win To Nil.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
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EVERTON v BRIGHTON
15.00 in England
At the moment Amadou Onana is the only ‘Big Name’ to have left Goodison Park, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jarrad Branthwaite still at the club.
Dominic has only a year left on his contract so will either have to be sold now for Everton to get some money or allow the lad to leave next Summer for nothing.
Not to tell the hierarchy at Goodison what to do but in these circumstances, maybe it would be best to offer DCL a new deal, give the Sheffield Lad a bit extra in his wage packet then state that they won’t stand in his way if someone comes in to buy, which if it is next Summer or even in January, there would be a return for Everton.
That’s on the clubs’ side, however, on Dominic’s side, the boy can sit on the current deal knowing that next Summer, DCL can join anyone and whatever potential Transfer Fee was going to be paid, most will go into his Bank Account, not the Toffees.
It might appear ruthless but that’s football.
The downside to that is Dominic Calvert-Lewin could pick up a serious injury and never play again meaning he won’t get any wages when the contract runs out.
These are the scenarios that all players throughout the ages have to think about, however, nowadays, the money involved is astronomical, not like in the old days when a player had to find another job if he was injured and couldn’t play again.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin will probably have enough money put away, not to ever get a proper job, like driving a lorry or a postman.
That’s what used to happen in the ‘good/bad old days!’
Everton will just be hoping that there aren’t any points deducted like last season and under Sean Dyche, might not ever be in the European places but will always be safe from relegation (points deduction aside!)
Fabian Hurzeler, remember the name!
Will Fabian be the next Graham Potter or Roberto De Zerbi and give the Seagull faithful an exciting footballing experience over the season?
Or will FH become the new Chris Hughton who was the last Brighton Manager to be sacked back in 2019?
That’s probably a bit harsh on Chris who did get the Seagulls promoted to the Premier League and was a great player for Tottenham and the Republic of Ireland back in the day but facts are facts and despite Brighton having 2 Managers since Mr Hughton, neither were sacked, with both Graham Potter and Roberto De Zerbi deciding to leave on their terms.
Fabian will want to continue under the same model as Harry and Bob and hope that a good stint at the Amex gets the German noticed and maybe the possibility of becoming the ‘next but 3’ Chelsea Manager.
Brighton have spent a few quid and brought in some new additions, however, one notable departure that could make a big difference is Pascal Gross who has joined Borussia Dortmund.
Pascal was always good for a goal or too and like most Germans, always put in a shift, so the Seagulls will be wanting someone to fill the ‘Gross Boots!’
Vitaly Mykolenko scored for the Toffees after 7 minutes when the Seagulls flew up to Goodison Park last season.
The unfortunate Ashley Young turned past Jordan Pickford to give Brighton an equaliser late on and with no further goals, both teams shared the points from a draw by a 1-1 score.
Betfred offer Everton at 6/4, the draw at 12/5 and 9/5 for Brighton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/2 that Dominic Calvert-Lewin Scores First and Evens 1/1 that there are Under 2.5 Goals.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
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NEWCASTLE v SOUTHAMPTON
15.00 in England
Eddie Howe’s Magpies host one of the New Boys at St James Park, with Russell Martin’s Saints heading the long-distance North to kick off the New Campaign.
It’s been a pretty quiet Summer in the Transfer Market for Newcastle who have signed Lewis Hall on a permanent basis and a couple of Goalkeepers.
There is talk that the Crystal Palace and England Centre-Back Marc Guehi is on his way to St James Park once the Transfer Fee has been agreed.
The fee, in the region of £60 Million plus, should be enough to enable the Magpies to purchase Marc from the Eagles with the personal terms not being too much of a problem.
Newcastle have signed the Denmark Under-21 Forward William Osula from Sheffield United for an initial £10 Million plus add-ons that could rise to £15 Million.
Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon are still at Newcastle but Liverpool are sniffing around AG so that deal could happen before the Transfer Window closes on the 30th of August.
Newcastle are not in any of the European Competitions this season after last year’s Champions League adventure, which although appears to be a negative, could work out in their favour with the others around all having extra games.
Southampton are back after a year in the Championship with Russell Martin taking his Saints on the long journey up to Newcastle for this opening game.
Ben Brereton-Diaz has come into St Mary’s from Villarreal after a brief spell on loan at Sheffield United last season and scored in a recent pre-season friendly against Lazio, which finished in a draw by a 1-1 score.
However, the clash with Lazio descended into chaos when players from both sides brawled on the hour mark.
At least it shows the Saints faithful that their Boys are up for the challenge and have a bit of fight in them.
As for the said faithful, the girls and boys have a 770-Miles/11-hour round trip up to Newcastle for this opening game of the season.
At least it’s a 3 PM kick-off.
It was the last day of April in 2023 when the Saints went Marching On up to Newcastle to face Eddie Howe’s Magpies.
Quiz Question-
Who was the Manager of Southampton that day?
Newcastle gained an easy home victory by a 3-1 scoreline, with a couple of goals from Callum Wilson and an OG from Theo Walcott (cheers Theo!)
Stuart Armstrong had scored first for the away team to give the Saints a lead at the break.
A quick note regarding Stuart, the lad was injured for the final 6 fixtures of the Championship campaign, including the Play-Off Semi-Finals against West Brom and the Final against Leeds United at Wembley.
Yet, the Scotland Manager Steve ‘What Does Smiling Mean?’ Clarke decided to include Stuart Armstrong in the Scotland Euro Squad.
No wonder the Jocks never progress!
Stuart has been let go by the Saints and is currently having trials at several clubs
Answer- Ruben Selles!
Betfred offer Newcastle at Odds On 1/3, the draw at 9/2 and 15/2 for Southampton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 3/1 that Alexander Isak Scores First and slight Odds On 4/5 that Newcastle Score in Both Halves.
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******Euro Team of the Tournament *****
GOALKEEPER- Unai Simon- Spain
RIGHT-BACK- Marc Guehi- England
CENTRE-BACK- John Stones- England
CENTRE-BACK- Robin Le Normand- Spain
LEFT-BACK- Marc Cucurella- Spain
MIDFIELDER- Fabian Ruiz- Spain
MIDFIELDER- Roadie Rodri- Spain
MIDFIELDER- Jude Bellingham- England
FORWARD- Lamine Yamal- Spain
FORWARD- Alvaro Morata- Spain
FORWARD- Danny Olmo- Spain
STAR MAN- Lamine Yamal
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v BOURNEMOUTH
15.00 in England
Nuno Espírito Santo has had a full pre-season to get his Tricky Trees ready for another crack at trying to stay in the Promised Land.
Nottingham Forest are never going to challenge for a European Place any time soon so it’s survival that’s the main priority for Nuno and the faithful.
For the younger generation and maybe those not familiar with the history of Nottingham Forest, that previous sentence seems quite acceptable and not many would argue.
However, if one was to say that back in 1977, Nottingham Forest were a Division 2 team (equivalent to the Championship back then) and finished 3rd gaining Promotion to Division 1 (now the Premier League).
There weren’t any Play-Offs back in the day with the Top 3 teams automatically promoted.
Instead of struggling in the Top Flight and staving off relegation, Nottingham Forest, under the guidance of the brilliant Manager Brian Clough, not only won the League Cup that season but won the 1977/78 Division 1 Title.
That then enabled the Tricky Trees to compete in the 1978/79 European Cup (Champions League).
Nottingham Forest won the European Cup in 1979, getting a victory over Malmo of Sweden by a 1-0 (Trevor Francis) score.
Forest had finished 2nd to Liverpool in the 1978/79 Division 1 Title Race (equivalent to the Premier League) but it was only 1 team back in the day that progressed to the European Cup via the league position, this time Liverpool.
Nottingham Forest also qualified for the 1979/80 European Cup purely as holders and sensationally won a 2nd successive European Cup following a victory over SV Hamburg (who had Kevin Keegan in their team) by another 1-0 (John Robertson) score.
That meant that Forest had won more European Cups than Division 1 Titles.
To put that into perspective, it would be like Southampton winning the 2024/25 Carabao Cup next February, then the 2024/25 Premier League next May and then winning the Champions League in 2026 and 2027.
If one ever wants to question Brian Clough’s and Nottingham Forest’s credentials, just think about what Mr Clough achieved back in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
‘Who do you think you are?’
‘I’m Brian Clough.’
‘Trevor Francis tracksuit from a mush in Shepherds Bush.’
Legends!
Rest in Peace Brian Clough and Trevor Francis.
Bournemouth improved significantly from the beginning of March to the beginning of April, gaining 4 out of 5 victories in the Premier League with a draw from the other meaning a return of 13 points from a possible 15, giving optimism to the faithful for the final part of the season.
However, in the remaining 8 fixtures, the Cherries suffered defeats in 5, won 2 and drew 1, which produced 7 points from a possible 24.
The faithful will be wanting the Cherry version from March to April, not the one from April to May.
Dominic Solanke is on his way to Tottenham after both clubs agreed a fee of £55 Million plus another £10 Million in add-ons.
Bournemouth were obviously not wanting to sell Dominic, who was under contract until the end of June 2027.
However, the presence of a £65 Million release clause came into play forcing them to sell the former Liverpool Striker who scored 21 goals in 42 games last season.
The fixture between these two teams at the City Ground last season took place on the day before Christmas Eve.
Christmas Eve-Eve.
After a goalless 1st-half, it was the Cherries that left Nottingham with the present of all 3 points, gaining an away victory by a 3-2 scoreline.
Dominic Solanke scored a superb hat-trick, with the Forest goals coming from Anthony Elanga and Chris Wood.
Dominic scored his 3rd and the eventual winner in the 94th minute.
Nottingham Forest had to play over an hour with 10 men following Willy Boly’s sending-off in the 23rd minute after collecting 2 Yellow Cards.
Merry Christmas.
Betfred offer Nottingham Forest at 6/4, the draw at 12/5 and 9/5 for Bournemouth to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 9/5 that Chris Wood Scores Anytime and 6/4 Luis Sinisterra Scores Anytime.
Draw 2-2- Get 11/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
WEST HAM v ASTON VILLA
17.30 in England
Sky Sports
The German Striker Niclas Fullkrug has been signed by West Ham for a fee of £28 Million.
Niclas played in the Champions League Final for Borussia Dortmund and saw game time for his National Team Germany at the Euro’s so will be a good asset for the Hammers.
Julen Lopetegui has completed the signing of the Argentina International, Guido Rodriguez, who has a World Cup and Copa America Winner’s Medal.
Midfielder Guido arrives at the London Stadium on a Free Transfer having departed Real Betis, where his contract had expired at the end of June after 4 and half years.
Kurt Zouma looks to be moving out of the London Stadium and heading for Shabab Al-Ahli who play in the UAE League.
The Cats are happy and are planning a party when Kurt departs.
Where are those Dreamies?
Julen has brought in his old Wolves Defender Max Kilman and is looking at another Centre-Back to rebuild the Hammers Defence, with the Chelsea player Trevoh Chalobah an option.
The Nice Defender Jean-Clair Todibo (that means the French Club Nice, not nice as in he’s a nice Defender, JCT might be nice but that’s for others to decide) has joined West Ham on an initial season-long loan deal that includes a £33 Million option to buy fee in 2025, with the Hammers beating Juventus to the Frenchman’s signature.
Juventus had been the front-runners to sign the 24-year-old but the Italians struggled to reach an agreement with Nice.
West Ham have also brought in Aaron Wan-Bissaka who is a great acquisition considering United paid almost £50 Million for the lad 5 years ago, yet the Hammers have only had to fork out £15 Million for a player who is 5 years older with 5 years experience of playing for Manchester United.
One just wants to confirm that it’s Julen Lopetegui and not Julien.
There’s no ‘i’ in the Spaniard’s name.
The Bubbles’ faithful will be hoping that Julen ‘no i’ is not Julen ‘no i-dea’ and has some ‘i-dea’ as to how to get their idols to play good football and win.
Aston Villa have done quite a lot of business over the Summer to bolster a Squad to not only maintain the Premier League position but hopefully compete at a decent level in the Champions League.
All of the new acquisitions, such as Ross Barkley, Ian Maatsen, Amadou Onana, Jaden Philogene and Cameron Archer have seen game time in the recent pre-season friendlies and in the case of Jaden and Cameron, have scored goals.
Both these Claret and Blues shared the points when the two met at the London Stadium back in March 2024.
Michail Antonio scored first to give the Hammers a lead at the interval.
Nicola Zaniolo equalised for Villa with 10 minutes remaining, to give David and Unai a point apiece.
Betfred offer West Ham at 8/5, the draw at 13/5 and 6/4 for Aston Villa to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 5/2 that Mohammed Kudos Scores Anytime and 6/4 that Ollie Watkins Scores Anytime.
Draw 1-1- Get 13/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Sunday 18th
BRENTFORD v CRYSTAL PALACE
14.00 in England
Sky Sports
At the moment Ivan Toney is still a Brentford player and could more than likely play some part against the Eagles today.
There has been interest in taking IT but nothing concrete and with the injury to the New Boy Igor Thiago, there is a possibility that the Bees will hang onto Ivan at least until January and in all likelihood, until next Summer, which then would mean Ivan Toney can leave for nothing.
Crystal Palace are on the verge of bringing one of their own back for a 3rd spell at Selhurst Park.
‘He’s one of our own, he’s one of our own, Wilfried Zaha, he’s one of our own!’
Yes, the Eagles are looking at the possibility of bringing the Striker home after Galatasaray have allowed Wilfried to leave, however, Palace will face competition from a number of clubs, including Leicester who are monitoring the situation.
Jean-Philippe Mateta will probably miss this game after competing at the Olympics with France, picking up a Silver Medal following a defeat against Spain in the Final.
The French Eagle scored 5 goals in total in his own country’s competition, playing alongside his ex-Palace mate Michael Olise who has left and headed to Munich.
Rumours that Jean-Philippe was entered into the Diving Competition were quickly dismissed.
Last season’s fixture at the GTech Stadium between the Bees and the Eagles took place almost 12 months ago to the day on August 26th.
Kevin Schade opened the scoring for Brentford to give the home team a lead at the break.
Joachim Andersen equalised for Palace midway through the 2nd-half and with no further goals, both teams shared the points from a draw by a 1-1 score.
Betfred offer Brentford at 11/8, the draw at 12/5 and 2/1 for Crystal Palace to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 13/10 that Ivan Toney Scores Anytime and 7/1 that Odsonne Edouard Scores First.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Away Win 1-2- Get 9/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
CHELSEA v MAN CITY
16.30 in England
Sky Sports
This fixture could be billed as,
Pep 1 v Pep 3
Obviously, Pep 2 is Mikel Arteta but as Enzo Maresca was also an Assistant to Mr Guardiola, it would be fitting to label the new Chelsea Gaffer as Pep 3.
These two teams have just played in Ohio, USA with Man City gaining the victory over Chelsea by a 4-2 scoreline.
Whilst it was only a pre-season friendly, it was significant that Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick in that game and a total of 5 goals in the 4 friendly fixtures in America, against Celtic, AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea.
Conor Gallagher has finally moved on from Stamford Bridge after literally being forced out of the club.
Conor has (looking from the outside) reluctantly signed for Atletico Madrid with Chelsea accepting a fee of around £34 Million, meaning once personal terms were sorted out, CG is now an Atletico Boy.
One would like to have a little guess that Conor will be back in the Premier League sooner rather than later.
With Julian Alvarez also joining Atletico Madrid, the Spaniards have nicked a couple of decent players from the Premier League.
Chelsea do get the Atletico Forward Samu Omorodion in return so not too bad for the Blues faithful.
Samu has just won an Olympic Gold Medal with Spain who inflicted a defeat on France in the Final by a 5-3 scoreline after Extra Time.
The New Chelsea star didn’t play in the Final but helped Spain get there by scoring against Egypt in the Group Stage.
The Wolves Midfielder Pedro Neto has been brought in for a fee of £54 Million, which will definitely enhance an already impressive set of players that Enzo Maresca has at his disposal.
Regarding the Olympics, the American owner of the Blues Todd Boehly had enquired about signing Tom Daley but was quickly told that Chelsea already have a better Diver in the team, him being Raheem Sterling.
Only a bit of fun Raheem, don’t take it seriously.
Man City gained revenge over the Numpty Neighbours Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley.
To be fair, that’s just a go-to headline as there wasn’t really any revenge gained with the game finishing in a draw by a 1-1 score, then the Noisy Neighbours winning the subsequent penalty shootout.
The historic season opener played between the Premier League Winners and the FA Cup Winners saw Pep’s High Flying Blues get a victory over Erik’s Ten Bobs but in truth, it was a very average display from Man City who had 1 shot on target in the 90 minutes and didn’t force the United Goalkeeper to make a save other than the goal which Andre Onana was nowhere near saving.
Julian Alvarez has been allowed to leave the Etihad and has joined up with Conor Gallagher at Atletico Madrid.
It is a surprise that City have allowed Julian to leave but maybe the Financial Fair Play scenario has dictated the move with Man City receiving £82 Million for the Argentinian who has only just finished playing for La Albiceleste at the Olympics in France.
It’s been pretty quiet for Man City in the Transfer Market with just one player coming in, him being Savio or as some might say, Savinho, who saw game time in the Community Shield on Saturday.
There was talk that Ederson was open to a move away, possibly to a club in Saudi Arabia but at the moment, along with Kevin De Bruyne, both are still at the Etihad.
Not to give the lads any advice, there’s plenty of time to cash in on the Saudi Dollar, that’s going nowhere, so a message to Kevin and Eddie,
‘Stay at the Etihad for the time being, at least for another year, then if one wants a move, go ahead and take the money on offer in the Desert next season!’
Kalvin Phillips saw plenty of game time over in America, even playing as a Centre-Back in a couple of games.
Now before folk start thinking,
‘Maybe KP is back in Pep’s good books and has a future at the Etihad?’
He hasn’t!
Pep Guardiola was hawking the Leeds Lad out to anyone and their Sister, to try and get Kalvin off the wage sheet.
Everton are a potential destination for Mr Phillips, initially as a loan deal with a view to a permanent move.
There’s even talk of the Turkish Club Galatasaray wanting the ex-Leeds United Midfielder, however, if one knows the history between Leeds United and Galatasaray, it’s unlikely that Kalvin will entertain that particular deal.
Pep Guardiola left Mr Phillips on the bench in the Community Shield but Kalvin is still in the Shop Window if any of the other clubs want to come in and take KP out of the Etihad.
In last season’s encounter at Stamford Bridge between Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues and Pep Guardiola’s High Flyers, both teams shared the points from an 8-goal thriller draw (4-4).
The goals going in as follows-
25′ Erling Haaland (Man City 0-1)
29′ Thiago Silva (Chelsea 1-1)
37′ Raheem Sterling (Chelsea 2-1)
45+1′ Manuel Akanji (Man City 2-2)
Half-Time Couscous and Vegan Pie
47′ Erling Haaland (Man City 2-3)
67′ Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea 3-3)
86′ Rodri (Man City 3-4)
90+5′ Cole Palmer (Chelsea 4-4)
Full-Time Dubonnet and Coke
Betfred offer Chelsea at 3/1, the draw at 11/4 and slight Odds On 5/6 for Man City to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/2 that Erling Haaland Scores First and 11/4 that Man City Win To Nil.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Away Win 0-2- Get 11/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Monday 19th
LEICESTER v TOTTENHAM
20.00 in England
Sky Sports
Leicester kick start their return to the Top Flight with this tricky fixture against Tottenham who will want to improve on last season’s 5th place finish.
The Championship Title Winners are now under the guidance of Steve Cooper following Enzo Maresca’s defection to Chelsea.
The Sheffield Superstar Jamie Vardy picked up an injury in a pre-season friendly against Villarreal so will miss this opener against Tottenham.
The 37-year-old legend will no doubt be back soon so don’t rule out a few more Premier League goals from the Party Man.
The Foxes have brought in Brighton’s Facundo Buonanotte, initially on a season-long loan from the Seagulls with Mr Cooper eyeing a busy end to the Summer Transfer Window.
Craig Shakespeare 1963-2024, Rest In Peace.
Tottenham have had quite a few pre-season games that actually started 3 days after the 2023/24 Premier League campaign finished in May when the boys jumped straight on a plane and headed to Melbourne to face Newcastle at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground).
As the great Jimmy Greaves once said,
‘Football, it’s a funny old game!’
Archie Gray has seen game time in every friendly, playing as a Centre-Back, Left-Back and in Midfield.
Tottenham have signed the Bournemouth Striker Dominic Solanke.
That particular Transfer will eventually cost Tottenham a fee of around £65 Million, with an initial outlay of £55 Million and then another £10 Million in add-ons.
James Maddison returns to the King Power to face Leicester for the first time since leaving at the end of the 2022/23 Foxes relegation campaign.
It was Brendan Rodgers v Antonio Conte when Leicester last hosted Tottenham at the King Power Stadium.
The Foxes gained the easy home victory over Spurs by a 4-1 scoreline.
Rodrigo Bentancur scored first for Tottenham after 14 minutes before Nampalys Mendy, James Maddison and Kelechi Iheanacho scored the Leicester goals to give the home team a comfortable lead at the break.
Harvey Barnes then scored the 4th in the 81st minute to give the Foxes all 3 points.
Both Brendan and Antonio didn’t last much longer in their respective roles with both being sacked within a week of each other, at the end of March/beginning of April 2023.
Brendan then headed up the road to Celtic Park to take over from Ange Postecoglou who had left the Green and White Hoops to become Tottenham Manager.
Antonio and his Syrup headed back to Italy to have a little break before being appointed as the Napoli Head Coach for the start of this new 2024/25 Serie A campaign.
Betfred offer Leicester at 4/1, the draw at 16/5 and Odds On 8/13 for Tottenham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 2/1 that James Maddison Scores Anytime and 6/5 that Tottenham Score in Both Halves.
Away Win 1-2- Get 7/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
John Newsome just wants to say ‘Congratulations to Celtic’ the New 2024/25 Scottish Premier League Champions.
After just 1 game in the Pub League, the Title Race was over following Celtic getting an emphatic victory over Kilmarnock (who?) by a 4-0 scoreline and the arch-rivals Rangers, from across the City of Glasgow, labouring to a goalless draw against Hearts (who?)
That’s it for another season.
The loveable OzScot went missing over the opening weekend, eventually turning up in the local park surrounded by cans of Castlemaine 4 X, a BBQ and empty Mars Bar wrappers.
Apparently, Kylie was trying to Deep Fry the Chocolate on the Barbie and couldn’t understand why they kept melting.
Some Bookmakers have already paid out to those who have had a punt on the Green and White Hoops.
Rangers did get back to winning ways in Game Week-2 of the SPL, gaining a victory over Motherwell (who?).
Celtic then gained their obligatory victory the day after, this time against Hibernian (who?) leaving the Green and White Hoops at the summit with 6 points, 2 ahead of the Blues after 2 games.
It’s going to be a long old season for Braveheart and the Lad over in Australia but one thing is for certain, John Newsome and EveryTip will keep the boys’ spirits up with constant weekly updates about Celtic’s victories and Rangers coming second (again).
‘He’s Celtic, United but Brendan has decided that The Park is the best place to be!’
Rangers’ Champions League campaign got off to a great start last week when the Teddy Bears headed to Poland to face Dynamo Kyiv (the older listeners say Kiev!)
Now before everyone starts jumping around a screaming ‘Poland!’
That was where the game was played as obviously, the Ukraine is unfortunately out of bounds at the moment.
After the ex-West Ham Striker Andriy Yarmolenko scored early in the game, to give DK the lead, the Squirrel, as Cyriel Dessers is affectionately known, equalised for Rangers in the 94th (94th!) minute to earn the Gers a draw from a 1-1 score and set up a blockbuster of a match at Ibrox on Wednesday.
This EveryTip column will be published by then, so the outcome will be unknown but one thing is for sure, the loveable OzScot can definitely rely on John Newsome providing full support for his beloved Teddy Bears.
Graham Thorpe 1969-2024, Rest In Peace Legend.
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