The highlight games for the third set of EPL matches are ARSENAL versus BRIGHTON and MANCHESTER UNITED versus LIVERPOOL. Our feature columnist, John Newsome, previews these and all game week 3 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-3
Saturday 31st
ARSENAL v BRIGHTON
12.30 in England
TNT Sport
‘Someone’s 0 has got to go!’
That’s usually a saying in Boxing when two fighters who are unbeaten face each other.
Both these teams have won their opening 2 fixtures, so in theory, someone’s 0 will go, unless it’s a drawn game.
Arsenal improved on last season’s performances against Aston Villa by inflicting a defeat on the Claret and Blues by a 2-0 away day score.
Unai Emery’s Villa team gained victories in both of last season’s games, which effectively cost Arsenal the Premier League Title but it was Mikel’s Young Guns who avenged those losses with the victory at Villa Park on Saturday.
Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey with the Gunners goals, both in the 2nd-half after a tight opening 45 minutes.
Mr Artera’s namesake Mikel Merino is now a Gunner with a fee of £33 Million being paid by Arsenal to Real Sociedad for the Spanish Midfielder.
It’s fair to say that Arsenal are looking good and are sat with 6 points from the opening 2 games, along with Man City, Brighton and Liverpool with just goal difference separating the 4 teams at the summit.
Brighton left it late on Saturday to gain the victory over Manchester United at the Amex, with Joao Pedro heading the winner in the 94th minute.
The ex-United Striker and proper Manc Lad Danny Welbeck tapped home the opener to give the Seagulls a lead at the interval.
United did equalise after the break, then scored what appeared to be a 2nd but the player was unfortunately adjudged to be offside when the ball hit him on the line.
When it appeared a draw was the result, Simon Adingra sent in a great cross which Joao got on the end of and headed home, to give Fabian’s Fabs a victory by a 2-1 scoreline, as predicted by John Newsome and EveryTip last week.
As mentioned, Brighton are now 2 from 2 in the Win Column and sit joint Top of the Premier League, with the same 6 points as Man City, Liverpool and today’s hosts who are the only teams left with a 100% record.
In truth, it was a pretty even game against United who were unlucky with the offside goal but that’s football and all Fabian Hurzeler and his Seagulls can do is continue to put in the effort and hope the hard work pays off, which it certainly did against Erik’s Ten Bobs.
Brighton have completed the signing of the Celtic and Denmark Midfielder Matt O’Riley.
The move will set a new Record Transfer Fee received by a Scottish Club, which previously stood at £25 Million following Jota’s move from Celtic to Al Ittihad last summer.
Celtic had rejected 5 bids from Atalanta for Mr O’Riley, who scored 19 goals and contributed 18 assists last season, with the Italian club’s highest offer being £22 Million plus add-ons.
The Seagulls £25 Million sealed the deal and now Matt is on his way to the South Coast of England, not Northern Italy.
One might think that the above statement of ‘Denmark Midfielder’ was an error, however, not so, as Matt is eligible to play for England, Denmark and Norway because of his parents and chose the Danes as his International Team.
Arsenal gained the victory over Brighton at the Emirates last December.
After a goalless 1st-half, goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz gave the Gunners the win by a 2-0 scoreline.
Betfred offer Arsenal at Odds On 3/10, the draw at 4/1 and 15/2 for Brighton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/8 that Bukayo Saka Scores Anytime and slight Odds On 9/10 that Arsenal Score in Both Halves.
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BRENTFORD v SOUTHAMPTON
15.00 in England
Brentford suffered the expected defeat away at Anfield against Liverpool on Sunday, with the home team gaining the victory over the Travelling Bees by a 2-0 scoreline, as predicted in this EveryTip column last week.
Thomas’s boys did put in a shift but in truth were always second best against Arne’s Reds who were in front of the Anfield Rappers for the first time since Jurgen Klopp left.
The defeat leaves Brentford in 13th place with the same 3 points from the opening 2 games as Aston Villa, Manchester United, Fulham, West Ham and Chelsea but sitting lowest of those teams purely on goal difference, so a victory today will change that scenario.
The Ivan Toney Saga continues with IT still a Bee but the question remains, for how much longer?
Thomas Frank hasn’t included Ivan in any of the squad’s for the opening 2 fixtures but at the moment, no club has stumped up the money to sign the Striker.
That could change over the next few days with Chelsea coming into the mix but it will be interesting to see if Mr Toney is still at the GTech come Saturday morning and if he is, will he put his boots on for this game?
Southampton are now 2 from 2 in the loss column following Saturday’s defeat against Nottingham Forest.
In a tight affair at St Mary’s, it was the away side that got the solitary winning goal to gain the points from a 1-0 scoreline.
Russell Martin’s Saints sit in 16th place, with the same Zero points as Crystal Palace, Ipswich, Wolves and Everton but are top of that particular bunch due to only conceding 2 goals in the opening 2 games, with both finishing in a defeat by a 1-0 score.
Maybe that could be something to look at over the coming weeks, in the Under/Over Goals Market.
These two teams last played against each other at the GTech Stadium back in February 2023, where the home team gained the victory by a 3-0 score.
Ben Mee and Bryan Mbeumo with the 1st-half goals, with Mathias Jensen adding the 3rd late on in proceedings, to give Thomas Frank’s Bees the win over Nathan Jones’ Saints.
Betfred offer Brentford at Odds On 8/11, the draw at 11/4 and 100/30 for Southampton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 6/1 that Bryan Mbeumo Scores First and 11/10 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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EVERTON v BOURNEMOUTH
15.00 in England
Everton sit at the bottom of the Premier League Table after the opening 2 games, following another defeat on Saturday, this time against Tottenham by a 4-0 scoreline.
That came off the back of a loss against Brighton by a 3-0 score, meaning 7 goals conceded but none in the back of the opponent’s net.
The Transfer Window shuts on Friday and it’s clear that the Toffees need a few in but they probably need to sell a number of players first, such as Jarrad Branthwaite, Dwight McNeil and possibly Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Once this week is over, Sean will no doubt get to work on preventing his team from conceding goals plus also putting the ball in the back of the opposition’s net which is basically what football is all about.
Bournemouth gained a point from a draw by a 1-1 score against Newcastle on Sunday.
Newcastle were the dominant team over the opening 20 minutes but it was Andoni’s Cherries that scored the opener with Marcus Tavernier getting the goal.
Newcastle equalised midway through the 2nd-half and when the time was virtually up, Dango Ouattara scored what appeared to be the winner in the 93rd minute, however, the dreaded VAR got busy and ruled that Dango had touched the ball with his hand.
Replays showed that he hadn’t and the ball came off his shoulder but the Stockley Park Brigade who had promised not to get involved too much this season, got involved too much and ruled the goal out.
At worst the VAR should have asked the on-field referee David Coote to look at the monitor or David himself should have gone over to check but neither happened and the goal was chalked off.
Cheers VAR!
That’s back-to-back draws for the Cherries by the same 1-1 score, leaving Bournemouth in 14th place with 2 points, the only team out of the 20 that has neither won nor lost, so that’s a positive.
The Chelsea ‘Keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is on his way to the Vitality on a loan deal.
Andoni and Kepa go back a long way with both having ties to the Spanish club Basconia and both being at Athletic Bilbao.
Everton gained the home victory over Bournemouth, in last season’s encounter at Goodison Park.
James Garner and Jack Harrison with the 1st-half Toffees goals, with Abdoulaye Doucoure adding a 3rd on the hour mark to give Sean Dyche’s men the points from a 3-0 scoreline.
Betfred offer Everton at 13/8, the draw at 9/4 and 6/4 for Bournemouth to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 21/10 that Evanilson Scores Anytime and 6/5 that Both Teams DON’T Score.
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IPSWICH v FULHAM
15.00 in England
Ipswich poked the bear on Saturday, with Sammi Szmodics scoring the opener against Man City at the Etihad.
Whilst it was an exhilarating experience for Sammi and all connected with Ipswich, it did just fire up the home team who then scored 4 times to inflict a defeat on the Tractor Boys by a 4-1 scoreline.
One of the City goals came from a mistake by the Ipswich ‘Keeper Arijanet Muric who dallied on the ball allowing Erling Haaland to nip in and pass to Kevin De Bruyne who tapped into an empty net.
Whilst mistakes occur, this isn’t the first time from Arijanet who has previous whilst on duty with Burnley last season.
‘Just kick it, lad!’
Say the Tractor Boys and Girls.
It’s always a tough ask for any Newly Promoted Team but Ipswich have faced Liverpool and Man City in the opening 2 games which has been more of an arduous task than the other teams’ openers.
Maybe Kieran McKenna will feel this home fixture against Fulham is one to possibly get a positive result.
Fulham face a Newly Promoted Team for the 2nd week in succession following last Saturday’s victory over Leicester at Craven Cottage.
Emile Smith-Rowe marked his home debut with a goal after 18 minutes that was equalised by the Foxes to take both teams in level at the interval.
Alex Iwobi scored midway through the 2nd-half and with no further goals, Fulham held on for the victory by a 2-1 scoreline, as predicted in this EveryTip column last week.
That’s 1 win and 1 loss for Marco Silva’s Cottagers leaving Fulham in 10th place with 3 points along with Chelsea, West Ham, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Brentford.
It’s just over 7 years ago to the day when these two last faced each other in a league game at Portman Rd.
That was a Championship affair that took place on the 26th of August 2017.
Ipswich were under the guidance of the Barnsley legend Mick McCarthy and Fulham had Slavisa Jokanovic at the helm.
On the bench for Ipswich that day but not seeing any game time was an 18-year-old Luke Woolfenden, who is still at the club and has been a vital member playing in most of the games in the two promotions achieved by the club and has started this Premier League campaign at the heart of the Ipswich Defence.
Over on the Fulham bench, Ryan Sessegnon and Tom Cairney played the full 90 minutes for the Cottagers and will no doubt be on show today, with Ryan returning to Craven Cottage over the Summer.
Tom has started his 10th season at the club and is probably due a nice little testimonial at the end of this campaign.
It was the away team that gained the victory with Slavisa’s Cottagers getting the better of Mick’s Tractor Boys by a 2-0 score.
Neeskens Kebano and Rui Fonte with the goals.
Fulham finished 3rd in the Championship Table at the end of the 2017/18 campaign and were promoted to the Premier League via the Play-Offs.
Ipswich finished 12th but then finished bottom of the table in the 2018/19 season and were relegated to League One where they languished for a few seasons before Kieran McKenna took over in 2021 and gained successive promotions in 2023 and 2024 ultimately ending up in the Promised Land.
The two clubs have met 6 times since 2016, with 4 Championship fixtures and 2 encounters in the Carabao Cup.
Fulham have won all 6, 3 at Craven Cottage and 3 at Portman Rd.
Betfred offer Ipswich at 15/8, the draw at 12/5 and 5/4 for Fulham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 2/1 that Sammi Szmodics Scores Anytime and 7/4 that Rodrigo Muniz Scores Anytime.
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LEICESTER v ASTON VILLA
15.00 in England
Leicester suffered a defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
After conceding an early goal, Wout Faes headed an equaliser to take both teams in level at the break.
Wout’s goal was initially ruled out because it was assumed Jamie Vardy was stood offside, however, the dreaded VAR advised the on-field referee, Darren Bond to check the pitch-side monitor and once that was done, the goal was rightly given.
The name’s Bond, Darren Bond!
Unfortunately, for the travelling Foxes in attendance at the Cottage, their idols conceded a 2nd goal which ultimately cost Leicester the game, suffering the loss by a 2-1 away day score, as predicted in this EveryTip column last week.
Leicester sit in 15th place with 1 point on the board from the opening 2 fixtures.
Aston Villa succumbed to a defeat against Arsenal on Saturday, with the Gunners gaining the away day victory at Villa Park by a 2-0 scoreline.
After a goalless 1st-half, Arsenal scored twice after the break to run out winners.
Ollie Watkins did have a couple of great opportunities to score but fluffed his lines, hitting a shot wide when it looked easier to score, then having a header miraculously saved by his old Brentford mate David Raya.
Although a defeat, Unai Emery doesn’t need to dwell on this too much as it was a tight affair and as mentioned, if Ollie had been a bit more clinical, then the result could have been different, especially with Limp Hands Emiliano Martinez failing to get a firm palm on Thomas Partey’s strike.
Aston Villa sit in 12th place, with 3 points from the opening 2 games.
John Newsome just wants to mention a great ex-Aston Villa player, him being Alan Little.
When John first started going to watch his beloved Barnsley FC back in the late 1970s, Alan was a combative Midfielder for the Reds.
Alan’s younger brother Brian, was a Villa Legend playing his entire career at Villa Park, then going on to Manage the Claret and Blues, whereas, although Alan was at the club in the early 1970s, didn’t play that many times and forged a career away from the Midlands, including the stint at Oakwell, where the Super Reds faithful remember the lad well.
Alan Little 1955-2024, Rest In Peace.
Due to Leicester’s one-year hiatus in the Championship, these two haven’t met at the King Power Stadium since April 2023.
Aston Villa gained an away day victory over Leicester by a 2-1 scoreline.
Ollie Watkins scored the opener before Harvey Barnes equalised for the Foxes to take both teams in level at the break.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was shown 2 quick-fire Yellow Cards and the subsequent Red within 7 minutes of each other to leave Leicester a man-lite for 20 minutes or so.
That ultimately played into Villa’s hands who took control with Bertrand Traore scoring the winner in the 87th minute to give Unai’s Claret and Blues the points.
Brendan Rodgers had just been sacked by Leicester a couple of days earlier, so the Foxes were under the temporary charge of Adam Sadler.
Betfred offer Leicester at 16/5, the draw at 13/5 and slight Odds On 4/5 for Aston Villa to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 5/2 that Jamie Vardy Scores Anytime and 2/1 that Jhon Duran Scores Anytime.
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***Premier League Team of the Week***
GOALKEEPER- David Raya- Arsenal
RIGHT-BACK- Trent Alexander-Arnold- Liverpool
CENTRE-BACK- Cristian Romero- Tottenham
CENTRE-BACK- William Saliba- Arsenal
LEFT-BACK- Andy Robertson- Liverpool
MIDFIELDER- Joao Pedro- Brighton
MIDFIELDER- Marcus Tavernier- Bournemouth
MIDFIELDER- Mateo Kovacic- Man City
FORWARD- Danny Welbeck- Brighton
FORWARD- Noni Madueke- Chelsea
FORWARD- Erling Haaland- Man City
STAR MAN- Erling Haaland- Man City
***Last Week’s Winning Tips-
Brighton Win- 7/5
Fulham Win- 4/5
Man City Win- 1/12
Tottenham Win- 2/5
Chelsea Win- 8/11
Liverpool Win- 2/9
Correct Scores-
Brighton 2 Manchester United 1- 17/2
Fulham 2 Leicester 1- 7/1
Liverpool 2 Brentford 0- 8/1
Correct Tips-
Danny Welbeck to Score Anytime- 21/10
Brighton to Score in Both Halves- 15/8
Jarrod Bowen to Score Anytime- 9/4
Erling Haaland to Score a Hat-Trick- 9/1
Tottenham Win To Nil- 13/8
Wolves v Chelsea Over 3.5 Goals- 6/4
Liverpool Win To Nil- 7/5
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v WOLVES
15.00 in England
Morgan Gibbs-White scored the only goal of the game for Nottingham Forest against Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday, with the Tricky Trees gaining the victory over the Saints by a 1-0 away day scoreline.
That leaves Nuno’s Forest unbeaten, sitting in 7th place with the same 4 points as Newcastle and Tottenham from the opening 2 games.
Wolves have had a difficult start to the season, suffering defeats in both of their opening games, with the latest being a loss against Chelsea at Molineux by a 6-2 scoreline.
Matheus Cunha and Jorgen Strand-Larsen with the Wolves’ goals in the 1st-half to take both teams in level at the break.
Unfortunately for the watching Gold and Black faithful in attendance, Chelsea scored 4 in the 2nd-half to inflict the defeat on the home team, leaving Wolves in 19th place with the same Zero points as Everton, Ipswich, Crystal Palace and Southampton.
This Midlands Derby is a decent opportunity for Gary O’Neil and his Pack of Wolves to get back on track.
In last season’s encounter at the City Ground between these two Midlanders, both teams shared the points from a draw by a 2-2 score.
The Archbishop was happy.
Matheus Cunha scored the opener for Wolves, with the ex-Wolves player Morgan Gibbs-White equalising for Forest on the stroke of half-time.
Danilo then scored for the home team before Matheus added his and Wolves’ 2nd to give both a point apiece.
Betfred offer Nottingham Forest at slight Odds On 19/20, the draw at 5/2 and 5/2 for Wolves to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 5/1 that Chris Wood Scores First and slight Odds On 4/6 that Both Teams Score.
(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.)
Home Win 2-1- Get 15/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
WEST HAM v MAN CITY
17.30 in England
Sky Sports
West Ham gained a great away day victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Second-half goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen gave the Hammers the win by a 2-0 scoreline.
That leaves Julen’s Bubbles in a cluster of 6 teams, Chelsea, Fulham, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Brentford who all have 3 points from the opening 2 games.
Professional footballers often get a bad rap with their behaviour both on and off the pitch but Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen should be commended for their quick actions in preventing injury to a Young Ball Boy.
When Tomas scored, the players ran towards the Bubble faithful to celebrate, however, the fans spilt onto the advertising screens that were around the pitch and then fell onto the youngster who was about to be crushed.
Tomas and Jarrod quickly turned their celebrations into grabbing the ball boy and averting a dangerous situation.
Well played Bubbles!
Man City were stunned into action on Saturday against Ipswich at the Etihad.
When most in attendance had an Abacus to mark off the City goals, it was the away team that scored first to silence the Citizens in attendance.
It did feel like Ipswich had ‘poked the bear’ with Man City taking control and scoring 4 times.
To quickly add to that, it was 4 goals from just 5 ‘Shots On Target!’
Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick, including a penalty with Kevin De Bruyne getting the other.
Pep’s High Flying Blues sit at the summit of the Premier League Table on goal difference, with the same 6 points as Brighton, Arsenal and Liverpool.
The Gallagher Brothers are double happy, not only seeing their beloved club at the Top of the Table but announcing that the Supergroup Oasis are getting back together and will be on tour next year.
One person, Helen Brown, a music critic at The Independent, told BBC News,
‘After the decades of going at each other with cricket bats and fire extinguishers, it’s extraordinary that the Gallagher Brothers seem to be getting along better and maybe money is an incentive here.’
Get away Helen, really!
It was announced on Monday, that Sven Goran Eriksen had sadly passed away.
As well as Managing several clubs across the Globe, including a 1-year stint at the Etihad between 2007/08, Sven was the first ‘Foreign Manager’ to be in charge of England and oversaw the Three Lions at the World Cup in 2002 and 2006, plus the Euro’s in 2004.
Probably the highlight of Sven’s reign as England Manager was the brilliant performance against Germany in Munich.
It was September the 1st 2001, exactly 23 years ago, that England gained a famous victory over Germany by a sensational 5-1 scoreline.
Michael Owen with a hat-trick plus a goal from Steven Gerrard and Emile Heskey.
It was memorable because it was the day after the Manchester Stick and Ball Throwers’ Wedding to the lovely Joanne, which means it’s their 23rd Anniversary today, Saturday 31st of August.
The lad would have got less for Murder and would be out now with good behaviour.
This EveryTip contributor was ‘Best Man’ on the day, with everyone enjoying the occasion, probably a bit too much.
John can remember driving home from Manchester the following day, a bit worse for wear after a day on the ale, looking forward to the England game against Germany but definitely not expecting the display by the Three Lions, gaining the brilliant victory.
Rest In Peace, Sven Goran Eriksen 1948-2024,
Man City gained the away day victory over West Ham at the London Stadium last season.
James Ward-Prowse scored first for the Hammers to give the watching Bubbles early excitement and a lead at the break.
Unfortunately for the faithful, the excitement faded soon after the restart with Jeremy Doku scoring the equaliser a minute into the 2nd-half.
Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland added 2 and 3 to give Pep’s High Flying Blues the victory over David’s Irons by a 3-1 scoreline.
Happy 23rd Anniversary Jo and the Manchester Stick and Ball Thrower.
Betfred offer West Ham at 11/2, the draw at 18/5 and Odds On 2/5 for Man City to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/4 that Phil Foden Scores Anytime and 2/1 that Man City Win Both Halves.
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Sunday 01st
CHELSEA v CRYSTAL PALACE
13.30 in England
Chelsea smashed Wolves at Molineux on Sunday, gaining a brilliant away day victory by a 6-2 scoreline.
Noni Madueke, who upset the Gold and Black faithful on Saturday by stating that the City of Wolverhampton was, in Noni’s words,
‘A sh.. not right nice!’
Then upset the Wolves faithful further by scoring a hat-trick on Sunday.
Cheers Noni!
Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer and Joao Felix with the other 3 goals to give Enzo Maresca’s Blues the stunning win.
That leaves Chelsea in 8th place, at the Top of a Mini League of 6 teams who have 3 points from the opening 3 games.
West Ham, Fulham, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Brentford being the others.
Don’t rule out another couple of signings before Friday’s Deadline Day, with the Young Goalkeeper Mike Penders on his way from Genk and the possibility that Napoli’s Victor Osimhen will be a Blue at the weekend.
Ivan Toney’s name is also in that conversation.
After a brilliant end to the 2023/24 campaign, Crystal Palace have had a horrendous start to this new season, suffering back-to-back London Derby defeats from the opening 2 games.
On Saturday, at Selhurst Park, Palace suffered a home loss against West Ham by a 2-0 scoreline.
That was following last week’s defeat against fellow Londoners Brentford.
The Arsenal Striker Eddie Nketiah is on his way to Selhurst Park after Palace agreed a fee of £30 Million.
It is basically the same set of Eagles that finished strong last term, apart from Michael Olise who has left and headed to Bayern Munich.
Maybe Eberechi Eze is missing his mate as the lad hasn’t been the same since Michael departed.
There are rumours that Liverpool want Double E and are preparing a bid of around £70 Million for Eberechi, so like other Transfer Stories, it’s a case of ‘watch this space’ until the Window ‘Slams Shut’ on Friday.
Whatever happens, Oliver needs to get his Army back on track, otherwise, the Ghost of Frank De Boer might reappear at Selhurst Park.
This fixture between the two teams at Stamford Bridge took place the day after Boxing Day last year.
Mykhailo Mudryk scored the opener for Chelsea before Michael Olise equalised for Palace to take both teams in level at the break.
Wolverhampton hater Noni Madueke converted a penalty in the 89th minute to give the home team the victory by a 2-1 scoreline.
Betfred offer Chelsea at Odds On 3/5, the draw at 3/1 and 4/1 for Crystal Palace to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 9/2 that Cole Palmer Scores First and 2/1 that Jean-Philippe Mateta Scores Anytime.
(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.)
Home Win 3-1- Get 10/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
NEWCASTLE v TOTTENHAM
13.30 in England
Sky Sports
Note the start time of 13.30 in England, as normally the Sunday Sky Sports match starts at 14.00.
Newcastle gained a point from a draw by a 1-1 score against Bournemouth at the Vitality last week.
For the first 20 minutes, the Magpies were the better team, however, a mistake by Joelinton allowed Bournemouth to score the opener.
Anthony Gordon equalised midway through the 2nd-half but when time was almost up, Bournemouth scored what looked like the winner, however, to the delight of the Travelling Magpies, who had ventured the 700 mile/11-hour round trip, the goal was ruled out by the dreaded VAR.
Kieran Trippier isn’t happy at the moment and wants away because Timo Livramento is Eddie Howe’s preferred Right-Back.
Whether KT will get a move before Friday, only time will tell.
One’s advice to Kieran is just to sit tight because the lad should be back in the starting lineup sooner rather than later.
Can one remember Sandro Tonali?
The Italian was banned for 10 months last year for breaching Betting Rules but is now available with the ban finishing on August 26th and was named in the Newcastle Squad for the Carabao Cup game against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday and should be involved in some capacity today.
Newcastle sit in 6th place with the same 4 points as today’s visitors Tottenham and Nottingham Forest.
Tottenham gained a brilliant victory over Everton at the weekend, with Ange’s Spurs inflicting a defeat on Sean’s Toffees by a 4-0 scoreline.
Yves Bissouma, who was suspended for the opening game against Leicester, due to inhaling ‘Nitrous-Oxide’ (why?) had the last laugh by scoring the opening goal at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
That’s (why?) for inhaling ‘N-O (Nitrous-Oxide) commonly known as ‘Laughing Gas’ not (why?) was he suspended.
The lad was lucky that Ange brought him back in.
Son Heung-Min added a 2nd soon after to give Tottenham a lead at the break.
Cristian Romero scored midway through the 2nd-half before Nice-One Son rounded off the goals by adding a 4th following a brilliant run by Mickey Van De Ven, who got the ball in his own half and like Forest Gump, just went on a marauding run eventually passing to Sonny to smash home.
Run Mickey, Run!
Tottenham sit in 5th place, just above today’s hosts and Nottingham Forest who all have 4 points from the initial 2 games played.
Newcastle gained a resounding victory over Tottenham at St James Park last season.
Goals from Alexander Isak (2), Anthony Gordon and Fabian Schar gave Eddie’s Magpies the points from Ange’s Spurs by a 4-0 scoreline.
It’s worth adding that Newcastle scored 6 in the 2022/23 Premier League fixture between the two at St James Park.
It’s unlikely those two scorelines will happen today but there should be goals on show.
Betfred offer Newcastle at 6/4, the draw at 11/4 and 7/5 for Tottenham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 9/2 that Alexander Isak Scores First and 6/4 that Son Heung-Min Scores Anytime.
(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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MANCHESTER UNITED v LIVERPOOL
16.00 in England
Sky Sports
As with the other Sky Sports game today, this fixture kicks off half an hour earlier than the usual Sunday TV slot.
What a brilliant fixture to round off Game Week-3 and a great send-off before the International Break.
Manchester United could consider themselves unlucky following the early trip to the Amex to face Brighton last Saturday.
After conceding a 1st-half goal, scored by the ex-Red Devil Danny Welbeck, to trail at the interval, Amad Diallo saw a speculative shot deflect off a Seagull Defender into the net to equalise.
Then a neat bit of play allowed Bruno Fernandes to cross the ball in for Alejandro Garnacho to tap into an empty net to score a 2nd goal.
However, Joshua Zirkzee had slid in for the ball from Bruno also and somehow managed to knee the ball into the net on the goal line which meant that Alejandro’s effort was now Joshua’s goal that was then deemed offside.
It was an unfortunate piece of play but rules are rules and the goal didn’t count.
When the time was virtually up and appearing like a draw was on the cards, United conceded a last-gasp goal to ultimately suffer a defeat by a 2-1 scoreline, as predicted in this EveryTip column last week.
It was an unlucky set of events and United in truth, should have at least come back North with a point, however, that is football and no doubt, Erik’s Ten Bobs will have their moments over the season.
Jadon Sancho hasn’t seen any game time yet this season and with this being the final few days of the Summer Transfer Window, it’s more than likely that Jadon will be on his way out of Old Trafford, whether permanently or another loan deal.
Juventus are interested and could get JS before Friday’s Transfer Window closes.
There’s also a possible swap deal with Chelsea seeing Raheem Sterling head the opposite way up to Old Trafford.
Scott McTominay could be on the plane to Italy also, with Napoli agreeing to a fee of around £30 Million with add on’s for the Midfielder, however, United might need to give some of that money to Mr McTominay as a payoff to leave.
The deal to sign Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain should get done before the Deadline on Friday.
The Transfer Fee of around £42 Million has finally been agreed so it’s more than likely that Manuel will be a United player come Saturday Morning.
Manchester United are creating further squad space with a couple of potential exits in Facundo Pellistri to Panathinaikos and Hannibal Mejbri to Burnley.
This column will be up and running before Friday’s Transfer Deadline Day so all the moves that are done and dusted will be confirmed after the International Break.
This will be another tough game against Arne’s Reds, which could leave United just above the relegation zone.
Liverpool gained a victory over Brentford on Sunday, in Arne Slot’s first game at Anfield.
Luis Diaz and Mo Salah with a goal in each half, to give the Reds the win by a 2-0 scoreline.
In truth, Liverpool were by far the better team and it was just a matter of how many goals could be scored.
In the end, 2 was enough to leave Arne’s Reds with the same 6 points from 2 games as Man City, Brighton and Arsenal, who are the only 4 left with a 100% record.
Both teams shared the points from a draw by a 2-2 score when Jurgen’s Reds visited Old Trafford in April to face Erik’s Ten Bobs.
Luis Diaz scored the opener to give Liverpool a lead at the break.
Bruno Fernandes scored an equaliser just after the restart before Kobbie Mainoo added a 2nd to give the Red Devils hope of a win over the fierce rivals.
Unfortunately for the watching faithful in attendance and the United fans at home in London, Aaron Wan-Bissaka brought down Harvey Elliott in the area to concede a penalty.
The Egyptian King Mo Salah converted and with no further goals, both earned a point apiece from the Archbishop’s favourite scoreline.
Betfred offer Manchester United at 11/4, the draw at 3/1 and slight Odds On 4/5 for Liverpool to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/5 that Mo Salah Scores Anytime and Evens 1/1 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.
Away Win 1-3- Get 11/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
The Scottish Premier League has a different outlook at the moment following the weekend’s fixtures with Celtic sitting at the summit on 9 points and Rangers in 3rd
with 7.
Aberdeen are sitting in 2nd with the same 9 points as Celtic following both teams having a 100% win record from the 3 games.
Rangers are 3rd with 7 points, having drawn the opening game.
The Green and White Hoops got their 3rd victory on Sunday, inflicting a defeat on St Mirren (who?) by a 3-0 score.
Rangers did their bit on Saturday, inflicting a devastating defeat on Ross County (who?) by a 6-0 scoreline.
It’s worth noting that both of Rangers victories this season have been ‘home wins’ plus a draw in the away game, with Celtic gaining 2 away wins and 1 at Celtic Park.
However, Rangers ‘home wins’ are from games at Hampden Park, not Ibrox as the Copland Stand is under redevelopment so the Teddy Bears are playing the first few ‘home games’ at Hampden.
It’s thought that Rangers will be back at Ibrox after the International Break.
Aberdeen are under the radar in 2nd, gaining 3 victories from 3, against Kilmarnock (who?), St Mirren (who?) and St Johnstone (who?).
Up the Dons!
It’s the Big One this weekend, with the first Old Firm Derby of the season, when Celtic host Rangers at Celtic Park on Sunday the 1st of September.
Over the past few seasons, neither Celtic Park nor Ibrox have allowed the opponents’ fans to attend games.
This is about to change this season with both Rangers and Celtic fans allowed to go to the away games, however, that won’t start until later on in the campaign, with this opening Old Firm Derby still being ‘home fans’ only and the 2nd one at Ibrox in January being the same.
The Green and Blue faithful will just have to be patient, it will happen soon.
The loveable OzScot will be staying up late over in Australia for the Big Match on Sunday, with the game kicking off at 12.30 in Scotland and 21.30 in Melbourne.
It’s probably a bit too late when the game finishes close to Midnight over there for Braveheart to disappear off into the Outback if (when!) his beloved Teddy Bears suffer a defeat against the Hoops.
‘He’s Celtic, United but Brendan has decided that The Park is the best place to be!’
Happy 55th Birthday JB (September 7th!)
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