The highlight games for this weekend’s EPL action are LIVERPOOL versus BOURNEMOUTH and MAN CITY versus ARSENAL. Our feature columnist, John Newsome, previews these and all game week 5 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-5
Saturday 21st
WEST HAM v CHELSEA
12.30 in England
TNT Sport
West Ham gained a point from a draw by a 1-1 score against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
As predicted in this EveryTip column last week.
After conceding a Fulham goal in the 1st-half, the Hammers left it very late to score the equaliser, with Jarrod Bowen reacting quickly to a throw-in and crossing for Danny Ings to smash past the Goalkeeper in the 95th minute to snatch the point.
In truth, there wasn’t much between the two Londoners.
West Ham sit in 14th place with the same 4 points as Tottenham from the opening 4 games.
Chelsea gained a victory over Bournemouth in the late Saturday Night Football with Christopher Nkunku coming off the bench to score the solitary winning goal in the 86th minute, to give Enzo Maresca’s Blues the win from a 1-0 scoreline.
Chelsea did concede a penalty in the 1st-half but the Blues Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez saved a poor Cherries spot kick to deny Bournemouth a goal.
The game saw 14 Yellow Cards shown by the referee Anthony Taylor to the players, as well as a Yellow apiece to both benches.
The 14 was a Premier League record surpassing the previous season’s 13 cards given to the Tottenham and Sheffield United players.
That fixture actually produced a Red Card too for the Blades Oliver McBurnie, however, none of the Bournemouth or Chelsea players received a 2nd Yellow Card and all stayed on the pitch.
The strange thing about the game at the Vitality was that there wasn’t really a bad tackle throughout and most of the Yellow Cards were given because of petulance from the players, which to be fair to Anthony Taylor and whoever is refereeing, needs to happen more.
These players are adults, not kids and should behave accordingly.
In total, there were 65 Yellow Cards over the weekend, again another Premier League record.
This must have been a directive from the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) to advise the referees to stamp out petulance from players as there wasn’t really a bad challenge in any of the 10 games.
Southampton’s Jack Stephens was the only player who was sent off following a rash challenge on Alejandro Garnacho and that was from a straight Red, not 2 Yellows.
With so many Yellow Cards, it would have been thought that a player would have received another Yellow and a subsequent Red but that wasn’t the case, so one assumes that it was a specific plan by the PGMOL to say basically,
‘Pack in the kicking of the ball away, the backchat to officials and the general immaturity that players show throughout a game!’
There was talk that the PGMOL wanted to show that bookings are the normal way following Declan Rice’s 2nd Yellow for kicking the ball away against Brighton.
Whatever the reason, if the teams and players learn from this weekend and ‘grow up’ then it’s got to be a good thing.
The win for Chelsea leaves Enzo’s Blues in 8th place with 7 points from the opening 4 fixtures.
It was David Moyes’ Boys who gained the victory over Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues at the London Stadium last season.
Goals from Nayef Aguerd, Michail Antonio and a converted Lucas Paqueta penalty gave West Ham the home victory by a 3-1 scoreline.
Carney Chukwuemeka with the Chelsea goal.
Enzo Fernandes did miss a penalty for Chelsea in the 1st-half and Nayef Aguerd was shown 2 Yellow Cards and the subsequent Red to leave the Hammers a man-lite for the final 25 minutes or so.
Now it’s up to Julen and Enzo to sort out this London Derby.
Betfred offer West Ham at 21/10, the draw at 13/5 and 11/10 for Chelsea to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 21/10 that Jarrod Bowen Scores Anytime and 6/4 that Cole Palmer Scores Anytime.
Draw 1-1- Get 7/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
ASTON VILLA v WOLVES
15.00 in England
Aston Villa played in a great game against Everton late on Saturday Afternoon with Unai Emery’s Claret and Blues eventually gaining the victory over Sean Dyche’s Toffees by a 3-2 scoreline.
Everton scored twice in the 1st-half to take the lead before Ollie Watkins pulled a goal back to leave Villa trailing at the break.
Ollie then scored his and Villa’s 2nd before a wonder strike from Jhon Duran which flew past Jordan Pickford into the back of the net, gave Aston Villa all 3 points.
The Claret and Blue faithful really did have a View To A Killer of a Goal.
(Sorry!)
That was Jhon Duran’s 8th Premier League goal, however, the Wild Boy has only started 3 times for Villa and usually comes on as a Substitute.
All 3 of Mr Duran’s Substitute goals this season have won the match for Aston Villa.
Added to that, no player has scored more match-winning goals as a Substitute in an entire Premier League season and this campaign is only 4 games in.
The Colombian Striker is only 20 and doesn’t start due to Ollie Watkins but he will eventually get his chance and more than likely will be away from Villa Park in the not-too-distant future.
There were rumours that West Ham wanted the lad in this Summers Transfer Window but Aston Villa held firm.
Aston Villa sit in 5th place with the same 9 points as Liverpool from the 4 games completed.
Villa face Young Boys of Switzerland in the Champions League on Tuesday before the visit of Wolves.
Aston Villa won the European Cup (Champions League) back in 1982 and are back in the Top Competition after 41 years.
Before one dives in and says 2024 is 42 years on from 1982, one is correct but as Defending Champions, Aston Villa also played in the 1983 competition but were eliminated by Juventus in the Quarter-Final.
In the Final against Bayern Munich back in 1982, a single Peter Withe goal against the Germans gave Villa the Iconic Trophy in Rotterdam by a 1-0 score.
There is a banner hurled around the North Stand at Villa Park quoting ITV’s Brian Moore’s commentary of Peter Withe’s match-winning goal against Bayern Munich in Rotterdam,
‘Shaw, Williams, prepared to adventure down the left.
There’s a good ball played in for Tony Morley.
Oh, it must be and it is!
Peter Withe!’
The ‘Shaw’ mentioned at the beginning is the brilliant Gary Shaw.
Whilst writing this column, news came through that Gary, aged 63, had sadly passed away, following a fall.
Mr Shaw, with his flowing Blonde Locks, was a great player for Villa back in the late 1970s and ’80s and was part of the Division One Winning Aston Villa Team of 1981 who subsequently won the European Cup the year after, which for those youngsters out there, is the equivalent of winning the Premier League then the Champions League.
Gary Shaw, Rest In Peace.
Wolves took the lead against Newcastle at Molineux on Sunday, through a goal from Mario Lemina.
Unfortunately, for the watching Gold and Blacks in attendance, Newcastle scored twice late on to inflict a defeat on Wolves by a 2-1 scoreline.
Gary O’Neil needs to sort his boys out and get back to winning ways, otherwise, Wolves will be looking for another New Manager.
Wolves sit in 18th place with 1 point from the opening 4 games completed.
Moussa Diaby and Ezri Konza got the Villa goals in this Midlands Derby at Villa Park last season, to give the home team the victory by a 2-0 score.
Betfred offer Aston Villa at Odds On 4/7, the draw at 16/5 and 4/1 for Wolves to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 4/1 that Ollie Watkins Scores First and 23/20 that Aston Villa Score in Both Halves.
(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 7/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
FULHAM v NEWCASTLE
15.00 in England
Fulham scored first in the fixture against West Ham at Craven Cottage on Saturday, with Raul Jimenez tapping home after 24 minutes.
Marco Silva was convinced his boys should have been awarded a penalty just before Raul scored when Adama Traore was bungled over in the area but the on-field referee Tim Robinson didn’t give it and what appears to be the ‘new norm’ the dreaded VAR are unwilling to overturn a decision that the referee has made.
Let’s see how long that lasts!
When time was virtually up, the Fulham players switched off and were already thinking about their full-time cup of tea, however, the lapse in concentration allowed Jarrod Bowen to nip in and provide a great assist for Danny Ings to blast home an equaliser, leaving the home team with a point from a draw by a 1-1 score.
Marco still thinks it’s a penalty.
Fulham sit in 12th place with the same 5 points as Bournemouth from the opening 4 games.
Newcastle left it late on Sunday but eventually, goals from Fabian Schar and Harvey Barnes in the 75th and 80th minute respectively, gave Eddie’s Magpies the victory over Wolves at Molineux by a 2-1 away day score.
Wolves had taken the lead in the 1st-half.
Newcastle are now just 1 of 5 teams that remain unbeaten from the opening 4 games, sitting in 3rd place with the same 10 points as Arsenal, both 2 adrift of Man City at the summit.
Bruno Guimaraes got the only goal of the game when Newcastle last ventured South to face Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Bruno scored in the 81st minute to give Eddie’s Magpies the victory over Marco’s Cottagers by a 1-0 away day score.
Betfred offer Fulham at 9/5, the draw at 5/2 and 13/10 for Newcastle to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/2 that Adama Traore Scores Anytime and 7/5 that Alexander Isak Scores Anytime.
Away Win 1-2- Get 8/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
LEICESTER v EVERTON
15.00 in England
Leicester gained a great point away against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
What probably will have irked the travelling Foxes is the fact that goals from the Sheffield Superstar Jamie Vardy and Stephy Mavididi, had given Leicester a 2-goal advantage, however, Steve Cooper’s Men conceded twice to ultimately come away from South London with just a point.
Wilfred Ndidi provided the assist for Stephy Mavididi.
Did he?
He did indeed.
Leicester sit 15th in the table with the same 2 points as Crystal Palace and Ipswich from the opening 4 fixtures.
There’s a brilliant Rock Band from the 1980s called ‘Big Country’ who are still going strong, albeit a little older like the rest of us.
One of the band’s greatest hits is a song called,
‘Look Away!’
The lyrics go as follows,
‘This time we run.
This time we hide.
This time we draw on all the fire we have inside.
We need some time,
To find a place.
Where I can wipe away the madness from your face.
Our name is out.
Our name is known.
Our name is everywhere but who knows where we’re flown.
So look away Look Away, Look Away.
Hide your eyes from the land where I lie cold.
Look Away, Look Away.
From the lies in the stories that were told
Look Away, Look Away.
From the love that I hide way down deep in my soul.’
The Toffee faithful basically need to ‘Look Away, Look Away’ and ‘hide their eyes’ following Saturday’s fixture against Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Before the International Break, Everton scored 2 goals to take the lead against Bournemouth, then eventually conceded 3 to ultimately suffer a loss by a 3-2 scoreline.
At Villa Park, goals from Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave Everton a 2-goal lead.
It couldn’t happen again, surely,
‘This time we run,
This time we hide,
This time we draw on all the fire we have inside.’
Even just to ‘draw’ would have been a bonus for Sean Dyche, however, Aston Villa scored 3 times to inflict a defeat on Everton by a 3-2 score.
Now it’s a case of,
‘We need some time,
To find a place.
Where we can wipe away the madness from our face.
Our name is out (Everton!)
Our name is known (we lose, even when we are 2 nil up!)
Our name is everywhere (Everton) but who knows where we’re flown.
So Look Away, Look Away.
Hide your eyes from the land where we lay cold.
Look Away, Look Away.
From the lies in the stories that were told.
Look Away, Look Away.
From the love that we hide way down deep in our soul.’
Everton remain at the foot of the Premier League table with the same Zero Points as Southampton from the opening set of fixtures.
Look Away, Look Away.
Stuart Adamson, Rest In Peace.
It was May 2023, when the Foxes last hosted the Toffees at the King Power Stadium.
Both teams shared the points from a draw by a 2-2 score.
The Archbishop was happy.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin opened the scoring for Everton before Caglar Soyuncu and Jamie Vardy scored to put Leicester in front at half-time.
James Maddison missed a penalty just before the referee blew the whistle for the interval, which inevitably cost the Foxes the victory with Alex Iwobi equalising for the Toffees early in the 2nd-half, to give both teams a point apiece.
Betfred offer Leicester at 13/10, the draw at 12/5 and 15/8 for Everton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 5/1 that Jamie Vardy Scores First and 2/1 that there are Over 3.5 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.)
Home Win 3-2- Get 22/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
LIVERPOOL v BOURNEMOUTH
15.00 in England
The date ’15th of February 1969′ is significant, it being the last time Liverpool suffered a defeat against Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Before a Man was put on the Moon and before John Newsome was born.
Last Saturday, for the first time in 55 years, the Anfield Rappers saw their idols suffer a home loss against the Tricky Trees, with Forest gaining the victory by a 1-0 scoreline.
Liverpool had more possession (70%/30%), more goal attempts (14/5) and most shots on target (5/3) yet the most important statistic, as always, is the ‘goals scored’ which Arne’s Reds didn’t!
It did look from the opening 3 fixtures that Liverpool were the team to rival Man City, however, that’s gone out of the window early doors and it’s Arsenal and Newcastle who are above the Reds, who now sit in 4th place with the same 9 points as Aston Villa.
Liverpool face AC Milan in the revamped Champions League on Tuesday before this visit of Bournemouth.
Bournemouth could consider themselves unlucky to suffer a defeat against Chelsea in the late Saturday Night Football.
Chelsea scored in the closing stages of the game at the Vitality to gain the away night victory by a 1-0 scoreline.
However, that doesn’t tell the full story as the Cherries did have the opportunity to take the lead in the 1st-half when awarded a penalty.
Unfortunately, for the home faithful in attendance, Evanilson had his tame spot kick saved and following the late goal, Andoni Iraola’s Cherries suffered the loss, leaving Bournemouth in 11th place with the same 5 points as Fulham.
Liverpool gained the home victory against Bournemouth at Anfield last season, with the fixture coming early in the campaign over the Game Week-2 weekend.
Antoine Semenyo scored first for the Cherries to scare the watching Anfield Rappers in attendance.
Luis Diaz quickly equalised to settle the nerves, before Mo Salah added a 2nd just before the half-time break.
Mo’s goal came from a penalty, however, the initial spot-kick was saved by the Bournemouth ‘Keeper Neto, with the ball coming straight back to the Egyptian King to tap home.
Alexis Mac Allister was shown a Red Card early in the 2nd-half but despite that discretion, the 10-Man Scousers were too good for the Cherries with Diogo Jota adding a 3rd to give Liverpool all 3-points from a 3-1 scoreline.
There was a Game Week-4 encounter back in August 2022, which saw Liverpool score 9 (Nine) at Anfield against Bournemouth which ultimately resulted in Scott Parker being sacked by the Cherries hierarchy.
Andoni Iraola will not be wanting a repeat of that.
Betfred offer Liverpool at Odds On 1/4, the draw at 9/2 and 17/2 for Bournemouth to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/2 that Mo Salah Scores First and 13/10 that Liverpool 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.)
Home Win 2-0- Get 7/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
***Premier League Team of the Week***
GOALKEEPER- David Raya- Arsenal
RIGHT-BACK- Matthijs De Ligt- Manchester United
CENTRE-BACK- Gabriel- Arsenal
CENTRE-BACK- Nikola Milenkovic- Nottingham Forest
LEFT-BACK- Alex Moreno- Nottingham Forest
MIDFIELDER- Emile Smith-Rowe- Fulham
MIDFIELDER- Amad Diallo- Manchester United
MIDFIELDER- Callum Hudson-Odoi- Nottingham Forest
FORWARD- Harvey Barnes- Newcastle
FORWARD- Erling Haaland- Man City
FORWARD- Marcus Rashford- Manchester United
STAR MAN- Erling Haaland- Man City
***Last Week’s Winning Tips-
Manchester United Win- 8/11
Fulham v West Ham Draw- 23/10
Man City Win- 1/7
Aston Villa Win- 4/9
Newcastle Win- 11/10
Correct Scores-
Fulham 1 West Ham 1- 6/1
Correct Tips-
Manchester United Win To Nil- 11/5
Jean-Philippe Mateta To Score Anytime- 6/4
Jamie Vardy To Score Anytime- 13/5
Aston Villa To Score in Both Halves- 23/20
SOUTHAMPTON v IPSWICH
15.00 in England
In last week’s column, it was mentioned that Southampton have had the majority of possession in the opening 3 fixtures but have ultimately suffered defeats in those games.
On Saturday, against Manchester United at St Mary’s, it was the same again for the 1st-half, however, after having Jack Stephens sent off for a horrendous tackle on Alejandro Garnacho, the possession eventually went in favour of Manchester United, who inflicted a defeat on Southampton by a 3-0 scoreline.
It could have been so different if Cameron Archer had converted a penalty in the 33rd minute but having waited what seemed like an age, Cameron’s very tame spot kick was easily saved by the United Goalkeeper.
Within 8 minutes of the missed penalty, United were in front by 2 goals to Nil.
Jack was then shown the straight Red Card in the 79th and that was basically game over, with the 3rd goal conceded in the 96th minute to see Southampton suffer their 4th loss from the opening 4 games.
It’s apparent that Russell Martin wants his Saints to play a certain way, which is possession-based and whilst admirable, is ultimately costing the team the result, with the opposition knowing this and jumping all over the Defence, not allowing the Southampton players to settle on the ball.
As the season progresses, the opponents will pick up on this, so if Russell continues his principles, then ultimately it will lead to Southampton being relegated unless the hierarchy decides to make a change.
The phenomenon with this tactic is Vincent Kompany and Burnley played the same way last season and were relegated, yet Vincent then got the Bayern Munich job.
Maybe Russell Martin thinks if he continues this style of football, then Barcelona will come calling (they won’t Russ).
The only thing that will come calling is the Southampton Job Centre!
Southampton sit in 19th place, 2nd bottom of the table with Zero Points from 4 games completed.
Everton sit below also having Zero Points.
Fellow Newly Promoted team, Ipswich sit in 17th place with the same 2 points as Crystal Palace and Leicester from the opening 4 fixtures.
Whilst there hasn’t been a victory, or for that matter many goals (just 2), there have only been 2 defeats and considering those were against Liverpool and Man City, the Ipswich faithful should be proud of their Tractor Boys.
Kieran McKenna’s Men played out a goalless draw against Brighton on Saturday, gaining a very creditable point away at the Amex.
That was following a draw against Fulham before the International Break so the last 2 games are definitely something to build on and take into this fixture against Southampton.
These two teams met at St Mary’s last season, however, that was in a Championship affair with Ipswich gaining the away day victory by a 1-0 scoreline.
Omari Hutchinson with the solitary winning goal for the Tractor Boys.
Betfred offer Southampton at 11/10, the draw at 12/5 and 11/5 for Ipswich to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 6/5 that Both Teams DON’T Score and 11/4 that there are Under 1.5 Goals.
Draw 0-0- Get 11/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
TOTTENHAM v BRENTFORD
15.00 in England
Tottenham suffered a narrow defeat in the North London Derby against Arsenal at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium, with a single Gabriel goal midway through the 2nd-half, giving the Gunners the victory by a 1-0 away day score.
It was a tight affair but from the outside looking in, it just appeared that Arsenal wanted the win more than Tottenham did.
That does seem a strange thing to say but from an impartial perspective, the Gunners deserved the victory.
Another London Derby sees Brentford head over the Capital, which will be a tough ask for Ange Postecoglou and his Spurs team.
Tottenham sit in 13th with the same 4 points as West Ham from 4 fixtures played.
Brentford stunned Man City at the Etihad on Saturday, with Yoane Wissa scoring after 23 seconds.
In truth, Thomas Frank’s Bees were the better team for the opening 20 minutes, however, City have the phenomenon that is Erling Haaland, who scored twice within the space of 13 minutes, to leave the away team trailing at the break.
With no further goals, Brentford suffered a defeat by a 2-1 scoreline.
It was unlucky for Thomas’s boys but that is the resilience of Man City.
Brentford sit in 9th place with the same 6 points as Manchester United from 2 Wins and 2 Losses.
This fixture at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium last season saw Tottenham gain a narrow victory from a 5-goal thriller.
Neal Maupay opened the scoring for the Bees to give the away team a lead at the interval.
Goals from Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson and Richarlison for Tottenham over 7 minutes took the game away from Brentford.
Ivan Toney then scored the 2nd for the Bees and the 5th in the match.
What was probably a surprise was that there were still over 20 minutes left when Ivan notched, however, with no further goals, Tottenham gained the victory from a 3-2 scoreline.
Betfred offer Tottenham at Odds On 1/2, the draw at 7/2 and 9/2 for Brentford to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 6/5 that Son Heung Min Scores Anytime and Evens 1/1 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.
Draw 2-2- Get 12/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
CRYSTAL PALACE v MANCHESTER UNITED
17.30 in England
Sky Sports
Crystal Palace came from 2 goals down to gain a point from a draw by a 2-2 score, against Leicester on Saturday.
After conceding a Foxes goal in both halves, Jean-Philippe Mateta scored twice, including a converted penalty in the 92nd minute, to see the Eagles gain a point apiece with the Foxes.
The Archbishop and David Attenborough were happy.
Crystal Palace sit in 16th place, sandwiched between Ipswich and Leicester, all having 2 points from the opening 4 games.
Although Manchester United gained a victory over Southampton in the early kickoff on Saturday, it could be argued that the Saints were very poor and United didn’t have to dig too deep to get the points.
After Diogo Dalot conceded a penalty, United should have been trailing, however, the tame spot kick was easily saved by Andre Onana and within 2 minutes, Matthijs De Ligt headed home the opener for the away team.
Another 6 minutes later, Marcus Rashford scored a 2nd for United to give Erik’s Red Devils the lead at the break.
So within 8 minutes, United went from potentially being 1 goal down to being 2 goals in front.
United were the dominant team throughout and after Southampton had a player sent off, it was a done deal when Alejandro Garnacho scored in the 96th minute to seal the convincing win by a 3-0 scoreline.
Probably the disappointing factor for this EveryTip column, was Alejandro scoring with seconds remaining to make it 3-0, when a 2-0 scoreline was predicted.
However, that’s just a personal point and although United did get the victory, the Red Devil faithful should just take a step back and compose themselves as ultimately, it was against a very poor Southampton team, who, if the hierarchy sticks with Russell Martin, will be playing in the Championship again, this time next year.
Manchester United face Barnsley in the Carabao Cup this week, before this tough fixture against Crystal Palace.
United sit in 10th place with the same 6 points as Brentford from the opening 4 fixtures, 2 Wins and 2 Losses.
Erik Ten Hag still has nightmares about his last trip to Selhurst Park where Crystal Palace inflicted a devastating defeat on Manchester United by a 4-0 scoreline.
Michael Olise scored twice, which bookended goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell, giving Oliver’s Army the victory over Erik’s Ten Bobs.
That was a Game Week-36 encounter, with the fixture at Old Trafford in Game Week-7 also going the way of Palace.
It was assumed that the result at Selhurst Park put the final nail in Erik Ten Hag’s tenure coffin at Old Trafford, however, following the victory against Man City in the FA Cup, Erik somehow survived.
The nail scenario may just be repeated if Palace get another home win over United today.
Betfred offer Crystal Palace at 13/8, the draw at 5/2 and 11/8 for Manchester United to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/5 that Jean-Philippe Mateta Scores Anytime and 2/1 that Alejandro Garnacho Scores Anytime.
Away Win 1-2- Get 8/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Sunday 22nd
BRIGHTON v NOTTINGHAM FOREST
14.00 in England
Sky Sports
Brighton gained a point from a draw by a 0-0 score against Ipswich at the Amex on Saturday.
Although the fixture was against a Newly Promoted team and maybe a victory was expected, the draw means Fabian Hurzeler and his Seagulls remain unbeaten and sit 6th in the table with the same 8 points as today’s visitors from the initial 4 fixtures.
As mentioned in the Liverpool v Bournemouth preview, it was the 15th of February 1969, when Nottingham Forest last gained a victory over Liverpool at Anfield.
That would mean that most of the Tricky Tree faithful haven’t seen their idols win on Merseyside.
Considering most of those who went to the game back in 1969 were at least 5 years old, it’s only the over 60s that will remember the day out.
Callum Hudson-Odoi scored the only goal of the game at Anfield to give Nottingham Forest the stunning victory over Liverpool by a 1-0 scoreline.
That leaves Forest in 7th place with 8 points and along with today’s opponents, as well as Arsenal, Newcastle and Man City are one of only 5 teams that remain unbeaten.
Although Liverpool and Aston Villa sit above these two with 9 points, those teams have suffered a defeat.
Forest’s Andrew Omobamidele was credited with an Own Goal (OG) in the fixture between these two teams at the Amex last season, giving Brighton the victory by a 1-0 scoreline.
Betfred offer Brighton at Odds On 7/10, the draw at 11/4 and 7/2 for Nottingham Forest to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 8/5 that Joao Pedro Scores Anytime and 3/1 that Chris Wood Scores Anytime.
Draw 1-1- Get 13/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
MAN CITY v ARSENAL
16.30 in England
Sky Sports
What a fixture to round off Game Week-5.
Man City were second best for the opening 20 minutes against Brentford at the Etihad on Saturday, conceding a goal after 23 seconds.
Then Erling Haaland did what Erling does and scored for City to level things up.
Ten minutes later, Erling got on the end of a long punt forward by Ederson and scored his and City’s 2nd, which ultimately proved to be the winner, with Pep’s High Flying Blues inflicting a defeat over Thomas’s Bees by a 2-1 scoreline.
Over in Singapore, where the loveable OzScot is currently holidaying, there was a string of strange messages that came through on John Newsome’s phone, regarding Erling’s winning goal.
‘Haaland’s 2nd goal was a definite foul, any other smaller team, that’s a foul.’
Along with a few other disillusioned rantings about how many goals Braveheart/Kylie scored back in the day.
(It’s amazing how one’s memory becomes clouded over the years spent in the Australian sun!)
Added to that, there was,
‘Every day a foul, on the second angle Haaland stops his run to make contact with the Defender (Ethan Pinnock) and get an advantage, easy decision if you know the rules!’
Obviously, Braveheart doesn’t know the rules, as none of the Brentford Players, Management, Fans or any of the News Outlets mentioned that it should have been a foul.
The dreaded VAR didn’t question the goal and after constant replays on Sky Sports, Match Of The Day or any other broadcasters, none mentioned that Erling Haaland had fouled Ethan Pinnock.
Even Ethan Pinnock didn’t complain and just kicked the ball back to the centre circle for the restart.
The loveable OzScot must have had a dodgy meal over in Singapore that affected his eyesight.
Man City are now the only team with a 100% record of 4 Wins from 4 and sit at the Top of the Premier League table.
As daft as this sounds (and a lot will say ‘Very Daft!’) this could ultimately be the Title Decider so early on in the campaign.
The Anfield Rappers won’t want any of that conversation, thinking that it’s between Man City and Liverpool, not Man City and Arsenal but after the Game Week-4 set of results, it’s the Top Two who face off against each other today.
However, joking aside, if Man City do gain a victory, then it would put a dent in Arsenal’s Title chances and could possibly leave the race for 2nd place between Mikel’s Young Guns, Eddie’s Magpies and Arne’s Red Slot Machines.
Unai’s Villains will be wanting some of that action too!
Normal service resumed at the summit of the Premier League with these two finishing the weekend in 1st and 2nd place respectively after Arsenal gained a narrow victory over Tottenham in the North London Derby.
A single Gabriel headed goal midway through the 2nd-half, gave the Gunners the victory over Spurs by a 1-0 score.
That leaves Arsenal in 2nd place with 10 points from 3 Wins and a Draw out of the initial 4 games played.
Both play in the Champions League before this fixture, with Man City entertaining Inter Milan at the Etihad on Wednesday.
What could be a significant factor for this Sunday Sensation, is Arsenal face Atalanta in Italy on Thursday (the Champions League are expanding their Match Days to include Thursdays) so the travelling and playing a day later could have a bearing on today’s fixture.
At the Emirates last season, Mikel Arteta came up with a definite game plan to not lose and left Manchester with a point from a draw by a 0-0 score, or as some might say, a goalless draw.
Pep Guardiola will have learned from that and will have a better go.
Martin Odegaard could still be missing but Declan Rice should be back after his 1 game ban.
In truth, Arsenal did cope well without the two influential Midfielders.
The ex-Man City Winger Raheem Sterling should be in the Arsenal squad and along with Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, may get a run out against his old mates.
Betfred offer Man City at Odds On 8/11, the draw at 13/5 and 100/30 for Arsenal to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 100/30 that Erling Haaland Scores First and 7/4 that Man City Score in Both Halves.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
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The Top of the Scottish Premier League remains the same following the weekend’s fixtures, with Celtic and Aberdeen (who?) continuing their unbeaten run by gaining a victory over Hearts (who?) and Motherwell (who?) respectively.
Both have 15 points from the opening 5 games.
Rangers are now 3rd in the Pub League Table after their narrow hard-fought victory over Dundee United (who?), giving the Blue Half of Glasgow 10 points.
Celtic face Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday in their Champions League opener.
John is just looking to see who the Rangers face in the Champions League, sorry, one forgot, Rangers are not in that particular elite competition and play in the Europa League next week.
The loveable OzScot is philosophical about the Teddy Bears season knowing that the Green and White Hoops will win the SPL but hoping that the ‘Gers can overhaul the Dandy Dons and finish in their rightful spot of 2nd.
‘He’s still Spinning Around in Singapore!’
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