The highlight games for this weekend’s action are TOTTENHAM versus LEICESTER and BRENTFORD versus ARSENAL. Our feature columnist, John Newsome previews these as well as all game week 8 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
This EveryTip Premier League Preview wishes to express sincere condolences on the passing of Queen Elizabeth, who was a Strong Independent Woman and will be greatly missed.
Game Week-8
There are 7-Premier League Fixtures taking place this weekend, with the exception of Brighton v Crystal Palace, Manchester United v Leeds United and Chelsea v Liverpool, all postponed to allow the Police to organise different aspects of the Queen’s funeral which takes place on Monday the 19th of September 2022.
Friday 16th
ASTON VILLA v SOUTHAMPTON
20.00 in England
Sky Sports
There are actually 2-Friday Night Football fixtures taking place with an 8 PM kickoff with this one being the preferred Sky Sports game.
After the sad passing of our Queen, the Game Week-7 fixtures were rightly postponed so both come into this Friday night affair having had a 2-week rest.
Aston Villa gained a point from a great draw against Man City last time out, with Southampton succumbing to a defeat against Wolves.
The Queen, God Bless Her wasn’t a football fan and that’s not in any way casting aspersions but like John Newsome’s old mum, the Beautiful Game, sometimes passes one by.
As a youth, back in 1976, John sat in front of the 24-inch colour TV with a fist full of 50p in hand, ready to watch the first FA Cup Final in the football-mad lads’ memory.
This EveryTip contributor was aged 6 at the time and cannot remember the 1975 Final between West Ham and Fulham.
So it was May 1976, Manchester United v Southampton that John remembers vividly with Bobby Stokes scoring the solitary winning goal for Lawrie McMenemy and his Saints against Tommy Docherty’s Red Devils.
Because this is a week of an intensely emotional situation with the passing of the Great Queen Elizabeth the Second, probably the only Queen that one sees in a lifetime, it was fitting that the Young Madam was present at Wembley on the 1st of May 1976, to witness Bobby Boys goal.
The Beautiful Young Lady was present at the home of football, 10 years earlier and presented Sir Bobby Moore with the Jules Rimet World Cup Trophy.
There was an iconic moment when Bobby was approaching the Queen to receive the World Cup and because of the respect that Mr Moore had as a person and for the Young Elizabeth, wiped his dirty hands so as not to cover the Queen in the muck.
The Queen was there to witness England win the World Cup for the only period in her lifetime and currently the only time in everyone else’s lifetime and after watching Gareth’s Three Lions against Hungary in June, it might be a few lifetimes longer.
Following the 1976 FA Cup Final between Manchester United and Southampton, the Beautiful Queen Elizabeth decided that it was in her and the Nation’s best interest not to attend another Final and gave her ticket to someone who wanted to go.
That in itself is a remarkable act of kindness.
In last season’s fixture at Villa Park, the home team got an easy victory by a 4-0 score.
Ollie Watkins and Douglas Luiz with the 1st-half goals and Philippe Coutinho and Danny Ings added the others after the break.
Betfred offer Aston Villa at 11/10, the draw at 5/2 and 5/2 for Southampton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/5 that Ollie Watkins Scores Anytime and 8/5 that Che Adams Scores Anytime.
Draw 1-1- Get 11/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v FULHAM
20.00 in England
The brilliant Premier League Fixture Compilers have decided to pitch Fulham away against Nottingham Forest on a Friday evening meaning the Cottage Faithful have to travel North in the rush-hour traffic.
For any of the Fulham fans who are reading this, John Newsome would like to offer a little advice.
Set off early as the M1 of a Friday afternoon is horrendous.
The best bet is to take a train, that’s if the rattler companies are not on strike.
Both come into this fixture off the back of defeats, Forest against Bournemouth and Fulham against Tottenham.
These two teams did meet at the City Ground last season, however, that was in a Championship game.
It was in October 2021, that Fulham inflicted a devastating defeat over Forest by a 4-0 away day score.
Djed Spence was credited with an own goal early in the 1st-half giving Marco Silva’s boys a lead at the break.
Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice in the 2nd-half with Neeskens Kebano notching in between Big Mits 2.
An added note, the CFC (Championship Fixture Compilers) had the kickoff time as 3 PM in Nottingham, not 8 at night.
Neeskens Kebano hails from France but although representing the French youth ages, now plays International football for DR Congo.
There is a famous Dutch footballer who played in the 1970s and 80s called Johan Neeskens whom Mr Kebano Senior named his son after.
Betfred offer Nottingham Forest at 9/5, the draw at 12/5 and 6/4 for Fulham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 4/1 that Aleksandar Mitrovic Scores First and 13/5 that Fulham Score in Both Halves.
Away Win 0-2- Get 12/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Saturday 17th
WOLVES v MAN CITY
12.30 in England
BT Sport
John Newsome did mention in the aborted Game Week-7 preview (still available to peruse at EveryTip.Com) that Wolves have signed the ex-Chelsea star Diego Costa, who should prove to be a hit with the Lage Louts.
There was a slight problem with a work permit but that’s all been sorted and the Brazilian is now a Gold and Black.
Most will be screaming at their iPhones or whichever implements are used to read this great column,
‘Diego plays for Spain!’
That is correct but the lad is originally from Brazil, having a couple of run-outs in friendlies for the Samba Boys and then changed allegiances to Spain, which is allowed if a player only competes in a friendly for the original country.
Diego v Erling!
Should be interesting.
Wolves gained a victory against Southampton last time out.
Man City’s previous Premier League fixture ended in a draw against Aston Villa.
City destroyed Seville in last week’s Champions League Group game inflicting a defeat on the Spaniards by a 4-0 away day score.
Pep’s High Flying Blues take on Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday in Match-Day-2 of the Champions League.
Erling Haaland and Manuel Akanji against their old mates at the Etihad.
When Man City ventured down the M6 to Molineux last term, Leander Dendoncker scored for Wolves in the 1st-half.
Unfortunately for the watching Gold and Blacks faithful, Kevin De Bruyne had already scored for City, then scored 2-more to complete a 17-minute hat-trick and give the away team a comfortable lead at the break.
KDB then added a 4th on the hour mark before Raheem Sterling rounded off the scoring late on, giving Man City a victory by a 5-1 away day score.
Betfred offer Wolves at 8/1, the draw at 9/2 and Odds On 1/3 for Man City to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 8/5 that Diego Costa Scores Anytime and Evens 1/1 Erling Haaland Scores Anytime.
Away Win 1-3- Get 10/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
BRIGHTON v CRYSTAL PALACE
**Fixture Postponed Due To Rail Strike**
This fixture was postponed due to an impending Rail Strike, however, the Rail Unions are now not going on Strike, out of respect for the Queen but the proposed game at the Amex is still postponed.
NEWCASTLE v BOURNEMOUTH
15.00 in England
Newcastle are finding life under the ownership of the Saudi Billionaires quite difficult at the moment with a record of 1 win, 1 loss and 4 draws with the solitary victory coming in the opening game.
There’s no panic just yet at St James Park but Eddie Howe could do with another victory and there will not be a more apt team to gain that from than Eddie’s old club Bournemouth.
That said, the Cherries, who are unbeaten since the departure of Scott Parker, will be a stiff test with the new (caretaker) manager bounce coming into effect under Gary O’Neil.
It was November 2019 that Bournemouth last visited St James Park with Eddie Howe in charge.
Harry Wilson opened the scoring for the away team with DeAndre Yedlin equalising for Newcastle to take both teams in level at the break.
Ciaran Clark scored for the Magpies just after the restart and with no further goals, Newcastle under the guidance of Steve Bruce gained the victory by a 2-1 scoreline.
Betfred offer Newcastle at slight Odds On 4/9, the draw at 7/2 and 13/2 for Bournemouth to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 4/1 that Alexander Isak Scores First and Evens 1/1 that there are Under 2.5 Goals.
Home Win 2-0- Get 6/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
TOTTENHAM v LEICESTER
17.30 in England
Sky Sports
Antonio Conte’s Spurs host Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium following 2-Group games in the Champions League.
In the opener last Wednesday, Tottenham got a great home victory against Marseille by a 2-0 scoreline, Richarlison with both goals.
This week, Spurs head to Portugal to face Sporting Lisbon in Match-Day-2 of that particular competition.
It might be a surprise to some that Brendan Rodgers is still in charge of Leicester after a poor run of form over the opening 6-fixtures that sees the Foxes propping up the rest of the teams in the Premier League table.
At the time of print, the little Irishman is still at the King Power Stadium.
For how long, is the question to ponder?
There was a story that if Leicester get rid of Brendan, it would cost the club £10 Million in compensation.
That might be a reason that Mr Rodgers is still in charge of Leicester and not at the Job Centre with Scott and Thomas.
At the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium in May, Tottenham got the home victory against Leicester by a 3-1 score.
Goals from Harry Kane in the 1st-half and a Son Heung-Min double after the break gave Spurs the convincing win.
Kelechi Iheanacho pulled a consolation goal back for the Foxes in the 91st minute.
Betfred offer Tottenham at Odds On 1/2, the draw at 10/3 and 11/2 for Leicester to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 6/5 that Richarlison Scores Anytime and 7/4 that Tottenham Win To Nil.
Home Win 3-0- Get 10/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Sunday 18th
BRENTFORD v ARSENAL
12.00 in England
Sky Sports
With 3 fixtures originally scheduled on this Sunday afternoon having a 2 PM kickoff, Sky Sports have chosen this clash at the Community Centre as the early Sunday afternoon live televised game, now starting at Midday.
Brentford are unbeaten from the last 3-fixtures and host the current Premier League leaders, that said Man City, who play on Saturday, could have jumped above Arsenal to the summit before this Sunday afternoon game.
In addition to that Tottenham could be above Arsenal too, with a victory in their Saturday fixture.
Arsenal got a victory in Match-Day-1 of the Europa League inflicting a defeat on FC Zurich by a 2-1 away night scoreline.
If one remembers, this fixture at the Brentford Community Stadium last season was the opening game of the campaign and the inaugural Premier League fixture for the Bees.
Sergio Canos and Christian Norgaard scored the Brentford goals that saw Arsenal suffer an opening day defeat by a 2-0 scoreline.
Betfred offer Brentford at 16/5, the draw at 3/1 and slight Odds On 4/5 for Arsenal to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 8/5 that Ivan Toney Scores Anytime and 7/4 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.
Draw 2-2 Get 12/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
EVERTON v WEST HAM
14.15 in England
Sky Sports
It will have been 15-days since Frank Lampard’s Everton have donned the Blue Kit and come into this fixture against the ex-Toffee boss David Moyes Boys off the back of a draw against the Red half of Merseyside.
That’s a 4th draw from the opening 6 with 2 defeats thus Everton are still awaiting a first victory of the campaign.
West Ham have the same 4-points as Everton but have gained theirs from a victory, a draw and 4 defeats.
That’s the strange anomaly about the Premier League and for that matter, football in general.
As silly as it sounds, is it better to win and draw in 2-fixtures as opposed to drawing 4-games?
Some managers will set up their team not to lose and try and at least gain a draw.
However, some will go for a victory and if a defeat occurs, then so be it.
If one remains unbeaten over a 38 fixture season and draws every one of those, then the team will accrue 38 points.
It’s usually considered that 40-points is the ‘safe number’ to stay in the Premier League and avoid relegation.
It is as long ago as the 2010/11 season that 38 points weren’t enough, with Birmingham being relegated on 39 points.
West Ham played the Bank, FCSB last Thursday in the Europa Conference League (still no idea!) and gained a great victory against Bram Stokers Boys at the London Stadium.
It’s a fixture against Denmark’s Silkeborg on Thursday before the visit to Goodison Park.
One won’t be familiar with the Danish team who play in the SupaLiga but Silkeborg have an ex-Aston Villa Striker called Nicklas Helenius, who put his boots on 4 times for the Villains back in the 2013/14 season, scoring a goal in the FA Cup 3rd Round tie against Sheffield United.
Up the Blunts.
It’s fair to say that life in the Claret and Blue shirt wasn’t successful for Nicklas so maybe seeing West Ham in those Claret and Blue colours will spark the lad into thinking he’s gaining revenge and score a couple or three against the Hammers on Thursday.
At Goodison Park last term, Rafa Benitez was still at the helm of Everton, with a single Angelo Ogbonna goal being the difference between the two clubs, giving David Moyes Boys the victory over Rafa’s Toffees by a 1-0 score.
Betfred offer Everton at 2/1, the draw at 9/4 and 29/20 for West Ham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 5/1 that a Penalty Is Awarded and slight Odds On 4/5 that there are Under 2.5 Goals.
Draw 1-1- Get 11/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
**MANCHESTER UNITED v LEEDS UNITED and CHELSEA v LIVERPOOL**
Both fixtures are postponed due to the impending funeral.
Game Week-8 (1997/98)
Tuesday 23rd September 1997
WIMBLEDON v BARNSLEY
Selhurst Park
19.45 in England
The brilliant Premier League Fixture Compilers decided to have some more fun with little old Barnsley by sending the Super Reds down to Selhurst Park, for the 2nd time in just over a month, following the previous Tuesday night away fixture against Crystal Palace on the 12th of August 1997.
Most will want an explanation for that and it’s quite simple, Wimbledon were not playing at Plough Lane anymore and shared Selhurst Park with Palace.
Following the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, the inquiry that followed stated that all Top Flight clubs should have an All-Seater stadium, so Wimbledon went to Selhurst Park, temporarily at first but stayed for over 10 years.
The Super Reds were paired against the Crazy Gang, in South London on a balmy late September evening back in 1997.
This threw up a problem for this EveryTip contributor.
As mentioned in last week’s column, John Newsome had just started a new job and the game against Wimbledon was on only the second day of John’s position in the high-powered occupation of delivering Plant Equipment.
That threw up the problem as to how does John Newsome get a day off from work to travel to London the day after starting the new job.
Nowadays, it would be a text to the boss on Monday night,
‘Sorry Gaffer, I’ve tested positive for the dreaded Coronavirus, can’t believe it, I’m in bits, would be stupid of me to come into work and spread the disease!’
A few have done that over the past 12 months following a session on the sauce.
There was no Coronavirus back in 1997, there weren’t even Text and John certainly didn’t have a mobile phone.
What could the Barnsley Boy come up with, scratching the head on Monday evening?
Tickets for the game and coach had already been purchased so Mr Newsome was on his way to London, however, didn’t want to jeopardise the job.
Then like an epiphany, the excuse came to the lad, that wasn’t used previously.
The New Baby!
Hallelujah.
With the youth being just over a month old, John Newsome had an excuse to ring the boss,
‘Sorry, I know I’ve just started but the baby is ill and her mum can’t cope so I have to look after it!’
Job done, John was on the coach down to Selhurst Park.
The club’s official buses didn’t allow alcohol, however, this EveryTip contributor came up with an ingenious idea.
Actually, the lad nicked it off the legend that is Sir Ian Botham.
In Sir Ian’s autobiography, the cricketer mentioned that when he did one of his epic walks, Ian would fill up an Orange Fanta Soft Drink bottle with Tequila.
John Newsome filled a couple of Coke Bottles up with Smirnoff’s finest, just to take away the hurting.
The hurting came from another defeat for the Super Reds by a 4-1 scoreline.
The Wimbledon manager Joe Kinnear, put out a strong side,
Wimbledon-
Neil Sullivan, Kenny Cunningham, Dean Blackwell, Chris Perry, Alan Kimble, Robbie Earle, Ceri Hughes, Vinnie Jones, Jason Euell, Carl Cort and Efan Ekoku.
Substitutes-
Danny Wilson’s team on the night was,
Barnsley-
David Watson, Ales Krizan, Matty Appleby, Adie Moses, Arjan De Zeew, Darren Bernard, Eric Tinkler, Martin Bullock, Darren Sheridan, Neil Redfearn and Andy Liddell.
Substitutes-
Clint Marcelle for Eric Tinkler 71st-minute
Georgi Hristov for Andy Liddell for 83rd-minute
Most will assume that John Newsome was part of a 25,000-attendance sell-out at Selhurst Park for a Premier League fixture.
Not so!
The Tuesday night affair in South London drew an attendance of 7,688 which didn’t go down well with the Dons gaffer Joe Kinnear.
John did think the ‘hurting’ wasn’t going to happen when Erik Tinkler got his head onto a Darren Sheridan free-kick to score giving Barnsley a lead at the break.
Joe got into his boys in the dressing room at half-time producing a few choice words that inspired the Wombles to put in a great (not for Barnsley!) 2nd-half display.
Goals from Carl Cort, Robbie Earle, Ceri Hughes and Efan Ekoku gave Wimbledon the victory over Barnsley by a 4-1 scoreline.
The Coca-Cola bottles were straight out for the long journey home.
Smirnoff and coke does help to take away the hurting and recover from a defeat by 4-goals to one.
Also, that was 21 goals that the Super Reds had conceded in the opening 8-Premier League fixtures, scoring 7 in reply.
21-7, wasn’t a good statistic, from 2 wins and 6 defeats.
Strangely, there weren’t any draws.
After returning home at around 2 AM, John was back at work on Wednesday, with the gaffer asking how the baby was,
‘It’s better now love!’
Using the excuse that your baby is poorly has a shelf life, it tends not to work when the youth is aged 25 and John Newsome knows that from experience.
Home Win 4-1
There were scary scenes at the Boston Logan International Airport in The U S of A on Tuesday when a gainly figure turned up dressed in a combination of Mel Gibson’s Braveheart character and Kylie Minogue in her hot pants.
In an ironic twist of fate, the Security Guards at the Airport were all Boston Celtic fans and were incandescent with laughter at the loveable OzScot who was on his way home following a 3-month holiday in the land of the Stars and Stripes.
One of John Newsome’s dearest friends is getting married at the end of October so the OzScot and Lad, plus CSI Jonny and partner are coming back to Blighty for the ceremony.
John was reminded of a Wedding that occurred 29 years ago to the day and having checked the wardrobe, has decided to wear the same Waistcoat for the Special Day.
Let’s hope the 29 years of debauchery and drinking doesn’t prevent the said Waistcoat from fitting.
The OzScot wasn’t happy with the Teddy Bears display in the opening Group game of this season’s Champions League, with Rangers succumbing to a defeat against Ajax by a 4-0 score.
One saving grace was that the arch Glasgow rivals, (Boston) Celtic suffered a defeat also, with the current Champions Real Madrid getting the victory at Celtic Park by a 3-0 scoreline.
Both teams are back in Champions League action this week, with Rangers hosting Napoli on Wednesday night and Celtic visiting Poland to take on Shakhtar Donetsk a couple of hours earlier.
Before most start shouting,
‘Why Poland?’
The reason is that Shakhtar are Ukrainian so it wouldn’t be a good idea for Celtic to travel there at the moment meaning it’s The Stadion Wojska Polskiego in Warsaw that the Green and White Hoops venture to.
The OzScot saw a mouse.
Where?
In the Rangers goal!
4-Nil.
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