The highlight games for this weekend’s action are LEICESTER versus CHELSEA and LIVERPOOL versus ARSENAL. Our feature columnist, John Newsome previews these as well as all game-week 12 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-12
Saturday 20th
LEICESTER v CHELSEA
12.30 in England.
BT Sport
Leicester earned a creditable point from a draw by a 1-1 scoreline at Elland Rd last Sunday.
Having fallen behind early in the 1st-half, Harvey Barnes scored a superb equaliser before the break to take both teams in level at half-time. With no further goals, both earned a point from a very entertaining game.
Brendan’s Wonderful’s sit 12th in the table with 15-points from the opening set of games.
It’s fair to say that the Foxes are not up to last season’s level at the moment but that is a testament to the Premier League where no team has the Devine right to be higher up in the table than that of the current state of play.
Rod Stewart and Lennon the pooch were happy sat watching the football on Sunday afternoon with Leicester unable to get the victory.
The puppy knew that the Leeds United shirt with ‘Currie’ and ‘10’ on the back, it’s an old Leeds shirt from the 1970s, was not heading in his direction and lay eating some doggy treats.
Rod’s beloved Green and White Hoops, got a victory against Dundee FC (who?) in the Scottish Pub League, by a 4-2 scoreline, at the same time as Leicester were held to a draw so Sir Roderick was doubly happy.
The only downside to Mr Stewart’s football weekend was Celtic’s fierce rivals, Rangers got a victory too against Ross County (who?) quirkily by the same 4-2 scoreline.
The Rangers manager, Steven Gerrard has left the hot seat at Ibrox with his Teddy Bears sat proudly at the summit of the Pub League and heads to the Midlands to take up the vacant Aston Villa position
A certain Australian/Scotsman isn’t a happy bunny at the moment, with Mr Gerrard departing Scotland to work in a proper league.
All in all, a good day in the Stewart household with Rod and Penny sat with a glass of wine watching the Strictly result and Lennon in the back yard chewing on a bone humming the tune of Sir Roderick’s legendary tune,
‘He’s Celtic, United but Brendan has decided that Leicester is the best place to be!’ Woof Woof!
Chelsea remain at the summit of the Premier League, despite being held to a draw against Burnley last time out, by a 1-1 scoreline.
Kai Havertz scored the Blues goal before the half-time whistle which normally sees Chelsea push on to add more after the break.
Unfortunately, as is the way at the moment, Burnley are a tough nut to crack and equalised midway through the 2nd-half and with no further goals, the game finished in a stalemate.
Thomas’s Blue Engines sit at the summit with 26-points however, the gap is reduced to 3-points over Man City who are 2nd. Probably the only solace Mr Tuchel can take from the draw was that Liverpool were beaten.
The International Break will give the players, such as Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner, Mateo Kovacic, Marcos Alonso and N’Golo Kante, time to recover from injury.
It’s just an opinion by John Newsome, having watched most games this season, that although Chelsea are currently at the summit, it’s Man City who are the best team out of the Top Four or even Six.
Some will argue that and have every right, however, Pep’s High Flying Blues, in this EveryTip contributors opinion, will eventually overhaul Thomas’s Blue Engines and win this season’s Premier League.
At the King Power last term, Chelsea were still named Frank Lampard’s Chelsea but not for much longer as following the defeat against the Foxes, Frank was down the concrete, with Thomas Tuchel in at the helm soon after.
Wilfred Ndidi and James Maddison scored the Leicester goals, both in the 1st-half, to give Brendan’s Wonderful’s the victory by a 2-0 scoreline and seal Mr Lampard’s fate.
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ASTON VILLA v BRIGHTON
15.00 in England.
It’s now 5 from 5 in the loss column for Aston Villa following the defeat against Southampton at St Mary’s before the International Break.
In fact, come kick-off at 3.00 PM on the 20th, it will have been 15-days since the Villa boys kicked a ball in anger.
Some Villains will say that it’s a lot longer than that.
************BREAKING NEWS***********
Dean Smith has been sacked by Aston Villa.
This column did predict this in the Game Week-11 Preview and offered up the name of Paolo Fonseca in that article published on the 2nd of November 2021.
Whilst admittedly, not Breaking News now, being nearly two-week-old information, it’s merely for effect and to highlight the annoying way that Sky Sports News have the headline, ‘Breaking News’ for almost every new bit of information.
Annoying and £115 a month, plus when the clocks went back in England a couple of weeks ago, Sky didn’t change theirs on the telly and John Newsome turned up for work at his new job an hour too early!
Steven Gerrard is on his way to the Midlands with a Claret and Blue scarf around his neck and will be in the dugout for this Game Week-12 affair.
Dean changed things slightly against the Saints, recalling Tyrone Mings and Anwar El-Ghazi, however, couldn’t change the fortunes around.
The defeat leaves Aston Villa in 16th-place, just above the relegation zone with 10-points, which is simply not acceptable and although Mr Smith was adamant that he was still the best man for the job, the hierarchy didn’t agree.
Admittedly it must have hurt Dean who appears to be a decent fella and a true Aston Villa fan but as everyone knows, football is a result business and when one isn’t getting the results needed, one usually needs the services of an Uber for a trip to the Job Centre.
Watch out for the Game Week-16 set of fixtures, Aston Villa travel where? That’s correct, Anfield! Should be exciting for Mr Gerrard.
Breaking News!
Brighton gained a point from a draw by a 1-1 scoreline against Newcastle last time out at the Amex. Leandro Trossard converted a penalty midway through the 1st-half, to give the home team a lead at the break.
The penalty wasn’t given initially with the on-field referee, David Coote, waving away the Seagull appeals.
The dreaded VAR, back at Stockley Park, who at the time were watching the horse racing on ITV, decided to intervene at the Amex, to give the illusion that they were concentrating on the football and asked Mr Coote to look at the pitch-side monitor.
As everyone now knows, once this occurs, the decision is usually up-graded or overturned. So a penalty was awarded and Leandro coolly slotted past the Magpies ‘keeper.
Unfortunately for Graham Potter’s men, Newcastle equalised in the 2nd-half and with no further goals, both bird-teams shared the points.
There was another contentious incident in stoppage time when the Seagulls goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez was shown a straight Red Card for clipping Callum Wilson who was through on goal.
The dreaded VAR were once again interrupted at Stockley Park and advised Mr Coote to have another look at the monitor after initially just showing Robert a Yellow Card.
Once the pitch-side monitor was checked, the on-field referee upgraded the Yellow to a Red and Mr Sanchez went and put the kettle on for his mates.
As Graham had already used his 3-substitutes, Lewis Dunk went between the sticks for the remaining couple of minutes, however, Newcastle couldn’t take advantage and the game finished in the draw.
The point gained because as everyone knows, it’s always a point gained not 2-points dropped, leaves Brighton in 7th-place with 17-points from the opening 11-fixtures.
The same 17 as Manchester United, which is a tremendous return for Harry and his Potterheads.
At Villa Park last season, Brighton got the away-day victory by a 2-1 score. Danny Welbeck scored early on to give the Seagulls a half-time lead before Ezri Konsa equalised at the start of the 2nd-half.
Solly March scored again just before the hour-mark and with no further goals, the cardboard faithful saw their idols get the victory.
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BURNLEY v CRYSTAL PALACE
15.00 in England.
Burnley are quietly going about their business, however, remain in the drop zone with 8-points from the opening 11-fixtures.
Since suffering a defeat against Man City, Sean Dyche’s Clarets are now unbeaten in the last 3-Premier League fixtures, with a win and 2-draws. The latest draw was against Chelsea by a 1-1 scoreline.
After conceding a goal in the 1st-half, Matej Vydra, on as a substitute, scored the Burnley equaliser with 10-minutes remaining to earn a point against the current Premier League leaders.
A lot of so-called experts and pundits, so-called because the individuals have no more of an idea than the average person, male or female, who loves the beautiful game, have stated that Burnley would struggle this term and some even have them as relegation candidates.
The Australian branch of this EveryTip column, Angry Man Andrew and CSI Jonny to name but two!
However, Burnley will be safe and will slowly edge away from the drop-zone over the coming weeks and as this is a prediction site, John Newsome predicts, Sean’s Clarets will be mid-table come Christmas.
Crystal Palace are on a roll under World Cup Winner Patrick Vieira, now unbeaten in 6 and just 1 defeat in the last 9-Premier League fixtures.
After 4-successive draws, Palace have won the last 2, the latest being a victory against Wolves at Selhurst Park by a 2-0 scoreline.
The excellent Wilfried Zaha opened the scoring early in the 2nd-half, shooting past a helpless goalkeeper and after initially being adjudged offside by the linesman, the Labradors at Stockley Park saw that Wilf was clearly onside when James McArthur passed the ball and the goal was given.
The equally excellent Conor Gallagher added the 2nd, however, did get an assist from his Wolves namesake, Conor Coady, when CG’s shot took a wicked deflection off CC.
Roy Keane’s best mate Patrick has certainly got his Eagles going with the victory against Wolves taking Palace up to 10th-place, with 15-points, the same as Everton and Leicester but sit higher on goal difference.
When these two met at Turf Moor last season, almost 12-months ago to the day, Chris Wood scored the only goal of the game in the 8th-minute to give Sean Dyche’s Clarets the victory over Roy Hodgson’s Eagles by a 1-0 score.
888 Sport offer Burnley at 9/5, the draw at 9/4 and 31/20 for Crystal Palace to come away with all 3-points.
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NEWCASTLE v BRENTFORD
15.00 in England.
***********BREAKING NEWS***********
This weeks column is full of Breaking News of management departures and appointments.
Newcastle had already parted company with Steve Bruce a couple of weeks ago with Big Brucey immediately on a plane heading for Abu Dhabi to watch the T/20 Cricket World Cup.
Unfortunately for the England fans, Eoin Morgan’s men suffered a defeat in the Semi-Final at the hands of New Zealand with the ex-Newcastle manager in attendance.
The new owners at St James Park have brought in Eddie Howe who has been out of work since leaving Bournemouth at the end of the 2019/20 season. The band name has changed from Eddie and the Cherries to Eddie and the Magpies.
The Welsh star and ex-Arsenal player Aaron Ramsey is lined up to swap his black and white Juventus shirt for the black and white of Newcastle, which will be a great first signing for Eddie.
Double-A-Ron has lost his way somewhat at the ‘old lady’ and will definitely enhance the Newcastle squad.
In the last fixture before the International Break, the interim boss, Graeme Jones oversaw his team, get a draw by a 1-1 scoreline against Brighton.
The Seagull’s gaffer, Graham Potter and Graeme Jones were former teammates at Boston United back in 2003/04.
Note both names sound the same but are spelt slightly different, Graham as opposed to Graeme. The great Graeme Souness too.
Newcastle conceded a 1st-half penalty at the Amex, which was converted to take the away side in trailing at the break.
Isaac Hayden scored for the Magpies midway through the 2nd-half and with no further goals, the game finished in a draw.
Brighton did have their goalkeeper sent off in the 92nd-minute for a professional foul on Callum Wilson which did prevent Callum from scoring.
The offence, although saw the ‘keeper depart, was outside the area, so only a free-kick was awarded which, despite the Seagull’s Defender Lewis Dunk, taking over between the sticks, Newcastle couldn’t capitalise.
The point gained leaves Eddie Howe’s new boys in 19th-place with the same 5-points as Norwich and 5-points away from safety. Good luck with the new band, Eddie and the Magpies!
Brentford have now lost the last 4-Premier League fixtures, which is becoming concerning for all connections at the Bees. Especially considering that the latest defeat was against the worse team in the Top Flight.
Thomas Frank’s men suffered a loss against Norwich last time out, by a 2-1 scoreline. Norwich!
Rico Henry scored in the 2nd-half for the home side but Brentford were already trailing by 2-goals so ultimately, Rico’s goal was just a consolation.
After 7-fixtures, the Bees had 12-points, gained from terrific results against Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Wolves, Liverpool and West Ham, with just a defeat against Brighton in those opening 7-games.
Now it’s 4-losses in succession, against Chelsea, Leicester, Burnley and Norwich, leaving Brentford with the 12-points already accrued, sitting 14th in the table.
Thomas needs to stop this current trend but a fixture against a revitalised set of Magpies may just have come at the wrong time for all connections at the Wellard Stadium.
It was 2016 when Brentford last ventured North to St James Park. That was a Championship game with both teams under the guidance of different managers.
Rafa Benitez was at the Newcastle helm, with Dean Smith in charge of the Brentford team. Ciaran Clark and Dwight Gayle scored to give the Magpies a half-time lead.
Dwight scored his 2nd and Newcastle’s 3rd, within 3-minutes of the restart. Scott Hogan pulled a goal back for the Bees but ultimately just a consolation with the home side getting the victory by a 3-1 scoreline.
Six of the starting eleven for Newcastle, back in October 2016, are still at the club with 5-all seeing game-time, recently against Brighton.
Karl Darlow, Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Jonjo Shelvey and Dwight Gayle, are all available for Eddie Howe’s opener, with just Paul Dummett unable to play due to injury.
Rafa’s Black and Whites gained promotion to the Promised Land at the end of that 2016/17 campaign with Dean’s Bees finishing 10th in the Championship table.
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NORWICH v SOUTHAMPTON
15.00 in England.
************BREAKING NEWS***********
The management departures and arrivals continue.
Norwich have parted company, sacked or decided by mutual agreement, whichever spin that Delia and the others want to put on it and the very excitable Daniel Farke is no longer the manager of the Canaries.
As the great Gary Lineker said at the end of the iconic Match of the Day, ‘Daniel Farke’s off!’
Now we like Gary, cause we do, John Newsome and Angry Man Andrew, even saw the lad live, playing for Barcelona at the Nou Camp back in September 1987 but like as mentioned earlier, the so-called pundits have no more of a clue than the average girl or boy. Gary proved this narrative.
In the Match of the Day show, that went out on Saturday 6th November, Gary, Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy all commented that Dean Smith had credit in the bank at Aston Villa and wouldn’t be sacked. Twenty-Four hours later, Dean was down the concrete.
John Newsome did speculate back at the beginning of the month, in this EveryTip column that was published on Tuesday 2nd November, that Mr Smith was under pressure.
The exact words were, ‘That said, Dean is now becoming under pressure and there are reports that the once Newcastle target, Paolo Fonseca could actually replace Mr Smith at Villa Park, in the International Break so the result in this game against the Saints may now be the decisive factor.
A lot have wondered where Aston Villa are going wrong but consider this, two big characters left in the summer, Jack Grealish and John Terry. Two massive shoes to fill which up to now, haven’t.’
John Newsome is far from a pundit or expert and is never likely to appear on Match of the Day, however, could see that Dean Smith wasn’t going to last much longer. At least Mr Lineker and the boys didn’t say Daniel Farke had credit at Norwich.
That said, Dan was gone before the show started so maybe Mr Lineker had a slight advantage on the breaking news.
The irony in the dismissal of Mr Farke Life is Norwich actually achieved their 1st-victory of the campaign, defeating Brentford at the Wellard Stadium by a 2-1 away-day scoreline. Mathias Normann opened the scoring after 6-minutes and was superb throughout the 90.
Teemu Pukki added a 2nd from the penalty spot to give Norwich a convincing half-time lead.
Brentford did score in the 2nd-half but the Canaries held on for that vital 1st-win of the campaign. Then relieved Dan of his duties.
Delia, by the way, is Delia Smith, a renowned TV Chef and one of the owners at Carrow Rd, remembered fondly for her half-time drunken rant back in 2005 in a match against Man City.
‘Where are you, where are you? Let’s be having you‘ What’s remarkable about that is the fact that it was February 2005, almost 17-years ago. Unbelievable, seems like only last week. Nice one Delia!
Unfortunately for Daniel Farke, where are you? is an easy answer, the German pop star is sitting next to Nuno, Dean, Markus and Neil at the Job Centre. Reminiscent of a scene from the Full Monty!
The Neil is Neil Warnock who has just parted company with Middlesbrough. It’s reported that the decision to get rid of Mr Warnock was taken a few weeks back but Neil was on the mark of 1599 games as a manager, with only the ex-Crewe boss Dario Gradi, having managed more in the Football League.
It’s refreshing to know that in this world of cynicism and capitalism, the hierarchy at Middlesbrough allowed Neil a further 3-fixtures to surpass Dario’s record of 1,601, leaving the legendary manager as the all-time Football League record holder.
Neil also got his boots muddy at Oakwell, for Barnsley FC, back in the 1970s. Mr Warnock is 73 in December, yes 73! and whilst will never lose the passion, it is now time to retire old lad. Take it easy Neil Warnock, Respect!
Despite the 1st-victory of the season, Norwich remain at the foot of the table with 5-points from the 11-fixtures completed.
Norwich had interviewed Frank Lampard for the vacant position but Norwich won’t be renamed Frank Lampard’s Norwich as the ex-Chelsea boy as decided Norfolk is not for him.
It’s not sure what those talks were, other than Mr Lampard was supposedly heard shouting over to Christine,
‘Here love, listen to this one, Delia’s on the dog and wants to know if I will rename Norwich like I did at Derby and Chelsea?’
Christine is rumoured to have replied, ‘Ask her if she’s a nice recipe for Entrecôte Rioja’
A dog is a phone, ‘dog and bone = phone’
Well, Frank is a cockney!
In a twist of fate, Delia’s namesake, Dean Smith has had talks at Carrow Rd too and is now the clear favourite to swap his Villa tie for a Canary one. Watch this space.
James from Swinton, nowhere near Carrow Rd, was unhappy at the weekend’s Football result even though the lads new club got the inaugural win. The little Blunt saw his Blades lose, plus his first footballing love, Barnsley, suffer yet another defeat,
Barnsley have now lost 8 out of the last 9 and sit 2nd bottom of the Championship table.
The Reds sacked Markus Schopp and did gain a victory against Wayne Rooney’s Derby immediately after Supermarket Sweep left, however, went back to losing ways succumbing to a defeat before the International Break against fellow strugglers Hull City.
Jim’s Blunts are also near the foot of the table, having lost 3 of the previous 5-fixtures.
Jim threw his half and half Blades and Reds shirt at the frogs in the tank, put his Norwich shirt on and went straight down Spoons with the lovely Jade, celebrating the Canary victory with a few cheap Fruit Kopparbergs.
The little lad was last seen in the neighbours garden, repeatedly shouting, ‘Yellow Canary, Yellow Canary!’
Southampton come back after the break on the back of a victory against Aston Villa last time out. Adam Armstrong scored the only goal of the game after just 3-minutes to give Ralph Hasenhuttl’s boys the win and seal Dean Smith’s fate. That’s Mr Armstrong’s 2nd of the season up to now.
John Newsome remembers young Adam wearing a Barnsley shirt whilst on loan at Oakwell from Newcastle back in 2016, scoring 6-goals.
The Reds faithful wish Mr Armstrong well for the future and Adam deserves to be a Premier League player and goal scorer. Wreck-It was back in the smart gear, the lad must have been on a promise after the game, down the nightclub. The win gives Southampton 14-points leaving the Saints 13th in the table.
It was June 2020, in the Coronavirus affected season, that Norwich last hosted Southampton with Ralph’s men getting the away-day victory by a 3-0 scoreline.
After a goalless 1st-half at Carrow Rd, Danny Ings opened the scoring, with the other Mr Armstrong, Stuart, adding number-2.
Nathan Redmond scored the 3rd to seal the victory and make the cardboard Saints long journey home on the Amazon Transporter, a happy one.
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***Premier League Team of the Week***
GOALKEEPER- Vicente Guaita- Crystal Palace
RIGHT-BACK- Joel Ward- Crystal Palace
CENTRE-BACK- Kurt Zouma- West Ham
CENTRE-BACK- Ben White- Arsenal
LEFT-BACK- Nuno Tavares- Arsenal
MIDFIELDER- Pablo Fornals- West Ham
MIDFIELDER- Bernardo Silva- Man City
MIDFIELDER- Declan Rice- West Ham
FORWARD- Mathias Normann- Norwich
FORWARD- Teemu Pukki- Norwich
FORWARD- Wilfried Zaha- Crystal Palace
STAR MAN- Bernardo Silva- Man City
WATFORD v MANCHESTER UNITED
15.00 in England.
This relegation battle sees Claudio Ranieri’s Watford strugglers entertain Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United strugglers. From the opening 11-fixtures, the Hornets have suffered 7-defeats, the latest being a loss against Arsenal by a 1-0 scoreline.
Watford lost their previous game by the same 1-0 score so it does appear that Claudio is trying to plug the defence, however, it is now 3-defeats from the 4-fixtures the Italian legend has overseen.
Mr Ranieri had a few words to say to Mikel Arteta after the defeat, unhappy that the Gunners had not returned the ball when a Watford player was injured and put the ball out of play.
In the whole context of things, it was nothing and whether Arsenal should have given the ball back to the Hornets, wouldn’t have changed the outcome.
Mikel quickly apologised to Claudio but did add, ‘You would have probably messed up if we’d given you the ball back anyway!’
Watford sit a place above the relegation places, with 10-points, which is 2-more than Burnley who occupy the final position in the drop zone and could easily swap places following these set of Game Week-12 fixtures.
‘1981 the world was different but was it?
Was it acceptable to call a person a racist name?
Acceptable to be disrespectful to a woman or for that matter a fellow man?
Acceptable to be hungry or thirsty day in day out?
Is the world, 40-years later any different?
We live in this world for a short time but try to have a good time
We live altogether at that time
Yet decide to fight against a fellow human being
Decide to hurt a fellow person woman or man
Outpour our anger via a keyboard against another because of the colour religion or creed that person was born into
Buy drinks in bottles made of plastic when cans are available
Buy water in bottles made of plastic when taps are available
Buy sandwiches when bread and butter are available for all
Fill the seas with discarded rubbish then make a film or documentary about it
Hold a conference about climate change and travel there on a Jetplane
Four Star became Unleaded with Diesel the future
Diesel is now abhorrent
Electric is next
As kids, we drew things on pavements with chalk
Played games such as hopscotch and kick can
Now it’s iPads and phones Galaxy s5
The most annoying thing about Galaxy s5 is it’s not chocolate
Annoyance
As the world changed much since 1981
Not really
Just evolving as of every 40-years
Was 1941 any different from 1981
Apart from the odd German escapade, not really
Rations, no food or drink, misogyny was a future word but not a future act
Misogyny was around in 1941, 1981 and will be around in 2061
So will racism
The years evolve but the acts of people don’t
People are people so why should it be
You and I should get along so awfully
There are right-wing groups, left-wing groups, groups that believe that their way of life is the best
What is the best?
Who has the right to choose that their way of life is the best?
If a person lives alone on a street full of different ethnicity and likes football, horse racing, a pint or a glass
What gives someone else the right to challenge that way of life?
The woman or man isn’t hurting anyone
Yet someone else who dictates how another person should live, what that person should wear, say or look like hurts someone
Blind faith isn’t the way forward
Marching isn’t the answer
Someone gets a taxi to the supermarket yet can’t afford to feed their children then a footballer is awarded an honour for challenging the people elected
Elected in a democratic process
Should that said footballer be better advising a parent how to feed their children
Should that footballer be better saying to the brainwashed unwashed not to get a taxi but walk to the supermarket buy food for their kids who didn’t ask to be born and go unfed and unwatered
It’s not always someone else’s fault
Someone once said and wrote a song
Start looking at the person in the mirror first before blaming others
A million tons of plastic will end up in the oceans
That person in the mirror is responsible for that
No one else
That person in the mirror is responsible for racist comments against a fellow human being
That person in the mirror is responsible for misogynist behaviour
The person in the mirror is responsible for everything
Don’t blame anyone else
Start being responsible for oneself
Don’t buy a plastic bottle of drink
Don’t continue the norm
Evolution may just end at some point if that person in the mirror doesn’t become responsible for their actions
Everyone watches Alien films and comment on how the world we live in would fight against the outsiders
Yet we fight against ourselves
The Aliens look at us, laugh and think
We will leave that place well alone
Plastic bottles fill the oceans
Plastic fillers are in the faces and bodies of our people
The Alien out there looks bewildered upon our heavenly Earth
UFO
People know what that stands for’ Where does one start when previewing Manchester United.
Whilst saying above that this is a relegation battle, obviously was just a bit of fun, Ole’s Trollies are simply rubbish at the moment and Mr Gunnar Solskjaer is hanging on to his position as manager by a thread.
When Tottenham approached Antonio Conte, it was rumoured that the Italian was sitting outside Old Trafford waiting for a phone call from the Equaliser, Ed Woodward.
Mr Conte was gutted when it was Daniel Levy on the blower (telephone) and as United have no intention of getting rid of the Norwegian/Manc, Antonio was down the M6 to the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium, in bewilderment like most of the Red Devil’s faithful that Ole is still in a job.
This EveryTip column has documented the problems at Old Trafford for at least 12-months with the narrative that United won’t win anything with Fred.
To once again stress, this isn’t a personal attack on the Brazilian, who appears a likeable fella but is simply not good enough and for Ole and the rest of the coaches to somehow continue to pick Fred and Scott McTominay as the Midfield Generals, there must be something that John Newsome is missing.
Regular readers of this column know just how highly regarded John thinks Michael Carrick was as a player. However, for some reason, one of the best Midfielders of a generation is unable to put across his attributes to Scott and Fred.
That suggests one of two things, either Michael is not a good enough coach or simply, that Scott and Fred are not good enough.
Mr Newsome suggests it’s the latter that’s the problem. There are numerous questions to be asked regarding the current situation at Old Trafford.
Manchester United were humiliated against Liverpool with Scott and Fred in the Midfield.
Ole’s Trollies then beat a very poor Tottenham team that resulted in the sacking of Nuno Espírito Santo, with Scott and Fred. Masking all kinds of problems.
United laboured to a draw against Atalanta with Scott but without the Brazilian. In the latest abysmal performance against the Noisy Neighbours, Ole once again reverted to his go-to middlemen of Fred and Scott.
Who is making the decision at Old Trafford that Fred and Scott are the first choice Midfielders?
There is simply no evidence to suggest that United are a better team with these two. Why isn’t Donny Van De Beek getting a chance? Ole gave Donny 10-minutes at the end of the Derby, replacing Fred.
Man City were in complete control of the tie and whilst it’s not the done thing to refuse to play, no one could have blamed DVDB if the lad had told OGS to ‘do one!’
Another question is why did Ole not allow Jesse Lingard to join West Ham, yet doesn’t play him?
This fixture against Watford is ideal for a complete overhaul of the starting eleven with Jesse and Donny replacing Scott and Fred.
Paul Pogba won’t be available due to the Red Card received against Liverpool, however, wouldn’t have played anyway due to picking up an injury whilst training with France and could be missing for the foreseeable future.
Whilst a lot think that Paul is not good enough and that’s an argument for another day, John Newsome is a fan and think United are a better team with Mr Pogba than without. The stats bear that out too.
Nemanja Matic should also come in and whilst the Serbian is past his sell-buy, is a better option than Fred and Scott.
It’s apparent that Jadon Sancho is living in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo but the lad needs to come out of that shadow and perform to the level that saw him shine in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund.
Remember Manchester United paid £73 Million for the England International. Alex Telles could replace Luke Shaw, even Juan Mata should be given an outing.
Whilst not wanting to be in any way disparaging towards Watford, the Hornets are struggling and Ole has the chance to revamp his starting eleven, rejuvenate some players and see if there is an alternative to Fred and Scott.
Albert Einstein once said, ‘The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results’
If that piece of advice to Mr Solskjaer from one of the world’s most intelligent people, isn’t heeded then the ‘relegation battle’ quote could come to fruition.
John Newsome’s alternative starting eleven for Manchester United against Watford, fitness permitted.
David De Gea, Phil Jones, Raphael Varane, Eric Bailly, Alex Telles, Donny Van De Beek, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mason Greenwood.
Granted, no Bruno Fernandes which does appear harsh but can CR7 and Bruno play together for Manchester United? A lot will scoff at that but look at the stats.
In the 16-fixtures that United have played so far this season, 11-Premier League, 1-Carabao Cub and 4-Champions League, Ole’s Trollies have a record of 7-Wins (5-Premier League and 2-Champions League) 6-Defeats (4-Premier League, 1-Carabao Cup and 1-Champions League) and 3-Draws (2-Premier League, 1-Champions League).
In those 16-fixtures, Bruno and Cristiano started together in 11 of them, which resulted in 5 of the 6-defeats United have suffered this term. The Carabao Cup loss against West Ham saw neither start.
There is 1-Draw when both start, meaning, Manchester United have won just 5-times when Ole has started Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes.
In the 3-games at the beginning of the season, United won 2 and drew 1, all with Bruno starting, without Cristiano, who didn’t play until Game Week-4.
It’s only a theory and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gets paid the Big Bucks to make the right choices but if a Numpty from Barnsley, John Newsome, can see the flaws, then surely others can. Harry Maguire needs a rest too.
Against Man City, although the scoreline wasn’t as bad as the 5-0 against Liverpool, an own goal from Eric Bailly and a Bernardo Silva strike on the stroke of half-time, gave Pep’s High Flying Blues the victory at Old Trafford by a 2-0 score, however, City’s dominance of the game was up there with the display put on by Jurgen’s Reds.
The defeat leaves Manchester United in 6th-place, with 17-points from the opening 11-fixtures. With all the managerial upheaval, Ole somehow is still in a job but needs to heed Alberts warning!
It was December 2019, 3-days before Christmas, when Manchester United last went down to Vicarage Rd.
A little time before the Coronavirus situation took over and before anyone had used the word Furlough, Ismaila Sarr and a Troy Deeney penalty, both in the 2nd-half, gave Nigel Pearson’s Watford the victory over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United by a 2-0 score.
Amazingly, almost 2-years ago, United’s starting eleven consisted of David De Gea, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Fred, Scott McTominay, Jesse Lingard, Dan James, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
Eight of the players that featured in the recent defeats against Liverpool and Man City. What did Mr Einstein say?
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WOLVES v WEST HAM
15.00 in England.
Wolves suffered their 1st loss in 6, last time out succumbing to a defeat away at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace by a 2-0 scoreline.
After 4-Wins and a draw in the previous 5-Premier League outings, Bruno Lage’s Gold and Blacks came up against a resilient set of Eagles who are themselves on a role.
After a goalless 1st-half, Wolves conceded twice to ultimately lose the tie in London. The defeat leaves Bruno’s men in 8th-place in the table, with 16-points from the 11-fixtures.
A couple of weeks back, this EveryTip column documented the sad loss of Jimmy Greaves and the fact that there were only 7-players who are still alive from the England 22-man squad that won the World Cup in 1966.
One of those mentioned in that column, published October 13th 2021, was Ron Flowers. A quick exert.
‘It now means, that there are only 3-players from the starting eleven, that won the World Cup in 1966, that are still alive, Sir Bobby Charlton, George Cohen and Sir Geoff Hurst. Surely, Mr Cohen deserves a knighthood too?
Ian Callaghan, Terry Paine, George Eastham and Ron Flowers along with the 3-above, mean that there are only 7-players from the 1966 England 22-man squad, that are still with us.
All 22-are Three Lions legends and all deserve tremendous respect, with the 7-remaining being looked after by our country for the time we have left.’ Unfortunately, Ron Flowers passed away on November 12th 2021.
The Wolves Midfielder, born in Doncaster, was part of that great 22-Man Squad in 1966 and died peacefully aged 87. Now there are only 6 great players remaining, let’s look after these 6!
A Wolves legend. Respect, Mr Flowers. West Ham got the result of Game Week-11, inflicting a defeat on Liverpool at the London Stadium, by a 3-2 scoreline.
Whether intentionally planned or just played out on the day, David Moyes Boys targeted the Reds goalkeeper Alisson who was credited with the Hammers opening goal.
Liverpool then replied to take both teams in level at the break. Pablo Fornals and Kurt Zouma added 2 and 3 for West in the 2nd-half, before Liverpool scored their 2nd.
With no further goals, the Hammers got the victory in the 5-goal Sunday afternoon thriller.
That win took David’s Claret and Blues above Jurgen’s Reds into 3rd-place with 23-points, the same as Man City in 2nd, a point more than Liverpool and 3-away from Chelsea at the summit.
The Bubbles are dreaming and rightly so, plus have new investment, with the Czech Billionaire Daniel Kretinsky now having a 27% stake in the club.
When West Ham ventured North to Molineux last season, Jesse Lingard, Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen scored the 1st-half goals, with Leander Dendoncker replying before the break to give the home side hopes of a comeback.
Fabio Silva scored in the 2nd-half to add further hope to the thoughts but those 3-early goals from the Hammers were enough to earn the victory by a narrow 3-2 scoreline.
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LIVERPOOL v ARSENAL
17.30 in England.
Sky Sports
Liverpool come into this home fixture against an in-form Arsenal, off the back of their 1st-defeat of the campaign, following the loss against West Ham at the London Stadium.
The Reds goalkeeper Alisson, had a torrid afternoon being buffered and bumped from corners swung in by the Hammers players. Unfortunately, the Brazilian stopper was responsible for the opening West Ham goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold equalised with a superb free-kick to take both teams in level at the break.
Liverpool then conceded 2-more and although Divock Origi pulled a goal back, the game finished in a defeat by a narrow 3-2 scoreline.
Jurgen’s Reds slip a place to 4th, with 22-points, a point behind West Ham and Man City and 4-away from Chelsea at the summit.
Mr Klopp will dust himself down and go again following the defeat but this will be a tough ask against a much-improved set of Gunner’s.
Arsenal are up to 5th in the Premier League table following their 3rd-victory in a row against Watford last time out.
A single Emile Smith-Rowe goal after the break, was the difference between the two, giving Mikel Arteta’s men 6-victories from the last 8-Premier League fixtures, the other 2, being drawn. That’s a total of 20-points from a possible 24, which makes Arsenal the form team of the moment.
One slight negative from the game against Watford was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a 1st-half penalty when Ben Foster pulled off a great save from Pierre-Emerick’s kick.
At Anfield last term, this was a Game Week-3 affair that took place at the end of September 2020, due to the late start to the campaign.
Liverpool got the home victory by a 3-1 scoreline, with Sadio Mane and Andy Robertson scoring in the 1st-half, after Alexandre Lacazette had put Arsenal in front, to give the Reds a half-time lead.
Jurgen’s Reds left it late to seal the victory, with Diogo Jota adding the 3rd in the 88th-minute.
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MAN CITY v EVERTON
14.00 in England.
Sky Sports
Although the scoreline at Old Trafford wasn’t as emphatic as when Liverpool visited a couple of weeks before, the performance against Manchester United was equally as impressive for Pep’s High Flying Blues who ran out easy winners by a 2-0 score.
City were helped on their way, not that they needed any when Eric Bailly deflected a cross from Joao Cancelo past David De Gea.
On the stroke of half-time, Bernardo Silva bundled the ball into the net to give the Noisy Neighbours a 2-goal advantage. If it was a boxing match, the referee would have stopped the fight at the break.
There were no further goals in the 2nd-half, however, Pep’s boys were always in control and beat the Numpty Neighbours into submission.
With Chelsea only managing to draw and Liverpool subsequently losing the day after, City jump up to 2nd in the table, with 23-points, just 3-adrift of Thomas’s Blue Engines.
As mentioned previously and with this being a prediction site, the team most likely to be the Premier League Champions, in John Newsome’s opinion, is Man City, who appear to be the dominant team out of the Top Four.
The Numpty Neighbours from across the City will struggle to finish in the Top Six. John Stones started against United, when John plays, City don’t concede!
The quirk in that narrative is, in the Champions League game against Club Brugge, the Barnsley Stone played and City conceded, yet it was John who scored the own goal. Man City still ran out winners by a 4-1 scoreline.
When John Stones plays, City only concede own goals scored by John. It’s a funny old game.
Everton have suddenly gone from title contenders to relegation fodder in the space of 5-fixtures. In those 5, the Toffees have lost 3 and drawn 2, meaning 2-points from a possible 15.
Rafa Benitez stock was high but now the ante-Spanish Waiter’s are out, giving Rafa stick because of his Red connections.
The latest fixture saw Everton entertain an Antonio Conte inspired Tottenham with Spurs putting 11-men behind the ball and neither team able to score, resulting in a goalless draw.
It’s now apparent that the Sheffield Superstar 2, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a big loss to the Toffees and Mr Benitez will be hoping the lad is fit enough to see some game-time against City.
Everton sit 11th in the table with 15-points, the same as Crystal Palace and Leicester.
Man City got the comfortable victory against Carlo Ancelotti’s Toffees last season in the final fixture of the 2020/21 campaign.
Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus scored in the 1st-half to give City a half-time lead. Gylfi Sigurdsson did miss a penalty after the opening two goals.
Phil Foden added a 3rd early in the 2nd-half before Sergio Aguero, playing in his final game for Man City, scored 2 to give Man City the victory by a convincing 5-0 score and seal the Premier League title.
That was Sergio’s 184th-Premier League goal, putting the Argentinian in 4th-place on the all-time leading scorer list, behind Andy Cole (187), Wayne Rooney (208) and Alan Shearer (260).
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TOTTENHAM v LEEDS UNITED
16.30 in England.
Sky Sports
Antonio Conte is renowned for his defensive tactics and this was apparent in the display at Goodison Park, following the Italian’s 1st-Premier League fixture, that ended in a goalless draw, with Tottenham having 11-men behind the ball, not wanting to concede but ultimately not scoring either.
Harry Kane, who is struggling to score in a Spurs jersey, managed a 1st-half hat-trick for England in the recent World Cup qualifier against Albania.
This column will be published before the 2nd-fixture against San Marino on Monday evening where it’s quite possible that if Harry starts, the lad could fill his boots.
The 3-goals for the Three Lions against Albania is referred to as a perfect hat-trick, a header, a right-foot strike and a left-foot notch. If nothing else, it gets Mr Kane used to scoring again which will be a bonus for the Lilywhite faithful.
Tottenham sit 9th in the Premier League table with 16-points from the opening 11-fixtures. Antonio Conte will improve Spurs, it’s just a matter of how much of an improvement?
Can the North London club overtake the Gunners rivals, who have moved 4-points ahead and sit 5th, which will irk the Tottenham girls and boys.
Leeds United are slowly moving away from the drop-zone and are now unbeaten in the last-3 Premier League fixtures, however, 2 of those have been drawn.
Nevertheless, it’s still 3-unbeaten, the latest game being a draw against Leicester, at Elland Rd, by a 1-1 scoreline. The excellent Raphinha, who won’t be in West Yorkshire much longer, scored midway through the 1st-half.
Unfortunately for the Marching On Together crew, their idols conceded a Foxes goal before the half-time whistle and with no further goals in the 2nd-half, both teams shared the points.
Raphinha played for Brazil in the International Break and is already under the radar of Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola.
That won’t please the faithful but Raph is too good for the Whites and will be poached over the next 12-months. Marcelo Bielsa’s boys sit 15th in the table, with 11-points, which is basically a point a game.
Another player that could potentially be pinched from Elland Rd is Kalvin Phillips who once again starred for England recently and would fit perfectly in Ole’s Trollies at Old Trafford.
KP is just who Manchester United need to make them contenders, once again. Marching On Together!
At the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium last term, Tottenham ran out easy winners by a 3-0 score.
Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min scored before the break, with Toby Alderweireld adding a 3rd just after the restart, to give Jose Mourinho the victory over Marcelo Bielsa.
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