The highlight games for the next set of EPL matches are EVERTON versus LIVERPOOL and TOTTENHAM versus CHELSEA. Our feature columnist, John Newsome, previews these and all game week 15 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-15
Saturday 07th
EVERTON v LIVERPOOL
12.30 in England
TNT Sports
Everton smashed Wolves on Wednesday, with Sean Dyche’s Toffees inflicting a devastating defeat on Gary O’Neill’s Gold and Blacks by a 4-0 scoreline.
Goals from Ashley Young and Orel Mangala gave the home team a convincing lead at the break, before not one but two own goals, credited to the unfortunate Craig Dawson, leaving Everton with the brilliant home win.
Everton sit in 15th place with 14 points from the opening 14 games.
Liverpool played in a great game against Newcastle at St James Park on Wednesday.
Both teams gained a point from a scintillating draw by a 3-3 score, with the goals going in as follows.
35′ Alexander Isak- (Newcastle 1-0)
Half-Time Sausage Roll and Bovril.
50′ Curtis Jones- (Liverpool 1-1)
62′ Anthony Gordon- (Newcastle 2-1)
68′ Mo Salah- (Liverpool 2-2)
83′ Mo Salah- (Liverpool 2-3)
90′ Fabian Schar- (Newcastle 3-3)
Full-Time Bottle if Newcastle Broon Ale.
The point gained, because as everyone knows, it’s always a point gained, leaves Liverpool at the Top of the Premier League Table, with 35 points, now 7 points ahead of the nearest rivals Chelsea and Arsenal, who both have 28 points.
Man City are in 4th place with 26 points.
All have completed 14 fixtures.
There is speculation regarding Mo Salah’s contract with the Egyptian King’s current deal running out next Summer, leaving Mo able to talk to foreign clubs in January.
It is thought that Saudi Arabia beckons for Mr Salah and why not?
Especially with the money the boy will get, however, Mo is still doing the business for Liverpool in the Premier League and it would be great for everyone who loves the English Promised Land if Liverpool can do another deal to keep Mo Salah at Anfield.
Surprisingly, it was Everton that gained a victory over Liverpool in last season’s Merseyside encounter at Goodison Park.
Goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, one in each half, gave Sean Dyche’s Toffees the win over Jurgen Klopp’s Reds by a 2-0 scoreline.
Betfred offer Everton at 13/2 the Draw at 18/5 and Odds On 4/9 for Liverpool to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 5/1 that Coady Gakpo Scores First and 7/5 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.)
Away Win 0-2- Get 13/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
ASTON VILLA v SOUTHAMPTON
15.00 in England
Aston Villa finally stopped the losing streak on Wednesday, gaining a victory over Brentford at Villa Park by a 3-1 scoreline.
After 8 winless games in all competitions, 1st-half goals from Morgan Rogers, an Ollie Watkins converted penalty and Matty Cash, made the home fans’ half-time Pie and Pint an enjoyable one.
Brentford did score just after the restart but Villa were too strong and despite not scoring in the 2nd-half, held on for the win.
That leaves Aston Villa in 8th place with the same 22 points as Nottingham Forest and Fulham, all having completed 14 fixtures.
Southampton remain at the foot of the Premier League Table with 5 points following another defeat on Wednesday, this time against Chelsea at St Mary’s.
Jelly Man Joe Aribo did score to equalise an opening goal from the visitors, however, a number of errors including one from the Goalkeeper Joe Lumley, allowed Chelsea to score another 4 to ultimately inflict the defeat on the Saints by a 5-1 scoreline.
Southampton have had several ‘hard men’ over the years, Jimmy Case springs to mind, Mark Wright, Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock, Mick Shannon and Kevin Keegan didn’t shirk a challenge and neither did Alan Shearer.
However, one would like to bet that none were shown a straight Red Card for ‘pulling someone’s hair!’
Jack Stephens, who is the Saints Captain, was shown a Red Card for pulling the curly locks of Marc Cucurella against Chelsea on Wednesday.
Southampton are up against it and struggling at the foot of the table, so Russell Martin doesn’t need to lose his Skipper for the daft offence of ‘hair pulling!’
It was September 2022 when Aston Villa last hosted Southampton at Villa Park.
A single Jacob Ramsey goal scored just before the half-time break, gave Steven Gerrard’s Claret and Blues the victory over Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints by a 1-0 score.
Betfred offer Aston Villa at Odds On 4/11, the Draw at 9/2 and 13/2 for Southampton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/2 that Ollie Watkins Scores First and 15/8 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 4-1- Get 14/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
BRENTFORD v NEWCASTLE
15.00 in England
It was pointed out in the previous EveryTip column that Brentford are brilliant at home winning 6 of the 7 games played at the GTech and drawing the other.
However, it then was added that the Bees are not great on the road and John Newsome predicted another away defeat against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Wednesday.
After conceding 3 goals in the 1st-half, Mikkel Damsgaard did score just after the restart, which ultimately proved to be just a consolation with Villa holding on for the victory by a 3-1 scoreline.
Brentford sit in 11th place with the same 20 points as today’s visitors and Tottenham, all having completed 14 games so far.
As mentioned, Newcastle also have 20 points, following a brilliant game at St James Park against Liverpool on Wednesday and sit a place below today’s hosts on goal difference.
Both teams shared the points from a draw by a 3-3 score, with Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Fabian Schar getting the Magpie goals.
In truth, Newcastle were unlucky not to get at least one penalty and could have easily come away with the win, however, that said, if it wasn’t for an error from the Liverpool ‘Keeper, late on in proceedings, Fabian Schar may not have got the equaliser.
This should be a great game at the GTech but remember, Brentford are on Top of the Home Form table so the Bees could just sting the Magpies.
Last season’s fixture between these two teams at the GTech Stadium was the final game of the 2023/24 campaign.
In a very entertaining game that saw 6 goals, it was the away team Newcastle that gained the victory over Brentford by a 4-2 scoreline.
The goals going in as follows,
21′ Harvey Barnes- (Newcastle 0-1)
36′ Jacob Murphy- (Newcastle 0-2)
38′ Alexander Isak- (Newcastle 0-3)
Half-Time Vegan Pie.
48′ Vitaly Janelt- (Brentford 1-3)
70′ Yoane Wissa- (Brentford 2-3)
77’ Bruno Guimaraes- (Newcastle 2-4)
Full-Time Gin and Cherryade.
Betfred offer Brentford at 15/8, the Draw at 13/5 and 7/5 for Newcastle to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 15/2 that Kevin Schade Scores First and 11/8 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 3-1- Get 18/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
CRYSTAL PALACE v MAN CITY
15.00 in England
A single Jean-Phillipe Mateta goal scored on the hour mark, gave Crystal Palace the victory over Ipswich by a 1-0 scoreline at Portman Rd on Tuesday.
Palace are starting to get back some momentum that was gained at the end of last season but stalled at the beginning of this campaign.
The Eagles are now unbeaten in the last 3 games, with 1 Win and 2 Draws, which leaves Crystal Palace in 17th place with 12 points from the 14 games completed.
Oliver’s Army are starting to get the smile back on their faces.
The losing streak is over for Pep’s Low Flying Blues.
After suffering defeats in the last 4 Premier League games, plus a loss in the Carabao Cup and a loss and a draw in the Champions League, Man City got back to winning ways following Wednesday’s victory over Nottingham Forest at the Etihad.
There was a great joke going around that went something like this,
‘One of the lads at work just bought a new dog, it’s a clever little thing!
When Man City lose it lies down, when they draw it sits up!
Someone asked,
What does it do when they win?
The lad replied,
I don’t know, I’ve only had the dog 6 weeks!’
The starting eleven against Forest, offered up by Pep Guardiola around an hour before kickoff, did give the Citizens hopes of a win when the faithful saw that Kevin De Bruyne was in from the beginning after a few cameo appearances off the bench in the last 5 games.
Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku were also included, they have both been missing from the starting lineup in most of the recent defeats.
Kevin was superb throughout the 75 minutes that Pep gave him before being subbed, setting up the opening goal scored by Bernardo Silva and then scoring the 2nd.
Jeremy Doku added a 3rd just before the hour mark and after a few other chances that weren’t converted, Man City held on for the win by a 3-0 scoreline.
Erling Haaland hasn’t scored in 3 Premier League games now but it’s just a matter of time before the Norwegian/Leeds lad is back on the scoresheet and this could be the occasion in front of the Eagle Ultras today.
Man City moved up a place to 4th in the table with 26 points from 14 games played.
It was Pep’s High Flying Blues that gained the victory by a 4-2 scoreline over Oliver’s Eagles at Selhurst Park last season.
The goals scored as follows,
4′ Jean-Philippe Mateta- (Cry Palace 1-0)
13′ Kevin De Bruyne- (Man City 1-1)
Half-Time Hot-Dog and Chips.
47′ Rico Lewis- (Man City 1-2)
66′ Erling Haaland- (Man City 1-3)
70′ Kevin De Bruyne- (Man City 1-4)
86′ Odsonne Edouard- (Cry Palace 2-4)
Full-Time Baileys and Lucozade.
Betfred offer Crystal Palace at 9/2, the Draw at 16/5 and slight Odds On 3/5 for Man City to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/4 that Erling Haaland Scores First and 5/4 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.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Away Win 1-3- Get 11/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
MANCHESTER UNITED v NOTTINGHAM FOREST
17.30 in England
Manchester United’s 7-game unbeaten streak came to an end on Wednesday with Ruben’s Red Devils suffering a defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates.
Mr Amorim decided to change his team (again) and brought in Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount and Manual Ugarte and dropped Joshua Zirkzee and Marcus Rashford (who had both scored 2 goals in the previous game against Everton) from the starting lineup.
If one gets an opportunity to start and score 2 goals, one would expect to start the next game, so Joshua and Marcus must have been a bit upset with that decision by Ruben Amorim.
Maybe RM wants to throw all the players in to see who has the character for the future and who is going to be shown the door.
In fairness, Manchester United are in that period that has the dreadful term ‘Transition Phase’ so Ruben has a free hit so to speak, to find out which players he wants and there are no better places than the Emirates to test a set of ‘Transitioners’
Manchester United suffered the defeat against Arsenal by a 2-0 score, which dropped Ruben’s men down 4 places to 13th with 19 points having completed the full set of 14 games.
Nottingham Forest also suffered a loss on Wednesday, this time against Man City at the Etihad, with Pep’s High Flying Blues inflicting the defeat on Nuno’s Tricky Trees by a 3-0 score.
So it’s back-to-back visits to Manchester for Forest and the Faithful, who some may have booked a few nights in a hotel to get in some Christmas shopping.
JB could do with some new socks if anyone’s interested!
Nottingham Forest sit in 7th place with the same 22 points as Aston Villa and Fulham from the opening 14 fixtures.
Manchester United gained a narrow victory over Nottingham Forest by a 3-2 scoreline, in last season’s fixture between the two at Old Trafford.
Taiwo Awoniyi and Willy Boly stunned the Red Devils by scoring in the 2nd and 4th minute to give Steve Cooper’s Tricky Trees an early lead over Erik’s Ten Bobs.
Christian Eriksen did score for United to leave Forest in front at the interval.
Casermiro then added a 2nd just after the restart before a Bruno Fernandes converted penalty gave United the points.
Forest were reduced to 10 Men when Joe Worrall was shown a straight Red Card whilst the score was 2-2, so the extra man advantage for United, eventually paid off.
It’s amazing to think that Steve Cooper has been sacked twice since that game in August 2023.
With both the East Midlanders, Forest and Leicester, getting rid of the guy who is a ringer for the Liccle Fat Lad from Penistone.
Betfred offer Manchester United at slight Odds On 4/6, the Draw at 3/1 and 9/2 for Nottingham Forest to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 6/1 that Bruno Fernandes Scores First and 23/10 that Chris Wood Scores Anytime.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Home Win 2-1- Get 7/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
***Premier League Team of the Week***
GOALKEEPER- Stefan Ortega- Man City
RIGHT-BACK- Jurrien Timber- Arsenal
CENTRE-BACK- Marc Guehi- Crystal Palace
CENTRE-BACK- William Saliba- Arsenal
LEFT-BACK- Dean Huijsen- Bournemouth
MIDFIELDER- Ashley Young- Everton
MIDFIELDER- Kevin De Bruyne- Man City
MIDFIELDER- Alex Iwobi- Fulham
FORWARD- Mo Salah- Liverpool
FORWARD- Cole Palmer- Chelsea
FORWARD- Jamie Vardy- Leicester
STAR MAN- Kevin De Bruyne- Man City
***Last Week’s Winning Tips-
Leicester To Win- 9/5
Man City To Win- 1/3
Chelsea To Win- 4/11
Arsenal To Win- 4/9
Aston Villa To Win- 4/5
Bournemouth To Win- 7/4
Correct Scores-
Correct Tips-
Jean-Philippe Mateta To Score Anytime- 21/10
Jamie Vardy To Score First- 5/1
Sunday 08th
IPSWICH v BOURNEMOUTH
14.00 in England
Ipswich sit in 18th place with the same 9 points as Wolves, following the defeat against Crystal Palace at Portman Rd on Tuesday.
A single Palace goal scored on the hour mark, meant it was back-to-back defeats for Kieran McKenna’s Tractor Boys by the same 1-0 scoreline.
It was always going to be a tough season for Ipswich, who more than likely, will be joining Southampton, going back to the Championship next May.
With Ruud Van Nistelrooy coming in at Leicester, it could be a case of Meatloaf for this year’s Promoted Teams.
‘Two out of three ain’t bad!’
Bournemouth outplayed Tottenham at the Vitality on Thursday and despite the narrow scoreline of 1-0 in favour of the Cherries, the home team could have scored plenty more.
The Young Centre-Back Dean Huijsen, who is only 19 and is a Spanish Under/21 International, scored the only goal of the game in the 1st-half and was superb throughout.
There are rumours that when he got back into the dressing room after the game, the Tottenham staff came in and asked where Dominic Solanke was, to which Dean replied,
‘He’s in my pocket, there you go Dom!’
Allowing Mr Solanke to go back to the Spurs dressing room.
The brilliant victory for Andoni’s Cherries leaves Bournemouth in 9th place with 21 points from the opening 14 games played.
It was April 2015 when Bournemouth last ventured up to Portman Rd to take on Ipswich.
That was a Championship affair with both teams sharing the points from a draw by a 1-1 score.
Freddie Sears scored the opener to give Mick McCarthy’s Tractor Boys the lead at the break.
Kenwyne Jones then scored an equaliser for the away team late on in proceedings to give both a point apiece.
Eddie Howe was in charge of the Cherries that day.
Bournemouth went on to finish at the Top of the Championship and were promoted to the Premier League.
Ipswich finished in 6th place and the Play-Offs, however, suffered a defeat against Norwich in the Semi-Finals.
Celtic v Rangers is called the ‘Old Firm Derby’.
Ipswich v Norwich is called the ‘Old Farm Derby’ due to where the two teams are in the Country, Norfolk and Suffolk which are both classed as ‘farming communities!’
Betfred offer Ipswich at 12/5, the Draw at 11/4 and 11/10 for Bournemouth to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/2 that Evanilson Scores First and 9/5 that Bournemouth 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.)
Away Win 1-3- Get 14/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
LEICESTER v BRIGHTON
14.00 in England
The Manchester Ball Thrower (he’s stopped throwing sticks for Enzo) did state that the appointment of Ruud Van Nistelrooy (Tra-La-La-La-Lar) was somewhat of a ‘Poison Challis’ for Ruud, however, quickly changed his mind after RVN’s opening game against West Ham on Tuesday.
Back in 2015, when Leicester were on their way to a stunning Premier League Title Win, Jamie Vardy surpassed a ‘Premier League Goal Scoring Record’ by notching in 11 consecutive games.
The previous record holder that JV beat was his New Manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy, whilst RVN was playing for Manchester United and coincidentally, Jamie scored the 11th in a row, against United.
On Tuesday, in Ruud’s first official game in charge of the Foxes, the Leicester Captain and Sheffield Superstar Jamie Vardy scored the opener against West Ham in just the 2nd minute, which gave the home team a lead at the break.
Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka scored in the 2nd-half to seal the victory over the Hammers by a 3-1 scoreline.
West Ham did score a late consolation in the 93rd minute, to put a slight dent in Ruud’s opening fixture.
The goal Mr Vardy got against the Hammers on Tuesday, means the Sheffield Lad has sensationally scored the first Premier League goal for the last 6 Leicester Managers.
By that, one means the last 6 Permanent Managers who have taken charge of Leicester in the Top Flight.
Claudio Ranieri, Craig Shakespeare, Claude Puel, Brendan Rodgers, Steve Cooper and now Ruud.
If one is wondering why Enzo Maresca is missing from the above list, then remember, Enzo didn’t Manage the Foxes in the Premier League, the Italian took charge at the King Power for the start of the 2023/24 Championship campaign and although gained promotion by winning the Title, Enzo then left to take charge of Chelsea.
Ruud took over from Erik Ten Hag and oversaw 4 of Manchester United’s fixtures that produced a Win in the Carabao Cup, a Draw and a Win in the Premier League and a Win in the Europa League, before leaving and eventually taking control at the King Power, with an immediate impact on Leicester gaining a victory in the first game.
This means RVN has taken to Managing in the Premier League like a Duck does to Water.
The only slight negative to put out there for any of the Foxes faithful and it is slight, is the fact that 2 of Ruud’s victories from the 4 games in interim charge of Manchester United were against Leicester, the team that RVN now Manages because of the fact that Leicester were rubbish under Steve Cooper.
Hence being sacked and giving Ruud the opportunity.
This fixture against Brighton will be more of a challenge than the ones faced in the last 5 that Ruud has overseen in the Premier League.
Leicester dropped down a place to 16th with 13 points from 14 games completed.
Two points adrift of West Ham.
Last Friday, Brighton had the chance to go 2nd below Liverpool at the Top of the Premier League but could only manage a draw against Southampton.
On Thursday, the Seagulls suffered an away defeat against the Cottagers to finish Game Week-14 in 5th place with 23 points from the opening 14 games played.
The Brighton Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen played like Bart Simpson in the 1st-half, kicking the ball straight to a Fulham player, whilst trying to play out from the back, who slotted home to leave the Seagulls trailing at the break.
Doh!
Carlos Baleba did score an equaliser just after the restart to get the Seagull Faithfuls’ hopes up, however, the unfortunate Matt O’Riley scored an own goal with the ball coming off the lads’ backside.
Maybe he should sign for Arsenal.
Fulham then scored a 3rd to inflict the defeat on Brighton by a 3-1 scoreline.
Both teams shared the points from a draw by a 2-2 score when Brighton last travelled up to the King Power Stadium to take on Leicester.
That was in January 2023, before the Foxes were relegated in May of that year.
Kaoru Mitoma opened the scoring for the Seagulls just before the half-hour mark.
Marc Albrighton then scored an equaliser for the Foxes to take both teams in level at the break.
Harvey Barnes added a 2nd for the home team just after the hour mark before Evan Ferguson scored a late equaliser in the 88th minute and with no further goals, both teams gained a point apiece.
The Archbishop was happy.
This season’s encounter sees two New Managers in charge of the respective teams with Ruud Van Nistelrooy at the Foxes helm and Fabian Hurzeler taking control of the Seagulls.
Betfred offer Leicester at 18/5, the Draw at 3/1 and Odds On 8/11 for Brighton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/1 that Jamie Vardy Scores First and 7/5 that Joao Pedro Scores Anytime.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Draw 1-1- Get 7/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
FULHAM v ARSENAL
14.00 in England
Sky Sports
Fulham gained a great victory over Brighton on Thursday Night Football, with Marco Silva’s Cottagers inflicting a defeat on Fabian Hurzeler’s Seagulls by a 3-1 scoreline.
Alex Iwobi scored the opener following a dreadful error by the Brighton Goalkeeper who tried to play out from the back but kicked it straight to Alex who slotted the ball into an empty net.
Brighton did score an equaliser early in the 2nd-half, however, a Seagulls own goal plus a 2nd for Mr Iwobi gave the home team the convincing win.
Fulham moved up to 6th place with the same 22 points as Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest but above the two purely on goal difference.
All 3 have completed 14 games.
Arsenal were just too good for Manchester United at the Emirates on Wednesday.
Goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, both scored in the 2nd-half, gave Mikel’s Young Guns the victory over Ruben’s Red Devils by a 2-0 scoreline.
The Arsenal set-piece Coach earned his dollars, with both goals coming from corner kicks, one from the Right Foot of Declan Rice, sent in close to the United Goalkeeper and one from the Left Foot of Bukayo Saka, again sent in close the the ‘Keeper who had no chance.
Although a victory, the win over United left Arsenal with the same 28 points as Chelsea but dropped them down a place to 3rd.
As mentioned in the last EveryTip column, there was nothing separating Arsenal and Chelsea, both having the same points, scored the same amount of goals and conceded the same, leaving Arsenal in 2nd place purely on Alphabetical Order because of Arsenal beginning with an ‘A’ and Chelsea starting with a ‘C’.
After Wednesday’s results for both teams, Chelsea have now scored 31 and conceded 15 (plus+16) and Arsenal have scored 28 and conceded 14 (plus+14), meaning it’s the West London Blues that are now 2nd not the North London Red and Whites.
With Liverpool drawing their midweek clash against Newcastle, the gap between Arne’s Slot Machines and Enzo’s Blues/Mikel’s Young Guns is now 7 points.
Man City are a couple of points adrift of 3rd and 2nd place and 9 points adrift of Liverpool at the summit.
Whatever happens, it will be an exciting final 24 games over the next 6 months or so.
This fixture last season between these two Londoners took place at Craven Cottage on New Year’s Eve.
It was the home team that lit the early fireworks celebrations, with Fulham gaining a victory over Arsenal by a 2-1 scoreline.
Bukayo Saka scored the opener for the Gunners in the 5th minute, before Raul Jimenez scored an equaliser for the Cottagers to take both teams in level at the break.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid scored Fulham’a 2nd on the hour mark and with no further goals, Marco Silva’s Cottagers got the New Year’s Celebrations started with the win over Mikel Arteta’s Young Guns.
Happy New Year.
Betfred offer Fulham at 9/2, the Draw at 16/5 and slight Odds On 3/5 for Arsenal to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 14/1 that Harry Wilson Scores First and 6/4 that Bukayo Saka Scores Anytime.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Draw 2-2- Get 14/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
TOTTENHAM v CHELSEA
16.30 in England
Sky Sports
Tottenham suffered a defeat against Bournemouth at the Vitality on Thursday Night Football.
The home team scored after 17 minutes and with no further goals in the 70-plus minutes left, Ange’s Spurs suffered the loss by a 1-0 away night scoreline.
It has been mentioned in this EveryTip column that Tottenham either play like Real Madrid or sometimes play like Ryhill Baghdad.
On Thursday, it was Ryhill who were on show on the South Coast.
The defeat leaves Tottenham in 10th place, with the same 20 points as Brentford and Newcastle, who are all now below Bournemouth in the table.
Chelsea smashed Southampton at St Mary’s on Wednesday Night Football.
Goals from Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho gave Enzo Maresca’s Blues the victory over Russell Martin’s Sorry Saints by a 5-1 away night score.
Southampton scored to equalise Axel’s opener.
The Saints Captain Jack Stephens stupidly got shown a straight Red Card for pulling Marc Cucurella’s curly locks.
Maybe Jack was just trying to straighten the Left-Back’s hair.
Despite having a man advantage for all of the 2nd-half, Chelsea already had a 3-1 lead before the sending off so would have probably still got the win if Southampton had 11 players.
The brilliant victory which is Chelsea’s 3rd Premier League win in a row, leaves Enzo’s Blues in 2nd place with the same 28 points as Arsenal but now above the Gunners on goal difference.
As mentioned in the Fulham v Arsenal Preview above-
‘After Wednesday’s results for both teams, Chelsea have now scored 31 and conceded 15 (plus+16) and Arsenal have scored 28 and conceded 14 (plus+14), meaning it’s the West London Blues that are now 2nd not the North London Red and Whites.
With Liverpool drawing their midweek clash against Newcastle, the gap between Arne’s Slot Machines and Enzo’s Blues/Mikel’s Young Guns is now 7 points.
Man City are a couple of points adrift of 3rd and 2nd place and 9 points adrift of Liverpool at the summit.
Whatever happens, it will be an exciting final 24 games over the next 6 months or so.’
If one remembers, this fixture at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium last season, was a bit of an anomaly and without checking can anyone guess the outcome?
Well, all was going well for Tottenham after Dejan Kulusevski scored the opener in the 6th minute.
Son Heung-Min then had a goal disallowed by the dreaded VAR which was the first of 4 that the Stockley Park Brigade chalked off.
As mentioned, all was going well for the home team, right up until the 33rd minute when the events of the evening suddenly changed.
Cristian Romero was shown a straight Red Card leaving Tottenham a man lite for over an hour.
Chelsea had 2 goals disallowed before the sending-off.
Ange Postecoglou sent on Erik Dier, who had not played for a while, to replace Cristian whose indiscretion had resulted in a penalty to Chelsea which was converted by Cole Palmer.
That wasn’t the end of the 1st-half action as on the stroke of half-time, both Mickey Van De Ven and James Maddison had to come off due to injury.
Just after the restart, Destiny Udogie was shown a 2nd Yellow Card and the subsequent Red to join his mate Cristian Romero in the Dressing Room, leaving Tottenham with 9 men for 40 minutes or so.
Chelsea eventually and one says eventually, as it did take over 20 minutes to work out how to beat Tottenham’s 9-man High-Line finally took control with Nicolas Jackson scoring a hat-trick to give the Blues the victory by a 4-1 away night scoreline.
Tottenham had a goal disallowed, the 4th of the night by the dreaded VAR, just after Nicolas’s 1st goal.
Betfred offer Tottenham at 9/5, the Draw at 3/1 and 13/10 for Chelsea to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/2 that Nicolas Jackson Scores First and 7/5 that Chelsea 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.)
Away Win 1-3- Get 12/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Monday 09th
WEST HAM v WOLVES
20.00 in England
Sky Sports
The Battle of the Imminent Sacked Managers.
Granted, not the most exciting title for a game but basically it’s rumoured that the loser today between Julen Lopetegui and Gary O’Neil will be sacked.
Happy Christmas eh!
It will have been almost a week since West Ham last played, where Julen Lopetegui’s Hammers suffered an away night defeat against Leicester at the King Power Stadium last Tuesday.
Niclas Fullkrug did score a late goal in the 93rd minute, however, this was just a consolation as Leicester had already scored 3, meaning West Ham suffered the loss by a 3-1 score.
After a brilliant display that produced a victory against Newcastle at St James Park a fortnight ago come kickoff, it’s now back-to-back defeats for West Ham leaving Julen’s Hammers in 14th place with 15 points from 14 fixtures played.
A sorry set of Hammers that are struggling under Julen Lopetegui.
The Bubble faithful are becoming more and more disgruntled with their idols and are calling for a change of Manager.
Whilst Julen Lopetegui is no doubt a nice man, he is a Pragmatic Manager, which is not what the Bubbles want.
That said, the Cockney Geezers (both girl and boy) love a moan and with 50,000 regularly attending the home game, one is not going to appease them all.
As the saying goes,
‘You can please some of the people, all of the time and all of the people, some of the time but you can’t please all of the people, all of the time.’
There are rumours that it’s not only the fans who aren’t happy with their Spanish Manager but also some of the West Ham Board Members who think Julien ‘No i’, has ‘no idea’ how to Manage the Hammers.
Whilst writing this on Thursday it was reported that the hierarchy at the London Stadium are set to decide on Julen’s future before Friday, which more than likely means that they are trying to get someone else lined up to be ready for this Monday Night Football.
The ex-Borussia Dortmund Coach Edin Terzic and the ex-Brighton, Chelsea and a few other clubs Gaffer Graham Potter are rumoured to be in line to become the next Managers in the Premier League.
Maybe one could go to Molineux and the other to the London Stadium.
David Moyes is out of work too!
Just saying.
Watch this space!
As it turned out, there wasn’t any White Smoke coming from the London Stadium and it was confirmed that Julen Lopetegui will oversee this Monday Night Football against Wolves at Molineux, however, it’s assumed by most that Julen is in the ‘Last Chance Saloon’ and will be sacked if a victory isn’t achieved against Wolves.
If a draw occurs, it may be a case that the Englishman and the Spaniard are both down the concrete and celebrating the upcoming festivities at the Job Centre.
Let’s hope the said JC’s have some nice Mince Pies!
Wolves suffered a devastating defeat against Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday.
Two goals conceded in both halves, left Wolves with the loss by a 4-0 away night score.
The unfortunate Wolves Defender Craig Dawson was credited with both of the 2nd-half goals after seeing the ball hit his body last before going into the net.
The defeat leaves Wolves in 19th place with the same 9 points as Ipswich from the 14 games played so far.
It also leaves Gary O’Neil on the verge of being sacked which could occur if a victory is not achieved tonight.
Despite Pablo Sarabia scoring the opener for Wolves in last season’s encounter against West Ham at Molineux, to give the home team a lead at the break.
It was West Ham who came away with the away day victory by a 2-1 scoreline, with Lucas Paqueta and James Ward-Prowse scoring the 2nd-half Hammers goals.
Betfred offer Wolves at slight Odds On 19/20, the Draw at 11/4 and 11/4 for West Ham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/2 that Jarrod Bowen Scores First and 15/8 that Matheus Cunha Scores Anytime.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
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The were 3 midweek games in the Scottish Premier League, which saw Dundee FC (who?) take on Motherwell (who?), Rangers host Kilmarnock (who?) and the Top Two Celtic and Aberdeen face each other at Pittodrie.
The position at the Top of the Pub League remains the same, with Celtic sitting at the summit following their victory over Aberdeen by a narrow 1-0 score.
Aberdeen remain in 2nd place despite the loss and Rangers sit 3rd after a comfortable win over Kilmarnock by a 6-0 scoreline.
Celtic have 40 points from 14 games played, Aberdeen have 33 points after 15 fixtures completed and Rangers have 29 points from 14 games.
The Loveable OzScot is back home in Ozland following his trip over to Scotland, now gearing up for the Christmas season which will no doubt involve a few Sparkling Aqua’s, a Bit of Turkey thrown on the Barbie and watching Rangers lose against Celtic in the Scottish Pub Cup that takes place at Hampden Park on the 15th of December.
It’s then the traditional New Year’s Old Firm fixture between the two Glasgow rivals that comes up at Ibrox on the 2nd of January 2025.
As Mud once warbled,
‘It’ll be painful this Christmas, without a Gers’ win!’
It’ll be winless this Christmas, painful and cold!’
It’ll be cold, so cold, at Ibrox you know!
Painful and winless this Christmas,
This Christmas!’
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