EPL Game Week 16 – 2020/21 Season – Weekdays Premier League Tips

John Newsome Football Betting Tips - everytip

The highlight games for this week’s action are BRIGHTON versus ARSENAL and NEWCASTLE versus LIVERPOOL. Our feature columnist, John Newsome previews these as well as all game-week 16 EPL 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 time of publication.

CRYSTAL PALACE v LEICESTER

Monday 28th

These midweek games are all live on Amazon Prime in England starting at Selhurst Park with a 15.00 kick-off time.

Roy’s Boys were severely punished on Saturday afternoon, succumbing to a 3-0 defeat against Aston Villa, which was made worse by the fact that Villa were reduced to 10-men just before half-time, so Palace had a man advantage for all of the 2nd-half.

At the time, the Eagles were losing by a goal but after Villa’s Tyrone Mings had been shown a 2nd-Yellow and ultimately the Red, Roys Boys would have been confident of getting back in the game and ultimately winning.

Unfortunately for the cardboard Eagles who travelled up on the Amazon Parcel Transporter, Aston Villa were just too good, even with a man light and scored 2-more in the 2nd-half to inflict a defeat on Palace by a 3-0 scoreline.

Some of the cardboard Ultras never made it home and were rumoured to be recycled into packaging for Amazon’s many deliveries. Bit harsh!

Although, on receiving some Gillette razors from Amazon, (cheaper than Superdrug or Boo-it’s, Barnsley’s Boots!) it did look like the packaging had a few Eagles embossed on it. One will never know.

The defeat now leaves the once mid-table Crystal Palace, edging towards the drop-zone in 14th-place with just 18-points from 15-fixtures.

Whilst no one is suggesting Palace are in trouble, Roy just needs to keep an eye on things, as not to get caught up in a relegation battle.

Sheffield Superstar Jamie Vardy thought he’d scored late on in proceedings on Boxing Day, in the clash against Manchester United.

Brendan’s Wonderful Human Beings earned a point from a Desmond 2-2 draw, following Jimmy V’s supposed equaliser, that was the Foxes 2nd equaliser of the game after Ole’s Wheels went in front twice. In the 1st-half, Harvey Barnes scored after United had taken the lead.

The Red Devil’s then scored with 10-minutes remaining but the bad dog walker was once again on display and United couldn’t hold on to the lead with Jamie Vardy’s scuffed shot, somehow finding its way into the net.

Jamie will claim the goal but it does look as if the Dubious Goal Panel have deemed it an O-G.

Either way, it earned the Foxes a point and left both teams the same as before kick-off with Leicester, remaining a point and a place above Manchester United.

After all Game Week-15 fixtures have taken place, Brendan’s Wonderful’s find themselves in 3rd-place, a point more than United but having played a game more too and significantly, now 4-points behind Liverpool at the summit.

Everton did jump above Leicester into 2nd, after the Toffees victory against Sheffield United late on Saturday night. Rod Stewart was happy though, after seeing the Foxes draw.

With Leicester only managing a point against Manchester United, Lennon the pooch felt safe too, in the knowledge that he wasn’t going to be draped in a Red Shirt.

Having seen that Rod’s beloved Green and White hoops had won, managing to beat Hamilton (Who?) in the SPL (Scottish Pub League!) by a 3-0 scoreline, Lennon was in for a nice Saturday/Boxing Day evening, curled up on the sofa, listening to Rod warbling Young Turks on the Spotify.

What Rod hadn’t noticed is that Mrs Rod, aka Penny Lancaster, had bought the pooch some iPod Buds’, so Lennon can listen to some Style Council but leaving Rod, under the illusion that his beloved hound is loyally listening to the Scottish Crooner and not Mr Weller, with the occasional bark of,

‘Young hearts be free tonight’ when Roddy Boy goes into the kitchen for a refill of Penny and his glass and knowing that a Doggy Treat was in the offering. This fixture last term took place at the beginning of November.

After a goalless 1st-half, Caglar Soyuncu scored midway through the 2nd-period, to give the Foxes a lead.

Leicester left it late to seal the win with the original Sheffield Superstar Jamie Vardy adding a 2nd, to give Brendan’s Wonderful’s a great away-day victory by a 2-0 scoreline.

Bet 365 offer Crystal Palace at 11/4, the draw at 5/2 and Evens 1/1 for Leicester to come away with all 3-points.

Bet 365 offer 9/4 that James Maddison Scores Anytime and 5/2 that Leicester Win To Nil.

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CHELSEA v ASTON VILLA

Monday 28th

A 17.30 start time in England live on the Amazon Prime streaming channel.

Chelsea offered up probably the surprise result of Boxing Day by heading to the Emirates, where Arsenal have lost their last 4-Premier League and suffered a defeat by a 3-1 scoreline.

It’s an argument as to how bad Frank’s Blues were or how good Mikel’s Red and Whites performed. Having seen the game, Chelsea were woeful and Frank needs to shake up his team.

For some reason, after starting Olivier Giroud against Wolves, Everton and Leeds, where the Big Frenchman scored, 2-goals in the 3-fixtures. Frank has left the lad warming the bench against West Ham and Arsenal, choosing Timo Werner ahead of him.

Timo hasn’t scored since Game Week-8 when the German notched against Sheffield United.

Ten games in all competitions added to 2-International appearances for Germany where the net wasn’t troubled. In the same period, Olivier Giroud has scored 9-goals, including 2 for France, yet Mr Lampard, for some reason, has decided that he doesn’t need the Frenchman.

Arsenal scored twice in the 1st-half against Chelsea on Boxing Day.

Thinking that the Blues couldn’t be that bad after the break, a few fivers were placed, In-Play, for a positive Chelsea result.

The Gunners then scored a 3rd and never really looked in danger of losing the game, with the In-Play betting slips thrown at the cat.

There was late hope for Chelsea that saw everyone scramble towards the kitty when Tammy Abraham pulled a goal back with 5-minutes remaining.

Then, when Chelsea were awarded a penalty in the 91st-minute, all bets were off (or on!).

The usually assured Jorginho, who rarely misses a spot-kick, missed a spot-kick and the betting slips were once again heading towards the cat, who was seen to be just sat there purring and laughing his head off.

What would have irked Frank and a certain little German forward, is that Timo Werner, was given the responsibility of the designated penalty taker so would have been sat on the bench, after receiving the hook at half-time, thinking that TW would have scored a much-needed goal.

The defeat and the subsequent draw for Tottenham drops Chelsea down to 8th, with the same 25-points as today’s visitors, however, Villa have only played 13-fixtures not the 15, Frank’s boys have partaken in.

Aston Villa were involved in one of the great results of Boxing Day, beating Crystal Palace, at Villa Park, by a 3-0 scoreline.

Although Dean’s Clarets and Blues were at home and are in form, what made the result a great one was, for an hour of the tie, Villa played with 10-men after Tyrone Mings was shown 2-Yellow Cards and the subsequent Red, on the stroke of half-time, to get to put the kettle on for the rest of the lads.

Bertrand Traore scored after 5-minutes to put Villa in front, then Tyrone received the cautions within 6-minutes of each other.

After the break, Kortney Hause doubled the lead for Aston Villa, with Anwar El-Ghazi making it 3-0 midway through the half.

That’s Anwar’s 4th-goal of the campaign, which doesn’t appear to be a lot but the 4 have come in the last 4-fixtures, which Villa haven’t lost any.

As mentioned, Dean Smith’s boys have 25-points, the same as today’s hosts but significantly have only played 13-times not the 15, most others have.

Aston Villa sit 7th in the table, with Chelsea and Southampton, who both have 25-points but sit below with a slightly inferior goal difference.

At Stamford Bridge back in early December 2019, Villa’s Trezeguet equalised a Tammy Abraham opener for the Blues to take both teams in level at the break.

Mason Mount scored Chelsea’s winner within minutes of the restart to give Frank a great 2-1 victory over his mate John Terry.

Bet 365 offer Chelsea surprisingly at slight Odds On 8/13, the draw at 16/5 and 4/1 for Aston Villa to come away with all 3-points.

Bet 365 offer 9/2 that Olivier Giroud Scores First and 2/1 that Chelsea Win and Both Teams To Score.

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EVERTON v MAN CITY

Monday 28th

The final Bank Holiday Monday Night Football live in the Amazon Jungle kicking-off at 20.00 in England.

Everton left it late on their night out in Sheffield to get the victory with Gylfi Sigurdsson scoring the solitary winning goal in the 80th-minute.

The win gives Carlo’s Toffees 29-points and lifts Everton above everyone, apart from Liverpool, into 2nd, 3-points behind the Merseyside rivals, who are sitting pretty at the summit. Ex-Barnsley Boy, Mason Holgate looked solid at Right-Back.

Bearing in mind, young Mason, who’s still only 24-years old has been used as a Centre-Half but is now keeping the Everton legend Seamus Coleman out of the starting eleven and could, quite conceivably, make the Right-Back berth his own for a good few years.

One thing England do have is a plethora of brilliant young defenders who play on the right-side, with Mason added to that list.

When Pep hands his team sheet in, an hour before the kick-off, it’s worth checking to see if another ex-Barnsley Boy, John Stones is in the starting eleven.

If the former Toffee is playing, then a few bob (gamble responsibly!) is well worth placing on City Winning To Nil. City have won 8 of their last 9-games and drew 1, when John has played, without conceding a goal.

Three out of the last 4-Premier League fixtures were all won to nil, the 4th being a 0-0 draw against Manchester United. When John plays, City don’t concede.

Both Mason and John left Oakwell at different times to head to Goodison Park (Cheers Everton!) with Johnny Boy then moving to the Etihad.

Kyle Walker is up there with the best so it’s unlikely that Mason will follow John to Manchester anytime soon but watch this space and don’t rule out Mr Holgate heading to a top club soon.

Almost immediately after those words were put into a sentence, the Everton faithful will be screaming at their iPad, ‘We are a top club!’ Calm down Z-Cars, just a bit of festive fun.

John and Mason will get to renew acquaintances at Goodison Park with hopefully, Mr Stones wearing the very fetching Paisley Print City away shirt. Prince would be happy.

Man City are quietly going about their business, getting a professional 2-0 victory against Newcastle, at the Etihad, on Boxing Day.

Ilkay Gundogan (tra, la, la, la, lar!) scored the opener after 14-minutes from a great assist by Raheem Sterling.

Fernando Torres added the 2nd, just after the break to seal the victory for Pep’s Blues.

Before everyone starts screaming at the iPatches, yes it’s Ferran Torres, not the legendary ex-Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea and ABBA boy Fernando. Just a bit of festive fun after the year everyone has had.

The victory, by the way, To Nil, which is a subliminal message in this column when John Stones starts, gives Pep’s Moons 26-points and leaves City 6th in the table after Game Week-15.

After watching all the 20-teams, despite City currently lying 6th in the table, Pep 1’s boys are the closest rivals to Jurgen’s Reds.

Some may argue that and have every right, that’s what makes this beautiful game, so beautiful.

However, City have played a game less than Liverpool so despite being 6-points behind the Anfield Rappers, will feel in a false position at the moment.

Marco Silva was still in charge of Everton back in September 2019 and oversaw a 3-1 defeat against Pep’s City.

Sheffield Superstar 2, Dominic Calvert-Lewin had equalised a Gabriel Jesus opener to send both teams in level at the break.

In the 2nd-half, Everton held there own for 25-minutes, until Riyad Mahrez put City in front.

Raheem Sterling put the game to bed with 10-minutes to go giving Man City a 3-1 victory, starting the demise of Marco’s reign on Merseyside.

Bet 365 offer Everton at 11/2, (way too big!) the draw at 15/4 and Odds On 9/20 for Man City to come away with all 3-points.

Bet 365 offer 12/5 that Dominic Calvert-Lewin Scores Anytime and 7/2 that there are Over 4.5 Goals.

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BRIGHTON v ARSENAL

Tuesday 29th

Footballs back on the Streaming channel with this relegation battle starting at 18.00 in England. What have Brighton and the legend that is Nelson Mandela’s best friend have in common? The Seagulls played out a Desmond Tutu draw against West Ham on Sunday.

Admittedly not this columns best analogy but you have to plant a million pieces of Cubic Zirconium to grow a diamond.

Graham, aka Harry, Potter’s Seagulls took the lead just before half-time, through a goal by Neal Maupay. West Ham equalised on the hour mark, then Lewis Dunk put Brighton ahead once again, 10-minutes later.

After leading twice, the bad dog walker turned up and on both occasions, Brighton gave away the lead, with the Hammers equalising once again, the Seagulls must have hands like this EveryTip columnist. An explanation is on offer if required but the findings may blow everyone’s mind!

With the Hammers equalising twice, the result finished in a Desmond 2-2 draw, the point gained giving Brighton 13, for the season so far, leaving them residency in 16th-place, a place behind today’s visitors and 2-points above the drop-zone.

Arsenal, although the home side, surprised everyone and probably ruined a few Accas by comfortably beating Chelsea on Saturday.

Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring after 34-minutes from the penalty spot after Arsenal were awarded a spot-kick. Granit Xhaka then added a brilliant 2nd, just before the break to give the Gunners a 2-0 lead,

It would have been thought that Chelsea would come out strong in the 2nd-half but within 10-minutes of the restart, Bukayo Saka calmed all the Gooners nerves by scoring Arsenal’s 3rd.

Even though the Gunners had a 3-goal advantage, Mikel’s Boys still gave the cardboard faithful a scare by conceding late on, then giving away a penalty in the 91st-minute.

Fortunately for the Gooners, Chelsea offered up some Christmas cheer and missed the spot-kick to give Arsenal a rare victory, the 1st-Premier League 3-points out of 7-fixtures.

What a lot of Gooners are asking, Munashe included is how come their beloved Arsenal can be so woeful up until now, yet comfortably beat Frank’s Blues. Were the Gunners good? Or were Chelsea that bad?

Probably this fixture against Brighton will answer a bit of that question, yet won’t confirm where Arsenal are at the moment.

If the statement, Brighton v Arsenal is a relegation battle, was written, most would scoff, however, currently, Brighton lie in 16th-place in the Premier League table with 13-points and Arsenal lie a place above, in 15th, with 17-points. So the scoffers can scoff!

At the Amex last season, this was a post-lockdown fixture that took place in June, with just the cardboard faithful watching in the stands. The action started after the break with Nicolas Pepe scoring to give the Gunners a lead.

Lewis Dunk equalised for the Seagulls and with the game going way into added time, a stalemate looked on the cards until Neal Maupay popped up and scored the winner for Brighton in the 95th-minute, to give Graham Potter’s boys a victory by a 2-1 scoreline against Mikel Arteta’s sorry Gunners.

Bet 365 offer Brighton at 9/4, the draw at 5/2 and 6/5 for Arsenal to come away with all 3-points.

Bet 365 offer 5/1 that Alexandre Lacazette Scores First and 11/4 that Arsenal Win To Nil.

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SOUTHAMPTON v WEST HAM

Tuesday 29th

Another 18.00 start time in England live on Amazon Prime.

After the Boxing Day dismal 0-0 draw, away at Craven Cottage, the Saints cardboard faithful fell asleep on the transporter home and were recycled into Amazon packages, with the firestick’s boxes, having Wreck-Its face on the side.

Not much more can be said other than the dreaded VAR cancelled out 2, Southampton 1st-half goals.

The guys at Stockley Park were rumoured to be watching the horse racing on ITV and the King George the VI from Kempton Park.

In the last EveryTip column, a story about Boxing Day was offered up, as just a bit of fun, previewed in the Leicester v Manchester United game.

A paragraph went something like this, ‘The Dads still happy, he’s back in the boozer asking who’s won the King George VI at Kempton and realises the horse he’s backed at 20/1 fell at the final fence whilst 50-yards in front of the rest and after cursing the said horse and its jockey, ‘The useless little ……..’

The full article can be read, by clicking a few buttons on the iPad and navigating the EveryTip site, where there are several good columns to get through.

Imagine the trepidation when the 20/1 horse, Frodon, ridden by the excellent Bryony Frost, a brilliant young female jockey, was approaching the final fence, in front and the Dad was like, ‘No! this is a premonition!’

Luckily for everyone, the brilliant Bryony, didn’t fall and the excellent Frodon, at Odds of 20/1, won the King George VI, trousering a few, including this EveryTip contributor, a few bob, that paid for a cheeky, post-Christmas Chinese.

Sometimes, a Chinese is just what’s needed! Go on Frodon!

David Moyes must have had a miserable Christmas with the missus buying him a misguided Manchester United watch thinking that because the Three Amigos had one, her husband should have one too.

Big Dave sent his Hammers out with a negative attitude against Brighton on Sunday that saw his boys concede a goal on the stroke of half-time which prompted Gary Neville, in the commentary for Sky Sports, to say that West Ham deserved to go behind for the way that they had played.

Whilst a correct statement, it is refreshing to hear a commentator give his true reflection on the game, not just the usual, ‘He played well and she played well’ etc.

Ben Johnson (let’s hope he doesn’t need a drugs test!) equalised for the Bubbles on the hour-mark, with Tomas Sour-chek, again equalising for West Ham, after a Brighton 2nd goal, 20-minutes later.

Tomas name has been put Sour-check, because GNev, in commentary, specifically wanted to know the pronunciation and whether it was Sooo-check or Sour-check.

Personally, it’s pronounced Tomas and with what’s happened to everyone this year, it doesn’t really matter, does it? After the game finished in a 2-2 scoreline, West Ham had 22-points and sit 10th in the Premier League table.

When these 2-teams met in December 2019, at St Mary’s, a single Sebastian Haller goal, just before the break, gave West Ham a much needed 1-0 victory.

The Hammers, by the way, were still under the guidance of Manuel Pellegrini who lasted a further 2-games, before David Moyes took over on New Years Day, meaning Big Dave, remarkably, has been at the London Stadium for 12-months.

Bet 365 offer Southampton at 11/10, the draw at 13/5 and 12/5 for West Ham to come away with all 3-points.

Bet 365 offer 6/1 that Che Adams Scores First and 11/5 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.

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WEST BROM v LEEDS UNITED

Tuesday 29th

The 3rd of 4, 18.00 kick-offs in England live on Amazon Prime.

West Brom drew at Anfield, with a 1-1 scoreline, the day after Boxing Day. Semi Ajayi with his 1st-Premier League goal to equalise an earlier Reds strike.

Although the brilliant result, that leaves Big Sam with 8-points, still 2nd-bottom of the Premier League table, or if the glass is half-full, 19th in the division, Sam and the Boing-Boings can take tremendous encouragement from the result at Anfield as most won’t come away from Merseyside with anything.

In last week’s column, it was mentioned that Sam Allardyce was the manager of Crystal Palace, the last time Liverpool lost at home in the Premier League, in April 2017, so a cheeky pound placed, was worth a bet.

West Brom didn’t win, however, the cheeky pound could have still been profitable. Now all Big Sam Allardichio needs to do is concentrate on the winnable fixtures and a home game against Leeds United is just that.

Big Sam is unbeaten in his last 4-visits to Anfield, 1-victory with Crystal Palace and 3-draws, Sunderland, Everton and West Brom.

January is nearly here so there should be a few new incomings, with a few of Sam’s old boys heading for the Midlands. Such as Andy Carroll and James Tomkins.

Leeds United held on for a great victory by a 1-0 scoreline against Burnley on Sunday, with the home side scoring, via the penalty spot, after 5-minutes.

Patrick Bamford dusted himself down after being upended by the Clarets goalkeeper, Nick Pope and slotted past Big Nick from the spot, to give the Whites an early lead.

Marcelo’s boys held on for 85-plus minutes to register a 3rd win from 6 fixtures, the other 3, being defeats.

That’s 9-points from 18, which is better than 6-draws from 6-games. So whilst Marcelo Bielsa’s philosophy is sometimes questioned, Leeds United go all out for a positive result and will, on occasions, lose.

However, the Whites faithful will still find 3-wins from 6-games, more appealing than 6-draws. Leeds United are now 12th in the table, with 20-points.

Although these two teams have met a few times in the past few years, most recently on New Year’s Day 2020, at The Hawthorns, that was a Championship fixture with both teams going on to be promoted to the Promised Land.

The tie on the 1st of January finished in a 1-1 draw, with Semi Ajayi being credited with both goals, 1 for West Brom and 1, an own-goal.

It was Game Week-2, back at the end of August 2002, that this fixture in the Midlands was last played as a Premier League game.

Leeds United headed back up the road with a victory following a 3-1 scoreline. Harry Kewell opened the scoring in the 1st-half to give the Whites a half-time lead.

Lee Bowyer added a 2nd, just after the restart with Mark Viduka making it 3-0, 20-minutes later. Lee Marshall scored a consolation for the Baggies just before the referee blew the final whistle.

West Brom’s lineup, picked by Gary Megson, had Russell Hoult in the goal, Larus Sigurdsson, Phil Gilchrist, Darren Moore, Neil Clement, Sean Gregan, Igor Balis, Andy Johnson, Derek McInnes, Scott Dobie and Jason Roberts.

Leeds United’s boss at the time was Terry Venables who chose, Paul Robinson as his ‘keeper, Danny Mills, Jonathan Woodgate, Dominic Matteo, Ian Harte, Lee Bowyer, Erik Bakke, Nick Barmby, Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka and Alan Smith.

With Robbie Keane and Lucas Radebe, replacing Harry and Jonathan respectively.

Bet 365 offer West Brom at 13/5, the draw at 13/5 and Evens 1/1 for Leeds United to come away with all 3-points.

Bet 365 offer 21/10 that Mateusz Klich Scores Anytime and 11/8 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.

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BURNLEY v SHEFFIELD UNITED

Tuesday 29th

Another 18.00 start time in England on the Amazon Prime streaming channel.

Sean Dyche wasn’t happy after the defeat by a 1-0 scoreline against Leeds United on Sunday.

The goal was conceded early so the Clarets did have a long time to equalise and after thinking that they had in the 17th-minute, the referee ruled out the goal, protecting the Leeds goalkeeper, leaving Big Sean frustrated.

The defeat leaves Burnley just above the drop-zone with 13-points, 2-more than Fulham, who are 3rd-bottom.

Sean’s Clarets do have a game in hand over the rest, so will feel comfortable in the knowledge that Burnley’s safety is still in their own hands.

Sheffield United lost again late Saturday evening, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat against Everton with the goal conceded in the 80th-minute.

Happy Chris did pick ex-Blade/Toffee Phil Jagielka in his match-day squad but didn’t let sentiment prevail and left Phil on the bench.

Phil wasn’t too bothered not getting a kick when the final whistle was blown with the defeat leaving the Blades still with 2-points, rooted to the foot of the Premier League table.

Chris Wilder seems to be secure in the Sheffield United hot seat but how long will that continue for.

Little Jim from Swinton, nowhere near Bramall Lane was overjoyed on Christmas Day, running around his garden and surrounding areas with his new Barnsley FC strip on and couldn’t thank his lovely girlfriend enough.

She wasn’t that enamoured when she opened her presents, expecting an engagement ring but instead finding a 2nd-hand Mecano set and a bag of Haribo’s.

James said, ‘if she wants a ring, she can mek it er sen!’ To translate into English, from Yorkshire, that means, ‘She ain’t getting a ring!’

At Turf Moor back in July, both teams went home with a point following a 1-1 draw.

James Tarkowski put the Clarets in front just before the break with John Egan equalising for the Blades on the 80-minute mark.

Bet 365 offer Burnley at 11/8, the draw at 21/10 and 9/4 for Sheffield United to come away with all 3-points.

Bet 365 offer 11/2 that Ashley Barnes Scores First and 13/5 that Burnley Win To Nil.

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MANCHESTER UNITED v WOLVES

Tuesday 29th

Late Tuesday Night football with this game kicking-off at 20.00 in England live in the Amazon Jungle.

Manchester United took the lead twice, in both halves, on Saturday against Leicester at the King Power.

Marcus Rashford scored after 23-minutes but allowed the Foxes to equalise soon after, with some slack play, giving the ball away, that Leicester capitalised on.

Late on in the tie, the same happened when Bruno Fernandes scored his 10th-of the campaign to give United a 2-1 lead. Again, the home-side equalised after a scuffed shot from Jamie Vardy deflected off Axel Tuanzebe past a helpless David De Gea.

Time ran out and with neither team landing a knock-out punch, the Boxing Day fixture between the 2nd and 3rd-placed teams ended in a Desmond 2-2 draw.

Whilst no one can dispute the performance of Scott McTominay against Leeds United in the previous game, Leeds were the ideal opponents for Ole to use Fred, Scott and Dan James.

It was pointed out in the previous EveryTip column that Brendan’s Wonderful’s will be a different proposition.

All 3 of Fred, Scott and Dan James were invisible against the Foxes with both Fred and Scott giving the ball away many times.

In the midweek Carabao Cup Quarter-Final, against Everton, Ole chose Paul Pogba, Donny Van Der Beek and Bruno Fernandes for the first time, with Nemanja Matic sat in midfield and Fred and Scott sat in the stands.

United were a different team, yet Ole continues to pick Fred and Scott in the Premier League when it’s blatantly obvious that they are not good enough.

Someone needs to tell Ole, for the sake of Ole’s career because to continually choose Fred and Scott ahead of Paul Pogba and AN Other, will cost OGS his job.

United subsequently dropped a place to 4th after Everton’s victory late on Saturday. Wolves gained a well-deserved point against Tottenham in the final fixture of Game Week-15.

After conceding a goal, just 1-minute into proceedings, Nuno’s Gold and Blacks were the dominant team for the remaining 89-minutes, eventually equalising with 4-minutes left on the clock.

Romain Saiss with the neat header from a Pedro Netto corner. It’s remarkable to think that Pedro Neto, who slung in the corner, is only 20-years old, Rayen Ait-Nouri is only 19-years old, Ruben Neves is only 23, Adama Traore-24, Daniel Podence-25 and Fabio Silva is just 18.

A great young team that Nuno has assembled with the hope that Raul Jimenez is back fit soon following his horrific head injury.

When Wolves travelled to Old Trafford last season, this was a pre-lockdown fixture with fans in the stadium. Unfortunately, the fans were wishing that they weren’t allowed in after the final whistle when both teams failed to live up to expectations and drew the game with a 0-0 scoreline.

Bet 365 offer Manchester United at Odds On 8/15, the draw at 16/5 and 21/4 for Wolves to come away with all 3-points.

Bet 365 offer 7/5 that Bruno Fernandes Scores Anytime and 7/5 that Manchester United Win To Nil.

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TOTTENHAM v FULHAM

Wednesday 30th

An 18.00 start time in England.

Tottenham have failed to register a victory from their last 4-Premier League games, following Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Wolves.

Tanguy Ndombele scored after just a minute in the clock at Molineux that was thought would have set Spurs up to command the game.

That didn’t happen and although Wolves left it late the equalise and snatch a point, Nuno’s men were the better team throughout the contest.

Dracula is once again working his magic on a special talent. Originally at Stamford Bridge, it was Joe Cole that found himself shopping for garlic.

In Madrid, it was Iker Casillas avoiding the Dark One. At Old Trafford, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford were the ones hunting for Silver Bullets.

Now it’s Dele Alli that has been hung out to dry by Jose and if the ex-MK Dons man leaves in January, it won’t be a surprise, despite what spin Dracula puts on it.

The point gained against Wolves gives Spurs 26 for the season so far and lifts them to 5th, on the same points as Man City but with a slightly better goal difference by 3.

Tottenham have played a game more than City. Fulham earned a valuable point from a 0-0 draw against Southampton on Saturday.

Whilst not the most glamorous of Boxing Day results, after the excitement of Santa coming the night before, a point for the Cottagers will go down as a great present from the Big Fella in Red.

The Saints did have 2-goals ruled out by the dreaded VAR but that won’t bother Scott Parker. The last 4-results for Fulham have gone 1-1, 0-0, 1-1, 0-0 so this game against Tottenham is scheduled to finish in a 1-1 scoreline.

Whilst that’s not how football, or for that matter, life works, Bet 365 are offering 8/1 that it does finish in a 1-1 scoreline.

Subliminal!

The last time these teams met at Tottenham’s home, was a Game Week-2 encounter back in August 2018.

Tottenham’s home that particular day was Wembley Stadium, so even though Fulham suffered a defeat by a 3-1 scoreline, the Cottagers players did have the honour of playing at Wemberley.

Lucas Moura put Spurs in front just before half-time.

Aleksandar Mitrovic equalised for Fulham early in the 2nd-half but ultimately that just inspired Tottenham who scored 2-more goals, Kieran Trippier and Harry Kane with the strikes to give the LilyWhites the victory.

Mauricio Pochettino was still in charge of Tottenham, with Slavisa Jokanovic in the Fulham hot-seat.

Bet 365 offer Tottenham at Odds On 1/2, the draw at 16/5 and 6/1 for Fulham to come away with all 3-points.

Bet 365 offer 7/1 that Son Heung-Min Scores Two Plus Goals and 6/4 that Tottenham Score in Both Halves.

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NEWCASTLE v LIVERPOOL

Wednesday 30th

The final offering from a week of Amazon Prime who are dipping their toes in the Premier League TV rights to see what’s on offer.

Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon could smash Sky and BT Sport out of the water if he wanted to take control, probably just with spare change from down the back of his sofa.

For the time being Amazon Prime have done a good job but they are no Sky Sports who are the forerunners with their coverage, commentators and pundits, however, Jeff may just dip his hand down the settee, come the next Premier League TV deal.

The cardboard Scousers head to St James Park for this 20.00 kick-off to bring to a close Game Week-16 and finish off the football for this indifferent 2020 year.

Newcastle headed South-West on Boxing Day, to the Etihad to take on Pep’s Mid Flying Blues. City scored in both halves to inflict a defeat on Steve Bruce’s Magpies by a 2-0 scoreline.

The cardboard Toon Army were initially gutted but knew that not many will get a result at the home of City and hitched a lift back to Newcastle on the Amazon Prime transporter trying to keep out of the Manchester rain as not to become Paper-Mache Sunderland fans.

The defeat leaves Newcastle in 13th-place, with 18-points, however, only from 14-fixtures, not the 15, others around them have completed.

Liverpool suffered the Sam Allardyce Anfield Syndrome on Sunday, when SAAS registered his personal, 4th, unbeaten result in a row, at the home of the Champions, gaining a point following a 1-1 draw against Jurgen’s Reds.

Sadio Mane gave Liverpool an early lead, with no indication that West Brom would get anything from their trip to Merseyside.

However, with Roberto and Mo firing blanks, to the dismay of punters having cheeky bets on Mo, at Evens 1/1, Scoring Anytime, the Baggies equalised to prevent Liverpool from getting a post-Christmas, pre-New Years victory.

The point from the 1-1 draw, leaves the Reds, still at the summit but with 32-points, not the 34-that was assumed after all of Game Week-15 fixtures were completed.

A sentence for Jurgen Klopp to read and whilst probably won’t be heeded, it needs to be put down in words. ‘Watch out for Pep and Man City!’

When Newcastle last hosted Liverpool, it was the final fixture of the protracted 2019/20 season that saw the Reds crowned Premier League Champions after 30-years.

Jurgen’s Boys had secured the title but never relented against Steve’s Magpies and came away with a victory by a 3-1 scoreline.

Dwight Gayle had given Newcastle an early lead after just a minute on the clock. Virgil Van Dijk (remember him?) equalised 37-minutes later to take both teams in level at the break.

Divock Origi scored Liverpool’s 2nd, after the restart with Sadio Mane sealing the victory in the 89th-minute to round off a great season for all connected with Liverpool.

The Blue half of Merseyside were ecstatic too.

Bet 365 offer Newcastle at 11/1, the draw at 5/1 and Odds On 1/4 for Liverpool to come away with all 3-points.

Bet 365 offer 3/1 that Andy Carroll Scores Anytime and 6/5 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.

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