The highlight games for this weekend’s action are WEST HAM versus LIVERPOOL and LEICESTER versus LEEDS. Our feature columnist, John Newsome previews these as well as all game-week 21 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.
EVERTON v NEWCASTLE
Saturday 30th
Early Saturday Afternoon football kicking-off Game Week-21 with a 12.30 start time in England live on BT Sport.
Everton earned, gained a point against Leicester on Wednesday, or some would say lost 2 but in effect, it’s impossible to lose something that isn’t there in the first place. James Rodriguez scored to give the Toffees a half-time lead only for the Foxes to equalise after the break.
There is talk it was Jordan Pickford that was to blame for the Leicester goal but in truth, Jordan’s eye-line was impeded with a lot of players in front of him so the lad shouldn’t be held fully to account.
Mr Pickford could have done better and his hands could have been stronger but the ball did go through a lot of bodies before it got to the ‘keeper.
The point gained leaves Everton with 33, in 7th place but significantly only from 18-fixtures, not the 19 and 20 that the teams above have contested, so Carlo’s men are potentially in a strong position. It’s touch and go as to whether Steve Bruce will be in charge at St James Park after another defeat on Tuesday, this time against Leeds United.
Newcastle succumbed to a 2-1 defeat, leaving Big Brucey under tremendous pressure. Steve left Andy Carroll, Joelinton, Matt Richie and Alan Saint-Maximin on the bench, playing just Callum Wilson as the lone striker, at home.
It’s probably a good job that the Toon Army aren’t allowed in at the moment as surely the faithful cannot be happy seeing such a defensive starting eleven at St James.
Miguel Almiron did equalise an earlier Leeds United goal but Leeds quickly restored the lead and held on to inflict the 7th Premier League defeat for Newcastle in the last 9-fixtures, which started with a loss against Leeds at Elland Rd.
Strangely for the Magpies, during those 9-games, Steve’s Black and Whites earned a draw against Liverpool, which probably tells everyone more about where Jurgen’s Reds are at the moment and not how good Newcastle are.
After 20-fixtures, the Magpies have 19-points and sit 16th in the Premier League table, perilously close to the drop-zone, 6-points more than Fulham but having played a game more also.
With Frank Lampard’s sacking on Monday, some say ‘shock’ sacking, some weren’t as surprised, would it be too wide of the mark, to suggest that Mike Ashley would, at least, enquire about the possibility of renaming Newcastle, Frank Lampard’s Newcastle.
At St James Park at the beginning of November, Newcastle earned a surprise victory by a 2-1 scoreline. Callum Wilson scored twice after the break to give the Magpies the lead, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin getting a late consolation for the Toffees in the 91st-minute.
Bet 365 offer Everton at slight Odds On 1/2, the draw at 16/5 and 11/2 for Newcastle to come away with all 3-points.
Home Win 3-0- Get 11/1 on Bet365 + A Massive Sign-Up Offer on Bet365 For New Customers!
CRYSTAL PALACE v WOLVES
Saturday 30th
A traditional 15.00 kick-off in England live on Sky Sports.
Although Palace scored 2-goals at Selhurst Park on Tuesday against West Ham, the Hammers scored 3, resulting in Roy’s Boys losing the game by a narrow 3-2 scoreline.
Wilfried Zaha scored after just 3-minutes to give the Eagles an early lead. However, West Ham then scored 3-goals to put the tie firmly to bed.
Roy introduced Michy Batshuayi in the 66th-minute but Big Mich left it too late to get Palace anything from the game, yet did score a late goal in the 97th-minute only for the game to immediately finish resulting in another defeat for Palace.
That’s only 1-point from a possible 9, that leaves Palace in 14th-place in the table, with 23-points, the same 23 as today’s opponents, both from the full 20-fixtures played.
Wolves had the unfortunate scenario of taking on the renamed Chelsea after Frank Lampard was sacked on Monday and replaced by Thomas Tuchel, the ex-Paris Saint-Germain manager.
Wolves, themselves were under an enormous amount of pressure, following 4-defeats from their last 6-Premier League games, the other 2 being draws.
So along with the draw against Chelsea, that’s 3-points from a possible 21, for Nuno’s Gold and Blacks which is simply relegation fodder.
When these two met at Molineux, Wolves got the victory by a 2-0 scoreline, with both goals coming before the half-hour mark.
Rayan Ait Nouri scored 1st, with Daniel Podence adding the 2nd with still 18-minutes until the half-time cup of tea.
Bet 365 offer Crystal Palace at 15/8, the draw at 21/10 and 8/5 for Wolves to come away with all 3-points.
Home Win 2-1- Get 11/1 on Bet365 + A Massive Sign-Up Offer on Bet365 For New Customers!
WEST BROM v FULHAM
Saturday 30th
Another 15.00 start time in England live on BBC 1.
Big Sam and his Baggies entertained Pep’s High Flying City on Tuesday and like a playful puppy, West Brom rolled over and let Man City tickle their belly’s, succumbing to an easy defeat by a 5-0 scoreline, with 4-goals before the half-time whistle had sounded and the 5th in the 2nd-half.
The Baggies remain 2nd from the bottom of the table or if the glass is half-full, 19th, with 11-points, from 20-games played and just 2-points less than today’s opponents, however, Big Sams boys have played a game more.
Probably, the only positive the West Brom-Boing Boings can take from the midweek defeat is Brighton drew with Fulham, so the two, immediately above in the table, only added a point to their tallies.
Fulham played out a goalless draw on Wednesday against Brighton that was probably one of the easier results to predict as both games between the two this term, haven’t produced a goal in 180-minutes of football.
In the last 9-Premier League fixtures, the Cottagers have 5-draws and 4-defeats, 5-points from a possible 27, which, although Fulham have been playing well, the points earned are not good enough to keep Scott’s Boys in the division.
In early November, Fulham earned the victory beating Slaven Bilic’s West Brom side by a 2-0 scoreline. Bobby Decordova-Reid and Ola Aina with the Cottagers goals, both in the 1st-half.
Bet 365 offer West Brom at 23/10, the draw at 11/5 and 13/10 for Fulham to come away with all 3-points.
Home Win 3-1- Get 33/1 on Bet365 + A Massive Sign-Up Offer on Bet365 For New Customers!
MAN CITY v SHEFFIELD UNITED
Saturday 30th
The 3rd of 3, traditional 15.00 kick-offs in England live on Sky Sports.
Man City went top of the Premier League table on Tuesday, following a professional 5-0 away-day victory against West Brom at The Hawthorns.
The first four goals, 2, from Ilkay Gundogan (tra-la-la-la-lar!), 1 from Joao Cancelo and the 4th from Riyad Mahrez, were all scored before half-time, with Raheem Sterling adding the 5th, midway through the 2nd-half.
The brilliant win took Pep’s Blue Moons to the summit of the table with 41-points from 19-fixtures, mistakenly thinking, only for 24-hours, with the Numpty Neighbours, Manchester United expected to retake top spot after their victory on Wednesday evening.
Fortunately for Man City, United suffered a humiliating defeat against Sheffield United that meant Pep’s Blues remain at the summit and will probably stay there for the rest of the campaign.
City have played a game less than United so will feel that the title is there for the taking.
Man City have now 7-victories from their last 7-Premier League games and another Win To Nil when John Stones starts. If John Stones plays, City Win To Nil.
Back in the day, on visits to Maine Rd, following Barnsley FC, the local youths would often come up and offer their services in looking after the motor that the fans had crossed the Pennines in.
Usually, a couple of quid or a fiver was given to the kids in the hope that on returning to the said motor, it wasn’t stood on bricks.
There were instances where the youngsters would be told in no uncertain terms to ‘do one,’ however, on returning to the car, it often had the side window smashed and the radio missing.
On one occasion, a Redfan’s reply when asked if they wanted the car watching for the 90-minutes was, “It’s ok youth, there’s a Rottweiler in the back.” To which the retort from the scallywag was, “Can the dog put out fires Mister?.” A fiver was produced, quicker than a Dynamo magic trick.
Sheffield United got the surprise result of the season on Wednesday night beating Manchester United at Old Trafford, by a 2-1 scoreline, not only humiliating United but allowing today’s opponents to keep the top spot.
Chris Wilder was happy, even though his face couldn’t tell anyone. There were a couple of contentious issues in the 1st-half, which the dreaded VAR should have been used on.
In the build-up to the Blades opening goal, it looked like Billy Sharp had pushed David De Gea from a corner which then fell to Kean Bryan who tapped home.
The VAR felt there was no case to answer so awarded the goal. Fair enough as it was a subjective point. However, a similar incident happened at the other end when the Sheffield goalkeeper was adjudged to have been impeded by Harry Maguire for a Manchester United goal.
The problem then occurred that the on-field referee, David Coote blew his whistle for the incident before Anthony Martial put the ball in the net, meaning the dreaded couldn’t become involved. Surely, the referee should have let the play develop then ask the VAR to have a look.
Two very similar incidents were dealt with in two entirely different ways, which doesn’t seem right. It should have been either both goals awarded or both goals ruled out.
Ex-Blade, Maguire did score a legitimate goal to bring Manchester United level, only for Oliver Burke to score late on, ultimately gifting Sheffield United a rare, victory at Old Trafford, the first in 48-years. It’s 28-years since Sheffield United have beaten Manchester United.
Famously, the Blades scored the first goal of the new Premier League era against United, on the 15th of August 1992, with Brian Deane getting the historic goal in the opening day victory at Bramall Lane by a 2-1 scoreline.
The question who scored the first Premier League goal is always followed by Brian Deane (well it would be, it’s not going to suddenly change!)
If the question was asked, Who scored Sheffield United’s 2nd that day? The answer would still be Brian Deane. Notching twice for the Blades.
For the answers to who scored the other milestone goals, such as the 1,000th, 10,000th etc, those can be found in EveryTips column, ‘10 Interesting English Premier League Records & Statistics,’ published on the 25th of April 2020.
James from Swinton, nowhere near Bramall Lane hasn’t been seen since the victory, reportedly comatosed on Fruit Kopparberg, drunkenly trying desperately to get in touch with Haribo, to purchase an engagement ring for his lovely girlfriend. Just nip to the local shop Jim!
When Pep’s Blues had their night out in Sheffield back in late October, another ex-Blade Kyle Walker scored the solitary winning goal on his return to Bramall Lane to give City a victory.
Bet 365 offer Man City at Odds On 1/8, the draw at 8/1 and 17/1 for Sheffield United to come away with all 3-points.
Home Win 5-0- Get 14/1 on Bet365 + A Massive Sign-Up Offer on Bet365 For New Customers!
ARSENAL v MANCHESTER UNITED
Saturday 30th
Late Saturday Afternoon football with a 17.30 start time in England live on Sky Sports.
Arsenal enacted some sort of revenge on Southampton in the midweek fixtures. After losing against the Saints on Saturday in the FA Cup, the Gunners returned to St Mary’s 3-days later and gained a victory by a 3-1 scoreline.
Wreck-It Ralph’s men took an early lead that seemed to wake Mikel Arteta’s boys up with Nicolas Pepe quickly equalising after 8-minutes. Bukayo Saka then scored just before the break to take Arsenal in leading.
Midway through the 2nd-half, Alexandre Lacazette added a 3rd and with no more goals, the Gunners gained some sort of revenge for the FA Cup defeat which cost Arsenal the chance of retaining the trophy, being the current holders.
The victory lifted Mikel’s boys above Southampton into 9th in the table, with 30-points, however, have played the full allotted 20-fixtures not the 19, Southampton have completed.
Arsenal are now level on points with Frank Lampard’s Chelsea, sorry Chelsea, Frank’s down the concrete, with Everton and the North London rivals Spurs, the next in the Gunners sights to catch.
The pro-Fred campaigners (there surely can’t be that many!) will be screaming at this EveryTip column, saying that Manchester United’s surprise defeat against Sheffield United at Old Trafford on Wednesday was because Fred wasn’t playing, dispelling the narrative that United won’t win anything with Fred.
Ole’s Wheels won’t win anything without Fred either but John Newsome sticks by the belief that the Red, Grey or Zebra Devil’s are better without Fred and Scott McTominay.
Only time will tell whether United can win a trophy this season, with the Europa League being the favourite as on current form, it’s the Noisy Neighbours that are the form team and like Frankel, moving out of the slipstream of the lead horse, still on the bridle, comfortably taking over at the front.
Sheffield United, who have 16-defeats on their record this season, were a massive 11/1 in a 3-horse race and beat United at Old Trafford, which is simply not good enough.
To those who are now saying to themselves, ‘3-horse race? with only 2-teams? The horses are called ‘Win’, ‘Lose’ and ‘Draw’. The Blades stay in Manchester this weekend and take on City.
So the exact same scenario happens again, Chris Wilders bottom of the Premier League boys take on the current leaders of the Premier League away from Bramall Lane. See if Pep’s Blues lose at home like Ole’s Wheels did against Wilder’s Woes!
John Newsome is willing to accept defeat in the Fred and Scott agenda if United regain top spot, with victories against Arsenal, Southampton and Everton, who are the Red Devil’s next 3-opponents if Ole includes Fred and Scott in his starting eleven.
The defeat against Sheffield United leaves Manchester United, 2nd in the Premier League table, with 40-points from 20-fixtures, which is a point less than Pep’s High Flying City, having played a game more than the Blue half of Manchester.
In early November, Arsenal inflicted a defeat on United by a 1-0 scoreline, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang converting a 2nd-half penalty, following a foul by Paul Pogba.
At the time it was touch and go whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would remain in the manager’s dugout but subsequent good results have cemented Ole’s position at Old Trafford.
Bet 365 offer Arsenal at 9/5, the draw at 5/2 and 29/10 for Manchester United to come away with all 3-points.
Away Win 1-2- Get 10/1 on Bet365 + A Massive Sign-Up Offer on Bet365 For New Customers!
SOUTHAMPTON v ASTON VILLA
Saturday 30th
The 6th Saturday offering of Premier League football with a 20.00 kick-off in England live on Sky Sports.
Saturday Night footie which has got to be a better alternative than watching the Voice Uk. The UK is added to show which country as the worst singers.
After knocking out the current FA Cup holders, Arsenal on Saturday, Southampton entertained the Gunners again, 3-days later and this time succumbed to a defeat by a 3-1 scoreline.
It was mooted as to how the 22-players chosen, for the Premier League fixture, would be different to the 22-playing the FA Cup tie. The answer was, Southampton had 8 of the starting eleven, that played in the FA Cup, starting in the league fixture and Arsenal, had 6 of the eleven, that lost the Cup tie, starting in the Premier League game. Therefore, 14 from the 22, started the league fixture.
The Saints took the lead early on in proceedings after Stuart Armstrong scored with just 2-minutes on the clock. That kicked the Gunners into life with 2-goals before half-time and a 3rd after the break to inflict a defeat on Wreck-It’s boys by a 3-1 scoreline.
The loss sees Arsenal leapfrog Southampton who are now in 11th-place, with 29-points from 19-fixtures, however, do have a game in hand over Mikel Arteta’s boys who have a point more, so Ralph Hasenhuttl will feel that a victory from that extra fixture will take the Saints back above the Gunners.
Aston Villa took part in the game of the midweek fixtures, however, ended up on the wrong end of a 3-2 scoreline, suffering a defeat against their fellow Clarets, Burnley. Ollie Watkins scored the opener in the game early in the 1st-half.
Burnley equalised after the break but Jack Grealish restored Villa’s lead in the 68th-minute. Unfortunately for Dean Smith’s Claret and Blues, Sean’s Clarets scored twice more, to inflict the defeat on Aston Villa.
Villa sit 10th in the table, with the same 29-points as today’s opponents, however, have only played 18-times, not the 19 and 20 that the others around have completed. This was a very entertaining game at Villa Park back in early November with Southampton getting the victory by a 4-3 scoreline.
Jannik Vestergaard opened the scoring for the Saints after 20-minutes with James Ward-Prowse scoring twice before the break to take Southampton in, leading 3-0.
Early in the 2nd-half, Danny Ings made it 4-0 and it was just a case of how many Wreck-It’s men wanted to score.
Aston Villa somehow kicked into gear after the 4th-goal, with Tyrone Mings, Ollie Watkins and Jack Grealish scoring the Villa goals that ultimately were just consolations as time ran out, giving Southampton the famous away-day victory.
Bet 365 offer Southampton at 13/8, the draw at 13/5 and 31/20 for Aston Villa to come away with all 3-points.
Away Win 1-2 Get 10/1 on Bet365 + A Massive Sign-Up Offer on Bet365 For New Customers!
CHELSEA v BURNLEY
Sunday 31st
Early Sunday Afternoon football with a midday start time in England live on BT Sport.
After the surprise news that Roman Abramovich sacked Frank Lampard on Monday, the Blues have reverted to their original name of Chelsea. Some of the so-called pundits have said it was a surprise but the question could be asked,
‘Why was it a surprise that a ruthless businessman who has earned Billions from deals done over the years and has sacked 14-managers in his time at Stamford Bridge, got rid of Frank?’
Surely the end was nigh with 5-defeats from the last 8-Premier League fixtures, having spent £220 Million on new recruits in the summer. Mr Abramovich decided that a change was needed and replaced the Chelsea legend with the ex-Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint Germain gaffer, Thomas Tuchel.
It’s thought Thomas was brought in, not only for his tactical nouse but because he is German, to help convey his methods to the German-speaking players, those being Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech, plus was the boss of Thiago Silva whilst at PSG.
In the first game, TT took charge of, admittedly after only a few hours in England, Chelsea failed to score against Wolves at Molineux with the game finishing in a goalless draw.
In the 19-fixtures played previously, Frank Lampard’s Blues scored in 14 of the games, only failing to notch against Leicester, Everton, Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool, 5 of the 7-teams above Chelsea, scoring against all the teams below them in the table.
That’s just a stat that’s neither here nor there, however, the Blues faithful may just have to get used to a more pragmatic way of playing instead of Frank’s all-out attacking mode.
Only time will tell whether Roman has made the right choice in sacking Lamps but the great timing of the appointment of Thomas Tuchel, that being exactly halfway through the season, to the game, will give everyone the simple Math (as the Americans say) of deciding whether TT has done better or worse than Frank Lampard.
After 19-fixtures Frank’s Blues had 29-points, 8-Wins, 5-Draws and 6-Losses.
Thomas has started with a draw and has 18-games to exceed Frank’s half-season points tally.
Burnley played in a very entertaining midweek fixture against Aston Villa at Turf Moor, getting a great victory by a 3-2 scoreline.
West Ham comfortably beat Crystal Palace, the day before, showing the complete difference that 2-games, with the same scoreline, can be played out.
Burnley’s 3-2 victory was a topsy turvy affair with Villa taking the lead twice in the tie, once in the 1st-half, then after Ben Mee had equalised. Ben scored Burnley’s first goal in the 52nd-minute with Villa retaking the lead 15-minutes later.
Dwight McNeil put the scores level midway through the half before Chris Wood scored the Claret winner, 10-minutes from time.
The great victory puts Burnley on 22-points, 15th in the table after 19-fixtures played, with Sean’s Boys slowly gaining momentum and pulling away from the relegation places.
Frank Lampard’s Chelsea earned a great away-day victory by a 3-0 scoreline at the end of October.
Hakim Ziyech, before he was rubbish, opened the scoring midway through the 1st-half.
Kurt Zouma and Timo Werner, before he was rubbish too, added 2 and 3 to give Frank’s Blues an easy victory at Turf Moor.
Bet 365 offer Chelsea at Odds On 1/3, the draw at 4/1 and 17/2 for Burnley to come away with all 3-points.
Draw 1-1- Get 10/1 on Bet365 + A Massive Sign-Up Offer on Bet365 For New Customers!
LEICESTER v LEEDS UNITED
Sunday 31st
Another Sunday Afternoon kicking-off at 14.00 in England live on Sky Sports.
The Foxes took on Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday coming away with a point from a 1-1 scoreline. Leicester were trailing 1-0 at the break but got back on level terms when Youri Tielemans equalised in the 65th-minute.
The Toffees ‘keeper, Jordan Pickford was seemingly to blame for the Foxes goal, however, it was a great strike from Youri and not every goal scored has to be the fault of someone. It’s what the games played for.
The point of the game is to put the ball into the back of the net, not to blame someone or, as in the October 2009 game between Sunderland and Liverpool, something (a beach ball on that occasion!) Cut JP (Jordan Pickford not Jon Parkin) some slack.
The draw against Everton gives Leicester 35-points from 20-fixtures played and leaves Brendan’s Blues in 3rd-place behind the Manchester clubs.
Rod Stewart isn’t happy at the moment, not only is his ex-mate, Brendan Rodgers performing brilliantly after Brendan left Rod’s beloved Green and White Hoops, the said Green and White Hoops are not going to win the SPL (Scottish Pub League) title for a successive 10th-time.
Steven Gerrard’s Rangers are a massive 23-points ahead of Celtic at the top of the table and it’s only a matter of time before Rod’s team relinquish the title.
On Wednesday evening, Rod’s pooch, Lennon was safe for the time being as Leicester didn’t achieve a victory and Celtic beat Hamilton (Who?) by a 2-0 scoreline.
The Everton shirt with ‘Stewart’ and ‘76‘ on the back, the ‘76’ being the number of points, Celtic will finish behind the Teddy Bears come the end of the Pub League campaign, was gently removed from old Roderick’s back and put to one side, not chucked at Lennon.
Lennon was also given a few treats whilst Rod and Penny had a glass of Chablis watching a recording of Homes Under the Hammer.
Leeds United halted the losing streak on Tuesday gaining a great victory against Newcastle by a 2-1 scoreline. Granted, the losing streak was only 3-games and 1 was an FA Cup defeat, so it was only 2-Premier League losses before the win against the Magpies at St James Park.
Raphina scored early in the 1st-half to give Marcelo’s Whites a lead at the break.
Newcastle equalised just before the hour mark but the parity didn’t last long when Jack Harrison restored Leeds lead with a superbly taken volley. Newcastle are poor at the moment but that shouldn’t take away the victory from the cardboard faithful, Osama included.
Osama Bin Laden was often heard singing, ‘Marching On Together’ in the caves of Afghanistan.
This fixture against the Foxes will be a tougher ask then against the Magpies.
The win against Newcastle gives Leeds United 26-points from 19-fixtures played and puts Bielsa’s Boys up to 12th in the table.
At Elland Rd back at the beginning of November, Brendan’s Wonderful’s earned a great away-day victory over Marcelo’s Whites by a 4-1 scoreline.
Harvey Barnes and Youri Tielemans scored early in the 1st-half.
Stuart Dallas pulled a goal back for Leeds but ultimately just spurred the Foxes on, with the original Sheffield Superstar, Jamie Vardy scoring midway through the 2nd-half and Youri Tielemans adding his 2nd and Leicester’s 4th, converting a late penalty, that Jimmy V would have taken if not being substituted just before the award of the spot-kick.
Bet 365 offer Leicester at slight Odds On 5/6, the draw at 3/1 and 3/1 for Leeds United to come away with all 3-points.
Home Win 3-1- Get 14/1 on Bet365 + A Massive Sign-Up Offer on Bet365 For New Customers!
WEST HAM v LIVERPOOL
Sunday 31st
Late Sunday Afternoon football starting at 16.30 live on Sky Sports.
Firstly, apologies to David Moyes from this EveryTip contributor as it was predicted that West Ham would be relegated under the Scot, however, Big Dave has turned the Hammers into a potential Top Four contender with the thought of Champions League football at London Stadium, sending the Bubbles faithful, both cardboard and real, ecstatic.
The latest superb performance from West Ham was a brilliant away-day victory by a 3-2 scoreline against Crystal Palace on Tuesday. That’s the 4th win out of the last 6-Premier League games, with the others being draws. Fourteen points from a possible 18.
Palace took the lead early in the game but 2-goals from Tomas Soucek before the half-hour mark, took Dave’s men in, leading at the break. Craig Dawson added a 3rd, midway through the 2nd-half to settle the cardboard Bubbles nerves.
Palace scored a goal in the 97th-minute ruining this columns prediction of a 3-1 scoreline. Ninety-seven minutes on the clock, with the referee playing on until EveryTip’s prediction was gone. It’s hoped a few had Cashed Out before then.
The victory gave West Ham 35-points and temporarily lifted the Hammers to 4th-place until Liverpool’s win against Tottenham on Thursday, leaving Big Dave’s men in 5th, going into this fixture against Jurgen’s Reds.
After the humiliating defeat against Burnley at Anfield last week, Liverpool gained a great victory by a 3-1 scoreline on Thursday, away at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium against Tottenham.
With the whistle about to blow to end proceedings in the 1st-half, Roberto Firmino scored to take Jurgen’s Reds in at the break in front. Joel Matip was replaced at half-time, due to a slight injury, with Nat Phillips coming on for the whole of the 2nd-half. Trent Alexander-Arnold made it 2-0 within 2-minutes of the restart.
Tottenham did quickly half the deficit just after Trent’s strike but Sadio Mane restored the 2-goal advantage midway through the half and with no further goals, the Reds held on for a great away-day victory.
The win gives Jurgen’s Boys 37-points from 20-games and takes Liverpool above today’s opponents by 2-points which means the winner between the two, will be in the higher position at the final whistle.
In late October at Anfield, Liverpool earned a professional victory by a 2-1 scoreline. Pablo Fornals scored 1st for West Ham, early on in proceedings. Mo Salah converted a penalty just before half-time to take both teams in level at the break.
Liverpool left it late to seal the victory, with ex-Wolves star Diogo Jota getting the winner for the Reds with 5-minutes remaining.
Bet 365 offer West Ham at 3/1, the draw at 29/10 and slight Odds On 5/6 for Liverpool to come away with all 3-points.
Draw 2-2- Get 14/1 on Bet365 + A Massive Sign-Up Offer on Bet365 For New Customers!
BRIGHTON v TOTTENHAM
Sunday 31st
The final fixture of Game Week-21, with this early Sunday evening fixture kicking-off at 19.15 in England live on Sky Sports, bringing January’s Premier League football to a close.
Brighton played out another drab 0-0 draw against Fulham on Wednesday which was the result of the reverse fixture back at Craven Cottage in December.
There isn’t much else to report from that game other than when Fulham take on Brighton, the goal netting is not disturbed. The point gained leaves the Seagulls in 17th-place in the Premier League table with 18-points.
That’s 5-more than Fulham and 7-ahead of Big Sam’s Baggies, however, Graham Potter’s men have played a game more than Fulham, so would have been happy with the draw on Wednesday as not allowing the Cottagers to close the gap.
Tottenham suffered a home defeat on Thursday against Liverpool by a 3-1 scoreline. Son Heung-Min had a goal ruled out early in the 1st-half when the dreaded VAR adjudged Son’s armpit was a millimetre offside. On the stroke of half-time, Spurs conceded a goal to go in at the break trailing by the single goal.
Jose Mourinho wasn’t happy and made a change at the break, taking off Harry Kane and Serge Aurier, Serge was a tactical switch, bringing on Harry Winks, however, Big Kane was taken off due to injury replaced by Erik Lamela.
Jose was even more unhappy following 2-further Liverpool goals that sealed the defeat and with the added problem of Harry Kane being injured and the possibility of missing games, Dracula may soon be coming out of the shadows.
There was no sign of Dele Alli who was probably out buying garlic and Gareth Bale once again sat warming the bench, gaining 10-minutes game time in the end.
GB doesn’t appear to be in Jose’s plans for the Premier League games and is only used in the Cup competitions. One cup being the Barnet of the Year, up against another bench warmer from Newcastle, that is Andy Carroll.
The defeat against Liverpool leaves Tottenham with 33-points in 6th-place but from only 19-fixtures, not the 20. What is significant is the North London rivals, Arsenal are only 3-points adrift, admittedly having played a game more than Spurs but still only 3-points, whereas a before Christmas, the gap was a lot wider.
At the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium back in early November, Tottenham got the victory by a 2-1 scoreline. Harry Kane did what Harry does scoring in the 1st-half.
Tariq Lamptey equalised for the Seagulls after the break but Jose introduced Gareth Bale on the 70-minute mark with the desired effect when Mr Bale scored 3-minutes later, what turned out to be the Tottenham winner.
Bet 365 offer Brighton at 12/5, the draw at 12/5 and 23/10 for to Tottenham come away with all 3-points.
Away Win 0-3- Get 22/1 on Bet365 + A Massive Sign-Up Offer on Bet365 For New Customers!
Ex-professional footballer known affectionately as The Beast, Jon Parkin has kindly given his predictions for Game Week-21.
For Game Week-20, Jon had 6-Correct Results and 1-Correct Scoreline, from the 10-midweek fixtures.
Everton 2 v Newcastle 0
Crystal Palace 1 v Wolves 1
West Brom 1 v Fulham 2
Man City 3 v Sheffield United 0
Arsenal 1 v Manchester United 2
Southampton 2 v Aston Villa 2
Chelsea 0 v Burnley 1
Leicester 2 v Leeds United 1
West Ham 1 v Liverpool 2
Brighton 0 v Tottenham 2
Cheers JP!
Related Reading
- Best betting site for accumulators
- Betfred review
- Bet365 review
- Best cash-out betting sites
- Best low or no minimum deposit betting sites
- Best PayPal betting sites
Related Tips
- Daily Correct Score Football Tips
- Under/Over 1.5 Goals Tips
- Under/Over 2.5 Goals Tips
- Both Teams To Score Tips
John’s Previews Archive