The highlight games for this week’s EPL matches are ARSENAL versus TOTTENHAM and MANCHESTER UNITED versus SOUTHAMPTON. Our feature columnist, John Newsome, previews these and all game week 21 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-21
All of these Midweek Fixtures are being shown live on TNT Sports and are the reverse of Game Week-4 which took place over the weekend of 14th, 15th and 16th of September 2024.
Also, to add, all 20 of the Premier League teams took part in the 3rd-Round of the FA Cup, with 17 of the 20 progressing to Round-4.
Aston Villa in, beat West Ham 2-1
Bournemouth in, beat West Brom 5-1
Brighton in, beat Norwich 4-0
Chelsea in, beat Morecambe 5-0
Crystal Palace in, beat Stockport 1-0
Everton in, beat Peterborough 2-0
Fulham in, beat Watford 4-1
Ipswich in, beat Bristol Rovers 3-0
Leicester in, beat QPR 6-2
Liverpool in, beat Accrington 4-0
Man City in, beat Salford 8-0
Newcastle in, beat Bromley 3-1
Nottingham Forest in, beat Luton 2-0
Southampton in, beat Swansea 3-0
Tottenham in, beat Tamworth 3-0
Wolves in, beat Bristol City 2-1
Manchester United in, beat Arsenal On Penalties after a 1-1 Draw.
Brentford Out.
West Ham Out.
Arsenal Out.
Tuesday 14th
BRENTFORD v MAN CITY
19.30 in England
Brentford come into this game after smashing Southampton at St Mary’s last Saturday.
Kevin Schade scored the opener to give the Bees a lead at the break.
Bryan Mbeumo scored twice just after the restart before Keane Lewis-Potter and Yoane Wissa added 4 and 5 late on to give Thomas Frank’s Bees the victory over Ivan Juric’s sorry set of Saints by a 5-0 away day scoreline.
Brentford sit in 11th place with 27 points from the initial 20 games completed.
Brentford are a better team at the GTech, with the win against Southampton being the first away victory of the campaign, added to 2 draws meaning just 5 of the 27 points were gained on the road.
That said, there needs to be a couple or 3 cautionary notes for today’s fixture at the GTech.
The first one is, the game is against Man City, who despite having had a tricky spell of late, are still Man City and a formidable team.
(Man City 8 Salford 0)
Added to that initial cautionary tale, although Brentford have accrued 22 of the 27 points at the GTech, Thomas’s Bees have suffered defeats in the 2 previous home fixtures, against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.
The 3rd cautionary note is Brentford (who have one of the best ‘Home’ records throughout the English Pyramid), suffered a defeat against Plymouth (who have the worst ‘Away’ record in the 4 Divisions) in Saturday’s 3rd-Round of the FA Cup.
Man City gained a 2nd victory in a row last weekend, this time against West Ham following the win against Leicester before the New Year.
Granted, the 2 wins for Pep’s High Flying Blues were against 2 teams that are struggling, however, that said, City can only beat the teams in front of them and against West Ham, the victory by a 4-1 scoreline was impressive.
Savinho had his initial shot deflected by Vladimir Coufal who was credited with an Own Goal to give City an early lead.
Erling Haaland added a 2nd on the stroke of half-time to give the Etihad faithful a pleasurable Cup of Bovril.
Erling added his 2nd and City’s 3rd just after the restart before Phil Foden scored Man City’s 4th.
There was still time for a late West Ham consolation goal, which would have irked Pep Guardiola who was hoping for a clean sheet.
The victory leaves Man City in 6th place with 34 points from the 20 games played so far.
That’s 12 points adrift of Liverpool at the summit who have a game in hand, which could mean there’s a gap of 15 points for Pep’s Blues to overhaul.
Whilst it’s more than likely that Liverpool will win the Premier League Title, Man City won’t give up just yet and take heart from the Numpty Neighbours display against Arne’s Slot Machines at Anfield on Sunday.
Rest in peace Avicii (Tim Bergling)!
Man City gained the home victory over Brentford at the Etihad back in September.
Yoane Wissa did shock the Citizens in attendance by scoring the opener after a minute.
Erling Haaland then scored twice to give Man City a lead at the break.
With no further goals in the 2nd-half, Pep’s High Flying Blues got the win from a 2-1 scoreline.
Betfred offer Brentford at 18/5, the Draw at 7/2 and Odds On 8/13 for Man City to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 3/1 that Erling Haaland Scores First and 15/8 that Bryan Mbeumo 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.)
Away Win 1-2- Get 15/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
WEST HAM v FULHAM
19.30 in England
West Ham suffered an away day defeat against Man City at the Etihad on Saturday.
Niclas Fullkrug scored a consolation goal in the 71st minute, however, the Hammers had conceded 4 by that time and subsequently suffered the defeat by a 4-1 scoreline.
Niclas was in the starting lineup due to an injury to Jarrod Bowen who is a big miss for West Ham.
Including the ‘Battle of the Under Pressure Managers’ against Wolves back at the beginning of December, Julen Lopetegui had overseen 4 unbeaten games, with 2 Wins and 2 Draws, to ease the pressure slightly.
However, West Ham have now lost the last 2 games, albeit against Liverpool and Man City, so the pressure from the Bubbles, who do like a moan, is back on Julen.
***********BREAKING NEWS**************
Well, one says ‘Breaking News’ but it’s now nearly a week since the news broke.
The rumours were circulating soon after the loss against Man City last Saturday that Julen had been relieved of his duties at the London Stadium with Graham Potter sounded out by the Hammers hierarchy.
That was confirmed on Wednesday with Graham Potter in the dugout at Villa Park on Friday for the FA Cup tie against Aston Villa which, despite Lucas Paqueta scoring first, still resulted in a defeat for the Hammers.
Julen Lopetegui’s appointment just didn’t work, however, the Owners at West Ham did give the Spaniard £100 Million to bring in players last summer.
It’s now whether Mr Potter can use these players better or want to bring in some new ones which will mean the Owners have to put their hands in their pockets again.
West Ham sit in 14th place with the same 23 points as Manchester United from the full set of 20 games played so far.
Good luck Harry!
Fulham played in a very entertaining game against Ipswich at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
Despite the home team being dominant for the opening 37 minutes, it was the away team that scored to lead at the interval.
Then a bizarre set of circumstances played out, with 3 penalties awarded in the 2nd-half, which is a Premier League first.
Fulham were awarded the first spot-kick in the 69th minute when an obvious foul against Harry Wilson went unnoticed by the on-field referee Darren Bond.
The dreaded VAR had to get involved and ask Darren to look at the Monitor.
There wasn’t really an argument as the referee should have awarded the penalty straight away and not involved the Stockley Park Brigade who were rumoured to be watching a rerun of the World Darts Final.
All the best Luke Littler.
Raul Jimenez coolly converted the spot-kick to level the score.
Within 27 seconds of the restart, Ipswich were awarded a penalty which Darren Bond saw this time and immediately pointed to the spot.
The names Bond, Darren Bond!
Licensed to award Penalties!
Ipswich converted the penalty to again take the lead.
With time almost up, the 3rd spot-kick of the game was awarded to Fulham following a foul on Raul Jimenez, again, no need for the dreaded VAR to get involved.
Raul dusted himself down and converted to make the score level once again and with no further goals, both teams shared the points from a draw by a 2-2 score.
The Archbishop was happy.
Fulham had 73% possession and 15 attempts on goal, however, only 4 were ‘Shots On Target’, with 2 of those being from 12 yards out (the penalties!)
This basically means that Marco Silva needs to coach his boys into turning the possession into ‘Shots On Goal’.
What is noticeable about watching football of late and John Newsome is in no way a UEFA Licensed Coach, is that nowadays not many players get hold of the ball and run at the opposition, trying to beat a man with the ‘CR7 Step-over’ (John Newsome was an expert at this back in the day and it’s rumoured that Cristiano copied the action from this EveryTip contributor!)
It just appears to be ‘pass, pass, pass’ to keep possession, try to generate an opening and make chances, which Marco Silva and the rest of the Modern Day Managers want from their players.
However, whilst this is one way of playing football, it’s not the only way!
George Best used to run at the opposition, dropping his shoulder and going past the player, so did Paul Gascoigne.
(So did John Newsome!)
Yet there doesn’t appear to be those type of players anymore, it’s just ‘pass, pass and more passes!’
Fulham are a good team, however, if this EveryTip contributor can see the problem with the ‘possession-based system’ then the ‘Proper Coaches’ will too and like Kieran McKenna did on Sunday, let Fulham have the ball, then wait until one of the ‘pass, pass, passes’ goes awry and hit the Cottagers on the break.
Fulham sit in 9th place with 30 points from the 20 games played.
Both these teams shared the points from a draw by a 1-1 score when the two Londoners met at Craven Cottage.
Raul Jimenez scored the opener for Fulham to give the home team a lead at the interval.
Danny Ings scored a very, very late equaliser for the Hammers in the 95th minute to gain a great away day point.
Betfred offer West Ham at 6/4, the Draw at 13/5 and 11/8 for Fulham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 5/1 that Raul Jimenez Scores First and 2/1 that Fulham 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 1-2- Get 8/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
CHELSEA v BOURNEMOUTH
19.30 in England
Chelsea won 5 Premier League games in succession up to the pre-Christmas fixture against Everton where the game finished in a goalless draw.
It’s now a further 3 games since the adventure on Merseyside that Enzo Maresca’s Blues have failed to gain a victory, drawing another one and then suffering a defeat in 2.
The latest game, that being against Crystal Palace, finished in a draw by a 1-1 score, as predicted in this EveryTip column.
Cole Palmer scored the opener in the 1st-half to give Chelsea a lead at the break.
Palace scored an equaliser late on and with no further goals both teams gained a point apiece.
The winless run of 4 games left Enzo’s Blues in 4th place with 36 points from 20 games completed.
Bournemouth gained an attritional victory over Everton last weekend, with a single David Brooks goal in the 77th minute at the Vitality, giving the Cherries the sticky win over the Toffees from a 1-0 scoreline.
Attritional because Everton are tough to watch at the moment, with Sean Dyche’s team more intent on stopping the opposition from scoring, than actually scoring themselves.
Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth are now unbeaten in the last 8 Premier League games (5 Wins and 3 Draws), leaving the Cherries sitting in 7th place with 33 points from 20 fixtures played.
Chelsea grabbed all 3 points at the Vitality back in September, with Christopher Nkunku scoring the solitary winning goal in the 86th minute to give Enzo’s Blues the victory over Andoni’s Cherries by a 1-0 away day scoreline.
The result could have been different if Evanilson had converted a 1st-half penalty, however, the Brazilian saw his tame spot-kick saved by Robert Sanchez.
If one remembers the game, the fixture saw the most Yellow Cards shown in a Premier League match, with the referee Anthony Taylor producing 14 to the players on the pitch and a further 2 to both Managers.
Betfred offer Chelsea at slight Odds On 3/5, the Draw at 16/5 and 18/5 for Bournemouth to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/2 that Cole Palmer Scores First and 13/8 that there are Under 2.5 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.)
Draw 1-1- Get 8/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v LIVERPOOL
20.00 in England
It’s now 6 straight victories in succession for Nottingham Forest following the game against Wolves at Molineux on Monday Night Football.
Goals from Morgan Gibbs-White, Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi gave Nuno’s Tricky Trees the win over Vitor’s Gold and Blacks from a 3-0 scoreline.
Taiwo’s goal came in the 94th minute, which did annoy John Newsome as this EveryTip column predicted a victory for Forest by a 2-0 score, however, with the score being 2-0 going into the final few minutes, a lot of betting companies will offer ‘Cash Out’ so always keep an eye on one’s betting slip, as there is still money to be won even if the outcome is not the result one originally stated.
Nottingham Forest sit in 3rd place with the same 40 points as Arsenal, both having completed 20 games and both now 6 points adrift of Liverpool at the summit of the Premier League, however, please remember that Liverpool have only completed 19 fixtures due to the game against Everton being postponed.
If Forest gain a victory today and it’s not beyond the realm of possibility, there will be just 3 points difference between Nuno’s Tricky Trees and Arne’s Slot Machines.
Liverpool played in a very entertaining game against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.
With most people thinking that it was just a matter of how many goals Liverpool would score against United, not whether a victory would be achieved, it was a surprise to see both teams share the points from a draw by a 2-2 score.
The Archbishop was happy.
After a goalless 1st-half, it was United that scored first with a bit of dodgy defending from the Liverpool players leading to the opening goal.
Coady Gakpo replied for the home team just before the hour mark.
Liverpool were then awarded a penalty due to Matthijs De Ligt thinking he was LeBron James and trying to grab hold of the ball in the area.
The only surprise with that scenario was the on-field referee Michael Oliver didn’t award the penalty straight away and had to wait for the dreaded VAR to get involved, advising Michael to check the pitch-side monitor.
Once this happened, there was no doubt that a penalty was going to be awarded to Liverpool.
Mo Salah did what Mo does and converted the penalty in the 70th minute, which it was then assumed that Liverpool would hold on for the win.
Not so, as United scored an equaliser with 10 minutes remaining and with no further goals, both teams gained a point apiece from the Archbishops’ favourite scoreline.
Please remember that when a draw occurs, both teams gain a point, not the ridiculous statement that a team has dropped 2 points because they didn’t win.
Some have stated that Liverpool dropped 2 points on Sunday, that’s just not the case as Arne’s Slot Machines gained a point.
When the game against Manchester United kicked off, Liverpool had 45 points, when the game ended, Liverpool had 46 points, thus gaining a point.
It’s sometimes wrongly believed that when a game starts, as in Sunday’s fixture at Anfield, it’s assumed that Liverpool had 48 points but because of the draw, now only have 46, thus supposedly ‘dropping 2 points!’
That’s simply not the case, whoever a team is up against, one can not automatically think that a win is going to happen, so a team always ‘gain a point’ following a draw, not ‘drop 2!’
Liverpool remain at the summit of the Premier League Table with 46 points, however, have only played 19 times, not the 20 that the rest around have, so the Title is still in Arne’s hands.
Please don’t blink when one reads the following, it is true.
Nottingham Forest gained the victory over Liverpool at Anfield in the Game Week-4 encounter.
Callum Hudson-Odoi scored the only goal of the game to give Nuno’s Tricky Trees the momentous away day win over Arne’s Slot Machines by a 1-0 scoreline.
That was the first time Forest had won at Anfield since 1969, 55 years in the making.
Betfred offer Nottingham Forest at 7/2, the Draw at 3/1 and slight Odds On 4/6 for Liverpool to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 6/1 that Chris Wood Scores First and 11/10 that Mo Salah 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 14/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Wednesday 15th
EVERTON v ASTON VILLA
19.30 in England
Everton are struggling to score at the moment, with just one goal in the last 5 Premier League games which means it’s dependent on the Defence and Jordan Pickford as to whether Sean Dyche’s Toffees draw a game or suffer a defeat.
The strange anomaly in the above statement is the only goal scored was against Man City.
That’s more an indictment of Pep’s Low Flying Blues than Sean’s Sticky Toffee Puddings.
In the latest outing, against Bournemouth at the Vitality on Saturday, a number of great saves from Jordan kept Everton in the game until the 77th minute when the Cherries eventually scored what turned out to be the solitary winning goal to inflict the defeat on Everton by a 1-0 scoreline.
Everton sit in 16th place with 17 points from 19 games completed.
That’s just a point above the relegation zone, however, the rest have played a game more so Sean Dyche will feel his team can move higher.
That said, the extra game is against Liverpool.
Good luck Toffees.
***********BREAKING NEWS**************
Wow, one often hears the phrase,
‘A week is a long time in Politics!’
Well, a week is also a long time in Football.
After the news came through that Julen Lopetegui had been sacked by the West Ham hierarchy, it’s now been confirmed that Sean Dyche has been sacked by the ‘New Everton hierarchy.’
Everton have now officially been bought out by the Friedkin Group who have decided that Sean Dyche is not for them and wish to start their tenure with someone new.
Graham Potter was on the radar but the ex-Brighton and Chelsea Manager is in at the London Stadium taking over at West Ham, which maybe could have given Sean a stay of execution for the time being, however, despite Everton having a game on Thursday Night against Peterborough in the FA Cup, Sean was shown the door at Goodison Park a couple of hours before the kickoff against the Posh.
That said, it did appear that Gravel Voice Mr Dyche’s time was coming to an end at Goodison (Goodbye) Park, especially with the teams’ current form and the tough watch for the Toffee Rappers, so regardless of the timing of the sacking, Sean is down the concrete and on his way to the Liverpool Job Centre.
David Moyes is back at Goodison Park.
The Prodigal Son has returned signing a Multi-Year Deal to be the New Everton Manager.
The ‘Multi’ bit of that sentence is 2 and a half, which technically is ‘Multi
Mr Moyes managed Everton from 2002 to 2013 before leaving to take charge of Manchester United but was sacked by the Old Trafford hierarchy after just 10 months.
United’s demise started from that decision.
Everton gained a victory over Peterborough by a 2-0 scoreline, in that 3rd-Round FA Cup tie, which saw Everton’s Ashley Young pitted against his Son Tyler who was in the Peterborough Squad.
Despite Ashley making a late cameo appearance in the fixture, the miserable Darren Ferguson, who is the Manager of the Posh and is also Sir Alex Ferguson’s Son, wouldn’t give Tyler any game time, which deprived the watching Millions the chance for Father and Son to kick lumps out of each other, which would have been a first in English Football.
To finish, one can only say,
Good luck, David!
Aston Villa got back to winning ways on Saturday against Leicester at Villa Park, with Unai’s Claret and Blues getting the victory over Ruud’s Foxes by a 2-1 scoreline, as predicted in the EveryTip column last time out.
After a Loss and a Draw from the previous 2 games, goals from Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey, both scored in the 2nd-half, gave Villa all 3 points.
Leicester did score to equalise Ross’s opener before Leon got the winner.
Aston Villa sit in 8th place with 32 points from the opening 20 games played.
Aston Villa gained the victory over Everton at Villa Park back in September 2024.
If one remembers the Game Week-3 fixture for Everton against Bournemouth when the Toffees were 2-0 in front and lost 3-2, then surely that wouldn’t happen in the next game when goals from Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin put Everton in front at Villa Park.
Unfortunately for the Travelling Toffees, their idols did the same again by conceding 3 to ultimately snatch a defeat from the jaws of victory from another 3-2 scoreline.
The only difference this time was after scoring 2 early goals, Everton conceded in the 1st-half to have a narrow lead at the interval, with Ollie Watkins scoring for Villa to half the deficit.
Ollie then scored a 2nd just before the hour mark with the Wild Boy Jhon Duran scoring what turned out to be the winner in the 76th minute to give Aston Villa the home win.
Betfred offer Everton at 21/10, the Draw at 23/10 and 13/10 for Aston Villa to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 5/1 that Ollie Watkins Scores First and 11/4 that Aston Villa 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 10/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
***Premier League Team of the Week***
GOALKEEPER- Jordan Pickford- Everton
RIGHT-BACK- Olna Aina- Nottingham Forest
CENTRE-BACK- Murillo- Nottingham Forest
CENTRE-BACK- Nikola Milenkovic- Nottingham Forest
LEFT-BACK- Lisandro Martinez- Manchester United
MIDFIELDER- Manuel Ugarte- Manchester United
MIDFIELDER- Sandro Tonali- Newcastle
MIDFIELDER- Bruno Fernandes- Manchester United
FORWARD- Chris Wood- Nottingham Forest
FORWARD- Raul Jimenez- Fulham
FORWARD- Bryan Mbeumo- Brentford
STAR MAN- Bruno Fernandes
***Last Week’s Winning Tips-
Newcastle To Win- 6/5
Bournemouth To Win- 8/11
Aston Villa To Win- 2/7
Crystal Palace v Chelsea To Draw- 13/5
Man City To Win-2/7
Brentford To Win- 6/4
Nottingham Forest To Win- 11/8
Correct Scores-
Tottenham v Newcastle 1-2- 17/2
Aston Villa v Leicester 2-1- 15/2
Crystal Palace v Chelsea 1-1- 13/2
Correct Tips-
Bournemouth Win To Nil- 2/1
Crystal Palace v Chelsea- Under 2.5 Goals- 5/4
Erling Haaland To Score First- 9/4
(Granted Erling’s Goal Was The 2nd Of The Game, However, The Opener Was An Own Goal, So The First Goal Scorer Market Is Still In Play!)
Southampton v Brentford Both Teams DON’T Score- 6/4
Liam Delap To Score Anytime- 5/2
Nottingham Forest Win To Nil- 3/1
LEICESTER v CRYSTAL PALACE
19.30 in England
Leicester remain winless in the last 6 Premier League games following the defeat against Aston Villa last time out.
Stephy Mavididi scored to equalise a Villa goal, however, the home team scored a 2nd to inflict a defeat on Leicester by a 2-1 scoreline, again predicted in this EveryTip column last week.
After the first game which Ruud Van Nistelrooy took charge of that produced a victory over West Ham, the Foxes have drawn 1 and lost the last 5.
Ruud’s hair and beard have slowly changed colour throughout his time at the King Power, going from Black to Grey.
The lad needs to get some ‘Just For Men!’
Leicester sit in 19th place with 14 points from the 20 games completed.
A quick side note, Leicester have been drawn against Manchester United in the 4th-Round of the FA Cup, with the tie taking place at Old Trafford, meaning Ruud Van Nistelrooy (Tra-La-La-La-Lar) is coming home!
Crystal Palace are now unbeaten in 3 following the draw against Chelsea last weekend.
After conceding a goal in the 1st-half and trailing at the break, Jean-Philippe Mateta scored an equaliser in the 82nd minute and with no further goals, both teams shared the points from a draw by a 1-1 score, again predicted in this EveryTip column last week.
That’s 2 Draws and a Win from the last 3 Premier League games leaving Palace in 15th place with 21 points from the opening 20 games played.
Both teams shared the points from a draw by a 2-2 score at Selhurst Park in the Game Week-4 affair.
The Sheffield Superstar Jamie Vardy scored the opener to give the Foxes a lead at the break.
Stephy Mavididi added a 2nd just after the restart, then the Eagles kicked into full flight with Jean-Philippe Mateta immediately scoring after Stephy’s goal.
Crystal Palace were then awarded a penalty in the 92nd minute, which Jean-Philippe converted to score his and Palace’s 2nd and give both teams a point apiece from the Archbishops’ favourite scoreline.
Betfred offer Leicester at 11/4, the Draw at 5/2 and slight Odds On 10/11 for Crystal Palace to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 13/2 that Jamie Vardy Scores First and 11/5 that Eberechi Eze 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.)
Away Win 1-2- Get 7/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
NEWCASTLE v WOLVES
19.30 in England
Newcastle are on fire at the moment, with Eddie’s Magpies winning the last 8 games in all competitions, 5 in the Premier League, 2 in the Carabao Cup, including a brilliant victory over Arsenal at the Emirates in the 1st-leg of the Semi-Final of that particular tournament, plus the 3rd-Round FA Cup tie.
In the last Premier League game, Newcastle gained an away day victory over Tottenham at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium by a 2-1 score, as predicted in this EveryTip column last week.
Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak with the Magpies goals after Tottenham had scored the opener.
The Toon Army then went off into London and were last seen at the Bar all shouting,
‘Hoo Much?’
After the Australian Bar Person had stated that 4 Pints of Lager was £32.
‘Hoo Much?’
Newcastle sit in 5th place with 35 points from the opening 20 games played.
Wolves suffered a defeat against Nottingham Forest by a 3-0 score at Molineux last time out.
The 3rd goal, which was conceded in the 94th minute, did spoil the ‘Correct Score’ prediction of ‘0-2’ put up in this column, however, as some Betting Companies offer ‘Cash Out’ it’s hoped a few of our readers ‘Cashed Out’ at 2-0 and earned a few quid.
Whilst Wolves did have a bit of a revival after the appointment of Vitor Pereira, the defeat was predicted, purely on the basis that Matheus Cunha was suspended for the game.
Matheus is a big player for Wolves and without the Brazilian, the Gold and Blacks are simply not the same team.
The good news is, although Mr Cunha got a 2 game ban following his altercation with an Ipswich member of staff, the 2nd game was the FA Cup tie against Bristol City, so Matheus will be back for this tough game against Newcastle.
Wolves sit in 17th place with the same 16 points as Ipswich, who occupy the final relegation spot, both having completed the full set of 20 fixtures.
Mario Lemina scored the opener to give Wolves a lead at the break when these two met at Molineux back in September.
Unfortunately for the Gold and Black faithful, it was the away team that were the stronger in the 2nd-half, with goals from Fabian Schar and Harvey Barnes giving Newcastle the away day victory by a 2-1 scoreline.
Betfred offer Newcastle at Odds On 1/3, the Draw at 4/1 and 13/2 for Wolves to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 4/1 that Alexander Isak Scores First and 6/4 that Newcastle 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.)
Home Win 2-0- Get 15/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
ARSENAL v TOTTENHAM
20.00 in England
The North London Derby.
A great game for the watching Millions who, like John Newsome, subscribe to TNT Sport at £30 a month.
£30, unbelievable Jeff!
Arsenal sit in 2nd place with the same 40 points as Nottingham Forest from the opening 20 games played.
It’s always been assumed that a team needs 40 points to avoid relegation, so Mikel’s Young Guns can consider themselves safe for another season.
Both Arsenal and Forest are 6 points away from Liverpool at the summit but have played a game more than Arne’s Slot Machines.
Arsenal gained a point from a draw by a 1-1 score, against Brighton at the Amex last Saturday.
The Youngster Ethan Nwaneri scored the Gunners goal after 16 minutes to give Arsenal a lead at the break.
Brighton did score an equaliser from the penalty spot after a strange incident between William Saliba and Joao Pedro, where William went to head the ball but headed Joao’s head instead.
The on-field referee Anthony Taylor decided it was ‘Dangerous Play’ and awarded a penalty, which the dreaded VAR didn’t get involved.
Mind you, the Stockley Park brigade were rumoured to be watching The Masked Singer on ITV.
One wonders if David Coote is in a costume singing away.
The Manchester Ball Thrower (he’s stopped throwing sticks for Enzo) will probably know as that’s his favourite programme.
Scandalous!
Arsenal then suffered a defeat against Newcastle in the 1st-leg of the Carabao Cup Semi-Final, with the Magpies taking a 2-0 lead back to St James Park, which bizarrely doesn’t take place until the 5th of February 2025.
Tottenham suffered a defeat against Newcastle last Saturday.
Despite Dominic Solanke scoring the opening goal in the 4th minute, Ange’s Spurs conceded twice to trail at the interval.
With no further goals in the 2nd-half Newcastle gained the away day victory over Tottenham by a 2-1 scoreline, again predicted in this EveryTip column last week.
That leaves Tottenham in 12th place with 24 points from the opening 20 games completed.
Tottenham then took on Liverpool in the 1st-leg of the Carabao Cup Semi-Final and after seeing both teams starting eleven it was not a matter of who would win, it was a matter of how many Liverpool would win by.
However, that’s why one loves football because nothing should be taken for granted in this Beautiful Game, as a Lucas Bergvall goal gave Tottenham a 1st-leg lead over Liverpool by a 1-0 score, going into the 2nd-leg at Anfield, again bizarrely in a months time, on the 6th of February 2025.
A single Gabriel goal, scored just after the hour mark at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium gave Arsenal the North London Bragging Rights over Tottenham with an away day victory by a 1-0 scoreline.
Betfred offer Arsenal at Odds On 1/3, the Draw at 4/1 and 13/2 for Tottenham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/2 that Kai Havertz Scores First and slight Odds On 4/5 that Arsenal 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 3-1- Get 9/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Thursday 16th
IPSWICH v BRIGHTON
19.30 in England
Ipswich played in a very entertaining game against Fulham at Craven Cottage last Sunday.
In a bizarre fixture that saw 3 penalties awarded in the 2nd-half, both teams shared the points from a draw by a 2-2 score.
Sammie Szmodics scored the opener to give Ipswich a lead at the break.
Fulham were then awarded the 1st penalty that was converted, before Liam Delap converted the 2nd penalty of the game, to put the Tractor Boys ahead again.
The 3rd penalty was awarded to the home team in the 91st minute and was again converted to give both teams a point apiece from the Archbishops’ favourite scoreline.
The point gained leaves Ipswich in 18th place with the same 16 points as Wolves from the opening 20 games played.
Brighton themselves gained a point from a draw in their Game Week-20 affair against Arsenal at the Amex last weekend.
After conceding a Gunners goal to trail at the break, Joao Pedro converted a penalty on the hour mark and with no further goals both teams gained a point apiece from a 1-1 scoreline.
The penalty awarded was a strange one with Joao being head-butted by William Saliba who was trying to head the ball.
The on-field referee Anthony Taylor considered the action to be dangerous so pointed straight to the spot.
Brighton sit in 10th place with 28 points from the opening 20 fixtures completed.
Both teams failed to find the back of the net in this reverse fixture at the Amex back in September 2024, with both gaining a point from a draw by a 0-0 score.
One suspects that there won’t be many more goals today.
Betfred offer Ipswich at 13/5, the Draw at 13/5 and slight Odds On 10/11 for Brighton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 13/2 that Liam Delap Scores First and 6/5 that there are Under 2.5 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.)
Draw 1-1- Get 13/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
MANCHESTER UNITED v SOUTHAMPTON
20.00 in England
A Relegation Battle!
When Manchester United headed to Anfield last Sunday to take on Liverpool it was assumed that it wasn’t a matter of whether Liverpool would win but rather by how many goals.
As it turned out, Liverpool were outplayed by Manchester United who were simply a different team than the United side which played against Newcastle in the previous game.
After 4 straight defeats, 3 in the Premier League and 1 in the Carabao Cup, Ruben’s Red Devils gained a point from a draw by a 2-2 score against Arne’s Slot Machines at a rain-drenched Anfield.
After a goalless 1st-half, Lisandro Martinez smashed in the opening goal, just after the restart to give United a lead and stun the Anfield Rappers.
Liverpool did score twice, one coming via the penalty spot when Matthijs De Ligt thought he was LeBron James and handled the ball in the area.
Amad Diallo scored an equaliser with 10 minutes remaining and with no further goals both teams shared the points from the Archbishops’ favourite score.
As mentioned earlier, this is why everyone loves this Beautiful Game as nothing can ever be taken for granted.
The way that the United players performed against Liverpool, does beg the question, why haven’t they played that way in the previous 3 fixtures that have produced the same amount of points as Norway used to get in the Eurovision Song Contest?
Nil!
Manchester United sit in 13th place with the same 23 points as West Ham, both having completed 20 games so far.
Southampton remain at the foot of the Premier League table with 6 points from the 20 fixtures played.
Despite Russell Martin being sacked and Ivan Juric coming in at St Mary’s, the results haven’t improved with Southampton continuing the losing streak against Brentford last time out.
The scoreline of 5-0 in favour of the Bees, meant it was 3 defeats in succession since ‘Ivan The Terrible’ took charge of the sorry set of Saints.
One might think that the phrase ‘Ivan The Terrible’ is a bit harsh but no doubt, that will be the headline if (when) Mr Juric is down the concrete and the Saints hierarchy are looking for another Manager.
All the best!
This clash sees both teams under the guidance of different Managers from when the two met at St Mary’s in the Game Week-4 encounter.
Erik Ten Hag’s United gained the away day victory over Russell Martin’s Saints by a 3-0 scoreline.
Matthijs De Ligt and Marcus Rashford scored in the 1st-half to give United a lead at the interval.
Alejandro Garnacho added a 3rd late on to give Manchester United the points.
That didn’t tell the whole story as Southampton’s Cameron Archer missed an early penalty that would have given the Saints the lead.
Jack Stephens was shown a Red Card in the 79th minute which gave him a head start over his teammates for the hot water in the showers.
Both Erik and Russell haven’t made it to the 2nd part of the season with Russell ringing Erik up the other week, asking for advice on how to fill in a Job Seekers Allowance form.
Betfred offer Manchester United at Odds On 1/4, the Draw at 9/2 and 17/2 for Southampton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/2 that Bruno Fernandes Scores First and 23/20 that Manchester United 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.)
Home Win 3-0- Get 15/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Despite Rangers gaining a victory over Celtic in the latest Old Firm Derby that took place on the 2nd of January, it’s the Green and White Hoops who remain at the summit of the Scottish Premier League with 59 points from 22 games played.
That’s a massive 15 points that Celtic have more than Rangers (44), which does mean that Brendan Rodgers’ team would have to lose at least 5 of the remaining 16 games and Philippe Clement’s ‘Gers win all 16.
That simply won’t happen, so it’s a matter of when, not if, Celtic lift the Pub League Trophy.
On the current trajectory, if both teams continue to gain victories (they won’t as both face each other at Celtic Park on the 15th of March) Celtic can officially collect the Trophy on April the 12th, in the fixture against Kilmarnock.
Each time Celtic win and Rangers don’t, the April 12th date will be brought forward.
Both play another SPL fixture this coming week.
Celtic face Dundee on Tuesday the 14th and Rangers take on Aberdeen the day after.
There are suggestions that the hierarchy at Ibrox want to get rid of PC Loser (the Belgian Manager Philippe Clement) but can’t afford to as Rangers are in financial trouble.
The loveable OzScot is now the loveable YankScot after moving from Melbourne over to Seattle in the United States of America.
There is conjecture regarding the move, with Betfred refusing to offer up Odds as to whether Braveheart lasts in the U.S.
However, that’s for the future, for now, the YankScots’ beloved team, the Teddy Bears are going to finish as Runners-Up in the 2024/25 Scottish Pub League, with Celtic being crowned as Champions (again!)
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