EPL Game Week 22 – 2020/21 Season – Weekend Premier League Tips

John Newsome Football Betting Tips - everytip

The highlight games for this week’s action are WOLVES versus ARSENAL  and TOTTENHAM versus CHELSEA. Our feature columnist, John Newsome previews these as well as all game-week 22 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.

SHEFFIELD UNITED v WEST BROM

Tuesday 2nd

The first fixture of a new week of football, with the games coming thick and fast at the moment. This is an 18.00 start time in England live on BT Sport.

To save words, like last week’s football, this and the following 9-midweek fixtures are all the reverse of Game Week-10, that took place at the end of November 2020 and are all live on BT Sport, meaning Sky Sports Bob Carolgees dog and G-Nev have another week off.

Sheffield United earned a little bit of respect at the Etihad. However, the Blades did still come away from Manchester with nothing following a defeat by a 1-0 scoreline.

After the previous Wednesdays victory against the Red side, it was a quick return to the city to take on the new current Premier League toppers. The stats showed that Sheffield United had only 25% possession which against Pep’s Blues isn’t too bad.

Happy Chris wasn’t happy with the result, his face told the story, with the defeat leaving his Blades, rock bottom of the table with 8-points, from the 21-fixtures, played, still a massive 10-points from safety which means Sheffield United have to win 4-games just to get out of the drop zone and hope the teams above all lose those 4-fixtures, which simply isn’t going to happen.

James from Swinton, nowhere near Bramall Lane, was happy with his second team just conceding the single goal and went straight down to the local shop for some reinforcements of fruit Kopparberg and half a pound of Yorkshire Mixtures.

Jimbo loves a Yorkshire Mixture as he says it takes the taste of his lovely girlfriend’s food away. Not sure what that means but hope she doesn’t find out or little Jim will be wearing the tea next time.

The lads still wearing his Barnsley kit, his first footballing love and is hoping the Oakwell outfit gets promoted via the play-offs, so James can continue to cheer on a team in the Premier League, as him and his fellow Blunts won’t be watching Sheffield United in the Top Flight for much longer.

West Brom earned a point more than today’s opponents on Saturday gaining a great draw from a Desmond 2-2 scoreline.

After falling behind against Fulham, trailing by a goal to nil at the break, Kyle Bartley and Matheus Pereira put the Baggies in front, midway through the 2nd-half. Unfortunately, for Big Sam, the bad dog walker was on show, as West Brom couldn’t hold on to the lead and allowed the Cottagers to equalise.

The point gained now means, Big Sam’s boys have 12-points from 21-fixtures and sit 19th in the table, 2-points adrift of Fulham and 9-points off Brighton, who are out of the relegation places.

So all to play for in the coming months with a big game against the Seagulls, coming up at the end of February.

At The Hawthorns in November Slaven’s Baggies beat Happy Chris’s Blades, yet it was Big Bilic that was out of a job soon after and even though Sheffield United remain rooted to the foot of the table, Mr Wilder is still in residence at Bramall Lane. Conor Gallagher scored the solitary winning goal for West Brom early in the 1st-half.

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WOLVES v ARSENAL

Tuesday 2nd

Another early Tuesday night fixture with an 18.00 kick-off in England.

Wolves suffered their 5th-defeat in 8-Premier League games on Saturday. The latest loss against Crystal Palace, by a 1-0 scoreline, leaves Nuno’s Gold and Blacks with just 3-points from a possible 24 and have plunged Wolves into a relegation battle.

Probably what will save the Midlands outfit is that there are more than 3, worse teams than Nuno’s boys so come the end of the season, Wolves should be safe. That said, the 23-points from 21-fixtures, leaving Wolves in 14th-place, won’t be enough to keep them in the division and Nuno will know that he has to get his team going again.

William Jose has arrived at Molineux from Real Sociedad with the big Brazilian striker getting 90-minutes in the defeat against the Eagles. William has been brought in to hopefully get on the end of some Adama Traore crosses that Raul Jimenez used to.

Raul has been missing since the lad suffered a terrible head injury that left him with a fractured skull. These type of injuries are difficult to come back from but Raul looks confident and strong enough to come through and it’s hoped Big Jimenez will be back before the end of the season.

All the best Raul!

Arsenal played in the most entertaining game of the weekend gaining a point in a 0-0 draw against Manchester United. As that statement is written this EveryTip contributor’s nose is getting longer.

The term bore-draw was invented for such games with the Gunners putting in a professional effort against Ole’s Wheels but ultimately lacking any positivity and was evident that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s absence is telling on the Gunners, who have failed to score in 2 of the previous 4, Premier League fixtures.

Bukayo Saka was missing against United which again, told on the performance, plus it appears Ainsley Maitland-Niles is surplus to requirements at the Emirates having sat on the bench for the last 4-games without seeing any action.

It’s thought that Ainsley will be out on loan before the week is out, to a club such as West Brom or Newcastle but there is a club that wouldn’t go far wrong signing the youngster that will be mentioned later on in this column.

The point leaves Arsenal, 10th in the table with 31-points from 21-fixtures and although 10th, Mikel’s men are only 4-points adrift of West Ham who sit in 5th-place. When these two met in Game Week-10, Wolves came away with a rare victory beating Mikel’s men by a narrow 2-1 scoreline, with all 3-goals scored before the half-time cuppa.

Supermarket man Pedro Neto opened the scoring for Nuno’s men, with Gabriel quickly equalising. Daniel Podence scored again just before the break and with no more goals in the 2nd-half, Wolves earned the points.

Arsenal weren’t the team they are now, so this will be a tougher ask for the Gold and Blacks, even though the fixture is at Molineux.

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NEWCASTLE v CRYSTAL PALACE

Tuesday 2nd

A later Tuesday game kicking-off at 20.15 in England.

Newcastle got the surprise result of the weekend, getting a great away-day victory against Everton at Goodison Park by a 2-0 scoreline.

There must have been quite a few virtual betting slips thrown away at 14.20 on Saturday Afternoon with most having the Toffees as the first of their Accas.

With the Bookies shut at the moment due to the horrendous Coronavirus situation, the mobile phones and iPads are the betting slips. Let’s hope the phones or pads weren’t thrown away.

Callum Wilson was the star Magpie, getting both goals in the win against Everton, the 1st, a header past helpless England ‘keeper, Jordan Pickford and the 2nd, a coolly taken goal in added-time when the Toffees were up the field trying to get an equaliser.

Steve Bruce had a new recruit in his matchday squad, however, not a player but a new coach added to his backroom staff. Graeme Jones, who was at Bournemouth has headed the full length of the country to join up with the Steve’s, Bruce, Agnew and Clemence.

The new man was a surprise as most thought Big Brucey was joining Frank Lampard at the Job Centre.

Despite only being at Newcastle for a couple of days, it did appear that Graeme had an immediate effect on the group who looked, firstly, tougher and secondly, more direct, that definitely was evident with Callum’s 2-goals.

The victory gives the Magpies 22-points but doesn’t increase the place in the Premier League table, leaving Newcastle in 15th-place, a point more than Brighton and 4-points less than today’s opponents.

It’s 4-points less due to Crystal Palace getting a professional victory by a 1-0 scoreline against a struggling Wolves team that are getting dragged into a relegation battle. Eberechi Eze with the solitary winning goal midway through the 2nd-half.

There isn’t really much more to say about that fixture other than Roy’s Boys will be safe and won’t be relegated. The victory against Wolves lifts Palace up to 13th, a place above the Gold and Blacks, with 26-points from 21-fixtures.

When the cardboard Toon Army travelled to Selhurst Park in the cold of November, Steve Bruce’s Magpies got a rare away-day victory by a 2-0 scoreline.

Callum Wilson and Joelinton with the goals late in the game, with Callum’s strike in the 88th-minute and Joelinton’s notch on the stroke of full-time, to give Brucey his bonus against Roy’s Eagles.

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MANCHESTER UNITED v SOUTHAMPTON

Tuesday 2nd

The 4th of 4, Tuesday night fixtures with another 20.15 start time in England.

Manchester United have slipped from top spot in the Premier League table down to 2nd, in the space of a week, after the surprise defeat against Sheffield United (yes, Sheffield United!) and the 0-0 draw against Arsenal on Saturday.

Normally, gaining a point at the Emirates could be considered a great result and although it is a point more on United’s tally, the Red Devil faithful will be kicking themselves having not seen their idols beat a sub-standard Arsenal side who are nowhere near the heights of the team that took on Fergie’s United under Arsene Wenger.

The regular readers of this EveryTip column will be aware of the narrative that United won’t win anything if Ole continues to pick Fred and Scott McTominay. It appears Ole knows better, which is fair enough as it’s his job but that narrative will be borne out come to the end of the season.

There was a stat thrown up by Gary Lineker on the BBC’s iconic Match of the Day that read, Manchester United have not beaten a top established side this season in the Premier League.

Tottenham-lost 1-6 at Old Trafford
Chelsea-drew 0-0 at Old Trafford
Arsenal-lost 0-1 at Old Trafford
Man City-drew 0-0 at Old Trafford
Liverpool-drew 0-0 at Anfield
Arsenal-drew 0-0 at the Emirates

One goal against the so-called big teams, all with Fred and Scott playing in the Central Midfield role. This column has been banging on about Fred and Scott McTominay not being good enough for Manchester United and whether folk agree or disagree, those stats from Gary Lineker are conclusive.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appears to save Fred and Scott for the so-called big teams, yet it simply doesn’t work.

There’s an argument that OGS hasn’t anyone else, that might be so and if that’s correct then Ole needs to either come up with a better alternative from his squad or if the Norwegian wants to continue to try and prove John Newsome wrong (he won’t by the way!) then he needs to get out on the training pitch and coach Fred and Scott (more Fred) better.

Firstly, getting the lad to try and score more.

The Brazilian, who cost United £52 Million, has 1-goal in 61 Premier League appearances for the Zebra Devil’s which is simply not good enough.

There’s a slightly overweight, bald 51-year old, with a heart condition and a pacemaker, who provides this EveryTip column, that would have scored more times in 61-games in a United shirt, whether Red, Grey or Zebra colour.

Fred and Scott are no doubt lovely lads and in no way is this a personal attack on the two, it’s simply a footballing analogy that is making the point that Manchester United will not win anything with Fred and Scott McTominay in the midfield berth and Ole has to come up with an alternative.

Earlier it was mentioned that Ainsley Maitland-Niles appears surplus to requirements at the Emirates and whilst it’s unlikely that Arsenal would let the lad join Manchester United, Ole wouldn’t go far wrong in making a cheeky enquiry about the England youngster who is a top-notch player.

The point gained at the Emirates gives Ole’s Elephants 41 for the season so far from 21-fixtures, 3 less than the Noisy Neighbours but having played a game more than Pep’s Blues.

Another point added to the United tally and after all of the weekend fixtures were completed, Ole’s Wheels surprisingly remain 2nd in the table, behind City, following Leicester’s defeat against Leeds.

Wreck-It Ralph’s Saints are in danger of undoing a superb start to the campaign following their 3rd-defeat from the last 3-Premier League games.

In between the defeats, Southampton have won twice in the FA Cup which may be what Ralph Hasenhuttl’s aim is, with an away trip to Molineux to take on Wolves standing in their way of a place in the Quarter-Finals.

What’s significant in the Premier League results is, Southampton haven’t gained any points since the superb victory against Liverpool which saw Wreck-It celebrate like his wife had just given birth.

It now appears that the victory against the current Premier League champions has subconsciously ended the Saints season which the faithful, both cardboard and real, won’t want to see and Southampton will need to get back on track.

The latest defeat was against Aston Villa on Saturday evening, losing by a 1-0 scoreline at St Mary’s. The Saints sit 11th in the table with 29-points but have only played 20-times, not the 21, others around them have. At St Mary’s, United came from 2-goals down to beat the Saints by a 3-2 scoreline.

Jan Bednarek and James Ward-Prowse with the Southampton goals before the half-time whistle.

Ole knew a change was needed and brought on Edinson Cavanni at half-time along with Dean Henderson, replacing Mason Greenwood and an injured David De Gea.

Bruno Fernandes pulled a goal back for United on the hour mark, then the Big Uruguayan, Edinson, scored twice to give Ole’s Elephants a great away-day victory that kicked-started the Red Devil’s journey to the top of the table.

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BURNLEY v MAN CITY

Wednesday 3rd

Early Wednesday evening football with an 18.00 start-time in England.

Burnley suffered a defeat by a 2-0 scoreline, away against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Sean Dyche’s men had won the 3, previous Premier League fixtures including a 1-0 victory against Liverpool, at Anfield, that ended the Reds unbeaten home record.

Against Chelsea on Sunday, from an outsiders perspective, it looked like Burnley were tired and maybe Sean needs to refresh his eleven.

Chris Wood, who has played in all of the Premier League fixtures this term, got replaced on the hour mark, that looked like an injury and could see the Big New Zealander miss this midweek fixture against Pep’s High Flying City.

Burnley aren’t out of danger just yet and sit 16th in the table with 22-points from 20-fixtures. Sean knows this will be a tough ask against the form team of the moment.

Man City won their 8th-Premier League game in succession with a professional 1-0 victory against Sheffield United on Saturday.

Professional because, although the Blades are rubbish at the moment and sit rock bottom of the table, Chris Wilder’s men had beaten the Numpty Neighbours in midweek, allowing City to jump to the summit of the table, so Pep just had to be wary of the Yorkshire Blunts.

Gabriel Jesus scored early on in the game, the 9th-minute, that looked like the floodgates would open and the final scoreline would resemble a cricket score, however, Sheffield United dug in and defended resiliently to keep the score respectable.

This was Pep’s Blues 5th-league game in a row that City haven’t conceded a goal. When John Stones plays, City Win To Nil. However, the Barnsley Stone had the day off against Sheffield United and still, City didn’t let a goal in.

It looked like Pep wanted to partner someone else with Ruben Dias who has quickly become the new Rolls Royce defender in the Premier League after Virgil Van Dijk.

Aymeric Laporte was at the side of Ruben to give John a rest, City again not conceding a goal with the brilliant Ruben controlling things at the back allowing the forward players for City, to strut their stuff.

Admittedly, no further goals came after the 9th-minute but that’s football with the Sheffield United players, defending as if their lives depended on it.

In this EveryTip column, it has been mentioned that Man City are like the wonder-horse Frankel, patiently sitting on the bridle, in the slip-stream of the lead horse until the optimum moment to pull out and move to the front.

That is now happening, Pep’s High Flyers are now at the summit with 44-points, 3-more than Ole’s Wheels. Significantly, however, Manchester United, Liverpool, Leicester and West Ham, have all played a game more, with only Tottenham, part of the trailing 5, having played the same 20-fixtures as Man City.

At the Etihad back in November, City comfortably beat the Clarets by a 5-0 scoreline, with 3 of the goals coming in the 1st-half.

Riyad Mahrez scored a superb hat-trick, getting his and City’s first 2-goals and Bernard Mendy adding the 3rd before the cup of tea. Ferran Torres scored number-4 after the break with Riyad scoring the 3rd of his treble and City’s 5th, rounding off the rout.

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FULHAM v LEICESTER

Wednesday 3rd

Wednesday night football continues with another game kicking-off at 18.00 in England.

Fulham came away from The Hawthorns on Saturday with a point following a Desmond 2-2 draw. Bobby Decordova-Reid gave Scott Parker’s boys a lead in the 1st-half.

After the break, the cottagers conceded 2-goals against their nearest rivals in the table that, if the game had finished in that scoreline, would have seen West Brom draw level on points in the relegation places.

Fortunately for Fulham, an inspired substitution by Scott, that saw Ivan Cavaleiro replace the 1st-goalscorer, Bobby, resulted in an equaliser from Big Ivan, 5-minutes after entering the field of play.

The point gained by both teams in the drop-zone, maintained the status quo, with Fulham having 14, 2-more than West Brom and 7-less than Brighton but significantly, having only played 20-fixtures not the 21, the Baggies and the Seagulls have completed.

Leicester had the chance to leapfrog Manchester United into 2nd-place on Sunday, taking on Leeds United at the King Power. Unfortunately for the Foxes faithful, after taking the lead through Harvey Barnes, Leeds then scored 3-times to get a brilliant away-day victory by a 3-1 scoreline.

Brendan wasn’t happy with his not so Wonderful’s and it’s evident straight away that the Foxes are missing the original Sheffield Superstar, Jamie Vardy.

Jimmy V has just undergone an operation on his groin that will give the lad a period on the sideline, which will affect Leicester in their quest to finish in the Top Four.

Leicester have 39-points from 21-games and after the weekend’s fixtures, sit 4th in the table. Rod’s dog Lennon was happy when he saw the final score from the King Power.

The Leeds United shirt with ‘Stewart’ and ‘76’ on the back was gently taken off, placed in the wash and not slung at the pooch, after a surprise defeat for the Foxes.

Lennon is used to tough times, being a rescue dog. Rod kindly took the puppy in as a present for his wife Penny. The advert in the Rescue centre, read- ‘Likes and Dislikes’, the likes were listed as, ‘long walks, cuddles, treats and Celtic’, with the dislikes being, ‘tied to a railing and left for 3-days without any food.’

The Crooner couldn’t resist and took the puppy home to Penny naming him Lennon, not after the Beatles legend John but after the Celtic boss, Neil.

Lennon knew that Roderick was in a bad mood after his beloved Green and White Hoops had lost against St Mirren (who?) in the Scottish Pub League, the day before, leaving the Celts a massive 23-points adrift of Steven Gerrard’s Rangers but with Leeds United beating Leicester, Rod, Penny and Lennon were all happy, if only for a few days. He’s Celtic, United but Brendan has decided that Leicester is the best place to be.

When Fulham headed up the M1 to the King Power Stadium, Scott’s Boys got a great away-day victory beating Brendan’s Wonderful’s by a 2-1 scoreline. With the position both teams find themselves in, that must come as a surprise. Ademola Lookman and Ivan Cavaliero scored the Cottagers goals in the 1st-half.

Harvey Barnes scored a late goal for the Foxes that gave the cardboard faithful hope but ultimately was only a consolation.

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LEEDS UNITED v EVERTON

Wednesday 3rd

This Wednesday evening fixture kicks-off at 19.30 in England.

This fixture is now known as ‘The two teams that were involved in the surprise results of Game Week-21’ Granted, that title isn’t the catchiest and probably won’t catch on but it is a fact after Leeds United’s result against Leicester and Everton’s result against Newcastle.

‘Marching on together’, that was the sound reverberating in Leeds and surrounding areas, late Sunday Afternoon after a brilliant away-day victory by a 3-1 scoreline.

Patrick Bamford was superb throughout the game at the King Power, scoring a goal and assisting the other 2 for Stuart Dallas and Jack Harrison.

The brilliant victory, unfortunately, didn’t improve Leeds United’s position in the Premier League table, leaving Marcelo’s Whites in 12th-place, with 29-points from 20-fixtures.

Leeds United won’t win the league anytime soon but won’t be relegated either and to a true football fan, who isn’t tribal about his or her own team, Marcelo’s Boys are brilliant to watch, win, lose or draw, which will be the results in the 18-games remaining.

Marching On Together!

It could be said that Everton ruined everyone’s weekend and were the cause of a few dogs and cats scarpering lively when the result of the Toffees fixture against Newcastle was announced.

Everton, sitting pretty in 7th and having won 5 of their last 7-Premier League games, hosted a struggling Newcastle side at Goodison Park with just an obvious home victory on the cards.

Unfortunately, everyone knows that’s not how the Premier League works, with Newcastle inflicting a defeat on Carlo’s Toffees by a 2-0 scoreline, with both goals conceded in the 2nd-half.

Everton finished Game Week-21 in 8th-place in the table, with 33-points, 4-more than today’s opponents.

Probably the thing, the Toffees faithful can take as a positive is Everton have only played 19-times and have 1 and 2 games in hand on the teams above them.

At Goodison Park back in November, Leeds got the victory by a 1-0 scoreline with Raphina scoring the solitary winning goal midway through the 2nd-half.

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LIVERPOOL v BRIGHTON

Wednesday 3rd

The 3rd of 4, Wednesday night games, with a 20.15 start-time in England.

The Michael Robinson Derby, as this fixture has become affectionately known after the brilliant striker played for both clubs in the early 1980s.

Liverpool always beat West Ham, in the last 10-fixtures between the two clubs, Liverpool have won-7 and drawn-3. The last time the Hammers beat the Reds was January 2016, when Slaven Bilic’s Bubbles beat Jurgen’s Boys. So an away-day victory was always on the cards on Sunday Afternoon.

That was borne out when Mo Salah scored twice and Georgi Wijnaldum, all in the 2nd-half gave Liverpool the victory against the Hammers by a 3-1 scoreline.

West Ham scored late on in proceedings which ultimately was just a consolation.

A half-hour before kick-off at the London Stadium, Leicester had suffered a defeat against Leeds which presented Jurgen the opportunity to leapfrog the Foxes into 3rd-place with a victory against West Ham.

After that occurred, Liverpool, with 40-points, lie a point behind Manchester United and 4, behind Man City at the summit.

City do have the added advantage of only completing 20-fixtures, not the 21, Jurgen and the rest have. Mo Salah heads the goalscoring charts with 15-goals after his brace against the Bubbles.

The Egyptians 2nd was poetry in motion and came directly from a West Ham corner that resulted in the Liverpool players, quickly getting the ball upfield, after the Hammers had taken the corner. Mo’s finish was sublime and worthy of any goal of the month competition.

The following is taken from a John Newsome/EveryTip lockdown column published last April 2020, which no apologies are offered for re-visiting the piece.

‘In 1981, as a Division 2 outfit, Barnsley demolished Brighton who were a Top Flight club, in the League Cup, with goals from Ronnie Glavin, Mick McCarthy and a couple from Trevor Aylott, defeating the Seagulls by a 4-1 scoreline.

A Brighton team that included the legendary headband wearing Steve Foster, original hardman Jimmy Case, Michael Robinson, who went on to play for Liverpool and Osasuna, Gordon Smith, who missed a last-minute sitter in the 1983-FA Cup Final against Manchester United that would have given Brighton the cup and Andy Ritchie, who the Seagulls got from United, went on to manage Barnsley FC and was the Reds manager that gained promotion in 2006 back to the Championship. Not a bad Brighton side that Barnsley took to pieces.

In the following round, Barnsley were again drawn at home against Man City, who were in Division 1, the equivalent of the Premier League, with players including, Joe Corrigan, Ray Ranson, Kevin Bond, Tommy Caton, Bobby McDonald, Dennis Tueart, Nicky Reid, Asa Hartford, Tommy Hutchinson, Kevin Reeves and Phil Boyer.

Seven of those players had played in the FA Cup Final, 6-months earlier, that firstly drew with Tottenham by a 1-1 scoreline, then lost the replay 3-2, with the famous Ricky Villa goal.

In front of 34,000, one of the largest attendances ever at Oakwell, a single Trevor Aylott goal gave the Reds a stunning 1-0 victory. Barnsley were then given the honour of an away tie against Liverpool.

Liverpool were the current European Cup holders in January 1982, when the League Cup Quarter-Final between Liverpool and Barnsley took place at Anfield.

The Liverpool team, that misty night, included Bruce Grobbelaar, Phil Neal, Phil Thompson, Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrenson, Alan Kennedy, Terry McDermott, Graham Souness, Ronnie Whelan, Ian Rush and Kenny Dalglish.

Neal, Thompson, Kennedy, Hansen, McDermott, Dalglish and Souness all won the European Cup 8-months earlier, getting a 1-0 victory against Real Madrid.

Norman ‘bite yer legs’ Hunter, the Barnsley manager on the day, made 2-enforced changes to his starting eleven, from the victory against Man City, in the previous round, replacing the injured Ronnie Glavin and Glyn Riley, with Neal Cooper and Colin Walker.

Second Division Barnsley came away from Anfield with a brilliant 0-0 draw against the European Champions on their own turf.

Although the Reds of Yorkshire’s goal was still intact, there were some buses and coaches that sustained a few injuries on the way in and out of Merseyside.

Ask this question today, would a 12-year old boy or girl go, or be allowed to go, to an away night match at Anfield on his or her own?

This EveryTip contributor did!

Granted it was on a club coach with about 10,000 other Barnsley fans but he was on his own. In fact, in the 51-years this boy has been alive, the mad Barnsley FC fan has never seen his beloved team lose at Anfield, with 2-Wins and a Draw on his record.

Liverpool again won the European Cup in 1984, beating Roma in a penalty shootout.

One of the substitutes that day in May 1984, that replaced Kenny Dalglish in extra-time, was Michael Robinson, who fittingly received a European Cup winners medal for the 26-minutes or so on the pitch.

In an EveryTip column entitled ‘10 Interesting English Premier League Records & Statistics’, published on the 25th of April, it was mentioned that Michael Robinson played for Brighton in a 4-1 defeat against Barnsley FC in the League Cup in 1981, before his subsequent move to the Anfield club and his European Cup victory.

Michael had a great game that night but unfortunately, the rest of the Seagulls couldn’t match his performance and Barnsley got an easy victory. Coincidentally, after Barnsley had beaten Brighton, the Reds of Oakwell eventually took on Liverpool in the Quarter-Final.

On the 27th of April 2020, it was sadly announced that Michael had unfortunately passed away in Madrid where the former striker had made his home. One thing is for certain, that 26-minutes in Rome, back in 1984, had a better outcome than the 90-minutes played at Oakwell in 1981.’

Rest in Peace Mr Robinson!

The dreaded VAR was on top form at the Amex back in late November, allowing and disallowing a couple of contentious issues.

Neal Maupay missed an early penalty that VAR awarded, then got involved again disallowing a Mo Salah offering. Not to be outdone, Mo’s mate, Mane, had a goal disallowed too by the dreaded.

Diogo Jota had scored first for Liverpool, in the 2nd-half before Sadio’s offside goal. Unfortunately, like a bad dog walker, the Reds couldn’t hold on to the lead gifting Brighton a penalty in the 92nd-minute which Pascal Gross duly converted to earn the Seagulls a point.

It will never be known whether Neal would have taken the second spot-kick as the lad was substituted just after he missed his penalty in the 20th-minute due to injury.

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ASTON VILLA v WEST HAM

Wednesday 3rd

The final Wednesday night offering starting at 20.15 in England.

Aston Villa got a great away-night victory, late on Saturday evening, beating Southampton by a single 1-0 scoreline.

Ross Barkley scored the only goal just before the break to give Dean Smith’s Claret and Blues the win, however, it was touch and go after the dreaded VAR cancelled out a potential Southampton equaliser in the 93rd-minute.

The victory gives Aston Villa 32-points and leaves them in 9th-place which could be considered a false position, having only played 19-times not the 20 and 21, the majority of others have completed. Say, hypothetically, that Villa win both the 2-games in hand, Dean Smith’s boys would be 5th in the table.

That’s a hypothesis that only bears out if happens, an assumption or idea that is proposed for the sake of an argument so that it can be tested to see if it might be true, however, hypothesis and theory are often used interchangeably to mean simply an idea, speculation, or hunch, with theory being the more common choice.

West Ham suffered a defeat on Sunday against Liverpool, of cause they did, West Ham just can’t beat the Reds, it’s as simple as that.

As mentioned in the Liverpool preview, Jurgen’s Reds have won 7 out of the last 10 games, drawing the other 3. After a goalless 1st-half, the Hammers conceded 3-goals.

Craig Dawson did score in the 87th-minute but was ultimately just a consolation with David Moyes Boys succumbing to a 3-1 defeat.

West Ham did, however, remain 5th in the table, with 35-points after Tottenham’s surprise defeat against Brighton late on Sunday.

Having being only 2-points ahead of Spurs, it was thought that the Hammers would drop a place, late Sunday night, with Tottenham beating the Seagulls but that didn’t materialise and with Tottenham losing, the defeat against Liverpool didn’t affect the league position.

West Ham got a victory at home, back in November, defeating Villa by a 2-1 scoreline. Jack Grealish equalised an earlier Angelo Ogbonna goal scored after just 2-minutes. After the break, Jarrod Bowan scored within a minute of the restart and with no further goals, Villa held on for the victory.

Bet 365 offer Aston Villa at 11/10, the draw at 5/2 and 5/2 for West Ham to come away with all 3-points.

Bet 365 offer 7/4 that Michail Antonio Scores Anytime and 13/8 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.

Draw 2-2- Get 12/1 on Bet365 + A Massive Sign-Up Offer on Bet365 For New Customers!

TOTTENHAM v CHELSEA

Thursday 4th

A Thursday night offering to round off Game Week-22 kicking-off at 20.00 in England.

Tottenham, along with Everton, ruined everyone’s Accas at the weekend, succumbing to a defeat by a 1-0 scoreline, against Brighton, late on Sunday evening.

Jose Mourinho gave Gareth Bale a rare start in a Premier League game that may not happen many more times as Gareth failed to spark any life into Spurs, who certainly missed and will miss Harry Kane over the coming weeks.

Harry suffered an ankle injury against Liverpool that will see the lad miss a few games.

Dele Alli was nowhere to be seen and by the time this EveryTip column is published, Dele could be away from the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium with a possible move to Paris Saint-Germain, on the cards, to join up with his old gaffer, Mauricio Pochettino.

The Seagulls scored early at the Amex, that did give Spurs plenty of time to get back into the game but without, Harry, Jose’s men looked lethargic and will definitely need to improve against the London rivals.

Tottenham had a chance to leapfrog West Ham in the table but with both teams losing on Sunday, Dracula’s LilyWhites remain in 6th-place, with 33-points, the same number as today’s opponents but having played a game less.

Chelsea recorded their first victory under Thomas Tuchel on Sunday, getting a great win against Burnley by a 2-0 scoreline.

Thomas had dropped Mason Mount for his opening game against Wolves but recalled the youngster, along with Callum Hudson-Odoi, Jorginho, Tammy Abraham and surprisingly, Marcos Alonso who had been frozen out when Chelsea were called Frank Lampard’s Chelsea.

Old boy Cesar Azpilicuerta scored the opener on Sunday, in the 1st-half with the recalled Marcos scoring the 2nd, late on in proceedings, to the obvious delight of Frank, who was at home with Christine watching Frozen with the kids.

The debut victory for TT lifts Chelsea up to 7th in the Premier League table with 33-points, the same as Everton and today’s opposition, however, the Toffees have only played 19-times and Spurs, 20, not the 21, that Thomas Tuchel’s Blues have.

This was a drab 0-0 affair back at Stamford Bridge in November with Frank Lampard still in charge of the Blues, oblivious to the thought that he would be down the concrete come February.

Bet 365 offer Tottenham at 23/10, the draw at 12/5 and 6/5 for Chelsea to come away with all 3-points.

Bet 365 offer 5/1 that Son Heung-Min Scores First and 11/2 that Tottenham Score a Penalty.

Draw 1-1- Get 6/1 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-22.

For Game Week-21, Jon had 2-Correct Results and 0-Correct Scoreline, from the 10-Weekend fixtures.

Sheffield United 2 v West Brom 1
Wolves 1 v Arsenal 2
Newcastle 0 v Crystal Palace 2
Manchester United 1 v Southampton 1
Burnley 0 v Man City 3
Fulham 1 v Leicester 2
Leeds United 1 v Everton 3
Liverpool 2 v Brighton 0
Aston Villa 2 v West Ham 2
Tottenham 1 v Chelsea 0

Cheers JP

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