EPL Game Week 23 – 2020/21 Season – Weekend Premier League Tips

John Newsome Football Betting Tips - everytip

The highlight games for this weekend’s action are MANCHESTER UNITED versus EVERTON
and LIVERPOOL versus MAN CITY. Our feature columnist, John Newsome previews these as well as all game-week 23 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.

ASTON VILLA v ARSENAL

Saturday 6th

BT Sport 12.30 in England.

All these Game Week-23 fixtures are the reverse of Game Week-8, played in early November 2020.

Aston Villa were on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline against West Ham on Wednesday. After a goalless 1st-half, West Ham scored twice before Ollie Watkins pulled a goal back. Unfortunately for the home Claret and Blues, this was ultimately a consolation with the away Claret and Blues scoring a 3rd to take the points home.

Dean Smith’s boys sit 9th in the table with 32-points, however, have only played 20-fixtures. Villa lie a point and a place above today’s opponents so the winners will be the higher ones come the end of the tie.

After an unbeaten run of 7-Premier League games, Arsenal imploded at Molineux on Wednesday succumbing to a defeat by a 2-1 scoreline.

Imploded, not because of the result but having 2-players sent off, David Luiz in the 1st-half for a foul that resulted in a penalty given away and then Bernd Leno, who handled outside his area, that saw him receive a straight Red Card too.

David’s sending off was in the 3rd-minute of added time in the 1st-half that meant the Gunners went in at the break level after Wolves converted the spot-kick.

The Double Jeopardy rule is explained later after a similar incident occurred in the Manchester United v Southampton fixture.

Nicolas Pepe had given Arsenal a lead midway through the half. Bernd was shown his Red Card to join David in the baths after Wolves had taken the lead in the 49th-minute so were a goal down and had a 2-man disadvantage that virtually made the task impossible to get anything from the game.

The defeat leaves Mikel’s Gunners with 31-points, in 10th-place in the table from 22-fixtures played. Villa got a brilliant away-night victory back in early November, at the Emirates, by a 3-0 scoreline.

Arsenal were going through a period of losing at the same 19.15 time at home, on a Sunday evening.

This being the 2nd of 4, defeats at the Emirates, in the same Sunday night TV slot.
Bukayo Saka opened the scoring for Villa, most will know Bukayo plays for Arsenal so will realise that Dean Smith’s boy’s opener was an own-goal.

Ollie Watkins then scored twice after the break, to give Aston Villa the win over a Gunners side that were struggling at the time.

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NEWCASTLE v SOUTHAMPTON

Saturday 6th

BT Sport 15.00 in England.

Following a brilliant away-day victory against Everton last Saturday, Newcastle returned to losing ways, suffering a defeat by a 2-1 scoreline at St James Park against Crystal Palace on Tuesday.

Jonjo Shelvey had given the Magpies the lead and it looked like the winning run was going to continue until Palace scored twice, with all the goals coming in the 1st-half.

Newcastle drop a place to 16th, with 22-points, from 22-games played, basically a point a game.
A side note to the inclusion of Graeme Jones from Bournemouth onto Steve Bruce’s staff.
Graeme was 1st-team coach at the Cherries under Jason Tindall (Eddie Howe left at the end of last season).

Ex-Newcastle defender, Jonathon Woodgate took over as the 1st-team coach replacing MrJones. Within 3-days of arriving at the Vitality, Jason Tindall was sacked and Jonathon put straight in as the caretaker-manager. It’s all go in the football world.

There aren’t many teams that lose in the Premier League by a 9-0 scoreline but Southampton have now suffered the humiliating defeat by that score, twice, after Tuesday night’s destruction from Manchester United at Old Trafford.

There’s not many positives the Saints faithful can take from the game other than this time it was an away defeat and not in front of the home faithful, like against Leicester, 15-months or so ago.

Wreck-It Ralph was crying again after the trip to Old Trafford, following the emotional scenes when Southampton beat Liverpool, however, this time they were tears of annoyance not tears of joy. The Saints shot themselves in the foot after just 78-seconds when Alexandre Jankewitz made a horrendous challenge on Scott McTominay that resulted in a straight Red Card.

Alex was making his 1st-start for Southampton that obviously made the lad very excitable.
That meant Southampton were down to 10-men for almost the entire game, against United, which is simply not acceptable.

The 9-goals then followed with 4 in the 1st-half and 5 after the break. The defeat leaves the Saints in 12th-place, with 29-points from 21-fixtures completed. The final 3-goals conceded were whilst Wreck-Its men were down to 9, following Jan Bednarek’s dismissal which resulted in a penalty to United.

There’s a rule called Double Jeopardy, that states if a player commits a foul that results in a penalty then the player shouldn’t be sent off as the penalty is enough punishment. Unfortunately, this law or rule only applies if the player makes a clear attempt to play the ball.

The official FA rules state:
‘Where a player commits an offence against an opponent within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offending player is cautioned if the offence was an attempt to play the ball; in all other circumstances (e.g. holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility to play the ball etc.) the offending player must be sent off.’

So David Luiz in the earlier fixture between Wolves and Arsenal and Big Jan were given their marching orders, instead of applying the Double Jeopardy rule.

Jan has subsequently had his Red Card overturned so is free to play against the Magpies.
David Luis, however, didn’t win his appeal, which does seem strange with both incidents being virtually the same.

At St Mary’s in Game Week-8, the home side got a comfortable victory by a 2-0 scoreline. Goals in each half by Che Adams and Stuart Armstrong gave Wreck-It Ralph’s Saints the win.

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BURNLEY v BRIGHTON

Saturday 6th

Sky Sports 15.00 in England.

If facing the league leaders who have won their last 8-Premier League fixtures, 7, without conceding a goal, it’s probably not a good idea for Nick Pope to palm a shot out to a City player after just 2-minutes of play to fall a goal behind.

Just before half-time, City scored a 2nd to take Burnley in trailing at the break. With no more goals in the 2nd-half, the Turf Moor cardboard faithful saw a defeat by a 2-0 scoreline. Even the cardboard fans had an extra layer on, it’s a coat-colder in June in Burnley, so imagine the temperature in February.

The loss leaves Sean Dyche’s Clarets in 17th-position, with 22-points but significantly, having only played 21-times, not the 22 that the others around them have.
That’s 2-places and 2-points behind today’s visitors.

Brighton did what Burnley had done a fortnight ago and that is beat Liverpool at Anfield for only the 2nd time in 70-home games for the Reds.

After a bizarre goal that it wasn’t sure who had the last touch, the Seagulls Columbian midfielder, Steven Alzate, ran away celebrating to make sure it was known that the goal was his.

Graham Potter’s men held on for a famous victory that gave Brighton another 3-points and sees them leapfrog today’s opponents into 15th-position in the table, with 24-points from 22-fixtures.

When Burnley travelled the long-distance South to the Amex in November, the game finished in a very entertaining 0-0 draw.

Enough said!

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FULHAM v WEST HAM

Saturday 6th

Sky Sports 17.30 in England.

Fulham, like 4 of the bottom 6, lost midweek, suffering a defeat against Leicester, at Craven Cottage, by a 2-0 scoreline. Out of the bottom 6-teams in the Premier League, only Brighton and Sheffield United gained 3-points, with West Brom, Fulham, Burnley and Newcastle all losing.

Fulham remain in the relegation places with 14-points from 21-fixtures completed.
There’s only 3-points difference between the teams in the relegation zone with Sheffield United having 11, West Brom 12 and Fulham 14, with Burnley the team to catch who have 22-points, so each of the 3-teams in danger need to win at least 3-times and hope Burnley don’t increase their tally. It’s a big ask.

West Ham got one of the results of the midweek fixtures with a superb away-day victory against Aston Villa by a 3-1 scoreline.

Tomas Soucek and Jesse Lingard scored in the 2nd-half before Jesse added his 2nd and the Hammers 3rd after Villa had pulled a goal back.

A lot been made of Jesse’s stunning debut for West Ham and rightly so but the lad was surplus to requirement at Old Trafford and needed to get away and play football. Mr Lingard’s old gaffer, David Moyes has taken the lad on loan with a permanent move in the offering if successful.

Jesse made an immediate impact and instantly become a Bubbles legend, well fan’s favourite, it’s too soon to become a leg-end! The lads time at Old Trafford didn’t turn out as it was first thought with the great potential on show, not materialising. Sometimes and it’s been evident over the years, the iconic United shirt weighs heavy on some people.

Alan Brazil was superb at Ipswich, his time at Old Trafford in the early 80s wasn’t the best.
Same with Gary Birtles, Peter Davenport, Juan-Sebastian Veron, Diego Forlan, the list is endless of Manchester United players that didn’t perform in a Red Devil’s shirt.

Jesse is no different but doesn’t make him a bad player or a bad lad and I’m sure the United faithful wish him well for the future.

West Ham have certainly improved their forward line with Michail Antonio getting some much-needed help after trailing ablaze up top on his own.

The Hammers have won 5 out of the last 6-fixtures and sit 5th in the Premier League table with 38-points after Liverpool lost at the same time as the brilliant victory against Villa.

West Ham are just 2-points adrift of the current Premier League Champions and the Bubbles faithful, both cardboard and real are dreaming of a place in the Champions League.

At the London Stadium, a very late Tomas Soucek goal, in the 91st-minute, was the difference between the two clubs from the Capital that gave the Hammers the victory.

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MANCHESTER UNITED v EVERTON

Saturday 6th

Sky Sports 20.00 in England.

Manchester United recorded their biggest Premier League victory since March 1995, beating Southampton at Old Trafford by a 9 (nine)-0 scoreline. It’s the law that when a scoreline is over 5, the word has to be written at the side of it as some aren’t sure what 9 means. That’s what used to happen in the old days when the vidi-printer was on World of Sport.

Liverpool 7 (seven) Tottenham 0, was the first time this EveryTip contributor saw the phenomenon from a game back in September 1978. It was thought that when the good folk of the 70s saw the number 7, they wouldn’t be able to comprehend the score, so the word was written at the side.

In March 1995, the Red Devil’s beat Ipswich at home by the same 9(nine)-0 scoreline. United were helped on their way after 78-seconds when a rash horror challenge by a Saints player on Scott McTominay, resulted in a straight Red Card and United facing 10-men for almost the entire game.

The extra man did tell with Ole’s Wheels comfortably taking control after 18-minutes when Arron Wan-Bissaka opened the scoring with a rare goal.

Marcus Rashford added the 2nd with the unfortunate Jan Bednarek being credited with the 3rd slotting past his own ‘keeper.

Edinson Cavanni headed home the 4th before the break to give United a comfortable lead.
Anthony Martial, a 2nd-half substitute replacing the brilliant Edinson scored number-5 with Scott McTominay adding the 6th (sixth!)

Big Jan had his miserable night compounded in the 86th-minute, conceding a penalty, then being shown a Red Card for the incident when most felt a Yellow was the just result, due to the ludicrous Double Jeopardy rule.

The official FA rules state: ‘Where a player commits an offence against an opponent within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offending player is cautioned if the offence was an attempt to play the ball; in all other circumstances (e.g. holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility to play the ball etc.) the offending player must be sent off.’

Bruno Fernandes, who had not scored for 5-games, coolly converted the spot-kick with his trademark, ‘hop, skip and a jump’ making it 7(seven!)

Anthony scored his 2nd of the night and United’s 8th(eighth!) in the 90th-minute but there was still time for a record-equaling 9th(ninth!) when another substitute, Dan James scored to give Ole’s Wheels a great victory and put them level with the Noisy Neighbours, on 44-points, if only for 24-hours until City’s victory against Burnley.

United have the 44-points from 22-games played, leaving the Red Devil’s 2nd in the table, 3-points behind Pep’s Blues.

A lot will be questioning this EveryTip column narrative about Fred and Scott with both completing the 90-minutes, in the 9(nine)-0 victory.

Granted, United won a game with Fred and Scott but Southampton were down to 10-men for the virtually the entire game, which allowed the Red Devil’s to fill their boots, thus giving Fred and Scott a comfortable game.

If the game was analysed thoroughly, Fred was poor and kept giving the ball away and as with last weekends Game Week-22 column, it was pointed out that United, with Fred and Scott, don’t beat the so-called big teams.

Southampton aren’t a big team and are on a poor run at the moment, with a man less, it allowed Fred and Scott to look like world-beaters. However, that said, Manchester United did win with Fred and Scott, so for the time being, the narrative is on hold but will be borne out come the end of the season.

Everton earned a professional victory against Leeds United at Elland Rd on Wednesday by a 2-1 scoreline. After a draw and a defeat in the 2-previous games, Carlo Ancelotti’s Toffees earned a win against a dogged Leeds team that go all out for a victory which does make the game very interesting.

Gylfi Sigurdsson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin with the Everton goals in the 1st-half.
After the break, Marcelo’s Whites came back into the game scoring a goal that ultimately was just a consolation with the game finishing in a Toffees away-night victory.

That was Dominic’s 12th-goal of the season but the 1st in 9-Premier League fixtures. Everton sit 7th in the table with 36-points but have only played 20-times, not the 21 and 22 others have, including today’s hosts who have 8-points more.

Bruno Fernandes was superb at Goodison Park back in November, scoring twice in the 1st-half, after Bernard had put Everton in front early in the game.

Edinson Cavanni scored in the 95th-minute to confirm the victory by a 3-1 scoreline.

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TOTTENHAM v WEST BROM

Sunday 7th

BT Sport 12.00 in England.

‘Dracula is back, Dracula is back, Hello, Hello!’ That’s the tune reverberating around the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium by the cardboard faithful after another defeat in front of absolutely nobody.

It’s a good job the fans aren’t allowed in as the Spurs boys and girls would be going berserk after a disastrous disappointing performance from Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham, against his old club, Chelsea. That’s now 3-defeats in a row, with back-to-back home losses, the first time that’s happened to Jose as a manager.

The defeat by a 1-0 scoreline, resulting from a penalty conceded by Eric Dier in the 1st-half, leaves Spurs in 8th-place in the table, with 33-points but do have the advantage of only playing 21-times, not the 22-others have completed.

It appears from the outside that the players have had enough already of the Dark One, as the showcase body language of the players is evident, in the same way as when Jose was in charge of Chelsea, Inter Milan, Whitby, Real Madrid, Chelsea (again!), Manchester United and now Tottenham.

It might not be this season when Jose exits the new stadium but it will not be long after.
It’s maybe not a great look for Mr Mourinho, that the team coached by a guy who turned up 5-minutes ago, has more of an idea of how they should play football than the team he’s been in charge of for fourteen months.

Gareth Bale was back warming the bench against Chelsea, following a rare start in the defeat against Brighton.

GB doesn’t look bothered at the moment, maybe it’s too cold for the lad, it’s definitely too cold for this EveryTip contributor.

What was significant in the game against Chelsea, is Jose only made 2-substitutions, not the permitted 3 and didn’t bring Mr Bale on, which really is a damning indictment on the Welsh striker as to just what Dracula thinks.

One-nil down and doesn’t bring a 4-time Champions League winner and a 2-time World Club Cup winner on, to try and snatch an equaliser.

After a female reporter asked the question to Jose, ‘Why didn’t you bring Bale on?’ Mr Mourinho replied, ‘Good question but you don’t deserve an answer’ Beautiful, it won’t be long!
Gareth’s hairs nice though, it’s neck and neck in the Barnet of the Year competition, between him and Andy Carroll.

Dele Alli was nowhere to be seen, out buying garlic probably but is still at the club following the Transfer Window closing on Monday, with the possible move to Paris Saint-Germain not materialising.

Jose says he’s had a good chat with Dele and is still in the Dark One’s plans, however, that remains to be seen.

Tottenham are still in all 4-competitions they started out in, the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and the Europa League, so there will be plenty of fixtures not to pick Gareth Bale and Dele Alli in.

GB is on a reported £1 Million a month, to sit and do his hair. Daniel Levy cannot be happy about that. Big Sam Allardyce is in danger of having a team, under his watch, relegated from the Premier League for the first time in Mr Allardychio’s career.

West Brom suffered another defeat, this time against the only side worse than the Baggies, Sheffield United, succumbing to a loss by a 2-1 scoreline.

Big Sam’s boys did take an early lead through Matty Phillips that should have eased the nerves.
Unfortunately, the Blades scored twice in the 2nd-half to inflict the defeat on West Brom that leaves them 19th in the table, with 12-points, from 22-fixtures, a point more than Sheffield United and a massive 10-points less than Burnley who are 4th from bottom.

That basically means Big Sam’s boys have to win at least 3-games more than the Clarets come the end of the season. It looks a tough ask!

In the Game Week-8 fixture at The Hawthorns, Slaven Bilic was still at the helm of the Baggies, with West Brom almost holding on for a point, until Harry Kane scored the solitary winning goal in the 88th-minute to give Tottenham the victory.

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WOLVES v LEICESTER

Sunday 7th

Sky Sports 14.00 in England.

Wolves got a great, if not surprise victory against Arsenal on Tuesday by a 2-1 scoreline.
The Gunners did take the lead at Molineux but then David Luiz upended William Jose to not only gift Wolves a penalty but also see a Red Card, leaving Arsenal with 10-men against Nuno’s-11.

The extra-man told in the 2nd-half with Joao Moutinho scoring a superb goal midway through the half that was worthy of winning any match. This was Nuno Espírito Santo’s first victory in 8-Premier League games, leaving Wolves in 14th-place, with 26-points from 22-fixtures.

Leicester suffered a surprise defeat last Sunday against Leeds United but Brendan’s Wonderful’s quickly got back to winning ways on Wednesday, getting a professional away-day victory against Fulham by a 2-0 scoreline.

Kelechi Iheanacho and James Justin with the Foxes goals, both scored in the 1st-half to earn Leicester the win and with Liverpool losing later that night, the Foxes stay in 3rd-position in the table, with 42-points from 22-games played.

Two more than Jurgen’s Reds and 2-less than Ole’s Wheels. To add to that, 5-points behind Pep’s High Flying City. Rod Stewart wasn’t happy and threw his Fulham shirt, with ‘Stewart’ and ‘76’ on the back at Lennon the pooch in disgust, vowing never to buy a Big Mac again, well, a week at least, as the crooner loves a gherkin. In fact, the ‘76’ is for how many trips to the Drive-Thru him and Penny have taken in the lockdown.

Lennon goes too as the puppy loves a Chicken Nugget Happy Meal, hoping he gets a chewy toy.

Rod had seen his beloved Green and White Hoops beat Kilmarnock (who?) in the Scottish Pub League, the night before but at the same time that Brendan’s Wonderful’s were beating Fulham, Steven Gerrard’s Rangers were beating St Johnstone (who?) and remain a massive 23-points ahead of Rod’s team, Celtic, where it’s just a matter of time before the Teddy Bears win the SPL and prevent the Green and White Hoops from winning 10-titles in a row.

He’s Celtic, United but Brendan has decided that Leicester is the best place to be. Sheffield Superstar, Jamie Vardy scored an early penalty in the tie at the King Power, then 24-minutes later, missed a spot-kick, that would have irked the Foxes striker.

The penalty scored in the 15th-minute, was the only goal of the game, resulting in a victory for Leicester over their Midlands rivals by a single 1-0 scoreline.

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LIVERPOOL v MAN CITY

Sunday 7th

Sky Sports 16.30 in England.

Like Liverpool buses, a team waits ages for an Anfield victory, then two come along at once.
Jurgen’s Reds had 68-unbeaten games at home, stretching back to April 2017 until Burnley went and beat the Anfield Raps at the historic stadium.

In the midweek game against Brighton, Liverpool suffered their 2nd-home defeat in a row that leaves the Reds in 4th-place in the table, with 40-points from 22-fixtures, 7-points less than today’s opponents, which a victory would reduce the gap to 4.

However, if Liverpool suffer a 3rd-straight home defeat, Man City would be a massive 10-points ahead of the current champions and would probably spell the end for Jurgen to retain the Premier League crown.

It’s been evident for a while that the Reds are missing Virgil Van Dijk and there would be a sense of irony that Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals, Everton were the cause of Virgil’s injury and cost the Red side the chance of a 2nd Premier League victory.

Jurgen brought in 2-Centre Halves, in the recent Transfer Window, Ben Davies from Preston and Ozan Kabak from Schalke, that need to be plunged straight into the team to allow, Jordan Henderson to resume his midfield role.

Whilst Ozan is only 20-years old, the lad is lauded in Germany from his time in the Bundesliga.
Ben is slightly older at 25, so should be ready, however, the Premier League is a different beast to the Championship where Benny Boy has come from.

Man City continued their magnificent run since the defeat against Tottenham last November, which was a fortnight after the reverse fixture against the Reds.

That’s 13-unbeaten, with 11-victories and 2-draws, the latest win being against Burnley on Wednesday with Pep’s Blues beating Sean’s Clarets by a 2-0 scoreline, both goals scored before the break.

Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring after 2-minutes getting his head onto a weak palm out by the Burnley ‘keeper.

Raheem Sterling added the 2nd before the half-time cup of tea and with no further goals, City retained their lead at the top of the table by 3-points, after the Numpty Neighbours had drawn level on points the night before.

Pep’s High Flying City have 47-points but also have a game in hand over Manchester United and the others chasing the coveted Premier League title. It’s worth mentioning that it’s another City victory without conceding with the mantra- If John Stones plays, City Win To Nil, continuing.

The Barnsley Stone was rested for the tie against Sheffield United, that City didn’t concede, so it could be argued that it’s Ruben Dias, not John Stones that the manta should name but it’s Jonny Boy that this column is sticking with, as Ruben played in all 4 of the recent games that Man City have conceded a goal, against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, against Cheltenham in the FA Cup and against West Brom and Chelsea in the Premier League.

Ruben even scored the conceding one against the Baggies with the goal credited as a Dias OG.
In the Game Week-8 contest, a tale of 2, first-half penalties was the difference between these top sides after initially, Mo Salah converted his, then Kevin De Bruyne missed, just before the half-time whistle.

What was strange about KDB’s miss was the Belgium kicked the ball wide and didn’t have to make the Reds ‘keeper work.

Gabriel Jesus had equalised for Pep’s Blues after Mo’s penalty, so Kevin had the chance to put City in front at the break. With no further goals in the 2nd-half, the game finished in a 1-1 draw.

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SHEFFIELD UNITED v CHELSEA

Sunday 7th

Sky Sports 19.15 in England.

Sheffield United are in danger of becoming the form team in the Premier League, with 3-victories from their last 5-games, the latest being against West Brom on Tuesday. The Blades fell behind in the 1st-half and went in at the break, trailing 1-0.

In the 2nd-half after Happy Chris had given his boys an inspirational half-time talk, Jayden Bogle and Billy Sharp scored to give Sheffield United the victory over the 2nd-worse team in the division, United being currently the worse, however, that might be changing soon.

Sheffield United have 11-points from 22-fixtures and although still sit bottom of the table, are now only a point behind West Brom. This fixture against Thomas Tuchel’s Blues will be a tougher ask but the Blades are at home and the cardboard Blunts will be in full swing of their John Denver parody,  ‘Like a night out in Sheffield.’

The Blunts love it and so does little James from Swinton, nowhere near Bramall Lane.
Jimbo loves trying to sing the tune before kick-off but he can never remember the words, bless him. Jim always wants to start singing, ‘you Reds!’ which is the lads first footballing love.

Chelsea got the London bragging rights at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium on Thursday, coming away with a victory against Tottenham by a 1-0 scoreline.

Thomas Tuchel’s Blues were awarded a penalty midway through the 1st-half that Jorginho neatly dispatched.

The Italian with the Brazilian name, has missed 3 out of his last 7-spot-kicks and Frank Lampard had given the penalty-taking duties to Timo Werner but TT reinstalled Jorgie Boy and the midfielder didn’t disappoint.

What was evident is that the usual ‘hop, skip and a jump’ that Jorginho does, identical to Bruno Fernandes kicks, wasn’t on show with Jorginho running up and smashing the ball past Hugo Lloris.

Someone, Thomas probably, must have said, ‘If you want to take a penalty, don’t mess about!’
Chelsea jump above Tottenham into 6-place with 36-points, from 22-games. Two points behind West Ham and the same 36 as Everton, however, Chelsea ex-boss, Carlo Ancelotti’s Toffees have 2-games in hand over the London Blues.

Frank Lampard’s Chelsea beat Sheffield United in early November, by a 4-1 scoreline with goals from Tammy Abraham and Ben Chilwell before the break, after David McGoldrick had given the Blades a surprise lead.

In the 2nd-half, goals from Thiago Silva and Timo Werner gave the Blues an easy win over the Yorkshire Blunts.

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LEEDS UNITED v CRYSTAL PALACE

Monday 8th

Sky Sports 20.00 in England.

Leeds United suffered a home defeat against Everton on Wednesday by a 2-1 scoreline.
The Toffees scored twice before half-time taking Leeds in trailing at the break. Leeds came out stronger in the 2nd-half with Raphinha pulling a goal back but ultimately couldn’t get back on level terms and ended up losing the game.

As mentioned in other EveryTip columns, Marcelo Bielsa won’t change his footballing beliefs and Leeds will continue to score and concede that will result in victories, draws and defeats. One thing to pick up on in the defeat against Everton is that the lack of a crowd was detrimental to the home side.

Forty thousand plus, fanatic Leeds United faithful, all-singing, ‘Marching on Together’ would have helped the home side and those defeats could become draws and draws could become victories.

Marcelo’s Whites stay in 11th-place, with 29-points from just 21-fixtures, only 2-points behind Arsenal and a game in hand over the Gunners. Both these two have 29-points so the proverbial ‘6-pointer’ is on show.

Whilst there is only ever 3-points on offer for the winner’s, the ‘6-pointer‘ refers to when a team beats a close rival, gaining 3-points but also preventing the rivals from getting 3-points, thereby ‘a 6-pointer’ precludes the fixture.

Crystal Palace came from a goal behind to score twice before half-time inflicting a defeat on Newcastle at St James Park, midweek, by a 2-1 scoreline.

After the Magpies had taken the lead in the 2nd-minute, Jairo Riedewald and Gary Cahill scored the Eagles goal, gaining bragging rights in the flying animal game.

Palace sit in 13th-place in the Premier League table with 29-points from 22-fixtures and will be safe as there are 3-worse teams than the Selhurst Park outfit, all 3, currently in the relegation places for a start.

Roy Hodgson gained a victory over his fellow old stager gaffer, Marcelo Bielsa when the two met at Selhurst Park in Game Week-8.

Scott Dann and Eberechi Eze scored for the Eagles before Patrick Bamford pulled a goal back for the Whites.

Patrick had an earlier goal ruled out by the dreaded VAR, that simply should have been allowed.

Helda Costa was credited with an own-goal just before the break to take Palace in leading 3-1.
Jordan Ayew added a 4th for the Eagles midway through the 2nd-half that left Roy with the old-age pensioner bragging rights, getting a victory over Marcelo by a 4-1 scoreline.

Bet 365 offer Leeds United at slight Odds On 3/4, the draw at 3/1 and 10/3 for Crystal Palace to come away with all 3-points.

Bet 365 offer 7/2 that Patrick Bamford Scores First and 3/1 that Luka Milivojevic Scores Anytime.

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Ex-professional footballer known affectionately as The Beast, Jon Parkin has kindly given his predictions for Game Week-23.

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

Cheers JP!

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