The highlight games for this midweek’s action, all through to early next week are LIVERPOOL versus LEEDS UNITED and MANCHESTER UNITED versus WATFORD. Our feature columnist, John Newsome previews these as well as all game-week 27 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
A bumper edition of Preview’s this week, with 4 x rearranged games taking place on Wednesday and Thursday, 8 x Game Week-27 fixtures, that start on Friday evening, and another rearranged Game Week-22 fixture for the 1st of March.
Only 8, due to Chelsea taking on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup Final on Sunday 27th of February, so Leicester and Arsenal also miss the weekend football.
Game Week-13
Wednesday 23rd
BURNLEY v TOTTENHAM
19.30 in England.
Burnley played in a very entertaining game on Saturday against Brighton, surprising everyone with an unexpected victory by a 3-0 away-day scoreline.
A first Claret goal for Double W, Wout Weghorst and Josh Brownhill gave Burnley a comfortable half-time lead, with Aaron Lennon adding the 3rd, midway through the 2nd-half.
Burnley jump off the foot of the table, into 19th, with 17-points from the 22-fixtures played. That’s 5-points away from safety but with 2-extra games to play over Newcastle who are the safe team.
It was a stunning result and a start so that Sean can try and get his men out of relegation trouble.
In the late Saturday afternoon fixture against Man City, at the Etihad, Tottenham matched Burnley’s shock result by getting an away-day victory themselves by a 3-2 score.
The new boy, Dejan Kulusevski, who was superb throughout, scored the opener against City, after great work from Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min.
Pep’s Low Flying Blues then equalised to take both teams in level at the break.
Big Harry, who in the summer was, linked with a move to the Etihad, was outstanding throughout the game, reminiscent of the old TV programme, Bullseye, where Jim Bowen would often say, ‘Here’s what you could have won!’
As if HK was trying to show the Citizens, what could have been. It’s ‘could have’ by the way not ‘could of’ as some might say.
Harry re-established Tottenham’s lead in the 59th-minute but when Man City were awarded a penalty in the 90th, which was duly converted, it looked for all purpose that the game would finish in a draw.
Mr Kane was having none of that and headed home a superb winner, in the 95th-minute, that not only stunned the watching millions of City and Spurs fans but sent the Scousers into ecstasy, making their voices, even more, high-pitched than normal.
After the brilliant victory, remember that Antonio’s boys had lost the previous 3 and were a massive 10/1 to win,
Tottenham sit 8th in the table, with 39-points from 23-games completed.
West Ham and Arsenal have 42-points but the Hammers have played 3-games more, the Gunners have completed the same 23 as Spurs.
At Turf Moor last season, Jose Mourinho’s Spurs got the away-day victory by a 1-0 score.
After a goalless 1st-half, Son Heung-Min scored the only goal of the game to give Tottenham the 3-points.
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Game Week-18
Wednesday 23rd
WATFORD v CRYSTAL PALACE
19.30 in England.
The Roy Hodgson Derby.
Watford got a great away-day victory on Saturday, against Aston Villa at Villa Park.
The old boy, Roy, schooled his former Liverpool and England captain, Steven Gerrard, with his Hornet boys getting the win by a 1-0 score.
With the United Kingdom battered by storms over the weekend, it was Storm Dennis (Emmanuel) that scored the solitary winning goal, with 12-minutes remaining.
The victory, gives Watford a lifeline for survival, leaving Roy’s Boys in 18th-place, with 18-points from 24-fixtures played.
Newcastle sit just outside the relegation zone with 22-points from the same 24-games completed.
It’s going to be an interesting run-in with Watford still having to face Burnley, Everton, Leeds United and Brentford, who are the teams immediately above Newcastle.
Crystal Palace suffered a defeat against Chelsea at Selhurst Park, on Saturday, by a 1-0 score.
It looked like Patrick Vieira’s Men would hold out for a point, until the away team scored in the 89th-minute to inflict the defeat.
The loss leaves Crystal Palace in 13th-place, with 26-points from 25-fixtures played.
It’s just over 2-years ago, the 7th of December 2019, before the Coronavirus situation caused a few problems, that the Eagles ventured to Vicarage Rd, to take on the Hornets.
Both were under the guidance of different managers, with Hayden Mullins in temporary charge (again!) of Watford and Roy Hodgson at the Palace helm.
Unfortunately, the watching faithful for both teams weren’t witness to a goal, with the pre-Christmas fixture finishing in a goalless draw.
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Game Week-19
Wednesday 23rd
LIVERPOOL v LEEDS UNITED
19.45 in England.
There were a few nervous Scousers about on Saturday when Norwich took a surprise lead at Anfield.
After a goalless 1st-half, the Canary’s scored just after the break to shock the Anfield Rappers.
Jurgen’s Reds then re-grouped and kicked into gear, with Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and new boy Luis Diaz, scoring the goals to give the home team the expected victory by a 3-1 score.
Liverpool reduced the gap between Man City and themselves, to 6-points, with City kicking off their game a couple of hours later.
The cherry, on the icing, on the cake, was City lost the evening game against Tottenham, that means Jurgen’s Reds, with 57-points, sit 2nd in the table, 6 away from Pep’s Low Flying Blues and not only have a game in hand but also have to face Man City, so in theory, could go level at the top of the table.
That said, it’s a narrative of this EveryTip column, that’s it’s felt better to have the points on the board than games in hand and although Tottenham and Crystal Palace have got victories at the Etihad this season, it will still be a tough ask to take points off City at their home.
Leeds United have contested 24-fixtures following Sunday’s game against Manchester United. In a very entertaining contest that saw Marcelo’s Whites go in at the break, trailing by 2-goals.
Rodrigo scored in the 53rd-minute, then Raphinha, who was introduced at half-time, scored the equaliser around 24-seconds later.
Unfortunately, for the Marching On Together crew, the parity didn’t last long, with Manchester United getting a 3rd, 15-minutes later, then a 4th with time running out, to inflict the defeat on Leeds United by a 4-2 score. The loss leaves Leeds in 15th-place with 23-points.
The worrying thing for the Whites, is Leeds have played 24-fixtures, as mentioned, whereas Burnley, who sit in the relegation places, with 17-points, have only played 22-times.
In the late 1970s, there was a Rock Band formed out of Manchester, called Joy Division. The members were Ian Curtis, Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook and Stephen Morris.
The band later went on to form the group called New Order, who were responsible for the England World Cup song of 1990, World In Motion, where the legend that is John Barnes, does his famous ‘rap’.
A quick side note about another famous England football song, Three Lions, (It’s Coming Home) by David Baddiel and Frank Skinner and the band, The Lightning Seeds.
Ian Broudie, the lead singer, named the band after lyrics in a Prince tune,
‘Raspberry Beret’, where the line, ‘Thunder drowns out what the lightning sees’
Ian misheard the lyrics and thought the Purple One, sang ‘Lightning Seeds’
Most will be thinking, ‘Bit boring that John!’
However, when a contestant on ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ is asked by Jeremy Clarkson, ‘Where did The Lightning Seeds’ get their name from, one can all scream at the Telly in unison,
‘C-Jeremy, The Prince Song Raspberry Beret’
Final Answer!
Joy Division had a brilliant song, entitled,
‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’
The opening verse is as follows,
‘When routine bites hard and ambitions are low And resentment rides high but emotions won’t grow and we’re changing our ways, taking different roads.
Love, love will tear us apart again, love, love will tear us apart again.’
The football fraternity faithful, or Triple F as they are affectionately known, cheekily composed, their own words to the tune of the Joy Division song, when Marcelo’s Whites were struggling in the Championship, trying to win promotion. ‘Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again, Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again.’
After conceding, 10-goals in the last 3-games, it does appear that the Elland Rd outfit are actually falling apart again.
Going back to the Joy Division song and the opening verse,
‘When routine bites hard and ambitions are low And resentment rides high but emotions won’t grow and we’re changing our ways, taking different roads.
Love, love will tear us apart again, love, love will tear us apart again.’
Is Marcelo Bielsa’s routine biting hard on the Leeds United players? with all the injury’s at the club, the biggest being the injuries to Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips.
Resentment isn’t riding high at the moment and emotions won’t grow just yet but Marcelo isn’t changing his ways or taking different roads.
Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again!
Marching On Together.
Respect, Ian Curtis, Rest In Peace.
Last season’s affair between the Reds and the Whites, was the opening fixture of the delayed 2020/21 campaign, that took place in mid-September.
This was Leeds United’s 1st-game back in the Top Flight since 2004.
Marcelo Bielsa introduced himself to the Premier League fraternity, with his boys involved in a brilliant first outing, 7-goal thriller, at Anfield.
Unfortunately for Marcelo’s Whites, Liverpool inflicted a defeat on Leeds by a 4-3 scoreline.
The 1st-half scoring was as follows, Mo Salah 1-0, 4-minutes, Jack Harrison 1-1, 12-minutes, Virgil Van Dijk 2-1, 20-minutes, Patrick Bamford 2-2, 30-minutes and Mo Salah 3-2, 33-minutes.
Mateusz Klich equalised for the Whites after 66-minutes and when it looked like Leeds would hold on for a famous opening day point, Big Mo completed his hat-trick with 2-minutes to go, to give the Reds the victory.
Whilst it was a defeat for Leeds United, it offered up a few ideas as to how Marcelo Bielsa would send his boys out and perform and also, allowed other managers to set up their own teams when visiting Anfield.
Sean Dyche, Graham Potter, Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, Thomas Tuchel and Scott Parker, all took note from Mr Bielsa and earned great away-day victories at Liverpool’s iconic home.
These two have met already this term, in Game Week-4 at Elland Rd.
The Egyptian King scored to give the away team a lead at the break. Fabinho and Sadio Mane added the 2nd-half goals to give Liverpool the victory by a 3-0 score. Pascal ‘Alphabet’ Struijk, was shown a Red Card, before Sadio’s late 3rd.
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Game Week-20
Thursday 24th
ARSENAL v WOLVES
19.45 in England.
Amazon Prime
Arsenal got a professional victory at the Emirates against Brentford on Saturday to keep up with the Top Four and a Champions League place for next season.
Emile Smith-Rowe scored the opener in the 1st-half, with Bukayo Saka adding a 2nd, after the break.
With time running out, Brentford scored a late consolation but the home team held on for the victory by a 2-1 score.
Arsenal sit in 6th-place, with 42-points from 23-fixtures, the same 42 as 5th-placed West Ham but the Gunners do have 3-games in hand over the Hammers and have to play them at the London Stadium.
Manchester United sit in 4th, with 46-points but have played the full 26-games also, plus have to come to the Emirates in a few weeks time.
Tottenham are just below with 39-points, having played the same 23-fixtures as the North London rivals.
Wolves sit in 7th-place, with 40-points from 24-fixtures completed.
Nuno’s Gold and Blacks got the victory at the Emirates, just over 12-months ago, by a 2-1 scoreline.
All 3-goals were scored before the half-time cup of tea, with Gabriel, scoring between a Pedro Neto and a Daniel Podence strike.
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Game Week-27
All these set of fixtures are the reverse of Game Week-12 that took place in mid-November 2021.
Friday 25th
SOUTHAMPTON v NORWICH
20.00 in England.
Sky Sports
Southampton got a great victory on Saturday, against the newly named and revitalised Frank Lampard’s Everton.
After a goalless 1st-half in the wind at St Mary’s, the Stuart of the Armstrong’s opened the scoring for the Saints.
Shane Long, who’s sometimes the forgotten man in the Southampton team, replaced Armando Broja in the 83rd-minute and made an immediate impact, scoring the 2nd-goal within a minute of coming on.
An inspired substitution by Wreck-It Ralph.
The Adam of the Armstrong’s came on for Che Adams in the 91st-minute as a bit of a time-wasting tactic by Mr Hasenhuttl.
Imagine what would happen if the clubs got their way and were allowed 5-substitutes.
The last 10-minutes of a game would see a constant delay with the managers introducing players at will, just to waste time. Of course, no one will admit that.
It would be, ‘We need 5-substitutes because of the player’s welfare.’
Mark these words girls and boys.
Southampton sit in 10th-place, with 32-points from 25-fixtures played.
Norwich stunned the Kopites at Anfield on Saturday, with Milot Rashica scoring the opener, early in the 2nd-half, against Liverpool.
Unfortunately, for Dean Smith’s Canary’s, that was like a Red Rag to a Bull, kicking Jurgen’s Reds into life, with the home team scoring 3-times to inflict the defeat on Norwich by a 3-1 score.
With the subsequent victories for Burnley and Watford, Norwich slip to the foot of the table, with 17-points from 25-fixtures completed.
Burnley have the same 17 but have played 3-games less than Norwich.
The 3rd-team in the relegation zone, Watford have 18-points from 24-fixtures.
An added note regarding this Friday Night Fixture.
The kick-off is at 20.00 in England, which means the final whistle will be around 22.00.
It’s a distance of 200-miles between Carrow Rd and St Mary’s and about a 3 and half-hour drive, meaning the Norwich faithful, who make the journey to watch their Yellow Canary’s, won’t get home until approximately 02.00 on Saturday morning.
That’s the Premier League fixture compilers and the Sky Sports Dollar dictating proceedings.
The Norwich fans say, ‘Cheers Sky!’
The surprise in the reverse fixture back in November 2021, was that Norwich, under the guidance of Dean Smith, in his first game in charge of the Canaries, since Daniel Farke lost his job, gained an opening game victory against Wreck-Its Saints by a 2-1 score.
Che Adams scored first for Southampton, with Teemu Pukki, immediately replying to take both teams in level at the break.
Grant Hanley scored a rare goal with 11-minutes remaining to give Norwich the home win and the 3-points.
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Saturday 26th
LEEDS UNITED v TOTTENHAM
12.30 in England
BT Sport
Leeds United come into this home fixture against Tottenham off the back of 2-possible defeats against Manchester United and Liverpool.
Having lost against United on Sunday, Marcelo’s Whites head to Anfield for a rearranged fixture on Tuesday, however, as this column will have gone to print before then, the result against Liverpool is not known.
Let’s just assume that Liverpool won and Leeds lost. Leeds are falling apart again!
Like Leeds United, Tottenham also play a rearranged fixture against Burnley on Tuesday, with a draw at Turf Moor predicted.
The fixture at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium back in November, produced a home victory for Tottenham by a 2-1 scoreline.
Dan James scored just before the half-time whistle, to give the Marching On Together crew a joyous time, sipping their Bovril at the break, dreaming of an away-day win.
Unfortunately, for Marcelo’s Whites, Antonio Conte’s Spurs came out in the 2nd-half and goals from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Sergio Reguilon, were enough to give Tottenham the home win.
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BRENTFORD v NEWCASTLE
15.00 in England.
Christian Norgaard scored for Brentford at the Emirates, in the 93rd-minute.
Unfortunately, for Thomas Frank’s Bees, Arsenal had scored 2-goals earlier, so ultimately, Christian’s notch was just a consolation.
The defeat against the Gunners by a 2-1 score, leaves Brentford in 14th-place, with 24-points from the full complement of 26-fixtures played.
If Everton and Leeds United are considered in danger of relegation, then Brentford need to be put into that conversation, having just 6-points more than Watford, playing 2-games more.
Thomas needs at least a point against Newcastle today. Still no sign of Christian Eriksen, since his arrival in January.
The Bees faithful will be hoping that Christian makes an appearance against the Magpies.
Newcastle earned a great point against West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday.
After conceding a Hammers goal on the half-hour mark, Joe Willock, who had not scored all season, scored to equalise just before half-time.
With no further goals in the 2nd-half, Eddie Howe’s Magpies got the well-deserved point.
Newcastle sit just above the relegation places, in 17th, with 22-points from 24-fixtures played.
Burnley are in the drop zone with 17-points, 5 adrift of the Magpies but have only played 22-times.
Remember, Newcastle knicked Chris Wood from Burnley and the final fixture of the campaign, sees the Clarets entertain the Black and Whites at Turf Moor.
Should be a fun day for all concerned.
There were cries of, ‘Hoo much?’
When the Toon Army ordered a pie and a pint at the stadium.
The lads and lasses ordered 4 and 28-straws. Hoo much?
At St James Park in November, this game ended in a 6-goal thriller, with both teams sharing the points from a draw by a 3-3 score.
The goal scorers were as follows,
10-minutes-Jamaal Lascelles-Newcastle, 11-minutes-Ivan Toney-Brentford, 31-minutes-Rico Henry-Brentford, 39-minutes-Joelinton-Newcastle, 61-minutes-Jamaal Lascelles-Brentford (own-goal) and 75-minutes-Alan Saint-Maximin-Newcastle.
A very entertaining game for all connected.
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BRIGHTON v ASTON VILLA
15.00 in England.
Brighton were hammered on Saturday, suffering a defeat against Burnley, at the Amex, by a 3-0 score.
After conceding 2-goals before the break, then a further 1, in the 2nd-half, Graham Potter’s men succumbed to the 2nd-defeat in succession, following the loss against Manchester United.
Harry’s Seagulls had gone 7-Premier League games without a defeat but like Brighton Buses, 2-have come along together.
Brighton sit 9th, with 33-points from 25-fixtures played.
Aston Villa also suffered a defeat at the weekend, with Steve G’s boys losing against Watford, by a 1-0 scoreline.
There was an angry Scotsman, living in Australia, that predicted a draw and was scoffed at by John Newsome.
Having found out that Watford actually won, the OzScot insisted,
‘I was directionally correct!’
His words.
John Newsome questioned whether this was an Australian thing, being ‘directionally correct’ because, in England, it’s either right or wrong.
If placing a bet on a team ‘to draw’ against another team and that said team then wins, the bookies don’t pay out for being ‘directionally correct’.
The Angry OzScot also predicted that Leeds United would get a draw against Manchester United.
It must be the Australian Sun?
Steven Gerrard’s old gaffer at Liverpool and England, Roy Hodgson, used his wisely old head to set Watford up and inflict the defeat on Aston Villa by a 1-0 scoreline.
Villa sit 12th in the Premier League table, with 27-points from 24-games played.
There has only been 1-victory in the last 7-fixtures, with 2-draws and 4-losses.
Mr Gerrard is not exactly setting Aston Villa on fire, since the move down the road from Ibrox.
This reverse fixture back in November was Steven Gerrard’s first game in charge after coming down the road following Dean Smith’s departure.
It turned out to be an opening game victory for Stevie G, with Villa getting the home win by a 2-0 score.
The goals didn’t come until late on in proceedings, with Ollie Watkins scoring in the 84th-minute and Tyrone Mings adding the 2nd, 5-minutes later, to earn Steven that debut victory.
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***Premier League Team of the Week***
GOALKEEPER- Ben Foster- Watford
RIGHT-BACK- Kiko- Watford
CENTRE-BACK- Harry Maguire- Manchester United
CENTRE-BACK- Ben White- Arsenal
LEFT-BACK- Kyle Walker-Peters- Southampton
MIDFIELDER- Emile Smith-Rowe- Arsenal
MIDFIELDER- Jonjo Shelvey- Newcastle
MIDFIELDER- Ruben Neves- Wolves
FORWARD- Luis Diaz- Liverpool
FORWARD- Shane Long- Southampton
FORWARD- Emmanuel Dennis- Watford
STAR MAN- James Ward-Prowse- Southampton
CRYSTAL PALACE v BURNLEY
15.00 in England.
Patrick Vieira’s Eagles come into this home game against Sean Dyche’s Clarets off the back of a midweek rearranged fixture against Watford on Tuesday.
Sean Dyche’s Clarets come into this away game against Patrick Vieira’s Eagles off the back of a midweek rearranged fixture against Tottenham on Tuesday.
As this is a prediction site, John Newsome has predicted that both will draw those midweek games.
This reverse fixture in mid-November was another 6-goal thriller, with both taking home a point apiece from a draw by a 3-3 scoreline.
The goals were as follows,
8-minutes-Christian Benteke-Crystal Palace, 19-minutes-Ben Mee-Burnley, 27-minutes-Chris Wood-Burnley, 36-minutes-Christian Benteke-Crystal Palace, 41-minutes-Marc Guehi and 49-minutes-Maxwell Cornet.
All 6-goals scored before 50-minutes were up on the clock, which begs the question, what happened in the remaining 40?
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MANCHESTER UNITED v WATFORD
15.09 in England.
Manchester United played in the game of the weekend at Elland Rd against Leeds United on Sunday.
Ralph’s Roadsters headed along the windswept M62, avoiding the branches blown from the trees and got a great victory against Marcelo’s Whites by a 4-2 scoreline.
This EveryTip column offered up a tip, that there would be over 3.5 Goals.
Harry Maguire got his big head onto a corner from Luke Shaw, to score the opening goal before Bruno Fernandes added a 2nd, on the stroke of half-time.
In a bizarre 25-second period, when it appeared United (the Manchester one) looked in control, Leeds scored twice to make the scores level.
Ralph Rangnick then made an inspired couple of substitutions, sending on the enigmatic Fred and Anthony Elanga.
Fred, who most will know John Newsome’s thoughts about, scored a superb goal, 3-minutes after coming on the pitch, to reinstate the away teams lead.
Young Anthony then scored the 4th, in the 88th-minute to give Manchester United the victory in the rain of West Yorkshire.
Jesse Lingard started his first Manchester United game in the Premier League for over 2-years and did himself no harm, in the shop window, for a potential move in the Summer.
At times, the football resembled matches from the 1970s, with the rain making the Elland Rd pitch, look like a swimming pool, as both sets of players went sliding into full-blooded challenges.
The good old days, when footballers smoked and drank, sometimes in the 90-minutes of play.
Fred is usually given a hard time by John but on this occasion, leniency is granted, as the Brazilian did score a great goal and had an excellent 20-minute cameo.
Maybe that’s the future for Frederico, come on for 20-minutes and positively influence the game, instead of starting and harming proceedings.
Gary Neville, in the Sky Sports commentary gantry, gave the Man of the Match to Jadon Sancho, which should give the lad a bit of confidence.
To be fair, it was a great team display but as mentioned last week, Leeds United are the ideal team for Manchester United who have scored a combined 15-goals in the 4-fixtures, since the Whites returned to the Promised Land.
Conceding 5 in those 4-games.
Remarkably, 1 of those 4, finished goalless.
United remain 4th, with 46-points from the full set of 26-fixtures on offer.
West Ham (42-points from 26), Arsenal (42/23), Wolves (40/24) and Tottenham (39/23) are the chasing pack but although others have played fewer games, like the common theme always given in this EveryTip column, United have the points on the board.
The team that could probably derail United’s Champions League train is Arsenal who are 4-points adrift, have 3-games in hand and have also got to face Ralph’s Roadsters at the Emirates.
It was pointed out a few weeks back that Mr Rangnick’s opening set of fixtures were kind to the new boss, as it’s been proven but after this game against Hodgson’s Hornets, come March, United face Man City, Tottenham, Liverpool, Leicester, Everton, Norwich then the Arsenal fixture at the Emirates.
There’s also a tricky game against Chelsea in the penultimate fixture of the season.
Manchester head to Spain on Wednesday to take on Atletico Madrid in the 1st-leg of the Champions League last-16, knockout stages.
Watford will have played against Crystal Palace at Vicarage Rd on Tuesday, before heading to Old Trafford.
Roy and Ralph have a combined age of 137, with Ralph being the younger at 63 and Roy aged 74. It’s rumoured that SAGA are today’s sponsors.
Watford stunned United back in November, with a victory by a 4-1 score that subsequently saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer down the concrete, joining Dean Smith and Daniel Farke in filling out a Job Seekers Allowance form.
Claudio Ranieri’s Hornets simply outplayed the Red Devil’s, with Josh King and Ismaila Sarr scoring before the half-time cup of tea.
Ismaila had missed an earlier penalty that could have given Watford an even bigger advantage.
Donny Van De Beek pulled a goal back for Ole’s Trollies after the break, before a bizarre 7-minutes saw Harry Maguire receive 2-Yellow Cards and the subsequent Red, to beat his mates into the shower’s.
Joao Pedro and Emmanuel Dennis added 3 and 4, late on in proceedings, both after the 90-minutes were up on the clock, to give Watford the easy victory.
Claudio was on the phone to Ole, a couple of weeks later, to see how the Job Seekers form was filled out.
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EVERTON v MAN CITY
17.30 in England.
Sky Sports
Frank Lampard’s Everton were convincingly beaten away at St Mary’s on Saturday, succumbing to a defeat against Southampton by a 2-0 scoreline.
After a goalless 1st-half, the Toffees conceded twice to ultimately lose the game on the South Coast.
That’s 2-defeats from the 3-Premier League fixtures, that Frank has overseen. The faithful will be wanting Rafa Benitez back if the losses continue.
Everton sit in a very precarious position of 16th, with 22-points, the same as Newcastle but have played a game less than the Magpies.
Whilst no one is panicking just yet, Frank Lampard’s Everton need to start to pick up some victories, otherwise, there will be a real danger that Frank Lampard’s Everton, will be a Championship club next season.
Man City suffered their 3rd-defeat of the campaign, in the late Saturday afternoon kickoff against Tottenham.
Surprisingly, 2 of those defeats are against Tottenham and 2 of them are at the Etihad.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s Spurs team got the victory against Pep’s Low Flying Blues in the opening game of the season in August, now Antonio Conte’s Boys have done the double over City.
After conceding an early goal, Ilkay Gundogan equalised to take both teams in level at the break.
Then, like a jilted lover, Harry Kane, not wanted by Man City in the Summer, scored, early in the 2nd-half to restore Tottenham’s lead.
Jim Bowen was looking down, with a glint in his eyes, saying to Pep and the Citizens, ‘Here’s what you could have won!’
Man City were awarded a penalty in injury time and after Riyad Mahrez converted, it looked that the game would finish in a draw, until that man Harry, headed home the winner in the 95th-minute.
Harry Kane may not have moved to the Etihad but no one can say that the City faithful haven’t seen a superb performance from the Big Man at their home.
City remain at the summit of the Premier League with 63-points from 26-fixtures and are still firm favourites, to retain the title, especially in John Newsome’s eyes.
The defeat against Tottenham was just a blip and Pep’s Blues should get back to winning ways against Everton.
However, that said, the other Merseyside team, Liverpool are now just 6-points adrift and have played a game less.
Added to that, City have to host Jurgen’s Reds at the Etihad in April.
A quick side note, this EveryTip column has a mantra, which says, ‘When John Stones plays, City don’t concede’.
Pep Guardiola, who is up there with the all-time great Managers and Coaches decided not to pick the Barnsley Stone for the game against Tottenham.
Whilst John Newsome would never question, Mr Guardiola, this Numpty from Barnsley, would have started John Stones, for 2-reasons,
1-John would have matched Harry Kane for the headed winning goal and
B-John and Harry play together for England, so John Stones knows Harry Kane more than most, especially Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte, the preferred Centre-Back pairing on Saturday.
Not to tell Pep what to do but if this EveryTip contributor knows that, the Pepster should too.
Later on Saturday evening, a few of the Man City players, a couple of United players and Noel Gallagher, went to the Manchester Arena to watch the big fight between Amir Khan and Kell Brook. All of the light.
John Stones, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Edinson Cavani, joined Noel, to witness a superb performance from Ezekiel ‘Kell’ Brook.
Although this is a Premier League Preview, John Newsome loves all sports, especially Boxing and it would be remiss not to mention the fight between Amir Khan and Kell Brook.
Whilst it was perceived as a 50/50 fight, Kell, from Sheffield, showed his steel and smashed a lacklustre Amir from Bolton, showing Yorkshire is king over Lancashire.
That’s obviously a bit of fun so don’t take to Gutter or any of the other Social Abuse sites and vent anger. Peace, girls, and boys!
There was an unseemly incident involving Phil Foden, with a few of the fans giving the lad grief, at one point, punching his mum.
Firstly, guys, never, ever hit a woman, whatever annoyance they can offer up.
Secondly, girls, never, ever hit a man, we definitely know how annoying we can be!
Live life without fighting, the world will be a better place.
Unfortunately, as is the norm, nowadays, everything is recorded on the phones, so it was seen by millions.
Phil Foden’s mum is not to be messed with, by the way.
Kell Brook was superb against Amir Khan who appeared to not have the same fight as Ma Foden.
Maybe it’s the end of the road for the Bolton pugilist who got a good final payday.
There is a rematch clause, that will generate another big paycheque but does Amir want to go through another humiliating defeat.
Like John Newsome would mention to Pep, ‘Pick John Stones.’
Mr Newsome would say to Amir, ‘Call it a day kid!’
Kell Brook has fought Gennady Golovkin and Errol Spence Jnr (John Newsome was at both fights!) and should have a final hurrah to bring to an end a great Boxing career, with potential fights against Triple G, Terence Crawford or a big British fight against Chris Eubank Jnr.
However, once again, John Newsome would offer up a note of caution, ‘Don’t fight Chris, Kell, he’s much too big for you!’
Pep’s High Flying Blues got an easy home victory over Rafa’s Toffees, in November, by a 3-0 score.
Raheem Sterling scored just before the break to give City a half-time lead.
Roadie Rodri added a 2nd after the restart with Bernardo Silva scoring late on to give Man City the easy win.
Frank Lampard’s Everton should be a different proposition this time at Goodison Park but the result may just be the same.
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Sunday 27th
WEST HAM v WOLVES
14.00 in England.
Sky Sports
Craig Dawson scored his 2nd-goal in successive games for West Ham on Saturday, this time, legitimately with his head, not his forearm, like last week.
Unfortunately, for the Bubbles, David Moyes Boys conceded an equaliser on the stroke of half-time and with no further goals, the game against Newcastle on Saturday, finished in a draw by a 1-1 score.
West Ham sit 5th, with 42-points from the full complement of 26-fixtures on offer.
The same 42-points as the London rivals, Arsenal but the Hammers have played 3-games more than the Gunners, so the true position in the table may be false.
The Bubble faithful won’t be too worried, as being 5th, 6th or 10th is still better than a relegation battle, that was once the norm for West Ham.
Wolves got a great victory at Molineux on Sunday, inflicting defeat on Leicester by a 2-1 score.
Ruben Neves scored a superb opener but the Foxes equalised to take both teams in level at the break.
In the 2nd-half, Daniel Podence matched Ruben’s strike, to put Wolves in front and with no further goals, got the victory in the David Attenborough Derby.
Bruno Lage’s Gold and Blacks, sit 7th in the table, with 40-points from 24-fixtures played.
The Lage-Louts all celebrated with a pint or several, lagers (well a few did have the odd Dubonnet and Coke!)
After a goalless 1st-half, Raul Jimenez scored the only goal of the game at Molineux in November, giving Bruno’s Gold and Blacks the victory over David’s Hammers, by a 1-0 score.
888 Sport offer West Ham at Evens 1/1, the draw at 23/10 and 53/20 for Wolves to come away with all 3-points.
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Game Week-22
Tuesday 01st
BURNLEY v LEICESTER
19.45 in England.
Burnley will have played 2-fixtures before this 3rd, rearranged Game Week-22 contest against Leicester, so the league position of the Clarets could be outside of the relegation places for the first time this season.
That said, the Clarets could be at the foot of the table if results don’t go Sean Dyche’s way.
Leicester don’t play at the weekend, due to Liverpool and Chelsea, playing in the Carabao Cup, so this rearranged game takes place after the defeat against Wolves last Sunday.
Ademola Lookman equalised an earlier Wolves goal, on the stroke of half-time, to take both teams in level at the break.
Unfortunately, for the Foxes, Wolves scored the winner in the 2nd-half to inflict the defeat by a 2-1 score.
After beating Liverpool, in between Christmas and New Year, Leicester have gone 5-Premier League games without a win, as well as being dumped out, as holders, of the FA Cup, by the Tricky Trees, Nottingham Forest.
Brendan’s not so Wonderful’s, sit 11th, with the same 27-points as the Midlands rivals, Aston Villa but have only played 23-times, so could consider themselves in a false position.
The Foxes face Randers, in the 2nd-leg of the Europa Conference League Play-off (no, still not got a clue?) on Thursday, taking a 4-1 lead over to Denmark, so should make the actual knockout stages of that particular competition.
There was a certain Scottish Crooner, happy with the result at Molineux, wearing an old Wolves shirt that Steve Bull gave him, in exchange for a few hairstyle tips, Bully didn’t heed the tips, as when entering the hair boutique, the usual request from Steve was, ‘Number-1 all over kid!’
Lennon the Puppy was happy too as the pooch knew that the shirt wasn’t heading his way and there was the possibility of some doggy treats in the offering.
To those dog lovers out there, dogs have a limited existence and limited requirements.
A dog exists solely to be fed, they love food, of any kind, even Chocolate, that’s a myth that dogs shouldn’t be given Chocolate, a dog will literally eat anything.
The pooch also love to be walked, the further the better, whatever weather, so if the EveryTip viewers have a puppy, just feed them and walk them and they will be your friend forever, whatever the length of their existence.
Sir Roderick was triple happy on Sunday, firstly, Rangers, were held to a draw against Dundee United (who?) meaning, if Rod’s beloved Celtic beat Dundee (who?) yes, it gets confusing in the SPL, Scottish Pub League, then the Green and White Hoops, would have a 3-point advantage at the top of the said Pub League.
That’s just what happened and there was a certain OzScot over in Australia, who was angry.
The lad had tried to pull John Newsome up about the constant reference to the SPL being a Pub League, following Rangers superb victory against Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League, 1st-leg tie.
Granted, John has no comeback but will wait until next week and the 2nd-leg of the tie against Borussia Dortmund at Ibrox, before passing comment.
Mr Stewart, following a superb day of football, with results all going the crooners way, poured Penny and himself a glass of Jam Shed (a lovely Red Wine) and gave Lennon a packet of treats that he got from Aldi.
The puppy lay in front of the fire, as Penny and Rod sat in front of the telly watching Louis Theroux on 2.
Suddenly Roderick, with the Jam Shed kicking in, started singing,
‘He’s Celtic, United but Brendan has decided that Leicester is the best place to be.’
Woof-Woof!
At the King Power earlier on in this campaign, Jamie Vardy opened the scoring for Burnley.
Not to get confused, as most know Jamie is a Foxes player but Jimmy V scored an own goal to give the Clarets an early lead.
The Sheffield Superstar then scored in the right net to make the scores level before Maxwell Cornet notched to give Burnley a lead at the break.
Mr Vardy, scored his 3rd of the game, to give both teams a share of the points from a Desmond 2-2 scoreline. A bizarre hat-trick for Mr Vardy, who turns 35 on January 11th.
888 Sport offer Burnley at 41/20, the draw at 49/20 and 13/10 for Leicester to come away with all 3-points.
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