The highlight games for the next set of EPL matches are BRENTFORD versus CHELSEA and MAN CITY versus MANCHESTER UNITED. Our feature columnist, John Newsome previews these and 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
Game Week-27
These fixtures are all the reverse of Game Week-10 that took place in late October 2023.
Saturday 02nd
BRENTFORD v CHELSEA
15.00 in England
It’s probably quite fitting that the first game of this specific week involves Brentford who take on Chelsea at the GTech.
The legend that is Stan Bowles, was a Queens Park Rangers icon for several years but also trod the turf of the old Griffin Park Ground in Brentford back in the 1980s.
Described as a Maverick and rightly so for Stan’s sublime excellence when in control of a football, it could be stated that the England Team failed to capitalise on the skills of the Silky Player.
Stan wasn’t opposed to a little bet of a Saturday Afternoon and a critic was once observed saying,
‘If Stan could pass a Bookies like he could pass a ball, the guy would be a Millionaire!’
Everyone strives to be a Millionaire and most fail, however, it’s the trying that makes someone, not the failure.
Whilst running down the wing, Stan would often ask the punter in the front row,
‘What won the 3.30 at Ascot?’
There’s probably some sort of irony really that Ivan Toney was banned for 8 months for betting.
Old Stan would not concur.
Stan Bowles, once a Maverick, always a Maverick!
Rest in peace legend.
Brentford will have played twice since the defeat against Liverpool on the 17th of February.
Despite putting in a great performance against Man City at the Etihad, ultimately it was that man Erling Haaland who made the difference, capitalising on a slip by Kristoffer Ajer and scoring the solitary winner to inflict another loss on the Bees.
It was then an outing across London against West Ham on Monday Night Football, where the Hammers inflicted a defeat on the Bees by a 4-2 score.
After West Ham had scored 2 before 7 minutes were on the clock, Neal Maupay pulled a goal back.
Unfortunately for Thomas Frank’s boys, West Ham added a couple more after the break to inflict the defeat.
Yoane Wissa did score a 2nd for Brentford but time ran out for the away team.
Brentford sit in 16th place, now with the same 25 points as Everton.
Chelsea didn’t play in the Game Week-26 fixtures and instead, headed to Wembley to face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup Final.
Unfortunately for Mauricio Pochettino and the rest of the Blue contingent, when it appeared that a penalty shootout was imminent, Jurgen’s Reds scored the winner in the 118th minute, to claim the Energy Drink Trophy.
The brilliant Gary Neville was very critical of Chelsea in commentary on Sky Sports, offering up the following quote,
‘Blue Billion Pound Bottlejobs!’
After letting a set of Klipperty Klopp’s Kids take control and get the victory.
Chelsea dropped a place to 11th with 35 points following the weekend’s Premier League results but now have a game in hand over the others around them.
At Stamford Bridge back in October 2023, it was the Bees who came away with the victory over the Blues by a 2-0 score.
After a goalless 1st-half, Ethan Pinnock and Bryan Mbeumo scored to give Brentford all 3 points.
Betfred offer Brentford at 21/10, the draw at 13/5 and 6/5 for Chelsea to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 5/1 that Ivan Toney Scores First and 11/8 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.
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EVERTON v WEST HAM
15.00 in England
Everton gained a valuable point against Brighton on Saturday following back-to-back draws by the same 1-1 score.
The goal scorers of both teams can probably tell the story of the 90-odd minutes at the Amex with the Seagulls Centre-Back Lewis Dunk cancelling out the Toffees goal that came from the Everton Centre-Back Jarrad Branthwaite.
Both goals came in the 2nd-half with Brighton equalising in the 95th minute after being reduced to 10 men.
The point gained left Everton in 17th place with 21 points from 26 games played.
However, news came through on Monday that the 10-point deduction given to the Toffees has now been reduced to 6, meaning Everton moved above Nottingham Forest and Brentford into 15th place with the same 25 points as the Bees but with a better goal difference.
Both 5 points more than Luton who are in the drop zone but have a game in hand over the two.
The two do have to meet in May which potentially could decide who stays in the Premier League and who heads to the Championship, considering also that Everton’s last game is against Arsenal at the Emirates.
West Ham started brilliantly against Brentford on Monday Night Football with Jarrod Bowen scoring twice in the first 7 minutes.
Brentford did pull a goal back leaving West Ham with a slender lead at the break.
Jarrod added his and West Ham’s 3rd midway through the 2nd-half to complete a superb hat-trick before Emerson hit a great left-footed shot past the Bees Goalkeeper.
There was still time for a 6th goal with the away team halving the deficit, however, the Bubbles saw their team hold on for the points.
The brilliant victory by a 4-2 score, lifted West Ham into 8th place with the same 39 points as Brightest both having completed 26 games.
It was noticeable that the Hammers improved with the inclusion of Lucas Paqueta who was back from injury.
West Ham now know their opponents in the last-16 of the Europa League.
The Hammers will face Freiburg in a 2-legged affair starting on Thursday the 7th of March in Germany, with the return leg at the London Stadium 7 days later.
A single Dominic Calvert-Lewin goal early in the 2nd-half gave Everton the away day victory over West Ham at the London Stadium.
Betfred offer Everton at Odds On 19/20, the draw at 13/5 and 11/4 for West Ham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 17/2 that Abdoulaye Doucoure Scores First and 11/4 that Jarrod Bowen Scores Anytime.
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FULHAM v BRIGHTON
15.00 in England
Fulham gained one of the best results of the weekend by going up to Old Trafford and coming away with a victory over Manchester United by a 2-1 scoreline.
After a goalless 1st-half, Calvin Bassey scored for the away team which was equalised by United with time running out.
When it looked like both would share the points, Alex Iwobi scored the winner in the 97th minute to give the Cottagers all 3 points.
Both sets of fans then headed off for the train back home to London.
Fulham stay in 12th place with 32 points from 26 games played.
Brighton gained a point from a draw by a 1-1 score against Everton on Saturday.
With both teams failing to score for three-quarters of the game, Everton’s big Centre-Half Jarrad Branthwaite fired home to give the away team a lead.
Billy Gilmour was then shown a straight Red Card to leave the Seagulls a man-lite for the remaining 10 or so minutes.
Despite only having 10 men, Lewis Dunk scored the equaliser in the 95th minute to give both teams a share of the points.
Brighton remain in 7th place following all the weekend’s results with the same 39 points as West Ham from 26 fixtures completed.
Brighton will face Roma in the last-16 of the Europa League, firstly in Italy’s Capital on the 7th of March, then a week later at the Amex.
When these two met at the Amex last year, both teams shared the points from a draw by a 1-1 score.
Evan Ferguson with the Brighton goal and Joao Palhinha replying for Fulham.
Betfred offer Fulham at 7/4, the draw at 13/5 and 7/5 for Brighton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/4 that Bobby Decordover-Reid Scores Anytime and 5/2 that Kaoru Mitoma Scores Anytime.
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NEWCASTLE v WOLVES
15.00 in England
Newcastle felt the full force of the new-look Arsenal on Saturday Night with Eddie’s Magpies suffering a defeat against Mikel’s Young Guns by a 4-1 away night scoreline.
The ex-Arsenal youngster, Joe Willock did score against his old team, however, the Gunners had 4 on the board by then to gain the stunning victory.
Newcastle drop to 10th place with 37 points from 26 games played.
Wolves come into this fixture at the Emirates off the back of a victory over Sheffield United last Sunday.
Pablo Sarabia scored the solitary winning goal to give Gary O’Neil’s Gold and Blacks the points from a 1-0 scoreline.
Wolves moved up to 9th in the Premier League table with 38 points from 26 games played.
Now above Newcastle and Chelsea.
Both teams shared the points from a draw by a 2-2 score back in October at Molineux.
Callum Wilson scored twice in the 1st-half for Newcastle with Mario Lemina replying to leave Wolves trailing at the interval.
Hwang-Hee Chan then equalised for the home team midway through the 2nd-half to give both a point apiece.
The Archbishop was happy.
Betfred offer Newcastle at slight Odds On 5/6, the draw at 3/1 and 11/4 for Wolves to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/1 that Anthony Gordon Scores First and 7/5 that Newcastle Score in Both Halves.
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NOTTINGHAM FOREST v LIVERPOOL
15.00 in England
Nottingham Forest suffered a defeat against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday, this time by a 4-2 score.
After conceding 3 goals, Moussa Niakhate and Morgan Gibbs-White scored in the space of 3 minutes either side of the half-time interval.
Forest then conceded a 4th to gain another loss on the record.
That leaves the Tricky Trees in 17th place with 24 points from 26 games following all of the weekend results plus Everton’s 4-point gain when the original 10-point deduction was reduced to 6.
Liverpool sit at the summit of the Premier League following a devastating victory over Luton at Anfield last Wednesday.
The win by a 4-1 scoreline, was the 3rd by the same score from the last 5 Premier League fixtures, with the 4-1 also occurring against Chelsea and Brentford.
After conceding a Luton goal and trailing at the break, Jurgen Klopp got into his boys who came out in the 2nd-half scoring 4 times.
Virgil Van Dijk, Coady Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott with the Reds goals.
After seeing Man City gain a victory the day before, which reduced the gap between the two to 1 point, it was imperative that Liverpool gained a win to reinstate the 4-point gap.
With Man City and Arsenal both gaining a victory on Saturday, Liverpool remain at the summit with a 1-point advantage over City and 2-points more than Arsenal.
All have now completed 26 games.
With a depleted squad that saw Alisson, Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, Dominic Szoboszlai, Diogo Jota and Joel Matip all absent due to injury, Jurgen Klopp had to send out the youngsters at Wembley who performed brilliantly and won the Carabao Cup with an Extra-Time header from Virgil Van Dijk giving Klipperty Klopp’s Kids the Trophy.
The first of a possible four that Liverpool could potentially win this season.
Liverpool head to the Czech Republic to take on Sparta Prague in the Europa League on the 7th of March, with the fixture at Anfield taking place a week later.
Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah scored the Liverpool goals at Anfield to give Jurgen’s Reds the victory over Steve’s Tricky Trees by a 3-0 scoreline.
Steve Cooper is gone now so it’s up to Nuno Espírito Santo to try and put a dent in Liverpool’s Title Dream.
Betfred offer Nottingham Forest at 5/1, the draw at 7/2 and Odds On 1/2 for Liverpool to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 5/1 that Luis Diaz Scores First and 2/1 that Taiwo Awoniyi Scores Anytime.
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***Premier League Team of the Week***
GOALKEEPER- Ederson- Man City
RIGHT-BACK- John Stones- Man City
CENTRE-BACK- Calvin Bassey- Fulham
CENTRE-BACK- Chris Richards- Crystal Palace
LEFT-BACK- Jakub Kiwior- Arsenal
MIDFIELDER- Luis Diaz- Liverpool
MIDFIELDER- Alex Iwobi- Fulham
MIDFIELDER- Mateo Kovacic- Man City
FORWARD- Jordan Ayew- Crystal Palace
FORWARD- Jarrod Bowen- West Ham
FORWARD- Phil Foden- Man City
STAR MAN- John Stones- Man City
The Barnsley Beckenbauer
TOTTENHAM v CRYSTAL PALACE
15.00 in England
Tottenham had the weekend off due to their scheduled opponents Chelsea being involved in the Carabao Cup Final.
Following the weekend’s results, Tottenham stay in 5th place with 47 points, now 5 points adrift of Aston Villa in 4th who gained a victory on Saturday but have now played 26 times, not the 25 Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs have completed.
What will have been good news for the LilyWhite faithful is Manchester United failed to win so the gap between Tottenham and United is still 3 points, with Spurs having the extra game to play.
It’s hoped Roy Hodgson was sat at home last Saturday with a nice glass of wine, watching his team on Match of the Day, gain a great victory over Burnley.
It’s certainly what the Old Boy deserved.
Oliver Glasner has come in and taken over at Selhurst Park but he does have at least a 70/80 per cent platform to work from after Mr Hodgson’s last two seasons.
Goals from Chris Richards, Jordan Ayew and a Jean-Philippe Mateta converted penalty gave Oliver and his Eagles the win by a 3-0 scoreline.
The goals were all scored in the 2nd-half after Burnley had a man sent off just before half-time.
Crystal Palace move up to 13th place with the same 28 points as Bournemouth but have completed 26 fixtures, not the 25 that the Cherries have played.
At Selhurst Park back in October, Tottenham gained the away day victory over Crystal Palace by a 2-1 score.
After a goalless 1st-half, the unfortunate Eagle Defender Joel Ward, turned past his own Goalkeeper to give Tottenham an early 2nd-half lead.
Son Heung-Min added a 2nd before a late Jordan Ayew strike gave the Ultras hopes of a comeback, which sadly for them, didn’t occur.
Betfred offer Tottenham at Odds On 1/2, the draw at 7/2 and 5/1 for Crystal Palace to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/5 that Son Heung-Min Scores Anytime and 5/4 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.
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LUTON v ASTON VILLA
17.30 in England
Sky Sports
Luton went early in the Game Week-26 set of fixtures but suffered a defeat against Liverpool last Wednesday.
Chiedozie Ogbene scored the opener at Anfield to give Luton the lead at the break.
Unfortunately for Rob Edwards’ Hatters, Jurgen’s Reds came out stronger, scoring 4 times to inflict the defeat on the away team by a 4-1 scoreline.
It did allow for the weekend off but it means that Luton stay in the Bottom Three with 20 points, 4 adrift of the safe team Nottingham Forest but from 25 games completed, not the 26 the Tricky Trees have played.
Remember, it is only 25 due to the fixture against Luton being abandoned which will take place on the 13th of March.
Aston Villa gained a great victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday from a 6-goal thriller.
Ollie Watkins scored first before 2 from Douglas Luiz gave Villa a commanding lead, however, Forest did pull a goal back on the stroke of half-time, then scored again just after the restart to reduce the deficit to 1 goal.
Leon Bailey scored on the hour mark and with no further goals, Villa held on for the win from a 4-2 scoreline.
With Tottenham not playing at the weekend, Unai Emery’s Claret and Blues increase their gap between 4th and 5th to 5 points with Aston Villa in 4th on 52 points and Tottenham in 5th with 47 points.
Villa have completed the full 26 fixtures with Tottenham playing 25.
Aston Villa now know their opponents in the Europa Conference League last-16, with Villa heading to the Netherlands to face Jordan Henderson and his Ajax team on the 7th of March, with the return leg happening a week later.
Aston Villa gained the home victory over Luton at Villa Park.
Goals from John McGinn, Moussa Diaby and a Tom Lockyer own goal gave Villa the win by a 3-1 scoreline.
Emiliano Martinez was credited with the Luton goal that turned out to be just a consolation.
Betfred offer Luton at 3/1, the draw at 3/1 and slight Odds On 4/5 for Aston Villa to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 8/5 that Carlton Morris Scores Anytime and 7/5 that Ollie Watkins Scores First.
Away Won 1-3- Get 11/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Sunday 03rd
BURNLEY v BOURNEMOUTH
13.00 in England
Sky Sports
This fixture kicks off at 13.00 hours in England, not the usual 14.00 Sunday Afternoon TV slot.
It’s probably not a surprise to learn that Burnley suffered another defeat at the weekend, this time against Crystal Palace by a 3-0 scoreline.
The Clarets’ chances were not helped when Josh Brownhill received a straight Red Card in the 35th minute leaving Burnley a man-lite for an hour or so.
Palace scored all 3 goals in the 2nd-half to inflict the defeat.
Burnley remain in 19th place with the same 13 points as Sheffield United both having completed 26 games.
Despite putting in a gritty performance against Man City on Saturday, Bournemouth suffered a narrow defeat against Pep’s Blues by a 1-0 scoreline, with the goal conceded midway through the 1st-half.
The Cherries sit in 14th place with the same 28 points as Crystal Palace from 25 games completed.
Palace have played 26 times.
Bournemouth gained the victory over Burnley at the Vitality back in October.
Goals from Antoine Semenyo and Philip Billing gave the Cherries the home win by a 2-1 score.
Charlie Taylor had scored first for Burnley.
Betfred offer Burnley at 11/4, the draw at 11/4 and slight Odds On 10/11 for Bournemouth to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/5 that Dominic Solanke Scores Anytime and 13/8 that Bournemouth Score in Both Halves.
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MAN CITY v MANCHESTER UNITED
15.30 in England
Sky Sports
Once again, note the start time of 15.30 in England, not the usual 16.30 Sunday slot.
Man City gained a professional victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality in the late Saturday Afternoon kick-off.
Phil Foden tapped into an empty net after a shot from Erling Haaland was originally saved.
Despite only scoring once, Man City were the dominant team with Bournemouth, like most of the others, putting in a gritty defensive display.
The Barnsley Beckenbauer John Stones was superb throughout and hopefully can stay injury-free for the remainder of the campaign and can carry on for England in the upcoming Euro’24 in Germany.
Man City now sit in 2nd place with 59 points, a point adrift of Liverpool and a point more than Arsenal, with all now having completed 26 games.
With 12 remaining, it is going to be a great run-in.
Manchester United continued the trend of suffering a defeat once a victory is predicted by this EveryTip column.
After 4 straight wins, United entertained Fulham on Saturday Afternoon and despite Harry Maguire scoring in the 89th minute to equalise an earlier goal, the Cottagers then scored the winner in the 97th minute to inflict the defeat on the home team by a 2-1 score.
The news came out a day or two before that Rasmus Hojlund was injured and will be missing for a few weeks, which does include this visit to the Noisy Neighbours.
Not great!
Following the game against Fulham, the majority of fans from both teams, headed to the train station for the trip back home to London.
Manchester United sit in 6th place with 44 points from 26 fixtures.
There’s speculation that Mason Greenwood could be invited back into the Old Trafford fold.
Whilst this is a difficult subject to breach, one should not shy away from the topic.
On a personal level, Mason is in the wrong and shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near Old Trafford.
If Sir Jim Ratcliffe decides otherwise, then Jimbo has to live by his conviction.
In life, one has to be true to themselves, however, Mason has committed a crime despite what the court says and isn’t welcome in Manchester.
Granted the lad hasn’t been convicted but that’s probably due to other factors.
Let the boy go and find a new life away like he’s currently doing in Spain.
We can all condemn an individual but also there are levels of that condemnation.
Mason Greenwood needs to just move away from Old Trafford and start a new life.
Erling Haaland scored twice, one in each half, with Phil Foden adding a 3rd to give Man City the victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford by a 3-0 away day scoreline.
Betfred offer Man City at Odds On 2/7, the draw at 5/1 and 17/2 for Manchester United to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/5 that Kevin De Bruyne Scores Anytime and 5/2 that there are Over 4.5 Goals.
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Monday 04th
SHEFFIELD UNITED v ARSENAL
20.00 in England
Sky Sports
Good luck Blades.
Sheffield United suffered another defeat on Sunday, this time against Wolves at Molineux by a 1-0 score.
The Blades did have a few chances and put in a decent performance but ultimately, Wolves are a better team that proved over the 90-odd minutes.
There was an incident where the 2 Sheffield United players Vinicius Souza and Jack Robinson had a set-to halfway through the 1st-half.
In truth, it was more handbags than glad rags but it does show that the Blades are committed, however, are simply not good enough and sitting at the bottom of the table with the same 13 points as Burnley, will be playing in the Championship next season.
James from Swinton, nowhere near Bramall Lane, was at Molineux but was stunned when the Turnstiles were automated and let him in just by scanning his ticket.
Little Jimbo tried several times to show his Passport but the Stewards just shook their heads at the Daft Blunt.
Jim isn’t bothered, the lad just laughed and went off to find a greasy chip butty.
There will be plenty at Oakwell next season Jimbo!
Arsenal continued their good run on Saturday Night which previously has produced a 6-0 and a 5-0 scoreline against West Ham and Burnley.
The goals kept on coming against Newcastle with Mikel’s Young Guns gaining the victory from a 4-1 score.
The unfortunate Magpie Sven Botman was credited with the opening goal before Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Jakub Kiwior scored to make it 4.
The ex-Gunner Joe Willock got a late consolation goal for Newcastle, but the damage had already been done.
There was disappointment in last week’s Champions League tie against Porto, which saw Arsenal suffer an away defeat by a 1-0 score.
The home game comes up on the 12th of March.
After all of the Game Week-26 fixtures have been completed, Arsenal sit 3rd in the table with 58 points, a point behind Man City and 2 adrift of Liverpool at the summit.
One thing to add is Liverpool and Man City play in the midweek FA Cup ties, whereas Arsenal, having been knocked out, get the week off.
All to play for.
Arsenal gained a stunning victory over Sheffield United at the Emirates in October, with Mikel’s Young Guns getting all 3 points from Hecky’s Blades by a 5-0 scoreline.
Eddie Nketiah scored a hat-trick, which was added to by Fabio Vieira converting a late penalty and Takehiro Tomiyasu slotting home in the 96th minute.
Betfred offer Sheffield United at 16/1, the draw at 6/1 and Odds On 1/6 for Arsenal to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer Evens 1/1 that Bukayo Saka Scores Anytime and 9/2 that there are Over 5.5 Goals.
Away Win 0-6- Get 28/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
‘He’s Celtic and United, but Brendan has decided that 2nd is the best place to be!’
Following the weekend results in the Scottish Premier League, Rangers remain at the summit with 67 points, 2 ahead of the arch-rivals Celtic.
Rangers gained the victory over Hearts (who?), which was supposedly a tricky game, but the 5-0 score proved otherwise.
Celtic did leave it late to inflict the defeat on Motherwell (who?) scoring twice in the 94th and 96th minute to get the win, which did disappoint Kylie over in Melbourne.
Rangers face Benfica in the last-16 of the Europa League, with the 1st-leg taking place in Portugal on the 7th of March and the 2nd-leg at Ibrox a week later.
It could prove significant in the title race that Celtic don’t have the extra European games.
Braveheart will be out on the streets dressed in war regalia, shouting at the Portuguese,
‘You’ll never take our freedom!’
He’s still spinning around.
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