The highlight games for this weekend’s action, and early next week are CHELSEA versus NEWCASTLE and ARSENAL versus LEICESTER. Our feature columnist, John Newsome previews these as well as all game-week 29 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-29
All of these fixtures are the reverse of Game Week-10 that took place over the Halloween weekend at the end of October.
Saturday 12th
BRIGHTON v LIVERPOOL
12.30 in England
BT Sport
Whilst this is an English Premier League column that offers up an insightful view on Top Flight football, John Newsome makes no apologies for the following.
On March the 4th, 2021, the Sporting Fraternity lost an icon of the Cricket World. Shane Keith Warne, sadly died aged just 52.
‘Just’ is sometimes perceived as an extra word that shouldn’t be used. On this occasion, ‘just’ is the most profound word in that sentence. Fifty-two is no age, to sadly die at that age isn’t ‘just’.
Shane was a legend to any Cricket fan and transcended the sporting landscape, with most in awe of the blonde-haired maestro.
In June 1993, at Old Trafford, the Lancashire Cricket Ground, not the Theatre of Dreams, the Aussie Legend bowled, what’s commonly referred to as the ‘Ball of the Century’.
If those not familiar with Leg Spin Bowling, it’s the art of sending a cricket ball down to the Batter, predominantly using one’s wrist, in an attempt to ‘turn’ the ball when it hits the strip, in a right-angle motion. If one can do this, as Mr Warne could, then there’s no need to ever work in Aldi.
Shane Warne was the Number 1 at this art, there weren’t a Number 2, 3 or even 20, no one came close.
In a career that spanned over 20-years, with 15 of those spent wearing the Baggy Green Cap, Sir Shane, took 708-Test Wickets, only Muttiah Muralitharan, has more.
In 2008, when the Indian Premier League, (IPL) started, the owner of the Rajasthan Royals paid Shane a Princely sum to not only play but Manage the team.
After a poor start, Mr Warne’s enigmatic approach and coaching methods saw the Royals win the inaugural Indian Premier League.
Whilst not wanting this to be about anyone else but Shane Warne, John Newsome is and always will be in awe of the legendary Australian bowler, born just 6-days after this EveryTip contributor. Respect, Shane Keith Warne, Rest In Peace brother.
Liverpool got a professional victory on Saturday against West Ham at Anfield by a 1-0 score.
In truth, the Hammers were unlucky not to at least come away with a point, if not all 3 but football is about taking chances and that’s what Sadio Mane did just before the half-hour mark.
The win reduced the gap at the top to 3-points for 24-hours, until Man City beat Manchester United on Sunday, meaning the status quo remained.
Jurgen’s Reds have 63-points, 7 more than Thomas’s Blue Engines but 6 adrift of Pep’s High Flying Blues.
John Newsome is sticking with Man City to win the title but Liverpool will push the Manchester club all the way until the finish in May.
Liverpool progressed to the Quarter-Final of the Champions League on Tuesday, despite suffering a defeat against Inter Milan at Anfield, by a 1-0 score.
Jurgen’s Reds had got a victory at the San Siro by 2-goals to nil, therefore going through on aggregate by a 2-1 scoreline.
It was Liverpool’s first defeat at Anfield in all competitions, for 12-months.
Brighton have now lost 4-Premier League fixtures in a row following Saturday’s defeat against Newcastle at St James Park by a 2-1 scoreline.
After conceding 2-goals in the 1st-half to trail at the break, Lewis Dunk pulled a goal back just after the restart to give the Brighton faithful hopes of a comeback.
Unfortunately, for the travelling Seagulls, the Magpies held on for the victory to win the Battle of the Birds. That was Brighton’s only goal in the 4-previous games.
Brighton’s form is worrying, slipping down to 13th, with 33-points from 27-fixtures, the same 33 as Leicester and Crystal Palace but with a slightly inferior goal difference than the others.
Newcastle sit just below with 31-points, 2-adrift of Graham Potter’s men. Harry needs to get some Wizardry going to stop the rot.
In the Game Week-10 affair at Anfield, in late October, this fixture finished in a draw by a 2-2 scoreline.
Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mane gave the hosts a 2-goal advantage before Enock Mwepu pulled one back for Brighton before half-time.
Leandro Trossard scored an equaliser midway through the 2nd-half to earn the away team a point.
Betfred offer Brighton at 6/1, the draw at 18/5 and slight Odds On 1/2 for Liverpool to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 5/2 that Mo Salah Scores First and 8/5 that Liverpool Win To Nil.
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BRENTFORD v BURNLEY
15.00 in England
Ivan Toney scored a superb hat-trick at Carrow Rd on Saturday, helping Brentford to get an away day victory against Norwich by a 3-1 score.
After a great strike to open the scoring, the Bees were awarded 2-penalties, Mr T being up there with the best at converting spot-kicks.
That’s exactly what Ivan did to secure the hat-trick, with the penalties scored in the 2nd-half.
Norwich did pull a goal back late on in proceedings but ultimately just a consolation with Thomas Frank getting the victory over his old boss Dean Smith.
Thomas was the Assistant Manager at Griffin Park, when Dean was the Manager, back in 2018 but once Mr Smith left for Villa Park, the hierarchy at Brentford promoted Mr Frank to the top position.
After a few tricky results over the past few weeks, the victory against the Canaries gives the Bees 27-points from the full 28-games on offer.
Sitting in 15th-place, 6-points above the relegation places so Thomas Frank will want a few more wins to cement their place in the Top Flight for another season.
Christian Eriksen started for the first time, after last week’s substitute appearance and with Ivan Toney back from injury, Brentford should be safe come the end of the season.
Christian has had his health problems as is well documented but the Dane is a class player and Thomas and the Bees have pulled off a real coup bringing the lad in until the end of the season.
Tottenham fans must be sat thinking, ‘Why didn’t Mr Eriksen come back to us?’ That’s for the Spurs hierarchy to worry about.
Christian is only signed until the end of the current campaign that works on several levels.
One to see if the Midfielder can still compete at the highest level, following the heart attack and the ICD implant, on the first couple of outings, that answer is Yes!
Also, it puts CE in the shop window for a potential move to a bigger club in the summer. That’s not being disrespectful to Brentford but even the ardent of Bees would know that Christian is too good for their idols.
Plus it helps Brentford to stay in the Top Flight.
Burnley remain in the final relegation place, following Saturday’s defeat against Chelsea at Turf Moor.
After 2-wins and a draw to give the Clarets hope of survival, Sean’s boys have lost the last 2-fixtures.
The defeat against Chelsea by a 4-0 scoreline leaves Burnley in 18th-place with 21-points from 26-fixtures played.
That’s a point away from safety, Everton being the safe team, with 22, however, Frank’s Toffees have played a game less than Sean’s Clarets.
What would have baffled the Claret faithful, all wearing an extra layer, as Turf Moor is a coat colder than any other place in the country, is the fixture was goalless at half-time, with the Burnley players blocking shot after shot from the Chelsea boys. That stopped in the 2nd-half, allowing the away team to score 4.
Apart from Man City, Burnley’s remaining fixtures are favourable with home games against City, Wolves, Aston Villa and Newcastle and away against Brentford, Norwich, West Ham, Watford and Tottenham, plus 3-games still to be rearranged, home and away against Aston Villa and Everton at Turf Moor.
Sean Dyche will still feel his team have enough in them, with the teams they have to face, to get out of trouble.
Burnley got a convincing victory against Brentford back in October at Turf Moor by a 3-1 score.
Chris Wood, Matt Lowton and Maxwell Cornet gave the home team a lead at the break, with Saman Ghoddos scoring for the Bees, in the 2nd-half, ultimately just a consolation.
Betfred offer Brentford at 5/4, the draw at 9/4 and 13/5 for Burnley to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 6/5 that Ivan Toney Scores Anytime and 11/4 that Brentford Score in Both Halves.
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MANCHESTER UNITED v TOTTENHAM
17.30 in England
Sky Sports
Fear is a word that can’t be explained because it’s not a word that is plain. Yet fear is what the Manchester United players are experiencing at the moment.
Everyone that reads this EveryTip column won’t be surprised about the failings at Old Trafford, because John Newsome has been documenting the problems for a long time, over 3-years.
No one can say, ‘Isn’t it strange how Manchester United are suddenly rubbish?’
John has told all and sundry about the failings regarding United, yet no one at the club seems to want to address it. What is the mantra regarding Manchester United?
‘United won’t win anything with Fred or Scott McTominay!’
That’s been stated on numerous occasions over the years so why does a Numpty from Barnsley know this, yet the Hierarchy in Manchester, don’t or won’t accept the fact?
Manchester United had won 3 times at the Etihad in the previous 3-meetings, yet on Sunday, at 15.30, an hour before kick-off, once the team sheet was handed in, it was clear to everyone that Ralph’s Roadsters would lose the Derby. It was just a matter of how many.
In the end, following Jadon Sancho equalising a City opener, United suffered a defeat by a 4-1 scoreline. It could have been anything.
In the Sky Sports studio afterwards, Roy Keane was apoplectic, Jamie Redknapp was beguiled and Micah Richards was just laughing.
Then in came Gary Neville, who just before half-time, told the watching millions what needed to be done.
City were all over the Right Defence of United, that being Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jadon Sancho.
What did Ralph Rangnick do at the break? That’s correct, nothing!
In the 64th-minute, Double R introduced Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford for Anthony Elanga and Paul Pogba.
Somehow keeping Fred and Scott on the pitch. City then scored 2-more.
John Newsome is just a bloke from Barnsley with no coaching accolades, neither has his mates but all can see the problem at Old Trafford. That offers up the question, why can’t the hierarchy see this too?
This is not something new, this EveryTip column has been saying it for over 3-years.
Manchester United got rid of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and replaced the Norwegian with Ralph Rangnick, yet haven’t changed anything else. They may have well stuck with Ole!
It was pointed out last year, with the following taken from this EveryTip column published December 9th, 2021,
‘United’s next 12-fixtures are home games against Brighton, Burnley, Wolves, West Ham, Southampton and Watford and away against Norwich, Brentford, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Burnley (again) and Leeds United.
Only one game against a team currently higher than the Red Devil’s and that’s West Ham at Old Trafford. That is a great set of fixtures to settle Double R into the job in Manchester.
It’s March 2022, when United face a team higher than them, other than West Ham and that’s the Derby, against City, at the Etihad.’
March has come around pretty quickly and the fixture against the Noisy Neighbours has shown just how favourable the opening games Ralph had and the huge chasm between Manchester United and the Top Three.
The Midfield and Defence are the problems.
Harry Maguire?
Victor Lindelof?
Aaron Wan-Bissaka?
Alex Telles?
Fred?
Scott McTominay?
Six players that shouldn’t be in the starting eleven but are and have been consistently chosen by Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralph Rangnick.
The problem isn’t new, Jose had the same dilemma, Ole too, so why bring Ralph in and then continue to pick the same useless players.
It’s not rocket science.
Albert Einstein said, ‘To continue to do the same thing over and over and then expect different results, is the definition of Insanity.’
Fred and Scott were that ineffective against City it’s almost impossible to criticise. In the end, the pair just gave up. But what will Ralph do for this fixture against Tottenham?
Pick the two again, or at least one of the pair, continuing the insanity.
Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and now Ralph have continued the trend, without realising that it’s not working or worked. It’s not necessarily Fred or Scott’s fault, the twin pair are simply not good enough.
Fred is that excited about wearing a United shirt that it’s like he’s won a competition. Running around and trying isn’t the footprint to win a Premier League title.
If given the opportunity, John Newsome would try his hardest, running around Old Trafford but that wouldn’t mean United would win the league or even the game. Why does no one point this out?
Why haven’t Manchester United invested in a couple of top quality Midfielders like Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips, Yves Bissouma or James Ward-Prowse plus James mate at St Mary’s, Oriol Romeu?
Those are just players in the Premier League, there are surely others playing in La Liga, Ligue Un, the Bundesliga or Serie A, that are better than Fred and Scott. United have the resources, it’s not like they are skint!
Adidas for example, give the club Millions of Pounds, some of those Millions need spending on the Midfield and Defence, that’s what needs to happen in the Summer.
Harry Maguire needs to be sat down and offered a Cup of Coffee and a Donut and be given the straight talk of,
‘You’re not good enough Harry!’
Is it because United don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings?
Well to win the Premier League again, feelings will have to hurt.
It’s as simple as that.
Did Ralph know what he was signing up for or was it an ego situation?
‘Manchester United want me, mum.’
‘Do they son, what do you want for tea?’
‘Egg and Chips but besides that, what do you think about Fred and Scott?’
Mum looks at her bewildered son and just laughs,
‘Read John Newsome’s column at EveryTip, the Barnsley Boy knows what he’s on about!’
‘Ok mum!’
Manchester United slip to 5th in the table, with 47-points, 1-behind Arsenal, who are now in the final Champions League position and have 3 extra fixtures to complete over United and West Ham.
To be in next season’s top European competition, it looks like Ralph’s Roadsters will have to win it this year and that is unlikely to happen.
The most that the Red Devil’s faithful can hope for, is Thursday night football in Kazakhstan.
Tottenham smashed Everton on Monday Night Football, getting a great victory by a 5-0 score.
After great wing-play by Ryan Sessegnon, the Everton Defender turned past his own ‘keeper to gift Spurs the 1st-goal.
Harry Kane was on hand to tap in if the Toffee player hadn’t been the quicker. Son Heung-Min scored the 2nd before Big Harry made it 3-goals to nil going into the break.
Ryan Sessegnon picked up an injury and was replaced at half-time, with his replacement, Sergio Reguilon adding the 4th, within 40-seconds of the 2nd-half restart.
Harry Kane then added his 2nd and Tottenham’s 5th, to give Antonio’s Spurs the convincing win over Franks Toffees.
The victory keeps Tottenham in 7th but now have the same 45-points as West Ham, with 2-games in hand over the Bubbles.
There are also 2-extra games to complete more than Manchester United who sit 5th, with 47-points.
It’s quite conceivable that Tottenham will overtake both of the United’s in the coming weeks.
Harry Kane achieved another personal milestone in the game against Everton, following the 2-goals scored.
Big HK jumped above the great Thierry Henry, in the Premier League all-time goal scoring chart, now 6th on the list with 176-goals.
Frank Lampard (177), Sergio Aguero (184), Andy Cole (187), Wayne Rooney (208) and Alan Shearer (260) are the 5-players that have more goals than Mr Kane.
All have retired from playing, so Harry is the only one that can add to his tally.
Frank’s total could be overtaken in this fixture against Manchester United. That said, the way United defend, Alan’s tally could be overhauled!
Harry is 28-years old, with the realistic thought that there are another 7-years left to play in the Premier League, considering Jamie Vardy is 35 and still going strong.
At a rate of at least 17-goals a season, that would give HK a further 119, comfortably making Harry Kane the all-time Premier League leading goal scorer.
The 17, is the lowest goals scored in a campaign that Harry has scored in his career at Tottenham, since the 2014/15 season. The highest is 30.
Realistically, if Mr Kane stays relatively injury-free, 300-goals is an accessible target.
A quick note to add, although it is a Premier League record, football existed before 1992 and Alan Shearer scored a further 23-goals for Southampton in the old First Division, making Alan’s Top Flight tally 283, not 260.
Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford, gave Manchester United the away day victory by a 3-0 scoreline back in October.
The result at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium prompted the Tottenham board to get rid of Nuno Espírito Santo.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer didn’t last much longer and both helped each other fill out a Job Seekers Allowance form.
Betfred offer Manchester United at Evens 1/1, the draw at 11/4 and 11/4 for Tottenham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 17/10 that Son Heung-Min Scores Anytime and 11/10 that there are Under 2.5 Goals.
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Sunday 13th
CHELSEA v NEWCASTLE
14.00 in England
Sky Sports
Chelsea hammered Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, getting a great away day victory by a 4-0 scoreline. The anomaly in that convincing win was that it was goalless at half-time.
Reece James scored immediately after the restart, with Kai Havertz then notching twice before Christian Pulisic rounded off the 2nd-half rout.
Chelsea added a further 3-points to their tally following the victory against Norwich at Carrow Rd on Thursday, with the Game Week-30 fixture being brought forward.
Goals from Trevoh Chalobah and Mason Mount gave the away team a half-time lead, with Kai Havertz adding a further strike after the break to give Chelsea the away day victory by a 3-1 score.
Norwich did pull a goal back before Kai’s notch. It’s H, not R by the way, as in TrevoH, not TrevoR. Not that it matters, it’s more to do with those who think John Newsome has spelt it wrong.
Big Trev with an H, has scored more league goals than Lionel Messi this term, TrevH is a Defender by the way. Thomas’s Blue Engines sit 3rd in the table, with 56-points, from 27-fixtures completed. Seven points away from Liverpool and 13-adrift of Man City at the summit.
Arsenal are now 4th, behind Chelsea after the weekend’s fixtures, with 48-points but have 2-games in hand on the Blues plus both have to face each other at Stamford Bridge.
There were chants from the Chelsea faithful, backing Roman Abramovich, who’s having a difficult time at the moment due to the conflict in Ukraine by the Russians.
Apparently Roman is putting his club up for sale, with differing values on the table, ranging between £2 Billion and £4 Billion.
The great Conor McGregor is thinking about purchasing, which would be great for the theatre of the Premier League.
John Newsome has thought about buying too but having looked down the back of the settee, is approximately £2 Billion short. Ni mind!
£300 Million for Newcastle, £3 Billion for Chelsea, interesting!
There are other complications regards, Chelsea, that John doesn’t want to get into, as the water is so muddy, this EveryTip contributor isn’t intellectually capable of diving into.
Newcastle were 2nd in the form table of the Premier League, from the last 7-fixtures, before the midweek game against Southampton, having 5-Wins and 2-Draws, getting a total of 17-points.
Only Liverpool had achieved more points from the previous 7-games, gaining the full 21.
Man City have only accrued 16-points from the 7-fixtures.
Eddie and the Magpies got their 5th-victory out of the 7, on Saturday inflicting a defeat on Harry’s Seagulls at St James Park by a 2-1 scoreline, in the Battle of the Birds.
Ryan Fraser and Fabian Schar scored within 2-minutes of each other in the 1st-half, to give the home side a lead at the break.
Brighton pulled a goal back 10-minutes after the restart but ultimately this was just a consolation with Newcastle holding out for the victory.
There was a rearranged fixture on Thursday against Southampton, with the Toon Army making the long trip South for a 19.30 start time. A round trip of 650-miles over 11-hours. That fixture finished in a victory for Newcastle by a 2-1 away night scoreline.
The Saints scored 1st, after 25-minutes, however, Chris Wood finally opened his Newcastle account, equalising 7-minutes later, to take both teams in level at the break.
Eddie’s Magpies then registered their 6th-victory from 8, after Bruno Guimaraes scored the winner just after the break, to inflict a defeat on Southampton.
The Magpies now sit a place below the Seagulls, in 14th, with 31-points, 2-adrift of Brighton, having both played 27-fixtures.
Newcastle held out for 65-minutes at St James Park in the Game Week-10 affair until Chelsea scored 3 to inflict the defeat on the home side who had just been taken over by the Saudis and relieved Steve Bruce of his duties.
Reece James scored twice before Jorginho converted a penalty to give the Blues the away day victory by a 3-0 score.
Betfred offer Chelsea at Odds On 1/3, the draw at 9/2 and 10/1 for Newcastle to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 9/4 that Jorginho Scores Anytime and Evens 1/1 that Chelsea Win To Nil.
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EVERTON v WOLVES
14.00 in England
Frank Lampard’s Everton got hammered on Monday Night Football, away at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium, with Tottenham inflicting the defeat by a 5-0 scoreline. Three goals before the break and 2 in the 2nd-half.
The Toffees didn’t help themselves, firstly with Michael Keane scoring an own-goal to concede the opener, then Jordan Pickford not covering himself in Toffees, allowing the 2nd-goal to go past him when it should have been saved.
The 3rd was just great play from Tottenham and the 4th was too easy having just come out for the 2nd-half. By the time the 5th went in, the players had resigned themselves to a loss.
Everton sit just outside of the relegation zone, in 17th, with 22-points from 25-fixtures.
A point more than Burnley, however, do have the comfort of an extra game to play more than the Clarets but Frank’s Blues still have to face Sean’s boys. That game will definitely sort the Cold from the Toffees.
Following brilliant victories against Tottenham and Leicester, Wolves suffered the 3rd-defeat in succession on Saturday, against Crystal Palace at Molineux, by a 2-0 scoreline. Both of the Palace goals were scored before the break.
Following 3-defeats, maybe a rearranged game against a struggling Watford side was just what the doctor ordered for Wolves.
That’s exactly what happened on Thursday with Bruno’s Gold and Blacks hammering a sorry set of Hornets by a 4-0 score.
Raul Jimenez, a Watford own-goal and Daniel Podence strikes gave Wolves the lead at the break. Ruben Neves added a late 4th, to inflict the defeat.
Wolves sit 8th in the table, with 43-points from 28-fixtures played. Bruno’s Gold and Blacks got the victory against Rafa’s Toffees at Molineux by a 2-1 scoreline.
Max Kilman and Raul Jimenez scored for the home team before the break, with Alex Iwobi replying for Everton in the 2nd-half. With no further goals, Wolves got the points.
Betfred offer Everton at 13/10, the draw at 9/4 and 12/5 for Wolves to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 21/10 that Richarlison Scores Anytime and 5/4 that there are Over 2.5 Goals.
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***Premier League Team of the Week***
GOALKEEPER- David De Gea- Manchester United
RIGHT-BACK- Reece James- Chelsea
CENTRE-BACK- Fabian Schar- Newcastle
CENTRE-BACK- John Stones- Man City
LEFT-BACK- Brandon Williams- Norwich
MIDFIELDER- Kevin De Bruyne- Man City
MIDFIELDER- Phillipe Coutinho- Aston Villa
MIDFIELDER- Christian Eriksen- Brentford
FORWARD- Phil Foden- Man City
FORWARD- Kai Havertz- Chelsea
FORWARD- Ivan Toney- Brentford
STAR MAN- Ivan Toney- Brentford
LEEDS UNITED v NORWICH
14.00 in England
‘Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again, Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again.’
The post-Marcelo Bielsa era, started with a defeat on Saturday, away at the King Power against Leicester.
The new guy, Ted Lasso, managed to get the Whites not to concede more than 1-goal, which hadn’t happened in the previous 5-fixtures but although the score against the Foxes was only 1-0, it was still a defeat.
Patrick Bamford was on the bench at the King Power but didn’t see any game time, which did appear strange when Leeds fell a goal behind with over 20-minutes remaining.
Surely if Patrick is fit enough for the bench then he’s fit for at least 15-minutes at the end to try and get an equaliser. However, Ted knows best.
Leeds then entertained Aston Villa at Elland Rd, giving the Marching On Together crew, the first glimpse of their new manager.
Another defeat occurred, which to be fair, due to personal circumstances being let down by a couple of Leeds United fans, who were assumed as mates, is making John Newsome laugh out loud!
Jesse Marsch’s Mob conceded in the 1st-half to go in trailing at the break. Marsch’s Mob? Interesting!
Jesse introduced Joe Gelhardt at the break which was the correct move, however, Patrick Bamford was sat on the bench, once again.
Ted then brought on Patrick just before the hour-mark but Mr Bamford couldn’t influence proceedings, with Leeds conceding 2-further goals to ultimately lose the tie, by a 3-0 scoreline.
The Ted Lasso reference is maybe a bit harsh but the new guy, Jesse Marsch is an American, who do have a bad reputation when it comes to managing in the Premier League.
Remember Bob Bradley?
David Wagner, who managed Huddersfield Town was supposed to be the 2nd-American manager but although the lad played for the United States, David was a German, born and bred so can’t really be compared to the American Sock-er gaffers.
Jesse Marsch is an American and was eager to get into the English way by calling our beautiful game, football not soccer. Added to that, Jesse wanted the Ted Lasso tag not to stick but John Newsome found it funny.
Ted is a fictional character played by the excellent Jason Sudeikis and is about an American guy who comes over to England to manage a football team. Unfortunately, Mr Lasso hasn’t a clue about football. Hopefully, for the Whites faithful, Mr Marsch has.
Leeds sit in 16th after the weekend and midweek rearranged football, with 23-points from 28-fixtures played. Marching On Together!
Norwich suffered a defeat on Saturday, against Brentford at Carrow Rd, by a 3-1 scoreline.
After conceding 3-goals, 2 being penalties, Teemu Pukki scored in the 92nd-minute to give the remaining faithful who had stayed, something to cheer.
After 4-straight defeats, the last thing one needs is a visit from Chelsea who are in good shape at the moment, unbeaten in their last 10-fixtures in all competitions, the loss against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final doesn’t count in that stat as it was on penalties.
Norwich succumbed to the predicted defeat on Thursday against Chelsea by a 3-1 score.
After conceding 2-goals, to go in at the break trailing, Teemu Pukki scored to give the Canaries faithful hope. Unfortunately, hope didn’t materialise, with Chelsea scoring a 3rd, to run out winners.
That’s 5-losses in succession for Dean Smith’s Yellow Canary’s, leaving Norwich at the foot of the table with 17-points from 28-fixtures played.
Marcelo’s Whites got a rare away day victory on Halloween night that spooked the Canary’s at Carrow Rd. After a goalless 1st-half, Raphinha and Rodrigo scored in the space of 4-minutes to give Leeds the lead.
Although only a short time between the 2-strikes, Andrew Omobamidele had equalised for Norwich in a bizarre 3-goal, 4-minute spell.
Betfred offer Leeds United at slight Odds On 3/5, the draw at 7/2 and 9/2 for Norwich to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer Evens 1/1 that Patrick Bamford Scores Anytime and 6/5 that Leeds United Score in Both Halves.
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SOUTHAMPTON v WATFORD
14.00 in England
Southampton had gone 5-Premier League games unbeaten going into Saturday’s away fixture against Aston Villa.
Unfortunately for the Saints faithful, Wreck-It Ralph’s men suffered a defeat by a 4-0 score, with 2-goals conceded in each half.
Mr Hasenhuttl quickly regrouped his players for Thursday’s rearranged Game Week-21 affair against Newcastle at St Mary’s.
It then materialised, like Madonna’s world, that Southampton suffered a 2nd-straight defeat, by a 2-1 scoreline.
The Stuart of the Armstrong’s gave Ralph’s boys a lead, midway through the 1st-half, however, conceded 7-minutes later to go in at the break, level.
Another Newcastle goal, early in the 2nd-half was enough to suffer the 2nd-loss in a row, leaving Southampton in 10th-place, with 35-points from 28-fixtures played.
Watford were also a team that have played twice this week. Unfortunately, succumbing to 2-defeats in a row against Arsenal and Wolves.
The result against the Gunners on Sunday could be construed as unlucky as the performance was quite good.
Despite the defeat by a narrow 3-2 scoreline, Hodgson’s Hornets were impressive with goals from Cucho and Moussa Sissoko almost earning a point.
Ben Foster hardly had to make a save and was unlucky with the 3-Arsenal goals that ultimately inflicted the defeat on Watford.
Following that fixture on Sunday, the Hornets headed to Molineux for the rearranged Game Week-19 affair against Wolves.
This should have taken place on Boxing Day and would have seen Claudio Ranieri still in charge but due to the Coronavirus situation, the Tinkerman had one less defeat on his Watford record.
As it was supposed to be a Boxing Day fixture, Roy took some gifts up for Bruno. The gifts being 3-points.
Wolves hammered Watford by a 4-0 score, 3-goals conceded before the half-time cup of tea and 1 in the 2nd-half. Watford remain in 19th-place with 19-points from the full 28-fixtures on offer.
Che Adams scored the only goal of the game, at Vicarage Rd, to give the Saints the away day victory by a 1-0 score.
Betfred offer Southampton at Odds On 8/13, the draw at 16/5 and 5/1 for Watford to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 10/3 that Armando Broja Scores First and 17/10 that Southampton Win To Nil.
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WEST HAM v ASTON VILLA
14.00 in England
West Ham could consider themselves unlucky against Liverpool in the late Saturday afternoon kickoff at Anfield.
Jurgen’s Reds scored in the 27th-minute to inflict the defeat on David’s Claret and Blues by a 1-0 score.
That didn’t tell the full story as the Hammers had chances throughout the game to at least come away with a point.
Unfortunately for the Bubble faithful Liverpool held on for the victory.
With Manchester United subsequently losing on Sunday, the Hammers missed the opportunity to leapfrog the Red Devil’s and actually dropped a place, following the weekend’s results.
West Ham sit 6th in the table with the same 45-points as Tottenham, from 28-fixtures played. Spurs have only completed 26.
Manchester United are 5th, with 47 but Arsenal have jumped above both, up to 4th with 48-points and have 3-extra games to play over the 2-United’s.
Aston Villa got one of the results of the weekend, comfortably getting the victory against Southampton on Saturday by a 4-0 scoreline.
Phillipe Coutinho was superb throughout, being instrumental in all of the goals including notching himself.
Ollie Watkins scored the 1st, Douglas Luiz added the 2nd before the break and then Mr Coutinho eventually got on the score sheet with the 3rd.
Danny Ings scored the 4th, still with over half an hour to play, to try and add more but none came.
Steven Gerrard has gone old school and plays a 4-4-2 formation having his 2-main Strikers, Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings, up top, with Phillipe Coutinho supplying the assists.
Following the convincing victory on Saturday, it was a rearranged fixture against Leeds United at Elland Rd on Thursday. A 1st-half goal from Phillipe Coutinho was the difference between the 2-teams, at the break.
Matty Cash and Callum Chambers scored in the 2nd-half to give Stevie G’s team the victory over Jesse M’s mob by a 3-0 away day score.
Aston Villa sit 9th in the table, with 36-points from 27-games played.
This was a Halloween nightmare for the Villains back in October, with the Hammers getting the away day victory by a 4-1 scoreline.
Ollie Watkins scored in between a Ben Johnson and Declan Rice goal to leave Aston Villa trailing at the break.
Things then got worse for the home team with Ezri Konsa receiving a Red Card early in the 2nd-half before goals from Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen gave West Ham a comfy win and the Bubbles a happy trip home.
Dean Smith didn’t last much longer after the Halloween Fright, overseeing 1-more game before heading for the concrete.
Betfred offer West Ham at 23/20, the draw at 5/2 and 13/5 for Aston Villa to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 5/1 that Michail Antonio Scores First and 11/5 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.
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ARSENAL v LEICESTER
16.30 in England
Sky Sports
Arsenal got a narrow victory on Sunday at Vicarage Rd, inflicting a defeat on Watford by a 3-2 score. Martin Odegaard opened the scoring which was quickly cancelled out by a Hornet equaliser.
Bukayo Saka added a 2nd, before the half-time cup of tea. After the break, Gabriel Martinelli scored a 3rd, which should have made the game secure.
Gabriel’s goal had an assist from Mikel Arteta, who quickly threw the ball to Bukayo to take a throw-in. Pep 2 was happy with that one.
Watford refused to give in and scored a late 2nd but luckily for the Gunners, time ran out and the 3-points were secured.
With Manchester United subsequently losing against Man City, Arsenal leapfrog United into 4th-place with 48-points, from 25-fixtures.
Both Manchester United and West Ham who sit below the Gunners, have played 28-times.
Chelsea, who are 3rd in the table, with 56-points, have played 2-games more than Arsenal and both have to meet at Stamford Bridge before the end of the campaign. Could Arsenal finish 3rd?
Mikel’s Men have the advantage of not playing in Europe so realistically could overtake Thomas’s Blue Engines, come the business end of the season.
Leicester themselves also got a narrow victory in the early Saturday afternoon kick-off, against a post-Marcelo Bielsa Leeds United.
Whilst the new look Whites put up a fight at the King Power Stadium, a Harvey Barnes strike in the 67th-minute was the difference between the two teams.
Leicester sit 12th in the table with the same 33-points as Crystal Palace and Brighton, however, the Foxes have played 2-games less than the Seagulls and 3-less than the Eagles.
Rod Stewart wasn’t happy, taking off his old Yellow Leeds United shirt with ‘Clarke’ and ‘9’ on the back and throwing it in the direction of Lennon the Puppy.
Although Rod’s old shirt is an away one, Leeds United used to play in Yellow but changed to White when Don Revie was the manager as the legendary gaffer, wanted his team to resemble Real Madrid.
At the minute, Leeds United resemble Ryhill Mablethorpe. Lennon, knowing the result had scarpered lively so the shirt landed in the empty dog basket.
The puppy kept out of Sir Roderick’s way, all of Saturday as things didn’t improve on the football front. Celtic’s fierce Glasgow rivals, Rangers had inflicted defeat on Aberdeen (who?) to go level on points at the top of the SPL.
It wasn’t until Sunday afternoon when hearing that Mr Stewart’s beloved Green and White Hoops had got a victory against Livingston (who?) Doctor one presumes, in the Scottish Pub League, re-establishing the 3-point advantage over the Teddy Bears.
Both had gained 3-points from victories in the previous midweek’s fixtures, with Celtic winning against St Mirren (who?) and Rangers doing the same against St Johnstone (who?).
Knowing that the Scottish Crooner would be in a better mood and the hope of some doggy treats in the offering, Lennon inched his wet nose around the living room door where Penny and Rod were sat down watching Peaky Blinders on the telly.
Rod got up and poured another glass of Pinot Grigio for the two of them whilst grabbing a handful of treats for the Pooch, who when gobbling the lot, gave off a faint noise that sounded like,
‘He’s Celtic, United but Brendan has decided that Leicester is the best place to be.’ Woof-Woof!
Gabriel and Emile Smith-Rowe scored for the Gunners before 20-minutes were up on the clock to stun the Foxes at the King Power Stadium.
With no further goals, Arsenal gained the victory by a 2-0 away day scoreline.
Betfred offer Arsenal at Odds On 8/15, the draw at 18/5 and 5/1 for Leicester to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 5/4 that Emile Smith-Rowe Scores Anytime and 9/5 that Jamie Vardy Scores Anytime.
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Monday 14th
CRYSTAL PALACE v MAN CITY
20.00 in England
Sky Sports
Patrick Vieira’s Eagles got a great victory at the weekend, inflicting a defeat on Wolves at Molineux by a 2-0 away day scoreline.
Jean-Phillipe Mateta opened the scoring midway through the 1st-half before Palace were awarded a penalty.
Wilfried Zaha rarely misses a spot-kick and neatly tucked the ball home, giving Patrick’s boys a comfortable lead at the break.
With no further goals, Palace held on for a great victory over a Wolves side that have slumped somewhat of late.
Crystal Palace sit 11th in the table, with the same 33-points as Leicester and Brighton but have played the full complement of 28-games, whereas the Seagulls and the Foxes have games in hand.
Man City inflicted a devastating defeat on the Numpty Neighbours on Sunday, with Pep’s High Flying Blues comfortably getting the victory over Ralph’s Roadsters by a 4-1 scoreline.
Kevin De Bruyne, who was outstanding over the 80-minutes that the Belgium was on the pitch, scored both goals to give City a lead at the break.
United had equalised City’s opener but in truth that was just a little setback that spurred the home team on.
KDB then set up Riyad Mahrez for the 3rd, before receiving a standing ovation from the Citizens when Pep allowed him a rest for the last 10-minutes. Kevin’s replacement, Ilkay Gundogan provided the assist for Riyad’s 2nd and City’s 4th.
The goal was initially ruled offside but after the dreaded VAR got involved, Mr Mahrez had his 2nd, in the 91st-minute, confirmed, inflicting a humiliating defeat on the Red side of Manchester.
United had beaten City at the Etihad in the previous 3-meetings but this time, once the teem sheet was handed in an hour before kick-off on Sunday, Pep’s High Flying Blues were never going to lose. Manchester United are simply not good enough.
One thing that went against the EveryTip mantra regarding John Stones, is City did concede when the Barnsley Stone was playing. Never mind, that will be reinstated next time.
Liverpool had reduced the gap at the top to 3-points, with a victory 24-hours earlier but Jurgen must have known that the odds of United winning were very high, 6/1 high, so following the victory in the Manchester Derby, Man City re-established the 6-point lead at the summit.
City have played the full complement of 28-fixtures, whereas Liverpool have only completed 27 and both have to play each other at the Etihad in April.
As mentioned earlier, John Newsome is sticking with Man City to win this season’s Premier League title.
Man City matched Liverpool and reached the Quarter-Final of the Champions League on Wednesday following a goalless draw against Sporting Lisbon at the Emptyhad.
That was the 2nd-leg of the tie, in the 1st-leg, City got the comfortable victory, over in Portugal, by a 5-0 scoreline.
John Stones started for Man City!
A note to mention regarding this year’s European Competitions, the away-goal rule that has been in existence since time began, no longer applies.
This means, for example, if Sporting had got the victory in Manchester on Wednesday by a 6-1 scoreline, the tie would have finished 6-6 on aggregate but because the Portuguese club had scored more away goals, then Sporting Lisbon would have progressed.
That no longer applies and the game would have gone to a penalty shootout. This new law is definitely an improvement.
Crystal Palace are one of two teams that have beaten Man City, with Pep’s High Flying Blues losing 3-times this term.
Most will be scratching their heads now thinking, ‘2-teams but 3-defeats??’
That’s because Tottenham, have beaten Man City twice, both home and away.
At the Etihad in October, Wilfried Zaha scored after 6-minutes, with Conor Gallagher adding a 2nd in the 88th, to give Patrick Vieira’s Eagles a stunning away day victory by a 2-0 scoreline.
Aymeric Laporte was shown a straight Red Card just before the half-time whistle, leaving City with 10-men for the entire 2nd-half.
Betfred offer Crystal Palace at 9/1, the draw at 9/2 and slight Odds On 1/3 for Man City to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/10 that Raheem Sterling Scores Anytime and slight Odds On 10/11 that Man City Score in Both Halves.
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