EPL Game Week 3 – 2023/24 Season Premier League Tips – John Newsome

John Newsome Football Betting Tips - everytip

The highlight games for this weekend’s action are ARSENAL versus FULHAM and MANCHESTER UNITED versus NOTTINGHAM FOREST. Our feature columnist, John Newsome previews these and all game week 3 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-3

Friday 25th

CHELSEA v LUTON

20.00 in England

Sky Sports

After outplaying Liverpool in the season opener, the Chelsea Blues must have been excited about the season ahead.

That excitement quickly drained away on Sunday afternoon as the faithful trudged out of the London Stadium following a defeat against West Ham by a 3-1 scoreline.

After the Hammers had scored first, Carney Chukwuemeka, equalised for Chelsea that should have allowed Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues to kick on.

Raheem Sterling was upended on the 18-yard line resulting in a Chelsea penalty.

Although on the line, for the record, that’s deemed as inside the box, so a spot-kick is awarded.

In Cricket, on the line is deemed outside, therefore the rules are different in different sports.

Also, it’s seldom one will see a two-footed tackle in Cricket.

Enzo Fernandez, who was down to take the 5th penalty in the World Cup Final against France last December but wasn’t needed, decided that he was having the kick against West Ham.

Unfortunately, for the Blues, Enzo had his tame spot-kick saved by Alphonse Areola.

That sort of knocked the stuffing out of Chelsea who capitulated in the 2nd-half, conceding a further 2 goals and ultimately suffering the defeat.

The most expensive player in English Football, Moises Caceido, came on for the Blues in the 60th minute to showcase his Midfield General skills.

This included conceding a penalty in the 93rd minute, giving the Hammers a 3rd-goal.

Money (£115 Million) well spent!

West Ham did play the final 23 minutes with 10 men after Nayef Aguerd was sent off.

Romeo Lavia has joined Chelsea also and should feature tonight, probably coming on from the bench.

All in all, Mr Pochettino will not be happy with that game and will want a positive response against the New Boys from Kenilworth Rd.

Speaking of Kenilworth Rd, the home of Luton Town, is now open for business following work done on the Ground to meet Premier League requirements, which prevented last weekend’s Game Week-2 fixture against Burnley from taking place.

That will mean that Rob Edward and his Hatters Boys will be chomping at the bit to get back to the action even if it is against the West London Billionaires and should be up for this Friday Night Football.

These two haven’t played each other in the Premier League and last exchanged swords in the Top Flight back in the old First Division in December 1991.

Luton gained a victory by a 2-0 score.

In the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge that took place earlier in August of 1991, it was another home win with the Blues gaining the 3 points from a 4-1 scoreline.

The two have actually met in the last two seasons of the FA Cup with Thomas’s Blue Engines and Frank Lampard’s Chelsea both gaining the victory over Nathan Jones Luton.

Nathan hasn’t been gone too long!

Betfred offer Chelsea at Odds On 1/5, the draw at 11/2 and 12/1 for Luton to come away with all 3-points.

Betfred offer 4/1 that Raheem Sterling Scores First and slight Odds On 9/10 that Chelsea Win To Nil.

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Saturday 26th

BOURNEMOUTH v TOTTENHAM

12.30 in England

TNT Sport

Bournemouth took the lead against Liverpool on Saturday when Antoine Semenyo scored in the 3rd minute.

Unfortunately for Andoni Iraola’s Cherries, despite having a man extra for 30 minutes, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds gained the victory at Anfield by a 3-1 score.

Tottenham put in a superb display against a poor Manchester United on Saturday, with a strike by Papa Sarr and a Lisandro Martinez own goal giving Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs the victory by a 2-0 score.

Ange never lost a game at Celtic Park whilst in charge of the Green and White Hoops and continued the home form record for Spurs at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium.

Tottenham are still unbeaten from the 2 outings, joining 6 other clubs without a defeat, which is all the LilyWhite faithful can ask for.

In last season’s encounter at the Vitality, Antonio Conte’s Spurs gained the narrow victory in a 5-goal thriller.

Kieffer Moore opened the scoring after 22 minutes to give the home team a lead at the break.

Big Kieffer then added his and Bournemouth’s 2nd just after the restart before Tottenham started a comeback.

Goals by Ryan Sessegnon, Ben Davies and Rodrigo Bentancur gave Spurs the victory by a 3-2 scoreline.

Betfred offer Bournemouth at 13/5, the draw at 11/4 and slight Odds On 19/20 for Tottenham to come away with all 3-points.

Betfred offer 3/1 that Philip Billing Scores Anytime and 11/8 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.

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ARSENAL v FULHAM

15.00 in England

Arsenal are 2 wins from 2 so far, following the victory from the Monday Night Football against Crystal Palace, joining Brighton and Man City with a 100% record.

Martin Odegaard scored the solitary winning goal for the Gunners, early in the 2nd-half to give Arsenal all 3 points.

Takehiro Tomiyasu was then shown 2 Yellow Cards in the space of 7 minutes, plus the resulting Red, to put the kettle on for the rest of the team at full-time.

So in theory, to get an away night victory, whilst having a man sent off, is a great result for Mikel Arteta and his Young Guns.

Declan Rice had a great game against Palace showing just why Arsenal have paid so much for the ex-Bubble.

Marco Silva wasn’t happy with the referee (he never is!) when Tim Ream, not only gave away a penalty against Brentford on Saturday but was also sent off.

The Cottagers had already conceded a goal, then the penalty was despatched, with a 3rd Bees goal late on, giving the away team the victory by a 3-0 score.

Aleksandar Mitrovic is no longer a Cottager, having finally sealed his Big Money Move to Saudi Arabia, joining the Brazilian Superstar Neymar, plus N’s mates, Michael and Malcolm at Al-Hilal, along with his fellow Serb, Sergej Milinković-Savić.

Cause you can!

Good luck to the A-H Manager, Jorge Jesus, for having Big Mit and Neymar in the Squad.

These two Londoners actually met at the Emirates almost 12 months ago to the day on the 27th of August 2022, in a Game Week-4 encounter.

After a goalless 1st-half, goals from Martin Odegaard and Gabriel gave Arsenal the narrow victory by a 2-1 scoreline.

Aleksandar Mitrovic had scored to give Fulham the lead just after the restart.

In the last 10 Premier League fixtures between these two clubs, Arsenal have a record of 8 Wins, 2 Draws and 0 Losses.

It was January 2012 when the Cottagers last gained a victory over the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta played in the fixture.

Another Gunner in the lineup was Theo Walcott, who has just announced his retirement from football at the ripe old age of 34.

All the best for the future Theo.

Betfred offer Arsenal at Odds On 2/9, the draw at 5/1 and 12/1 for Fulham to come away with all 3-points.

Betfred offer 5/1 that Bukayo Saka Scores First and 7/4 that a Penalty is awarded.

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BRENTFORD v CRYSTAL PALACE

15.00 in England

Brentford got the away day victory at Molineux against Wolves on Saturday, with goals by Yoane Wissa and a double from Bryan Mbeumo, 1 being a converted penalty, giving Thomas Frank’s Bees the sting in Gary O’Neil’s Wolves tail.

That’s Big Bryan’s 3rd goal from the 2 openers, with the lad joining Brighton’s Solly March at the Top of the Goal Scoring Charts, 1 ahead of Erling Haaland.

Brentford are part of the Premier League 7, of whom are all unbeaten from the opening 2 fixtures.

Crystal Palace did put in a shift against Arsenal on Monday but a Rice Rice Baby super display and a single Gunners goal was the difference between Roy Hodgson and his young counterpart, Mikel Arteta, leaving Palace with a defeat from a 1-0 scoreline.

The talk was Michael Olise was off to Stamford Bridge with Chelsea activating a £35 Million release clause, however, that all changed last week when Young Michael signed a new 4-year contract at Selhurst Park, which the Eagle Ultras are ecstatic about.

In February 2023, at the GTech Stadium, Vitaly Janelt scored a 96th-minute equaliser to earn Thomas Frank’s Bees a point against Patrick Vieira’s Eagles from a 1-1 scoreline.

Eberechi Eze had scored to give Palace a lead midway through the 2nd-half.

Betfred offer Brentford at Evens 1/1, the draw at 12/5 and 11/4 for Crystal Palace to come away with all 3-points.

Betfred offer 7/4 that Bryan Mbeumo Scores Anytime and 21/10 that Brentford Score In Both Halves.

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EVERTON v WOLVES

15.00 in England

Everton have now suffered a defeat in their first 2 fixtures of the last 3 campaigns, following Sunday’s loss against Aston Villa by a 4-0 score.

Sean Dyche is already under pressure, with his set of Toffees sat in the relegation zone, along with Wolves, Burnley, Luton and Sheffield United, all having Nil Points.

Burnley and Luton have only played 1 fixture, so that could offer up false statistics.

It’s early days yet but the Everton hierarchy won’t want to let the team slide too much and will monitor Sean’s performances over the next few weeks, so it wouldn’t be such a surprise if the Gravel Voiced Gingerbread Man gets the hook before October.

Wolves, join today’s hosts at the foot of the table, with both teams struggling to score.

Hwang-Hee Chan did manage a goal for the Gold and Blacks against Brighton on Saturday, however, the 4 that were conceded by Wolves, ultimately resulted in back-to-back defeats for the Molineux outfit.

This could easily end up in a Nil-Nil scoreline today.

It was Boxing Day last year when Wolves last ventured up the M6 to Goodison Park with Julen Lopetegui’s Gold and Blacks taking on Frank Lampard’s Everton.

It was the Gold and Blacks who gained the post-Christmas points over the Blues by a 2-1 away day score.

Yerry Mina scored first before Daniel Podence equalised to take both teams in level at the break.

Rayan Ait Nouri scored the Wolves’ winner in the 95th minute to knock the Turkey and Stuffing out of the Blue Scousers.

Betfred offer Everton at 13/10, the draw at 23/10 and 21/10 for Wolves to come away with all 3-points.

Betfred offer 2/1 that there are Under 1.5 Goals and 13/2 and 8/1 for a 1-0 Scoreline for Either Team.

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***Premier League Team of the Week***

GOALKEEPER- Aaron Ramsdale- Arsenal

RIGHT-BACK- Pedro Porro- Tottenham

CENTRE-BACK- Nayef Aguerd- West Ham

CENTRE-BACK- Ethan Pinnock- Brentford

LEFT-BACK- Andy Robertson- Liverpool

MIDFIELDER- Martin Odegaard- Arsenal

MIDFIELDER- Kaoru Mitoma- Brighton

MIDFIELDER- Yoane Wissa- Brentford

FORWARD- Bryan Mbeumo- Brentford

FORWARD- Phil Foden- Man City

FORWARD- Julian Alvarez- Man City

STAR MAN- Phil Foden- Man City

MANCHESTER UNITED v NOTTINGHAM FOREST

15.00 in England

‘One step forward and two steps back!’

That’s Manchester United at the minute.

In truth, the one step forward is more sideways following the turgid display against Wolves in the opener that did produce a victory but it was a laboured affair.

Brighton showed at the weekend how good Wolves are at the moment.

In Saturday’s display against Tottenham at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium, United suffered a defeat by a 2-0 away day score, with Lisandro Martinez having a shocker, scoring one of the Spurs goals.

A lot of players, solely rely on one foot to kick the ball, with Lisandro being no exception and as the Spurs attacker took a shot that was going wide, the Argentinian couldn’t get his Left Foot into line and sliced the ball with his Right Foot into the back of the United goal.

Daniel Day-Lewis wasn’t happy either!

Speaking of players who can’t kick with 2 feet, how bad is Antony?

The Brazilian doesn’t even attempt to use his Right Peg, which is simply disgraceful in this modern era.

Most will now be screaming,

‘Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona only used Daniel’s favourite foot!’

Which, whilst correct, both of those two were exceptional players who can and could use their Right Foot but chose not to.

Antony, just can’t, leaving the lad woefully short of talent.

Erik Ten Hag obviously sees something in the Brazilian but for the life of this EveryTip contributor, John Newsome just can’t see what he offers to United.

Granted it’s only 2 games in and once the Transfer Window closes on the 1st, Manchester United may have a different lineup but here’s one’s assessment of the team so far.

Andre Onana- too early to call but looks like a decent player and despite the respect that should be given to David De Gea, a new Goalkeeper was needed to re-energise the team.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka- is not good enough and won’t help United progress, Benjamin Pavard would have but the lad fancies Pasta at Inter rather than Pies From Manchester.

Raphael Varane- again, needs to be respected for what has gone before but is 30 now and whilst is a Rolls Royce of a player, is more of the Vintage type than the new models.

The past is our knowledge, the present our mistake but the future is always left too late!

Lisandro Martinez- good player but is ‘good’ good enough to overhaul the other teams at the summit?

Daniel Day-Lewis doesn’t think so.

Luke Shaw- another Left Foot Wonder but it’s wondered whether Pep Guardiola would have LS as part of his High Flying Blues.

Casemiro- again, a class player but more Bargain Hunt Class than Nouveau Art Style and needs some help in the Midfield.

Real Madrid don’t allow Galacticos to leave, they let Past-it-cos to say Adios.

Again, the past is our knowledge, the present our mistake but the future is always left too late!

James Ward-Prowse would have been ideal for United at the side of Cassie.

Giving the Brazilian the legs, allowing Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount to do their thing.

Mason Mount- refer to the above, good little player but Chelsea let Eminem leave for a reason and MM has struggled to regain his England place where he was a Gareth Southgate favourite.

Bruno Fernandes- as Freddie Mercury would sing, ‘Another one bites the dust!’

Captain Bruno seems to be on the decline but is it because of the players at the side of him or is he the player at the side of others?

Needs to do more than the odd Rabona, although it was a sublime pass to Marcus Rashford in the Tottenham fixture that Marcus should have headed home.

Antony- no!

Alejandro Garnacho- as the Manchester Stick Thrower says,

‘Sounds like a Mexican Snack and plays like a Mexican Cat!’

The new Federico Macheda.

And finally,

Marcus Rashford- no doubt has the ability but strangely after scoring for fun last season hasn’t scored this term, oddly enough, after signing a new lucrative 5-year contract at Old Trafford for a reported £325,000 a week (a week!)

Again to reference the MST (Manchester Stick Thrower) when he’s stating the obvious and very annoying,

‘Just Saying!’

Jadon Sancho should be in for Antony!

As for the rest outside of the starting eleven, against Tottenham on Saturday, Anthony Martial came on!

God loves Trier!

However, if Erik Ten Bob is the New Messiah at Old Trafford, then bringing Tony Marshall on as an 85th-minute substitute will see that title quickly diminish.

Manchester United need to do some business before the 2nd of September or the New Messiah might just be the New Accrington Stanley Manager in a few months.

Accrington Stanley, who are they?

Exactly!

‘Sheikh Jassim is set to complete a full £6 Billion takeover of Manchester United by mid-October and his team is currently completing due diligence on the club.’

Ok, one will believe that when it happens.

Nottingham Forest come into the game following a victory against Sheffield United last Friday Night.

Taiwo Awoniyi scored the opener before Forest conceded a Sheffield equaliser just after the restart.

With time running out, Chris Wood notched the winner to give the Tricky Trees the points from a 2-1 score.

Steve Cooper’s Boys are 1 of 6 teams who have a win and a loss from the opening 2 games, with United being amongst the others.

So the faithful won’t be worried about the trip to Old Trafford and will be in full voice singing the regular ditty,

‘Mull of Kintyre!’

Having not faced each other since 1999, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest squared up 4 times last season, with United gaining the victory in all 4 games.

At Old Trafford, in the Premier League, just after Christmas, goals by Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Fred gave the home team the points from a 3-0 score.

The tie in the Carabao Cup, a couple of weeks later, at the City Ground, finished by the same scoreline to United, then in the 2nd-leg of that Semi-Final and in the reverse Premier League fixture at the City Ground the score was 2-0 in favour of Erik’s Red Devils.

Betfred offer Manchester United at Odds On 3/10, the draw at 9/2 and 17/2 for Nottingham Forest to come away with all 3-points.

Betfred offer 16/5 that Marcus Rashford Scored First and 5/2 that Taiwo Awoniyi
Scores Anytime.

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BRIGHTON v WEST HAM

17.30 in England

Sky Sports

‘Top, top, top, top, top of the league!’

That’s the terrace tune that the Seagull fans are throwing out there at the moment following Saturday’s win against Wolves at Molineux.

A superb individual goal by Kaoru Mitoma started off proceedings before goals by Pervis Estupinan and a brace from Solly March, all before 55 minutes were up on the clock, gave Brighton back-to-back victories by the same 4-1 scoreline.

Wolves scored a consolation goal on the hour mark, then saw the unfortunate Matheus Nunes receive a 2nd-Yellow card in the 95th minute and the ultimate Red, to beat his mates into the showers.

There are now only 3 teams that have a 100% record, Brighton, Man City and Arsenal, so the 8 goals scored and just 2 conceded leaves Roberto De Zerbi’s Blue and Whites at the summit of the fledgling Premier League Table.

This should be a great game for the Seagulls and the Bubbles in attendance and the watching fans in general at home.

The Hammers faithful head to Brighton for the Bank Holiday Weekend, reminiscent of a scene from the film Quadrophenia, which coincidentally starred the great actor Ray Winstone, who is a massive Bubble fan.

West Ham gained a brilliant victory over Chelsea on Sunday, despite conceding a penalty and being reduced to 10 men for the final 23 minutes when Nayef Aguerd received a 2nd-Yellow card and the subsequent Red to put the kettle on for the full-time cup of tea.

Nayef had started the game well by scoring the opener for the Hammers from a James Ward-Prowse assist.

A quick note regarding James’ transfer to West Ham, having seen Manchester United perform in a tiresome defeat against Tottenham on Saturday evening, why did Erik Ten Hag not go in for the England lad?

Regular viewers will know John Newsome’s admiration for JWP who would have fitted in perfectly at the side of Casemiro.

Anyways, moving on, James Ward-Prowse is now a West Ham player and it’s the ex-Manchester United Manager David Moyes that will reap the rewards, not Erik Ten Bob!

The Hammers conceded a Chelsea equaliser when Tomas Soucek hacked down Raheem Sterling in the penalty area, to gift the away team a chance to go in at the break in front.

Fortunately, for the watching Bubbles, Alphonse Areola saved the tame kick.

It was then West Ham who were the more dominant team after the interval with Michail Antonio scoring from another JWP assist and a late Lucas Paqueta converted penalty giving the Hammers the victory over the Blues by a 3-1 score.

Lucas is still a West Ham player at the moment but that could change over the course of the next few days up to the 1st of September when the Transfer Window ‘slams shut’ as the media likes to say.

However, the Brazilian may have his dream move to Man City scuppered due to being under investigation for alleged betting breaches.

There has been some suspicious activity on the BetWay gambling company, which just happens to be one of the sponsors of West Ham.

The main suspicion seems to centre around Yellow Cards.

Lucas did pick up a card on Sunday in the 35th minute that followed the Yellow collected in the 94th minute against Bournemouth from the Game Week-1 encounter.

There is always speculation when incidents like this occur, that get magnified when Inspector Social Media gets involved.

At the moment, Lucas is assumed innocent until proven guilty but Man City may just stay clear in this Window and see what develops.

Brighton hammered West Ham by a 4-0 score at the Amex last season.

An Alexis Mac Allister converted penalty gave the Seagulls a lead at the break.

Goals from Joel Veltman, Kaoru Mitoma and Danny Welbeck in the 2nd-half gave Roberto De Zerbi’s Blues the points over David Moyes Boys.

Betfred offer Brighton at Odds On 1/2, the draw at 7/2 and 5/1 for West Ham to come away with all 3-points.

Betfred offer 3/1 that Pascal Gross Scores Anytime and 8/5 that Jarrod Bowen Scores Anytime.

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Sunday 27th

BURNLEY v ASTON VILLA

14.00 in England

The Burnley players and staff, like the Luton entourage, will be chomping at the bit also, having missed the Game Week-2 affair.

It’s fair to say that Vincent’s Boys have got the hardest fixture out of the way in the opener against Man City, where Burnley suffered a defeat by a 3-0 score.

That shouldn’t be dwelled on too much as most, if not all, will lose against Pep’s High Flying Blues, at some point this season.

Aston Villa come into this fixture off the back of a brilliant victory against Everton at Villa Park by a 4-0 home score.

John McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Leon Bailey and Jhon Duran with the goals, Douglas’s being a penalty.

Mr Duran’s first name is spelt Jhon not like mine, John.

That was following an opening day defeat against Newcastle which it could be argued that following Tyrone Mings being injured early on, Villa became disorganised.

Unai Emery got the lads back on track for the game against a poor set of Toffees and joined the group of 6 who have a loss and a win from Game Weeks 1 and 2.

It was May 2022, when Aston Villa last ventured up the road to Turf Moor.

Both were under the guidance of different Managers with Michael Jackson at the temporary helm of the Claret and Blues and Steven Gerrard in charge of the other Claret and Blues.

It was the away team that inflicted a devastating defeat on the home team by a 3-1 score.

Danny Ings, Emiliano Buendia and Ollie Watkins with the Villa goals.

Maxwell Cornet scored a late consolation for Burnley.

Due to the Coronavirus situation, the fixture at Villa Park was originally postponed and took place a fortnight after the game at Turf Moor which finished in a draw by a 1-1 score.

Burnley were eventually relegated a few weeks later.

Betfred offer Burnley at 23/10, the draw at 13/5 and 11/10 for Aston Villa to come away with all 3-points.

Betfred offer 9/2 that Ollie Watkins Scores First and 12/5 that Aston Villa Win To Nil.

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SHEFFIELD UNITED v MAN CITY

14.00 in England

Sky Sports

A beautiful goal by Gustavo Hamer put the Blades level against the Tricky Trees on Friday, however, Sheffield United conceded a late goal to suffer a defeat against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground by a 2-1 score.

That leaves Paul Heckingbottoms Steels in a group of 5 teams at the foot of the Premier League with Nil Points from 2 losses.

Burnley and Luton are amongst those 5, including Everton and Wolves, however, the Clarets and the Hatters have only been out once.

A long way to go yet and Sheffield United have brought in Cameron Archer from Aston Villa a fee of around £18 Million.

Cameron did score a few in the Championship last season, whilst on loan at Middlesbrough.

In February 2023, when Sheffield United hosted Middlesbrough, Young Cameron scored twice at Bramall Lane with ‘Boro gaining a victory over the Blades by a 3-1 away day score, so the lad will be welcomed with open arms by the Blunts.

James from Swinton, nowhere near Bramall Lane will be out early, down Spoons for a few pints, with his Blunt shirt and his Rattle, excited to see some goals, albeit going past the Blades ‘Keeper.

It’s the Bank Holiday too, which means Little Jimbo will be having a few scoops and dancing naked in the streets when he gets home, knowing there’s no Toyota to try and fix on Monday.

Good Luck Blunts!

Whilst this next statement might sound far-fetched and outlandish, Man City could have effectively sealed the 2023/24 Premier League campaign late on Saturday Night, following the victory against Newcastle by a 1-0 score.

Julian Alvarez getting the only goal of the game.

Not many teams will gain a win over the Magpies this term so to already register one early on in proceedings, could have a significant impact on retaining the Title.

That leaves, Pep’s High Flying Blues, Mikel’s Young Guns and Roberto’s Chip Nickers as the only teams out of the 20 to register 2 wins from 2.

John Newsome is putting this out, that Man City could quite easily go through the season without losing.

Again another Big Statement but after watching City in recent games, there doesn’t appear to be any negatives.

Mateo Kovacic has come in for Kevin De Bruyne and whilst the Manchester Stick Thrower doesn’t share the same opinion as John, stating that Mateo is

‘no KDB!’

That can be quickly followed up with,

‘who is?’

Mr Kovacic is still a class player and plays in a different way than Mr De Bruyne but with Roadie Rodri at his side, City have the best Midfield in the league, added to that, Mateo did make a great pass to Phil Foden, who then set up Julian Alvarez for the goal against Newcastle.

That one’s for you, Stick Thrower!

One person who won’t be in Sheffield today is Pep Guardiola, as the boss is having an operation on his back and will be out of action for a couple of weeks.

Get well soon Josep!

It was October 2020 when Man City last went across the Snake Pass to face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Due to the Coronavirus situation, the Lane was empty, unable to have any spectators, which was a bit of a shame, as it was the ex-Sheffield United lad Kyle Walker who scored the solitary winning goal in Man City’s victory by a 1-0 score.

Surely a full crowd would have all joyously celebrated the homecoming legends’ goal.

If one remembers, Pep’s High Flying Blues faced Paul’s Steel City Blades at Wembley in April, for the Semi-Final of the FA Cup, which City prevailed gaining a victory by a 3-0 scoreline to progress to the Final and the eventual Treble.

Betfred offer Sheffield United at 16/1, the draw at 13/2 and Odds On 1/7 for Man City to come away with all 3-points.

Betfred offer 6/5 that Julian Alvarez Scores Anytime and slight Odds On 4/6 that Man City Win To Nil.

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NEWCASTLE v LIVERPOOL

16.30 in England

Newcastle join the group who have a win and a loss following Saturday’s narrow defeat away at the Emirates against Man City.

In a close affair, a 1st-half Man City goal on the half-hour mark was the difference between the two.

Eddie Howe just needs to put that to bed as most will lose against the current Champions.

Liverpool are in a separate group of 4 that have 4 points from a draw and a win following Saturday’s game against Bournemouth at Anfield.

The Cherries did take the lead after 3 minutes but that was like a Red Rag to a Bull, just spurring the home team into action.

Luis Diaz scored the 1st Liverpool goal, then Mo Salah added the 2nd after Dominik Szoboszlai had been fouled in the area and a penalty awarded.

It was a penalty, however, Dominik’s new name in the Reds dressing room, is Tom Daley!

Mo actually had his penalty saved but the ball came straight back to the Egyptian King who wasn’t going to miss twice and tapped home.

Alexis Mac Allister was shown a straight Red Card after 58 minutes but in the opinion of most, the Red was a bit harsh and has subsequently been rescinded.

Diogo Jota added a 3rd after the Red Card, to give Liverpool all 3 points from a 3-1 scoreline.

This will be a tougher ask against the Magpies who will still be wounded from losing against Man City.

Despite finishing above Liverpool last season, it was Jurgen’s Reds who gained a Double over Eddie’s Black and Whites in the Premier League.

The game at St James Park finished with a victory for Liverpool by a 2-0 scoreline.

If one remembers, the Newcastle Goalkeeper Nick Pope was shown a straight Red Card after 22 minutes for wildly running out of the area and handling the ball.

Most will think, no wonder Liverpool went on to score twice against 10 men Newcastle and get the win, however, the Darwin Nunez and Coady Gakpo goals were scored before Nick was sent off, so in theory, the Magpies did well with 10 men to not concede.

Liverpool gained the victory at Anfield earlier in the campaign by a 2-1 score, with the Reds winner, controversially scored in the 99th minute (99th!)

Betfred offer Newcastle at 23/20, the draw at 11/4 and 2/1 for Liverpool to come away with all 3-points.

Betfred offer 7/2 that Callum Wilson Scores First and 11/10 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.

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