The highlight games for the 3rd week of EPL matches are MANCHESTER UNITED versus BURNLEY and LIVERPOOL versus ARSENAL. 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.
Be sure to check out John’s new book, entitled “Three Days At Anfield“, a riotous and heartfelt tribute to Barnsley FC that blends football nostalgia, fan memoir, and a love letter to the beautiful game. Available on Amazon now.
Please note all prices quoted below were correct at the time of publication.
Game Week-3
Saturday 30th
CHELSEA v FULHAM
12.30 in England
TNT Sports
Chelsea hammered West Ham at the London Stadium on Friday Night Football, inflicting a devastating defeat on the home team by a 5-1 scoreline.
West Ham did score first but that just kicked Enzo’s Blues into gear with Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez scoring before the half-time interval and Moises Caceido and Trevoh Chalobah adding 4 and 5 in the 2nd-half.
It was a much better performance than the one against Crystal Palace last time out, however, saying that, West Ham were shocking and at the moment, most teams will beat the Hammers on current form.
Whilst a lot don’t like to give league positions so early in the campaign, this EveryTip column does and who doesn’t want to see a league standing, regardless of how many games have been played?
The win lifts Chelsea to 4th in the table with the same 4 points as Nottingham Forest from the opening 2 games.
Fulham gained a creditable point from a draw against Manchester United at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
After conceding an own goal and trailing on the hour mark, with the unfortunate Rodrigo Muniz deflecting a header past Bernd Leno, Emile Smith-Rowe scored a brilliant equaliser in the 73rd minute.
With no further goals, both teams gained a point apiece from a 1-1 score.
The scoreline could have been different when Fulham conceded a 1st-half penalty after Calvin Bassey hauled down Mason Mount.
Fortunately for the Cottagers, Bruno Fernandes blasted the ball over the bar and into the Thames.
The point from Fulham’s back-to-back 1-1 draw, leaves Marco’s boys in 13th place with the same 2 points as Crystal Palace from the opening 2 games.
It was Boxing Day 2024, when Fulham made the short journey over West London to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Marco Silva’s Cottagers took home the post-Christmas present of 3 points following a victory over Enzo Maresca’s Blues by a 2-1 away day score.
Cole Palmer scored first to give Chelsea a lead at the break.
Fulham left it late to get the win with goals from Harry Wilson in the 82nd minute and then Rodrigo Muniz scoring the winner in the 95th to give Marco’s Boys all 3-points.
Happy Christmas.
Betfred offer Chelsea at Odds On 1/2, the Draw at 16/5 and 5/1 for Fulham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 4/1 that Cole Palmer Scores First and 6/5 that Chelsea Score in Both Halves.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Home Win 3-1- Get 11/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
MANCHESTER UNITED v BURNLEY
15.00 in England
A rare 3 PM kickoff for the Red Devil faithful to attend at Old Trafford.
Let’s hope the trains from London are not delayed or cancelled.
Manchester United gained a point from a draw by a 1-1 score against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
After being awarded a 1st-half penalty when Mason Mount was mauled in the box, the usually reliable Bruno Fernandes blasted the ball over the bar and into the Thames River.
The score remained goalless until the 58th minute when a Leny Yoro header was deflected off a Fulham player into the net giving United the lead.
Unfortunately for the travelling Red Devils who some had only ventured across London to watch, Fulham scored an equaliser with around 15 minutes to go and with no further goals both teams gained a point apiece.
Although this season’s Ruben Amorim United team appears to be better than last season’s, the results don’t show that, with a loss and a draw from the opening 2 games leaving United in 16th place with 1 point.
Newcastle, Aston Villa and Brighton also have 1 point.
In last week’s column, the following tips were offered up by John Newsome and whilst not every tip can come in, if it wasn’t for Bruno smashing the ball into the Thames when taking a 1st-half awarded penalty, then these would have earned somebody a few quid.
‘Betfred offer 7/1 that Bruno Fernandes Scores First and 2/1 that Manchester United Score in Both Halves.’
‘Away Win 1-2- Get 15/2′
Cheers Bruno!
Burnley gained a brilliant victory over the fellow newly promoted side Sunderland at Turf Moor on Saturday.
After being outplayed by Tottenham the week before and Sunderland smashing 3 past West Ham, it was assumed that the Clarets would have a difficult afternoon against the Black Cats, however, not the case.
Goals from Josh Cullen and Jaidon Anthony gave Scott Parker’s Burnley the victory over Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland by a 2-0 home scoreline.
Burnley sit in 10th place along with a number of clubs who have 3 points from the opening 2 games completed.
It was April 2024 when Vincent Kompany’s Clarets last visited Old Trafford to face Erik Ten Hag’s United.
Both teams shared the points from a draw by a 1-1 score, with Antony getting the United goal in the 79th minute and Zeki Amdouni equalising for Burnley in the 88th.
Betfred offer Manchester United at Odds On 3/10, the Draw at 4/1 and 8/1 for Burnley to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 5/1 that Bryan Mbeumo Scores First and 21/20 that Manchester United Win To Nil.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Home Win 2-0- Get 11/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
SUNDERLAND v BRENTFORD
15.00 in England
As mentioned in the previous preview, it was assumed that Sunderland would get a victory over Burnley on Saturday following both of the newly promoted teams’ opening games.
However, not to be as the Black Cats suffered an away day defeat against the Clarets by a 2-0 scoreline, so it’s back to the drawing board for Regis Le Bris for this visit of Brentford.
Sunderland, like Brentford sit with several teams who have 3 points from the opening 2 fixtures, sitting 7th purely on goal difference.
Brentford sit 11th with the same 3 points as 6 other clubs following Saturday’s superb victory over Aston Villa at the GTech Stadium.
A single goal from the new Bee Dango Ouattara gave Brentford the points from a 1-0 scoreline and gave Keith Andrews his 1st win as the Brentford Boss.
It was February 2018 when Brentford last ventured North to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
That was a Championship affair with Dean Smith’s Bees gaining an away day victory over Chris Coleman’s Black Cats by a 2-0 score.
Kamohelo Mokotjo and Neal Maupay with the Brentford goals, both scored in the 1st-half.
Betfred offer Sunderland at 7/4, the Draw at 11/5 and 6/4 for Brentford to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 9/1 that Simon Adingra Scores First and 10/3 that Kevin Schade Scores Anytime.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Draw 1-1- Get 11/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
TOTTENHAM v BOURNEMOUTH
15.00 in England
Tottenham assumed that the Crystal Palace main man Eberechi Eze was heading to North London to join, however, Eberechi’s car whilst in North London, turned into the Emirates with Double E subsequently signing for Arsenal.
Ouch!
The pain of missing out on Eberechi Eze wasn’t on show in the performance against Man City at the Etihad on Saturday.
Tottenham were sensational against City, gaining an away win by a 2-0 scoreline.
Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha with the 1st-half goals.
Thomas Frank did a number on Pep Guardiola setting up his Spurs team to press, press, press which caused all sorts of problems for the home team.
One could say that Tottenham out-Man City’d City.
The victory leaves Tottenham behind Arsenal at the summit of the Premier League table both with 6 points from the opening 2 games but with the Gunners having a slightly better (1) goal difference.
Liverpool also have 6 points but have conceded more goals so sit in 3rd.
Thomas Frank will find out on Thursday who Tottenham’s opponents are in this season’s Champions League-League Phase, however, on current form, all connected with Spurs won’t be too worried about many teams.
Bournemouth gained a narrow victory over Wolves on Saturday with a Marcus Tavernier goal in the 1st-half giving Andoni Iraola’s Cherries the points from a 1-0 scoreline.
Like 6 other teams, Bournemouth have 3 points from the opening 2 games and currently sit in 9th place in the very early Premier League table.
Both teams shared the points from a draw by a 2-2 score when Tottenham hosted Bournemouth last season.
Marcus Tavernier scored the Cherries’ opener to give Bournemouth a lead at the break.
Evanilson then scored a 2nd for Bournemouth just after the hour mark.
That seemed to kick Tottenham into life with Papa Matar Sarr immediately pulling a goal back.
Son Heung-Min converted a penalty in the 84th minute and with no further goals both teams gained a point apiece from the Archbishop’s favourite scoreline.
Betfred offer Tottenham at Odds On 8/11, the Draw at 11/4 and 16/5 for Bournemouth to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 13/2 that Brennan Johnson Scores First and 3/1 that Antoine Semenyo Scores Anytime.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Home Win 2-1- Get 7/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
WOLVES v EVERTON
15.00 in England
Wolves are now just one of only two teams that haven’t registered a point from the opening 2 games, following Saturday’s defeat against Bournemouth at the Vitality by a single 1-0 scoreline.
West Ham being the other.
Wolves sit in 19th place with the same Nil Points as the Hammers but a place above purely because of not conceding as many goals.
Everton christened their brand new Hill Dickinson Stadium with a superb victory over Brighton on Sunday.
Jack Grealish started the game and put in a great Man of the Match performance assisting both of the Toffees’ goals in the win over the Seagulls by a 2-0 scoreline.
The New Stadium is phenomenal and will be a great place for both home and away teams and fans to visit.
Like 6 of the others, Everton have 3 points from a win and a loss and sit in 8th place from the opening 2 games played.
First-half goals from Everton’s Jack Harrison and Wolves’ Marshall Munetsi gave both teams a share of the points from a draw by a 1-1 score when these two teams met at Molineux last season.
Betfred offer Wolves at 7/5, the Draw at 21/10 and 15/8 for Everton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 17/2 that Iliman Ndiaye Scores First and 7/2 that Everton Score in Both Halves.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Away Win 0-2- Get 12/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
***Premier League Team of the Week***
GOALKEEPER- Caoimhin Kelleher- Brentford
RIGHT-BACK- Jurrien Timber- Arsenal
CENTRE-BACK- Virgil Van Dijk- Liverpool
CENTRE-BACK- James Tarkowski- Everton
LEFT-BACK- James Garner- Everton
MIDFIELDER- Jack Grealish- Everton
MIDFIELDER- Josh Cullen- Burnley
MIDFIELDER- Joao Palhinha- Tottenham
FORWARD- Viktor Gyokeres- Arsenal
FORWARD- Dango Ouattara Brentford
FORWARD- Brennan Johnson- Tottenham
STAR MAN- Jack Grealish- Everton
***Last Week’s Winning Tips-
Chelsea To Win- 8/13
Bournemouth To Win- 4/5
Arsenal To Win- 1/4
Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest To Draw- 11/5
Liverpool To Win- 19/20
Correct Scores-
Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest 1-1- 11/2
Correct Tips-
Arsenal Win To Nil- 21/20
Liverpool To Score In Both Halves- 6/4
LEEDS UNITED v NEWCASTLE
17.30 in England
Sky Sports
There’s not many better sounds than the West Yorkshire Pudding Warble, trying to sing the famous ditty ‘Marching On Together’ whilst holding back tears.
That was the case on Saturday as the Whites realised how difficult this season will be suffering a devastating defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates by a 5-0 scoreline.
Five!
‘Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again, Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again.’
That leaves Daniel Farke’s men in 12th place with 3 points from the opening 2 games played.
Marching On Together!
Newcastle played in a brilliant game against Liverpool at St James Park on Monday Night Football.
After conceding a goal, Anthony Gordon, trying to inject urgency into proceedings, was a little bit too exuberant and got himself sent off after a bad challenge on Virgil Van Dijk, leaving Newcastle a man down for the whole of the 2nd-half.
Liverpool then scored a 2nd, so leading by 2 goals to nil and having a man extra, surely it was job done.
Not so, as Bruno Guimaraes and William Osula scored to make the game level with 2 minutes plus injury time remaining.
Unfortunately, for the Toon Army in attendance, the referee announced 11 minutes of extra time.
Liverpool scored the winner in the 100th minute to knock the stuffing out of Eddie Howe’s Magpies, with Newcastle suffering a defeat by a 3-2 scoreline.
The Alexander Isak saga continues which will come to a head before Tuesday with the Transfer Window closing on Monday.
It’s just whether Alexander is still a Newcastle player or is down the road at Anfield.
The problem then is, if Alexander is still a Magpie, can Eddie just reintegrate the Striker back into the team?
The simple answer to that is, of course he will!
Newcastle would have beaten Liverpool if Alexander Isak was playing on Monday, so after the deadline has passed, if AI Technology is still at St James Park, then don’t be surprised to see the lad wearing a Black and White jersey soon after the International Break.
Newcastle, along with Manchester United, Aston Villa and Brighton have 1 point and sit in 15th place after the opening 2 games.
It was May 2023 when Leeds last hosted Newcastle at Elland Rd.
Both teams shared the points from a draw by a 2-2 score.
Luke Ayling scored the opener for Leeds before Callum Wilson equalised for Newcastle to take both teams in level at the break.
Patrick Bamford did miss a penalty just before Callum’s goal.
Callum then scored a 2nd in the 69th minute before Rasmus Kristensen equalised for the Whites with 10 minutes remaining.
Junior Firpo was then shown a straight Red Card in the 91st minute, however, 10-man Leeds held on for a point.
Leeds were then relegated a couple of weeks later.
Betfred offer Leeds United at 11/5, the Draw at 12/5 and 11/10 for Newcastle to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 20/1 that Bruno Guimaraes Scores First and 2/1 that Newcastle Score in Both Halves.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Away Win 1-2- Get 15/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Sunday 31st
BRIGHTON v MAN CITY
14.00 in England
Sky Sports
Brighton were part of history on Sunday, competing in the first Premier League fixture against Everton at the new Hill Dickinson
Stadium.
Unfortunately, despite a great day out on Merseyside for the Seagull faithful, Brighton suffered a defeat against Everton by a 2-0 scoreline.
Fabian Hurzeler’s men are now in the relegation zone sitting 18th with the same 1 point as Aston Villa, Manchester United and Newcastle from the opening 2 fixtures completed.
Early days yet for all 20 teams so no drama!
Could the real Man City please stand up?
After a scintillating performance against Wolves at Molineux in Game Week-1, Pep’s Low Flying Blues reverted to ‘Man City 2024/25’ and were rubbish against Tottenham at the Etihad on Saturday.
Mr Guardiola can’t be excused from blame as the trusted Gaffer got his team selection wrong.
In came Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki, replacing Jeremy Doku and Bernardo Silva from the game against Wolves, which simply didn’t work.
It was difficult to see what Rayan actually did for the 54 minutes that the lad was on the pitch, eventually, along with Omar, replaced by Jeremy and Bernardo.
The other Rayan, Mr Ait-Nouri picked up an injury after 20 minutes which meant an early substitution for Pep and ultimately changed the outcome of the game, with City conceding 2 goals before the half-time break.
That was all the goals for the game, leaving Tottenham with the away-day victory over Man City by a 2-0 scoreline.
Not to take anything away from Thomas Frank’s Spurs who played extremely good and had a game plan but Man City will need to improve or it will be another tough old season for the Citizens to endure.
Man City sit in 6th place with 3 points from the 2 games so far.
Top of the ‘3 points table’ which could be the only table Man City top this season.
It was Brighton that gained the home victory over Man City in last season’s encounter at the Amex.
Erling Haaland scored the opener to give City a lead at the break.
Then it was the Seagulls who swooped in to take all 3-points with 2nd-half goals from Joao Pedro and Matt O’Riley giving Brighton the win from a 2-1 scoreline.
Betfred offer Brighton at 3/1, the Draw at 11/4 and slight Odds On 4/5 for Man City to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/4 that Erling Haaland Scores First and 21/10 that Danny Welbeck Scores Anytime.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Away Win 1-2- Get 7/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v WEST HAM
14.00 in England
Sky Sports
There are rumblings in the East Midlands that Nuno Espírito Santo has had a falling out with the Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Once that occurs, there’s usually only one outcome and that’s bye-bye Nuno!
Watch this space.
At the moment, Nuno oversaw his team gain a point from a draw by a 1-1 score against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
After conceding a 1st-half goal, Callum Hudson-Odoi scored an equaliser in the 57th minute and with no further goals, both teams went home with a point apiece.
The Nuno rumblings appear to have quietened at the moment but could resurface anytime.
Forest sit 5th with the same 4 points as Chelsea from the opening 2 fixtures.
West Ham suffered another loss on Friday Night Football succumbing to a devastating defeat by a 5-1 scoreline against Chelsea at the London Stadium.
Lucas Paqueta did score a superb opening goal but then the Hammers capitulated conceding 3 before the break and 2 in the 2nd-half, leaving the Bubbles disgruntled as they left the Stadium in dribs and drabs to find the local boozer and drown their sorrows.
If things don’t improve, Graham Potter won’t be the Gaffer much longer.
West Ham sit at the foot of the table similar to the UK when the Eurovision Song Contest is held, with Nil Points after 2 games played.
Wolves also have Nil Points!
Dame Karen Brady, who is part of the West Ham hierarchy and famous for participating in the television show The Apprentice, where Sir Alan Sugar’s catchphrase is,
‘you’re fired’
was on the radio the other day saying how much the board was impressed with Mr Potter.
One can only assume, the girl has glaucoma and cannot see how bad the Hammers are.
Old Harry Potter needs to get his magic working otherwise those famous words will soon be used.
‘You’re fired!’
Nottingham Forest hammered West Ham in last season’s encounter at the City Ground.
Goals from Chris Wood, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ola Aina gave Nuno’s Tricky Trees the victory over Julen Lopetegui’s Hammers by a 3-0 scoreline.
Betfred offer Nottingham Forest at slight Odds On 4/6, the Draw at 13/5 and 4/1 for West Ham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 9/2 that Chris Wood Scores First and 5/2 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Home Win 3-1- Get 14/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
LIVERPOOL v ARSENAL
16.30 in England
Sky Sports
Two Heavyweights of the Premier League face each other before the first International Break of the season is upon us.
Liverpool gained a victory over Newcastle at St James Park on Monday Night Football.
Ryan Gravenberch scored the opener after 35 minutes, which initially settled the nerves of the Travelling Faithful.
Anthony Gordon was then shown a straight Red Card on the stroke of half-time to leave Liverpool with a man extra for the whole of the 2nd-half.
Anthony initially received a Yellow Card for his challenge on Virgil Van Dijk, however, the card was upgraded to a Red after the dreaded VAR got busy.
In truth, it was a horrendous challenge so it should have been a Red Card straight away from the on-field referee Simon Hooper.
Hugo Ekitike then scored a 2nd straight after the break which should have given Liverpool the base to hold on for an easy victory over 10 men.
That wasn’t the case, as Newcastle then scored twice to level things up before the 16-year-old substitute Rio Ngumoha scored the winner for Arne’s New Slots in the 110th minute.
Arne sent Rio on in the 96th minute!
One could say, an inspired substitution by Mr Slot.
The victory by a 3-2 scoreline leaves Liverpool in 3rd place with the same 6 points as Arsenal and Tottenham, now the only 3 teams who have a 100% record of 2 wins from the opening 2 games.
There was an absentee when the Liverpool bus left Newcastle and that was Alexander Isak who at the moment is still a Magpie.
The Transfer Window closes on Monday, so that particular scenario hasn’t much longer to go.
As mentioned, Arsenal are the 2nd of just 3 teams that have 2 wins from 2, after a brilliant victory over Leeds United at the Emirates on Saturday.
Jurrien Timber opened the scoring after 34 minutes with Bukayo Saka making it 2 on the stroke of half-time.
Viktor Gyokeres then scored Arsenal’s 3rd and his 1st just after the break, before Jurrien Timber added his 2nd and the 4th in total.
Viktor then scored his 2nd and Arsenal’s 5th, converting a penalty, to give Mikel’s New Young Guns the stunning victory over the West Yorkshire Puddings from a 5-0 scoreline.
Mikel introduced Max Dowman in the 64th minute who was superb for the remainder of the game and earned Arsenal the late penalty.
Max is 15 years old, 15!
The lad has the World at his feet and is going to be a Superstar, if not already one.
Imagine that, 15 years old and playing for Arsenal, then going back after the 6-week holidays and doing Geography or RE (Religious Education!)
The careers officer saying,
What do you want to be when you leave School Max?
Max replies (laughing!)
‘A Parcel Delivery Driver Sir!’
This will certainly be a great game for everyone on a Sunday Afternoon.
Arsenal have brought in Eberechi Eze after hijacking Tottenham’s move for the Crystal Palace Forward.
The Gunners have paid a guaranteed £60 Million plus £7 Million in add-ons for Double E.
First-half goals from Coady Gakpo and Luis Diaz gave Liverpool a lead at the break in last season’s affair at Anfield.
It was then the Arsenal come back show with goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino making the score level going into the last 20 minutes or so.
Mikel was then shown the 2nd of 2 Yellow Cards following 1 in the 1st-half and the subsequent Red, leaving Arsenal a man down for the final 10 minutes.
With no more goals, both teams shared the points from a draw by a 2-2 score.
The Archbishop was once again happy!
Betfred offer Liverpool at 21/20, the Draw at 12/5 and 12/5 for Arsenal to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 15/2 that Coady Gakpo Scores First and 3/1 that Bukayo Saka Scores Anytime.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Draw 1-1- Get 6/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
ASTON VILLA v CRYSTAL PALACE
19.00 in England
Sky Sports
This fixture has been moved from Friday Night to Sunday Night due to Palace’s Europa Conference League 2nd-leg clash that takes place on Thursday.
Aston Villa are one of four teams that have 1 point after 2 games completed, sitting in 17th place.
Surprisingly Unai Emery’s Claret and Blues suffered a defeat by a 1-0 scoreline against Brentford at the GTech Stadium on Saturday.
It’s apparent from the outside that Unai isn’t happy with his squad and the lack of signings.
There were 2 Goalkeepers on the bench against Brentford plus Unai sent on Emiliano Buendia in the 16th minute, then took the lad off an hour later, presumably to show the hierarchy that his squad lacks depth.
Emiliano, like most players who are sent on and then subbed off wasn’t happy.
As mentioned, there are only a few days left of the Transfer Window so Mr Emery will want to bring some players in before the 2nd, otherwise Aston Villa might just have a tough old campaign.
Crystal Palace gained a point from a draw by a 1-1 score against Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Ismaila Sarr scored the Palace goal to give the home team a lead at the break.
Forest equalised in the 2nd-half giving both teams a point apiece.
That’s back-to-back draws by the same 1-1 score leaving Palace in 14th place with the same 2 points as Fulham after the opening 2 games.
A quick note regarding Eberechi Eze, it was mentioned in last week’s column that Double E was joining Tottenham.
That was correct at the time but then Arsenal came calling and hijacked the deal meaning the Eagle Superstar still headed over to North London, however, Eberechi is now a Gunner not a LilyWhite.
At Villa Park last season, both teams shared the points from a draw by a 2-2 score.
The Archbishop was happy.
Ismaila Sarr opened the scoring for Palace after 4 minutes.
Ollie Watkins equalised for Villa half an hour later before Youri Tielemans then missed a penalty on the stroke of half-time.
That wasn’t the end of the 1st-half action with Palace’s Justin Devenny going up the other end and scoring to give the away team a lead at the break.
Ross Barkley scored an equaliser midway through the 2nd-half and with no further goals both teams gained a point apiece.
Betfred offer Aston Villa at slight Odds On 9/10, the Draw at 12/5 and 3/1 for Crystal Palace to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 4/1 that Ollie Watkins Scores First and 11/4 that Jean-Philippe Mateta Scores Anytime.
(If your pre-match First Goalscorer bet scores First and then scores a Second, Betfred DOUBLE the odds.
If they score a Third, Betfred TREBLE the odds.)
Draw 1-1- Get 6/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Related Reading
Best betting site for accumulators
Bet365 review
Best cash-out betting sites
Best low or no minimum deposit betting sites
