The highlight games for the midweek action are CHELSEA versus LIVERPOOL and MANCHESTER UNITED versus BRENTFORD. Our feature columnist, John Newsome previews these and all game week 30 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
There are 4 Game Week-7 rearranged fixtures, a Game Week-8 affair, plus a Game Week-25 to fit in before next weekend’s Premier League matches start on Saturday.
If one remembers, the set of Game Week-7 fixtures were postponed due to the sad passing of our beloved Queen Elizabeth.
Game Week-7
Tuesday 04th
BOURNEMOUTH v BRIGHTON
19.45 in England
Bournemouth jumped out of the relegation places following the brilliant victory against Fulham at the Vitality on Saturday.
After the away team had scored 1st to take a lead at the break, goals from Marcus Tavernier and Dominic Solanke were enough to give Gary O’Neil’s Cherries the points from a 2-1 scoreline.
Marcus’s strike was exceptional.
Bournemouth, who were sitting in the drop zone before kick-off, move up to 17th in the table with 27 points from 28 played.
All of Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, Everton and West Ham have 27 points.
It’s still close between the bottom 9 teams with just 7 points separating Crystal Palace in 12th and Southampton at the bottom of the table.
All the Cherries faithful can hope is their idols remain outside of the relegation places to have another season in the Promised Land next term.
Brighton played in a great 6-goal thriller against Brentford at the Amex on Saturday, with both teams sharing the points from a draw by a 3-3 score.
The goals going in as follows,
10’ Pontus Jansson (Brentford)
21’ Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton)
22’ Ivan Toney (Brentford)
28’ Danny Welbeck (Brighton)
Half-time Bovril.
49’ Ethan Pinnock (Brentford)
90’ Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton)
Full-time Gin and Bitter Lemon.
A draw was predicted in this column last week with plenty of goals thrown in.
The point gained by both leaves the Seagulls and the Bees in 6th and 7th place respectively with 43, however, Brighton have only completed 26 fixtures, not the 28 Brentford have.
Both of the ‘B’ teams are above Liverpool, the team that the (so-called) experts say are good for a Champions League place this campaign.
There are a lot of ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ in football but who doesn’t love an ‘if’ every now and again?
If Brighton get a victory tonight, Roberto De Zerbi’s men will be within touching distance of a Top Four position.
Brighton in the Champions League, who would have imagined that when Graham Potter left the Amex last September?
A Kaoru Mitoma goal for Brighton in the 87th minute was the difference between these two South Coast clubs back in February at the Amex, giving the Seagulls the victory over the Cherries by a 1-0 score.
Betfred offer Bournemouth at 5/1, the draw at 16/5 and Odds On 8/15 for Brighton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 6/1 that Alexis Mac Allister Scores First and 6/4 that Brighton Win To Nil.
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LEEDS UNITED v NOTTINGHAM FOREST
19.45 in England
‘Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again, Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again.’
To be fair, the Joy Division tune is a bit harsh this week, as the defeat against Arsenal on Saturday by a 4-1 scoreline, was on the cards.
Not many will be successful at the Emirates this term, so Rasmus Kristensen’s strike when trailing by 3 goals to nil should be treated as a positive.
That’s the Big Dane’s 2nd goal in consecutive games for the Whites.
The fixture against Arsenal has produced a 4-1 scoreline in 5 of the last 16 ties between the two over 21 years.
Leeds United drop back into the relegation zone, now in 18th place, with 26 points from 28 games completed.
Some of the West Yorkshire puddings are still in London, trying to get through the barriers at Kings Cross with their Trade Centre discount card.
Marching On Together!
Nottingham Forest played out a predicted draw against Wolves on Saturday, with Brennan Johnson’s opener cancelled out by Daniel Podence late on to give both the Midlanders a point from a draw by a 1-1 score.
It did appear that the two goal scorers had a coming together where it did look like Mr Podence had spat on Mr Johnson.
No one likes to see that but the replays were inconclusive so maybe Daniel was just blowing a kiss towards Brennan.
Steve Cooper’s Tricky Trees sit in 16th between West Ham, Everton and Bournemouth, all with the same 27 points, with the Hammers having completed a game less (27) than the Cherries and the Trees (28) and 2 games less than the Toffees (29).
The winner (if there is one!) will be higher in the league going into Game Week-30.
At the City Ground in February 2023, Brennan Johnson scored the solitary winning goal in the 14th minute to give Steve Cooper’s Tricky Trees the victory over Jesse Marsch’s Whites by a 1-0 score.
The defeat spelt the end for Ted Lasso (Jesse Marsch) who was sacked and headed back to the Wisconsin Job Centre.
Betfred offer Leeds United at slight Odds On 4/5, the draw at 13/5 and 7/2 for Nottingham Forest to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/8 that Rodrigo Scores Anytime and 10/3 that Brennan Johnson Scores Anytime.
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LEICESTER v ASTON VILLA
19.45 in England
***********BREAKING NEWS************
Brendan Rodgers leaves Leicester.
That particular short sentence could be one of several,
Brendan Rodgers is sacked, Brendan Rodgers leaves by mutual consent, Brendan is down the concrete.
Whatever spin is put on the situation, Little Brendan won’t be picking the team for this fixture against Aston Villa tonight.
The little fella will no doubt be in a boozer somewhere, downing copious amounts of Guinness and reflecting on the fact that Jamie Vardy got old.
‘Jamie, why?’
Leicester have decided to pull the plug on Mr Rodgers after another defeat on Saturday, this time against Roy Hodgson’s new-look Crystal Palace.
That’s the 5th defeat in the last 6 Premier League games which does usually equal a visit to the Job Centre, Leicester Branch.
To be fair to the Foxes, Ricardo Pereira’s goal just after the break which was quickly cancelled out when the unfortunate Fox Daniel Iversen put past his own goalkeeper, should have been enough to at least gain a point.
However, Roy’s Palace scored the winner in the 94th minute to seal the victory by a 2-1 scoreline, also sealing Brendan’s fate.
Leicester now sit in 19th place on 25 points with just 10 games remaining.
The Foxes hierarchy are hoping for a ‘New Manager Bounce’ to breathe some life into the Leicester team with the usual suspects standing by the phone.
Big Sam Allardyce was straight out to purchase a phone charger, to make sure the Nokia 5657 was charged up and ready for the call.
Rafa Benitez was the surprise early favourite at 5/1 as well as the Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou (9/1).
Leicester did nick Brendan from Celtic so don’t rule that particular scenario out.
The ex-Leicester gaffer Nigel Pearson is up there at 12/1.
Added to that list now is the available Graham Potter, who surprisingly is Evens 1/1 favourite, jumping above Rafa as the potential new Foxes boss.
Big Sam is currently 50/1 with Elvis being in the mix at 66/1.
‘Well a-bless my soul what’s wrong with me, I’m itching like a Fox in a fuzzy tree!’
Whatever happens, Little Brendan Rodgers has had a good run at the King Power and should be afforded a lot of credit for what he’s achieved, which does include a coveted FA Cup Winners Medal.
Aston Villa gained the result of the weekend, getting a victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge by a 2-0 score.
Ollie Watkins scored a superb opener, coolly lobbing Kepa The Keeper after 18 minutes.
John McGinn, who had hit the bar earlier, then added a 2nd just after the break, to give Unai Emery’s Claret and Blues the victory over Graham Potters Old Blue Wizards.
The brilliant away win not only gained Villa 3 points but put Unai’s men above Graham’s boys into 9th place with 41 points after 28 games played.
It also sealed the fate of Mr Potter who was down the concrete soon after the dust had settled on another home defeat.
The surprise in this reverse fixture that took place at Villa Park on the 4th of February was that somehow, struggling Leicester inflicted a defeat on an inform Aston Villa by a 4-2 away day scoreline.
The goals going in as follows,
9’ Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
12’ James Maddison (Leicester)
32’ Harry Souttar O.G (Aston Villa)
41’ Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester)
45+2’ Tete (Leicester)
Half-time Pie (Chicken Balti)
79’ Dennis Praet (Leicester)
Full-time Pint (Stella Artois)
Betfred offer Leicester at 7/5, the draw at 12/5 and 9/5 for Aston Villa to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 2/1 that Ollie Watkins Scores Anytime and 9/4 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.
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Game Week-8
Tuesday 04th
CHELSEA v LIVERPOOL
20.00 in England
Sky Sports
***********BREAKING NEWS************
Chelsea have sacked Graham Potter.
After watching Newcastle demolish Manchester United on Sunday, John Newsome thought the weekend’s football fantasia was over until the Monday Night spectacular between Everton and Tottenham.
However, on settling down to watch the Snooker on ITV 4, between Shaun Murphy and Kyren Wilson, the news came through at around 20.00 in England, that Chelsea had parted company with Graham Potter.
Whilst it wasn’t much of a shock, as Graham would have been sacked 10 times over under Roman Abramovic, it was thought that the Chelsea hierarchy would stick with Harry Potter until the end of the season.
However, after suffering a home defeat against Aston Villa on Saturday by a 2-0 scoreline, the writing was on the wall for the Wizard, with Chelsea now sitting in 11th place (yes 11th!) following the defeat against Villa.
Thirty-eight points from 28 fixtures completed.
Brighton, sitting in 6th, have 43 points from 26 fixtures, with 13 of those points achieved under Graham in the opening 6 games.
Mr Potter has only achieved 28 points in the 22 fixtures for Chelsea.
The ex-Bayern Munich Manager Julian Nagelsmann, is Odds On favourite at 1/3, to take over at Stamford Bridge.
So let’s put things into perspective.
Chelsea sack Thomas Tuchel and replace TT with Graham Potter.
Bayern Munich sack Julian Nagelsmann and replace JN with Thomas Tuchel.
Chelsea sack Graham Potter and want the man who was replaced at Bayern by the man who Chelsea sacked and replaced with GP.
What did Jimmy Greaves used to say?
‘Football, it’s a funny old game!’
Liverpool come into this fixture at Stamford Bridge, also off the back of a defeat, this time against Man City in the early Saturday afternoon kick-off at the Etihad.
Despite Mo Salah scoring the opener to give Jurgen’s Reds a lead, Liverpool conceded 10 minutes after Mo’s goal to take both teams in level at the interval.
It was Man City who had the extra sugar in the half-time cup of tea, adding a 2nd within seconds of the restart.
That pushed City on to score a further 2, to inflict the defeat on Liverpool by a 4-1 scoreline.
The on-field referee, Simon Hooper, handed out 2 early Yellow Cards to Mo Salah and Rodri, before 34 minutes were on the clock, however, surprisingly, didn’t get the cards out again in the remaining hour that followed.
Since getting a brilliant victory over Manchester United by a 7-0 score, Liverpool have suffered 3 straight defeats against Bournemouth, Real Madrid and now Man City.
There was a cheeky chorus of-
‘You’re getting sacked in the morning!’
from the Citizens aimed at Jurgen Klopp, which obviously was just a bit of terrace banter.
However, as stated on a couple of occasions in this column, it’s now highly unlikely that Liverpool will be in next season’s Champions League and could quite possibly be in the Europa Conference League, with potential trips to Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan or the Orkney Islands, which should heed as a warning to Klipperty Klopp, that the Citizens might not be too far off the mark with the cheeky ditty.
Going into this rearranged affair at the Bridge, Liverpool sit in 8th (8th!) place with 42 points having completed 27 games.
At Anfield, in mid-January, both teams failed to find the back of the net, with the game finishing in a draw by a 0-0 score, or some might say a goalless draw.
Betfred offer Chelsea at 7/5, the draw at 5/2 and 7/4 for Liverpool to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/2 that Kai Havertz Scores First and 7/2 that Chelsea Win To Nil.
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Wednesday 05th
Game Week-7
WEST HAM v NEWCASTLE
20.00 in England
Sky Sports
West Ham finally gained a victory on Sunday, after going 3 games without registering a Premier League win.
Nayef Aguerd scored the only goal of the game against Southampton at the London Stadium giving David Moyes Boys the victory over Ruben Selles Saints by a 1-0 score.
Because it’s so tight at the bottom of the table, the victory lifts the Hammers up to 14th place, with the same 27 points as Everton, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.
Probably the slight solace the Bubbles can take from the precarious position is that West Ham have only completed 27 games, not the 28 and 29 that the others have so this fixture against Newcastle tonight is vitally important in at least trying to gain a point.
Newcastle come into this midweek game off the back of a comfortable victory against a poor Manchester United side on Sunday.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies reversed the score in the defeat of the Carabao Cup Final, with goals from Joe Willock and Callum Wilson, both in the 2nd-half, giving the home team the win by a 2-0 scoreline.
Newcastle swapped places with Manchester United and sit 3rd in the table with the same 50 points as Eriks Red Devils and Cristian’s Spurs but with a superior goal difference to both.
Newcastle and Manchester United have scored 41 goals, however, United have conceded a massive 37, whereas Newcastle have only let in 19.
After Monday’s fixture between Everton and Tottenham, Manchester United drop out of the Champions League places, with Tottenham remaining in 4th again with a better goal difference than United.
These rearranged fixtures will mean both of the United’s will have completed 28 after the final whistle, whereas Tottenham have played a game more (29).
Callum Wilson scored the opener for Newcastle at St James Park, with Lucas Paqueta equalising on the half-hour mark.
With no further goals, both shared the points from a draw by a 1-1 score.
Last season’s fixture at the London Stadium also ended in a 1-1 draw.
Betfred offer West Ham at 23/10, the draw at 12/5 and 23/20 for Newcastle to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 10/1 that Kieran Trippier Scores Anytime and 12/5 that Newcastle Win To Nil.
Away Win 0-2- Get 9/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Game Week-25
MANCHESTER UNITED v BRENTFORD
20.00 in England
Where does one start regarding Manchester United?
Like most of United’s fixtures, John Newsome sits at home and watches the 55-inch Telly, whilst texting several mates (several meaning 3) about the game, which usually commences pre-kick-off with comments about the starting eleven put out by Erik Ten Hag.
Due to Scott McTominay scoring 4 goals in the recent International Break, Erik the Red, some would say, quite rightly, stuck Scot straight into the starting lineup against Newcastle.
The texts began.
Most know this EveryTip’s thoughts on Scott McTominay and Fred, so there’s no need to go over old ground but what happened on Sunday against Newcastle is the exact reason why Mr McTominay is not good enough for Manchester United.
The lad was invisible for the 82 minutes on the field and then was replaced by Fred when United were trailing by 1 goal to nil.
Newcastle then scored a 2nd, with the Brazilian running around like a headless chicken, which ultimately resulted in a defeat for Manchester United by a 2-0 away day scoreline.
The Wats App messages continued, with the following sent out by John Newsome,
‘United missed Casemiro again but that shouldn’t be the excuse, the lad can’t be just the answer, Scott McTominay scores 4 for Scotland so Erik automatically thinks, Oh we need Scott!
Not the case.
United shouldn’t be in this position relying on Fred and Scott plus Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst up front, this is Manchester United’
There were a few wine-influenced expletives in the texts but basically, Manchester United shouldn’t have to rely on Casemiro as the only World Class player.
Wout Weghorst is a good lad but isn’t a Manchester United player and at the moment, can’t hit a barn door.
Marcus Rashford wants £500,000 a week (a week!) but was invisible against Newcastle on Sunday.
Marcus has denied this (obviously, the boy is of the people) but his agents will be into the hierarchy at Old Trafford and will want a contract close to that amount.
Half a million pounds a week! (a week!)
The school dinner ladies are happy.
Obviously, Marcus, like all the United players had a bad day at St James Park on Sunday and will want to reverse the fortunes tonight against the Bees.
It’s remarkable to think that a couple of weeks ago, folk were talking of Manchester United going for the Quadruple.
Not only is that out of the question but Erik’s Reds are not even in the Top Four going into this midweek fixture.
Now sitting in 5th place with the same 50 points as Tottenham and Newcastle but with the inferior goal difference of the 3 teams.
There were rumours that Newcastle were wanting to sign Scott McTominay this Summer.
Well if Sunday’s performance was an audition, the MancScot failed miserably and it could be Ballycastle instead of Newcastle that Scott will be playing for next season.
The lad can take his mates Fred, Anthony Martial, Wout Weghorst, Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho, Victor Lindelof, Donny Van De Beek (remember him?) and a few others that are not fit to wear the shirt, with him.
Finally, a mention has to go to Antony.
What is that lad all about?
John Newsome is an overweight, bald 53-year-old, with a heart condition and is still better than the Brazilian.
The Boy from Brazil flatters to deceive when having a ball at his left foot, yet the deceive bit is prevalent as somehow someone has deceived Manchester United into paying £80 Million for the lad.
There have been some great players over the years who only kick with the left one, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and David Currie to name a few but even at times these icons of the game occasionally used their weaker right foot.
Antony just stops if the ball is going to the right one.
£80 Million for a one-legged trick pony.
£80 Million!
Manchester United need quite a few players in the summer, so it’s hoped that Erik Ten Hag is backed by whoever the owners are, whether it’s still the Glazers or a new lot that pays the £6 Billion that the club is supposedly valued at.
Brentford come into this fixture at Old Trafford, off the back of a great 6-goal thriller against Brighton on Saturday.
If one has read the Bournemouth v Brighton preview above, then one will know the goal scorers, however, it’s worth mentioning again.
10’ Pontus Jansson (Brentford)
21’ Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton)
22’ Ivan Toney (Brentford)
28’ Danny Welbeck (Brighton)
Half-time Monster Munch (Pickled Onion flavour)
49’ Ethan Pinnock (Brentford)
90’ Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton)
Full-time Dubonnet and Coke.
Two of the Brentford scorers are ex-Barnsley FC players (Ethan Pinnock and Ivan Toney) with the other being an ex-Leeds United Defender (Pontus Jansson), so technically Brentford’s goals were Made In Yorkshire!
The point gained from the draw by a 3-3 score, leaves Brentford in 7th with the same 43 points as Brighton but a place below on goal difference.
If one remembers, the Bees inflicted an embarrassing devastating defeat on Manchester United back at the GTech Stadium in August 2022.
Goals from Josh Dasilva, Mathias Jensen, Ben Mee and Bryan Mbeumo gave the home team the victory over the Yellow Perils by a 4-0 scoreline.
Probably the surprise in that was all 4 goals were scored before 35 minutes were up on the clock.
The embarrassing defeat prompted Manchester United to go to the Bernabeu and prize Casemiro away from Real Madrid to boost the Midfield.
It’s reported that the Brazilian sent a text to his agent after watching United capitulate against the Bees saying,
‘Tell them I’ll fix this!’
There are uncorroborated rumours that the Brazilian added,
‘I can’t play at the side of Fred though, we are rubbish for the Brazil team and Harry Maguire needs putting out to grass, the Big Sheffield Donkey!’
Bit harsh Cassie!
Although Casemiro is in the process of ‘fixing this’ the lad won’t be on show tonight due to the straight Red Card received against Southampton, this being the 3rd of a 4-game ban.
Betfred offer Manchester United at Odds On 8/13, the draw at 3/1 and 4/1 for Brentford to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/4 that Marcus Rashford Scores First and 13/8 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.
Home Win 3-1- Get 11/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
There is a segment on the brilliant Hawsbee and Jacobs show every Friday on Talksport that predicts the weekend football results.
Stan Collymore was part of the four that didn’t, note, didn’t predict a Scotland home victory against Cyprus, with John McGinn and a Scot McTominay double giving the Jocks the win over the Cyrpricals by a 3-0 scoreline.
Three days later, Scotland hosted Spain, once again at the home of Scottish Football, Hampden Park and somehow pulled off another victory, this time by a 2-0 score.
A Viva Espanya!
This EveryTip column and John Newsome has often mentioned the failings of Scott McTominay and whilst no apologies are made to the Manchester United Midfielder, on this occasion, Scott does need the credit deserved for a couple of outstanding performances for the Scottish National Team.
The Spaniards were not happy, losing against the Jocks, with the Man City Midfielder, Roadie Rodri, crying,
‘El Scotlando, est, rubbishio!’
Amongst other Spanish terms.
Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan.
Those growing up in the 1980s remember the brilliant tune, by Chaka Khan called ‘I feel for you!’
With the added extra,
‘I think I love you!’
Scotland didn’t feel for the Spaniards nor loved them and the Angels were not dressed in Red, they were dressed in the Tartan regalia!
The Spanish Defender, David Gracia, stated that the Hampden Pitch had grass that was too long.
Too long for what?
Well too long since Scotland gained a victory over Spain, the last time being when Chaka Khan was Number One in 1984.
Chaka Khan!
Added to that, the brilliant pop singer Prince, who wrote ‘Chaka Khan, I Feel For You’ sadly passed away, 7 years ago this month, on the 21st of April 2016.
Football then wrote its own story, with Andrew Robertson facing up to Roadie Rodri on Saturday in the Man City v Liverpool tie.
Where the Spaniard gained a little revenge over the Scot with Pep’s High Flying Blues getting the victory over Jurgen’s Reds by a 4-1 scoreline.
This EveryTip/John Newsome column predicted a Man City victory by a 3-1 scoreline but did add that there would be Over 3.5 Goals.
Rest in Peace, Prince Rogers Nelson.
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