The highlight games for this weekend’s action are ARSENAL versus SOUTHAMPTON and LIVERPOOL versus NOTTINGHAM FOREST. Our feature columnist, John Newsome previews these and all game week 32 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-32
All these 8 fixtures are the reverse of Game Week-13 that took place in October 2022.
There are only 8, due to Manchester United, Man City and Brighton’s participation in the weekend’s FA Cup Semi-Finals at Wembley.
Friday 21st
ARSENAL v SOUTHAMPTON
20.00 in England
Sky Sports
A great weekend of football starts on Friday Night, with Southampton heading to the Capital to take on Arsenal at the Emirates.
Good luck Saints!
On a Sunday afternoon, John Newsome has a usual routine, get stuff done early, get the uniform ready for graft on Monday and settle down to watch the football.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard scored before 10 minutes were up on the clock at the London Stadium against West Ham and the away team were in complete control.
One thought one would just nip to the shop and get some supplies in (a nice glass of wine) to enjoy the Nottingham Forest v Manchester United game.
On returning, it was a shock to see the scoreline in the left-hand corner of the 55-inch saying ‘2-2’.
What happened there then?
Mikel’s Young Guns had also missed a penalty, with the usually assured Bukayo Saka, fluffing his lines.
West Ham scored twice to snatch a draw from a 2-2 scoreline.
As Chris Kamara would say,
Unbelievable Jeff.
The second consecutive draw by the same 2-2 score, still leaves Arsenal at the summit of the table, however, now with only a 4-point advantage over Man City, who had already gained a victory in their Game Week-31 fixture, a day earlier.
A fortnight ago, it was an 8-point advantage.
A side note to that, there is a PlayStation game (other consoles are available) called Fortnite which the youths play.
(Spelt the American way!)
The last time John Newsome played on a console was back in 1983, on the Atari, playing a game called Tetris.
Epic Games, the makers of Fortnite, are working on a sequel, rumoured to be called ‘Three Weeks.’
Arsenal have 74 points from 31 games played, with Man City in 2nd place on 70 points but have only completed 30 fixtures.
Man City don’t play in the Premier League this weekend, so Mikel Arteta will feel it imperative that the Gunners gain a victory over the worse team in the Premier League.
Man City’s next Premier League fixture is against Arsenal at the Etihad so the Gunners could have a 7-point advantage going into that game, however, will have played 2 fixtures more than City.
Pep Guardiola was sat at home in Manchester, wearing an old West Ham jersey with ‘Devonshire’ on the back as a nod to his favourite Bubble from the past.
When Jarrod Bowen scored the equaliser and the Hammers held on for the draw, Pep opened a nice bottle of Rioja and said,
‘Cheers Mr Moyes, all the best!’
One last burning question to ask Mr Arteta and it’s an answer everyone wants to hear,
‘How much do you spend on Just For Men?’
The answer from Mikel,
‘Not as much as the Greenmeister Charles!’
Southampton suffered another setback on Saturday, this time against a revitalised Crystal Palace at St Mary’s, that leaves Ruben Selles’ Saints rooted to the foot of the table.
The defeat by a 2-0 scoreline, is the 4th loss out of the last 6 games, with the others being drawn.
Two points from a possible 18, which one doesn’t need to be Mr Einstein to realise that the Mathematical Formula for that equates to relegation to the Championship.
If (when) Southampton are relegated then surely James Ward-Prowse will be a target for a few clubs and should stay in the Premier League.
Manchester United wouldn’t go far wrong in bringing the lad to Old Trafford.
Most might scoff at that but would a team prefer James to Kalvin Phillips, who cost Man City £60 Million plus?
KP has made limited appearances for City.
A lot may say,
‘If JWP is that good, why are Southampton at the foot of the table?’
A fair point, however, to balance that, West Ham are struggling too but supposedly has one of the best Midfielders in the World at the moment, who is valued at around £100 Million.
James Ward-Prowse would enhance any team and would certainly improve a Manchester United squad.
That’s for the Summer, for now, Southampton have to try and win games.
With 23 points from 31 played, all is not lost, being just 4 points from safety, however, tonight’s trip to the Emirates will be a tough ask to gain anything.
The remaining fixtures for Southampton are against Bournemouth, Fulham and Liverpool at St Mary’s plus Arsenal, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Brighton away.
The game against Liverpool is the final one of this campaign and could most likely be the Saints’ final Premier League fixture for a while.
At St Mary’s back in October for the Game Week-13 encounter between the two, Ralph Hasenhuttl was still in charge of Southampton and surprisingly oversaw his Saints team gain a point from a draw by a 1-1 score.
Mikel Arteta’s Young Guns must have had a bad day.
Granit Xhaka scored the opener after 11 minutes which should have enabled Arsenal to push on, however, Stuart Armstrong equalised on the hour mark and with no further goals both shared the points.
Betfred offer Arsenal at Odds On 2/11, the draw at 6/1 and 14/1 for Southampton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 4/1 that Gabriel Jesus Scores First and slight Odds On 4/5 that Arsenal Win To Nil.
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Saturday 22nd
FULHAM v LEEDS UNITED
12.30 in England
BT Sport
After 4 straight defeats, as well as a loss in the FA Cup, sandwiched in between the Premier League games, Fulham got back to winning ways, with a victory against Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Harrison Reed scored in the right net this week to give the away team a lead which was quickly cancelled out by a Toffees goal to take both teams in level at the break.
Harry Wilson and Dan James scored in the 2nd-half to give Fulham the away day victory by a 3-1 scoreline.
Dan James has had his critics, not least from this EveryTip column, who thinks the boy is just a sprinter.
However, Dan did put in a great performance against Everton, so credit were due.
Unfortunately, despite Mr James’ great display at Goodison Park, the Welshman can’t play today against his parent club, being only on loan at Craven Cottage.
Fulham sit in 10th place with 42 points from 30 games played.
‘Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again, Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again.’
Another devastating defeat for the Whites, with back-to-back home losses, this time against Liverpool at Elland Rd, by a 6-1 scoreline (Six-one!)
Leeds conceded 2 quick-fire goals before the half-time cup of tea but a Luis Sinisterra reply for the home team just after the restart gave hope to the Marching On Together crew.
However Liverpool scored a 3rd straight away to once again take the game away from Leeds United.
Leeds were simply rubbish, particularly in the 2nd-half and as a result of some horrendous defending, conceded a further 3 goals to suffer another embarrassing defeat in front of the home faithful including the owners.
To be fair to the MOT Whites, they never stopped singing but a sing song only takes a team so far, it’s up to the players on the pitch to react to the fans efforts.
It was an opportunity for Leeds United to move up a few places following all of the weekend’s results but Javi Gracia’s men stay in 16th place with 29 points from 31 games completed.
That’s 2 points above the relegation zone.
The Whites remaining fixtures are against Leicester, Newcastle and Tottenham at Elland Rd and Fulham, Bournemouth, Man City and West Ham on their travels.
The West Yorkshire puddings were straight out following the defeat, into the local pubs around Elland Rd, ordering a bottle of Gold Label Barley Wine and 4 straws, plus a bag of Pork Scratchings with a designated bag opener, usually the one pudding with the only remaining tooth left.
Six-one!
Marching On Together (back to the Championship!)
When Fulham travelled to Elland Rd back in October, Marco Silva’s Men gained a narrow victory over Jesse Marsch’s Whites by a 3-2 score.
Aleksandar Mitrovic equalised an earlier Rodrigo goal to leave the scores level at the interval.
Bobby Decordover-Reid and Willian scored in the 2nd-half to make it 3-1, before Crysencio Summerville pulled a goal back in the 91st minute.
Unfortunately for the Marching On Together crew in attendance, Crysencio’s goal wasn’t enough with Fulham holding on for the victory.
Betfred offer Fulham at 7/5, the draw at 12/5 and 15/8 for Leeds United to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/5 that Andreas Pereira Scores Anytime and 23/20 that Patrick Bamford Scores Anytime.
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BRENTFORD v ASTON VILLA
15.00 in England
Brentford suffered a defeat against Wolves at Molineux on Saturday, with the Gold and Blacks getting the victory over the Bees by a 2-0 scoreline.
Whilst some might say, the defeat was a surprise, it is now 3 losses in succession for Thomas Frank’s team who stay in 9th place with 43 points from 31 fixtures completed.
Aston Villa are one of the form teams at the moment, currently being 2nd on the list between Man City and Arsenal out of the last 15 games, accruing 32 points from those 15.
Man City have 35 and Arsenal 31.
The latest fixture against a Newcastle team that are on fire themselves, produced the 5th victory in succession and the 7th out of the last 8, with the other being drawn.
Twenty-two points from a possible 24.
Prior to those 8 games, there were 3 defeats in a row, against Arsenal, Man City and surprisingly Leicester.
Newcastle turned up at Villa Park on a 5-game winning streak but goals from Jacob Ramsey and an Ollie Watkins double gave Unai Emery’s Claret and Blues the victory over Eddie Howe’s Black and Whites by a 3-0 scoreline.
Ollie Watkins was superb against Newcastle and scored his 14th of the season.
Twelve of those have come since the World Cup, with a stat thrown up saying Ollie had scored the same as Erling Haaland since the resumption of the Premier League in December.
That was actually correct until Man City kicked off against Leicester later in the day when Erling added another 2 to his tally.
Gareth Southgate was at Villa Park to watch Ollie’s performance, which could and should produce an England call-up for the next set of Internationals.
Aston Villa sit in 6th place, with 50 points, now just 3 away from Tottenham and 6 away from Newcastle, who occupy the final Champions League spot.
Villa and Spurs have played a game more (31) than the Magpies.
Leon Bailey, a Danny Ings double plus an Ollie Watkins strike gave Aston Villa the victory over Brentford by a 4-0 scoreline when the Bees travelled to Villa Park back in October.
Probably the surprise in that result is Steven Gerrard had just been sacked due to his Villains being rubbish at the time, with the Caretaker Manager, Aaron Danks overseeing the superb display.
Mr Danks is currently helping Michael Carrick at Middlesborough who look certain to achieve a Championship Play-Off place in the attempt to get to the Promised Land.
Betfred offer Brentford at 7/5, the draw at 12/5 and 9/5 for Aston Villa to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 4/1 that Ivan Toney Scores First and 7/5 that Ollie Watkins Scores Anytime.
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CRYSTAL PALACE v EVERTON
15.00 in England
Crystal Palace are now 3 from 3 in the win column under Roy Hodgson following Saturday’s easy away day victory against Southampton.
An Eberechi Eze double, both scored in the 2nd-half, gave Roy’s Eagles the points against Peter’s Saints by a 2-0 score.
It was mentioned last week that Crystal Palace had only scored 29 goals in total, with 7 of those being under Mr Hodgson’s guidance.
That is now 31 goals with 9 in the last 3 fixtures since Patrick Vieira left, conceding just 2.
The following was written in this column back in March, just prior to Patrick leaving Selhurst Park.
‘Crystal Palace haven’t registered a shot on target in the last 3 fixtures and in the game against Man City, didn’t even have a shot that was off target.
Now, John Newsome isn’t a UEFA A or B licensed Coach or even an FA Level 1 but does know that if a football team doesn’t at least register a shot at the goals, it’s fair to say that a team will not score!
Not to offer Mr Vieira any advice as the legend obviously knows how football works but one would just like to say,
‘Them rectangular things at the end of each pitch, with two vertical posts and a horizontal crossbar, don’t move, so next time you are out there try having a few attempts at getting the ball between the vertical bit!’
Or words to that effect.’
It’s not a surprise that Crystal Palace have improved under Roy Hodgson as the problem was evident.
Roy might just have a future in this management game.
Crystal Palace sit in 12th place with 36 points from 31 games played, surely now safe from relegation.
Chelsea have only 3 points more so that is the next target for Roy’s Boys, to try and get above the London Rivals.
There are now 13 points between Crystal Palace in 12th and Southampton in 20th.
Everton remain just outside of the relegation zone, with the same 27 points as Nottingham Forest who occupy the final place, following another defeat on Saturday.
In the 11 fixtures that Sean Dyche has overseen since replacing Frank Lampard, Everton’s record is,
Won 3, Drawn 3 and Lost 5.
Twelve points from a possible 33.
The defeat on Saturday, against Fulham at Goodison Park will have worried the Toffees.
The Cottagers under the guidance of the ex-Everton boss Marco Silva were struggling themselves, heading to Merseyside off the back of 4 straight losses.
Dwight McNeil scored a superb equaliser after Fulham had taken the lead, however, the visitors scored a further 2 after the break to inflict the defeat on Everton by a 3-1 scoreline.
This will be another tough ask for Sean Dyche and the Toffees against a resurgent set of Eagles.
Everton’s remaining 7 fixtures are against Newcastle, Man City and Bournemouth at Goodison Park and Crystal Palace, Leicester, Brighton and Wolves on the road.
The tie against Bournemouth is the final game of the season so could quite possibly decide the future of both clubs.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anthony Gordon and Dwight McNeil scored the Toffee goals at Goodison Park to give Frank Lampard’s Everton the victory over Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace by a 3-0 scoreline.
It’s Roy v Sean in this reverse fixture today.
Betfred offer Crystal Palace at 11/10, the draw at 11/5 and 11/4 for Everton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 9/4 that Odsonne Edouard Scores Anytime and 11/8 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- Aaron Wan-Bissaka- Manchester United
CENTRE-BACK- Tyrone Mings- Aston Villa
CENTRE-BACK- John Stones- Man City
LEFT-BACK- Andy Robertson- Liverpool
MIDFIELDER- John McGinn- Aston Villa
MIDFIELDER- Julio Enciso- Brighton
MIDFIELDER- Christian Eriksen- Manchester United
FORWARD- Diego Costa- Wolves
FORWARD- Danny Welbeck- Brighton
FORWARD- Ollie Watkins- Aston Villa
STAR MAN- Christian Eriksen- Manchester United
LEICESTER v WOLVES
15.00 in England
The David Attenborough Derby.
Foxes v Wolves.
Leicester, under the new leadership of Dean Smith and John Terry, couldn’t do anything against Man City at the Etihad on Saturday, succumbing to a defeat by a 3-1 scoreline.
The ex-City Striker Kelechi Iheanacho scored a consolation goal when the score was 3-0 but that was really the only positive to take from the visit to Manchester.
Dean and JT just need to put that to bed and concentrate on this fixture against their Midland rivals.
Leicester remain in 19th place with 25 points from 31 fixtures completed.
Seven games remaining to try and stay in the Premier League.
The Foxes face Wolves, Everton, Liverpool and West Ham at the King Power Stadium and Leeds United, Fulham and Newcastle away, with the West Ham fixture being the final game of the campaign.
It’s quite conceivable that the fixture against the Hammers could turn out to be a relegation decider.
Wolves moved up to 13th in the table with 34 points following the superb victory against Brentford on Saturday at Molineux.
Diego Costa (remember him?) scored the opener with Hwang Hee-Chan adding a 2nd, to give the home team the points from a 2-0 scoreline.
Diego last scored when Jesus was a lad.
Just a bit of fun Mr Costa but it was May 2017 when the Spanish/Brazilian Striker last notched in the Premier League.
Like most statistics thrown up, that one is a bit contrived as Diego Costa didn’t play in the Premier League from 2017 until 2022.
The Gold and Black faithful will be hoping that DC scores a few more to maintain their Premier League status.
Wolves face Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Everton at Molineux, plus Leicester, Brighton, Manchester United and Arsenal on their travels with the fixture at the Emirates being the final one of the campaign that could not only decide whether Wolves stay up but could also decide the destination of the Premier League Title.
A superb performance by Brendan Rodgers’ Wonderfuls gave Leicester a brilliant away day victory over Wolves at Molineux by a 4-0 scoreline.
Youri Tielemans and Harvey Barnes scoring the 1st-half goals, with the Two James, Mr Maddison and Mr Vardy notching after the break.
Both are under the guidance of a different Manager for this encounter at the King Power.
Betfred offer Leicester at 7/5, the draw at 11/5 and 2/1 for Wolves to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 8/5 that Harvey Barnes Scores Anytime and 2/1 that Ruben Neves Scores Anytime.
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LIVERPOOL v NOTTINGHAM FOREST
15.00 in England
Liverpool had gone to face Leeds United at Elland Rd for the Monday Night Football on Sky Sports, off the back of 3 straight defeats and 2 draws.
Two points from a possible 15.
Two of the defeats were in the Premier League and one in the Champions League.
Those losses by the way were against Man City and Real Madrid, two elite teams in European football.
Probably the surprise in the 3rd defeat was it came against Bournemouth.
Coady Gakpo and Mo Salah scored 2 quick-fire goals just before the interval at Elland Rd, to take the game away from the home team.
Leeds did pull a goal back early in the 2nd-half but Diogo Jota added a 3rd immediately after the White notch to re-establish the 2-goal advantage.
Mo and Diogo both scored a 2nd apiece before Darwin Nunez rounded off the rout, giving Jurgen’s Reds the victory over Javi’s Whites by a devastating 6-1 scoreline.
Six-one!
Luis Diaz did make a cameo appearance for the last 10 minutes or so after being out of action since October 2022.
Liverpool remain in 8th place with 47 points from 30 games completed.
That’s a massive 9 points away from a Champions League place with possibly the only hope of a visit to Europe next season for the Anfield Rappers being if EasyJet have some offers on for a bargain trip to Benidorm.
Nottingham Forest remain in the relegation zone following the defeat against Manchester United on Sunday.
The fixture at the City Ground saw a lacklustre performance from the Tricky Trees resulting in a defeat by a 2-0 score.
Forest sit in 18th place with 27 points from 31 games played, the same 27 as Everton who are currently safe from the drop purely on goals conceded.
Everton- Scored 24 and Conceded 46
giving a minus-22 difference.
Nottingham Forest- Scored 24 and Conceded 56 giving a minus-32 difference.
The Tricky Trees remaining fixtures are against Brighton, Southampton and Arsenal at the City Ground and Liverpool, Brentford, Chelsea and Crystal Palace on their travels with the final game of the campaign being at Selhurst Park.
It is still tight at the moment between the bottom teams but although a victory was achieved against Liverpool back in October, it will be a tough ask today at Anfield.
A couple of seasons ago, this EveryTip column used to include the predictions of The Beast Jon Parkin, an ex-Professional Footballer who still resides in Barnsley.
The reason that stopped is not for print, however, Jon does a Podcast with a couple of mates called Undr The Cosh.
That’s the name of the Pod not the name of his mates.
The guests are ex-footballers who air their views about their careers and are usually quite interesting.
A couple of weeks back, the guest was the ex-Nottingham Forest (and other clubs) Striker Jason Lee.
Back in the 1990s, there was a TV programme called Fantasy Football that was presented by the comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner.
Probably, two of the nicest guys on the Comedy Circuit.
They whom wrote the hugely successful ‘Three Lions’ tune, which gets wheeled out every 2 years.
‘It’s coming home, it’s’
It’s not, unfortunately, England don’t have the cahonas to win a major tournament, as when the time comes to separate the wheat from the chaff, or England from the France, Argentina, Italy, Brazil, Croatia, Uruguay, Spain, etc, the Manager, whoever that may be, isn’t strong enough and will leave Jack Grealish, twiddling with his headband on the bench, or worse still, leave Michael Carrick at home.
Frank, Scott and Steven are better!
Of course they are!
However, over a period there were a few sketches that were a parody of Jason Lee.
Jason was famous for wearing Dreadlocks tied up on the top of his head.
A terrace ditty then became popular with the opposing teams’ fans chanting,
‘He’s got a Pineapple on his head, he’s got a Pineapple on his head!’
Fantasy Football did various sketches about this and basically took the rise out of Jason.
One of the sketches, saw David Baddiel dress up as Jason, colour his face and literally have a Pineapple on his head.
That was 25 years ago when times were different.
Racism was different back then and whilst the sketch now is uncomfortable, it was funny back in the day, not because of the racist connotations but because David had a Pineapple on his head, which at one point, Frank drank out of assuming one of the locks was a straw.
Funny!
Over the years Jason Lee has rightly commented on the programme and now feels the sketch was a form of bullying.
Is it?
Ones just asking the question.
Is a comedy show about football, called Fantasy Football, where the unconscious bias is to poke fun at football and footballers, a form of bullying.
One is not so sure.
In the Undr The Cosh Podcast, Jason appears a decent bloke and no doubt he is, however, also wants to come across as a ‘Hard Man of the Game!’
‘Can look after himself’ so to speak, in a game that does sort the men out from the boys.
Back in an era where Vinnie Jones was King, Mick Harford was above King and Billy Whitehurst was simply God.
Jason Lee supposedly portrayed himself as a hard man of football, yet thought that a Comedy Programme called Fantasy Football, which was on TV as a bit of harmless entertainment, bullied people.
This is in no way a slight on Jason as this EveryTip contributor doesn’t know the guy but just wanted to put this view across after watching the Undr The Cosh Pod and also Jason’s own PC called AbsoluteLee.
David Baddiel has apologised to Jason Lee about the sketch that is 25 years old.
It should be closed now but for the record, John Newsome doesn’t think it’s a form of bullying.
The sketch definitely has connotations of Racism from an era where things were different and should never be repeated and also feel Mr Baddiel and Mr Skinner never intentionally set out to hurt anyone.
Jason Lee did want to portray himself as a ‘Hard Man of Football’, that’s not conjecture, that’s from himself, so maybe David Baddiel and Frank Skinner thought Jason would be able to take the harmless mocking that did make him a name.
Finally, on this point, the initial sketch that Baddiel and Skinner did, 25 years ago, had the title ‘Pele is Rubbish!’ (or words to that effect!) mocking the great Brazilian, showing clips when ‘The Greatest’ had moments of rubbishness in a game.
If Fantasy Football can do that to Pele, then surely anyone else is acceptable.
All the best Jason Lee.
Jurgen’s Reds suffered a surprise defeat against Steve’s Trees back in October, with Nottingham Forest gaining the home victory against Liverpool by a 1-0 scoreline.
Taiwo Awoniyi with the solitary winning goal just after the break.
Betfred offer Liverpool at Odds On 1/5, the draw at 11/2 and 12/1 for Nottingham Forest to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 3/1 that Mo Salah Scores First and slight Odds On 8/11 that Liverpool Score in Both Halves.
Sunday 23rd
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NEWCASTLE v TOTTENHAM
14.00 in England
The surprise in this fixture is both turn up today off the back of a loss last time out.
Newcastle suffered a defeat against Aston Villa in the early Saturday afternoon kickoff, with Unai’s Claret and Blues gaining the victory over Eddie’s Black and Whites by a 3-0 scoreline.
The Magpies had been on a great run, achieving 5 straight victories but the game at Villa Park stopped the winning streak leaving Newcastle in 4th place with 56 points from 30 games played.
Three points more than today’s opponents so this really is the proverbial 6-pointer.
As mentioned, Tottenham also suffered a loss on Saturday, surprisingly succumbing to a home defeat against Bournemouth at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium by a 3-2 scoreline.
Son Heung-Min opened the scoring before the away team equalised to take both in level at the break.
Bournemouth then scored to take the lead but the ex-Cherry Arnaut Danjuma got Tottenham back level in the 88th minute which looked like both would share the points.
Unfortunately for the LilyWhites in attendance, Bournemouth scored the winner in the 95th minute.
Maybe the rant of Antonio Conte, berating his set of Spurs is starting to take its toll on the players.
Tottenham conceded 2 late goals against Southampton when leading by 3 goals to 1, ending up drawing from a winning position.
Another late goal against Everton, again ending up drawing from a winning position and now conceding a late goal to come away with nothing from a defeat.
Tottenham now sit in 5th place with 53 points from 31 games played.
Aston Villa are a place and 3 points adrift of Spurs, with both having to face each other in Game Week-36.
Tottenham face Manchester United after this trip to St James Park.
Newcastle gained a brilliant away day victory over Tottenham at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium back in the Game Week-13 affair.
Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron with the 1st-half goals to give Eddie Howe’s Magpies the win over Antonio Conte’s Spurs by a 2-1 scoreline.
Harry Kane pulled a goal back for Tottenham just after the interval but it wasn’t enough to get anything from the game.
Betfred offer Newcastle at slight Odds On 5/6, the draw at 13/5 and 16/5 for Tottenham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 3/1 that Kieran Trippier Scores Anytime and Evens 1/1 that Harry Kane Scores Anytime.
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BOURNEMOUTH v WEST HAM
14.00 in England
It could be argued that both these teams gained the two best results of last weekend.
Bournemouth inflicted a stunning defeat on Tottenham at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium by a 3-2 away day score.
Matias Vina scored to equalise an earlier Tottenham goal taking both teams in at the interval level.
Dominic Solanke added a 2nd just after the break but when the home team scored late on it looked like Bournemouth would gain a well-deserved point.
That point turned into all 3 when Dango Ouattara scored the winner in the 95th minute.
A superb result for Gary O’Neil and his band of Cherry Men that lifts Bournemouth up to 14th with 33 points from 31 games completed.
The Cherries’ remaining fixtures are against West Ham, Leeds United, Chelsea and Manchester United at the Vitality and Southampton, Crystal Palace and Everton on the travels.
The game at Goodison Park is the final one of this campaign so could quite possibly be a relegation decider.
West Ham gained a brilliant point on Sunday from a draw against Arsenal by a 2-2 scoreline.
After conceding 2 early Gunners goals it looked for all certainty that the away team would get a comfortable victory but when Said Benrahme converted a penalty the comeback was on.
Arsenal did have the chance to reestablish the 2-goal advantage when awarded a penalty of their own but the Gunner missed the target.
Jarrod Bowen scored an equaliser just after the missed spot-kick and the home team held on for a brilliant point that could have changed the momentum in the Premier League title challenge.
David Moyes and West Ham won’t be concerned about that with the vital point giving the Hammers 31 from 30 played.
The 2nd-leg of the Europa Conference League Quarter-Final against Gent takes place at the London Stadium on Thursday with that particular contest tied at 1-1.
West Ham’s remaining Premier League fixtures are against Liverpool, Manchester United and Leeds United at home and Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Man City, Brentford and Leicester on their travels, which do appear to be the more difficult fixtures for a team trying to avoid relegation.
Good luck Bubbles!
West Ham gained the easy victory over Bournemouth at the London Stadium back in October, with goals from CatMan Kurt Zouma and a Said Benrahme penalty giving the home team the points from a 2-0 scoreline.
Both goals were scored at the end of each half.
Betfred offer Bournemouth at 2/1, the draw at 11/5 and 7/5 for West Ham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/5 that Chris Billing Scores Anytime and 23/20 that Jarrod Bowen Scores Anytime.
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***
BRIGHTON v MAN CITY
Postponed due to both teams’ participation in the FA Cup Semi-Final.
***
***
MANCHESTER UNITED v CHELSEA
Postponed due to Manchester United’s participation in the FA Cup Semi-Final.
***
Saturday, April 4th 1998
Game Week-32
LEEDS UNITED v BARNSLEY
Elland Rd
15.00 in England
There are just over 20 miles between Barnsley and Leeds, so whenever the two Yorkshire clubs meet, it’s not far to travel for an afternoon or evening of football.
As the two are feisty neighbours there is always a bit of nervousness when crossing the border from South Yorkshire to West Yorkshire.
That said, the two clubs have had a good relationship with players over the years.
When John Newsome was first taken to the Original Theatre of Dreams back in 1978, the ex-Leeds United legend Allan ‘Sniffer’ Clarke was a Barnsley player, whilst the Super Reds were residing in Division 4, equivalent of today’s League 2.
Allan joined Barnsley in 1978, just 3 years after playing against Bayern Munich in the European Cup Final for Leeds United, where the Whites suffered a defeat against the West Germans by a 2-0 score.
Bayern Munich had the legendary Franz
Beckenbauer in their lineup, plus a young 19-year-old Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on the bench.
Allan Clarke was just short of 30 years old in the Final of 1975, being kicked all over by Der Kaiser and by the time Sniffer joined Barnsley in 1978, it was thought that the best days were behind the ex-England Striker in Top Flight football but Division 4 was a different beast, with Allan scoring for fun.
Initially, the Barnsley hierarchy asked Allan to take over as Caretaker Manager at the end of the 1978 campaign, then was given the Manager’s job on a full-time basis for the start of the 1978/79 season.
Barnsley were promoted to the old Division 3 at the end of that year under the guidance of Mr Clarke who as well as Managing the players, scored a few goals himself.
When the Elland Rd hierarchy asked Allan to become their Manager, it was a no-brainer for the Whites legend who left Oakwell in 1980.
Whilst in charge of Barnsley, Sniffer brought in his old mate Norman Hunter to play at the Back for the Super Reds.
Added to Norman was the brilliant Trevor Aylott, Ian Evans, Derrick Parker and Ronnie Glavin.
Following Allan’s departure back to Leeds United, the Oakwell bosses asked Norman ‘Bite Yer Legs’ Hunter to become the Player Manager thus continuing the connection between the two Yorkshire Giants.
Mr Hunter had a brilliant time at Oakwell, putting in some legendary performances in a Red Shirt, ‘biting a few legs’ of the old Division 3 players.
Barnsley won promotion under the two ex-Leeds United players in 1979 (from Division 4 to 3) and 1981, now playing in Division 2 (the Championship) where the Super Reds would stay for 16 years until the brilliant promotion to the Premier League in 1997.
There were some notable victories under Norman Hunter, with Barnsley inflicting defeats on Brighton and Man City in the 1981/82 League Cup plus gaining a brilliant draw by a 0-0 score at Anfield in the Quarter-Final of that year.
Liverpool at the time, were the current European Champions.
Following a poor spell in the 1983/84 season, Norman was relieved of his duties at Oakwell but that wasn’t the end of Barnsley’s connection with Leeds United.
The ex-White Bobby Collins replaced his old Elland Rd mate Norman in February 1984.
This was a period when a 14-year-old future EveryTip contributor was now a regular at Oakwell, paying £3 on the gate of a Saturday and standing on the Ponte End.
Three pounds was a week’s wage delivering papers.
Fridays were always the worst, with the added Barnsley Chronicle in the paper bag, which used to trail on the floor as one rode his Raleigh Grifter.
The Iconic Chronicle can still be purchased but is now a lot lighter due to the On-Line publication, so the current Paper Girls and Boys have it easy.
Bobby Collins only lasted just over a season but it was once again a Leeds United connection as the next Manager, that being Allan ‘Sniffer’ Clarke returning as the Barnsley Gaffer for the start of the 1985/86 campaign.
Allan himself had a few notable victories one being a memorable win against West Ham in a 1987 League Cup Round-2 tie.
West Ham at the time were in Division 1, the equivalent of the Premier League and had Alvin Martin, Paul Ince and the legendary Liam Brady playing in the defeat.
After drawing by a 0-0 scoreline in the 1st-leg at Oakwell (the League Cup was a 2-legged affair for Round 1 and 2 back then) Barnsley headed down to the Boleyn Ground on a cold and wet October night in 1987.
Upon falling behind by 2 goals to nil, Steve Agnew scored twice to equalise and take the tie to Extra-Time.
Barnsley then scored 3 times to progress to the next round.
Unfortunately, the local rivals Sheffield Wednesday knocked Barnsley out of the competition in a single game of Round 3.
Allan Clarke did bring in a few players such as David Currie and John Beresford plus had the service of Paul Futcher, whose twin brother Ron had played at Oakwell a few years earlier.
Paul and Ron are the Uncle of the ex-Liverpool player and Match Of The Day pundit Danny Murphy.
Plus, Mr Clarke had the pleasure of some great players who came through the Youth Ranks such as Paul Cross, Joe Joyce, David Hirst and Steve Agnew.
Julian Broddle played in the brilliant fixture against West Ham and following a successful career in Football went on to join the Ex-Serg and Current Stick Thrower in the Greater Manchester Police, both joining at the same time, along with Fred’s biggest fan, the Bolton Hope.
Another legend on show at Upton Park back in October 1987 was Stuart Gray, who is currently the Assistant Manager at Fulham.
In 1989, after a total of 6 years over 2 spells as a Player and then Manager of Barnsley, Allan left Oakwell.
That also ended the 11-year Leeds United Manager connection, with the ex-Man City Boss, Mel Machin taking over from Mr Clarke in December 1989.
There have been a few good players swapped between the two clubs, the Substitute in today’s fixture, Stephen McPhail joined Barnsley in 2004 and helped the Super Reds gain promotion in 2006, playing at the Millennium Stadium against Swansea.
Adam Mowatt made the move down the M1 to join Barnsley from Leeds United in 2017, again helping the Super Reds gain promotion back to the Championship in 2019.
Rest in Peace Norman Hunter, Bobby Collins and Paul Futcher.
The Red and White Army were out in force back in April 1998 and headed up the M1 to Leeds via Trains, Planes and Automobiles, well Train and Car, no point getting a Plane, by the time one took off, it would be time to land.
There were just over 37,000 in attendance at Elland Rd, in the sunshine at first, then a deluge of rain made the playing surface heavy.
Back at Oakwell, in the reverse fixture, the day was rain filled so both sets of players and fans were used to a drop of water.
George Graham was the Leeds Manager and sent out the following Whites,
Leeds United-
Nigel Martyn, Gunner Halle, Ian Harte, Martin Hiden, Garry Kelly, Robert Molenaar, David Weatherall, Lee Bowyer, Bruno Ribeiro, Harry Kewell and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Substitutes-
Stephen McPhail for Bruno Ribeiro 46th Minute
Danny Wilson’s legends,
Barnsley-
David Watson, Nicky Eaden, Darren Barnard, Chris Morgan, Adie Moses, Scott Jones, Jovo Bosancic, Martin Bullock, Neil Redfearn, Georgi Hristov and Ashley Ward.
Substitutes-
Clint Marcelle for Martin Bullock 79th Minute
Jan Age Fjortoft for Scott Jones 82nd Minute
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink gave the home team a lead after 20 minutes before Georgi Hristov equalised on the stroke of half-time to take both teams in level at the break and make the Pie and Bovril taste a lot sweeter.
With 10 minutes to go, the Red and White Army thought their idols were going to gain a point from a draw, however, Adie Moses then scored a beautiful header.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t a winner for Barnsley, Adie’s bullet header was into his own net past David Watson to gift the home team the victory by a 2-1 scoreline.
Still, a good header though Adrian, respect!
To be fair, if it wasn’t for the brilliant performance of the aforementioned David Watson, Leeds United could have recorded a cricket score.
The defeat, although not mathematically, sort of sealed the Reds’ fate, leaving Barnsley in a very precarious position with 6 fixtures remaining.
There was going to be a little twist in the next match that did revive the hopes but that’s for next time.
After dodging a few objects, added to bobbing and weaving a few fisticuffs on leaving Elland Rd, John Newsome was in the Ford and back down the M1, then dropped the car off at Chez Newsome, a splash of Aramis and straight into Town for a night on the ale, which was drank responsibly.
It was then a dance in Japanese Whispers and an attempt at chatting up a member of the opposition.
‘Hi love, want a drink?’
Was the foolproof start of a conversation, followed by,
‘Where are you from?’
‘Leeds!’
Was the reply, so John Newsome retreated hastily and went off for a Kay Bab and a Taxi home.
Sunday was another day with the New Youth who wasn’t so new now, about 8 months old, surely old enough to drive?
Apparently not, so one had to pick her up and once again spend 4 hours in Locke Park pushing her on the swing, hungover, ready for Sunday Dinner at Joan and Malcs and a nice afternoon nap, before another session in Town, reminiscing about the day out to Elland Rd.
‘What a header, shame it was in the wrong net! Another Pint Big Lad?’
Those were definitely, the days!
15-Newcastle 36 pts (minus-7 goals)
16-Tottenham 35 pts (minus-16 goals)
17-Everton 34 pts (minus-11 goals)
18-Bolton 31 pts (minus-19 goals)
19-Barnsley 31 pts (minus-40 goals)
20-Crystal Palace 26 pts (minus-27 goals)
Home Win 2-1
The Scottish Premier League remains the same with both Celtic and Rangers gaining a victory at the weekend.
Celtic got the win against Kilmarnock (who?) on Sunday by a 4-1 scoreline, with the arch-Glasgow rivals Rangers inflicting a defeat on St Mirren (who?) by a 5-2 score, so plenty of goals for the Green and White Hoops and Blues faithful to cheer on.
With 6 fixtures remaining, Celtic sit at the summit of the Pub League with 91 points.
Rangers sit in 2nd place with 79 points.
Those good at Math (the loveable OzScot isn’t having failed his Maths ‘O’ level at school!) know there are 12 points between the two clubs.
That simply means that Celtic will be confirmed as SPL Champions for certainty in 3 games’ time if both continue to win.
It will be in 2 games time effectively as the goal difference between the two is a massive 29 in favour of Celtic.
Celtic- Scored 102 and Conceded 24 meaning a plus+78 differential.
Rangers- Scored 81 and Conceded 32 giving a plus+49 difference.
Rangers can only achieve a maximum of 97 points if successfully getting wins in the remaining 6.
Celtic will have 97 points from victories out of the next 2, so with the goal difference being so big, that effectively means the Scottish Premier League title will be going to the Green side of Glasgow in 2 fixtures time, however, Celtic probably won’t celebrate until after the 3rd win.
Going back to the Maths ‘O’ level, it doesn’t mean anything as the OzScot has done ok for himself despite only using his fingers and toes to add up.
A strange phenomenon happens in the Pub League after the next set of fixtures with the remaining 5 games then being split into 2 Groups.
During the 1st-phase of the season, all of the SPL clubs play each other 3-times for a total of 33 games, meaning they will have played 16 matches at home and 17 away, or vice versa.
The split then kicks in and clubs have another 5 matches against opponents in their half of the table for a total of 38 games over the campaign.
The primary reason for this phenomenon is to increase competition within the Pub League and reduce the number of meaningless mid-table clashes.
The make-up of the Top 6 has often remained in the balance until the 33rd set of fixtures.
It also means clubs going for the Title or European places and those attempting to retain their SPL status, face the same opponents in the run-in, which ensures a sense of balance and fairness.
For example, Ross County (who?) are currently at foot of the SPL, so it’s considered that it would be unfair of them to have to face Celtic or Rangers to avoid relegation in their remaining 5 games.
Compare that to the Premier League where Arsenal, the current leaders have to play Southampton and Nottingham Forest in their remaining fixtures and Man City who are 2nd in the table, have games against West Ham, Everton and Leeds United, all fighting relegation.
Thus, the term ‘Pub League’, which is sometimes referred to as ‘derogatory’ is put into context.
Ross County (who?) do have the brilliantly named David Cancola in their squad and as most regular readers will know,
‘Can-Cola? Yes, it can, if doctored with Mr Smirnoff.
Braveheart did state that John Newsome has a ‘love’ for Celtic, which isn’t the case.
This EveryTip column just provides the facts and the fact at the moment is Ange Postecoglou’s Green and White Hoops are better than Lou Beale’s Teddy Bears.
The loveable OzScot then went off to spin around, ready for the Pub Cup Semi-Final between the two fierce Glasgow rivals taking place on the 30th of April.
‘He’s spinning around, move out of his way!’