EPL Game Week 38 – 2021/22 Season Premier League Tips – John Newsome

John Newsome Football Betting Tips - everytip

The highlight games for the EPL finals are MAN CITY versus ASTON VILLA  and  LIVERPOOL versus WOLVES. Our feature columnist, John Newsome previews these as well as all game week 38 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-38

The final fixtures of the season are upon us, with all these Game Week-38 affairs being the reverse of Game Week-14 and 15, which took place in December 2021.

Sunday 22nd

MAN CITY v ASTON VILLA

16.00 in England

At the beginning of this 2021/22 Premier League campaign, which amazingly, started on August 13th 2021 and has gone in a flash, the predicted final league positions were given by John Newsome, the Widster and the Australian branch of this EveryTip column, Braveheart and CSI Jonny.

Here’s what was predicted by all four and published in the Game Week-2 column on the 18th of August last year.

‘The Australian branch of this EveryTip column wanted to get involved in the Final League positions of the 2021/22 Premier League season so it would be rude not to include them.

The OzScot-Andrew Hall’s Final League Positions

1-Chelsea
2-Man City
3-Manchester United
4-Liverpool
5-Leicester
6-Tottenham
7-Arsenal
8-Everton
9-Leeds United
10-West Ham
11-Aston Villa
12-Crystal Palace
13-Wolves
14-Southampton
15-Brighton
16-Newcastle
17-Norwich
18-Burnley
19-Watford
20-Brentford

CSI Jonny Saunders Final League Positions

1-Man City
2-Chelsea
3-Liverpool
4-Manchester United
5-Leicester
6-Arsenal
7-Tottenham
8-Everton
9-Leeds United
10-West Ham
11-Aston Villa
12-Wolves
13-Newcastle
14-Southampton
15-Brentford
16-Crystal Palace
17-Brighton
18-Burnley
19-Norwich
20-Watford

The Widster’s-Final League Positions

1-Chelsea
2-Man City
3-Manchester United
4-Liverpool
5-Arsenal
6-Leicester
7-Tottenham
8-Everton
9-West Ham
10-Burnley
11-Brighton
12-Norwich
13-Wolves
14-Leeds United
15-Aston Villa
16-Southampton
17-Newcastle
18-Crystal Palace
19-Brentford
20-Watford

John Newsome’s Final League Positions

1-Man City
2-Liverpool
3-Chelsea
4-Leicester
5-Manchester United
6-West Ham
7-Leeds United
8-Arsenal
9-Tottenham
10-Aston Villa
11-Everton
12-Burnley
13-Wolves
14-Brighton
15-Southampton
16-Newcastle
17-Crystal Palace
18-Watford
19-Norwich
20-Brentford

Two for Man City and two for Chelsea, surprisingly no one predicted a Liverpool title victory.

Following last week’s set of results where Pep’s Low Flying Blues gained a point at the London Stadium against West Ham by a 2-2 scoreline, the title race is now simple.

After conceding 2-goals in the 1st-half, Jack Grealish pulled a goal back within 4-minutes of the restart, before a Kevin De Bruyne free-kick was turned home by the unfortunate Hammers defender Vladimir Coufal who glanced the ball past a helpless Lukasz Fabianski.

Low Flying as opposed to the usually High Flyers because Man City were poor in the 1st-have and deserved to be trailing at the break.

Oleksandr Zinchenko was particularly poor, was at fault for both goals and was lucky not to be taken off.

As it turned out, Pep Guardiola didn’t make any changes throughout the 90-minutes, which has happened on a few occasions this term, with the opinion that Pep must think,

‘You lot got yourselves into this mess, you lot get out of it!’

City had the chance to seal the victory when the dreaded VAR informed the on-field referee Anthony Taylor to check the pitchside monitor.

Once this occurs, it usually results in the original decision being upgraded.

Gabriel Jesus was clearly fouled in the area but Anthony didn’t initially give a penalty.

When Mr Taylor checked the monitor the spot-kick was awarded.

It was left to Riyad Mahrez who is Man City’s leading scorer this season with 24-goals in all competitions.

However, KDB is the leading scorer in the Premier League and following the 4-goals Kevin scored against Wolves, it was a surprise that Riyad took the penalty.

That surprise was compounded when Mr Fabianski comfortably saved Mr Mahrez’s tame kick.

Hindsight is wonderful but John Newsome would have thought it better, that Kevin De Bruyne took the spot-kick.

That’s gone now and the game finished in the Archbishop’s favourite scoreline.

Liverpool played on Tuesday and after Jurgen’s Reds got the predicted victory over Southampton, the final Super Sunday of the 2021/22 campaign throws up the scenario that Man City have 90-points from 37-fixtures and Liverpool have 89, with City at the summit by a point, also having a superior goal difference.

Man City have plus+72 and Liverpool have plus+66.

The simple Math is this, if City get the victory today against Aston Villa, then despite the result at Anfield, Man City will be the Premier League title winners.

Liverpool have to get a victory by at least 7-goals if Man City suffer a defeat.

If Jurgen’s Reds win and Pep’s Blues draw, the title is heading to Anfield.

However, as this is a prediction site, John Newsome predicts that Man City will get the victory today.

Aston Villa gained a creditable point from a draw by a 1-1 score against Crystal Palace on Sunday, as predicted in this EveryTip column last week.

Ollie Watkins scored after the break to give Villa a lead but that didn’t last long when 10-minutes later, Palace equalised and with no further goals, the two Midfield legends shared the points in their fledgling management career.

Aston Villa sat 14th in the table on Sunday with 43-points before the visit of Burnley on Thursday.

Against Michael Jackson’s Clarets, Stevie G’s Claret and Blues gained another point to remain 14th with 45-points going into this finale at the Etihad.

Burnley scored on the stroke of half-time to go in leading at the break but the parity didn’t last long, when Emiliano Buendia equalised for Villa, 3-minutes into the restart.

With no further goals, both teams shared the points from a draw by a 1-1 score.

At Villa Park in the Game Week-14 affair, Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva scored in the 1st-half to give the away team a lead at the break.

Ollie Watkins pulled a goal back within 2-minutes of the restart but with no further goals, City held on for the away-day victory by a 2-1 scoreline.

Betfred offer Man City at Odds On 1/6, the draw at 15/2 and 18/1 for Aston Villa to come away with all 3-points.

Betfred offer 4/1 that Raheem Sterling Scores First and 11/4 that there are Over 4.5 Goals.

Home Win 5-0- Get 14/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer! 

LIVERPOOL v WOLVES

16.00 in England

Liverpool come into this final home fixture as the new FA Cup champions, following last Saturday’s victory against Chelsea by way of a penalty shootout win.

After a goalless 120-minutes, the same as in the Carabao Cup against the Blues, it was another spot-kick decider that Liverpool prevailed by a 6-5 scoreline, with Chelsea missing 2-penalties and Liverpool just 1.

Jurgen’s Reds then headed the long trip South to face Southampton at St Mary’s knowing that a victory was vital in prolonging the title challenge.

Despite going a goal down, early on in proceedings, Takumi Minamino equalised for Liverpool to take both teams in level at the break.

Joel Matip headed home midway through the 2nd-half to give an understrength Reds side the victory by a 2-1 away day scoreline.

That means the title challenge will be decided on Super Sunday, where the scenario is simple for Liverpool.

Jurgen Reds have to get the victory against Wolves then rely on the Anfield legend, Steven Gerrard guiding his Aston Villa team to inflict a defeat on Pep’s Blues.

Without a victory today, it’s irrelevant what happens at the Etihad.

Man City had gained a point on Sunday against West Ham, meaning there was a 4-point gap between the two Premier League Heavyweights going into the fixture against the Saints.

Luckily the celebrations following the FA Cup victory were put on hold until the season finishes.

The FA Cup Final was usually the last game of one’s season allowing both teams the chance of a knees-up, one being a victory doo, the other being a commiseration celebration.

Liverpool have 2-more important games to go before the party starts.

This one against Wolves and the Final of the Champions League next week against Real Madrid in Paris.

Wolves gained a point from a draw by a 1-1 score against Norwich on Sunday.

Rayan Ait Nouri scored after the break to equalise an earlier Norwich goal from the 1st-half.

Bruno’s Gold and Blacks are definitely on the beach having now gone 6-fixtures without a victory, 4-defeats and 2-draws.

There was a game a few years back, October 2009, where Sunderland’s Darren Bent scored a goal against Liverpool that deflected off a beach ball.

There are uncorroborated rumours that Wolves have had beach balls and lie-lows in the team bath for weeks.

Norwich have suffered defeats in the last 5-fixtures so for Bruno’s Lage Louts not to get a victory sums up the current lethargic state of affairs at Molineux.

Wolves sit 8th with 51-points from 37-played.

At Molineux in December, Liverpool left it late, very late to secure the points with the Super-Sub, Divock Origi getting the solitary winning goal in the 94th-minute, to give Jurgen’s Reds the victory over Bruno’s Gold and Blacks by a 1-0 away-day score.

Betfred offer Liverpool at Odds On 1/5, the draw at 13/2 and 16/1 for Wolves to come away with all 3-points.

Betfred offer 10/3 that Sadio Mane Scores First and 6/5 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.

Home Win 4-0- Get 17/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer! 

CHELSEA v WATFORD

16.00 in England

Chelsea come into this fixture at Stamford Bridge, wounded from the loss in the FA Cup Final last Saturday, succumbing to a penalty shootout defeat against Liverpool.

Out of the 7-penalties taken, Cezar Azpilicueta and Mason Mount were the unfortunate ones to miss.

Liverpool converted 6 out of their 7, to take home the trophy.

Carabao Cup, a defeat on penalties against Liverpool.

FA Cup, a defeat on penalties against Liverpool.

Chelsea will hope that a pattern isn’t developing.

Another unwanted pattern is Mason Mount has suffered 6-defeats in Finals at Wembley, including the Euro’20 Final with England against Italy and the 2019 Championship Play-off Final against Aston Villa, whilst on loan at Frank Lampard’s Derby County.

The others are the 2022-Carabao Cup Final against Liverpool and the last 3-FA Cup Finals against, Arsenal in 2020, Leicester in 2021 and last week against Liverpool (2022).

If one was a Chelsea fan, the hope would be that in the next Final at Wembley, Mason Mount doesn’t play.

Following the FA Cup Final, it was a visit from Leicester to Stamford Bridge in the penultimate Premier League fixture.

Thomas’s Blue Engines gained a point against Brendan’s Wonderful’s on Thursday.

James Maddison scored early for the away team but the Foxes goal was cancelled out by Marcos Alonso before the break.

With no further goals in the 2nd-half, both shared the points from a draw by a 1-1 score.

Chelsea remain 3rd in the table, with 71-points, 3 more than Tottenham, however, have a plus+42 goal difference, whereas Spurs have a plus+24, meaning that it’s highly likely that Thomas’s Blues will finish 3rd after the Super Sunday set of fixtures.

Watford suffered a devastating home loss on Sunday against Leicester, succumbing to a defeat by a 5-1 scoreline.

The annoying thing for the Hornet faithful was that Joao Pedro had scored after 5-minutes to give Watford an early lead.

Unfortunately, that little sting woke up the Foxes who scored twice before the break and 3 more in the 2nd-half to run out easy winners.

Watford remain in 19th-place with 23-points.

At least Roy Hodgson doesn’t have to travel far after the Old Boys’ final game in management, with this fixture taking place in London.

Emmanuel Dennis cancelled out an earlier Mason Mount goal, to take both teams in level at the break when these two met at Vicarage Rd in early December.

Hakim Ziyech scored the winner for Chelsea, midway through the 2nd-half to give Thomas’s Blue Engines the victory by a 2-1 away-day scoreline.

Betfred offer Chelsea at Odds On 1/6, the draw at 7/1 and 18/1 for Watford to come away with all 3-points.

Betfred offer 2/1 that Jorginho Scores Anytime and slight Odds On 8/11 that Chelsea Win To Nil.

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ARSENAL v EVERTON

16.00 in England

Arsenal were dealt a devastating blow on Monday Night Football, in their bid to finish 4th and gain a Champions League place.

Following Tottenham’s professional victory against Burnley on Sunday, the Gunners sat 5th in the table, 2-points adrift, knowing that a victory was needed against Newcastle at St James Park to regain the 4th-spot.

Unfortunately, after suffering a defeat against the Magpies by a 2-0 score, Arsenal’s entry into the Champions League is all but over for another season.

‘All but’ because Tottenham have to face Norwich in the final fixture meaning, Antonio Conte’s Spurs only need to draw against Dean Smith’s Yellow Canary’s and Tottenham will be 4th.

Even if Mikel’s Young Guns gain a victory against Everton, it won’t be enough if Spurs get at least a point as Arsenal’s goal difference is far inferior to that of Tottenham.

Because Norwich are this season’s whipping boys, it’s highly unlikely that Spurs will lose and at least should gain a point.

That said, it is football and nothing is guaranteed, so Mikel Arteta and the Gooners will be hoping that Dean Smith’s Yellow Canary’s can cause an upset.

Arsenal will at least be playing in Kazakhstan on Thursday nights.

Mikel’s boys sit 5th, with 66-points from 37-fixtures played and have a plus+11 goal difference, compared to Tottenham, having 68-points with a plus+24.

Everton started brilliantly on Sunday against Brentford at Goodison Park with the atmosphere given by the faithful, like electricity.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored his 1st-goal since last August, claiming that Richarlison’s shot touched him last on the way into the goal.

Everton were in complete control knowing that a victory would confirm their safety in the Premier League, however, in the 18th-minute, the youngster Jarrad Branthwaite was shown a straight Red Card following a professional foul on Ivan Toney, preventing a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

Brentford equalised soon after, through an own goal by Seamus Coleman and then the 10-man Toffees were awarded a penalty following a foul on Richarlison.

The Brazilian dusted himself down and coolly converted the spot-kick to give Everton a lead at the break.

Brentford then scored twice to inflict the defeat on Everton by a 3-2 away day scoreline.

Frank Lampard’s Blues also had a 2nd man sent off, towards the end of the game.

Frank sent on Salomon Rondon in the 84th-minute but Salomon only lasted 4-minutes before being sent off following a reckless challenge.

As both Jarrad’s and Salomon’s cards were straight Reds, then both are now finished for the season.

The defeat left Everton with 36-points, from 36-fixtures before Thursday’s fixture against Crystal Palace, a point more than Leeds United and 2-more than Burnley.

It meant that it was vitally important Everton got something out of the rearranged fixture against Palace.

After 45-minutes in that Thursday night game, Everton looked in trouble, trailing by 2-goals at half-time.

Somehow, Frank gave an inspired team talk over the cup of tea and following 2nd-half goals from Michael Keane, Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Everton got the much-needed victory by a 3-2 score.

The tremendous fight-back like a scene from ‘Escape To Victory’ means that Frank Lampard’s Toffees are safe and will play Premier League football next season, regardless of the result today.

Everton sit in 16th-place with 39-points from 37-fixtures played.

It’s now a straight shootout between Burnley and Leeds United, both with 35-points, as to who stays and who goes.

At the beginning of December on Merseyside, Everton, still under the guidance of Rafa Benitez got a victory by a 2-1 score.

Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard scored on the stroke of half-time to give the Gunners a lead at the break.

Richarlison, who had seen 2-earlier goals disallowed by the dreaded VAR, eventually scored a legitimate one in the 79th-minute to bring the scores level.

With time up on the clock, Demarai Gray scored a superb winner in the 92nd-minute to give Rafa’s Toffees the win over Mikel’s Young Guns.

Betfred offer Arsenal at Odds On 4/7, the draw at 7/2 and 5/1 for Everton to come away with all 3-points.

Betfred offer 2/1 that Emile Smith-Rowe Scores Anytime and 13/8 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.

Home Win 3-1- Get 10/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer! 

BRENTFORD v LEEDS UNITED

16.00 in England

Brentford got a great victory on Sunday, inflicting a defeat on Everton at Goodison Park by a 3-2 score.

After conceding a Toffees goal, Ivan Toney was hauled down when clear on goal resulting in a Red Card for the Everton Defender.

There were now 70-minutes that the Bees had a man advantage over the Toffees and quickly equalised through a shot by Yoane Wissa that took a deflection from an Everton player.

The 10-men converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time, following a foul by Mads Bech Sorensen to leave Brentford trailing at the break.

Mads simply has Bech on the back of his shirt, which saves the punters a few Bob when buying replica tops wanting the Defenders name on it.

Yoane Wissa scored in the 62nd-minute with Rico Henry adding the 3rd, 2-minutes later.

With no further goals, Thomas Frank’s Bees got the victory over Frank Lampard’s Toffees.

Brentford have the opportunity to confirm Leeds United’s relegation with a victory today.

‘Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again, Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again.’

That was the tune ringing around the Elland Rd stadium when a Brighton goal after 20-minutes had left Jesse’s Whites trailing going into injury time.

The tune stopped when Pascal ‘Alphabet’ Struijk scored an equaliser in the 93rd-minute that could just keep Leeds in the Premier League.

With Burnley suffering a defeat earlier in the day, the two teams temporarily swapped places for a couple of days until the Thursday clash between the two Clarets.

Leeds United, with 35-points from 37-fixtures played, jumped out of the relegation zone, dropping Burnley into 18th.

Everton had been dragged back into the relegation battle following Sunday’s defeat against Brentford.

Following the draw between Burnley and Aston Villa on Thursday, Leeds are back in the drop zone on goal difference.

Because Everton got the victory on Thursday and Burnley could only manage a draw, it’s now a straight shootout between Michael Jackson’s Claret’s and Jesse Marsch’s Whites, as to who is relegated.

The goal difference is, Leeds United have a minus-38 and Burnley have a minus-18.

There are now 3-possible scenarios,

1-Leeds United have to win against Brentford today and hope Burnley draw or loses against Newcastle.

2-If both win, then Jesse’s Whites have to score 21-goals more than Michael’s Clarets to avoid relegation.

3-If both draw, Leeds United will be playing in the Championship next season.

When these two met at Elland Rd for the Game Week-15 tie, a certain Archbishop was looking down with a grin and a nod of approval.

Tyler Roberts gave the home team the lead midway through the 1st-half.

Shandon Baptiste equalised early after the break, with Sergio Canos scoring on the hour-mark to give the away team a lead.

Patrick Bamford, who was a 2nd-half substitute, equalised in the 95th-minute to give Marcelo’s Whites and Thomas’s Bees the share of the points from a draw by a 2-2 score.

Betfred offer Brentford at 13/10, the draw at 11/4 and 2/1 for Leeds United to come away with all 3-points.

Betfred offer 7/2 that Ivan Toney Scores First and 19/10 that Brentford Score in Both Halves.

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

GOALKEEPER- Lukasz Fabianski

RIGHT-BACK- Emil Krafth- Newcastle

CENTRE-BACK- Jonny Evans- Leicester

CENTRE-BACK- Eric Dier- Tottenham

LEFT-BACK- Ben Davies- Tottenham

MIDFIELDER- Bruno Guimaraes- Newcastle

MIDFIELDER- Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg-Tottenham

MIDFIELDER- Harvey Barnes- Leicester

FORWARD- Jamie Vardy- Leicester

FORWARD- Yoane Wissa- Brentford

FORWARD- Jarrod Bowen- West Ham

STAR MAN- Mark Noble- West Ham

BRIGHTON v WEST HAM

16.00 in England

Brighton come into this final fixture following a draw against Leeds United by a 1-1 score.

Danny Welbeck scored after 21-minutes and with no further goals going into time added on, it looked like Graham Potter’s Wizards were going to get the victory until Jesse’s Whites scored the equaliser in the 92nd-minute.

The Seagulls are unbeaten in 4-games now, with 2-draws and 2-wins on the record.

Brighton have 48-points from the 37-fixtures played and sit 10th in the table.

West Ham were magnificent in the 1st-half on Sunday, against Man City at the London Stadium.

David Moyes set up his boys, intending to catch Pep’s Blues on the break with the excellent Michail Antonio stretching the back-4 of City.

Michail’s mate, Jarrod Bowen got in behind Oleksandr Zinchenko twice to score 2-great goals before the half-time cup of tea.

It was then a 2nd-half, backs against the wall, resilient sequence of defending by the Hammers that firstly, saw Man City pull a goal back, just after the restart.

Then Vladimir Coufal glanced a header past his own ‘keeper, the helpless Lukasz Fabianski to gift Pep’s Blues the equalising goal.

The drama wasn’t over when Craig Dawson dove in on Gabriel Jesus in the penalty area.

The on-field referee, Anthony Taylor initially waved play on but after the dreaded VAR advised Anthony to look at the pitch-side monitor, everyone now knows what happens next?

Mr Taylor pointed to the spot and gave a penalty to Man City.

Fortunately for the watching Bubbles, the penalty was extremely tame and saved by Lukasz.

With no further action, West Ham held on for a point from a draw by a 2-2 score.

That leaves David Moyes Boys in 7th-place, with 56-points, 2-points adrift of Manchester United and a place in the Europa League.

The Europa Conference League beckons, however, if a victory against Brighton is achieved and United fail to win, then West Ham will jump above Mr Moyes’s old employers and take the Europa League spot, demoting Manchester United into the Conference League.

One final thing to mention is the brilliant career by a true Hammer’s Legend, that being Mark Noble.

Mark is the Number-1 Bubble, in overall statistics, out of all the West Ham players throughout the decades, including Bobby Moore, Billy Bonds, Trevor Brooking and the rest of the boys who have worn the famous Claret and Blue Irons Shirt.

Mark Noble is a true legend of the Boleyn Ground, known locally as Upton Park and the London Stadium.

Enjoy the retirement young man!

At the London Stadium in December, both teams got a point apiece from a draw by a 1-1 scoreline.

Tomas Soucek scored for the Hammers after 5-minutes and when it appeared that David Moyes Boys would get the victory, Neal Maupay equalised in the 89th-minute to give Graham Potter’s Seagulls a share of the points.

Betfred offer Brighton at 8/5, the draw at 13/5 and 7/4 for West Ham to come away with all 3-points.

Betfred offer 3/1 that Alexis Mac Allister Scores Anytime and 10/3 that Mark Noble Scores Anytime.

Away Win 1-3- Get 20/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer! 

CRYSTAL PALACE v MANCHESTER UNITED

16.00 in England

Crystal Palace gained a point from the Game Week-37 affair against Aston Villa
at Villa Park, with Jeffrey Schlupp equalising an earlier Villa goal.

The draw last Sunday was followed up by a bizarre defeat against Everton at Goodison Park on Thursday, in the rearranged fixture.

Bizarre in the way that goals from Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Jordan Ayew had given Patrick’s Palace a comfortable lead at the break.

Unfortunately for the travelling Eagle Ultras, their idols capitulated in the 2nd-half, conceding 3-Everton goals, ultimately having the defeat snatched from the jaws of victory by a 3-2 scoreline.

As the great Chris Kamara would say,

‘Unbelievable Jeff!’

Kammy isn’t too good at the moment suffering from a speech impediment and breathing problems and has called time on his wonderful commentary career working for Sky Sports over the past 24-years.

The start was a year after seeing Barnsley FC clinch promotion to the Premier League in April 1997, 25-years ago, following a final home game victory against Bradford City, whose manager just happened to be Sir Christopher Kamara!

All the best Kammy for the wonderful entertainment over the years.

Crystal Palace remain 13th, with 45-points, the same as Aston Villa but with a slightly superior goal difference.

Palace can’t finish any lower than 14th, regardless of this result today.

Manchester United return to action after 15-days off following the devastating defeat against Brighton at the Amex, by a 4-0 away day scoreline.

As United played their Game Week-37 affair at the beginning of May, Ralph’s Roadsters had the weekend off.

It’s rumoured that Erik Ten Hag has started the arduous task of getting Manchester United back to somewhere near the Top Table.

That somewhere near depends on the recruitment made by the Old Trafford hierarchy to bring in players that Erik wants, not players that are just ticking the ‘shirt sale’ box.

It feels like this EveryTip column has been a constant thorn in the side of Fred and Scott McTominay for the fact that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralph Rangnick have both used the two as the midfield go-to players.

To reiterate, as this could be the final time that the narrative is used, it is nothing personal towards the two lads, they both appear to be decent fellows.

The narrative that Manchester United won’t win anything with Fred and Scott is purely based on watching the two perform in the Red, Pink, Zebra, Dark Blue or Light Blue shirt over the past few years and the fact that the decision to stick with the two when it clearly isn’t, hasn’t and wasn’t working, is the reason that Manchester United find themselves in the current dilemma.

Others can say ‘this or that’ but John Newsome will never change that narrative and will stick by it until proven wrong.

This is the perfect opportunity for Erik Ten Hag to change the fortunes of Manchester United, by simply purchasing two or three, High Class, World Class Midfielders.

There was a headline in one of the online rags that went,

‘Red Devils eying N’Golo Kante swoop!’

John’s good friend, ‘the Serg’ commented that Kalvin Phillips is on his way down the M62 to the Red side of Manchester, however, whilst that would be a brilliant acquisition by Erik The Red,
the questions need to be asked,

‘Why would Kalvin Phillips want to join Manchester United?’

Money?

All the Top Clubs have money.

Champions League football?

United are not in the Top European Competition and could quite possibly end up in the Europa Conference League, depending on the results of the final Premier League fixtures.

Status?

No.

The prestige of playing for Manchester United?

That prestige is quickly diminishing.

So again,

‘Why would Kalvin Phillips want to join Manchester United?’

The same could be asked of Declan Rice.

However, whether to sign N’Golo Kante is a completely different question.

The French World Cup Winner is pure class but now aged 31, are the best years behind N’Golo?

John Newsome doesn’t think so and if Mr Ten Hag can firstly, persuade Chelsea to sell and secondly entice Mr Kante to head North to Old Trafford, it would be a brilliant appointment that would buy Manchester United a seat nearer the table where Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal are filling their faces.

Not necessarily at the Top Table to start with, as a few other acquisitions are needed.

Erik will have his own players in mind, including bringing Donny Van De Beek back into the fold.

The two worked together at Ajax, where Erik Ten Hag won the Eredivisie Title, twice, in 2018/19 and 19/20.

ETH has then won the last two titles without DVDB.

There’s also the Defence to address as well as the Shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo, which does sound like a Sherlock Holmes mystery.

There isn’t any mystery, Cristiano has been outstanding this term in the goal-scoring charts, with 18 Premier League goals plus the 6-in the Champions League.

A remarkable effort by CR7-2.0.

However, the Portuguese legend is 37 now and no one is saying that Mr Ronaldo is past his sell-by, it’s just that the lad has a massive presence at Old Trafford and the other players are simply in his shadows.

That isn’t Cristiano Ronaldo’s fault, it’s a combination of the management not being strong enough to use Cristiano when it’s necessary and also the players not being strong enough to challenge Mr Ronaldo and show the manager, whether full-time, caretaker or temporary, that they deserve a chance in front of the Portugal Superstar.

Marcus Rashford is a shell of the player he once was, Jadon Sancho should be rivalling Cristiano, Mason Greenwood has his own problems, Edinson Cavani is past his sell-by date too and Anthony Elanga may come good, if the youth has learned from Mr Ronaldo over the season and steps up next term.

This is what John Newsome thinks should happen regarding Cristiano Ronaldo.

Give the lad a statue outside of Old Trafford next to Best, Law and Charlton, thank the lad for all his endeavour and goals this campaign and say goodbye.

It may hurt a few, like when a relationship ends but it is for the good of Manchester United as a whole going forward and not for the good of placating a legend for one more season.

Thank you, Cristiano Ronaldo, good luck with the future.

There may be a few tears but not as many as there will be if Manchester United continue the demise.

Erik Ten Hag has important decisions to make over the coming months and that is why the Dutchman is in at the biggest club in the world and paid top dollar for the privilege.

John Newsome wants to send a welcome message to the new gaffer of Manchester United and it goes as follows,

‘Hi Mr Ten Hag

The last 3-United managers have done the same thing and have all failed at Old Trafford.

The reason is simple, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralph Rangnick have used Fred and Scott McTominay as their go-to Midfielders.

This simply hasn’t worked yet no one wants to address the situation.

Manchester United have gone backwards because of the constant choosing of Fred and Scott.

Look at the alternatives, Juan Mata, class but too old, Nemanja Matic, class but past his sell-by date, Donny Van De Beek, not trusted because of the blinkered vision of thinking Fred and Scott are the answer.

They are not!

Erik, if one does the same, then one will end up at the same place as Jose, Ole and Ralph.

The Job Centre.

Required are 4-Midfield replacements for Fred, Scott, Juan and Nemanja.

If one doesn’t, United won’t progress.

The Defence is pretty okay-ish and the Forwards are okay-ish but without the bullets of the midfield, that protects and supply, United are nothing.

One last thing, say goodbye to Cristiano Ronaldo, the lad is class but he’s a massive shadow over the club that is preventing Manchester United from moving forward.

If one takes stock of this message, Erik will be successful, however, continue to pick Fred and Scott as the go-to Midfielders, one won’t be in Manchester long.

Kind Regards

John Newsome’

Ralph’s Roadsters currently sit 6th in the table, with 58-points from 37 and will be in Europe next season, however, if United draw or lose and West Ham win, Manchester United will drop to 7th and compete in the Europa Conference League next term.

(No, still no idea!)

The unlikeliest of scorers for Manchester United gave the Red Devils the victory by a 1-0 scoreline back at Old Trafford in early December.

The much-maligned Fred was that unlikely goal scorer.

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LEICESTER v SOUTHAMPTON

16.00 in England

Leicester hammered Watford at Vicarage Rd last Sunday, inflicting a defeat on Roy Hodgson’s Hornets by a 5-1 away day scoreline.

After conceding a goal early in the 1st-half, the 2-James’s, Maddison and Vardy scored to give the Foxes’ a lead at the break.

In the 2nd-half, Jimmy V scored a 2nd, in between 2-Harvey Barnes goals, to give Brendan’s Wonderful’s the victory over Hodgson’s Hornets.

That left Leicester in 9th-place, with 48-points before Thursday’s fixture against Chelsea, where the Foxes gained a great point from a draw by a 1-1 score.

James Maddison scored for Leicester after 6-minutes at Stamford Bridge but the lead only lasted half an hour, with Chelsea equalising to take both teams in level at the break.

With no goals in the 2nd-half, both teams shared the points.

Leicester go into the final fixture of the campaign, still in 9th with 49-points, 2-adrift of Wolves, with the possibility of jumping above Bruno’s Gold and Blacks if a victory is achieved today and Wolves suffer an expected defeat against Liverpool.

Rod Stewart and Lennon the Puppy had a great weekend, celebrating Rod’s beloved Green and White Hoops, final fixture victory against Motherwell (who?) then lifting the Scottish Premier League trophy at Celtic Park on Saturday.

Mr Stewart isn’t bothered now that Brendan Rodgers decided to leave Glasgow and head to Leicester.

The tears of the Crooner have all dried up and Sir Roderick was straight down to Pets Are Us for some doggy treats and then over the park chasing balls.

Rod was the one chasing the said balls, whereas the pooch just sat down and slavered down the treats.

There was an added bonus on Wednesday to Sir Roderick’s footballing celebrations when Celtic’s arch Glasgow rivals, Rangers suffered a defeat in the Europa League Final against Eintracht Frankfurt that took place in Seville, Spain.

Penny and Rod, both wearing a Frankfurt shirt, with Penny’s having ‘Moller‘ and the number ‘7’ on the back in homage to the great German player Andreas Moller, who won the World Cup in 1990 and the Euro’96 inflicting defeat on England, in the Semi-Final and Rod’s having ‘Haller’ plus the number ‘9’, with a nod to the ex-West Ham Striker who has just won the Eredivisie with Ajax.

Both players have had spells at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Penny loves Andreas and often asks the legendary German International how he kept his hair so nice back in the day.

The OzScot and Lad were up early in Australia, with the kick-off of the Final being at 04.45 AM, Friday morning Down Under.

The loveable Braveheart and son, both passionate and emotional Rangers fans, spent the day in Melbourne at a Rangers Official Supporters Club.

The word ‘supporters,’ however, could have had the ‘s’ removed but one supposes 5-fans are plural.

There was Frazer ‘Scottish’ Mac MacTavish originally from Finnieston, near to the shipyard of Govan, Elspeth ‘Scottish’ MacAdam who worked on the roads in Australia, originally from Craigton, close to Bellahouston Park where the Ibrox faithful congregate of a weekend and drink Irn Bru and Tennants Extra.

The 3rd of the 5 that met up in the Melbourne boozer, excited about watching the Teddy Bears was Cockney Bob, who has no affiliation to the Rangers but is cheering on the Blues because of Eintracht Frankfurt knocking out the London Lads’ beloved West Ham in the Semi-Final.

Braveheart and the Boy, plus the 3-official members of the Melbourne Branch of the Rangers Supporters Club had a great couple of hours, all singing and dancing, drinking Castlemaine 4-X and attempting a knees-up

The Hammers fan had to be constantly reminded not to sing,

‘I’m forever blowing Bubbles!’

The game between Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt kicked off in the sweltering heat of Spain and following 120-minutes of pain, the game finished in a draw by a 1-1 score.

It was now a penalty shootout.

The Wats App messages were going up from Barnsley, bouncing off the statellite, as Del Boy would say and landing in Melbourne that read,

‘The real pain now begins, as an England fan, witnessing 11-penalty shootouts, winning just 3, penalties are a nightmare if lost and not good for the heart if won!’

Out of the 10-penalty kicks that were taken on Wednesday night (or Thursday morning in Ozland!) only 1 was missed and that was by the Welsh star, Aaron Ramsey.

Rangers suffered a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat and the 4-beloved Rangers fans and the Bubble in Melbourne, all hugged and kissed each other and vowed to meet up again the next time that the Gers were in a major Final.

That did worry Bravehearts Boy has the lad is now 22 and there are not many years left to see the Blues of Glasgow reach another European Final.

The boys watched Rangers in the Scottish FA Cup on Saturday against Hearts (who?) and as that is in the future, there’s still no juice in the DeLorean, that result is unknown, however, the Teddy Bears will likely have got their hands on a trophy, even if it was only a Pub Cup.

Lennon wasn’t bothered, the lad was fast asleep in front of the telly, snoring the tune,

‘He’s Celtic, United but Ange has decided that Glasgow is the best place to be.’

Woof-Woof!

A quick thank you to Rod Stewart, his lovely wife Penny and Lennon the pooch for being good sports throughout the season and providing much-needed entertainment in an ever decreasing circle of life.

Cheers, Mr Stewart!

The flip-flop wearing set of Saints took the lead against an understrength Liverpool team on Tuesday, through a Nathan Redmond strike, however, conceded an equaliser 10-minutes later to go in level at the break.

Jurgen’s Reds scored again, midway through the 2nd-half and with no further goals, Wreck-It Ralph’s Southampton suffered a defeat by a 2-1 scoreline.

The Saints sit 15th in the table, with 40-points, heading into this final fixture of the campaign.

If Southampton do manage a victory today at the King Power Stadium, it wouldn’t take them any higher in the table.

However, a draw or a defeat today against the Foxes could drop Wreck-Its boys down a place to 16th, if Everton get a final-day victory.

The Archbishop was once again looking down with a nod of approval following the final whistle at St Mary’s in December.

The opening 2-goals were scored by Centre-Backs, with Jonny Evans cancelling out an earlier Jan Bednarek notch.

Che Adams restored the Saints’ lead by scoring, just after the half-hour mark to give Southampton a lead at the break.

James Maddison equalised just after the restart and with no further action, the points were shared from a draw by a 2-2 score.

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BURNLEY v NEWCASTLE

16.00 in England

Burnley will have played twice before this final fixture at Turf Moor.

In the first, last Sunday, down in London, Michael Jackson’s Clarets could consider themselves unlucky to suffer a defeat by a 1-0 scoreline.

The goal was conceded when the dreaded VAR informed the on-field referee, Kevin Friend that there was a questionable handball call.

Ashley Barnes was adjudged to have handled the ball and although Kevin didn’t initially see the incident, the Stockley Park gang were in the ear telling Mr Friend to have a look at the pitchside monitor.

Once this occurs, the penalty is usually given and Kevin wasn’t so Friendly towards Burnley and awarded the spot-kick.

On first look it did appear harsh, however, after looking a few times, Ashley does stretch his arm out to try and manipulate the ball so whilst all connected with Burnley were annoyed with the decision, it was correct.

Nick Pope, who has faced 100s of penalties from Harry Kane, whilst in the England camp, decided to stand still, gambling on the fact that Harry would strike the ball down the middle.

The gamble didn’t pay off with HK smashing the ball in the corner of the goals to give Tottenham the lead at the break.

Nick did have a decent game, saving several shots and Ashley Barnes his a thunderous strike that hit the post.

With no further goals, Tottenham held on to get the win.

With Burnley playing earlier than Leeds United and Everton, MJ’s Clarets had to hope that both would also suffer defeats.

As it turned out, Leeds scored a last-minute equaliser that gained a point and dropped Burnley into the bottom 3.

Everton suffered a defeat on Sunday, however, got the victory on Thursday, that was needed to confirm their place in the Premier League for next season.

Burnley then faced Aston Villa on Thursday gaining a much-needed point from a draw by a 1-1 score.

Ashley Barnes converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time to give the Clarets a lead at the break.

The lead was soon wiped out, within 3-minutes of the restart when Aston Villa equalised.

Michael sent on ex-Villa player Matt Lowton in the 85th-minute, with the Defender replacing Maxwell Cornet.

Unfortunately, 6-minutes later, in injury time, young Matt went diving in on Callum Chambers leaving the referee with no alternative other than to show a straight Red Card and allow Mr Lowton to turn the showers on for his mates.

With no further goals, both shared the points.

A few months ago, it was mooted that Chris Wood could return to Turf Moor on the final Sunday and be influential in sending Burnley down to the Championship.

That scenario could still happen, however, it would mean that Leeds United have to win their final fixture against Brentford away and Michael Jackson’s Claret’s suffer a draw or defeat against Newcastle today.

It is now just down to two teams as to who will stay in the Premier League and who will be relegated.

As mentioned earlier in the Brentford v Leeds United preview, there are 3-possible scenarios that will determine the relegation on the final day.

1-Leeds United have to win against Brentford today and hope Burnley draw or loses against Newcastle.

2-If both win, then Jesse’s Whites have to score 21-goals more than Michael’s Clarets to avoid relegation.

3-If both draw, Leeds United will be playing in the Championship next season.

Remember the time!

Newcastle not only got a great result against Arsenal on Monday Night Football but inflicted a devastating blow to the Gunners’ chances of gaining a Top Four finish.

A Ben White own-goal and a Bruno Guimaraes strike, both in the 2nd-half gave Eddie’s Magpies the victory by a 2-0 scoreline, sending the Toon Army home ecstatic.

That gives Newcastle 46-points, leaving them 13th in the table, with just this visit to Turf Moor left to round off a tumultuous campaign.

Eddie Howe’s Magpies got the win against Sean Dyche’s Clarets at St James Park back in December, with a single Callum Wilson goal just before half-time, giving Newcastle the victory by a 1-0 scoreline.

Betfred offer Burnley at 29/20, the draw at 12/5 and 21/10 for Newcastle to come away with all 3-points.

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NORWICH v TOTTENHAM

16.00 in England

Norwich ended the losing streak on Sunday gaining a point against Wolves at Molineux.

Teemu Pukki scored in the 1st-half, the Finnish player’s 11th of the season, which is a great return for a guy playing in a struggling team.

Surely some team in the Premier League will make a bid for the lad in the summer.

Wolves equalised after the break and with no further goals, Dean Smith’s Yellow Canary’s hung on for a point from a draw by a 1-1 scoreline.

Norwich remain at the foot of the table with 22-points from 37-fixtures.

This final game against Tottenham and then it’s back to the Championship, swapping places with Fulham, the reverse of last season’s events where Fulham were relegated and Norwich promoted.

Tottenham gained a great professional victory last Sunday inflicting a defeat on Burnley by a 1-0 scoreline.

There was a contentious issue regarding the solitary winning goal when on the stroke of half-time, Spurs were awarded a penalty that wasn’t seen by the on-field referee, Kevin Friend.

The dreaded VAR had to be seen to be watching the football instead of Sunday Brunch on Channel 4+1 and informed Mr Friend to have a look at the pitchside monitor.

As mentioned on numerous occasions, once this happens, the decision is usually upgraded, whether that’s a Yellow Card to a Red or a non-penalty to a penalty.

It’s rare that once the monitor is checked by the on-field referee that the original decision stays.

That was the case on Sunday with Kevin not being Friendly to Burnley and awarding a penalty for a handball by Ashley Barnes.

When Tottenham get a penalty, Harry Kane doesn’t miss and coolly slotted home to give Antonio’s Spurs the winning goal seconds before the half-time whistle was blown.

The victory lifted Tottenham into 4th-place and the final Champions League position, above Arsenal until the Gunners played their weekend fixture on Monday Night Football.

Spurs remain in 4th with 68-points, following Arsenal’s defeat on Monday that almost guarantees Tottenham a Champions League place.

Antonio Conte’s Lilywhites need at least a point against Norwich, with Spurs having a far superior goal difference, that being plus+24, compared to the Gunners GD being plus+11.

So if the Spurs avoid a defeat then it doesn’t matter what Arsenal do, the 4th-place and Champions League will go to Tottenham.

One thing for certain is the final Sunday of an exhilarating season will be thrilling.

As Mr Weller once said,

That’s Entertainment!

At the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium in the Game Week-15, Antonio Conte’s Spurs got the easy victory over Dean Smith’s Yellow Canary’s by a 3-0 score.

Lucas Moure scored after 8-minutes to give the home team a lead at the break.

Davinson Sanchez and Son Heung-Min added 2 and 3 in the 2nd-half to gain the points for Tottenham.

Betfred offer Norwich at 11/1, the draw at 6/1 and Odds On 1/4 for Tottenham to come away with all 3-points.

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