The game weeks are coming thick and fast with no respite for the players or for John Newsome as he pours through the stats and latest team news to deliver his unique and detailed preview of all the upcoming English Premier League week 34 matches. You can view all previous analysis from John’s regular column here: English Premier League Predictions For Saturday
CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA
July 7th
This London derby kicks-off at 18.00 PM in England, live on Sky Sports.
Crystal Palace suffered a 3-0 away-day defeat on Saturday at the King Power Stadium.
What probably may be a surprise to most Eagle fans is Roy did pick his strongest side with Christian Benteke, Wilfried Zaha, Jordan Ayew and Luka Milivojevic all starting.
It’s been an excuse of recent weeks that the four haven’t been able to play together, unfortunately for the cardboard Eagle Ultras, that excuse doesn’t ring true now, with the four not doing anything to try and change fortunes against the Foxes.
This will be a tricky ask against an inform Chelsea team who are striving for a Top-Four finish.
Chelsea comfortably beat Watford on Saturday Night Football, which was more entertaining than Michael McIntyre’s Big Laughs which should be hauled up in front of the Trades Description Act.
After beating Man City which ultimately gave Liverpool the Premier League title, Frank Lampard’s Chelsea then took on a struggling West Ham side and were beaten by a 3-2 scoreline.
On Saturday night, goals from Olivier Giroud, a Willian penalty and Ross Barclay gave Chelsea a great 3-0 victory that took them back into 4th-place that they had temporarily lost after being overtaken by a chasing Manchester United.
With Leicester and Manchester United both winning earlier on in the day, it was imperative that Chelsea matched those results to stay in the race for a Champions League place.
At the beginning of the season, there were reservations about Frank Lampard becoming the boss of Chelsea after just a year in management at Championship side Derby County.
What many forget about Frank is, whilst a youngster learning his trade, Lamps worked extremely hard and trained tirelessly each day to become the player he became, the player who, as a midfielder, is Chelsea’s leading all-time goal-scorer.
It would then become completely illogical to think that Frank’s professional work ethic would not continue into management.
Frank Lampard was the right choice for Chelsea and if he gets a Champions League spot, in his first season as a Top Flight manager, then it would be a tremendous achievement that Frank can add to the other achievements he has in his footballing career.
Chelsea have 57-points, 2-more than United and 1-less than Leicester and will feel this game against Palace, who, let’s face it, have the flip-flops on and are heading down to the Bio-Bubble Beaches, is very winnable.
Frank’s Blues, including this trip across London, do have a night out in Sheffield coming up and a trip to the new Premier League champions, as well as home fixtures against Norwich and Wolves.
In theory, 4 out of 5 victories plus a possible draw against Liverpool, if Jurgen’s Reds have an off day.
There are also a 6th and 7th game in cup competitions, an FA Cup Semi-Final against Manchester United at an empty Wembley, plus the 2nd-leg of the Champions League tie against Bayern Munich in Germany, however, Chelsea are 3-0 down in that particular competition so progression isn’t likely.
When the Eagles headed to West London in November, Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic both scored in the 2nd-half, to give Frank’s Blues and 2-0 victory over Roy’s Eagles.
- Bet 365 offer Crystal Palace at 19/4, the Draw at 14/5 and Odds On 3/5 for Chelsea to come away with all 3-points.
- Bet 365 offer 21/10 that Christian Pulisic Scores Anytime and 5/1 that Luka Milivojevic Scores Anytime.
- Check latest odds on Bet365 here
Away Win 1-2 [Back this at 17/2 with Bet365 + Leading Sign Up Offer For New Customers]
WATFORD v NORWICH
July 7th
Tuesday Night football, with this game kicking-off at 18.00 PM in England live on Sky Sports and FreeView Pick.
Watford were convincingly beaten on Saturday night, away at Stamford Bridge, succumbing to a 3-0 defeat against Frank’s Blues.
The defeat leaves Nigel Pearson and his Hornets with 28-points, still a point outside of the relegation zone.
What Nigel could consider himself lucky is that although a defeat away against Chelsea, the teams around him all had difficult fixtures and all lost, so no real damage done.
Norwich look gone and both Bournemouth and Aston Villa, who have a point less than Watford have, what looks on paper, a harder run-in than Watford.
However, that said, everyone knows, football isn’t played on paper, at the minute it’s played in empty stadia with cardboard cutouts as fans, so all results are possible.
Nigel will know that all he and his Hornets have to do is match Bournemouth and Aston Villa and the Premier League status is confirmed for another season.
This home fixture against the bottom of the league side is probably just what Watford need to halt a run of 3-straight defeats and just a point gained since football resumed.
As mentioned, Norwich do look doomed, following another defeat on Saturday and with just 21-points in total, look set to be heading back to the Championship after just 1-season in the Promised Land.
The 1-0 defeat at home against Brighton, leaves Norwich rock bottom of the table.
Including the fixture immediately before the lockdown back in March, the Canaries have lost the last 5-Premier League games and an FA Cup Quarter-Final against Manchester United.
With 5-games left, Daniel Farke Life’s men can only reach 36-points and that’s if they win all 5-games, which isn’t going to happen.
There’s an old saying that goes,
‘It ain’t over until the fat lady sings’
So it looks like the rotund lady, in Norfolk, is warming her voice up.
The rotund lady is not Delia by the way.
What Delia and the rest of the board do need to do is keep old of Popstar Daniel, who, if the squad stays pretty much the same, can get Norwich back to the Premier League.
The problem maybe is that players such as Teemu Pukki, Emiliano Buendia, Onel Hernandez and Todd Cantwell will be in demand and Norwich will be hard pushed to keep hold of them.
At Carrow Rd back in early November, Watford, still under the guidance of Quique Sanchez Flores, came away with a great 2-0 victory.
Gerard Deulofeu scored after just 2-minutes to steady the nerves of the travelling Hornets.
Andre Gray made it 2-0 after the break but that wasn’t the end of the drama as Watford’s Christian Kabasele received 2-Yellow Cards and the subsequent Red to beat his teammate’s to the showers.
The 10-men held on for the win to give Quique another couple of weeks in the job, before his departure.
- Bet 365 offer Watford at slight Odds On 7/10, the Draw at 13/5 and 15/4 for Norwich to come away with all 3-points.
- Bet 365 offer 15/4 that Troy Deeney Scores First and 21/10 that Watford Win To Nil.
- Check latest odds on Bet365 here
Home Win 2-0 [Back this at 7/1 with Bet365 + Leading Sign Up Offer For New Customers]
ARSENAL v LEICESTER
July 7th
This fixture kicks-off at 20-15 PM in England live on Sky Sports.
Arsenal probably got the result of the weekend, (Southampton will contest that!) going to an in-form Wolves side, who had 3-victories from 3, since the resumption of football and stunning the Gold and Blacks with a great 2-0 victory.
Bukayo Saka celebrated his new 5-year contract of about £30,000 a week, by putting the Gunners in front just minutes before the half-time whistle was blown.
£30,000 a week! not bad for an 18-year old.
Some just earned £27.50 at that age on Thatcher’s innovative Youth Training Scheme or YTS.
Cheers, Maggie!
Alexandre Lacazette, who had only just come on the pitch as a substitute in the 83rd-minute, made it 2-0 and the points were in the bag for Mikel Arteta and the travelling cardboard Gooners.
The victory and points gained, closes the gap on Wolves, with Arsenal now just 3-points behind Nuno’s men in 7th-place.
For a team supposedly in turmoil, that’s 4-straight victories for Mikel Arteta, since the defeat against Brighton, including a Quarter-Final FA Cup win that matches Pep 2 up against Pep 1 in the Semi-Final of that particular competition.
Realistically, winning the FA Cup is probably the only way that Arsenal can play in Europe next season unless EasyJet have some offers on.
Leicester finally got back to winning ways on Saturday, comfortably beating Crystal Palace by a 3-0 scoreline.
That’s the Foxes first victory since football resumed after the lockdown, having lost once and drawn twice in the 3-previous games.
The victory was much-needed with both Chelsea and Manchester United both winning and breathing down Leicester’s neck.
Rod Stewart’s cat scarpered lively after the Scottish crooner heard the news.
After a goalless 1st-half, a little tweaking of the tactics from Brendan Rodgers, allowed Kelechi Iheanacho to score after the break to give the Foxes a lead.
Then it was Vardy Party-time.
As well as the fine victory, Sheffield Superstar, Jamie Vardy finally scored his 100th Premier League goal and joins an elite list of only 29-players to enter the 100 Club.
Jamie also scored Leicester’s 3rd, his 2nd and his 101st Premier League goal, overtaking Matt Le-Tissier in the 100 Club.
To score 100-goals in the Premier League is, in itself, a remarkable achievement, what Jamie has achieved though, surpasses all of the previous 28-members of the club.
By that statement, it warrants an explanation.
Alan Shearer, who is the all-time leading Premier League goal-scorer, with 260, scored his 1st-Top Flight goal aged 17 and his 1st-Premier League goal aged 22, in the inaugural season back in 1992.
Sergio Aguero scored his 1st-Premier League goal aged-23.
Thierry Henry-aged-22.
Frank Lampard-aged-19.
Jamie Vardy was 27-years old when he scored his 1st-Premier League goal.
When Alan Shearer was 27, the Match of the Day legend, had 127-Premier League goals already.
In 2005, aged 18, Jamie was working in a factory near Meadowhall in Sheffield, making prosthetic parts for the health service, playing part-time football for Stocksbridge Steelers, a local semi-professional club.
Whilst working for a well-known (rubbish!) parcel company, at the time, this EveryTip contributor would run into the factory every day and collect parcels that Jamie had packed.
There wasn’t much of a conversation as young Jim was wanting to leave for the day and young JB was wanting to get his round done.
The conversation usually went,
‘Eh up youth, you score at the weekend?’
‘Of course old man!’
‘You’ll be playing for a proper club soon kiddo’
‘Hopefully!’
‘See thi tomorrow Dee-dar!’
‘Si thi tomorrow Dingle!’
What Jamie Vardy has achieved is simply outstanding and the lad should be shown tremendous respect for his career.
Respect Jamie!
At the King Power in early November, Leicester comfortably beat Unai Emery’s Arsenal side by a 2-0 scoreline.
The two Jim’s getting the goals in the game, with Jim Vardy scoring the opener and Jim Maddison adding the 2nd soon after, both midway through the 2nd-half.
- Bet 365 offer Arsenal at 5/4, the Draw at 5/2 and 2/1 for Leicester to come away with all 3-points.
- Bet 365 offer 10/3 that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Scores First and 7/4 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.
- Check latest odds on Bet365 here
Draw 2-2 [Back this at 14/1 with Bet365 + Leading Sign Up Offer For New Customers]
MAN CITY v NEWCASTLE
July 8th
An early evening kick-off at 18.00 PM in England live on BT Sport.
Man City, despite smashing the new Premier League champions 4-0 at the Etihad, have now lost the last 3-away fixtures and a staggering 9-Premier League defeats throughout the season.
After a bad error by Oleksandr Zinchenko and seeing Ederson way off his line, the Southampton forward hit a speculative shot from almost the halfway line to score and inflict another away-day defeat on Pep’s Blues.
Also, dispelling the myth that the away teams are doing better without fans and have an advantage in the empty stadium.
City will finish as runners-up to Liverpool but are a staggering 23-points behind Jurgen’s Reds, with 5-games to play.
With the David of the Silva’s calling it a day and Pep simply having no confidence in John Stones, City need a couple of players in the Transfer Window, whenever that re-opens.
If City do have their 2-year European ban imposed, could it spell the end for Pep and a few of the players? such as Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling who surely need Champions League football.
Newcastle hit back twice in quick succession after conceding against West Ham on Sunday.
West Ham went ahead early on in the game before Miguel Almiron replied to take both teams in level at the break.
After conceding a Magpies 2nd, Jonjo Shelvey quickly got Steve Bruce’s Black and Whites back level for a 2nd-time.
The game then fizzled out into a Desmond 2-2 draw, which suits Newcastle more than the Hammers.
With 43-points, Newcastle have no fear of relegation, probably the fear comes from off the pitch with the protracted takeover by a Saudi based conglomerate going on and on and on.
There appears to be some problem that the Toon Army are not aware of but still want to be rid of Mike Ashley.
Is Steve Bruce going to be allowed to continue as manager if the Saudi’s do take over?
Or are the new owners going to want a marquee name such as Mauricio Pochettino, Lee Johnson or even Rafa Benitez back?
After this game against City, Newcastle visit Watford and Brighton as well as hosting Tottenham and then the Premier League champions in the final fixture.
At the end of November, Steve’s Magpies got a great point from a 2-2 draw when Pep’s team ventured to the North-East.
Raheem Sterling gave City an early lead which Jetro Willems (who must have the nickname ‘Tully’ in the Newcastle dressing room) quickly cancelled out.
Kevin De Bruyne thought he’d scored the winner in the 82nd-minute but just like the 1st-half, Newcastle quickly equalised through Jonjo Shelvey and the game finished in a very entertaining Desmond.
- Bet 365 offer Man City at Odds On 1/8, the Draw at 7/1 and a massive 20/1 (yes 20/1!) for Newcastle to come away with all 3-points.
- Bet 365 offer 7/5 that Phil Foden Scores Anytime and 11/4 that there are Over 4.5 Goals.
- Check latest odds on Bet365 here
Home Win 4-1 [Back this at 16/1 with Bet365 + Leading Sign Up Offer For New Customers]
WEST HAM v BURNLEY
July 8th
Another 18.00 PM kick-off in England live on BT Sport.
Michail Antonio scored early on Sunday to give West Ham a great start against Newcastle.
Unfortunately for the travelling cardboard Bubbles, the Magpies equalised soon after.
After the break, Tomas Soucek scored but straight away, the old adage of being most vulnerable after scoring, came to the fore, when Newcastle equalised straight away.
Tomas as quickly become a goal-scoring sensation for West Ham scoring 4-goals in the last 3-games, albeit 1 of them was an own-goal.
Most will look at the stats and think,
‘Wait a minute, Tom only has 2-goals for the Hammers!’
True but Big Tom and he is big for a midfielder, scored a perfectly good goal against Chelsea that was ruled out by the dreaded VAR, whilst not officially counting it should be noted that it was a goal.
So 3-goals and an OG in 3-games isn’t too shabby.
The Czech Republic player could just become a fan’s favourite at the London Stadium and if he carries on the way he’s doing, the big boys will come calling.
Burnley scored just before half-time on Sunday against Sheffield United through Jack Tarkowski but like a bad dog walker, couldn’t hold on to the lead and succumbed to a Blades equaliser midway through the 2nd-half.
With no more goals scored, Sean Dyche’s Clarets earned a point from the 1-1 draw and move on to this game against the other Claret and Blues of London.
The point leaves Burnley with 46 for the season so far, 2-behind their Yorkshire rivals on Sunday.
What is a plus for Burnley is Chris Wood saw action against the Blades, coming on as a 2nd-half substitute.
As well as this trip to the smoke, The Clarets venture to Carrow Rd then host Wolves, before a final home game against Brighton.
The Hammers got hammered back in early November when the Bubbles faithful headed North to the cold of Turf Moor.
Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood scored in the 1st-half with the unfortunate Roberto Jimenez turning past his own ‘keeper to give Burnley a 3-0 victory.
- Bet 365 offer West Ham at 21/20, the Draw at 12/5 and 5/2 for Burnley to come away with all 3-points.
- Bet 365 offer 9/2 that Tomas Soucek Scores Anytime and 13/5 that Jay Rodriguez Scores Anytime.
Draw 1-1 [Back this at 6/1 with Bet365 + Leading Sign Up Offer For New Customers]
SHEFFIELD UNITED v WOLVES
July 8th
A third 18.00 PM kick-off in England this one being live on Sky Sports.
Sheffield United earned a point from a 1-1 draw against Burnley on Sunday in the cold of Turf Moor.
Chris Wilder was happy, honest although he forgot to tell his face.
Chris introduced Jack O’Connell early in the 2nd-half after going behind just before the break.
It’s the first bit of action Jack has seen since the lockdown and although a Centre-Back, is pivotal in the way Chris wants his Blades to play.
The changes made, including bringing on Billy Sharp, changed Sheffield United’s fortunes and within minutes, John Egan scored to put the Blades level.
The game finished without any more goals to give both teams a point each.
United have 3-more nights out in Sheffield with the cardboard Blunts eating their chip butties, starting with this fixture against Wolves, followed immediately by a game against Chelsea.
After an away trip to Leicester, United host Everton before the Blades final fixture away against Southampton.
Little James from Swinton, is excited that the pubs re-opened and headed out on Sunday armed with £4.50.
Jim got a pint of fruit Kopparberg and 2-straws so that his lovely girlfriend could have a drink too.
That’s the love he has for her.
James wasn’t sharing his Pickled Onion flavoured Monster Munch though, no way, as he says, he doesn’t love her that much.
After 3-straight victories following the resumption of football and being the form team of the moment, it was probably a surprise to everyone that Wolves lost on Saturday, at home against Arsenal, by a 2-0 scoreline.
It looked like the games in quick succession had caught up with Nuno’s Gold and Blacks.
The sprint-king that is Adama Traore who often starts from the bench, was thrown in from the off but unfortunately failed to make an impact against the Gunners who seemed to know his every move.
To be fair, most know Adama’s moves, it’s just a matter of trying to stop the ex-Barcelona star, who’s had the honour of training with Lionel Messi and the rest of the stars of the Nou Camp.
It’s Nou Camp by the way, not Camp Nou.
Nuno will dust his boys down and move on to a night out in Sheffield to try and cement 6th-place.
The problem for Wolves is the team they are trying to stave off are Sheffield United, who sit 4-points behind them in the Premier League table.
Along with this trip up the Sheffield, Wolves have away fixtures against Burnley and Chelsea, the game against the Blues being the final one of the season.
Everton and Crystal Palace come to Molineux for the other remaining games.
At the beginning of December, the Blades came away from Molineux with a point, following a 1-1 draw.
Lys Mousset gave Sheffield United an early lead scoring before little Jimbo had finished his 2nd-Kopparberg.
Matt Doherty replied for Wolves midway through the 2nd-half to give Nuno and Chris a share of the points.
James still couldn’t work out why his passport wasn’t needed for the trip to Molineux as the little Blunt thinks it’s in France, bless him.
- Bet 365 offer Sheffield United at 13/5, the Draw at 11/5 and 11/10 for Wolves to come away with all 3-points.
- Bet 365 offer 4/1 that Raul Jimenez Scores First and 11/4 that Lys Mousset Scores Anytime.
Draw 1-1 [Back this at 6/1 with Bet365 + Leading Sign Up Offer For New Customers]
BRIGHTON v LIVERPOOL
July 8th
The final fixture of today with this being a 20.15 PM start-time in England.
Brighton are easing away from the relegation places with a professional 1-0 victory against Norwich at Carrow Rd.
Leandro Trossard with the solitary Seagull goal.
That’s now 36-points on the board for Graham Potter’s boys, which should be enough to keep them in the division for another season.
Brighton have 9-points more than the relegation placed teams, so with only 5-games left, it would mean Harry Potter and the Seagulls would have to have a major collapse to go down.
However, that said, the next 2-games are this one against the champions and a visit from Pep’s Blues, so the bottom-3 will still think they have hope.
Once these 2-fixtures are out of the way, it’s a visit along the coast to Southampton and a trip up North to take on Burnley.
The final home fixture is against Newcastle.
Brighton should be safe but should, would and could are the last words of a fool.
Liverpool put in a professional performance at Anfield on Sunday eventually beating a resilient Aston Villa by a 2-0 scoreline.
After a goalless 1st-half and a few half-time changes, Sadio Mane put the Reds in front.
That eased the pressure on the new Premier League champions after a disastrous game against Man City last time out, where Jurgen’s boys were taught a footballing lesson.
One of Liverpool’s future talents and a true Scouser, Curtis Jones, who turned 19 at the beginning of the year, scored late on to give the champions a professional 2-0 victory.
Curtis will want to keep his place in the squad for this long away-day journey down to the South Coast to take on Harry Potter’s Seagulls.
Whilst the title is in the bag, Jurgen and his Reds do want to achieve some Premier League records such as the most points and the most goals.
Man City’s 100-points is currently in the lead, so with 5-games left, Liverpool could achieve 104-points in total, if all remaining games are victories.
The most goals scored by a team (Man City also!) is 106, so with 72-currently, Liverpool need another 35 to beat that, in the remaining fixtures.
All due respect to Liverpool, that’s not going to happen, unless they beat Brighton, Burnley, Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle 7-whatever.
At Anfield back at the end of November, Virgil Van Dijk scored 2-identical 1st-half goals, both headers from Trent Alexander-Arnold assists, to give Liverpool a comfortable lead going into the break.
Unfortunately for the Reds, midway through the 2nd-half, Liverpool decided that things were too easy and unexpectedly Alisson decided to get himself sent off.
Brighton’s Lewis Dunk scored a great free-kick past the substitute goalkeeper Adrian to give the travelling Seagulls hope, however, time ran out and Liverpool got the victory by a 2-1 scoreline.
- Bet 365 offer Brighton at 13/2, the Draw at 7/2 and slight Odds On 2/5 for Liverpool to come away with all 3-points.
- Bet 365 offer 11/2 that Sadio Mane Scores Two Plus Goals and 6/4 that Liverpool Win To Nil.
- Check latest odds on Bet365 here
Away Win 0-3 [Back this at 12/1 with Bet365 + Leading Sign Up Offer For New Customers]
EVERTON v SOUTHAMPTON
July 9th
An 18.00 PM kick-off in England live on Amazon Prime.
After a great 3-games since the lockdown, Everton suffered a 1-0 defeat away against Tottenham on Monday Night Football.
Jordan Pickford had the ball, unfortunately, deflected past him, off Michael Keane, to concede a goal midway through the 1st-half.
A stat popped up by the commentators on Sky Sports, halfway through the game, that stated Everton had not come from behind to win a game in over 5-years.
After hearing that information from Gary Neville, it then looked ominous for Carlo’s men who really do need to work on ending that particular stat either this season or as soon as possible after the start on the next.
Everton are just a point in front of the Saints, so this game is massive in the overall proceedings.
The Toffees have 3-home fixtures left, including this one against Southampton, a game against Aston Villa and a final home game against Bournemouth, as well as trips to Molineux and Bramall Lane.
Southampton will argue with Arsenal as to who got the result of the weekend, following a great attritional 1-0 home victory against Man City, just after Songs of Praise on BBC 1, last Sunday.
Che Adams, who had yet to score for the Saints, took advantage of an error from the City defence and knowing that Ederson is usually way off his line, hit a speculative shot, over the City ‘keeper, into an empty net.
A brilliant, innovative bit of play from a player who has struggled to score since his move from Birmingham last summer.
Prior to moving to the South Coast, Che had scored 22-goals in the previous season for Birmingham City so knows where the back of the net is.
The goal against City was scored in the 16th-minute, which meant, Wreck-It Ralph’s men had to try and shut-out the free-scoring City lads for 75-minutes.
A tough ask but achieved that gave Southampton a great 1-0 victory over last season’s Champions.
After a long hard season, including a humiliating 9-0 defeat against Leicester, it didn’t even look like Ralph Hasenhuttl would see the term out, yet the Saints have 43-points up to now, are safe for another year and as mentioned, are only a point behind the Toffees, so this is a big chance to overtake today’s hosts.
Back in early November, at St Mary’s, Everton came away with the points following a 2-1 victory.
Tom Davies scored the Toffees opener after just 2-minutes.
Just after the break, Danny Ings equalised for the Saints, however. midway through the 2nd-half, Richarlison scored Everton’s winner to ease the pain of the faithful’s long journey home.
- Bet 365 offer Everton at Evens 1/1, the Draw at 13/5 and 5/2 for Southampton to come away with all 3-points.
- Bet 365 offer 9/2 that Dominic Calvert-Lewin Scores First and 8/5 that Danny Ings Scores Anytime.
- Check latest odds on Bet365 here
Draw 2-2 [Back this at 14/1 with Bet365 + Leading Sign Up Offer For New Customers]
BOURNEMOUTH v TOTTENHAM
July 9th
Another 18.00 PM kick-off in England live on Sky Sports and FreeView Pick, the new home of football.
Bournemouth surprised everyone on Saturday by taking an early lead at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
Junior Stanislav nutmegged Harry Maguire and blasted the ball past David De Gea to give the Cherries a surprise 1-0 lead.
Unfortunately, that was just a red rag to a Red Devil and sparked United into life who scored 3, 1st-half goals to take Bournemouth in at the break trailing.
Josh King scored a penalty to bring the score within a goal but again that just sparked United who scored 2-further, to run out eventual winners, by a 5-2 scoreline.
The defeat leaves Eddie and the Cherries 2nd from bottom with 27-points but with games running out, time is also running out for Bournemouth.
Probably a few positives Eddie can take from the game is that his team scored 2-goals, not done for a while and none of the teams immediately above Bournemouth won either, so still hope. Including this home fixture against Tottenham, the Cherries host Leicester and Southampton as well as away trips to the Etihad and Goodison Park.
The rotund lady isn’t singing just yet but is certainly having a drink of water and loosening her chords.
Tottenham got a professional 1-0 victory on Monday Night Football at home against Everton.
After a speculative shot from Giovani Lo Celso, that deflected into the net from an Everton defender, Tottenham held on for over an hour to get the victory and points that lifts Spurs up to 8th in the Premier League table with 48, just a point behind the North London rivals Arsenal.
After this game against Bournemouth, Jose’s men take on the Gunners in a ‘winner takes the highest position possible in the table-all game‘.
Granted, not the most exciting of tag-lines for a North London derby but it’s probably apt for where both teams are at the moment, both falling a long way from previous seasons standard.
Along with this trip to the South Coast and the home game against Arsenal, Tottenham host Leicester in the penultimate Premier League fixture and away-days at Newcastle and Crystal Palace in the final game.
At the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium back in late November, this was only Jose’s 2nd-Premier League game in charge of the Lilywhites.
Dracula got another 3-2 victory after his opening game against West Ham also finished in a 3-2 scoreline.
As with the game against the Hammers, Tottenham took a 3-0 lead then conceded 2-late goals.
Dele Alli scored the 1st, then added Spurs and his 2nd after the break.
Moussa Sissoko added the 3rd to give Tottenham the cushion they eventually needed.
Same as in the game against West Ham, in Jose’s opener, Spurs then conceded 2-goals with Bournemouth’s Harry Wilson scoring twice for the Cherries to give Jose and his boys another nervy final few minutes.
- Bet 365 offer Bournemouth at 4/1, the Draw at 3/1 and Odds On 8/13 for Tottenham to come away with all 3-points.
- Bet 365 offer 4/1 that Harry Kane Scores Two Plus Goals and 7/4 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.
- Check latest odds on Bet365 here
Away Win 1-3 [Back this at 14/1 with Bet365 + Leading Sign Up Offer For New Customers]
ASTON VILLA v MANCHESTER UNITED
July 9th
The final fixture of Game Week-34 with this game kicking-off at 20.15 PM in England live on Sky Sports.
Aston Villa put up a stellar, gritty performance against Liverpool on Sunday but ultimately, lost the game by a 2-0 scoreline.
Dean Smith’s tactics were to sit deep and try and catch the champions on the break.
Whilst the first part frustrated Liverpool, the second part wasn’t executed as Villa lack a cutting edge up top.
Keinan Davis isn’t an established Premier League player yet but may come good in the Championship next season where Villa will be playing.
Jack Grealish is the most fouled player in the Premier League, which, as a statistic, offers up more questions than answers.
A bit like Johnny Nash.
Is Jack fouled regularly because he holds on to the ball too long, due to his lack of options?
Is Jack fouled too many times because he falls over too easy?
Or is it because of Jack’s hair and the way he wears his socks?
As a youngster, Jack was obviously the boy, talent way above anyone around him so he got away with his hairstyle and socks.
As a Premier League player, whilst his hair isn’t too much of an issue, as the hairdos nowadays, by many players, are diverse, there isn’t any reason to wear the socks the way Jack does and someone needs to just say,
‘Pull your socks up lad!’
With 5-games to go, starting with this tough game against United, Villa then host Crystal Palace and Arsenal as well as away trips to Everton and a final away-day fixture against West Ham who will be hoping they are safe by then.
The cardboard cutouts at Old Trafford were stunned early when Bournemouth scored a goal out of the red.
After a public grilling from Roy Keane in the game against Tottenham, where Roy thought Harry Maguire and David De Gea were useless, the pair must have feared another Keano tongue-lashing when Junior Stanislav nutmegged Big Harry then smashed the ball past De Gea.
Luckily for the two, Big Roy was taking advantage of the 4th of July opening of the pubs and was 7-down of the old Stella Artois.
The goal actually stung United into action and goals from the Three Ms, gave the Red Devil’s a 3-1 half-time lead.
Mason Greenwood continued his fine goal scoring run, equalising the Cherries opener.
Marcus Rashford converted a penalty and then Anthony Martial made it 3-1 before the break.
Bournemouth briefly brought it back to 3-2 before Mason added his 2nd and United’s 4th early in the 2nd-half then Bruno Fernandes got his obligatory goal to make it 5-2.
That temporarily lifted Ole’s Wheels above Chelsea into 4th, until the Blues beat Watford later in the evening to revert back, leaving United in 5th place on their own following Wolves defeat.
At Old Trafford back in December, Aston Villa came away from Manchester with a well-earned point following a Desmond 2-2 draw.
An own goal credited to the unfortunate Villa ‘keeper Tom Heaton, cancelled out a Jack Grealish opening goal for the Clarets.
Victor Lindelof put United in front after the break, however, Villa’s own Centre-Back, Tyrone Mings, quickly equalised, to give Villa a priceless point.
- Bet 365 offer Aston Villa at 7/1, the Draw at 9/2 and Odds On 1/3 for Manchester United to come away with all 3-points.
- Bet 365 offer 5/4 that Bruno Fernandes Scores Anytime and 11/10 that United Win To Nil.
- Check latest odds on Bet365 here
Away Win 0-2 [Back this at 6/1 with Bet365 + Leading Sign Up Offer For New Customers]
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