EPL Week 36 – Weekend Premier League

John Newsome Football Betting Tips - everytipJohn Newsome pours through the stats and latest team news to deliver his unique and detailed preview of all the upcoming English Premier League week 36 matches.  You can view all previous analysis from John’s regular column here: English Premier League Predictions For Saturday

CHELSEA v NORWICH

July 14th

These Game Week-36 fixtures are the reverse of the Game Week-3 matches that were played at the end of August 2019.

Late Tuesday Night football with this game kicking-off at 20.15 PM live on Sky Sports and FreeView Pick.

Frank Lampard wasn’t happy on Saturday evening after Chelsea’s night out in Sheffield and a very poor performance against the Blades.

However, despite the 3-0 defeat, Frank was a lot happier, 48-hours later, following the results achieved by both Leicester and Manchester United on Sunday and Monday, leaving the Blues, still in 3rd place in the Premier League.

Chelsea are sitting pretty in 3rd, after thinking they would be overtaken, firstly by Leicester and then by Manchester United.

With Leicester losing and United only managing a draw on Monday, Frank’s Blues stay in 3rd-place, with 60-points, albeit only a point ahead of both Leicester and Manchester United, who have 59-points each.

With Man City having their European ban overturned, 5th-place will be a Europa League spot only, so Chelsea will want to cement that Top Four position to drop Leicester or United into the Thursday night games.

After the game against Sheffield United, Lamps was not happy with some of his players and although he didn’t name individuals, the team sheet for this game against Norwich will be interesting to see who is retained and who is warming the socially distanced bench.

An occurrence where both teams lost last time out, however, the significance of Norwich’s loss was that the Canaries were officially relegated following their 4-0 defeat against West Ham and Watford’s subsequent victory.

Whilst Sky Sports always go big with the headlines and the breaking news,

‘NORWICH ARE RELEGATED’

It’s their prerogative!

Norwich looked doomed for a number of weeks and it was just a matter of time before the innovative Sky Sports headline writers, were able to showcase their skills.

Ultimately, 21-points from 35-games isn’t good enough, even if Daniel Farke’s boys win the remaining 3-games, which won’t happen, by the way, the total points tally that Norwich can achieve is just 30.

Barnsley FC had 35-points in their one and only term in the Top Flight but we’re still relegated back in 1998.

Where does the time go!

What the Norwich faithful will now be hoping for is that Daniel stays and most of the players are retained for a tilt at the Championship next season.

However, players like Emiliano Buendia, Teemu Pukki, Onel Hernandez and Todd Cantwell may just be plying their trade at other clubs next term.

Tammy Abraham scored twice in a 3-2 victory for Chelsea at Carrow Rd back in August last year.

The 2nd, after the break, ultimately being the winner after Norwich’s Double Ts, Todd Cantwell and Teemu Pukki scored in the 1st-half to cancel out Tammy’s opener and a Mason Mount strike.

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MAN CITY v BOURNEMOUTH

July 15th

Earlier than usual kick-off at the Etihad, with this live Sky Sports game starting at 18.00 PM in England, also on the new home of football FreeView Pick.

Man City smashed an in-form Brighton side on Saturday night, with Pep’s Blues beating the Seagulls by a 5-0 scoreline.

Raheem Sterling scored the opener and the 1st of his 3-goals in the 21st-minute.

Gabriel Jesus made it 2-0 before the break.

Eight minutes after the restart, Raheem scored his 2nd and City’s 3rd.

The Bernado of the Silva’s scored number 4, before Raheem, an hour after his opener, rounded off his hat-trick and the 5-0 victory, which was City’s 1st-Premier League away victory in 4, stretching back to the victory against Leicester back in February.

Man City have had their 2-year European ban overturned so Pep, if he doesn’t go to Juventus, needs a couple or more players to add to the squad for next season’s multi-competition campaign.

The David of the Silva’s is away from Manchester after the season finishes and it looks like John Stones isn’t wanted.

It’s uncertain as to what as happened with young John Boy who hasn’t featured much since football resumed.

John played the full 90-minutes in the 5-0 victory against Newcastle but then was back on the bench against Brighton and got 18-minutes at the end.

From the outside it looks like Mr Stones time at the Etihad is coming to an end, however, that may be way off the mark and Pep could just be easing John back into the team following injury.

One thing is for certain that if City don’t want the ex-Barnsley Boy, there will be plenty of takers.

Frank Lampard wouldn’t say no,

Brendan would add John to his Wonderful’s and if it was allowed, Ole would add John to his Wheels but a cross-Manchester transfer may not go down well.

Jose would definitely take young Johnny to suck the life out of the Red

and Mikel would snatch the talented Centre-Back up, having already worked with him.

With 25-minutes to go on Sunday, Bournemouth were losing 1-0 against Leicester and looked for all certainty that another defeat was on the cards, however, cut to 3-minutes before the final whistle and the Cherries had scored 4-times to run out comfortable 4-1 winners against a bemused Foxes team that were left scratching their heads as to what had just happened.

Junior Stanislav converted a penalty with Dominic Solanke scoring 2-goals, his first goals for Bournemouth, either side of a Leicester own goal to give Eddie and his Cherries a valuable 3-points, bearing in mind that Aston Villa, Watford and West Ham all won.

With 31-points, Bournemouth are still 3-away from safety and have this tough trip to the Etihad, followed by a home game against Southampton and a final away trip to Goodison Park to try and stay in the division.

At the Vitality in late August, Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling scored in the 1st-half with the Harry of the Wilson’s pulling a goal back right on half-time, to take City in at the break leading 2-1.

Sergio added his 2nd and City’s 3rd to give Pep’s Blues a comfortable victory by a 3-1 scoreline.

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BURNLEY v WOLVES

July 15th

Another 18.00 PM kick-off in England, this game being live on the BBC, with the British Broadcasting Corporation not knowing what channel to stick the football on.

Gary Lineker has to start on BBC 2, then at half-time, has to swap seats and move to BBC 1.

That’s the BBC for you, it’s definitely worth the licence fee.

Burnley are the first team this season to take points off Liverpool at Anfield, following Saturday’s 1-1 draw at the home of the new champions.

Jay Rodriguez equalised an early Liverpool goal, midway through the 2nd-half to earn Sean Dyche’s Clarets a point that gives Burnley 50 for the season so far, 5-points less than today’s opponents who currently sit in the final European place.

Wolves stunned the Toffees on Sunday getting a great 3-0 victory after 2-recent defeats.

Raul Jimenez converted a penalty in the 1st-half, with Leander Deondoncker and Diogo Jota adding the 2nd and 3rd after the break to give Nuno’s Gold and Blacks 3-points that puts Wolves on 55 for the season and leaves them just above Sheffield United in the final Europa League place for next term.

When Burnley travelled to Molineux back in August, Sky Sports stuck to just one channel, not to confuse the old people, who will no doubt watch the 1st-half of this game at Turf Moor on BBC 2, then when Gary moves to BBC 1, stay on 2 and watch Eggheads.

Wolves left it late, very late, the 97th-minute in fact, for Raul Jimenez to score a penalty to equalise an early Ashley Barnes goal for the Clarets and the game finished in a 1-1 draw at Molineux back in August.

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NEWCASTLE v TOTTENHAM

July 15th

This game at St James Park kicks-off at 18.00 PM in England live on BT Sport.

Newcastle suffered a 2-1 defeat away at Vicarage Rd on Saturday.

After great victories against Sheffield United and Bournemouth, Newcastle have lost their last 2-games.

The Magpies have 43-points and are safe but won’t want the season to fizzle out and will want to get back to winning ways.

The 2-defeats were away-day losses, so a home game, in front of the cardboard Toon Army, is just what Steve Bruce would have wanted.

Dwight Gayle actually put Newcastle ahead against Watford on Saturday but then conceded a couple of 2nd-half penalty’s to allow Watford to score twice and ultimately lose the game at Vicarage Rd by a 2-1 scoreline.

Despite having just 37%-possession against Arsenal on Sunday, Tottenham got the better of their North London rivals.

Son Heung-Min quickly equalised an Arsenal opening goal to take both teams in level at the break.

It then was left to Big Toby Alderweireld to score the winner midway through the 2nd-half to grab all 3-points from a great 2-1 victory.

Tottenham now have 52-points, 2-more than the Gunners and are chasing Sheffield United and Wolves for the final European position.

The cardboard Spurs brigade have an early Thomas the Tank Engine to catch up the road to Newcastle.

What would have been interesting, if fans were allowed to go to the stadium, is just how many of the Tottenham faithful would travel to St James or nip to B and Q and buy some paint, do the fence and watch it dry, as it’s a toss-up as to which is more enjoyable of late under Jose.

At Tottenham’s new home back in August, Mauricio’s Lilywhites had the indignation of succumbing to a rare, Joelinton goal, losing the game by a 1-0 scoreline.

The lads only scored one more since.

  • Bet 365 offer Newcastle at 7/2, the Draw at 11/4 and slight Odds On 3/4 for Tottenham to come away with all 3-points. (The Odds-compilers must not have seen Tottenham of late!)
  • Check latest odds on Bet365 here

Home Win 2-1 [Back this at 14/1 with Bet365 + Leading Sign Up Offer For New Customers]

ARSENAL v LIVERPOOL

July 15th

Late Wednesday Night football, with this game starting at 20.15 PM in England live on Sky Sports.

Arsenal succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against their North London rivals on Sunday.

Alexandre Lacazette put the Gunners in front but Arsenal’s defence, who are not the best at the moment, conceded an equaliser soon after Alex’s goal.

After the break, the defence conceded again to give Spurs the victory.

The defeat, allowed Tottenham to leapfrog Arsenal in the table and leaves Mikel Arteta’s Gunners with 50-points for the season so far, 2-less than Tottenham and the same 50 as Burnley.

Liverpool were trying to go the whole season by winning all of their games at Anfield, unfortunately, on Saturday, that particular record ended, following a 1-1 draw against Burnley.

The Fab Three up top, all playing, failed to make an impression against Burnley’s back-line and the Reds goal came from an unlikely source, that being Andy Robertson.

Mo Salah would have wanted to fill his boots to try and make up ground on Jamie Vardy for the coveted Golden Boot, however, Big Mo failed to add to his 19-goals for the season so far.

Burnley equalised in the 2nd-half to take a share of the points.

In the whole context of the season, the game against the Clarets will be quickly forgotten and won’t diminish the achievements of Jurgen’s Reds.

One slight negative to the wonderful season is the injury to Jordan Henderson who will now miss the remainder of the campaign due to a knee operation.

Hopefully, when the trophy and medals are eventually handed out, Jordan will be at the front of the line to receive his much-deserved pieces of silver.

At Anfield, nearly a year ago, Liverpool ran out winners by a 3-1 scoreline.

Joel Matip with a rare goal, scored the Reds opener in the 1st-half, with Mo Salah scoring twice after the break.

Lucas Torreira scored a late consolation for the Gunners, still under the guidance of Unai Emery.

Away Win 1-3 [Back this at 14/1 with Bet365 + Leading Sign Up Offer For New Customers]

LEICESTER v SHEFFIELD UNITED

July 16th

An 18.00 PM kick-off in England live on Sky Sports and FreeView Pick.

After 60-minutes at the Vitality on Sunday, a 1st-half Jamie Vardy strike had given the Foxes a 1-0 lead and were looking comfortable for the victory.

Twenty Five-minutes later, Leicester were a man down after Caglar Soyuncu had been sent off and losing 4-1.

It can’t even be used as an excuse, having a man less, as Bournemouth had already scored twice before Caglar’s indiscretion.

Jonny Evans had a personal bad day, scoring an own-goal to add to the overall teams bad trip to the South Coast.

What will have irked Brendan and the cardboard Foxes was that Chelsea had lost the day before and Leicester had the chance to jump above Frank’s Blues.

Unfortunately, for both Brendan and Frank, the defeats, left the door open for Manchester United to leapfrog both Chelsea and the Foxes into 3rd-place.

However, United’s subsequent draw on Monday, keeps Leicester in 4th-place, albeit on goal-difference, with United having the same 59-points as the Foxes.

From being comfortable in 3rd-place and a Champions League spot in the bag, Leicester are now 4th, looking ovet their shoulders at United and maybe heading for a regular Thursday night trip to Kazakhstan.

Leicester have scored 4-more goals than United yet have conceded 1-more so have a plus-3 tally over Ole’s Wheels. The Foxes final fixture of the campaign is against Manchester United so depending on results leading up to that game, it could be a Champions League Winner takes all decider.

Sheffield United were the team that inflicted the defeat on Frank’s Blues, getting a brilliant 3-0 victory over Chelsea early Saturday evening.

David McGoldrick, aged 32, scored his 1st-ever Premier League goal to give the Blades an early lead.

Ollie McBurnie scored the 2nd just before the break to give United a 2-goal advantage for the 2nd-half.

What was funny was the commentator on Sky Sports, subconscious still thinking Chelsea were going to come back into the game.

Martin Tyler is a legend of football and should be afforded tremendous respect for what he does, however, it was strange that although Sheffield United were simply too good for Chelsea, outplaying the Londoners in every department, Martin still wasn’t showing Chris Wilder’s men the respect they deserved and it was always how bad Chelsea were, as opposed to how good Sheffield United are.

Like buses, David waited ages for his 1st-goal then another came along straight away, with Big Mac getting his 2nd and United’s 3rd, midway through the 2nd-half.

Still, Mr Tyler wasn’t convinced United would win.

The victory keeps the Blades in 7th-place in the Premier League table, with 54-points, 1-less than Wolves in the final Europa League place and 5-less than today’s hosts.

Little Jim from Swinton went on a fruit Kopparberg bender after the game against Chelsea, joining his cardboard mates in the park, socially distancing.

Jim’s lovely girlfriend had to go looking for him at 9 o’clock as he’s not supposed to be out on his own late at night.

She found him slumped on the roundabout, with 3-cans of the fruit stuff by his side.

Bless him.

When Leicester had a night out in Sheffield, last August, Brendan’s Wonderful Human Beings came away with the points following a great 2-1 victory.

Sheffield Superstar Jamie Vardy, well he is in the Blue half of the Steel City, scored the opener for the Foxes.

Vard’s goal was met with a lot of encouraging messages from the Blunts faithful.

Little James loves Jamie V and had pictures on his bedroom wall of the goal machine.

Ollie McBurnie, did equalise for United but within minutes, Harvey Barnes scored Leicester’s 2nd and ultimately the winner, to give Brendan a victory over Chris.

  • Bet 365 offer Leicester surprisingly at slight Odds On 10/11, the Draw at 23/10 and 3/1 for Sheffield United to come away with all 3-points.
  • Check latest odds on Bet365 here

(3/1 is way too high considering the way Sheffield United play!)

Draw 1-1 [Back this at 11/2 with Bet365 + Leading Sign Up Offer For New Customers]

EVERTON v ASTON VILLA

July 16th

Early Thursday Evening football with this game starting at 18.00 PM live on Sky Sports.

Everton suffered a 3-0 defeat away at Molineux on Sunday, that left Carlo Ancelotti fuming which isn’t really like the usually composed Italian.

The loss leaves the Toffees with 45 points, 5-behind Burnley with 3-games to go.

Despite the defeat, a home game against Aston Villa is probably what Everton need to get back to winning ways, however, Villa are scrapping, so a victory isn’t guaranteed for the cardboard Toffees.

Aston Villa remain 2nd from bottom of the Premier League table, with 30-points, despite Sunday’s terrific 2-0 victory against Crystal Palace.

Although a great result that keeps survival alive, it as been mentioned that Crystal Palace have the flip-flops on and have one foot in the pool, so Dean would have targeted a home win against Roy’s Eagles.

The brilliantly named Trezeguet got both goals, either side of the break to give Villa the much-needed victory, especially with Bournemouth, Watford and West Ham all registering 3-points too.

Dean Smith’s Claret and Blues have this tricky trip to Goodison Park, a home game against Arsenal and a final game away at the London Stadium.

If results go a certain way, then the final game against West Ham could be a relegation decider, with the Hammers only having 4-points more than Villa.

Watford have the same 34-points as West Ham with the two of them playing each other this game week.

Aston Villa got another rare victory against a poor Everton team, still under the guidance of Marco Silva, back in August at Villa Park.

Wesley (where’s he gone?) scored 1st before the break, with Anwar El-Ghazi leaving it very late to score Villa’s 2nd, to give Dean Smith’s Claret and Blues a great 2-0 victory.

Everton are a different proposition under Carlo Ancelotti and Villa are a different outfit from last August.

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SOUTHAMPTON v BRIGHTON

July 16th

Late Thursday Night football live on BT Sport, with this fixture at St Mary’s kicking-off at 20.15 PM.

Southampton scored early against Manchester United on Monday with Stuart Armstrong getting the Saints goal at Old Trafford.

Unfortunately, despite a great start, that just inspired the Red Devil’s, who took control and scored 2-goals, however, Wreck-It Ralph’s men, then scored very late, to snatch a draw from the game.

Michael Obafemi with the late equaliser to earn a point from a 2-2 scoreline.

Ralph had only just introduced Young Michael as a late substitute.

It was muted a couple of weeks ago that Brighton, currently with 36-points, may not gain another point in the remaining 5-fixtures.

Brighton suffered a 2nd-defeat in a row late on Saturday, losing against Man City following a 5-0 scoreline.

To be fair to Graham Potter’s boys the 2-defeats in a row were against Liverpool and Man City, so no real disgrace there, however, the Seagulls are only 5-points above safety, so a positive result against Southampton would go a long way in cementing Brighton’s position in the Premier League, considering Watford and West Ham, who are immediately below Brighton, play each other this week.

The cardboard Seagulls only have to fly the short distance along the South Coast to sit in the empty stands.

That’s sit by the way!

Back in late August, Southampton got the victory with Moussa Djenepro and Nathan Redmond getting the 2nd-half goals to give Ralph’s men the points from a 2-0 scoreline.

Brighton had to play for over an hour with 10-men following the sending off of Florin Andone.

Home Win 2-1 [Back this at 9/1 with Bet365 + Leading Sign Up Offer For New Customers]

CRYSTAL PALACE v MANCHESTER UNITED

July 16th

Another 20.15 PM kick-off in England live on BT Sport.

Crystal Palace will be wearing their new kit against Manchester United this week, speedos and flip-flops with an inflatable Eagle under their arms following the season finishing early at Selhurst Park.

Aston Villa, who can’t beat anyone, inflicted a 2-0 defeat on Roy’s Boys last Sunday, with one flip-flopped foot on the beach.

Palace, with 42-points, are safe but the cardboard Ultras won’t be happy just seeing their boys sunbathe out the rest of the season.

Manchester United were looking to take advantage of Chelsea and Leicester’s defeats at the weekend with a Monday Night victory against Southampton at Old Trafford.

In all of the previous times that Manchester United have played last, following poor results for the Blues and the Foxes, United have failed to capitalise.

Unfortunately for the Old Trafford faithful, that happened again and despite Ole’s Wheels going in at the break leading 2-1, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial with the goals, United snatched a draw from the jaws of victory, conceding a very late Southampton equaliser.

The 2-2 draw keeps United in 5th-place in the Premier League table, with 59-points, the same as Leicester and now just 1-behind Chelsea and a massive 13-behind Man City, on the day that the Noisy Neighbours had their European ban lifted.

So 5th-place will be a Europa League spot and not a Champions League place as hoped by a number of teams.

What may be a factor is Manchester United, take on Leicester on the final day of the season so if results go a certain way, that game at the King Power, could decide the Champions League places.

United are still in the Europa League and can gain entry into next season’s Champions League by winning that particular competition but will want to finish 3rd or 4th, to make sure.

Leicester do have tricky games against Sheffield United and Tottenham before the final fixture against United and Chelsea have to play Liverpool at Anfield so it really is in Manchester United’s hands to finish 3rd in the table.

www.halftimepie.co.uk

When the Eagle Ultras travelled up to Old Trafford in August, Roy’s Boys stunned the United faithful by getting a great away-day 2-1 victory albeit against a different Manchester United team that included Jesse Lingard.

To be fair to Jesse, there were 8 of the 11-United stars that are currently on a roll, that started at the side of Jesse so it shouldn’t just be perceived that it was all down to Mr Lingard.

Jordan Ayew scored after half an hour to give Palace a lead at the break.

Marcus Rashford had the chance to get United level in the 2nd-half when he took a penalty.

Unfortunately for Big Rashes, he missed!

Dan James, before he became rubbish, did equalise for the Red Devil’s in the 88th-minute, however, that wasn’t the end of the goals with Patrick Van Aanholt scoring the Eagles winner in the 93rd-minute to give Roy Hodgson a victory over Ole Gunnar Solskjær.

Although a great early victory for Crystal Palace, United are at a different phase in their development under Ole and Palace have the flip-flops on ready for the summer holiday along the way in Margate.

  • Bet 365 offer Crystal Palace at 17/2, the Draw at 16/5 and slight Odds On 2/5 for Manchester United to come away with all 3-points.
  • Check latest odds on Bet365 here

Away Win 1-3 [Back this at 12/1 with Bet365 + Leading Sign Up Offer For New Customers]

WEST HAM v WATFORD

July 17th

Friday Night football with this game at the London Stadium starting at 20.00 PM in England live on Sky Sports.

With both teams getting vital victories at the weekend, Watford head the short distance to the London Stadium with the same 34-points as the hosts.

Both teams out of the bottom 3 by the margin of 3-points so a victory for either would probably make them safe this season.

West Ham hammered Norwich on Saturday with the excellent Michail Antonio scoring all 4 in a 4-0 victory.

The result subsequently relegated the Canaries.

Michail has been in fine form since football resumed and wouldn’t look out of place in a Blue Chelsea or Man City shirt or a Red one on the other side of Manchester.

The 4 on Saturday, added to the goals against Chelsea and Newcastle gives Michail 6 in July and 8-goals for the season.

With Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Watford all winning, West Ham’s position hasn’t changed and still remain just outside of the relegation places but are only 2-points behind Brighton.

Watford got a great 2-1 victory against Newcastle on Saturday at Vicarage Rd, with the goals coming from the penalty spot, with Troy Deeney converting both.

The Hornets had actually gone behind in the game but the 2-penalty’s sealed victory for Nigel Pearson’s boys and gives Watford the same 34-points as today’s opponents.

If Watford do get the victory, 37-points should be enough considering West Ham have a final fixture against Aston Villa.

However, after this fixture against the Hammers, Watford’s final 2-games are at home against Man City and an away trip to the Emirates, which are not games a club need when fending off relegation.

At Vicarage Rd back in late August, both teams were under the guidance of different managers, with Manuel Pellegrini still at the West Ham helm and Watford still on their 1st of 3-managers for the season, Javi Gracia.

Manuel got the better of Javi that summers day, with West Ham getting a great 3-1 away-day victory.

Mark Noble put the Hammers in front, from the penalty spot, with Andre Gray, equalising for Watford to take both teams in level at the break.

Sebastian Haller scored 2-goals in the 2nd-half to take the game away from Watford.

Javi only lasted one more game, then he was down the concrete and Quique Sanchez Flores was back.

Home Win 1-2 [Back this at 12/1 with Bet365 + Leading Sign Up Offer For New Customers]

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