EPL Week 4 Predictions – Weekend Premier League Tips

John Newsome Football Betting Tips - everytipWe are just 3 games into the campaign and Manchester United already find themselves in choppy waters. Dropped points, indiscipline over penalty kicks along with injuries that will certainly force Luke Shaw to sit game-week 4 out and possibly striker Anthony Martial too, have led to the bookies slashing odds on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being the first manager to get the sack. How does John Newsome rate the Red Devils’ chances, as they prepare for the long trip down to the South Coast? You can view all previous analysis from John’s regular column here: English Premier League 

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SOUTHAMPTON v MANCHESTER UNITED
Early Saturday afternoon kick-off live on BT Sports.
Southampton lost their first 2 games and headed along the South Coast to Brighton hoping to have an upturn in fortune against a Seagull side that hadn’t lost yet under Graham Potter.
That upturn materialised and Wreck-It Ralph’s Saints comfortably beat Brighton 2-0.
Southampton were helped along by the sending off of Florin Andone after 30-minutes.
Moussa Djenepro was introduced as an early 2nd-half substitute and what an introduction.
After only being on the pitch for a couple of minutes, the youngster scored a superb individual goal giving the Saints the lead.
With the clock running down Nathan Redmond made it 2-0 and 3-points for the Saints.
That will be a relief for the Saints faithful to give them South Coast bragging rights.
This game at St Mary’s could easily be an early relegation battle against a Manchester United side who seem to be going backwards.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to be careful, after a brilliant start to the season beating Chelsea 4-0 the wheels certainly came off at Old Trafford on Saturday and the United faithful won’t put up with losses like the one against Crystal Palace for too long.
United had the chance to go to the summit of the infant Premier League table against Wolves on Monday but a Paul Pogba missed penalty left United with just a point from their trip to Molineux.
A home game against a very poor Crystal Palace side was just what the doctor ordered. An easy 3-points from a rare 3.00 PM kickoff at Old Trafford and a few beers in the Manchester sunshine on a Bank Holiday weekend was what the United fans were presuming.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, the Palace side that lacked confidence against Sheffield United at Bramhall Lane were revitalised and got a great smash and grab victory to stun Ole’s wheels.
The first thing Ole and his coaching staff need to do is get the players practising penalties.
Marcus Rashford was given the spot-kick duties after Paul Pogba’s kick was saved against Wolves.
With United losing 1-0 they were presented with a guilt-edged chance to get back into the game with the award of a penalty.
Scott McTominay was blatantly tripped by Luka Milivojevic and Marcus stepped up to try and get United back into the game.
The strike was excellent, the goalkeeper dove the wrong way but the ball struck the post and went to safety.
Dan James did equalise for United in the 89th-minute giving the Old Trafford crowd hope of a final onslaught for the victory.
Not to be, Palace went up to the other end and got the winner inflicting a first defeat of the season on United.
This relegation battle at St Mary’s should be full-on given the players will have a 2-week break for the September International’s.
United will probably be hoping they don’t get awarded a penalty.
What’s annoying for the United fans is the victory against Chelsea gave them brief hope that the club could return to the glory days but the disappointing draw against Wolves and the horrendous result against Palace, at home, have really dampened any enthusiasm that was starting.
A team with the quality United have in them such as Anthony Martial, Rashford, Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard should not be losing at home against a very average Crystal Palace team.
Ole just needs to be careful because, although he is a legend at United, the faithful won’t put up with results like this one.
At St Mary’s last season, this was one of Jose Mourinho’s final game as United boss and finished 2-2.
Ironically, it also spelt the end of Mark Hughes reign as the Saints boss and was replaced by Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Southampton’s goal-scorers were Stuart Armstrong and Cedric Soares who had given the Saints a 2-0 lead.
United replied through Romelu Lukaku and Ander Herrera.
Bet 365 offer Southampton at 11/4, the Draw at 5/2 and slight Odds On 10/11 for United to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 9/4 that United Score in Both Halves and 16/1 that United Miss a Penalty.
Away Win 0-2

WEST HAM v NORWICH
West Ham registered their first win of the season with a comfortable 3-1 victory over a struggling Watford side.
Hammers legend Mark Noble, who celebrated his 15-year anniversary of making his debut for West Ham, by scoring the opener via the penalty spot.
Manchester United take note.
Watford did get an equaliser making the score 1-1 going into the break but new signing Sebastian Haller got a brace midway through the 2nd-half putting the game beyond the Hornets and giving the Bubbles their 1st 3-points of the season.
Mark Noble made his debut for his boyhood club exactly 15-years ago to the day in a League Cup game against Southend.
He made his league debut a few months later and the game against Watford marked Marks 350th Premier League appearance.
His goal against Watford takes him to fourth in the all-time Premier League successful penalty kicks.
Mark has scored 25 penalties with only Alan Shearer on 56, Frank Lampard on 43 and Steven Gerrard on 32 have scored more from the spot in the Premier League and Mark will feel he has a few more in him.
It’s fair to say Mark Noble is a true legend at West Ham and has Bubbles running through his veins.
Mark has never been the most fashionable of players and has been left out of the team many times by the various Hammers managers but always works hard and his work rate inevitably leads to him making his way back into the team because the team is better with him in than not.
Norwich are surprising a lot of clubs on their return to the Top Flight.
Although the Canaries have lost 2 out of their 3-games so far, the style of play Daniel Farke is producing is certainly entertaining.
Frank Lampard’s Chelsea were the latest club to take on Norwich and ran out 3-2 winners but had to fight all the way to get the 3-points.
Todd Cantwell got Norwich’s First and the little Finnish goalscoring phenomenon that is Teemu Pukki got his 5th-goal of the campaign.
Unfortunately for Daniel, Todd, Teemu and the Canary faithful, the Blues scored late on inflicting another defeat.
Norwich have played two of the teams that finished in the Top Four last term so far and the brand of football dished up by Daniel Farke suggests that they will be a match for any team especially at Carrow Rd.
With Teemu Pukki in the side, they always have a say in games and Teemu will feel that if he can score against Liverpool and Chelsea, he can score against anyone.
The last time Norwich played West Ham was at Upton Park in 2015.
The game finished 2-2.
This will be Norwich’s first visit to the London Stadium.
Bet 365 offer West Ham at slight Odds On 10/11, the Draw at 13/5 and 11/4 for Norwich to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 9/4 that Mark Noble Scores Anytime and 5/1 that Teemu Pukki Scores First.
Home Win 3-1

CHELSEA v SHEFFIELD UNITED
Frank Lampard’s Chelsea came away from Carrow Rd with all 3-points after beating Norwich 3-2.
Frank put faith in Tammy Abraham, even though the young striker had yet to find the back of the net in a Blues shirt.
The faith in Tammy paid off with the youngster getting the opener and the winner to kickstart his Chelsea goal-scoring career.
In between Tammy’s brace, Norwich equalised twice with Mason Mount getting the middle Chelsea goal.
The victory gave Frank his first Premier League 3-points after an initial loss and a draw in the first two games.
All round, the shackles will be off at Stamford Bridge for Frank and Tammy and it will give them the momentum to push on.
Facing 2 of the 3 promoted clubs in succession will be a good thing for Frank as he knows Norwich and Sheffield United from his days as Derby manager last term.
Although he’s now the Chelsea boss his knowledge of the Championship will come in handy and will relish the chance to get his first Stamford Bridge victory over Chris Wilder’s Blades.
After 2-unbeaten games on their return to the Premier League, Sheffield United were beaten at Bramall Lane on Saturday by Leicester.
Sheffield Superstar and Owls fan Jamie Vardy came back to his hometown and blasted Leicester’s first goal past a helpless Dean Henderson between the United sticks.
Ollie McBurnie came off the bench to get United back level but The Blades couldn’t hold on and succumbed to a late Foxes winner.
Chris Wilder wasn’t happy, however, it’s difficult to know when Chris is, as his face rarely gives an expression of happiness.
The Blunts faithful will love a day out in the Capital even checking whether they need their passports.
The Cockneys will hear the unique sound of the Dee Dars as they embark from the steam train at Kings Cross.
“Is dat deer Stamford Bridge darn deer?” and “dat Beer is deer darn deer int it?”
The Cockneys won’t understand and may need subtitles while the Blunts copper together some change to purchase a greasy chip butty and a pint with 6-straws.
They will love their day out in the big city bless ‘em.
It’s been over 12-years since Sheffield United played Chelsea in the Premier League.
That visit to Stamford Bridge ended in a 3-0 victory for the Blues.
Bet 365 offer Chelsea at massive Odds On 4/11, the Draw at 4/1 and 15/2 for Sheffield United to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 15/4 that Tammy Abraham Scores First and 7/2 that Billy Sharp Scores Anytime.
Home Win 2-1

CRYSTAL PALACE v ASTON VILLA
Crystal Palace were the Bookies dreams on Saturday smashing everyone’s Accas to pieces with a terrific 2-1 victory at Old Trafford.
Roy Hodgson used all of his many year’s experience to outsmart Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and got a rare victory over a Manchester United team who appear to be going backwards.
Jordan Ayew gave the Eagles the lead on the half-hour mark.
The Eagles Ultras weren’t overjoyed when Jordan signed in the summer but he definitely earned their respect at Old Trafford.
His brother Andre plies his trade in the Championship for Swansea where Crystal Palace signed Jordan from after an initial loan spell.
Both Andre and Jordan have a famous footballing father in Ghanaian legend Abedi Pele who graced the football stage in the ’80s and ‘90s and will be remembered by the older footballing fans.
Crystal Palace were given a helping hand to get the 3-points when Luka Milivojevic upended Scott McTominay in the box and gifted United a penalty.
United could have done with borrowing Luka for a couple of minutes as the Serbian rarely misses his penalties and after United missed a penalty on Monday, they followed that up with a 2nd missed penalty in a row to let the Eagles off.
United equalised late on to dampen the Ultras enthusiasm.
With time running out, the faithful must have thought that a point at Old Trafford was well worth the journey.
Not so, Patrick Van Aanholt got the Palace winner in the 93rd-minute to send the Ultras into hysteria making their long journey home on a hot Bank Holiday weekend a very happy one.
After the lacklustre limp display against Sheffield United the week before, not many gave Palace a chance and could not see that performance coming.
The bookies were definitely a happy bunch on Saturday night.
Aston Villa finally came to the party after 2-successive defeats in their return to the Top Flight.
On Friday Night Football at Villa Park, Dean Smith’s boys beat Everton 2-0 to record their first victory.
Wesley scored the opening goal for Villa and his first competitive goal for the Midlands club, after a brilliant through ball from his fellow single named teammate Jota.
The goal after 20-minutes settled the Villains down with Jack Grealish sublimely controlling the midfield and never really looked in trouble.
The 2nd-Villa goal came in injury time to seal the victory and give Villa the much-needed 3-points to help them push on.
Anwar El-Ghazi got a rare goal for Villa to seal the game 2-0.
Villa won’t do a Leicester in the near future but will put up more of a fight than Huddersfield.
As with the other two promoted clubs, Villa will be entertaining and go all out for the victory in the majority of games but their inexperience and Premier League naivety may just be the downfall of all 3-clubs.
It’s 4-years virtually to the day that Crystal Palace last hosted Villa and Palace ran out 2-1 winners.
Bet 365 offer Crystal Palace at 11/10, the Draw at 12/5 and 12/5 for Aston Villa to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 12/5 Luka Milivojevic Scores Anytime and 6/1 that Palace Win Both Halves.
Home Win 2-1

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LEICESTER v BOURNEMOUTH
Leicester are back at the King Power after two away trips and are now one of only 4-teams out of the 20 that remain unbeaten.
After 2-draws from their opening 2-games, they went to Bramall Lane and beat the Blades 2-1.
Looking at the Foxes sat in 4th-place in the infant Premier League table, the faithful may just start reminiscing about those glory days of 2015/16.
Before anyone jumps in and say Arsenal, in 3rd, are not unbeaten, the other teams unbeaten are Liverpool, Man City and Wolves who have 3-draws to their name, however, lie in 15th.
Brendan Rodgers has got his Leicester team organised and don’t appear to be missing Harry Maguire.
With Sheffield Superstar Jamie Vardy still a threat, the Foxes will always be in games.
Jamie was destined to score against Sheffield United on Saturday and after being put clean through by James Maddison blasted an unstoppable shot past the Blades goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
If born in the Steel City and a football fan, it’s either Sheffield United (the Blades) or Sheffield Wednesday (the Owls).
There are derogatory words for both teams such as Blunts and Pigs which are regularly used but Jamie Vardy is an Owl and to score against his bitter rivals will have made his Saturday.
After Sheffield United had equalised in the 2nd-half Harvey Barnes scored a superb individual volley to give Leicester the win and keep them unbeaten.
Two of the three goal scorers at Bramall Lane on Saturday temporarily graced the hallowed Turf of Oakwell.
Sheffield United scorer Ollie McBurnie and Harvey Barnes both had brief loan spells at Barnsley FC and are both remembered fondly.
(www.halftimepie.co.uk)
Brendan and Leicester will fancy this home game against Bournemouth to continue that unbeaten start to the season knowing that a rest is coming with a 2-week International break following this fixture.
Bournemouth were soundly beaten at the Vitality on Sunday by Man City.
Eddie Howe, like the other 18-Premier League managers, will try to find a way of stopping Pep’s High Flying City but like the other 18, it’s virtually impossible to come up with a plan.
If Eddie tries to stop Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling scores, if Raheem is stopped, Kevin De Bruyne steps in, if it’s not KDB it’s the Silva Boys.
So it was always going to be a tough ask for Eddie and the Cherries and that result will be put to bed and a trip to the King Power is next in line.
The positive to come from the City defeat was a superb free-kick from Liverpool loanee Harry Wilson.
Harry initially started on the bench but an injury to Charlie Daniels just after the half-hour mark, gave young Harry his opportunity.
With 1st-half time running out, Bournemouth were awarded a free-kick just outside of the City area and Harry despatched the free-kick past an helpless Ederson.
City took control of the game and ran out comfortable winners but the free-kick from Harry will give him hope of start at the King Power.
At Leicester back in March, the Foxes beat the Cherries 2-0 with Wes Morgan and Jamie Vardy getting the goals.
Bet 365 offer Leicester at Odds On 4/6, the Draw at 14/5 and 4/1 for Bournemouth to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 10/3 that Jamie Vardy Scores Two or More Goals and 15/8 Callum Wilson Scores Anytime.
Home Win 2-1

MAN CITY v BRIGHTON
The surprise in Man City’s 3-Premier League result’s up to now is whilst dominating all 3-games, unlike Liverpool, they haven’t won all 3 following the draw against Tottenham.
Despite the VAR controversy against Spurs, Pep put that behind him and headed to the Vitality where goals from Raheem Sterling and a brace from Sergio Aguero helped City to a 3-1 victory.
David Silva played in his 400th game for City against Bournemouth which makes him only the 14th-player in City’s history to amass 400 games.
The David of the Silva’s looks like he’s in his swan-song season at the Emirates but will no doubt go down as a true Citizen legend in the blue half of Manchester.
Raheem Sterling has now 5-goals to his name currently this term, 1-more than his little Argentinian teammate Sergio Aguero which will not only please Raheem, Pep and the Citizens but also Gareth Southgate who will be hoping Raheem can bring his goal-scoring form to the England team for the upcoming Euro 20/20 qualifying games against Bulgaria and Kosovo.
The game against Bulgaria takes place on September 7th at Wembley.
September the 7th marks the 50th Birthday of a certain EveryTip contributor and a certain Barnsley FC fan who will be celebrating his birthday in Majorca with his two best pals.
It will be an emotional, epic, drunken break away in the sun of the Balearics where Champagne will be taken, food will be eaten and karaoke will be sung along with the obligatory watching of Football to celebrate 50 years of a legends life.
You only turn 50 once.
Make the hangover worth it! (Drink Responsibly!)
Closer than close you see yourself, a mirrored image of what you wanted to be.
As each day goes by a little more you can’t remember what it was you wanted anyway.
The fingers feel the lines they prod the space your ageing face, the face that once was so beautiful is still there but unrecognisable.
The man who you once knew is bald and fat but carries on.
How do you feel at the end of the day, just like you’ve walked over your own grave?
Happy 50th Birthday JB!
Brighton were beaten 2-0 by their South Coast rivals Southampton on Saturday which, considering the Seagulls had two terrific results in the opening two games, the fans would not have expected Southampton to come to the Amex and win so easily.
Graham Potter dropped Glenn Murray and replaced him with Florin Andone who had made an immediate impact as a substitute in the opening weekend.
Unfortunately, the joy of getting a start quickly turned to sadness for Florin when he was shown a straight Red Card for a horror challenge on the half-hour mark.
That put Brighton on the back foot and the Saints made the extra man advantage pay dividends in the 2nd-half scoring two goals to come away with all 3-points and South Coast bragging rights.
The loss gave Brighton the full set of all 3-results from their first 3-games.
They are now in a group of 10-Premier League clubs that have Won-1, Drawn-1 and Lost-1, giving the 10-clubs, 4-points going into Game Week 4.
As well as starting Florin Andone, Harry also chose to start Neal Maupay who, like Florin, had come off the bench in the opening two games.
With Florin being given a Red Card, Glenn Murray should make a quick return to the starting eleven for this visit to the Etihad.
Last season’s game in Manchester was played virtually 12-months ago in September and finished 2-0 in favour City with the two main men Raheem and Sergio getting the goals.
Bet 365 offer City at massive Odds On 1/10, the Draw at 9/1 and a massive 18/1 for Brighton to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 10/3 that Raheem Sterling Scores First and 9/1 that Raheem Scores a Hat-trick.
Home Win 5-0

NEWCASTLE v WATFORD
Newcastle, like Crystal Palace, smashed everyone’s accas with an amazing 1-0 victory against Tottenham at the Spurs swanky new stadium.
Newcastle’s record signing Joelinton scored the only goal to give Steve Bruce’s Magpies a famous win and at least a couple of days grace for Steve as the Toon Army were becoming disgruntled against Big Brucey.
What every football fan in the country want to know is how a team, who can be so poor against Arsenal and Norwich, can go to the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium and beat a Tottenham side that had taken a point away from the Etihad.
The victory will give Newcastle a massive boost to kick on and another couple of great performances like the one in North London will surely help fade away the memory of Rafa Benitez.
That said, this really is an early relegation 6-pointer against a Watford team that are sitting rock bottom of the Premier League with 3-defeats in a row.
Newcastle lie 19th in the infant Premier League table, with their inferior goal difference putting them bottom of the 5-teams jointly on 3-points.
Watford, as mentioned, are the only one of the 20-Premier League teams who have not gained a point with 3-defeats in a row, the latest being a 3-1 loss against West Ham at Vicarage Rd.
The Hornet faithful are starting to become restless and Javi Gracia appears to be on borrowed time.
What was a plus point from the defeat against the Hammers is Watford did actually manage to score after 2-previous barren attempts.
Andre Gray got the Hornets first goal of the season which was an equaliser against West Ham in the 1st-half.
Unfortunately, Watford couldn’t hold out after the break and the Bubbles ran out 3-1 winners leaving Watford rooted at the foot of the table.
The worrying thing for the Watford fans is main man Troy Deeney will miss several weeks due to a minor operation on his knee.
Whilst Troy is a big loss, the other players need to step up to the plate and the performances from Gerard Deulofeu, Andre Gray and the rest have not been up to last season’s standard.
Will Hughes will be having nightmares about his miss against West Ham which could have put a totally different perspective on the game.
At St James Park last term this game took place just before Bonfire Night in November and finished 1-0 in favour of Newcastle with Ayoze Perez getting the solitary goal.
Bet 365 offer Newcastle at 29/20, the Draw at 11/5 and 19/10 for Watford to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 6/1 that Joelinton Scores First and 4/1 that Newcastle Win and Under 2.5 Goals.
Home Win 1-0

BURNLEY v LIVERPOOL
Late Saturday afternoon kick-off live on Sky Sports.
Burnley have the unenviable task of hosting the current Premier League leaders and European Champions.
Ashley Barnes scored against Wolves on Saturday to give the Clarets a lead in the 1st-half.
Burnley were leading up until the 97th-minute but gave away a penalty allowing Wolves to equalise at the death.
A blow for Sean Dyche and his boys but to come away from Wolves with a point is no mean achievement as not many will leave Molineux with much this season.
Burnley are one of the 10-clubs that have had all 3-results up to now with a loss, a win and a draw and the Claret faithful will relish this chance to see the Champions League winners up close and personal.
Ashley Barnes moves onto 4-goals for the season which is a brilliant return for the half-Austrian, 1-more than his rival today Mo Salah.
Arnold Schwarzenegger will be pleased for Big Ash.
Liverpool blitzed Arsenal on Saturday at Anfield in the late afternoon kickoff making the Reds the only team in the Premier League that have won all 3-games.
Joel Matip gave Liverpool the lead just before the break then the little Egyptian Mo scored twice in the 2nd-half to give Jurgen’s boys all 3-points.
Arsenal did get a late consolation but Liverpool were comfortable winners and move on to Turf Moor looking to make it 4-victories in a row.
With Matip and Big Virgil Van Dijk at the back, Henderson and Fabinho in front of them and a front three of Salah, Mane and Firmino then Liverpool are going to take some stopping.
At Turf Moor last season this game took place at the beginning of December with Burnley taking a lead early in the 2nd-half through Jack Cork.
That goal stunned Liverpool into life with James Milner, Roberto Firmino and Xherdan Shaqiri replying for the Reds giving them a comfortable away victory.
Bet 365 offer Burnley at 9/1, the Draw at 17/4 and Odds On 3/10 for Liverpool to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 11/4 Mo Salah Scores First and Evens 1/1 Liverpool Score in Both Halves.
Away Win 0-2

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EVERTON v WOLVES
Early Sunday afternoon kick-off live on Sky Sports.
The Toffees entertain Wolves off the back of a 2-0 defeat away at Aston Villa.
This fixture pitches two Portuguese managers against each with Nuno Espírito Santo heading to Goodison Park to take on his fellow countryman Marco Silva.
Remarkably, Everton are one of the 10- clubs who have achieved all 3-results of a draw, a win and a loss, yet have only scored 1-goal in the 3-games so it’s clear to see where the Toffees are struggling.
It appears that youngster Dominic Calvert-Lewin is lacking confidence and needs to hit the back of the net sooner rather than later to kick start his season otherwise Marco will be benching Dominic before too long and giving the likes of ex-Arsenal players Alex Iwobi and Theo Walcott a start following 2-substitute appearances for Alex and 3-substitute appearances for Theo.
Dominic will say that Richarlison needs to improve too and Gylfi Sigurdsson needs to start performing to his high standard but with Alex and Theo waiting in the wings, Marco does have options.
Everton should at least be fresh having not played since the previous Friday evening with Wolves playing twice since the Toffees defeat against Aston Villa.
Wolves are one of the 4-unbeaten teams so far this season along with Liverpool, Man City and Leicester.
What’s different about Nuno’s Gold and Blacks is they have 3-consecutive draws following Saturday’s late escape at Molineux against Burnley.
After falling behind in the 1st-half, Wolves left it very very late to get back on level terms with Raul Jimenez getting a 97th-minute penalty to salvage a point and remain unbeaten.
The Europa League exploits do take its toll and whilst Wolves are unbeaten it could be argued that they have been lucky with 2-penalties affecting their results.
Against Manchester United, they had a penalty given against them but Rui Patricio made a superb save to avoid a defeat and then with time running out Wolves were awarded a penalty which was dispatched to again avoid defeat.
A tale of two penalties.
Wolves head to Goodison Park following Thursday nights 2nd-leg game against Torino which they take into the tie a 3-2 lead.
On Merseyside, last term Wolves beat Everton 3-1 to take the 3-points back to the Black Country.
Ruben Neves, Raul Jimenez and Leander Dendoncker were the Wolves goal scorers with Andre Gomes getting the Toffees solitary goal.
Bet 365 offer Everton at 11/10, the Draw at 23/10 and 5/2 for Wolves to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer Odds On 4/6 that there are Under 2.5 Goals and 11/2 for a 1-1 Scoreline.
Draw 1-1

ARSENAL v TOTTENHAM
Late Sunday afternoon kick-off live on Sky Sports to bring Game Week 4 to a close.
The North London Derby is the final Premier League game for a fortnight with the International Break coming up.
What’s surprising for these two heavyweights is that they both come into this fixture off the back of defeats.
Arsenal went to Anfield late Saturday Afternoon and whilst competed to a certain level, Jurgen’s boys systematically took the Gunners apart and eventually ran out 3-1 winners over Unai’s men.
Lucas Torreira got the solitary Arsenal goal after coming on as a substitute on the hour mark.
The defeat was Arsenal’s first but they still lie 3rd in the infant Premier League table having gained 6-points from their opening 2-games.
Whilst both teams suffered a defeat at the weekend, Arsenal’s could easily be understood.
What’s not understandable is Tottenham’ 1-0 defeat, at their new home, against a struggling Newcastle side that have been beaten already by the Gunners.
The 3-games involving Spurs this season have been probably the least explicable out of all the fixtures up to now.
The first game against newly-promoted Aston Villa was pulled out of the fire once Christian Eriksen had been introduced.
Against Man City, Tottenham came away with a point after being outplayed by Pep’s boys and a bit of help from VAR.
It appeared the luck ran out against Newcastle and Tottenham became one of the 10-clubs to have a full set of results from their opening 3-games.
Christian Eriksen is up there with one of the best players in the Premier League yet Mauricio Pochettino has only started the Danish midfielder once against Man City.
In the other 2-games, Christian has been a substitute and only given 30-minutes from the bench at the end of the game.
The first game against Villa, Christian changed the outcome of the match but didn’t have the same impact against Newcastle.
There is still a week to go in the European Transfer Window and maybe, Christian is still hoping that Real Madrid come in for him. His contract expires next summer and if he doesn’t go before next week, can sign a pre-contract in January and leave Tottenham for nothing next year.
If he’s still at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium after the International Break then Mauricio Pochettino needs to use him as Tottenham are a better side with him playing than not.
Tottenham rarely leave the Emirates victorious in the Premier League with it being 2010 since their last win against the Gunners, a draw is the most they can expect on current results.
Last season’s visit finished in a very entertaining 4-2 victory in favour of the Gunners.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice for Arsenal, with Alexandre Lacazette and Lucas Torreira getting the others.
Eric Dier and Harry Kane replied for Tottenham who were leading 2-1 at half-time.
Jan Vertonghan was sent off late on after receiving a second Yellow Card.
Bet 365 offer Arsenal at 13/10, the Draw at 13/5 and 9/5 for Tottenham to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 4/1 that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Scores First and the same 4/1 that Harry Kane Scores First.
Home Win 3-1

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Ashes Cricket

It would be remiss not to mention one of the best sporting occasions that’s been played over the past 60 years in England, the Cricket from Headingley.
The older readers will remember 1981 when England took on Australia in the Ashes at the iconic Leeds venue.
After Australia batted first and got 401 for 9 declared, England made a poultry 174 all-out giving the Australian captain Alan Border the option to put England back in.
In Cricket, they call it ‘following on’
If a team who bats first is leading by at least 200 runs after both teams have batted, the law says that the team batting first can put the opposing team in to bat again.
Australia chose to allow England to ‘follow on’
It has to be a lead of at least 200 runs. 199 or less doesn’t enforce the ‘follow on’
In 1981 Ian Botham aged just 26 was the England Cricket Captain.
Having had a poor record as Captain he resigned minutes before being sacked after the second Test at Lords which Australia had drawn with England having beaten England at Trent Bridge in the first Test.
Having been dismissed, resigned whatever the official statement read, it freed Ian to play cricket.
In the third Test at Headingley, Australia opened with 401 for 9 declared, despite good bowling by Botham who took 6 for 95.
England responded poorly and were dismissed for 174.
Ian was the only batsman to perform at all well and scored 50, which was his first Test half-century since he had been awarded the captaincy thirteen Tests earlier.
With a lead of 227, Australia put England back in to bat or asked England to ‘follow on’
With the score at 105 for 5, with England still needing 122 to avoid an innings defeat, Sir Ian Botham came to the crease, a hero to many cricket fans who were only 12 at the time.
In the olden days on council estates throughout England, cricket bats were made from wooden fences put outside the homes.
Mr Sanders made a cricket bat from said fence panels.
He cut two sides from the top and put tape around the handle giving the young Geoff Boycott’s of the day a bat to hit the ball miles.
Now said bat costs hundreds of pounds.
Mr Sanders was ahead of his time.
Sir Ian walked to the crease nothing expected, even both teams had checked out of their hotels.
Australia were going 2-up in the series with 3 to play.
(There were 6-Tests back then)
Botham was simply magical and scored a very impressive 149 not out.
Shackles of the Captaincy gone.
His partner sharing a stand of 117 was Graham Dilley who was a superb fast bowler in his own right and stayed with Ian to give England an 130-run advantage.
England were at one point 500/1 to win the test and it’s rumoured back in the day that the Australian team lumped on so to speak.
Nowadays match fixing would be brought into the fore but in 1981 there wasn’t any such thing.
It’s commonly known as the ‘Botham Ashes’ however, the part that Graham Dilley and Bob Willis plays cannot be underestimated.
Sadly Graham is no longer with us having died in 2011 aged 52.
Respect Graham Dilley.
Australia reached 56 for 1, seemingly well set, before Ians replacement as Captain Mike Brearley, switched Bob Willis to allow him to bowl down the slope at Headingley.
Mike wasn’t the greatest of cricketers, it’s probably accepted that he wasn’t in the best 100 English cricketers of the time but what Mike was, was an exceptional Captain who the English Cricket Board brought back into the fold to pick up the pieces after Ian’s failed spell as Captain.
Bob bowled a superb spell of 8 for 43 to dismiss Australia for 111.
England became only the second team in Test Match history to win a match after being made to ‘follow on’
At Headingley today in August 2019, Ben Stokes produced a career defining innings to rival that of Sir Ian.
Sir Benjamin Andrew Stokes, because that will be his title in the coming years gifted the English Cricketing Community the best Ashes day since 1981.
Ironically at Headingley, Sir Ben produced the best English performance in a generation getting a career defining 135-not out to bring the current Ashes Series level with 2 to play.
As holders of the iconic urn, Australia only need to win one of the remaining two to go home with the Ashes.
At 12.00 PM today they were packing the little urn away, they didn’t envisage the heroics if Sir Ben.
There will be iconic photos shown throughout the years.
He had a 76-run partnership with Jack Leach at Number 11, with Ben scoring 75 of the 76.
Jack Leach should be sponsored forever by Specsavers and given free glasses for life.
Sir Ben Stokes Legend.
Jack Leach legend.
One of the greatest days in English cricket.

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