Spurs will hardly go marching in to East Sussex with their chests out, following a humiliating 2-7 home Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich in midweek. As with Brighton, Spurs’ form is hard to nail down right now. Can Tottenham bounce back with a convincing win? John Newsome looks ahead to all the action, in game-week 8. You can view all previous analysis from John’s regular column here: English Premier League Predictions For Saturday
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BRIGHTON v TOTTENHAM
Early Saturday Afternoon Football live on BT Sports.
Game Week 8 starts with a visit to the Amex for Spurs to take on Brighton.
Brighton, under Graham Potter, started the season with a great opening day victory against Watford which most saw as a sign that the Seagulls were on the up.
What’s developed since is that everyone has found out that Watford are just rubbish and the victory achieved by Brighton on the opening day is the only one gained by Harry Potter.
Out of the other 6-played, the Seagulls have lost 3 and drawn 3 giving them just 6-points from the 7-played so far leaving them perilously close to the drop zone.
The latest defeat came away at Stamford Bridge where Brighton were beaten 2-0 by Frank Lampard’s Chelsea.
Old stager Glenn Murray appears to be only getting time as a substitute of late with Neal Maupay being the preferred striker for Mr Potter.
It is obvious that Brighton this season are playing more attractive football than under Chris Hughton but do the faithful want to see attractive football and ultimately lose or play a more pragmatic style and get the points on the board.
Only time will tell if the Brighton board have made the right decision to appoint Graham Potter.
What was fondly dubbed the ‘Mauricio Pochettino Derby’ by absolutely nobody, Tottenham beat Southampton 2-1 last Saturday and did it playing almost an hour with 10-men.
It’s a great way to start to a sentence, Tottenham play Southampton so include the phrase ‘the Mauricio Pochettino Derby ‘ ‘the So and So Derby ‘ ‘the Not a Derby, Derby’
The ‘don’t drive a car after you have had a Team Bonding Night Out and your Captain has sustained an injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season, two players have been arrested for drinking and driving and a £50.
000 Range Rover write-off Derby ‘
Now all can be moralistic and no one condones drinking and driving, a lot have done it, maybe not even knowing, a heavy Sunday afternoon and going to work Monday whilst under the influence.
What the Derby players did was beyond that, firstly they were all offered taxis home, all given a ride home.
Secondly, the players, if not offered taxis, had the opportunity to buy a ride home.
The common man who is stupid enough to drive home after a pint or two is just that, stupid, yet a man who is earning £20,000 a week, a week! Is not stupid if he decides to get behind the wheel of a £50,000 motor after a night out ‘team bonding’ he is beyond stupid and thinks he’s above the law.
These individuals need to be taught a serious lesson.
One of the players who wasn’t even driving may have been taught the ultimate lesson if he never plays again.
The boys and girls all, over the country, like a good drink on a night out, in the ‘70s and ‘80s the boys and girls were out most nights, nowadays, it’s restricted to Birthdays, one-offs and team bonding.
Don’t take the car guys and girls, get a Blueline, an Uber or just walk.
We all like a rinse, leave the 4-wheels at home and walk.
Tottenham took the lead at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium against the Saints through new signing Tanguy Ndombele early in the 1st-half.
Serge Aurier then saw Red, literally after 2-quick fire challenges that were deemed bookable by the referee and within 4-minutes of receiving his 1st- Yellow, the Big defender made another reckless challenge to gain a 2nd-Yellow and ultimately a Red Card to get an early bath.
Tottenham had to play for almost an hour with 10-men but put the game to bed in the 1st-half with Harry Kane getting Spurs 2nd, just before half-time after Southampton had equalised through a terrible error from Hugo Lloris.
, who temporarily thought he was Johan Cruff.
The 2nd-half was pretty uneventful and Mauricio’s boys held on for the 3-points that took Tottenham temporarily up to 4th until the subsequent results for Leicester and Arsenal leaves them 6th in the Premier League table.
Mauricio Pochettino has come under a little bit of pressure of late with even some fans wanting him out.
In the Carabao Cup prior to the Saints game, Tottenham were knocked out of the competition on penalties against lowly Colchester.
This prompted some of the faithful to vent their anger against Poch.
In truth, the fans should be careful about taking their frustration out on Mauricio, as, under the constraints Poch has had to deal with, he’s done a terrific job and the minority of fans who were shouting ‘Pochettino Out!’ may just get their wish if Manchester United continue in the way they are.
Tottenham take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League prior to this early kick-off.
This fixture at the Amex last season was played virtually at the same time at the end of September with a Harry Kane penalty and an Erik Lamela goal giving Spurs a 2-1 victory.
Anthony Knockaert got a late consolation for the Seagulls.
Bet 365 offer Brighton at 14/5, the Draw at 5/2 and slight Odds On 10/11 for Tottenham to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 11/4 that Harry Kane Scores First and 12/5 that Tottenham Win to Nil.
Away Win 0-2
NORWICH v ASTON VILLA
Norwich, this season, are going to be remembered as the team that beat Pep’s High Flying City.
Brilliant for everyone connected at Carrow Rd but Daniel Farke just needs to be careful that that’s not the only thing the Canaries are remembered for in a 1-season residency in the Top Flight.
It’s now 5-defeats out of 7 for Farke-Life after the latest outing at Selhurst Park.
Norwich were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Roy Hodgson’s Eagles who used their Premier League experience to game manage the Canaries and gain the all-important 3-points.
Clash of the new boys sees Aston Villa head to Carrow Rd to take on Norwich who are just above the Villains with 6-points, 1-point more than Dean Smith’s men who find themselves in the drop zone despite are spirited 2-2 draw against Burnley at Villa Park last Saturday.
Anwar El-Ghazi, fresh from his on-field battle with teammate Tyrone Mings, gave Villa the 1st-half lead against their fellow Clarets.
John McGinn restored Villa’s lead midway through the 2nd-half after Burnley had equalised.
The refreshing scene from John’s goal was he made the imaginary TV sign with his hand as if to say
‘No need for VAR on that one Pal!’
Even with all the controversy surrounding the dreaded VAR, it is nice to see a bit of light-hearted humour amidst the seriousness that surrounds the Premier League.
Burnley equalised again late on to give both the Claret and Blues a share of the points.
Aston Villa, like Norwich, are finding life back in the Premier League tough but it was noticeable that Dean Smith brought back Conor Hourihane after an impressive performance in the midweek Carabao Cup game.
Conor has found his debut season in the Premier League quite frustrating with limited game time and just appearances restricted to the Cup competition.
In truth, Conor is doing his utmost to get back in the Premier League lineup scoring in both Cup victories.
His goal midweek was his 24th from 98 -starts in all competitions for Villa at a rate of 1 in 4.
Compare that to Jack Grealish who has scored 17 times from 106 starts at a rate of 1 in 6 while John McGinn averages a goal every 5 games or so.
That’s a great return since signing from Barnsley FC back in January 2016.
Conor is a legend at Oakwell.
Unfortunately, for Conor it’s unlikely that Dean Smith will sacrifice Jack or John so Conor has to compete with Marvellous Nakamba or Douglas Luis.
The Irishman with a wand of a left-foot got his 1st game time at Villa Park this season with the start against Burnley and was instrumental in the way Villa competed with Sean Dyche’s boys.
Conor will be hoping to keep his place and just needs to believe in himself and believe that he is a Premier League player.
In the Championship last season Norwich got the better of Villa beating Dean Smith’s men 2-1.
Villa did take the lead in that fixture last October through James Chester but 2-Jordan Rhodes goals in the 2nd-half gave the Canaries all 3-points.
Unfortunately, neither player will feature in this game in the Premier League with James injured and Jordan no longer at Norwich.
Bet 365 offer Norwich at 6/5, the Draw at 12/5 and 11/5 for Aston to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 4/1 that Teemu Pukki Scores First and 4/1 that Conor Hourihane Scores Anytime.
Draw 2-2
BURNLEY v EVERTON
Burnley came from behind twice against Aston Villa to earn a valuable point in a 2-2 draw at Villa Park.
Jay Rodriguez, who was introduced as a half-time substitute, got the Clarets first equaliser, then after falling behind for a second time, Chris Wood headed a 2nd-equaliser to give both Claret Clubs a share of the points.
That was Chris’s 3rd-goal of the season.
Ironically, both Burnley’s goal scorers enjoyed or rather endured a month on loan at Barnsley FC.
Both graced the hallowed Oakwell Turf at separate times in 2010.
It’s fair to say that neither wanted to be at Barnsley and the faithful never got to see any glimpses that the two would become established Premier League players.
Jay-Rod and C-Wood, as the Burnley kids have affectionately named them, are always going to be a goal threat for Sean Dyche’s Clarets who are quietly going about their business lying in mid-table which, realistically, is where Burnley should be.
Everton slip to 15th in the not so infant Premier League table after another defeat on Saturday.
That’s 3-defeats in a row now for Marco Silva and his Toffees and the Silva Swing-Ometer is certainly going the wrong way as far as Marco is concerned.
The latest defeat was a 3-1 loss against Man City.
Whilst most teams are going to lose against Pep’s Citizens, Everton did actually put up a fight and could consider themselves unlucky.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised for the Toffees after falling behind against City.
Dominic did score 2-goals in the midweek Carabao Cup game and was credited with the Toffees solitary goal on Saturday after it looked like Seamus Coleman had chipped in.
The pundits were questioning whether Dominic should have headed the ball in on the line.
The simple answer is, of course he should.
Any striker in their right mind would have done what Dominic did.
Not because he was being greedy or selfish but because he had to make sure that Everton scored.
Everton should gain some confidence even in defeat but this will be another tough ask in this short trip to Turf Moor and whilst a lot can accept a loss against Pep’s Citizens, not many will accept a defeat against Sean Dyche’s Clarets.
This fixture was a Boxing Day classic last season with Burnley gift wrapping 5-beautiful goals for the Toffees.
Yerry Mina, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Richarlison and a couple from Lucas Digne gave Everton a great 5-1 victory.
Ben Gibson getting Burnley’s consolation.
Burnley won’t concede 5 this time.
Bet 365 offer Burnley at 15/8, the Draw at 9/4 and 16/11 for Everton to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 11/2 that Chris Wood Scores First and 3/1 that Burnley Score in Both Halves.
Home Win 3-1
LIVERPOOL v LEICESTER
What a cracker of a game at Anfield which in theory could be Liverpool’s first real test after a quite comfortable start which have seen the Reds play 2-of the newly promoted clubs in their unbeaten 7-games.
The faithful will shout that Jurgen’s boys have beaten Arsenal and Chelsea along the way but in truth, those were very winnable games and Sheffield United put up a better fight than the Gooners.
A goalkeeping error from Sheffield United’s Dean Henderson gifted Liverpool the 1-0 victory at Bramall Lane last Saturday where the Blades matched the Reds all the way and had chances to score themselves.
Probably the big surprise with this fixture is it’s a rare 3.
00 PM kick-off at Anfield and with both clubs currently occupying top 3 places, is not on TV.
A shame for the footballing fraternity but will be a good Saturday night after a few glasses waiting for Match of the Day which surely Liverpool v Leicester will potentially be.
Before this game, Liverpool host Austrian side, Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League.
However, the game at Anfield will simply be Liverpool v Salzburg as the miserable men (and women!) at UEFA don’t allow the Red Bull bit because of sponsorship restrictions.
Without the wings, Salzburg shouldn’t prove too difficult and Liverpool should come through that fixture unscathed after the opening game loss against Napoli last week.
RB Salzburg have a great striker but could be without the young star Erling Braut Haaland for Wednesday’s visit to Anfield.
The 19-year-old frontman has scored 17 goals in 12 appearance for the Austrian side this term, including a hat-trick in their Group E opener with Genk earlier this month.
What’s not widely known about young Erling is that he is the son of former Manchester City player Alfe-Inge Haaland.
His fellow countryman Ole Gunnar Solskjær has been keeping tabs on the striker with a potential move to Old Trafford in January.
That should go down well with Roy Keane.
United and City have their history as rivals of Manchester but Roy also has history with Alfe-Inge too.
It’s fair to say they are not the best of buddies.
Could Leicester do a Leicester and win the Premier League?
No, is the answer as Liverpool and Man City are head and shoulders above all the other 18- teams in the Premier League.
What Leicester do possess though are quite a few ingredients that could keep them in the Top Four and challenge for a Champions League spot.
The ingredients being a great manager who gets his team to play in the right spirit, a few youngsters such as James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Youri Tielemans, Wilfred Ndidi, Calgary Soyuncu and Ben Chilwell mixed with the experience of Kasper Schmeichel, Jonny Evans and Sheffield Superstar Jamie Vardy.
Brendan Rodgers has had an interesting managerial career having considerable unsuccessful periods at Reading and Watford before a good period at Swansea and Liverpool where, if not for a Steven Gerrard slip, could quite easily have been a Premier League winner.
Liverpool decided to replace Brendan with Jurgen and after a time out, Brendan went up to Scotland to manage Celtic to numerous successes.
To be fair, it’s rumoured that he was on a shortlist of 2 for the Celtic job but the other guy couldn’t get out of prison that particular day so Brendan got the job.
Rod Stewart is still not happy with Brendan after the Irishman left Rod’s beloved Celtic to manage a proper team in a proper league.
He’s Celtic, United but Brendan has decided that Leicester is the best place to be.
When asked about Brendan’s decision to leave Celtic for Leicester, Rod simply replied,
‘I don’t want to talk about it, how he broke my heart
If He had stayed here just a little bit longer
If He had stayed here, won’t he listen to my heart, oh oh, won’t he listen to my heart’
Leicester comfortably beat Newcastle 5-0 at the King Power on Sunday to take them to the lofty heights of 3rd in the Premier League table.
After taking the lead through Ricardo Pereira, their plight was helped further when Newcastle were reduced to 10-men after a horror challenge on Denis Praet.
Fortunately for Denis, he recovered from the challenge, which at first looked as if he would have to go off but he then continued and managed a 2nd-half goal.
Sheffield Superstar Jamie Vardy had made it 2-0 before a deflected cross from Denis the Menace ended up in the back of the Newcastle net.
Unfortunately, the goal wasn’t credited to Denis and went down as an OG.
It’s rumoured this week, Gareth Southgate had a little tête-à-tête with Jamie Vardy to see if he’d be interested in coming back to the England fold.
The problem for Gareth, England and Jamie is Jamie won’t get in front of Harry Kane and unless Gareth plays 2-upfront then Jamie will just warm the bench.
At 32, 33 in January, Jamie doesn’t want to travel around Europe with England and not get game time.
Jamie Vardy is a legend and an inspiration to any young footballer who is told he’s not wanted and not good enough.
A few years back a Barnsley fan working for a very un-reputable Parcel Delivery Company collected parcels every day from a medical place in Sheffield near to Meadowhall.
The company made prosthetic limbs, walking frames, wheelchairs as well as other aids to help out the unfortunate.
The Barnsley fan ran in and ran out of the said company every day collecting the parcels for delivery the next day.
Under extreme pressure, which ultimately cost the employee his job at said unscrupulous Parcel Company in Brown, which the colour is ironic really, there was banter between the delivery driver and a young skinny kid who worked at the medical company.
‘Did you win on Saturday Dingle?’
‘Did you Score on Saturday Youth?’
Was usually the limited conversation between the 2- football fanatics.
The Barnsley fan who ran in and ran out usually replied ‘yes’ and the skinny Youth, who helped with the parcels, usually replied ‘yes’ too.
Turns out that skinny Youth, who at the time was playing non-League football for Stocksbridge Park Steels, was the Sheffield Superstar Jamie Vardy.
In 2010 aged 23, Jamie signed for Halifax who had fallen on hard times and were a non-League club.
Jamie scores goals that’s what Jamie does, he’s the footballing equivalent of Ronseal.
He does exactly, well you know the rest.
A few years later, the same Barnsley FC fan, now working for a car dealership, saw Jamie, now an established Premier League player, take Manchester United to the cleaners scoring 1 and earning a penalty in a 5-3 victory over the Red Devil’s, talking to his mate at work about the game, another work colleague popped up and stated nonchalantly,
‘ I used to go out with Vard’s’
Hello.
Jamie scored 2-goals in the 5-0 demolition of Newcastle last Sunday and loves to score against Liverpool, one in particular memorable in 2016, a superb volley past an helpless Simon Mignolet.
Wilfred Ndidi finished off the fun against Newcastle getting the 5th of the 5.
Last season, this game was played at the end of January and Claud Puel’s Foxes got a well deserved 1-1 draw.
Both goals were scored before the break, Sadio Mane putting Liverpool in front after only 3-minutes with Harry Maguire replying for Leicester right on half-time.
Bet 365 offer Liverpool at slight Odds On 4/11, the Draw at 15/4 and 7/1 for Leicester to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 4/1 that Sadio Mane Scores First and 6/4 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.
Home Win 4-2
WATFORD v SHEFFIELD UNITED
Watford are just rubbish at the moment, sitting rock bottom of the Premier League with 2-points from the 21-that were on offer to them.
The latest defeat came against Wolves last Saturday losing 2-0 at Molineux.
Quique Sanchez Flores says that his team are struggling with insecurities.
The Hornet faithful will have their own opinion on the ‘insecurities’ that their team are struggling with, in the fact that the insecurities are conceding goals.
The strange thing for Watford and their followers is they are winning in the Carabao Cup which is not normally associated with a team struggling in the league.
So they do know how to win but just need to convert their Cup form into league games.
Quique needs a Quiq fix and does have players capable of getting results such as Danny Welbeck, Will Hughes and Gerard Deulofeu so all is not lost.
Sheffield United performed brilliantly on Saturday against the European Champions but ultimately lost in front of their own fans at Bramall Lane.
The Blades have now lost their last 3-home games by the same scoreline of 1-0 so are not getting hammered but just have to keep an eye on that particular situation as usually, the home form is what keeps a team in the Premier League.
What was difficult to take for the Blunts faithful was the error made by Dean Henderson in the United goal.
A speculative shot from Georginio Wijnaldum which Dean would save 99 times out of 100 slipped through the stopper’s hands, through his legs and into the back of the net.
Chris Wilder was not happy, however, it is hard to know when Chris is.
On this occasion his miserable face was warranted as not only did his goalkeeper let him down but his strikers did too, failing to convert a number of guilt-edged chances.
It wouldn’t have been beyond the realm of possibility that Sheffield United beat Liverpool.
It’s been a few years since these two have played each other, the last being in 2011 whilst both were in the Championship.
Watford beat Sheffield United on that occasion 3-0.
Bet 365 offer Watford at 8/7, the Draw at 23/10 and 12/5 for Sheffield United
to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 21/10 that Danny Welbeck Scores Anytime and 6/1 that Oliver McBurnie Scores First.
Away Win 1-2
WEST HAM v CRYSTAL PALACE
Late Saturday Afternoon Football live on Sky Sports.
West Ham played in a very entertaining game at the Vitality on Saturday gaining a point from a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.
After taking the lead on the South Coast through Andriy Yarmolenko, who got his 2nd-goal in consecutive games, Bournemouth then scored 2, leaving the Hammers trailing.
Aaron Cresswell equalised with 15-minutes to go giving the Bubbles a share of the points.
The point gained against Bournemouth took West Ham temporarily up to 4th in the Premier League table but Arsenal’s subsequent point against Manchester United on Monday night drops the Hammers down a place.
Crystal Palace comfortably beat Norwich on Saturday 2-0 to maintain their great home record for this term.
The Eagles are unbeaten at Selhurst Park so far with 2-wins and 2-draws from their 4-games played in front of the Ultras.
When Palace are awarded a penalty, it’s virtually guaranteed that Luka Milivojevic will convert and that was the case against Norwich when Luka scored from the spot in the first half.
Wilfred Zaha was on top form throughout the game and set up Andros Townsend in injury time who scored Palace’s 2nd to seal the points.
Wilfred will be in demand in January again and it will be difficult for Roy Hodgson to hang on to his Ivory Coast star man.
At the London Stadium, last December West Ham beat Crystal Palace 3-2.
James McArthur gave Palace a 1-0 lead at half-time but after the break, the Hammers scored 3-quick goals through Robert Snodgrass, Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez and Felipe Anderson.
Jeffrey Schlupp replied for Palace to give the Ultras brief hope of a comeback but time ran out and West Ham ran out winners.
Bet 365 offer West Ham at Evens 1/1, the Draw at 12/5 and 11/4 for Crystal Palace to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 15/2 that Andriy Yarmolenko Scores First and 3/1 that Luka Milivojevic Scores Anytime.
Draw 1-1
MAN CITY v WOLVES
Sunday football for City and the Gold and Blacks.
Man City beat Everton last Saturday but had to work hard for their 3-1 victory.
Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring for Pep’s boys with a header from a wonderful cross by Kevin De Bruyne.
Kevin sustained an injury and will probably miss this visit of Wolves but with an International Break coming after this fixture should be able to rest and be ready for the next Premier League game.
Everton equalised before the break and did cause City problems throughout the game until Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling put the game beyond the Toffees in the 2nd-half.
Raheem gets plenty of game time under Pep and is fast developing into a World Class player for both City and England.
The same cannot be said about Riyad who has found it difficult to get into Pep’s starting eleven.
However, when Pep picks Riyad, he rarely lets the Citizens down and whilst predominantly left-footed, usually plays on the right and cuts inside to devastating effect.
City, at the moment, are playing catch-up to Liverpool with them currently 5-points behind the Reds, although only 2-points ahead of whoever is contesting 3rd-place, it really is a 2-horse race this season with Liverpool and City competing for the Top spot and the rest competing for the minor medals.
Wolves finally got a Premier League victory last Saturday but whilst a win, the 3-points gained were only against a very poor Watford side who are just rubbish at the moment.
Matt Doherty and a Watford own goal gave Nuno’s men the comfortable 2-0 victory that the Gold and Black faithful have been waiting all season for.
The victory and 3-points did escalate Wolves up the Premier League table and away from the relegation places.
Prior to this trip to the Etihad, both teams will have played in their respective European competitions.
Man City entertain Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League whilst Wolves make the long trip to Turkey to take on Besiktas in the dreaded Europa League.
Wolves have got to travel to Turkey for the Thursday night game and won’t return until Friday, whilst Man City stay in Manchester and play their game against the Croatian side on the Tuesday night so will be much more refreshed than Wolves.
That’s all Nuno’s men need, a trip to the Etihad to take on Pep’s High Flying City after an excursion to Turkey.
Good luck Wolves.
When Wolves last visited the Etihad in the cold of January, City ran out 3-0 winners with Gabriel Jesus scoring twice and Conor Coady turning past his own ‘keeper.
Conor was unfortunate but not as unfortunate as his Centre-Back partner Willy Boly who was shown a Red Card after only 18-minutes.
It’s hard to beat City at the Etihad with 11-men never mind playing for over an hour with 10.
Bet 365 offer Man City at massive Odds On 1/8, the Draw at 7/1 and a massive 20/1 for Wolves to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 7/2 that Raheem Sterling Scores First and slight Odds On 10/11 that there are Over 3.5 Goals.
Home Win 5-0
ARSENAL v BOURNEMOUTH
Sunday football after Arsenal’s exploits in the Europa League.
Arsenal earned a point at Old Trafford on Monday Night Football, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalising a 1st-half United opener.
VAR is having its critics but was fully justified on Monday with the linesman inexplicably ruling Pierre offside when it wasn’t even close.
There have been incidents this season where a Big Toe as been the difference but Pierre was at least 4-yards onside when the linesman put his flag up.
Luckily the referee allowed play to continue and after checking with Stockley Park, the goal was rightly given.
What could have caused controversy is if the referee had blown his whistle before Pierre had put the ball in the back of the net.
If that had happened, the goal could not have been given as VAR can only come into effect up to the point of the referee’s whistle.
In truth, Arsenal deserved the point as both teams were light years away from the standard this fixture had seen over the seasons.
Both United and Arsenal have a long way to go to catch Liverpool and Man City.
Unai Emery did play a new kid who will go on to be a star.
Watch out for the name Bukayo Saka over the next few months.
Saka had already played a couple of games so far and scored in the Europa League against Eintracht Frankfurt.
He is definitely one to watch.
Bournemouth got a point following a very entertaining 2-2 draw against West Ham at the Vitality on Saturday.
Josh King replied to an opening Hammers goal in the 1st-half, then just after the break, Callum Wilson put the Cherries in front before West Ham equalised to take a share of the points.
The point puts Eddie and his Cherries on 11-for the season so far which is a great return for the South Coast club.
Leaving them sitting in 8th-place in the Premier League table.
Arsenal will have played in the Europa League before this fixture having hosted Belgium club Standard Liege at the Emirates on Thursday.
Bet 365 offer Arsenal at Odds On 4/11, the Draw at 4/1 and 13/2 for Bournemouth to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 3/1 that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Scores First and 7/4 that Callum Wilson Scores Anytime.
Home Win 4-2
SOUTHAMPTON v CHELSEA
Early Sunday Afternoon Football live on Sky Sports.
Southampton were beaten by Tottenham on Saturday in the ‘Mauricio Pochettino Derby’ even playing for an hour or so against 10-men Tottenham.
The 2-1 defeat at Tottenham’s swanky new stadium was hard to endure for the Saints faithful who have seen their team win twice on the road but left empty-handed with all 3-goals scored before the break.
Danny Ings got Wreck-It Ralph’s men back on level terms after Spurs had taken the lead but Tottenham scored a 2nd and ultimately the winner just before the break and held on with 10-men in the 2nd-half to inflict the 4th-defeat of the season for Southampton.
This home fixture against a vibrant Chelsea team that are on the up will be a tough ask for Ralph Hasenhuttl and his merry Saints.
Chelsea, now known as Frank Lampard’s Chelsea got a great 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge against Brighton on Saturday.
Jorginho, who is up there with Luka Milivojevic as the best penalty taker in the Premier League, did what he does best and converted his spot-kick in the 2nd-half to give Chelsea the lead.
Willian got the Blues 2nd to give Frank his first Premier League victory in front of his beloved faithful.
A couple of weeks back in Chelsea’s Champions League game against Valencia, after being awarded a penalty and on the pitch, somehow Jorginho was persuaded by Ross Barclay to let Ross take the kick.
Ross ballooned the ball over the bar and Chelsea ended up losing the tie 1-0.
It’s difficult to comprehend why Ross and the rest didn’t give the ball to Jorginho.
He’s the best penalty taker, along with Luka at Crystal Palace in the league and has a style which is simply nonchalant.
Frank Lampard and his Chelsea will just hope the miss by Ross won’t come back to haunt them.
This game last season was played virtually 12-months to the day in October and finished in a comfortable 3-0 victory for Sarri-Balls Blues.
Eden Hazard, Ross Barclay (not a penalty!) and Alvaro Morata got Chelsea’s goals 364-days ago.
Bet 365 offer Southampton at 3/1, the Draw at 11/4 and slight Odds On 5/6 for Chelsea to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 3/1 that Jorginho Scores Anytime and 5/2 that Chelsea Win to Nil.
Away Win 0-2
NEWCASTLE v MANCHESTER UNITED
Late Sunday Afternoon Football live on Sky Sports to bring Game Week Eight to a close.
Newcastle United are fast becoming the new name for Live Football on the Telly.
This is now the Magpies 6th-live TV game of the 8-Premier League games so far.
Unfortunately, for the Toon Army, watching their beloved Magpies at the moment is worse than watching an omnibus edition of Eastenders on a Sunday dinner time.
The Foxes caught the Magpies and devoured them for Sunday dinner last week.
Whilst the task was always going to be a tough ask for Steve Bruce’s Newcastle, the situation was made worse when Isaac Hayden was shown a straight Red Card for a bad challenge just before the break and the Magpies had to play all of the 2nd-half with 10-men already trailing 1-0.
Leicester simply blitzed Newcastle in the 2nd-half scoring 4-more goals to run out easy 5-0 victors.
The loss leaves Brucey’s boys in the relegation zone just above bottom-placed Watford.
Steve knows it’s going to be tough in the Magpies hot seat but he does need his players to start performing.
Joelinton is a £40 Million player yet the early signs suggest that price tag has been given to him by the same people who price up Motorway Service Station Sandwiches.
£5.
99 for a Ham and Cheese Sandwich?
Whoever priced Miguel Almiron at £20 Million may not even work at Woolly Edge Services and probably was sacked for pricing the sandwiches too high even for the M1.
It’s always the manager who gets the stick from the fans and Steve Bruce will know the score, he’s a big lad now and will know what he has to do to get the Magpies back on track.
Maybe it’s as simple as giving Joelene Joelene Joelene and little Miguel a rest and try a young hungry Magpie.
The other option is if Andy Carroll is 90% fit, stick the big guy up front and go back to basics.
Big Andy, if fit, will threaten anyone and if selected, the United backline should be worried.
A great football fan once said to profound philosophy
‘We live our lives moving forward, understand it by looking back,
because living a life and understanding occupies separate dimensions, because your experience always overwhelm you before they can be processed’
In essence, that great man was referring to Manchester United.
United earned a point at Old Trafford on Monday Night Football after Scott McTominay had given the Red Devil’s the lead just before the break.
Arsenal equalised in the 2nd-half with the help of VAR but in truth, the goal was legitimate and the linesman didn’t do his job.
All in all a fair result for both clubs who have fallen from the heights achieved under Sir Alex and Arsene.
Another player who’s price tag staggers belief is Fred.
Jose Mourinho wanted Fred and the United board sanctioned the £53 Million purchase of the Brazilian midfielder.
Read that again!
£53 Million!
Whilst commentating on the game on Monday against Arsenal, Martin Tyler, the renowned and well respected Sky Sports commentator, asked Gary Neville what he thought of Fred and the £53 Million price tag.
To be fair to Gary he was somewhat put on the spot by Martin and gave a reserved response.
“I’ve not seen really anything of him in the 12 months he’s been here to justify the price tag”
“I don’t see a goalscorer, I don’t see a defensive midfielder, I don’t see a runner”
“And for £60million you’d think he would fit into one of those categories”
Gary replied to Martin.
Most of the United fans wouldn’t have been so diplomatic if asked the same question about Fred.
Barney is better.
Newcastle usually save a performance for the visit of Manchester United with some epic battles down the years none more so than a brilliant 5-0 victory back in October 1996 with 5-different goal scorers including Les Ferdinand, David Ginola and Alan Shearer plus a couple of defenders also notching in Darren Peacock and Philip Albert.
What the Toon Army would give to see Sir Les, Match of the Day and L’Oreal in a Black and White shirt again.
Rest In Peace Maccadoobs.
Manchester United head to Holland prior to this game against Newcastle to take on AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League.
Unlike Wolves, who have the long trip to Turkey, Ole’s men just nip over the North Sea so should be a bit more refreshed.
United beat Newcastle a day after New Years Day this year at St James beating the Magpies 2-0.
Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford getting the goals.
Bet 365 offer Newcastle at 3/1, the Draw at 5/2 and slight Odds On 9/10 for United to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 10/3 that Andy Carroll Scores Anytime and 9/4 that Paul Pogba Scores Anytime.
Away Win 1-3
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