Premier League Weekend : Nov 30 - Dec 1
Nov 29, 2019 10:48:26 GMT
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Post by staggerstag on Nov 29, 2019 10:48:26 GMT
Newcastle once again offered us nothing up front on Monday with a defeat at Villa Park. Steve Bruce is yet to bring his strikers to the fore and still seems content to bring on Andy Carroll deep into the game as a last measure. They entertain Man City in the Saturday lunchtime set-to and let's not forget last season's corresponding fixture where Aguero set the expected tone after just one minute only for Rondon and Ritchie to grab a second half brace which saw the points kept at St James'.
Man City arrive following an indifferent 1-1 draw with Shakhtar on Tuesday, a result that leaves them with no clean sheet in their last 6 games in all comps. They will miss Sergio Aguero through a thigh injury and the physio room informs me he may be out until at least mid-December. Toon have 2 or 3 long-termers out but the big news is that Andy Carroll is definitely, as I speak, fit for purpose, though this could change in the blink of an eye (or the stub of a toe, the tick of a loose tooth, the drip of a runny nose or any one of a hundred andy-ailments) You'll be lucky to get more than 1/6 for the City win while it's an unlucky 13/1 for Toon to come up smiling.
Verdict : City
There are four 3pms and at Turf Moor 7th spot Burnley host 13th placed Crystal Palace, but there's only 3 points between them. This is one maybe for the superstitious punter/pundit. Burnley's last three EPL outings have finished by 3 to nil. Palace's last seven EPL games have all had a 2 in the scoreline. So...3-2 anyone? With Burnley's up and down results and their aversion to draws of late it might easily go the other way for 2-3. Palace did achieve the double over Dyche's men last season and they'll be relishing an on-paper easier fixture than their last five with bastard games v Liverpool, Chelsea, Leicester, Arsenal (okay, 4 of their last 5) and Man City. One point from 15 with the draw at Arsenal, and Palace will be hungry. But this game just has the look and feel of a non-event, it'll probably be raining, the floodlights will fail and the ball will burst on a ball boy's head. A one goal-er for me.
Verdict : Burnley to edge a dour affair
The bad news for Chelsea, who host West Ham, is that Tammy 'Hitman' Abraham is likely to be out with the pelvic injury he picked up on Wednesday v Valencia. There is cover, of course, and perhaps Giroud, on the sly, is quietly rubbing his hands together at the prospect of getting at least a few minutes of action. Chelsea played well last week at The Ethiad and put in a furious shift on Wednesday while The Hammers (now just 1 point above the sh*t zone) have taken just 2 points from the last 21. It's serious now for Pellegrini and you can't see things improving for him at The Bridge where last season a brace from Hazard saw them off. Fabianski will again be absent between the sticks and I am hearing that there might be a call-up for thirty-something keeper David Martin who would replace the erratic Roberto. Martin has not played in the Premier League before and was signed from Millwall earlier this year. The 2/7 for the home win seems quite justified.
Verdict : Home win
Liverpool's performance v Napoli on Wednesday reminded me of their shift in the Champions League Final last June - something not quite there, playing in an aloof fashion, a sense of inertia and lack of occasion. They should get back to winning ways at home to Brighton, a side that does not travel at all well. Last season's encounters both finished 1-0 to The Reds with Salah potting the winning goals. In the previous season Liverpool won the two fixtures over an aggregate score of 9-1 and it's surely lined up to be something of a goal fest again. By kick-off time they will know if Man City have closed the gap on them but we can surely expect a riotous outcome whatever.
Verdict : Liverpool
Tottenham came back well to see off Olympiakos on Tuesday and all credit for that turnabout can only go to one man... the ball boy; with his presence of mind he quickly tossed the ball to Aurier who promptly delivered it to Moura who in turn set up Kane for the equalizer. No matter that Aurier's throw-in was illegal with his left boot over the line (similar to the game v Palace in 2018 when serial foul-thrower Aurier managed three illegal throw-in attempts which he was forced to retake, still a record for the EPL) This game is probably the 3rd home banker of the day with visitors Bournemouth set to be mercilessly spotlighted merely on the strength of being not Bournemouth but The Latest Opponents Of José Mourinho.
Verdict :
The Saturday late kick-off is a truly sh*tor bust affair for two sides who have (along with two or three others you could mention this season) come to represent the very worst in no-tactics, no-plan, no-hope so-called top-flight football. 19th Southampton plays 20th Watford at St Marys and if you needed an excuse to brave the Saturday evening rain, wind and cold to go out to the bingo, then here it is. You couldn't pay me to watch this sh*te. I make no apologies. The broadcasters have every right to feel absolutely disgraced with themselves for putting up such a dismal non-event as this for your Saturday night viewing. With Liverpool, City and the Mourinho Carnival already played, you're already looking half-heartedly ahead to Sunday for a decent game but you'll be hard pressed to find a decent appetizer on tomorrow's menu - except for one, which for me could be one of the matches of the season. Anyway, Saints 6 points from last 30, one win anywhere in last ten games (Portsmouth, League Cup) Watford 1 win in 13 EPL games (versus fellow sh*t-strugglers Norwich) I can't say anymore than that. Even relegation-dogfight doesn't apply to these two. You need 'fight' for such a thing.
Verdict :
Four games on Sunday and at 2pm it's a shoot-out at Carrow Road. Unai Emery is a man under pressure from every quarter, the press, the fans, and even at times from his own players. His side's performance in Thursday's Europa League home defeat to Frankfurt was possibly the last straw for the Arsenal Board and Emery may not even be in charge for this game. Arsenal should relish the trip to 20th placed Norwich even though the Canaries surprised everyone, themselves included probably, by turning over Everton last week at Goodison. The Gunners are without an EPL win in five, having taken just three points from fifteen. Kolasinac, Bellerin, Saka and Holding all face late fitness tests and it's anyone's guess if Xhaka and Ozil make an appearance, though both saw play on Thursday.
Norwich, second only to Southampton in goals conceded, really need to put things in better shape at the back where the absence of Swiss centre-back Timm Klose is really being felt following his service in The Championship last season. Unfortunately it's likely he's out for the season with his knee but speaking to me earlier this week from the physio room he was in hopeful mood. "I feel well," he said into my earpiece. "I have kept to my recovery schedule and maybe I will play some games before the season is gone." So it's all the best to Timm but it's looking increasingly likely that the next time he plays for Norwich, if he does at all, they'll be relegated. In all this, manager Daniel Farke has, oddly, come under little fire for Norwich's situation. He's one of the most laid-back coaches I've seen this season and you wonder what it takes to put a rocket up his arse and get things moving. One thing that bodes well for the home side is that they've drawn one and won one against the Gunners in the last two EPL meetings here, in 2015 and 2012. But it's 2019 now and perhaps what bodes even better for Norwich is that Arsenal can't buy a win for love, money or a ten quid bunk-up behind Islington Town Hall.
Verdict : With Emery, Norwich to win. Without Emery, Arsenal to win.
But wait, Emery has just been let go by AFC. Away win, then.
For me the game of the weekend comes at Molineux where Wolves (5th) welcome Sheff Utd (6th) Yep, fifth and sixth after a third of the season. Two sides who have shown us strength, invention and resolve. Sides who know no fear wherever they play and who deserve wholeheartedly to be where they are now. Wolves, in between taking care of Europa League knock-out qualification, are unbeaten in 8 EPL games and Sheff U can boast a run of 6 unbeaten including holding Man U and Spurs and dispensing of Arsenal. Two clubs whose fans have every right to be the proudest in the Premier League right now. United's Lys Mousset, who you'll remember played an absolute belter last time out v the Manks before being taken off, may be a doubt with that thigh strain but otherwise there are no big injuries for now and we can hopefully look forward to a cracking 2pm set-to. A draw would be a nice result, you feel, but I fancy one side just to edge it.
Verdict :
Leicester are still flying high with no let up in sight. One thing stands out about this fixture - and that's the odds on a Leicester win versus an Everton side who are well off the boil, not that they were ever on it. At 8/13 the Foxes represent outstanding value to any punter and I am quite frankly at a loss to see how they are on offer so big. Let's have a quick glance at a dozen bookies just to see if my eyes are deceiving me. I'm seeing 8/13, 13/20 and a lowest priced 4/7. At best I'm looking at a top price of 4/6. Why? Leicester sit 2nd and have won 7 of their last 8 league outings. Since the international break in September Everton have taken 7 points from 29 and sit in 16th place. The last time they played they lost 0-2 at home to f***ing Norwich. Injury issues rarely affect a team's odds, and Leicester have none anyway, so I'm getting on Leicester at very inviting odds, thank you.
Verdict :
The other 4.30pm kick-off is Man Utd, whose third-string incarnation went down 1-2 at Astana on Thursday, versus Aston Villa. United became Untied and were wholly outplayed for the best part of the game at Sheffield last week but somehow still contrived to come away with an undeserved point - and very nearly all three as you will recall. They will likely be without midfielder Scott McTominay again and the Pogba situation is still dragging on. According to the physio woman, though, things are progressing towards a return quite soon.
"He came out of his cast a while ago and was doing exercises during the international break," she says.
When is he due back, then, please?
"Maybe on Wednesday night against Spurs, or if not maybe against Citeh next Saturday. He says he's feeling alright."
Okay, thanks. Any other news while I'm here?
"Not really. Matic is about ready but Bailly is still knackered."
Cheers. By the way, I like your accent, you don't fancy going for a - Dialling tone.
I suppose you have to fancy United here but at odds of 1/2 it's too much of a risk to back them in the wake of that performance at Bramall Lane. Villa are well overdue a win v the Mancs with their last league victory coming in 2009, 13 meetings ago.
Verdict :
Cheers, big ears.
Man City arrive following an indifferent 1-1 draw with Shakhtar on Tuesday, a result that leaves them with no clean sheet in their last 6 games in all comps. They will miss Sergio Aguero through a thigh injury and the physio room informs me he may be out until at least mid-December. Toon have 2 or 3 long-termers out but the big news is that Andy Carroll is definitely, as I speak, fit for purpose, though this could change in the blink of an eye (or the stub of a toe, the tick of a loose tooth, the drip of a runny nose or any one of a hundred andy-ailments) You'll be lucky to get more than 1/6 for the City win while it's an unlucky 13/1 for Toon to come up smiling.
Verdict : City
There are four 3pms and at Turf Moor 7th spot Burnley host 13th placed Crystal Palace, but there's only 3 points between them. This is one maybe for the superstitious punter/pundit. Burnley's last three EPL outings have finished by 3 to nil. Palace's last seven EPL games have all had a 2 in the scoreline. So...3-2 anyone? With Burnley's up and down results and their aversion to draws of late it might easily go the other way for 2-3. Palace did achieve the double over Dyche's men last season and they'll be relishing an on-paper easier fixture than their last five with bastard games v Liverpool, Chelsea, Leicester, Arsenal (okay, 4 of their last 5) and Man City. One point from 15 with the draw at Arsenal, and Palace will be hungry. But this game just has the look and feel of a non-event, it'll probably be raining, the floodlights will fail and the ball will burst on a ball boy's head. A one goal-er for me.
Verdict : Burnley to edge a dour affair
The bad news for Chelsea, who host West Ham, is that Tammy 'Hitman' Abraham is likely to be out with the pelvic injury he picked up on Wednesday v Valencia. There is cover, of course, and perhaps Giroud, on the sly, is quietly rubbing his hands together at the prospect of getting at least a few minutes of action. Chelsea played well last week at The Ethiad and put in a furious shift on Wednesday while The Hammers (now just 1 point above the sh*t zone) have taken just 2 points from the last 21. It's serious now for Pellegrini and you can't see things improving for him at The Bridge where last season a brace from Hazard saw them off. Fabianski will again be absent between the sticks and I am hearing that there might be a call-up for thirty-something keeper David Martin who would replace the erratic Roberto. Martin has not played in the Premier League before and was signed from Millwall earlier this year. The 2/7 for the home win seems quite justified.
Verdict : Home win
Liverpool's performance v Napoli on Wednesday reminded me of their shift in the Champions League Final last June - something not quite there, playing in an aloof fashion, a sense of inertia and lack of occasion. They should get back to winning ways at home to Brighton, a side that does not travel at all well. Last season's encounters both finished 1-0 to The Reds with Salah potting the winning goals. In the previous season Liverpool won the two fixtures over an aggregate score of 9-1 and it's surely lined up to be something of a goal fest again. By kick-off time they will know if Man City have closed the gap on them but we can surely expect a riotous outcome whatever.
Verdict : Liverpool
Tottenham came back well to see off Olympiakos on Tuesday and all credit for that turnabout can only go to one man... the ball boy; with his presence of mind he quickly tossed the ball to Aurier who promptly delivered it to Moura who in turn set up Kane for the equalizer. No matter that Aurier's throw-in was illegal with his left boot over the line (similar to the game v Palace in 2018 when serial foul-thrower Aurier managed three illegal throw-in attempts which he was forced to retake, still a record for the EPL) This game is probably the 3rd home banker of the day with visitors Bournemouth set to be mercilessly spotlighted merely on the strength of being not Bournemouth but The Latest Opponents Of José Mourinho.
Verdict :
The Saturday late kick-off is a truly sh*t
Verdict :
Four games on Sunday and at 2pm it's a shoot-out at Carrow Road. Unai Emery is a man under pressure from every quarter, the press, the fans, and even at times from his own players. His side's performance in Thursday's Europa League home defeat to Frankfurt was possibly the last straw for the Arsenal Board and Emery may not even be in charge for this game. Arsenal should relish the trip to 20th placed Norwich even though the Canaries surprised everyone, themselves included probably, by turning over Everton last week at Goodison. The Gunners are without an EPL win in five, having taken just three points from fifteen. Kolasinac, Bellerin, Saka and Holding all face late fitness tests and it's anyone's guess if Xhaka and Ozil make an appearance, though both saw play on Thursday.
Norwich, second only to Southampton in goals conceded, really need to put things in better shape at the back where the absence of Swiss centre-back Timm Klose is really being felt following his service in The Championship last season. Unfortunately it's likely he's out for the season with his knee but speaking to me earlier this week from the physio room he was in hopeful mood. "I feel well," he said into my earpiece. "I have kept to my recovery schedule and maybe I will play some games before the season is gone." So it's all the best to Timm but it's looking increasingly likely that the next time he plays for Norwich, if he does at all, they'll be relegated. In all this, manager Daniel Farke has, oddly, come under little fire for Norwich's situation. He's one of the most laid-back coaches I've seen this season and you wonder what it takes to put a rocket up his arse and get things moving. One thing that bodes well for the home side is that they've drawn one and won one against the Gunners in the last two EPL meetings here, in 2015 and 2012. But it's 2019 now and perhaps what bodes even better for Norwich is that Arsenal can't buy a win for love, money or a ten quid bunk-up behind Islington Town Hall.
Verdict : With Emery, Norwich to win. Without Emery, Arsenal to win.
But wait, Emery has just been let go by AFC. Away win, then.
For me the game of the weekend comes at Molineux where Wolves (5th) welcome Sheff Utd (6th) Yep, fifth and sixth after a third of the season. Two sides who have shown us strength, invention and resolve. Sides who know no fear wherever they play and who deserve wholeheartedly to be where they are now. Wolves, in between taking care of Europa League knock-out qualification, are unbeaten in 8 EPL games and Sheff U can boast a run of 6 unbeaten including holding Man U and Spurs and dispensing of Arsenal. Two clubs whose fans have every right to be the proudest in the Premier League right now. United's Lys Mousset, who you'll remember played an absolute belter last time out v the Manks before being taken off, may be a doubt with that thigh strain but otherwise there are no big injuries for now and we can hopefully look forward to a cracking 2pm set-to. A draw would be a nice result, you feel, but I fancy one side just to edge it.
Verdict :
Leicester are still flying high with no let up in sight. One thing stands out about this fixture - and that's the odds on a Leicester win versus an Everton side who are well off the boil, not that they were ever on it. At 8/13 the Foxes represent outstanding value to any punter and I am quite frankly at a loss to see how they are on offer so big. Let's have a quick glance at a dozen bookies just to see if my eyes are deceiving me. I'm seeing 8/13, 13/20 and a lowest priced 4/7. At best I'm looking at a top price of 4/6. Why? Leicester sit 2nd and have won 7 of their last 8 league outings. Since the international break in September Everton have taken 7 points from 29 and sit in 16th place. The last time they played they lost 0-2 at home to f***ing Norwich. Injury issues rarely affect a team's odds, and Leicester have none anyway, so I'm getting on Leicester at very inviting odds, thank you.
Verdict :
The other 4.30pm kick-off is Man Utd, whose third-string incarnation went down 1-2 at Astana on Thursday, versus Aston Villa. United became Untied and were wholly outplayed for the best part of the game at Sheffield last week but somehow still contrived to come away with an undeserved point - and very nearly all three as you will recall. They will likely be without midfielder Scott McTominay again and the Pogba situation is still dragging on. According to the physio woman, though, things are progressing towards a return quite soon.
"He came out of his cast a while ago and was doing exercises during the international break," she says.
When is he due back, then, please?
"Maybe on Wednesday night against Spurs, or if not maybe against Citeh next Saturday. He says he's feeling alright."
Okay, thanks. Any other news while I'm here?
"Not really. Matic is about ready but Bailly is still knackered."
Cheers. By the way, I like your accent, you don't fancy going for a - Dialling tone.
I suppose you have to fancy United here but at odds of 1/2 it's too much of a risk to back them in the wake of that performance at Bramall Lane. Villa are well overdue a win v the Mancs with their last league victory coming in 2009, 13 meetings ago.
Verdict :
Cheers, big ears.
