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Daily Premier League in English - Episode 66: Forecast Friday: A look at Arsenal vs Man City and the pick of Game Week 24
30 Plays1 month ago
Mikey Thompson is reunited with Marcus Ramtohul who struggles to get back into the swing of all things EPL as the pair take a look at this weekend's fixtures.
Predictions for top clashes between Arsenal and City, Wolves vs Villa and Everton vs Leicester. Plus is Bournemouth away Liverpool's biggest test yet?
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Global Sports Podcast Network - Creating the world’s first network of 30-minute daily podcasts for the world’s biggest sporting export, the English Premier League.
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Transcript
Introduction to GSPN EPL Podcast
00:00:08
Mikey
Hello and a very welcome welcome back to GSPN, the daily English Premier League podcast brought to you by Mikey. And today I am joined by none other.
Guest Introduction: Ewa Marcus
00:00:19
Mikey
Ewa Marcus, the OG who's been traveling, jet setting and celebrating all things children's entertainment. Marcus, how are you, sir?
00:00:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I am very good. and my My involvement in parenig football has been a bit off the scale in terms of ah being away, as you said, travelling, spreading children's entertainment worldwide, but also good to come back and realise that not much has changed.
Current EPL Standings Discussion
00:00:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Amarin has described United as one of the worst teams in history.
00:00:53
Mikey
ah but right
00:00:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Liverpool are still top of the league and Spurs are still very much being Spurs.
00:01:00
Mikey
Wow, it didn't take him long folks. Geez Louise. He's back with a vengeance and we love it.
00:01:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
but but
00:01:07
Mikey
and So I wanted to kick off today with a little teaser
Trivia: Fastest Hat Trick in EPL?
00:01:10
Mikey
for you Marcus. I'm going to ask you a question and see how good your Premier League knowledge is. See if you're up to stripes. See if you've lost it all after being on the aeroplane for so long.
00:01:19
Mikey
So your first question is, Which Premier League player scored the fastest hat trick ever?
00:01:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah I'm sure I know this one.
00:01:30
Mikey
bonus but Bonus points if you can tell me how many how fast it was.
00:01:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to go Robbie Fowler three minutes against Arsenal for Liverpool.
00:01:40
Mikey
There is a faster Premier League hat trick.
00:01:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh Faster than three minutes.
00:01:47
Mikey
faster than Robbie Farrell's three minutes. I will come back to you later, but for now, we will dive into today's episode. If you know and you're watching this, put it in the comments, let us know. Tell Marcus just how bad he is at football in Serbia.
00:02:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Where's Tom Jolly when you need him?
00:02:05
Mikey
i Either told you how many
Preview: Arsenal vs. Manchester City
00:02:07
Mikey
seconds it was. oh So we're going to crack on and this weekend's got loads of very, very, very exciting fixtures. However, we can't go anywhere else than the 4.30 kickoff on Sunday. We've got Arsenal against City. We have just been chatting about this beforehand. And my God, does this set up to be one of the games of the season?
00:02:32
Mikey
It's got Arsenal on 47 points currently and City on 41 points. City have had an awful time. An awful time. A decent result against Chelsea last weekend, but prior to that they have been in turmoil. However, a victory against Arsenal, I can't quite believe I'm about to say this, will take them within three points of second place in the table. Marcus, what do you think?
00:03:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I feel, again, like, nut my not much has changed. I will concede that I don't think City are going to win the title now, um despite me saying, well, you know, you can never write off City. But guess what? You can never write off City. We saw that in the Champions League this week. We're starting to see a bit of fight again in this team, although in this post-match interview, Pep still seemed a bit kind of like, well, you know,
00:03:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
It had to end sometime, but I think a so a lot of that is mind games and on form actually last five games City of one four of them Arsenal of one three they have they have had a torrid time, but they are back to winning ways so it's gonna be really interesting to see ah the battle between um you know Arteta and Pep, that's going to be a nice little bit to chuck in there as well. And I think it's going to be a real test again of this this running theme that Arsenal have had, where can they handle all the pressure? Because actually, they're sitting second, they're challenging for the title, but now this is a game where a city side are on their heels.
00:04:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
can they hold up is is the big question here. um The bonus for them, I suppose, is is it's a home fixture. But have I can see, I mean, it's going to be an incredible game and I actually can see City taking three points from this.
00:04:26
Mikey
Yeah, it's also got the other edge to it, I guess, which is the Guardiola, Arteza, you know, Messiah and the person who looked up to his Messiah for so long. oh I agree with quite a lot of what you said there. I think Arsenal showed for me in the last game against Wolves,
00:04:48
Mikey
A grit to grind out a result. It was in a horrible and a away away day. There was ah a dodgy sending off that we've wasve covered in the past. and Both teams managed that fixture in ah in a very.
00:05:02
Mikey
I don't know, apt way for where they are in the league. Arsenal managed it as a table, at top of the table, who needed to see out that result. And Wolves came out of them as ah as a team that needed points. And it was a good result for Arsenal, I thought, overall. And I would say exactly the same about City. Considering they were playing against Chelsea, they went 1-0 down, and they showed an attitude that has probably been missing for the City team this season, in my opinion anyway, and ah managed to see out that result. so For me, I think it's poised to be either goals go off or a very tactical one goal swaying game or where it like a big decision referee wise could potentially call it.
00:05:48
Mikey
and
00:05:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, actually, i yeah I think you're right there. The thing that will stick out, you know, it's it's the Sunday 4.30 is even if it isn't goals galore, I think we're in for a really entertaining game. Both clubs like to play football and both are starting just exactly at the right time to show that bit of bite again, to show that they really want something.
00:06:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And I agree, you know, Arsenal have grown that that game gets forced as a really good example of hang on. We are here to compete. We're not going to let stupid sending offs and decisions affect us winning a game. um But City have got a bit more experience in terms of players who know how to win and grind stuff out, which is why I fancy them to take three points. But yes, definitely the pick of the bunch, isn't it?
00:06:31
Mikey
Yeah,
Nottingham Forest and Brighton Analysis
00:06:32
Mikey
got to be. And then it moves on quite quite happily onto our our next picture that I want to talk about, which is the early kickoff. and You should never put money on the early kickoff. That is just a known rule to every man and his dog. However, um it will prove consistency. So we just talked about how some city needs to be consistent um to grind out these results and and show that experience will will bring them through. And I feel the same is to be said for forest.
00:06:58
Mikey
they're coming off and absolutely pounding off um Brighton last weekend which for me it says quite a lot about them this result.
00:07:09
Mikey
Forest are going to go at home against Brighton, a team who are in okay form, probably not the best compared to last season but they're doing okay.
00:07:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:07:20
Mikey
Getting battered by Bournemouth 5-0 and then having the early kickoff at home is a perfect way to say we're here to challenge for the Champions League spot or we're not and then you could you it could be the start of their dismantling in my opinion.
00:07:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah it's um it's a real test as you say because Brighton will will set up to to kind of stifle Forest. I do fancy Forest at home and and also just in terms of you know we talk how ah often do we talk about oh it's the best league in in the world because it's so competitive and anyone's got a chance but actually when it comes down to it week in week out sorry a year in on year it's the same teams that are qualifying for the Champions League. You know, such a breath of fresh air to see Aston Villa qualifying in the Champions League. but Building something really exciting, we will talk about them later, I'm sure. um And Forest kind of coming up into their new castle, but ah weirdly kind of I think they're just behind City in the table actually. So to see that at this stage of the season is really exciting and I really, really hope um that we do see Forrest in the Champions League. But at this point, if you're a Forrest fan and you do fall away from it, you're kind of thinking, you know what, we still will get European football this year, which is massive.
00:08:45
Mikey
Yeah, yeah, absolutely. It's huge. And like, just to see themselves sat in amongst a part of this conversation as a forest fans got to be in like, it's an, um it's an immense feeling because at the start of the season, uh, staying up would have been, it would have been the the challenge surely.
00:09:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, for sure.
00:09:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
and and it yeah I think um bottom half would have been what I would have said for Forrest.
00:09:04
Mikey
Top off maybe.
00:09:06
Mikey
I don't know.
00:09:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wouldn't necessarily doubt their their ability to kind of stay up amongst amongst others that the bottom half table has thrown up its own kind of surprises as well. um But the squad, you know, it's It's not much different to what was there before, and that's the real surprising thing.
00:09:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's something that's happening there with the management, with the players, with the confidence, um and it's it's fantastic to see, and you know like I say, breath of fresh air compared to what we usually see at that end of the table.
00:09:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we are getting to that point now, it's the end of January where you're starting to say, hang on a minute, now we're starting to see where the dust will settle.
00:09:53
Mikey
Yeah, definitely right. Just before we go to a quick ad break, um everyone at home can join in with us. So if you do listen to this podcast today on Friday, ah do put in the comments your results of these games we're talking about. So we've talked about so far City against Arsenal. What are you going to say for that Marcus?
00:10:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
2-0 Man City, e two goals from Harland.
00:10:15
Mikey
ah So I'm going to say 3-1 and that's going to go to City. um And then my prediction for Forest Brighton is a 2-1 to Forest to the home team.
00:10:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, I was going to say 2-1 Forest as well.
00:10:31
Mikey
Oh nice, there we go. We will find out on Monday, but before we do that and we go any further, let's hear a little bit about Zencaster.
Bournemouth vs. Liverpool Preview
00:11:04
Mikey
Absolutely do, um and I'm really excited to talk about this next fiction, not only because you're a Liverpool fan, but how often can you say two teams are playing against each other off the back of 5-0 victors?
00:11:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh yeah, I mean, wow.
00:11:19
Mikey
Oh, 4-1, sorry, 4-1, but you know, big scores, I beg your pardon.
00:11:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
the
00:11:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
like Yeah, big scores. And also that we talked about how great Forest have been. That is a big scout from Bournemouth. And Bournemouth have been another team that have surprised and excited me this season because um after selling their best striker, who would have thought that they could find goals? And not only are they finding goals, but some of the goals Bournemouth have scored this season have been absolutely incredible. You've got Clyvert, Semenyo, Otara, all banging them in from from left, right and centre, all different kinds of goals as well. um
00:12:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And they're looking like a team that's playing with so much confidence. Another team which, at the beginning of the season, you were said, well, you've just done a huge transfer of arguably your best player, you know top striker out to Spurs.
00:12:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And what what is your game plan? What do you really want from this league?
00:12:20
Mikey
Yeah.
00:12:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
then What does that say to the fans? And well, it's proved to be excellent business. Sitting seventh at the moment, um life is good for you as a Bournemouth fan at the moment.
00:12:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
And also ah at home to Liverpool, you've got to have a little bit of suit that says, do you know what? We can get a result here.
00:12:44
Mikey
Yeah, absolutely. And what's what's crazy about the Premier League, and I think the the most interesting and entertaining part of the Premier League is when you look at Bournemouth's points at the minute, ah a win for them and results going the other way, they could jump into fourth place.
00:13:01
Mikey
i thought i thought
00:13:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that is.
00:13:03
Mikey
It's crazy to think that that all that they need to do is beat top of the table, which obviously is no mean feat, but, you know, results swing. Liverpool had a little but or blip midweek um in the Champions League. Do you think that that was, they've already through, they've kind of taken the foot off the gas. It wasn't an important game and they were prioritizing this weekend. Or do you think that that was an actual blip and they would have liked to have won the game?
00:13:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think they would have liked to have won it, but I think what we're seeing as well from slot is a very pragmatic approach. um You know, we started the game with definitely not a first team, even, you know, players like Andy Robertson, who are first team players, um was playing centre-back instead of left-back, so Simicast was on the left. um Interesting to see that Gackpo did get a start against PSV and and managed to get a goal as well.
00:14:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
but But by and large, it wasn't a first 11, which I think was the right decision. It's a shame to lose the game after having such a good record in the Champions League so far, but you know the job was done, Liverpool have qualified.
00:14:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So it's nice to see that that slots kind of go, nope, this is the approach I'm going to take. I wouldn't see that as a blip as well. I think the goals that were conceded were quality goals, but off the back of naive mistakes. And that will be disappointing, but also I think they will be up for this game. And what we're seeing, I think not just for Liverpool, for the rest of the league as well, one of the big tactics tactical shifts that I'm seeing is Managers are managing their players in game a lot better in terms of you get into the 60 minute, 65, 70 minute mark and the changes are being made in a way not because something needs to happen or because someone's injured but because that was always the plan and fresh legs come on and Liverpool's death.
00:14:58
Mikey
Awesome.
00:15:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
um is incredible. ah We kind of started this season going, well, you know, there's a decent squad there. I started this season on this podcast saying, Man City have got in yeah two first teams always say that they've got two first teams and Liverpool have got decent kind of two two teams and what we've seen this season is everyone stepping up and I think that might be the thing that swings it in Liverpool's favour this weekend. The legs come the 60-70 minute mark and the substitutions that can be made
00:15:36
Mikey
Yeah, definitely. So going into the Bournemouth Lupo game, what what score are you going to give that?
00:15:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what? I think it's going to be one nil Liverpool and it will be somewhere in the 80th to the 90th minute where Liverpool finally break them down.
00:15:54
Mikey
Nice. I'm going to say a two-wall draw, goals galore, everyone going for it. you know Liverpool may be two-0 down and bring it back, that kind of game.
Struggles of Lower EPL Teams
00:16:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:16:06
Mikey
with it And so we're going to quickly jump on to like the bottom of the table. I think really I'm going to wish through this and disappoint quite a lot of fans, but Southampton are down. and there's There's no hiding that they are the whipping boys of 25, 26, no, 24, 25 season. and Then we've got Ipswich and Wolves holding up the relegation zone and just poised above that are two teams who managed to pull off.
00:16:31
Mikey
a very good win for both teams in retrospective reasons. and For Everton, Leicester, it's such an important game for both teams. One, it could help Leicester get further away um and maintain that they're not the only team above the the relegation zone. And for Everton, the opposite, it could pull them. Instead of being six points away, they could end up being, you know, ah find themselves nine, 12 points away when they win the game in hand against Liverpool.
00:17:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh dear, when when they win. I mean they are they are hosting and they're they're always they're always tasty games so I wouldn't put it past them to be the spanner in the works and God could you imagine Merseyside if that's the result that means Arsenal or City in the league instead of Liverpool.
00:17:09
Mikey
ah
00:17:23
Mikey
There would be scenes.
00:17:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh ah ah it makes me shiver, I don't feel well. But as as much as that doesn't make me feel well. um I don't see, I think it's tight, you know, they are next to each other in the table. Lester had a good result against, well, Spurs, I can't say anything about them at the moment without sounding like I'm a massive Spurs hater. um But I always said, Sean Dyche and they will get results, they will.
00:17:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
they will kind of um get their way through um anything that's thrown at them. So I can see them winning this game and and really kind of saying, do you know what, we are safe to fight another day, which again, considering what's been happening with the new stadium and the amount of money that's been spent there, it would be a real shame to see that stadium not in the Premier League, but also a real shame not to see Everton in the Premier League.
00:18:21
Mikey
Yeah, absolutely. ah It remains to be seen. I mean, the it they've got quite a contrasting managerial structure at the minute. You know, David Moyes is back in and and seeming to set like a little bit of new lease of life for Everton. And opposing that, they've got the turmoil that, you know, Roode Vanisteroy is talking of not wanting to be there for much longer because his ad things changed um since the January windows uh taken off so it will be quite an interesting interesting game in my opinion i'm probably going to say for that one that it would be a score draw i'm going to say a one all
00:19:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I fancy Everton to nick the points. I think, um you know, good result for Leicester. You could see the relief on Bagnisteroy's face. ah The fact that the manager has been quite vocal about what's been happening as well, that, you know, a little bit of unsettling around kind of Leicester City are travelling away. They're under pressure. um I can't see them getting something out of that game. Interestingly, I mean, they could they so could still go down wolves seem to kind of get some great, they seem to be banging in goals and then not getting results, which is a bit bit strange. um What's also strange to see is I suppose a kind of just poised one point ahead of Everton. I don't think they'll go down, but it's not good um in in North f London at the moment for them.
00:19:57
Mikey
Yeah, no, absolutely.
Aston Villa Transfer Speculations
00:19:59
Mikey
I mean, you touched on wolves, rightly so. They're they're one like the top of the relegation zone, 18th place in the league. ah One point behind Leicester, so very, very and within chance of reaching them, hoping that Leicester don't get any points ah because they have got a very difficult game at home against Aston Villa, who arguably this weekend on Game Week 24 are the most talked about team in the league. ah When you consider what they've achieved in the Champions League and then add to that,
00:20:33
Mikey
two of their biggest names ah possibly be going out the door in January. This, I mean, for me, I just think it's, and I can't understand it. The money must be astronomical or the deal must be worthwhile as a club.
00:20:48
Mikey
You would shut the doors, barricade the doors, bring the shutters there, do whatever you need to do to keep hold of the players that have got you into this position and actually given you a name in European football, in the highest competition of all club football, and now you're considering getting rid of two of your biggest names. Now, before we go into that, let's hear a little bit why GSPN is the ultimate podcasting platform.
00:21:50
Mikey
Yeah, absolutely. It is every club, every day. So I've told you quite a lot there about Wolves and Villa. What's your take on that game? How do you see that one planning out?
00:22:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know it's it's um i mean wolves have had their discipline issues as well uh which haven't really helped them but there's so much in modern football now i think the mentality and the press and everything that's going on around your club really does make a difference and i hear lots of people saying well you know you're a professional you got to turn up you got to do your job but this transfer news for villa you know you would be saying after the Champions League result, okay, this is a big you know villa all over. They're going to a team that's that's not confident, that's propping up the relegation zone, job done, quality club guy going away from home, but still a good team. And now I'm looking at it going, well,
00:22:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
what's happening in the dressing room when you hear players who are 21 years old are like, yeah, send me off to Saudi. Let me do my medical. He's going, by the way. I'm pretty sure he's done his medical. Duran is gone. He's going to Al Naseer.
00:22:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And even just, I'm not surprised as interested in Ollie Watkins at all. A quality striker. And from Arsenal, how many times have we heard and said, Arsenal need a striker? That is a perfect fit. Completely understand. ah It's bad timing that this is where the transfer window is and all this is happening. ah So Joanne will go.
00:23:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
leaving one striker really or leave Watkins. I think it's a really sad state of affairs that this is happening just potentially because we've talked about oh you know Forest are building something Villa are building something and you're you're not quite there yet and then people are starting to rip away at it. I hope Watkins stays I think I read somewhere that he's kind of played down all the transfer speculation but I'm sure I read also that he is an Arsenal fan and Thierry Henry was his favorite player so um
00:23:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's a really difficult decision for for him to make and the club to make. I'm pretty sure Villa won't won't want to lose him though.
00:24:01
Mikey
Yeah, no, absolutely not. Why, why would you, um, and, and to somebody who you would consider like, uh, the team replacing you in the table, uh, Villa, uh, five and eight, I don't know whether the champions league footballers has weighed on the squad, but surely.
Top Four Excitement and Predictions
00:24:18
Mikey
if you're anybody to do with Aston Villa, why would you get rid of any of your players, especially your strongest ah squad players? I don't know. it It just seems a little bit bizarre to me in the state of affairs, as you've said, because it is really exciting to see teams break into this, you know, the formidable top four and and and do well in that in in in the Champions League. It really is um Anyway, we've discussed pretty much all that we can do for today's episode, but there is one remaining question too, actually. We're going to give a result so we can talk about our review on Monday, how good we are at predicting these games, and what you're saying for the Wolves and Villa game.
00:25:03
Mikey
I'm going to go 3-0 Villa. They're going to smash it um and and everything that we've said, we've proven wrong. you know They won't even be in the teams Watkins and Duran and they'll smash them 3-0. It's been an absolute pleasure being back with you, but before I do say goodbye, and we started with a question. Fastest Premier League hat trick. You said Robbie Fowler, three minutes. Have you had a chance to Google it and come up with the actual answer?
00:25:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I haven't had a chance to Google it because I've been so engaged in our football conversation. However, I think you owe me a clue. Give me a clue.
00:25:37
Mikey
All right, fine.
00:25:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Give me a team.
00:25:38
Mikey
So yeah, yeah, of course. So Robbie Fowler was in that played, played for that team historically.
00:25:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:25:48
Mikey
Um, he played for that team. In fact, it'd be really embarrassing for someone like you not to get this answer. Right.
00:25:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
What? Ah, okay. um
00:26:04
Mikey
One of the strongest front frees of all time. Premier league.
00:26:10
Mikey
Played in red. The red side of Merseyside went to Saudi.
00:26:19
Mikey
Scored it against Aston Villa, but he didn't do it for your club.
00:26:27
Mikey
Two minutes, 56 seconds, he scored it in.
00:26:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Come on, come on.
00:26:32
Mikey
Oh, I'm going to put yeah you at your misery in.
00:26:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sadio Mane for Southampton.
00:26:34
Mikey
Yes!
00:26:38
Mikey
He got it. Oh, I love it. but
00:26:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh gosh. I'll keep my job with USPN.
00:26:47
Mikey
Yeah, absolutely. And on that note, ladies and Jones, this has been your Friday forecast for the weekend ahead. I've been Mikey Thompson joined by none other Mr. Marcus. um We are proud to have you back and we will see you on Monday after all these pictures. Ciao for now.
00:27:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
See ya, folks.