Transcript
Global Sports Podcast Network: Welcome everybody. It is Friday the 28th of November. It is about quarter past 11 in the morning. I'm excited because I'm going on holiday on Monday. I'll leave a Nick to it for a week. ah
Nick B: i'm not i'm not happy
Global Sports Podcast Network: It's going to be great. And anyway, yeah you're very welcome here at... so Global Sports Podcast Network Towers, because we're about to record an episode of Daily Family Podcast. My name's Ken Davis, his name is Nick Britton, and we're going to talk all loads of things today, but particularly we're going to talk about our predictions for the weekend. Nick, how are you doing?
Nick B: It's going to be a great it's gonna be another great weekend of football, Kenny. That's all up this can going to be another great weekend. There's so much to talk about. There's so many good games going on. So many little side stories.
Nick B: The main one, of course, being on Sunday, West Ham v Liverpool. All eyes just on Liverpool all the time now at the moment to see kind of what happens. Miserable, miserable, miserable performance in Europe on Friday. And, yeah, lots to go on.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, West Ham should have been a great kind of get get good game, whatever I normally call them, get better.
Nick B: Yeah.
Nick B: You normally call it a good write game, don't you? Get write game is what you
Global Sports Podcast Network: A get right game. It's a get right game. But suddenly it's a get wrong game. But anyway, um before we get on to that, we were having the conversation before we went on air about ah walkout music.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And we all love walkout music in football.
Nick B: call it.
Global Sports Podcast Network: we can't Well, some of us do. But Newcastle are are changing there, as it sounds like.
Nick B: Yeah, there's story that cropped up in the week that was reported in The Athletic about the fact that Newcastle have changed their very, very famous, very well-known walkout music. Whereas they always used to walk out to Bladen Races, which everybody knows, and then the theme tune to Local Hero, which indeed everybody knows. And it's iconic. I think it's the best walkout music in the country, bar none.
Nick B: it always gets the hair standing up your back of your neck when you see all the flags waving, everybody's wearing black and white.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hmm.
Nick B: It is brilliant. but
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hmm.
Nick B: But the players and the coaching staff have asked for it to be changed because they want... the crowd singing right up until kind of the last possible moment.
Nick B: And of course, can't sing to theme tune to Local Hero because it's an instrumental, you know, saxophone, guitar and all that. It's an instrumental, you can't sing to it. and So in the last two, three games, they've switched it around and it's caused a little bit of consternation among Newcastle fans because, well, we all know it's football fans don't like change, do we?
Nick B: Nobody likes change. And it just sort of got me thinking around sort of walkout music and...
Global Sports Podcast Network: So it's simply the order. They want to change the order.
Nick B: um change the They have changed the order already. so So Local Hero now comes before Blade & Races, and Blade & Races is the last thing that...
Global Sports Podcast Network: Bladen Race a little bit more upbeat. Da-ba-ba-ba-da-da-da-da-da-da.
Nick B: Yeah.
Nick B: It is very good. and But it doesn't to me...
Global Sports Podcast Network: Okay.
Nick B: You're absolutely right, and it is a great thing to clap and sing on to, but it just doesn't have that... just doesn't have that kind of wow impact. I remember a few years ago, Sunderland used to play Provokiev's Romeo and Juliet theme tune, wasn't it?
Nick B: was so stirring. It was so good.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Nick B: You know, you'll know it.
Global Sports Podcast Network: that da da da did ah da da da da
Nick B: oh
Nick B: That's the one.
Global Sports Podcast Network: da ah du dadda Yeah, we know it
Nick B: thing It was brilliant. It was brilliant. And I think Local Heroes is same. It's just really stirring. I know you can't sing along to it, it's really stirring and really, really good.
Global Sports Podcast Network: it is it. What what i like about it is that it kind of pulls at the heartstrings. it's kind of It's a deep song, isn't it, that? And it kind of, you know, you do kind of feel kind of, what what's the word?
Nick B: It's emotional.
Global Sports Podcast Network: it You wouldn't necessarily, it's emotional.
Nick B: It's emotional. It gets the blood pumping and it gets you really...
Global Sports Podcast Network: It's emotional.
Nick B: So it's interesting. But the the other players and the coaching staff wanted to do this, so they've done it. And yeah, it it's it just got me... know there's There's lots of other trains of thought here about walkout music. And indeed...
Nick B: you know
Global Sports Podcast Network: What's Derby's workout music?
Nick B: Well, I don't know. It's something that I don't even recognize. The Derby song is Steve Bloom is Watching, which is a bit a he for the sort of
Global Sports Podcast Network: which they do always sing before the guitar.
Nick B: yeah before
Global Sports Podcast Network: I hate the poem. You know the poem that they have at Derby?
Nick B: ah k made a bit of a habit of late, actually.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, my God.
Nick B: After years and years and years of turning up at one minute to three, and sort of taking my seat at the top the south stand as the teams are out, coming out. by by pure kind of chance stroke force of what was going on, or three games ago, i actually ended up at a ground at about 25 to three. So I got in, we when we went up, and we sat and watched the players warm up, and then they went in.
Nick B: I thought, this is really good. actually quite enjoyed this. The last couple of games, I'm going actually a lot earlier, getting the ground sort of 20 to three, and actually, it's better. It's better.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Well, there's an there's a limit.
Nick B: it's you
Global Sports Podcast Network: I go on the bus from Kurt Langley. I get in the ground at quarter past two.
Nick B: That is ridiculous. That's way...
Global Sports Podcast Network: Completely ridiculous.
Nick B: You were the first person in, weren't you?
Global Sports Podcast Network: mut Well, yeah, I'm opening up.
Nick B: You should go. You should go. You'd take your boots, mate. You might get a warm-up.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Honestly, quarter past two. I mean, what what do you do for 45 minutes?
Nick B: You should...
Nick B: No, that's... Yeah, that is too early.
Global Sports Podcast Network: It's like having three halves.
Nick B: Yeah, no, that is too early. And... and the um But what a found was, when I got in at like one minute three, it took me 10 minutes to kind of get into it, if you like, settle into the rhythm by which time the game was running and so on.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hmm. Hmm.
Nick B: Whereas but when I got in a bit earlier, by the time kickoff came, I was like really ready for kickoff.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I think you're right.
Nick B: I would never have thought, a complete accident this has happened. And suddenly I'm like, oh, actually, it's quite good. I like this.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So what do you reckon? This is a very interesting talking point that you've struck on here. What is the perfect time to get into a ground if the kickoff's at at three o'clock?
Nick B: I think then, because the other thing I notice about Derby, and I can only go by my own experience here, by the way, but I reckon all grounds are the same. I reckon all grounds are the same here, because when you watch games on telly, you see this all the time.
Nick B: The modern modern kind of trend, of which I'm guilty of being part of until three games ago, is take your seat between three and five past three. So what you're seeing is teams come out, there's no atmosphere.
Nick B: everybody's just kind of piling, as the teams come out, everybody's kind of piling up from concourses. And the game kicks off and people are still piling up and and finishing the drinks downstairs. it's got 10 past three before everybody's sort of in and settled, if you like.
Nick B: And that just kills the atmosphere, at the ground. So Derby's a great example. know, the away fans are all there and 10 to three, five to three, they're all they're all giving it the loud one.
Global Sports Podcast Network: going crazy
Nick B: And the south stand, which is Derby's singing area, is completely empty. They've got
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah this is very this is very true um
Nick B: It's silent. And the crowd doesn't start singing until the kickoff.
Global Sports Podcast Network: makes We're going to start a campaign. Make sure you're in your seat by quarter three, 15 minutes before.
Nick B: I think so.
Global Sports Podcast Network: think can say hello hello to Tom and Tony and michael and Mike. Hello, Mike. Hello, Tom. Tony, nice week. Hello, the kids. and And here we go.
Nick B: yeah Strange you picked out a color three three blokes. is that Is that who you go with? Tom, Tony and Mike?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Now I go with Pete and Paul.
Nick B: I'm getting interesting snapshot into your life here. ah
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, it's not that interesting. But anyway, and I'm in the quarter past too. Can imagine opinion the conversation dries up a little bit?
Nick B: Yeah, but by the time you've left Kirk Langley, I'll do it.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. Yeah, I mean, it normally gets, we get about 25 pasts, it's like, oh, the pitch looks in good condition. But the pitch has been in good condition since 1996. You know what I mean?
Nick B: I know to be fair, you picked the wrong topic of your conversation because the last couple of years the pitch has been in an awful condition.
Global Sports Podcast Network: No, it's pretty good.
Nick B: but what But it was replaced over to summer, wasn't it?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Pretty good at the moment. Yeah.
Nick B: and
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Nick B: Yeah, no, I've kind of really turned turtle on this and um and and changed my mind completely, completely in this, purely by chance. So I would say 20 to 3 is optimum time.
Nick B: Don't be in your seat any later. Get in ground, 20 to 3. don't be any or Or if you want to get in earlier, fine, have a drink and all that. But be in your seat, maybe 10 to 3 latest.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Right.
Nick B: There you go.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Just ah a final thing on this, which is completely...
Nick B: Not what we started talking about at all.
Global Sports Podcast Network: no yeah most people are interested in this, but but now you've got me on it. um I have decided i enjoy driving and walking to the ground more than I do getting a bus, sitting outside the stadium at quarter past two and then sitting on a bus for 45 minutes before you can get out again.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I actually enjoy walking to a football ground and to a football game more than I do getting to the bus and being delivered with the front on the fan bus.
Nick B: Well, come with me, Nate.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Well, anyway.
Nick B: I'll come and pick you up. I'll come and pick you up.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Great. Well, maybe we'll...
Nick B: That's completely the wrong question. Drive for me and we'll go in together because I'm on the way. For you, I'm on the way.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, that's that's probably true. And I get free parking.
Nick B: I'll park about 10, 15 minutes away from the ground anyway.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I get free parking.
Nick B: free. 10, 15 minutes.
Global Sports Podcast Network: i'm glad I hope everyone's enjoying this in Arkansas and California and Canada we while we arrange our our transport to the next Derby match.
Nick B: 10, 15.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um Just finishing off on the yeah on the subject that you raised of ground music, Chelsea always walk out, obviously, to the liquidator, which has become quite a famous one. um in the context In the current state of affairs at Liverpool, what should Liverpool's walkout music be?
Nick B: I would say probably, here come the clowns. Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: and i'm I'm going for Steptoe and Sun. Yeah. debt So there
Global Sports Podcast Network: you go. Wrexham's, by the way, is Imar O'Hyd, which is obviously in Welsh. And so... Yeah.
Nick B: point Final point, this i mean we we must move on. find point this is Whatever music you play, it should actually, and this is what kind of see the Newcastle point of view, it should be something that gets the crowd going.
Nick B: Like Derby do, Steve Loom is watching, and everybody he goes it ends with everybody clapping and going, Derby!
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Nick B: Pretty boring. and but then But music that then teams walk out to, that it's just music. It just kills the kind of vibe. So going to play a song, play a song that everybody can get involved with, rather than just an ordinary song.
Nick B: Or an...
Global Sports Podcast Network: And I think a song that has got some kind of connection with your club.
Nick B: There's lots of people. Yeah, you're right. There's lots of people that actually just don't want any music at all for the last five minutes so that when the teams come out, they can, you know, cheer and clap like they're used to.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, but they're dinosaurs. Yeah.
Nick B: Well, they're also still down in the concourse, so I don't know.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, yeah, no, no, no, no.
Nick B: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: We don't agree with that. ah There does need to be music. Right.
Nick B: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Okay. As we know in football, not only does it pay to get your walking out music, right, it pays to get your team selection right. And here at Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery partner and we chose Zencastr because...
Global Sports Podcast Network: Zencastr makes it easy to bring your vision to life, share it with your audience everywhere that they are. With 4K video recording, very easy AI editing tools and top tier distribution tools and' all in one place.
Global Sports Podcast Network: If you've got a story to tell, tell it with Zencastr. Check the show notes for more details.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Okay, second part of the show and we're looking at predictions. And it just satisfies something deep within me, my ADHD or some kind of spectrum-related thing that I suffer from that hasn't yet been diagnosed. But there's five games on games on Saturday and there's five games on Sunday. I like that.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Turn your microphone on, Nick. It doesn't work without you doing that.
Nick B: said I said would diagnose it. ah I wouldn't like to say what it in public it is, but I have my own.
Global Sports Podcast Network: a ah Okay, okay, Britton. Thanks for ah same time next week. Right, okay. So here are the five games and I want your predictions.
Nick B: just go and watch.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You won last week, annoyingly. You're not going to win this week.
Nick B: Yeah. I think I am.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm just going to go a home game for everything, i win for everything. Right, first things up, but Brentford against Burnley. Brentford 13th in the league, Burnley nineteenth in the league. Discuss, Nick, what you reckon?
Nick B: Home win. Home win.
Global Sports Podcast Network: just have
Nick B: Brentford, I think, well at home. i think Thiago's scoring goals. At least I'm glad he is because he's fancy team. And Brentford will be too good for a Burnley team that's not really doing much on the road.
Nick B: You know, on the road, they'll struggle. and the the
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, they're not they're not being brilliant, have they on the road?
Nick B: They'll park the bus. They'll make it difficult. But Brentford will have enough, I think, in their in their locker, in their armoury to win this game.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, that makes sense.
Nick B: don't
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm going to go for a home win as well. i don't want to make it predictable all way through, but I think you can't see past that. Sorry, I'm just looking for the tables as we do this, but I've got that now just to check that.
Nick B: Why don't you just go draw? Why don't you just go draw?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Brentford have yeah they've won 3 out of 6 Burnley have lost 4 out of 6 I think you're right um Man City against Leeds everybody's got Haaland as their triple captain this week hope you have Nick
Nick B: I have, yes. I have. um is Yeah, look, when I'm looking down at fixtures, the only other thing I'm thinking about is whoever's playing Wolves in terms of who do I kind of captain and get points of.
Nick B: ah Yeah, home banker. It's got to be home banker. a Disappointing performance by Man City against Newcastle last week, followed up by an even more disappointing performance, albeit with a completely fresh team in the European Champions League on Wednesday. Back to Premier League action. I expect them to run riot against Leeds.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, i think I think it's very likely. Obviously, they're coming off a defeat Newcastle, wasn't it, last weekend?
Nick B: And it was a poor performance as well.
Global Sports Podcast Network: there It was.
Nick B: Pretty insipid. James' Park is a difficult thing to do. And um playing at home, on the other hand, to Leeds United, who's away from, has been pretty poor this season. Lost, what, one, two, three, four, five? Lost five out of the last games.
Nick B: i It's the only result I can see. It's a
Global Sports Podcast Network: Leeds are only going one way at the moment. We pointed this out a few weeks ago. They've got a really bad run of fixtures coming. in the last They they're lost the first one of them. they're going to lose this one as well, aren't they
Nick B: Yeah, I think so. i think so. I thought i was to have a bit of egg on my face earlier in the season when they were picking up points.
Global Sports Podcast Network: You actually have got a bit of egg on your face.
Nick B: cause
Global Sports Podcast Network: I didn't even want to mention it.
Nick B: That'll be breakfast.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Nick B: and So prepared them to go down this season.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Nick B: um I'm feeling a lot more comfortable in my prediction.
Global Sports Podcast Network: yet Yeah, yeah. It's looking that way. Tell you one team that isn't going down, Sunderland, and another team that isn't going down, Bournemouth. So seventh play eight. Two of the great success stories of the season so far, I think, going head-to-head.
Nick B: I think so. ah think so. Certainly Bournemouth, although they they are dropping off the pace. And to use your phrase, I'll get it in because you will sooner or later. They are returning to the mean, where you would expect probably to see them around eighth, where they are at a moment.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Nick B: um Sunderland, again, doing really, really well in seventh spot, both for 19 points. But actually, the form book would suggest that Sunderland at home are the better bet for this game.
Nick B: Absolutely.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Long way to travel from Bournemouth, isn't it? it's I'm just getting in all the things I say every week.
Nick B: I
Global Sports Podcast Network: It's long way to travel.
Nick B: hope at home, by the way, and and do do drop us a line at www.danielfamiline.com if you want to supply you with a Ken bingo card.
Nick B: Things that he says every 15th of you.
Global Sports Podcast Network: so long way from bormouth isn't it
Nick B: It's a long way from Bournemouth. Sermanyo's going to be back, we think. warmwith which will make a big difference, but they're not in good form. If I'm brutally honest, they're not in good form.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Well, neither are really. Neither have won in the last three games.
Nick B: No, no, this is true. um But, yeah, they have.
Global Sports Podcast Network: fact, they've got identical records.
Nick B: But London at home, I think, are ah are a good... I'm surprised i lost to Fulham last week. if was Yeah, prior to that, yeah their home form's pretty good. I would think
Nick B: That's enough to see them over the line. I don't know whether to go for a draw, which might be a tempting prospect on this. or Or I think Sunderland will just about sneak this game. So, yeah, home win. Yeah,
Global Sports Podcast Network: Home win just. I'm going for a draw.
Nick B: yeah that's fair enough. Yeah, that's fair enough.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm going for a draw. I think they've gone and cancelled each other out. 1-1. Here's an interesting one. ah Everton in 11th place against Newcastle in 14th. Newcastle, of course, coming off a fantastic performance against Man City.
Global Sports Podcast Network: That was great. Everton coming off a fantastic performance against Man United.
Nick B: Thank you.
Global Sports Podcast Network: ah So... is home advantage going to... Because Newcastle's away form has not been great.
Nick B: It's not so much whether home advantage will count, it's more a fact that will away disadvantage count for Newcastle because their away form has been nothing short of wretched.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hmm.
Nick B: and I don't think they've won an away game all season, have they? No, they've won once. They've won once. um They've won who they definitely won one away, but they've played eight league games away from home.
Nick B: And they just can't seem to do it. Now, at least they're not playing in London where their form is generally awful. I worry about them playing in midweek, you know, tiredness and all of that kind of stuff.
Nick B: I don't fancy them in this game. ah just don't fancy I just don't fancy them. and It's just not.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Everton look very good at the back. then They look very solid at the back.
Nick B: Yeah. Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: there but it's This has got low scoring game all over it for me, this.
Nick B: It's kind of got a nil-nil written on it in in some ways. I agree with you on that. Yeah. You Valtomarda, I can't make my mind up of about Valtomarda. I think he's a good footballer, but he just doesn't seem to carry the goal threat that I thought he was going to carry.
Global Sports Podcast Network: He did at the start of the season. I mean, has he gone off the board a little bit? You've seen him a lot more than me.
Nick B: has gone off the ball a little bit. He has gone off the ball a little bit. And they don't really have any other backup. I mean, Anthony Gordon started you in that nine position in midweek, and that just never works. So it's a bit of a difficult one.
Nick B: I've got to go with a home win, I think. I've got to go with a home win. I just don't fancy Newcastle. They need to get their away form up and running. They need an away win. And I'm not sure the Hilt-Dickinson Stadium is is is a place to get it.
Global Sports Podcast Network: No, I think you're right. it's For me, it's whether, again, I'm getting a draw-y vibe. It's going to be a low... It's going to be a 1-0 Everton. No, it's going to be a 1-1. I'm going for a draw just to make it interesting.
Global Sports Podcast Network: ah You've got four home wins out of four games, by the way.
Nick B: Thank you.
Global Sports Podcast Network: ah and But this won't be one. Spurs, ninth against Fulham, 15th.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Spurs, who... are kind of reach in there reaching their rightful place of about 12th in this league. Is that going to continue? Or can you see them? Because, you know, Fulham, Spurs, it's a long way to travel.
Global Sports Podcast Network: On the tube.
Nick B: A really hard one because Fulham's form, I mean, won at home Sunday last week, but they've lost 2-0 away at Everson and 2-1 away at Newcastle for the last couple of games, away games.
Nick B: So their away form's not great. Tottenham, no idea what's going on at Tottenham. No idea. So I'm going to go a draw here.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Okay.
Nick B: I mean, everything everything should say home win. But I back Tottenham. I think I've got their wrong in the last four or five games because of Cullum.
Global Sports Podcast Network: um They're really hard, really difficult to predict because they're so inconsistent.
Nick B: Yeah, so think
Global Sports Podcast Network: Both ways. i mean, you can go and win it for a city.
Nick B: Cullum are doing worse than I think because because I think they're a decent side, but they're just not doing as well as I thought they'd a bit like Newcastle. You look at them, they'll be that far down in the league. So, yeah, I'm going go draw. i think Cullum will go there with confidence and they play good football.
Nick B: So, draw.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Well, I'm going to go for a home win. I'm going to go for actually...
Nick B: you're going for a home win when all you do is absolutely slate Tottenham every single game every single prediction point every single minute for every single time you talk about anything in the world all you're doing is slagging off Tottenham
Global Sports Podcast Network: This is true. But i yeah but that even i have to recognize that at home, they're not bad. And Fulham aren't great away from home.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And and i You know, they're inconsistent. they've got They've scored 20 goals, though, this season. I mean, they are, you know, a lot of it from Porro and people like that.
Global Sports Podcast Network: But...
Nick B: yeah ah Yeah, the goal threat, they struggle. They struggle big time at the top end of the pitch. The goal threat is actually their defenders more more than they are the Akashic.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah. And I think that's what I like this time. So I do think it's going to be i think it's going to be quite a high-scoring game. I think we're going to be looking at ah three one or a 2-1 something like that. Anyway, I'm going to go for a home win. And also I did that simply because I want to make sure that we're not always picking the same thing. You get advantage on that.
Nick B: okay we're familiar Well, Sunday games, you know, whatever you like to call it, OCD or any other phrase you like to call it, you that you mentioned on the show here.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So...
Nick B: So there's five games on Saturday, five games Sunday. So I've gone first in the five games on Saturday. So you can go first on five games on a Sunday.
Global Sports Podcast Network: That makes a lot of sense. And before we get there, Global Sports Podcast Network is partnered with Bionic, the world's most personalized supplements because your body's unique. Because without knowing what deficiencies you have, taking off-the-shelf supplements might mean you're probably not getting enough of what you need, maybe too much of what you don't need. So Bionique very cleverly provides 100% tailor-made supplements designed to deliver precisely what your body needs at exactly the right level. So why don't you go and click on the show notes, use the code GSPN2025, you'll get first order.
Global Sports Podcast Network: OK, so we're into the last five days Sunday. I'll go first. First one is Palace in fifth place against Man United in tenth. I don't know what Man United are going to turn up because I thought Man United were on a bit of a roll. Well, they were because they won three out of five and drew the other two.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And then they turned in a really insipid performance against Everton. So ah it really depends on that. Palace have kind of found their mojo again a little bit.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So I am feeling draw.
Nick B: Well, you're nothing if not predictable. I'll give you that.
Nick B: It's a fair shout, to be fair. It's a fair shout because, it's yeah, again, i think you kind of know what you're going to expect from Palace. Do we know what to expect from Manchester United? No.
Nick B: So, yeah. Draw. Draw home win. Draw home win. I don't think United will win. Draw a home win. What do you reckon? I'm going to go for home win.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Okay. Well played to you.
Nick B: Come on with Palace. Fifth in the table. this is This is it. Come on.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Well, this a tricky one.
Nick B: This is a trivia. I'm going to mention that I'm going to be able this.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Aston Villa against Wolves. ah
Nick B: then
Global Sports Podcast Network: Obviously a bit of a derby. Form doesn't count for anything.
Nick B: think I lot people who are going to able to do this.
Global Sports Podcast Network: ah Everybody's kind of on their edge of the sea. It's going to be blood and thunder.
Nick B: think
Global Sports Podcast Network: It yeah could go either way. Yeah. I think on balance, though, Villa might just edge this by six goals.
Nick B: going to able to do
Nick B: Well, I'm not sure because Rob Edwards has said it's been a really good week in training. Oh, really?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, right, really. Oh, sorry, then. Wolves away win. No, I'm going for a home victory.
Nick B: if this is this is absolutely what you call one and in the old days we would call this a coupon buster if it was anything else than a home win because everybody who used to do the pools if you remember them Ken ah which is a form of betting everybody would go for a villa home win everybody in the entire world would go for a villa home and there's no possible other thing you can do except say villa home win yeah they're playing yeah and think about how they started
Global Sports Podcast Network: No, there isn't. Villa, by the way, if they win this, have a chance being in second place by the end of the year. Yeah, remarkable.
Nick B: and off
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Nick B: season but they're playing so well, so good at home as well. now morgan I'll tell you what the key to this is Morgan Rodgers. He's been the key to their massive...
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Nick B: I know that i know they've kind of... boinier has started And Marlon's been a really good addition, by the way. He's started scoring goals.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And McGinn's playing in the right role now.
Nick B: Yeah. um So, I think they've got... I think because of those things, particularly getting Morgan Rodgers playing and scoring, is it's been a massive catalyst for Villa. really
Global Sports Podcast Network: Fine. So i i can put you down for an away win, can I?
Nick B: ah For a home win. Thank you very much.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Just expected a yes or no answer there.
Nick B: I know you do. I don't know.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Okay, for a yes answer.
Nick B: I've known you for I did a little bit when i was when you bailed on me the other day.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, that's true. So, right. So that is Wolves pretty much consigned to championships. Do reckon they're they're down now, aren't they?
Nick B: and I did my solo pod. A bit of forecasting. And if they carry on, and if they get the same number of points per game that they've got so far this season, they will end up on six points.
Global Sports Podcast Network: That can't happen.
Nick B: That's right.
Global Sports Podcast Network: That won't happen.
Nick B: can't happen, it won't happen, but it just tells you, I mean, they will win ah game, will they? know if they will, I mean, who knows? Who knows?
Global Sports Podcast Network: what How many points do reckon Wolves will finish with?
Nick B: I don't know, but... 12.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Come on, no, no, no, no. no Tell me. i want to know because I'm going to make a note of it.
Nick B: 12.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Right, I'm going for 15. Okay.
Nick B: Bear in mind, that the record is 11.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Who else is that, by the
Nick B: The world's greatest football.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, yeah. Derby County. Right.
Nick B: So, I haven't sneaked it last season with 12. I think the rules do the same.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah.
Nick B: But I don't know why ah don't know why I say that, because there's nothing to suggest they will do.
Global Sports Podcast Network: No, and they're not getting anything out the next game. And that really will be a third of the season gone and they've got two points. So, Forrest, who are turning things around, who are in 16th place against Brighton, who are in 6th place.
Nick B: They are. They are. are.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I don't think this is the Forrest under Antipostocoglio. I think this is a different Forrest turning up these days.
Nick B: not
Global Sports Podcast Network: Brighton have been another one of the outstanding teams of the yeah of the of the season, up in 6th place. How's it looking? Oh, no, I have to go first on this. Forest against Brighton.
Nick B: OK, yeah, OK.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm going home win.
Nick B: I'm going to let in. Now that you've said home win, I'm going to let you in with a little bit of inside knowledge that you don't know about.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, here we go.
Nick B: A little bit of insider, exclusive information here. There's a reason why it's not the Nottingham Forest of Ange Posto Coglu. It's because Ange Posto Coglu isn't the manager anymore.
Global Sports Podcast Network: No way.
Nick B: Yeah. Yeah. So put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I will.
Nick B: Literally. Yeah, there you go. There's the pipe out. ah they are doing surprisingly well. I didn't think they would do this well under Sean Dyche, but they are. So fair play. Brighton, though, are a good ah good team. They're good away from home. They're scoring goals. I think this will be a draw.
Global Sports Podcast Network: OK.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, there's good chance of that. I mean, it's got that feel about it, but I think they'll edge it. I think they're just using a completely different team on the form. book Right, here's the two big games of the of the weekend, really, for me.
Global Sports Podcast Network: All eyes on Sunday. day Firstly, West Ham United.
Nick B: Thank you.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Poor old West Ham. Everybody's whipping boy for the first half bit bit of the season. Now have won two and drawn one out the last three games, ah but still find himself in 17th place against...
Global Sports Podcast Network: everybody's whipping boys for the course of the last 12 weeks, which is ah Liverpool. ah I have to go first and now I don't want to go first on this one. But but and Liverpool win.
Nick B: you
Global Sports Podcast Network: I'm going away away when
Nick B: Because
Global Sports Podcast Network: Reversion to the mean.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I wonder who's got that on their bingo card.
Nick B: Well, everybody, because you always say it. Okay. And what about their performances in their defeat against Nottingham Forest and their 4-1 defeat home to Bayer Leverkusen would suggest there's a reversion to the mean around the corner?
Nick B: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Primarily, i think the massive ups upswing in the performances of Canate, Kerkhez and Salah. who I thought were outstanding in those last two games.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Now, okay, I'm touching the straws here. nothing There's nothing to suggest that they're going to turn it round, except one day they will.
Nick B: They may do. They may do. um Whether or not that's under slot, i don't know. um They may turn it around. think it's going to get worse it gets better, in my opinion.
Nick B: So, I'm going for a West Ham win.
Nick B: I think they're playing a bit of confidence. The last two home games have been victories against Newcastle and Burnley. They're starting to score goals. Nuno's got them a lot more solid. I know they were they threw away twoil They were winning 2-0 away at Bournemouth, which is no mean feat.
Nick B: And they threw that away and it finished 2-2.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hmm.
Nick B: But I think they've got something about them now that they didn't have before Nuno took over.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hmm.
Nick B: I think it's going to be a ah ah visceral atmosphere for the first and only ever time because people will see Liverpool and thinking, this is our best chance of beating Liverpool ever.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Hmm.
Nick B: and um and and therefore the atmosphere at the London Stadium for once will be good. And Liverpool turned them over five ni last season and Liverpool do generally win against West Ham. The stats aren't great. They're not great in West Ham's favour. But then again, this is like a ah run that Liverpool have had, you know like no other really in recent times. So you've got to take that into consideration. And I think it's one of those games where liver people will look at it a bit like you and go, well, Liverpool should win it's West Ham away.
Nick B: But in many ways, this is the worst place to go. It's the worst place to go because the expectation will be really, really high. And the pressure, therefore, there's no pressure on West Ham to win this game.
Nick B: There's loads.
Global Sports Podcast Network: That's a free hit for West Ham.
Nick B: Yeah, and therefore, if they go out and take the game to Liverpool, they've got every chance of winning. That is my reasoning, my friend.
Global Sports Podcast Network: That makes perfect sense, unfortunately. the yeah What are West Ham going to walk out to?
Nick B: Well, they walk out to Armoured for Ever playing bubbles, aren't they?
Global Sports Podcast Network: Diddy. Just a little... little Nicky's quiz there. um So, and the final game the season, the title decider. Well, if Arsenal win, it is.
Global Sports Podcast Network: ah Chelsea in second place, who I thought were excellent in the week in the Champions League, against Arsenal, who I thought were excellent in the week in the Champions League this week. So, ah
Global Sports Podcast Network: Chelsea at home, Arsenal away, long way to travel. what What do you reckon?
Nick B: Long way to travel.
Nick B: I don't know. ah don't know. This is a really hard one. This is a really hard one because Chelsea's form is excellent. They're playing well. We've talked yesterday, didn't we, about Esteval and seem to have a settled team now.
Nick B: They've got Rory DeLapp back. No, they haven't. They've Liam DeLapp back. His dad might play, but probably won't. um i mean, not not that's suddenly going to change things, but it's a good option off the bench that we didn't really have before.
Nick B: It was seemed to be quite solely reliant on Jair Pedro for a few games. That's sort not the case anymore. Yeah. So, lots of...
Global Sports Podcast Network: I say that it's amazing.
Nick B: we Yeah, Casado's the best midfielder in the league, I think, this season, other than Declan Rice, maybe. He's got shout-out for that. So, they're coming up head-to-head. Yeah, I think in the end, player for player, Arsenal have probably got the the edge, but Chelsea have got home advantage.
Nick B: So, I can just see... Arsenal nicking this right the end of the game. I can just see one of those games because they are relentless and they will keep going and they've got better options off the bench, I think, than Chelsea have.
Nick B: And there's just something about this Arsenal team. if there's If they're ever going to draw a game, well, let's say if they're ever going to draw a game, they drew the last one at Sunderland. ah so I don't know. yeah I've got nothing to base on other than my gut feeling. My gut feeling is that they'll win 2-1. Yeah,
Global Sports Podcast Network: yeah I'm putting you down as an away victory.
Nick B: yeah please, yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Thanks for doing that. I was supposed to go first. i yeah You know what?
Nick B: Should we rewind? right What do you think, Kim? Before I have my...
Global Sports Podcast Network: i think I think Chelsea are going to win this. Right?
Nick B: Okay, I'm now allowed change my mind, by the way.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Right.
Nick B: I'm allowed to change my mind because you were meant to go first.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Okay. ah So, yeah, I think a Chelsea going to win this. I think Chelsea have to win this. I'm hoping Chelsea win it just because if they don't win it and Arsenal do win it, we're all playing for second place.
Nick B: Okay. installed
Global Sports Podcast Network: So, I'm going for a Chelsea win. I've been extremely impressed with Chelsea in the in the in the course of the last four or five games. i I underrated Chelsea. I thought, and they've got they have got strength in depth and they've got players that have come in and made a difference.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I thought they'd massively miss who's the fellow that's out with his injury, Palmer.
Nick B: Palmer. Palmer. Yeah, they and they did. and that They have missed him.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, but but they've kind of got around it.
Nick B: Yeah.
Global Sports Podcast Network: They've kind of got through it. They've kind of worked a way to kind of win again and become a decent team. Yeah, I just like their energy.
Nick B: Yeah. Yeah, listen, I think you can make the case for a Chelsea win just as easily as you can.
Global Sports Podcast Network: I just did. I'm going for a Chelsea home victory.
Nick B: I
Global Sports Podcast Network: Nick, here's your chance in the next 30 seconds to change your mind.
Nick B: think... No, I'm not going to change my mind there.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Okay, Chelsea away victory.
Nick B: No.
Global Sports Podcast Network: So that's going to be interesting. I've gone for one, two, three, four, five, six, six homes, three draws and one away. You've gone for seven homes, two draws and one away.
Global Sports Podcast Network: And we'll see who wins the bag of Maltesers.
Nick B: I think it'll be me. I think it'll be me.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Oh, yeah. Okay. Okay, is that a prediction? All right. Brilliant. Thanks, everyone, for listening, wherever you are on in the world. Hope you enjoy football. Hope your team wins. I know that can't happen for everyone, but, you know, I hope Lexon win. hope Derby win. And I hope awesome ah Chelsea win.
Nick B: Yeah, OK. That's not happen either. Where are Wrexham playing?
Global Sports Podcast Network: I don't know.
Nick B: Delby's got very...
Global Sports Podcast Network: We're at home. We're at home. We're at home against someone.
Nick B: It's just not any kind of sport, are we? Derby have got a difficult trip up to the riverside.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Middlesbrough.
Nick B: yeah Difficult trip. But the away win in Swansea in midweek just takes the pressure off a little bit because I don't really... If we get a point up there, that would amazing. That would be a very, very good result. Yeah,
Nick B: okay
Global Sports Podcast Network: Yeah, Wrexham got a point up there. at Coventry are 10 points clear.
Nick B: and I know. Yeah, Coventry running away
Global Sports Podcast Network: They're gone.
Nick B: Brilliant. Brilliant.
Global Sports Podcast Network: They're disappointed. This is by far the best team in the Championship. They'll be playing the Premier League next year. Wrexham are my home against Blackburn Rovers. So I've got high hopes.
Nick B: Home win there, mate. Home win
Global Sports Podcast Network: Brilliant. Thanks for listening, everybody. See you next time. And if you are looking for some input on the World Cup, you should be now.
Nick B: there.
Global Sports Podcast Network: We will be recording the Road to World Cup podcast later on this evening. We're going to Croatia, aren't
Nick B: We are going. And we'll be recording live from Croatia in about six hours time. We'd better get to the airport.
Global Sports Podcast Network: we? Blimey. We're rush. All right. See you soon, everybody. Thanks for listening.
Global Sports Podcast Network: Thank you.
