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Salah Under the Bus
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Transcript
Welcome Back and Technical Difficulties
00:00:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Welcome everybody, welcome to the Daily Premier League podcast. It is Thursday the 11th of December. My name is Ken Davis, fresh from my holiday in Grand Canaria. His name is Nick Britton, fresh from a day at the office.
00:00:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
And this is the Daily Premier League podcast. Very warm welcome to all of you who make listening to this podcast part of your regular podcasting listening experience. You're very, very welcome.
00:00:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nicholas, how are you?
00:00:38
Nick B
I'm very well. It seems quite a long time since we were in the hot seats together, doesn't it? Because we had all those we had all those issues with Cloudflare last week, which meant we couldn't publish anything.
00:00:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
yes
00:00:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah. Oh, wow that was ah that was painful, wasn't it?
00:00:50
Nick B
Well, we were recording pretty much every day, and and and we just couldn't publish them. And it's the same with Road to World Cup. And the Road to World Cup one that we did on Saturday morning, by the way, we couldn't even publish.
00:01:02
Nick B
We couldn't do anything with it. we had to scrap it all together. So that's little challenge, because we've got...
00:01:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Got to do it again, then. Me and you've got to do it again.
00:01:08
Nick B
Well, we've got a lot of effort into doing it. I think maybe, because it was all around the qualifiers and this and the other, maybe we can...
00:01:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, I think we should do that still. Some interesting stuff come out of that.
00:01:14
Nick B
I think we should. Yeah, I think so. And actually, it's it's moved on a bit because after we did that, sort since we did that, the all the venues and everything have been released, so we know who's playing where and this and the other.
00:01:26
Nick B
So, yeah.
00:01:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Great. Well, we can we'll add to it. We'll make it even better than it was.
00:01:29
Nick B
Yeah.
00:01:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it was winning the Pulitzer Prize anyway.
00:01:33
Nick B
It was a good one. No, it was a good one, to be fair. Yeah. And...
00:01:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah, go and check out Road to World Cup 26, the only podcast it's been doing every single team as they qualify and will carry on. We've got ah we've got an agenda all the way through to the start the World Cup. It's looking really, really exciting. Right.
Prediction Day: Match Week 16
00:01:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Today it is prediction day.
00:01:50
Nick B
Yeah, I must say this though, I must say this. The last episode that was published, which was the week before last, was the cro Croatia episode and we had all those problems with the sound and I think it was probably the precursor to what happened last week.
00:02:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, think so.
00:02:03
Nick B
And there's a hell of an echo on it, so I actually probably need to take that down. So if you want listen to it...
00:02:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, take Croatia. I've already added Croatia into the list of ones we've still got to do.
00:02:11
Nick B
Yeah, I'm going to take that down. So if you do listen to the Croatia one, look enjoy it, but it's got a real echo on it, but we're going to do that again. So...
00:02:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, think so.
00:02:18
Nick B
no
00:02:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
But anyway, we're all sorted now. That's all sorted.
00:02:21
Nick B
It's a bunch other people.
00:02:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
The technical bugs have been sorted out. It's prediction day ahead of match week 16 in Premier League. That was very busy week last week. ah Man City have pegged Arsenal back to a lead to just two points. Villa continue their extremely impressive resurgence.
00:02:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Mo Salah has been thrown under the number 51 from Pia Head, I understand. ah I think that's what he's referring to. he He's thrown under the bus.
Mo Salah's Role at Liverpool
00:02:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Before we get on to the predictions, there's a lot talk about the Salah thing. that Liverpool have just been a running story all year, of course, which is part of the problem. ah What's your take on the Salah situation? Interesting your view on that.
00:03:02
Nick B
Well, I think he's thrown himself under the bus. I think he's done himself a Nuno, whereby he has instigated his own exit out of Liverpool with an absolutely needless and pointless rant, trying to get Arne Schlott at his most vulnerable.
00:03:22
Nick B
And I think it's backfired on him massively.
00:03:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think it has. I don't i haven't so heard anybody, any of the pundits, any the fans I know, defending Sana. I think they've they've all they've all said he's gone too far. This, by the way, I should say is in the Norwegian media. Yeah.
00:03:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
where he essentially ah was talking about the fact that he's been made the scapegoat, really. He's been made to be to take the blame for all the ills of Liverpool. That's how he feels.
00:03:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Actually, I haven't heard that a great deal. People have commented on Salah's performance, rightly, but i don't think anybody has said, actually, all of this is down to do with Salah. Because because she's not most of it's an issue with defence.
00:04:03
Nick B
Well, also, he's been playing. He's been playing in this team that's had a wretched run, and he's not been contributing either in attack or defence. And I made the point on the podcast the other day that, look, if you're a striker and you're not scoring, or a wide player and you're not creating or scoring, then the very least you can do is work hard and help your teammates out.
00:04:23
Nick B
And he doesn't really do that either. Doesn't track back, doesn't have a full-back set out, doesn't really drop into the field. So, absolutely right to be dropped. And his reaction to that, after a couple of games on the bench, I just thought was so childish.
00:04:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, I suppose, and part of this, I think, is this. he's He's always been the main man. He's always been the superstar at Liverpool. There's been a bit of a change this season.
00:04:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Florian Virch has come in. He he seems to be... although he's not done a great deal, he seems to be the pivot. He seems to be the future of the Reds, if you can put it that way.
00:05:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Things are being shaped around Verts. Whether that's justified or not is another question. But they do seem to be being shaped around him. And that has thrown all the other dominoes out of sync a little bit, and Salah included.
00:05:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, do you think do do you think that change, think that shift in emphasis around Verts has been factor?
00:05:23
Nick B
It doesn't really play in Salah's position, though, so it shouldn't be. And let's face it, the opening quarter of the season, Wurtz wasn't taking Salah's place.
00:05:35
Nick B
he wasn't He wasn't playing well, Wurtz. He wasn't doing much. So Salah had every opportunity to take the ball by the horns, step up and be the main man. But he didn't.
00:05:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
no this I mean it's almost and it often happens of course as soon as it gets the new contract there's a lot of argument a lot of discussion a lot of to in and fro in on the contract two years three years those kind of things Ever since that was signed, he's just been a different player and not and literally not as not as effective.
00:06:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah That seems to been a factor.
00:06:09
Nick B
Yeah, very much so, yeah. yeah yeah well and and i didn't I just can't reconcile any player who says, oh, well, because of all the things that I have done for this club, and he has been a brilliant player for Liverpool, and a brilliant player, fantastic for the Premier League, he's been brilliant on ah on every single level, he's been superb.
00:06:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
goals.
00:06:30
Nick B
But that That doesn't justify saying that, well, because I've done all of that, I don't yeah i i deserve my play an automatic starting place. Football doesn't work.
00:06:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
that seems to be the implication doesn't it and he this it is what he said I've earned my place I don't need to keep earning it effectively
00:06:41
Nick B
It's not the implication, it's what he said. he actually said it.
00:06:47
Nick B
well i vote like post part Well, yeah, exactly that. I've earned my place by past glories, therefore I don't need to earn it now, is what he said. And what does that say to players like Chiesa and other players who are on the bench trying to wait for their time?
00:07:03
Nick B
What does it say about Liverpool? What does it say about football? If you have a player who thinks that he's just got every right and an automatic right to starting spot, regardless of how he trains, regardless of how he performs.
00:07:16
Nick B
So dropping him was the only possible thing Slog could do, and he was right to do it.
00:07:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that kind of thing you can get away with when the team is top the league by eight points and and sailing and cruising and winning every game 3-0. It works. It doesn't work when you're in the kind of form that Liverpool are in. So, yeah, interesting. Do you think he's played his last game, by the way, for Liverpool?
00:07:38
Nick B
Well, there's one game, isn't there? There's one game left at Brighton.
00:07:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. get again mostlyly
00:07:41
Nick B
Yeah, at Brighton. And on Saturday, and then he goes to AFCON.
00:07:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:46
Nick B
So it's a home game.
00:07:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:50
Nick B
Therefore, it would be a great opportunity for him to have a send-off. My question to you, Ken, is what message does that give If Arnest Schlott brings him back after he was exiled from the trip to Inter Milan, which, by the way, Liverpool won, that was a perfect sort of result for them, was a perfect moment for them.
00:08:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:08:13
Nick B
more I kind of think, well, why would you bring him back?
00:08:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wouldn't wouldn't either.
00:08:18
Nick B
If what wanted if I was a manager, I wouldn't.
00:08:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
i might I might let him trot on ah after 75 minutes when you're 2-0 up. See you later.
00:08:27
Nick B
so got more
00:08:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean but But after that after that appearance, and we go to AFCON, do you think in January he's gone? Or do you think he's going practice having?
00:08:35
Nick B
yeah do yeah Yeah, I think he's played his space is last game.
00:08:38
Nick B
think he's played his last game for Liverpool.
00:08:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I do too.
00:08:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
He started his last game, hasn't he?
00:08:42
Nick B
There's no way back long-term after what he said, and neither should there be And therefore, if you bring him back on Saturday after having dropped him from the squad entirely on Tuesday, you are just pandering to his wants and his needs. And I think the club, particularly a club like Liverpool...
00:09:04
Nick B
needs to show that they are bigger than any one player.
00:09:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Who's going to take him? I can't see a Premier League team taking him.
00:09:13
Nick B
no he's getting well No, the assumption is he's going to go to Saudi because that's where he that's where he was going to go in all of that will he won't he saga when he signed a new contract with Liverpool.
00:09:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Can you? Yeah, would imagine he'll go to Saudi, yeah. Hmm.
00:09:24
Nick B
Now, interestingly, I heard somebody on the radio just today saying, well, actually the Saudi Pro League, they don't like being spurned by players and you don't really get a generally second chance and Actually, he might not be as welcome as he was you this time last year when they were wooing him for the first time.
00:09:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah I think there's a bargaining position. in two I think is is the power balance has shifted away from Salah.
00:09:47
Nick B
Yes, think it has. but But equally, they need a big name there. looks like Ronaldo's going retire. And they need they need somebody to step up. What what they might be not be prepared to do, though, is pay him as much as they might have done this time last year.
00:10:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not at his age. i think I think that's very true. Okay, interesting stuff. We're going to go
Podcasting with Zencastr
00:10:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
on to predictions now. But as we know in football, as Mo Salah knows, 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.
00:10:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we chose Zencaster. Zencaster makes it easy to bring your vision to life, share it with your audience wherever they may be. It's got 4K video recording. It's got easy AI editing tools. It's got top tier distribution tools as well, and they're all in one place. So if you've got a story to tell, tell it with Zencastr. You can check the show notes for more details.
Premier League Match Predictions
00:10:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okie dokie, it's my favourite time of the week where we get to do the predictions. Nick, and so I think Nick's probably won the last two, so we better put a stop to that ah this week. ah And we're going to start off, obviously, on Saturday. Chelsea play Everton. Chelsea at home. Chelsea in fifth. Everton in seventh. Chelsea...
00:11:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not one in three. ah So they're going through a bit of a sticky patch. 0-0 against Bournemouth. And we'll come to Bournemouth. Bournemouth are not in great form. Everton have won four in five. So it's an interesting one. Nick, um home draw or away.
00:11:25
Nick B
I think Chelsea's form just seems to have dropped off a cliff again. They are like a rollercoaster, Chelsea, aren't they?
00:11:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, unpredictable.
00:11:30
Nick B
They're either winning games in a series or losing games in a row. they haven't if you include i mean They lost, obviously, against Atalanta and the Champions League as well.
00:11:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:11:41
Nick B
So that's four games now that we're in. three in the league, draw with Arsenal, defeat by Leeds, draw away Bournemouth. They are, Cole Palmer's back in the team and bizarrely they're kind of not playing well.
00:11:53
Nick B
Can't work them out. i Can't work them out. Everton with a very good and well-deserved 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest last my out which followed last time out, which followed a really good one-nil away win at Bournemouth.
00:11:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's all good.
00:12:05
Nick B
So they are, you know, which I know they're seventh, but they were fifth for a little while.
00:12:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:12:09
Nick B
And that That's Heady Heights, isn't it? That's Heady Heights.
00:12:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is for Everton. They haven't been fifth for a long time.
00:12:15
Nick B
Yeah, they're on good form. So this is a hard one to call, actually. I think I fancy Everton to something of think they'll go confidence. Chelsea, just again, they're going through all those dips in form.
00:12:26
Nick B
So I'm going to go draw.
00:12:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Draw for Nick. I'm saying it's a home win. ah I think, yeah, Everton are decent. Bournemouth, if they want to get, who they beat recently, I mean, but we'll come to it.
00:12:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bournemouth are terrible. they one They've got two points out the last 18. Bournemouth are really reverting to the mean, as we like to say in their global sports podcast network towers.
00:12:44
Nick B
As you like say. That was all I to say.
00:12:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Chelsea are just going to be too strong at home. Everton are brilliant away. They are much better at home. So, and it's a long way from Everton to Chelsea. So we've got two we've got two of the bingo numbers ticked already in the first one. So I'm going for a home win. Right. Okay. Mo Salah's last appearance probably ever for Liverpool. Liverpool down in tenth these days. Brighton at the dizzy heights of eighth.
00:13:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Liverpool managed to conju conjure up a 3-3 draw ah with Leeds. Threw that away again.
00:13:23
Nick B
catching a draw from the jaws of victory
00:13:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
A victory, yeah. So Liverpool have won one in five. Brighton have won three in six. So Brighton in decent form. What you reckon? Salah Hattrick, last 10 minutes.
00:13:35
Nick B
I like Brighton away from home I do, like Brighton away from home I think they play actually well I fancied him for this game I'm going to go for an away win yeah why would that
00:13:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brighton are going to win away at Liverpool. Okay, I'm going... to
00:13:52
Nick B
Why is that an element of surprise?
00:13:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. i Yeah, maybe I'm living in the past, but but i yeah I just think Liverpool are going to be too strong for them.
00:14:04
Nick B
Mate, you hate Liverpool. You've been moaning about them all season.
00:14:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. and But they... Decent decent win in in the week. I think Hoverland's a little bit higher. I think slot's done the right thing. I know it was horrible against Leeds, but for a long period of time in that game, they were did they were decent. I just think the crowd's going to...
00:14:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Crowd's going to just push them on for for for actually a reasonably handsome victory. And of course, it's a long way from Brighton to Liverpool.
00:14:34
Nick B
It is long way from Brighton Liverpool, but they travel well.
00:14:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
They do travel well they travel do travel. So, interesting. You've gone away when I've gone two homes. I'm feeling good about this so far. Burnley, 19th, lost six straight against Fulham, who have won three, lost three in the last six.
00:14:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But both teams lost 2-1 last week. ah Fulham look all right, don't they?
00:15:02
Nick B
Yeah, Burnley are in that horrible little period whereby lose sort three or four more games and the season could be over by the time they get the chance to strength to strengthen it in the transfer window.
00:15:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Burnley have gone, I think.
00:15:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
No,
00:15:18
Nick B
They've got to pick up points against Fulham. They've got to pick up points. Fulham aren't great away from home.
00:15:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah they're not. They're home team.
00:15:26
Nick B
There's an opportunity here for Burnley without shouting.
00:15:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
This would be a game that Burnley would have marked and said, we we we can get three points out of that one.
00:15:30
Nick B
I think they've got get some
00:15:34
Nick B
got they've got to get They've got to get something out of this Ideally, they've got to win the game. um i don't think there's any I don't think there's enough in them to win it, but I can certainly see a point of peace, and that's what I'm going for
00:15:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. I am going for a home victory. ah Simply because, for the points you've made, Fulham, not great away. Burnley is kind of turning into a must win.
00:16:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah I think this is it for Burnley. If they differ yet,
00:16:04
Nick B
Just to do so, Muskoin doesn't see they will win.
00:16:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it it it doesn't. But I just think they will go at this probably slightly more aggressively and on the front foot than maybe in some other games that they've played. that They're not easy to score against.
00:16:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
not as Not as good as they were last year, obviously. But I just i just i i just think it'll turn out that way.
00:16:26
Nick B
I'm not sure.
00:16:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just think it's...
00:16:29
Nick B
They've not kept a clean sheet for a long time.
00:16:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:16:31
Nick B
lookingre Looking at the last five games, they let in the goal against... ah two gets struck of Two against Newcastle, at home to Palace and 1-0, three away at Brentford, two home to Chelsea, they let in three at West Ham.
00:16:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, proves my point really.
00:16:47
Nick B
There's no so no sense and no sense that they're they're strong to back all.
00:16:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
So home win.
00:16:56
Nick B
oh According to you, yeah.
00:16:57
Nick B
oh I'll go.
00:16:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Home win, home win.
00:16:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, ah you've none you've gone draw away, draw. If you go draw or away for the next one, yeahre you're fired essentially.
00:17:08
Nick B
oh well
00:17:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I can't even fire. I'll get some fines I'm going fire. Arsenal in in first place against Wolves in 20th. Arsenal lost last week, obviously, against Villa. But Wolves managed one of their worst performances, losing 4-1 at home to Man United.
00:17:26
Nick B
I'm going to jump in here again. I'm going to jump in.
00:17:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
No way. No way going say draw for this.
00:17:32
Nick B
Wolves have got to get something out of this game. They have to. They have to. They've got two points. They've got to get something out this game.
00:17:44
Nick B
That's the good news for them. The bad news for them is that they've got zero chance of doing so.
00:17:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
right
00:17:49
Nick B
this there is only to jump in is because i'm going to tick one off your bingo card here, Kent, and say this is the ideal get-right game for Arsenal, having lost Arsenal.
00:17:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is the ideal get right, Kenny Frost.
00:18:01
Nick B
If you're struggling a little bit with injuries and you've lost a game yeah to a team I open a table in the last seconds and all of that, what do you want? What do you need?
00:18:12
Nick B
What do you need in the league? You need to be home to the Wolves in the next game. That's what you need.
00:18:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you do. Yeah, you do. I think the weird thing is I don't think Wolves are as terrible as people think because of what I've seen of them, yeah they they they do offer a bit of a threat.
00:18:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Arsenal, I think, are going i'll go through a shaky period. Obviously, they're affected by injuries as well. ah They are only two points clear now City. City are breathing heavily on the heels. ah
00:18:44
Nick B
Do you mean down their neck?
00:18:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not a formality, but it's
00:18:46
Nick B
Don't mix your metaphors. If they're breathing heavily, they're doing so down their neck. Or they're hot on their heels. They're not breathing heavily on their heels.
00:18:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're hot.
00:18:54
Nick B
That doesn't make sense.
00:18:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
all All right. look They're hot on my neck. and And yeah, ah but i won't i don i don't i don't think this is going to be a six niil but but yeah, they're just going to too much in the end, aren't they?
00:19:07
Nick B
It doesn't need to be. No, don't think it I think wolves will just put 11 men behind a ball. Arsenal will try and bring them down. They'll 98.7% possession and win the game 2-0 or something, won't it?
00:19:18
Nick B
Probably won't
00:19:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
has sounds Sounds about right. ah Right. Game of the weekend, I think, for me, this. Palace in fourth, who have reawoken their mojo against City, who have them.
00:19:30
Nick B
have
00:19:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you reawaken a mojo?
00:19:34
Nick B
it. Mate, can you... No, you don't. Can you please just put your teeth in?
00:19:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, no, no.
00:19:38
Nick B
oh
00:19:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm just going to use lots of different mixed up sentences for the rest of the episode. And City, who are never lost their mojo. So Palace have won four in the last six. City won five in the last six.
00:19:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Both teams look back to the best. so Palace at home can be amazing, ah dominant. ah City, you know, you say they've won five out six, but you know they they can they can be a little bit inconsistent. What's your take on this one?
00:20:05
Nick B
Yeah, a brilliant win at Real Madrid of the week, by the way, for Manchester City.
00:20:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, Foden's made up for it though, hasn't he?
00:20:11
Nick B
Brilliant win for them. they're they're back up and running. The interesting thing about City is they have indeed reawoken their mojo or got their mojo back, as most people will normally say.
00:20:25
Nick B
And it's not Haaland just scoring a goal. He hasn't scored. I mean, he did it to be fair. He scored against Madrid. But he's having a bit of a drought in the league. He hasn't scored in one. Well, that's my point.
00:20:35
Nick B
that's That's my point. Foden's sort form, and actually not just Foden, but the form of one or two others. And what when Haaland was on that massive hot streak,
00:20:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:20:45
Nick B
what teams started doing is essentially just putting three players on him. And that kind of was okay because Man City didn't have anybody else to to to to score goals at that stage.
00:20:56
Nick B
But what what that's done is that now that's allowed other players cover to come into form and score goals.
00:21:03
Nick B
So teams now can't do that against Harland anymore because they've now got three four other players to worry about.
00:21:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:21:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:21:10
Nick B
So they do look like they are coming right back into a Man City. ah I've got a feeling they'll beat Palace on Sunday. I think they, I've got a feeling they're starting to build up a real head steam.
00:21:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, they're going to... It's it's a two-horse race for me, actually, at the moment. I think it will be for rest of the season. So can I kind of put you down for an away victory there, then?
00:21:33
Nick B
yeah Yeah, look, I mean, Selhurst is a very difficult place to go. won't say that. Man United won there couple of weeks ago, i didn't they? were coming that hard.
00:21:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:42
Nick B
But, <unk> know I don't know. don't know. Mateta's not scoring with as much regulary regularity as he was earlier in the season. He's missing some big chances.
00:21:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
reversion to the main though he's not doing that
00:21:58
Nick B
Saar's injured and I think that's a massive loss for Palace.
00:22:03
Nick B
It's going to be hard for them. ah Yeah, I fancy City for a narrow win. It'll be a narrow win, though.
00:22:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. I don't, but I don't see Palace winning. I'm going to go for a draw. I can see it quite a high-scoring draw. I think it'll be a 2-2 or something like that. ah So I think Honours will be even.
00:22:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think two great, great teams playing.
00:22:22
Nick B
e they haven't beaten They haven't beaten Man City at home, least for 10 games.
00:22:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're right about Matetas not scoring so many. Saar's playing well, I think, for Palace. I think there's... ah Yeah, I think it'll be Honours even.
00:22:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, eventually, well, mean, they're not going to beat them this time, I don't think.
00:22:41
Nick B
Alan Pardew was in charge in 2015. He is. He is 10 games.
00:22:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it'll be a draw. Two strong teams.
00:22:46
Nick B
Right. Yeah. Yeah.
Bionique Ad and More Predictions
00:22:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
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00:23:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
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00:23:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, last five games of the weekend. First one, Forest against Spurs. Forest in 17th. Spurs in 11th still, somehow. a Forest somewhat resurgent, but obviously a fairly heavy defeat at Everton recently, whereas Spurs won 2-0 against barr Brentford.
00:23:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah I've got downer on Spurs. Everybody knows that. ah I've got slight less downer on Forest. How do you see this one working out, Nick?
00:24:08
Nick B
I don't know.
00:24:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Okay, thank you. like Moving on to the next one.
00:24:12
Nick B
Because these are two of the most unpredictable teams in the league.
00:24:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
well
00:24:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
They are all over the place, aren't they?
00:24:16
Nick B
But it's really difficult. Nobody thought Forrest to get tanked by Everton the way they did on the back of a small, minimal victory against Wolves, 1-0.
00:24:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
No? No?
00:24:29
Nick B
And then, yeah.
00:24:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Forest won three in five, though.
00:24:32
Nick B
I don't know, the form is...
00:24:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, Forest have won, been winning games.
00:24:35
Nick B
They've won three in five but that includes being Wolves and that doesn't count.
00:24:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:38
Nick B
They've lost two out of the last three. I think that that's more indicative.
00:24:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Spurs only won one in six.
00:24:44
Nick B
Yeah.
00:24:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it was the last one.
00:24:47
Nick B
Yeah.
00:24:47
Nick B
i No, I know. don't know. What do you think? You go first. don't know what do you think you go first
00:24:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, I'll go first on these last five. I'm going to go for a Forest home victory only because I've just got this massive downer on Spurs. I just don't believe in Spurs. Every time I see them, I just think they're rubbish.
00:25:05
Nick B
But they weren't against Brentford. They well.
00:25:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but Brentford have lost four in six. Brentford aren't the team they wear at the start of the season.
00:25:12
Nick B
Yeah, Brentford's all great. And away from home, they are wretched. They're away from terrible this season.
00:25:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:25:18
Nick B
All their points are coming out GTEC.
00:25:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:22
Nick B
Yeah, I think...
00:25:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I don't think it's that massive a ah victory.
00:25:24
Nick B
No, I don't know. I think that's fair. um I'm minded to agree with you.
00:25:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well.
00:25:30
Nick B
And bear in mind Tottenham are playing today as well, aren't they? Bear in mind it's Thursday, so they're playing today in Europe.
00:25:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Home victory?
00:25:38
Nick B
um victory yeah
00:25:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, agreed. Okay, next one. I'll go first on this one. What a game. It's probably second favourite game of the of the weekend. Sunderland. ah lost three in the Taman City last week. No great shame in that. Newcastle beat Burnley 2-1.
00:25:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sunderland, they've only won one in six. They're probably going the kind of, I won't even say, reverting to me. Oh, I said it. And Newcastle have won three out the last four. So Newcastle are at last finding a little bit of form.
00:26:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But the stadium, I like, will be absolutely rocking. at the weekend. So we I am going for a draw.
00:26:27
Nick B
Yeah, I just had a massive brain fart. Tottenham are in the Champions League, aren't they?
00:26:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Did you?
00:26:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:34
Nick B
They won the Europa League last year and they're in the Champions League.
00:26:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:36
Nick B
here Sorry, apologies to Tottenham fans who are going who were shouting, going what what is this clown talking about?
00:26:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:41
Nick B
Ridiculous.
00:26:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think stop doing that, Nick.
00:26:43
Nick B
They're in the Champions League. I know, but it still means they played this week.
00:26:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:48
Nick B
Forrest, I presume, are playing today because they are in the Europa League. I'm going have a look at who they're playing today. Because these things have an effect. Yeah, they're away. They're playing at actually. They're away at Utrecht.
00:27:02
Nick B
Sorry, I still kind of can't make up my mind about...
00:27:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah we are we ah Are we on Forest Spurs now or Sunday Newcastle?
00:27:07
Nick B
We're back on Forest 1, so I haven't quite left this because it's in my brain there.
00:27:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:27:11
Nick B
I'm still not sure because Forest...
00:27:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because there's a lot riding on this, of course. There's a Mars bar at stake at the end of the season.
00:27:21
Nick B
Yeah. Well, I can't. Yeah, yeah we'll go home. Yeah, sorry.
00:27:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good. Sunday Newcastle. I think that's draw.
00:27:28
Nick B
I can't.
00:27:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:27:28
Nick B
I think this is the game of the weekend, the way. ah think this is the game of the weekend by some distance. I know you said Palace Man City was, and I can see why you said that. But actually, Sunderland versus Newcastle is in the Premier League, by the way. I know they played each other in the FA Cup couple years ago. But in the Premier League is huge.
00:27:49
Nick B
Huge. Summers' home form is terrific.
00:27:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it is fantastic.
00:27:55
Nick B
Newcastle's away form is terrible. I mean, up until when they like they had that really bizarre, out of the blue, four one victory against Everton away from home couple of weeks ago, which nobody expected.
00:28:06
Nick B
nobody And there was a lot of pressure building up before that game, maybe how, in terms of their away form.
00:28:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
other one
00:28:12
Nick B
It's going to be a febrile atmosphere. at the Stadium of Light. It is going to be nuts, this game. I mean, it is going to be the game that we can.
00:28:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Newcastle played yesterday, didn't they? Germany.
00:28:23
Nick B
Newcastle played yesterday, lost... No, the Drew, sorry, Drew 2-2.
00:28:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Drew 2-2 threw it away at the end, really.
00:28:26
Nick B
I fancy Sunderland first. I fancy Sunderland. something
00:28:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ooh, don't tell the misses.
00:28:35
Nick B
No, I don't see it quite. I fancy him because because it's at the Stadium of Life. I think there's nothing between the two teams.
00:28:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
no
00:28:44
Nick B
They are yeah at what point point between them.
00:28:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, three places, about a point, yeah.
00:28:49
Nick B
But Southerners' home form compared to Newcastle's away form. I mean, you might... tick off the old cliche, form goes out a window and it does.
00:28:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
It does. We've seen that before, haven't we?
00:28:59
Nick B
And I can, the matchup between Gimaraish and Granit Xhaka is going to be fascinating.
00:29:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that that'd be good to watch.
00:29:06
Nick B
Are there going to be 11 players per side on the field at the end of it? Not sure. Because when you've got the likes of Joe Linton and players like that and Xhaka, they've got short fuses.
00:29:20
Nick B
Yeah. I've just... wonder in the last 15 minutes of the game when Sunderland generally come on strong at home they might make it.
00:29:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Putting you down for a home win. Might have chance to change it.
00:29:33
Nick B
Come here for a moment.
00:29:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. Right. Another interesting game. ah West Ham against Aston Villa. It shouldn't shouldn't it should be a walkover, really, but I don't think it will be. West Ham in 18th. They drew 1-1 with Brighton last time out. Villa, ah who we should be who will be high-fiving complete strangers, winning 2-1 against Arsenal. Villa have won five straight. I mean, they are absolutely rocking.
00:29:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But to be fair, West Ham have only lost one in six. ah I don't think the Olympic Stadium almost counts as a home venue, does it? It's such a horrible venue to play in.
00:30:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
But West Ham v Villa, I personally, can't. If there's going to be a win, it's going to be Villa. I'm going for an away
00:30:21
Nick B
I think so. i mean that They're playing tonight away at Basel, so they've got game Thursday night. West Ham have had more time to prepare for this one. They are getting better. I think Nuno's doing the right thing in as much as you know three draws and a victory in the last five games is a pretty good return.
00:30:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:30:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Keeping it simple.
00:30:38
Nick B
And he's making them... He's doing he's doing what um what Rob Edwards at Wolves can't do, which is start tightening it all up at the back, making them harder to score against.
00:30:51
Nick B
And then that's, and which is, by the way, is exactly the right approach. Because then you start building from the back and then you try and improve yourselves up front. And then we've got the transfer window coming up. So kudos to Nuno. I think he's doing a good job at West Ham.
00:31:07
Nick B
But I think Villa at the moment are going just going to be too strong for him. They're just going to too strong for him. They're flying. playing with such confidence. And, know, Rodgers is is playing back to his best tanament i think is back to his best Buendia's chipping in the goals, Marlon's chipping goals, Ollie Watkins got couple the other day.
00:31:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Watkins looks like he's coming back into form.
00:31:28
Nick B
Yeah, so I think they're just going to be too good.
00:31:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. I'll put you down for an away victory. Same as me. Another interesting game is Brentford against Leeds. I mean, Leeds have got to be buzzing after the 3-3 that they managed to get out of Liverpool. Though that isn't perhaps the result it was a year ago.
00:31:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brentford lost against Spurs, as we talked about earlier. Brentford have lost four in six, including the last two. Leeds had four straight defeats before the with Liverpool. Leeds are in the middle of an extraordinarily difficult run.
00:32:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah that we've pointed out for the last few weeks here. Brentford against Leeds. Brentford haven't got great away form, but Brentford are playing at home. Leeds haven't got great away form. They're decent at home.
00:32:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Brentford will just have too much. I'm going for a home victory.
00:32:20
Nick B
Yeah, the one thing I think that they have in common is the disparity between home and away form. I mean, Leeds have got three points out of their seven away games.
00:32:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:33
Nick B
They've lost six of those.
00:32:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:35
Nick B
They've won one, lost six away from home. Brentford's home form is good. I think they'll be too strong for Thiago, particularly, at home, scores goals.
00:32:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:43
Nick B
And Brentford are a good match, I think, for anybody at GTAC. So I think this will be a home win.
00:32:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Correct. Correct answer. And final one. And I think we may be in a similar territory here. Man United obviously won 4-1 at Wolves. That isn't an amazing result. Chelsea 0-0 with Bournemouth. Last time out for Bournemouth.
00:33:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Man United have only lost one in six. Bournemouth have not won in six. They've only got two points of their last 18. Man United, sixth place now. they are they're they're They're bubbling nicely, i think, after a pretty horrendous start.
00:33:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bournemouth, 13th now. After an amazing start for Bournemouth, I think they're getting they're getting closer to their natural position, which is probably 14th, 15th. I can't see anything past the Man United victory.
00:33:33
Nick B
No, I agree. I agree. I think for all the reasons you just said, the forms are heading in opposite directions. I think but at the moment, yeah.
00:33:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. So I've gone there for seven home wins, two draws
Episode Wrap-up and Gratitude
00:33:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
and away. You've gone one, two, three, four, five, six, five home wins,
00:33:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah two draws and three aways. Brave. We should probably change this. that we should out You should get more points from an away prediction being right than our own prediction right, in my opinion.
00:34:11
Nick B
Yeah. Yeah.
00:34:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll change it for next season. Anyway, ah or maybe in the new year.
00:34:16
Nick B
We'll change when we'll change it, mate.
00:34:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not now.
00:34:18
Nick B
We'll change it when you realise you are losing, because that's what you always do.
00:34:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah, I changed the rules, don't I, when I'm losing?
00:34:23
Nick B
You always change the rules to benefit yourself when you're losing, to allow yourself
00:34:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that that's true. And I think we're about level so far. So so we don't need to change the rules.
00:34:30
Nick B
to benefit. Triple points for anybody wearing a Czech shirt tonight. That kind of thing.
00:34:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah.
00:34:35
Nick B
Well, that's not you, so we're all right.
00:34:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anybody with any Welsh descendants gets odd automatically double points. ah Right. Okay. Thank you, everybody, for listening. Thank you, Nick, for your wisdom, your guile, your ah your your general general camaraderie.
00:34:53
Nick B
like It's been a pleasure as always. good to have that It's good to have the team back. It seems but yeah seems like it's been a ah while, through no fault of our own, through technical issues that are not of our doing.
00:34:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ah, the 18th.
00:35:03
Nick B
So it's good to be back with you.
00:35:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, that was a technical dish that it was of my doing.
00:35:06
Nick B
Oh, yeah, you were on there. That's it.
00:35:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brilliant. Okay. ah Thanks, everyone, for listening. Enjoy the weekend. hope your team wins, and we'll see you next time