Saturday's football blog recap: Premier League and Sky Bet EFL coverage - updates, statistics and in-play betting tips
A look back at our coverage of Saturday's football in the Premier League and key Sky Bet EFL matches.
1710: That's all from us...on this blog!
Late goals, Sporting Life Acca drama, comebacks - this afternoon's had it all!
The action does not stop yet, either. Manchester City v Chelsea is the big evening game and it kicks off in just over 20 minutes' time.
We'll be launching our blog for that shortly - do join us!
In the meantime, check out our Premier League and Championship reviews - with highlights for both to follow later this evening.
And for betting previews - we have this for Man City v Chelsea, and the following for Sunday and Monday's action.
Thanks for your company and we hope to see you in the Man City v Chelsea blog!
SUNDAY'S PREVIEW: Blades to blunt Ole's United
Premier League predictions, best bets and stats for the Super Sunday clash between Sheffield United and Manchester United. Take a look by clicking the image, below...
MONDAY'S PREVIEW: Monday night goals at Villa
Steve Bruce returns to one of his former clubs and there should be plenty of action on and off the field as Paul Higham previews Monday Night Football. Take a look by clicking the image, below...
1707: Premier League results
A couple of managers will be looking over their shoulder after these...
- Arsenal 2-2 Southampton
- Bournemouth 1-2 Wolves
- Brighton 0-2 Leicester
- Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
- Everton 0-2 Norwich
- Watford 0-3 Burnley
1704: Winning Acca!
You love to see it. Send us those winning bet slips. Two weeks in a row! 12/1 and 18/1. We'll be back with another next week!
1655: GOAL! Arsenal 2-2 Southampton (Lacazette)
SIX minutes into added time - huge goal for the Gunners. Boos all-round at the Emirates at full-time. Big point for Southampton, nevertheless. It also denies us six away wins in the Premier League.
1653: SPORTING LIFE ACCA DRAMA!
At half-time it looked like no chance - Rotherham being 2-0 down. Fast-forward 45 minutes and Stoke's injury-time winner means it's landing again!
- Stoke 2-1 Wigan
- MK Dons 2-3 Rotherham
- Peterborough 1-0 Burton
- Leyton Orient 2-4 Forest Green
We had a 12/1 winner last week and 18/1 this time around. Please hold on! Did you back it?
1651: DOUBLE GOAL ALERT!
Everton 0-2 Norwich (Srbeny): The Canaries end a seven-game winless run and pile the pressure on Marco Silva.
Watford 0-3 Burnley (Tarkowski): Dream land for the Clarets
And in the Sky Bet Championship, Leeds and West Brom have scored late goals to close in on 2-1 wins.
1649: Seven heaven for Accrington!
1645: GOAL! Watford 0-2 Burnley (Barnes PEN)
The Hornets staying bottom, the Clarets up to sixth as Barnes' penalty just about squeezes past Ben Foster.
1643: GOAL! Palace 1-2 Liverpool (Firmino)
The set piece comes in, Van Dijk's initial effort is blocked, he mishits the next chance and it falls to Firmino who dispatches. Champions doing what champions do? They have done it on a number of occasions this term. Of course, this time with a little help from sloppy Palace defending.
1640: GOAL! Palace 1-1 Liverpool (Zaha)
He has not scored all season, but on his 14th appearance Wilfried Zaha scores against the league leaders!
Excellent play by Townsend and Benteke in the build-up to create space for the Ivorian, who fired past Alisson. Five plus added time to go in that one.
1638: GOAL! Brighton 0-2 Leicester (VARdy)
See what we did there? Leicester have a penalty and Vardy's effort is saved by Ryan initially, but the rebound is followed up by Maddison.
A VAR review adjudged him to have been encroaching and ordered a retake, with Vardy converting.
1637: Away days?
A colleague has just pointed out an interesting observation - all six of the top flight games have the away team winning. Surely that could not have happened often in the past?! Just think of the price on that six-fold.
1630: GOAL! Arsenal 1-2 Southampton (Ward-Prowse)
Tierney pulls Ings' shirt in the box and after a VAR review the spot-kick is given. James Ward-Prowse, making his 250th Saints appearance today, has his initial effort saved by Leno but the Englishman nets the follow-up.
Winless in five games in all competitions. What does Unai Emery do now? Around 20 minutes to hold on!
1628: Another Ryan save!
Maddison nearly doubles the Foxes' tally with a goal incredibly similar to their first. Vardy finds the England international but goalkeeper Ryan makes an excellent double save.
1627: Arsenal update
Unai Emery's side fortunate not to be behind again after more terrible defending. Sokratis dallied and Cedric nearly capitalised.
Possession is 61-39 in Arsenal's favour, but the Saints have had more efforts and it would certainly be a hard-earned point for them here.
1620: GOAL! Brighton 0-1 Leicester (Perez)
Shortly after going so close, Perez takes his next chance to put the Foxes ahead after great vision by Jamie Vardy. The latter has a great chance to make it two within minutes but goalkeeper Ryan makes a vital block.
1616: DOUBLE GOAL ALERT!
Watford 0-1 Burnley (Wood): Dwight McNeil's out-swinging cross finds James Tarkowski who squares it across goal and New Zealand forward Wood finishes instinctively.
Bournemouth 1-2 Wolves ( : 10-man Cherries pull one back at the Vitality as Steve Cook meets a corner at the near post. Double half-time change paying off. His sixth goal in seven.
None of the top four in the Championship are leading - West Brom and Leeds just conceded so they are both drawing 1-1.
1612: GOAL! Everton 0-1 Norwich (Cantwell)
A big goal at Goodison as Todd Cantwell coolly finishes a one-on-one past Jordan Pickford.
With Pellegrini losing, Emery and Silva dropping points at home, the sack race could get very interesting as it stands...
1609: Wolves denied!
Nuno's side have the ball in the back of the net for the third time this afternoon, this time Jota, but his effort is ruled out - probably unfortunately - after a one-two with Jimenez, who is judged to have been offside. That should not prove too costly, luckily.
1606: GOAL! Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool (Mane)
After just going so close to taking the lead, the Reds keep on top and Mane takes his chance well.
Mane has nine goals for the season in the league and the Merseysiders have never lost when he has scored for them.
1602: Second halves
Gradually getting back underway.
Can Palace hold on against Liverpool? Will Leicester take advantage and close the gap? What about struggling Watford? Stay with us to find out!
1551: HT betting preview
1549: HT - international lull?
- Arsenal 1-1 Southampton
- Bournemouth 0-2 Wolves
- Brighton 0-0 Leicester
- Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
- Everton 0-0 Norwich
- Watford 0-0 Burnley
1542: GOAL DISALLOWED! Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Alexander-Arnold gives away a sloppy free-kick in the corner, it gets whipped in and takes a slight deflection off Wijnaldum before making its way to Tomkins at the far post who converts!
After a VAR review for a foul on Lovren by Ayew, it is ruled out. Whether the Croatian defender would have been able to jump to clear it is doubtful. Interesting decision and a huge blow for Palace after keeping the leaders out so far.
1540: Palace pressing
Leaders Liverpool are level at Crystal Palace, but the hosts have had their fair share of chances.
1537: RED CARD!
Things go from bad to worse for Bournemouth. After going two down, Simon Francis - starting his first Premier League game in 11 months (Boxing Day, to be precise) - is off for an early bath after receiving his second booking. Nightmare afternoon.
1531: GOAL! Bournemouth 0-2 Wolves (Jimenez)
Wolves double their lead through Raul Jimenez, the Mexican striker who now has six league goals to his name this term.
Great ball by Traore and Jimenez just has to finish from close range. If you read our match-by-match Premier League tips, you'll have seen us tip the visitors to score at least two goals at 29/20. And they've done it in the first half!
A long way back for the Cherries here. That will be a run of just one win in their last eight in all competitions.
1528: Championship check-in
Nine games taking place this afternoon but just two goals.
Bradley Dack put Blackburn up against Barnsley, with new manager Gerhard Struber, while West Brom lead the table as it stands thanks to Hal Robson-Kanu's strike against Sheffield Wednesday.
1523: GOAL! Bournemouth 0-1 Wolves (Moutinho)
Brilliant strike to put Nuno Espirito Santo's side ahead. A free-kick from the wing whips across goal and into the far corner. Wolves looking to extend their run to just one defeat in 13.
1520: GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Southampton (Lacazette)
The only Premier League 3pm kick-off with goals so far as the Gunners draw level. Tierney's cross finds Aubameyang whose effort is blocked and it falls kindly to Lacazette in the box and the Frenchman dispatches. Unai Emery needed that to ease the nerves at the Emirates.
1517: BIG chance for Palace!
Jordan Ayew should be putting the hosts ahead there. Great work by Kouyate and the forward mishits it and fails to find the target.
1509: GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 Southampton (Ings)
The first Premier League goal of the 3pm kick-offs!
Calamitous defending from the hosts and Danny Ings continues his great start with his eighth goal of the season. He has netted against Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea and now Arsenal this term.
A great finish by him after a quickly taken free-kick.
1504: Delayed kick-off at Vicarage Road
There was a pause ahead of Watford v Burnley as Hornets defender Craig Dawson complained of dizziness. After a couple of minutes, he decides he can start and we are now underway there.
1502: Early Leicester chance
Harvey Barnes whips the ball in and Ayoze Perez meets it in the box, heading against the woodwork. Lively start for the Foxes at the Amex.
1500: KICK-OFF
Here we go! Good luck to your teams, with your wagers and enjoy the action!
1457: Here come the teams
Kick-off is just moments away!
1454: Sky Bet Championship
After Charlton's 2-2 draw with Cardiff in the early kick-off, here's how things look going into the 3pm kick-offs.
1451: Crystal Palace v Liverpool key stats
- Crystal Palace have lost six of their last seven Premier League meetings with Liverpool (W1), including each of the last four in a row. They’d won the previous three in a row before this run.
- Liverpool are unbeaten in 29 Premier League games (W24 D5) – only four times in the competition’s history has a side had a longer unbeaten run in the competition: Arsenal (49, May 2003-Oct 2004), Chelsea (40, Oct 2004-Oct 2005), Arsenal (30, Dec 2001-Oct 2002) and Man City (30, Apr 2017-Jan 2018).
- Liverpool have had more different goalscorers than any other side in the Premier League this season (13), while Crystal Palace have had the fewest (4). Indeed, Liverpool have used just 18 different outfield players this season, meaning 72% of them have found the net for the Reds this season, another league-high (21% for Crystal Palace, also a league-low).
- Liverpool’s Sadio Mané has scored seven goals in nine Premier League games against Crystal Palace, more than he has vs any other side.
1448: Warm-ups done
1443: What next for Pellegrini?
Manuel Pellegrini is now EVENS with Sky Bet to be the next Premier League manager to leave his job. He faces a big task to turn it around at the London Stadium after such a poor run. They spent big in the summer.
1432: Last call for tips
Kick-off is nearly here, but you still have time to get your weekend wagers in. Take your pick:
- Brighton v Leicester
Leicester were on a roll before the international break and Brendan Rodgers will be hoping they can continue where they left off.
Brighton have made improvements under Graham Potter and have won three of their last five, including against Spurs at the Amex, and will give it a good go on Saturday.
This Foxes side, though, looks to have a great mindset under Rodgers and they should just edge the Seagulls, although the break could mean it's closer than they would like.
A nice price we are opting for is in the scoring markets - on a midfielder who contributes a lot in the final third and is available at 11/2 anytime.
Belgium international Youri Tielemans has five goals and five assists for the Foxes this term in all competitions, averaging just over two shots per game in the Premier League.
He had four efforts in the win over Arsenal last time out and has registered a total of six in the previous three games before that.
He has not scored in a couple of games and is due. With the positions he gets in, late runs into the box and a tendency to shoot on sight, this price makes the 22-year-old well worth a small play.
Super 6 prediction: Brighton 1-2 Leicester (Sky Bet odds: 8/1)
Best bet: Youri Tielemans to score anytime at 11/2
After last week's welcome 12/1 winner, Saturday's Sporting Life Accumulator is an 18/1 four-fold which covers three divisions of the EFL.
Stoke, Rotherham, Peterborough and Forest Green are our selected quartet - access it by clicking the above link.
Leicester were on a roll before the international break and Brendan Rodgers will be hoping they can continue where they left off.
Brighton have made improvements under Graham Potter and have won three of their last five, including against Spurs at the Amex, and will give it a good go on Saturday.
This Foxes side, though, looks to have a great mindset under Rodgers and they should just edge the Seagulls, although the break could mean it's closer than they would like.
A nice price we are opting for is in the scoring markets - on a midfielder who contributes a lot in the final third and is available at 11/2 anytime.
Belgium international Youri Tielemans has five goals and five assists for the Foxes this term in all competitions, averaging just over two shots per game in the Premier League.
He had four efforts in the win over Arsenal last time out and has registered a total of six in the previous three games before that.
He has not scored in a couple of games and is due. With the positions he gets in, late runs into the box and a tendency to shoot on sight, this price makes the 22-year-old well worth a small play.
Super 6 prediction: Brighton 1-2 Leicester (Sky Bet odds: 8/1)
Best bet: Youri Tielemans to score anytime at 11/2
Key stats
- Leicester have won six of their last seven Premier League games (L1), winning the last four by an aggregate score of 15-1 and keeping a clean sheet in their last three. The Foxes have won five Premier League games in a row twice before, in April 2016 and April 2017.
- Leicester have conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League this season (8), while only Manchester City (35) have netted more than the Foxes (29).
- This is the first time Leicester are playing a Premier League game when starting the day in the top two of the table since the final game of their 2015-16 title winning season (1-1 vs Chelsea). Brighton have lost seven of their eight Premier League games against sides in the top two, including the last six in a row since a 1-0 win over Man Utd in May 2018.
- Since the start of last season, Leicester’s James Maddison has scored more Premier League goals from outside the box than any other player in the competition (7), including three of his four strikes this term.
1428: FT - West Ham 2-3 Tottenham
Jose gets his first win as Spurs boss.
1420: Team news
- Crystal Palace Liverpool
One change to Palace's squad as Max Meyer returns to the bench but their XI remains the same.
Liverpool meanwhile, have Andrew Robertson starts after doubts in midweek while Mo Salah is only fit enough for the bench.
- Arsenal v Southampton
Unai Emery makes two changes, including the return of summer signing Kieran Tierney at left-back while James Ward-Prowse makes his 250th appearance for Southampton.
- Brighton v Leicester
Graham Potter makes three changes as Adam Webster replaces suspended Lewis Dunk, Solly March and Aaroh Mooy also come into the Seagulls side.
Brendan Rodgers' Foxes are unchanged.
- Bournemouth v Wolves
One change for the Cherries from their defeat at Newcastle, Nuno Espirito Santo's Wolves are unchanged.
- Everton v Norwich
Marco Silva's side also unchanged while the Canaries make three alterations from the defeat at Watford. Zimmermann makes his first return after being out since August, Byram and Cantwell also come in.
- Watford v Burnley
Kabasele is suspended for the Hornets, Janmaat and Pereyra also out. Mariappa, Femenia and Gray come into the XI. Sean Dyche's Clarets unchanged.
1410: Good afternoon!
Welcome to our live coverage of Saturday's football.
I am George Pitts, here to keep you company for what should hopefully be an exciting afternoon.
After Jose Mourinho got off to a winning start with Spurs in the early kick-off at West Ham, we now have six fixtures in the Premier League, with key Sky Bet EFL matches, followed by Man City v Chelsea at 1730 GMT - join us on the blog for that.
Today's 3pm fixtures are as follows:
- Arsenal v Southampton
- Bournemouth v Wolves
- Brighton v Leicester
- Crystal Palace v Liverpool
- Everton v Norwich
- Watford v Burnley
We will provide updates, goal flashes, statistics, the odd in-play tip and much more. Sit back, relax and enjoy domestic football after another long international break!
Get in touch with your fancies by tweeting @SportingLifeFC or @GeorgePitts_
Now, onto team news...
SUNDAY'S PREVIEW: Blades to blunt Ole's United
Premier League predictions, best bets and stats for the Super Sunday clash between Sheffield United and Manchester United. Take a look by clicking the image, below...
MONDAY'S PREVIEW: Monday night goals at Villa
Steve Bruce returns to one of his former clubs and there should be plenty of action on and off the field as Paul Higham previews Monday Night Football. Take a look by clicking the image, below...
Follow Sporting Life on social media - find us on Facebook here or tweet @SportingLifeFC
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