Welcome to Tipster Picks!
We all need a bit of help sometimes, and our tipping trio are always on hand to share their wisdom in our games. They are:
- The Mailman – Better service than De Bruyne
- The Teacher – Giving lessons on a weekly
- Incognito Pro – The best spy since Bielsa
Will you follow their advice, or go your own way?
Ahead of the Football Survivor and Big5 2025/26 season, the tipsters have been mining the data once again:
The Mailman says…
- My pick: “Brentford left it late to secure all three points with a dramatic 93rd-minute winner away to Burnley, a result that has lifted Keith Andrews’ side up to seventh in the table, just two points behind West London rivals Chelsea. After losing seven of their first eight away league games this season, the Bees have turned things around impressively, winning five of their last six on the road. Brentford now travel to face Bournemouth on Tuesday night, looking to make it four consecutive away wins for only the second time in the Premier League. They will be confident after a 4-1 win in the reverse fixture in December, when Kevin Schade grabbed a memorable hat-trick.“
- Potential pick: “Chelsea thought they had salvaged a late point in their London derby at the Emirates, only for Liam Delap’s stoppage-time goal to be ruled out for offside. Despite that disappointment, the Blues had been in strong form on the road prior to the defeat, winning five of their previous six away games in all competitions. In fact, Chelsea’s only losses in their last 12 matches have come against league leaders Arsenal, in both the Premier League and the EFL Cup semi-final. Chelsea will look to respond positively when they travel to face Aston Villa midweek, a ground where they have lost just twice in their last nine visits to Villa Park.“
- Risky pick: “Newcastle United were beaten 3-2 at home by Everton last time out, a result that underlined a worrying run of form with five defeats in their last six matches in all competitions. The Magpies now face a tough test as they host an in-form Manchester United on Wednesday night. Newcastle have lost their last three Premier League games at St. James’ Park, and have not suffered four consecutive home league defeats since 2018. It is a stark contrast to this fixture last season, when Newcastle won 4-1, especially with United arriving unbeaten in their last five away games, including impressive wins at Arsenal and Everton.“
The Teacher says…
- My pick: “Arsenal kept their five-point lead at the top of the table with a 2-0 win over ten-man Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, scoring twice from set pieces on Sunday. The Gunners now travel to face Brighton in midweek and arrive in strong away form, having gone 11 games unbeaten on the road in all competitions. Arsenal may have lost two of their first three visits to the Amex Stadium, but they are unbeaten in their last five trips there. Viktor Gyökeres looks a strong goalscoring option once again, having been directly involved in six goals across his last seven away appearances.“
- Potential pick: “Leeds were unlucky to come away empty-handed in their 1-0 home defeat to Manchester City, and will be keen to respond as they host a struggling Sunderland side at Elland Road in midweek. Leeds will be targeting three points to further distance themselves from the relegation zone, but Sunderland do have a reasonable recent record here, losing just one of their last six visits in all competitions. That said, the Black Cats have won only two of their 11 Premier League meetings with Leeds and arrive without a win in their last nine away league games, having scored just seven goals on the road all season.“
- Risky pick: “Aston Villa slipped to fourth place after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to bottom-of-the-table Wolves, meaning Unai Emery’s side have now won just two of their last seven Premier League matches. Injuries are starting to mount for Villa, who were also knocked out of the FA Cup by Newcastle earlier in February, adding to the pressure ahead of Wednesday night’s home clash with Chelsea. Villa Park no longer looks like the fortress it once was, with Villa winning just one of their last four league games there after an eight-game home winning run earlier in the season.“
Incognito Pro says…
- My pick: “Manchester United came from behind to beat ten-man Crystal Palace 2-1 at Old Trafford at the weekend, a result that lifted them up to third place on goal difference; their highest league position since Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge back in 2023. United’s form under Michael Carrick has been impressive, with six wins and a draw from his first seven games at the helm. The Red Devils now travel to St. James’ Park this week looking to complete the double over Newcastle United after a 1-0 win on Boxing Day. United have lost just one of their last 11 away league games, a sharp turnaround after managing only one win in the previous 11 on the road.“
- Potential pick: “Bournemouth were held to a 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium against Sunderland last weekend, making it back-to-back draws after also sharing the points with West Ham. The Cherries have now drawn more Premier League games than any other side this season with twelve, but the flip side is an impressive unbeaten run of eight league matches. Only Manchester United are currently on a longer undefeated streak in the division. Bournemouth will look to keep that momentum going on Tuesday night when they host Brentford, and will be aiming to secure their first-ever top-flight victory over the Bees.“
- Risky pick: “Brighton could be a tempting midweek pick after recording back-to-back league wins for the first time since November, beating Nottingham Forest and Brentford to climb up to 11th in the table, just three points behind eighth-placed Everton. However,this does come after a worrying spell where they went six games without a win and managed just three goals in that run, with only one victory in 13 league matches overall. The Seagulls now host Arsenal on Wednesday, a fixture that has not been kind to them, with Brighton winning just two of the last 11 Premier League meetings, and neither of those victories coming at the Amex Stadium.“
Good luck!
