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 2024/25 season, the tipsters have been mining the data once again:
The Mailman says…
- My pick: “Aston Villa missed a chance to go second in the table after they drew 2-2 to newly promoted Ipswich last weekend, but this minor setback was off the back of three league wins in a row and their only loss so far this season has been against title challengers Arsenal. The Villans will also be riding high from their Champions League win over Bayern Munich, and will try to repeat the magic at Villa Park where they host Manchester United on Sunday. United looked woeful in their 3-0 defeat to Spurs at Old Trafford last week, and questions continue to be asked about Erik ten Hag’s future at the club. “
- Potential pick: “Manchester City have drawn two games in a row in the League, but I expect them to return to the deadly form they showed at the start of the season as they host Fulham at the Etihad this Saturday. City won this fixture last season 5-1 with Haaland bagging a hattrick and an assist, and the last time the two sides met was at Craven Cottage earlier this year which City also won 4-0. The Citizens will be going into this game, having their confidence boosted by another 4-0 win in the Champions League on Tuesday night, and they could go back to the top of the table if results go their way this weekend.“
- Risky pick: “West Ham would be at the bottom of the table if based on home form having lost every game so far at the London Stadium, and drew 1-1 away to Brentford on Saturday. They face Ipswich on Saturday who surprised Aston Villa last weekend as Liam Delap scored twice to secure a 2-2 draw at Villa Park. This was a fourth draw in a row for the Tractor Boys, and I would not be surprised if they secured a fifth or even their first win against the Hammers!“
The Teacher says…
- My pick: “Arsenal showed their grit and determination against Leicester last week with two injury-time goals to secure the much-needed three points. Havertz scored the fourth and his goal against PSG in the Champions League on Tuesday night was his fifth in nine outings in all competitions. He is the first Arsenal player since Aubameyang to score in six consecutive Emirates fixtures, and a goal this weekend will equal Robin Van Persie’s record of seven. It would not be surprising if he finds the back of the net against Southampton on Saturday, who have conceded 10 times in their last four Premier League appearances.“
- Potential pick: “Tottenham dominated Manchester United last weekend in their 3-0 win at Old Trafford, where they had over 60% of possession and 24 shots. Even before Fernandes was sent off, Spurs were in complete control and could have easily already been three up at that stage. They face Brighton at the Amex Stadium where they lost 4-2 last season but will fancy their chances against Brighton who are without a win in four games and were also beaten 4-2 by Chelsea last week.“
- Risky pick: “Manchester United go into this game with a strong record against their opponents Villa, having won the last four meetings between the two sides. United won this fixture 3-2 on Boxing Day last season with Garnacho scoring twice but that seems like a lifetime ago with an awful start to the season for Ten Hag’s men who are in 13th place and were humbled 3-0 by Spurs at Old Trafford last weekend. Only Southampton have scored fewer goals than Manchester United this season and another blank in front of goal would be their third in a row, and could cost the United boss his job this weekend!“
Incognito Pro says…
- My pick: “Tottenham have put their losses to Newcastle and their north London rivals Arsenal behind them with two impressive performances in the league against Brentford and Manchester United where they found the back of the net 6 times. Tottenham travel to Brighton who suffered their first loss of the season to Chelsea after 3 draws in a row in their previous Premier League appearances. Spurs have won 11 from 16 meetings between the two clubs, and three of the last four clashes in the league, and will be looking to get their season back on track with a win at the Amex.“
- Potential pick: “Manchester City are second in the table after their draw with Newcastle last time round in the Premier League and face a tough test against a Fulham team that won 1-0 away at Forest last weekend. The Cottagers are undefeated in five with impressive wins also against Newcastle and Leicester and will be praying for an upset against Man City on Saturday. However, City have won the previous 16 ties between the two sides in all competitions and the last time that Fulham beat Manchester City was 15 years ago!“
- Risky pick: “Southampton are worryingly sitting in 19th place in the league and their only point this season was from a draw at home to newly promoted Ipswich. The Saints lost 3-1 away to their south coast rivals Bournemouth last time out and travel to the Emirates to face Arsenal who won there on Tuesday night against PSG. This is the joint worst start to a campaign since 1998-99 for Southampton and this has all the ingredients for a dominant Arsenal performance on Saturday.“
Good luck!
