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 2023/24 season opener this August 12, the tipsters have been mining the data once again:
The Mailman says…
- My pick: “Aston Villa are undefeated in their last four league matches, and have scored an impressive 10 goals in those games. They travel to the Amex Stadium with a solid run of form away from home also as their only loss from seven away games in 2024 was against Manchester City. Their striker Ollie Watkins will fancy his chances against this Brighton defence as he scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture where Villa won 6-1, and will have his sights on the Golden Boot with his 19 league goals so far this season. Watkins is also top of the table in terms of assists with 12 so far, and could be a real threat to Brighton on Sunday.“
- Potential pick: “Newcastle thumped bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United 5-1 in their last league game and now have only one defeat in six league appearances. These 5 goals scored brought their total to 74 for the season which is nearly double their opponent Burnley’s tally of 38, and the Magpies also have ten clean sheets compared to Burnley’s two! Newcastle have their sights set on sixth place and earning Europa League qualification and will see this fixture as a real chance to get all three points and put pressure on Manchester United.“
- Risky pick: “Liverpool’s title hopes look to have ended as their draw at West Ham on Saturday meant they have only earned one point in their last two league outings and are now five behind leaders Arsenal. Their frustrations were for all to see as Klopp and Salah clashed on the touchline and they have now only won twice in their last seven games in all competitions. They face Tottenham at the weekend who have also been struggling for form of late but their pursuit of Champions League qualification could give them the fire that is the difference between the two sides when they meet.“
The Teacher says…
- My pick: “Relegated Sheffield United have been shipping goals like it’s going out of fashion, particularly at home where they’ve now conceded 35 in their last nine games. They’ve lost 11 of 17 at Bramall Lane with Luton and Burnley having already won here. Forest are fighting for their lives and will have long targeted this game. They were competitive enough against Man City to suggest they can win here.“
- Potential pick: “Only the three title contenders have won more away games than Villa (8) and another could be on the cards at Brighton. The hosts have picked up just two points from their last six games, scoring just twice. They have little to motivate them, whereas Villa are chasing Champions League football. Yes, they will have played a European semi-final three days before but they’ve won seven of 12 in the league post-Europe this season.“
- Risky pick: “ The injury-hit Magpies have been pretty awful away all season, losing 10 of 16 in the Premier League. They still have Europe to chase but one suspects Burnley will be up for this more. A run of one loss in eight – and that due to a goalkeeping howler – has given them a real chance of survival and a win here could see them climb out of the drop zone. “
Incognito Pro says…
- My pick: “Newcastle travel to Burnley on Saturday afternoon off the back of a comprehensive 5-1 beating of their opponent’s fellow league strugglers Sheffield United. Newcastle have scored 37 times in fifteen league games so far in this calendar year and will be looking to punish this Burnley side who have only scored 38 in all of their thirty-five league appearances for the season. Newcastle have won five and drawn two in their last seven meetings with Burnley, and they have not lost to them since 2019!“
- Potential pick: “Nottingham Forest take on already relegated Sheffield United at the weekend and will need a win to help them avoid joining The Blades in the Championship next season. Although Forest have not won in the last four games, they did show some promise against Manchester City in their previous match and have had some notable wins this season against the likes of Villa, Manchester United, and Newcastle. Their opponents Sheffield United have only beaten Luton in 2024 and have conceded 48 times in fifteen games this calendar year!“
- Risky pick: “Brighton have been hard-hit with injuries this season and their form has dropped dramatically as they lost again at the weekend, 3-0 to Bournemouth, and have not won in their last six games. They have conceded 11 goals in their previous four matches and only scored once (against Burnley) in those games. Brighton’s only victories in 2024 have been against teams below them in the league and they could struggle against top-four contenders Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon. Villa have not lost to Brighton in their last seven meetings, with their most recent defeat to the Seagulls was back in 2020! “
Good luck!
