A look back at our coverage of Saturday's football in the Premier League and key Sky Bet EFL matches.
1700: That's it for now, folks!
Thanks for joining us for this afternoon's coverage, we are sorry there was not more goals!
We are hopping across to the live bog for the evening game between Burnley and Tottenham, hopefully they make up for it.
Do join us there...otherwise, enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Today's Premier League review can be found here
Sunday's Premier League preview
With 7/1 and 17/4 winners in last Sunday's preview, Tom Carnduff is hoping for more success as he picks out two best bets.
Click the image below to take a look...
1658: FULL-TIME
- Liverpool 2-1 Bournemouth (Salah, Mane; C Wilson)
- Arsenal 1-0 West Ham (Lacazette, 78')
- Crystal Palace 1-0 Watford (Ayew, 28')
- Sheff United 1-0 Norwich (Sharp, 37')
- Southampton 0-1 Newcastle (Djenepo red card; Saint-Maximin 79')
- Wolves 0-0 Brighton
1655: Very true
1651: What a win for Sheff United
The Blades hold on to move within two points of the top four. It was not pretty, but Chris Wilder's side did it to continue their remarkable season.
1649: Acca update ☹️
❌ Charlton (losing 1-0)
✅ Stoke
✅ Coventry
❌ Cheltenham (drawing)
1648: Low-scoring afternoon
As you can see with the scores above, all five games have had under 1.5 total goals. What a five-fold that would have been.
Also, a Brentford/Stoke double to score 5+ goals!
1647: Stoke flying
1647: Great result for QPR
They have just gone 3-1 up at play-off chasing Preston.
1644: Closing stages at Molineux
It looks like the points are going to be shared but Adama Traore has come on as substitute and made an impact for the hosts. Two to go plus stoppage time.
1643: Arsenal celebrations
1642: Oh dear.
1638: GOAL! Southampton 0-1 Newcastle (Saint-Maximin)
There were reports of a rift between Steve Bruce and Allan Saint-Maximin this week, which the Newcastle boss did not take kindly to.
But now they are both full of delight as the French winger puts them ahead at Southampton.
The hosts had a throw, gave possession away cheaply and shoot themselves in the foot. A Newcastle attack sees Saint-Maximin with a lovely poked finish under McCarthy.
1635: GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 West Ham (Lacazette)
After a lengthy check, protractors out to check if Ozil was offside, the lines get a double check before Arsenal are awarded the goal by VAR!
Lacazette's ninth of the season in all competitions. Seven in the Premier League. All at the Emirates. There's no place like home.
That seemed to take an age to decide whether it stands though.
1634: What a save!
Dean Henderson with an incredible triple save to deny Norwich. Quick reactions by him, superb. England's number one?
1632: Come on Premier League, give us a goal!
There is a bit of excitement at Selhurst, with Doucoure (our 11/2 goalscorer tip) having a header saved by Guaita, who has been fantastic at times this season. The Hornets keep the pressure on. Benteke also strikes an ambitious overhead kick into the side netting.
1630: Evening team news - Dier starts
1628: West Brom goalless
With Leeds ahead, the Baggies are currently drawing at Swansea in a game where both teams are giving each other a little bit too much respect.
1624: West Ham let-off
There is a VAR check for an Arsenal penalty after Diop's challenge on Lacazette (he basically had his arms around his neck) but the verdict is no spot-kick.
1623: Sunderland take the lead in Sky Bet League One v Gillingham
1620: Better from Norwich
The Canaries have grown into the game in the second half, with Josip Drmic heading just past the far post and the visitors getting a couple of corners in quick succession but they need to test Dean Henderson a bit more.
1615: What's happening at Molineux?
Not a lot. We are still waiting for a goal. Better from Brighton in the second half and it is a bit more end to end now, surely a strike cannot be far off.
Still, just one shot on target in that game and that was Davy Propper in the first half.
Raul Jimenez and Ruben Neves have both had three shots each though - they are 3/1 and 12/1 anytime respectively with Sky Bet.
1611: Rest easy, Leeds fans
...and Stoke fans - Hull, look away now
1609: RED CARD CHECK!
At Palace v Watford - there is a coming together between Zaha and Capoue, with the latter getting a yellow in the end for appearing to hand off his opponent.
1604: Second halves
...now getting underway. Hopefully more Premier League goals to come!
1558: Acca update
❌ Charlton (losing 1-0)
✅ Stoke
✅ Coventry
❌ Cheltenham (drawing)
All to play for!
1556: Opta facts - safe hands for Southampton, Gunners firing blanks, penalty practice for Newcastle
1555: GET INVOLVED!
1553: EVENING TIPS
1550: HALF-TIME IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE
- Arsenal 0-0 West Ham
- Crystal Palace 1-0 Watford (Ayew, 28')
- Sheff United 1-0 Norwich (Sharp, 37')
- Southampton 0-0 Newcastle (Djenepo red card)
- Wolves 0-0 Brighton
1546: Arsenal penalty appeal
Nketiah flicks the ball past young full-back Ngakia, who takes out the Arsenal forward but it does not look intentional and he appears to get away with it. Goalless at half-time there.
1544: PENALTY SAVE!
After a long review by into a handball by Boufal, the spot-kick is awarded to Newcastle and McCarthy pulls off another save to deny Ritchie and lift the whole stadium!
The rollercoaster ride of being a Newcastle fan:
1542: Owls struggling
1540: Southampton...no Saints
1537: GOAL! Sheff United 1-0 Norwich (Sharp)
The veteran's third goal in four games. That goal had been coming after four corners in succession for the hosts. It drops to Sharp from six yards and he does not miss those with his head.
1536: Palace celebrations
1532: Update from Bramall Lane
Little to report so far from South Yorkshire, where the Blades have been the better side so far. Both sides trying to play football though and making it a decent watch - to say it's goalless.
1532: Newcastle improve
Newcastle boosted by the Southampton red card and McCarthy denies them again. A trademark raking ball from Jonjo Shelvey, who signed a new deal with the club this week, leads to a chance for Dwight Gayle, who heads straight at the Saints goalkeeper.
1528: GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-0 Watford (J Ayew)
We have a goal in the Premier League! Finally. It goes against the run of play at Selhurst Park as Christian Benteke plays in Jordan Ayew, who with his back to goal, turns and makes a great opportunity to finish. Nigel Pearson looks shocked after the way his side started.
1526: Latest from the south coast - RED CARD!
Newcastle have come closest so far in this one at St Mary's, with Alex McCarthy producing a stunning triple save to twice deny Dwight Gayle and then Miguel Almiron. Otherwise, the hosts have dominated possession.
But VAR has just had to intervene after a challenge by Moussa Djenepo on Isaac Hayden. Graham Scott goes to look at his monitor.
He strides back over to the Malian midfielder, who was initially shown a yellow, and brandishes the red for serious foul play. Uphill task for the Saints now.
1522: Watford start well
Nigel Pearson's side have looked promising at Selhurst Park but cannot find the back of the net.
'There’s so much quality on the pitch for Watford and they have so much belief, but they are happy to sit in like they did against Liverpool,' says Martin Keown on Final Score.
1521: Brighton chance
The first real opportunity at Molineux goes to the visitors as Davy Propper tries his luck but it is straight at Rui Patricio. Still waiting for a goal in the top flight.
1517: Stoke and Brentford take comfortable leads
1512: OFF THE LINE!
Ozil's effort is not quite powerful enough following good work from Nketiah and it is cleared off the line. Arsenal have started well and the Hammers' Pablo Fornals has already been shown a card.
1503: Early lead for Leeds
1502: West Ham CLOSE!
The Hammers nearly take an early lead as Jarrod Bowen forces Leno to tip the ball past the post.
1500: KICK-OFF!
Here we go, good luck with all your bets and your teams.
1456: Jimenez left hanging before realising
1452: Warm-ups complete ✅
1448: Style and substance under Arteta
Opta facts for Arsenal v West Ham...
- Arsenal have won none of their last four home London derbies in the Premier League (D2 L2), losing the last one against Chelsea. They haven’t lost back-to-back home derbies since February 2006, when their defeats were against Chelsea and West Ham.
- Arsenal are unbeaten in seven Premier League games (W3 D4), the longest current unbeaten run in the division. The Gunners are also looking to win three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since August 2019.
- Following their 3-1 win against Southampton last time out, West Ham are looking to secure back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time since August. However, the Hammers have lost their last five Premier League away games, last losing more consecutively between August-December 2006 (8 games).
- 43% of West Ham’s total shots in the Premier League this season have been on target (122/287) – since we have this data available (from 1997-98), no team has hit a higher ratio of their total shots on target in a single campaign (Man Utd also 43% in 2018-19).
- Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored 49 goals in 74 Premier League games. If he scores here, he’ll be the 38th different player to score 50 league goals for the Gunners, the joint-sixth quickest, and the fastest since Joe Baker reached the milestone in 62 games in 1963.
- All six of Alexandre Lacazette’s six Premier League goals this season have come in home games, the highest such 100% record in the competition this season.
1441: Liverpool reaction
1439: Our 3pm fancies
*Odds correct at time of publication*
Arsenal v West Ham
It is Mikel Arteta v David Moyes, together at Everton as vice captain and manager respectively.
You would not be backing Arsenal here at 4/7 - it would be typical of West Ham to pick up the result as Moyes' men look to steer clear of the drop.
After coming close at Liverpool, they followed it up with a home victory over Southampton to move out of the bottom three on goal difference.
Arteta's side have enough to be motivated about, though. They have a game in hand and if they win that then they move to within two points of Manchester United in fifth - a position that could be enough to qualify for the Champions League depending on City's Champions League ban, which has been appealed.
Whether or not they can win at the Emirates remains to be seen, but they can at least start well and rattle Arteta's side, which is improved but still has its inconsistencies.
The Gunners have conceded the first goal in 14 of their 27 games this season and you can back the Hammers to score first at 2/1. The east Londoners should have renewed confidence from the Saints game, scoring three goals, and two of them came in the first half.
Score prediction: Arsenal 1-2 West Ham (Sky Bet odds: 16/1)
Best bet: West Ham to score first at 2/1
Crystal Palace v Watford
There is always a danger of back down to earth for Watford after their shock victory over Liverpool, but they have plenty of reasons to be hopeful of getting something at Crystal Palace.
Roy Hodgson's Eagles have won back-to-back games now to ease relegation fears, following an eight-match winless run in all competitions, but those victories were both one-nils and goals are undoubtedly an issue for them. Even more so now that Cenk Tosun has returned to Everton early from his loan spell with a season-ending knee injury.
Watford, meanwhile, go into the weekend outside the relegation zone only on goal difference, but the return of Ismaila Sarr inspired them for the visit of the previously unbeaten league leaders and now Nigel Pearson will be hoping they can kick on once again.
Watford are at an appealing 2/1 general price to win at Selhurst (11/10 to score first, a good price considering Palace's record in the first half - see Opta facts, below), but there are also tempting options in the goalscorer market.
Key man Sarr is at 100/30 anytime, but it is another of Pearson's star men that sticks out more - Abdoulaye Doucoure, who can be found further down the betting at a best price of 11/2.
The Frenchman is probably still considered a holding midfielder by the bookies, but Pearson has instilled confidence and given him the freedom of a more advanced role - he has already reaped the rewards with three Premier League goals in 2020. Two of them came away from home, two against bottom-half sides.
With Gerard Deulofeu out for the rest of the season, Doucoure will be even more important going forward in his role supporting Troy Deeney.
His record of being carded is remarkable, with eight in all competitions this term, but his shots rate is equally as impressive.
In his last four games he has had two, two, two and four attempts respectively and going further back he consistently tries his luck. Five in one game against Arsenal earlier in the season, four against Bournemouth and three against both West Ham and Villa.
Of his 48 shots this season, 22 have come from outside the box so there could be a temptation for a small play in this market, but just over 5/1 is good enough for us in a game that Watford can undoubtedly win.
Score prediction: Crystal Palace 0-2 Watford (Sky Bet odds: 12/1)
Best bet: Abdoulaye Doucoure to score anytime at 11/2
Sheffield United v Norwich
It is coming to that time of season where the surprising results pop up every week as teams scrap for survival.
Norwich have been stuck in the bottom three for the majority of the campaign but last week's win gives them a glimmer of hope. They still remain seven adrift of safety but there are still 10 games to go and 30 points to play for.
The Canaries dispatched Leicester at Carrow Road and now they travel to high-flying Sheffield United, who played extra-time in the FA Cup in midweek, beating Reading to reach the quarter-finals.
Chris Wilder's side, as impressive as they have been, prefer the underdog status and that shows with a couple of slip-ups on home turf this term.
They were fortunate to beat West Ham with thanks to VAR, while they lost to Leicester, Southampton, Liverpool (forgivable), Newcastle and Man City (forgivable).
Granted, Norwich have only collected six points on the road all season but the 5/1 price on them looks generous.
There is a danger they are also heavy legged after playing extra-time at Tottenham but with the confidence from their penalty shootout victory and the Foxes win, they could also be worth looking at in the draw no bet at 100/30.
Score prediction: Sheff United 1-2 Norwich (Sky Bet odds: 18/1)
Best bet: Norwich draw no bet at 10/3
Southampton v Newcastle
A meeting between two sides who should be fine and free of a relegation battle, with 13th taking on 14th.
Newcastle are currently five clear of the drop and the number of teams below them can give Steve Bruce some comfort. What can also give them hope is the fact Southampton are the league's worst team on home soil, winning just four of 14.
But, looking at both sides and where they are, these two managers would probably be happy with a draw and these sort of clashes can often be cagey with both sides wanting to avoid taking risks.
But risks we shall take, with a 10/1 anytime goalscorer to consider. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is yet to score in the Premier League this term but the Saints captain is surely due a goal.
Hojbjerg, who averaged three attempts per game in the last UEFA Nations League for Denmark last year, is a key part of Southampton's midfield and his recent shots stats show he is keen to find the back of the net. In fact, over the course of the season, his stats hint that this overdue goal is very much coming.
He has had two or more shots on 14 occasions in the Premier League this season, with a total of 11 coming in his last five outings - three of them at Anfield.
Given these stats and the fact he has played 90 minutes in all but one of his 27 league appearances this term, you would think his luck will turn and 10/1 looks too good to turn down against a Newcastle side that are generally not great on the road (just three wins in 14).
Score prediction: Southampton 1-1 Newcastle (Sky Bet odds: 6/1)
Best bet: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to score anytime at 10/1
Wolves v Brighton
The games are coming thick and fast for Wolves but they are looking like good candidates for Champions League qualification.
Their fourth round elimination from the FA Cup will come as a blessing as they were able to have a week off between matchdays 28 and 29, as they welcome struggling Brighton.
Graham Potter's Seagulls have won just one of their last 18 in all competitions. Earlier in the season they were playing excellent football and looked like they had more than enough to avoid a relegation scrap. Potter even got a new six-year deal in November.
But such a run has seen them dragged into trouble and they go into the weekend just a point above the bottom three.
While Wolves are expected to come out on top, we will go for a market which works for any outcome.
Soccer Saturday pundits Charlie Nicholas, Matt Le Tissier and Phil Thompson have their say on the race to finish in the Premier League top five.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side are a second-half side. We saw that at Southampton, where they came from two down to win 3-2. They have scored just 12 goals before half-time in the Premier League this season, with 29 coming in the second - over twice as many.
Brighton's record is similar too, scoring 12 in the first and 20 in the second. With how this game is expected to go - Wolves setting up tight and coming strong in the second period and Brighton probably looking to avoid giving anything cheap away early on - backing more goals in the second half at 6/5 catches the eye, although there are preferred fancies for recommended bets elsewhere.
Score prediction: Wolves 2-1 Brighton (Sky Bet odds: 15/2)
1435: SPORTING LIFE ACCUMULATOR
1430: Love this from Milner
Leading by example.
1425: Liverpool 2-1 Bournemouth Opta facts
- Liverpool have now won their last 22 Premier League home games, the longest such winning run in English top-flight history.
- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 55 Premier League matches at Anfield (W45 D10) – only Chelsea between 2004-2008 (86 games) have had a longer unbeaten run at home in Premier League history.
- Since the start of last season, Bournemouth have lost more Premier League away games than any other side (24).
- Bournemouth have lost all eight of their Premier League matches against teams starting the day in first place by an aggregate score of 4-27.
- Mohamed Salah is the first Liverpool player to score 20+ goals in all competitions in three consecutive seasons since Michael Owen did so between 2000-01 and 2002-03.
- Mohamed Salah has scored 70 goals in his 100 Premier League appearances for Liverpool, seven more than any other player in their first 100 for the club (Fernando Torres, 63). In fact, only Alan Shearer with Blackburn (79 goals) has netted more goals in his first 100 PL apps for a single club in the competition’s history than Salah with Liverpool.
- Liverpool’s Sadio Mane has had a hand in six goals in his last four Premier League starts against Bournemouth (4 goals, 2 assists).
- Callum Wilson's opener was the first Premier League goal Bournemouth have scored against Liverpool since April 2017 (Josh King), ending a run of 17 consecutive goals scored by the Reds in this fixture.
1420: FULL-TIME
Premier League result: Liverpool 2-1 Bournemouth
Championship result: Bristol City 1-1 Fulham
1400: TEAM NEWS
- Arsenal v West Ham
January signing Pablo Mari makes his Premier League debut for Arsenal, who make three changes - the other two coming in are Sokratis and Saka as Bellerin, Mustafi and Kolasinac making way.
Tomas Soucek, who was initially sidelined for three weeks, returns to the bench from a hip injury as David Moyes names the same XI from their win over Southampton.
- Palace v Watford
Palace are unchanged from their win over rivals Brighton. One change for the Hornets, with Roberto Pereyra coming in for the injured Gerard Deulofeu, as our goalscorer tip Doucoure starts.
- Sheff Utd v Norwich
Sander Berge drops to the bench as he is replaced by John Lundstram in Sheff United's only change. Norwich, whose much-changed XI played extra-time in midweek, revert to the same XI that beat Leicester at Carrow Road last week.
- Soton v Newcastle
Southampton have Danny Ings starting, as Yan Valery and Moussa Djenepo also return to the XI. Joelinton drops to the bench in place of Allan Saint-Maximin as full-back Javi Manquillo also comes in for Newcastle.
- Wolves v Brighton
It looks like it's back to 3-5-2 for Wolves as Leander Dendoncker comes in for Adama Traore.
For Brighton, they remain unchanged from the home defeat to rivals Palace but there is a place on the bench for Argentinian Alexis MacAllister.
1350: GOOD AFTERNOON!
Welcome to Saturday's football blog. I am George Pitts, here to keep you company - and up to date with the action - across the afternoon.
It is a busy one. We have five Premier League fixtures:
- Arsenal v West Ham
- Palace v Watford
- Sheff Utd v Norwich
- Soton v Newcastle
- Wolves v Brighton
...as well as plenty of big games across the Sky Bet EFL, followed by Burnley v Tottenham at 1730.
I will provide updates from the top flight, and the odd key game elsewhere, with stats, images, latest odds and tips and anything else.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the action - get in touch by tweeting @SportingLifeFC or @GeorgePitts_
The early kick-off is Liverpool 2-1 Bournemouth - follow the blog with Gareth Jones here - and without further ado we will bring you the team news when it breaks shortly...
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Odds correct at time of publication on 07/03/2020
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