Follow all of Saturday's main action live
Follow all of Saturday's main action live

Saturday's football blog recap: Premier League and Sky Bet EFL coverage - updates, statistics and in-play betting tips


A look back at our Saturday afternoon's football action with our live blog, providing text commentary, video highlights, stats and in-play odds.


πŸ”„ Please refresh for latest update πŸ”„


1657: THAT'S ALL, FOLKS!

What an afternoon. It's been a pleasure, but it does not end there. I am hopping over to the live blog for Newcastle v Chelsea - please do join me there and in the meantime read our tips for the clash here.

We hope you enjoyed our coverage of yet another manic round of Premier League games. Please find the links to our pieces looking ahead to Sunday's games and we hope to see you in our blog for the St James' Park clash.

If not, we hope you have a great weekend! Let us know any winners by tweeting @SportingLifeFC

Will records ruin the Reds?

Robert O’Connor looks at how Liverpool need to avoid letting their long unbeaten run get in the way of their primary objective of winning the Premier League.

Are Liverpool unstoppable?
Are Liverpool unstoppable?

Alex Keble: Caution key at Anfield

Despite the huge points gap between the two, Alex Keble has a tactical word of caution for Liverpool as they face their dangerous old enemy Manchester United at Anfield.

Alex Keble talks tactics for Liverpool v Man Utd on Super Sunday
Alex Keble talks tactics for Liverpool v Man Utd on Super Sunday

Pundit Predictions: Liverpool v Man Utd

Phil Thompson, Charlie Nicholas and Matt Le Tissier have their say on the big Liverpool v Man Utd clash on Sunday.

Read the Soccer Saturday predictions for Liverpool v Man Utd
Read the Soccer Saturday predictions for Liverpool v Man Utd

Reds to keep run going

Paul Higham previews Sunday's big game at Anfield where Man Utd hope to end Liverpool's amazing unbeaten run.

Read our preview, prediction and best bets for Liverpool v Man Utd
Read our preview, prediction and best bets for Liverpool v Man Utd

Foxes to keep a clean sheet?

Prediction, preview and best bets for Premier League game between Burnley and Leicester at Turf Moor on Sunday.

We preview Burnley's Premier League match with Leicester at Turf Moor
We preview Burnley's Premier League match with Leicester at Turf Moor


1655: FT - PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS

Gabriel Martinelli scored Arsenal opening goal against Sheffield United
Gabriel Martinelli scored Arsenal opening goal against Sheffield United
  • Watford 0-0 Tottenham
  • Arsenal 1-1 Sheff United (Martinelli; Fleck)
  • Brighton 1-1 Aston Villa (Trossard; Grealish)
  • Man City 2-2 Crystal Palace (Aguero x2; Tosun, Fernandinho OG)
  • Norwich 1-0 Bournemouth (Pukki)
  • Southampton 2-3 Wolves (Bednarek, Long; Neto, Jimenez x 2)
  • West Ham 1-1 Everton (Diop; Calvert-Lewin)

Some great results this afternoon. Hard-earned points for Sheff United and Crystal Palace at Arsenal and Man City respectively, giving Chelsea a great chance at Newcastle this evening.

Wolves stunned Southampton to come from two down to win 3-2 while Norwich returned to winning ways against relegation rivals Bournemouth.

Another game between sides in the bottom half saw Brighton beat Aston Villa, who are in the bottom three, but there was an aggressive ending with players clashing on the field. Neal Maupay in the thick of it.

And finally, the David Moyes derby saw the points shared.

Click here to see the latest from across the Sky Bet EFL, including Sheff Wednesday 0-5 Blackburn


1647: Action shot - Jimenez celebrates

Raul Jimenez celebrates his second goal against Southampton, as Wolves go 3-2 up
Raul Jimenez celebrates his second goal against Southampton, as Wolves go 3-2 up

1645: Man City 2-2 Crystal Palace (Fernandinho OG)

Calamity! You would never have imagined another goal for Palace here. Zaha keeps the faith, runs to the byline and his cross hits Fernandinho and diverts into the back of the net. Five minutes added on.

Good point for Palace, good for Liverpool ahead of their game with Man United tomorrow.


1645: Man City 2-1 Crystal Palace (Aguero x2; Tosun)

Mendy's ball is whipped in, Aguero is unmarked for some bizarre reason and the Argentinian heads home. A five-minute turnaround and panic over.


1641: Arsenal 1-1 Sheff United (Fleck)

The visitors strike back! Good news for our +1 handicap tip, can they hold on? Hopefully. Six minutes plus stoppage time to go.

Fleck's volley takes a deflection and beats Leno. They all count and deservedly so.


1639: GOAL! Manchester City 1-1 Crystal Palace (Aguero)

Paul Merson: I just can't see City scoring today.

One minute later: City score.

Aguero with a great finish from close range. They have about seven minutes plus stoppage time to get a winner now.


1635: DOUBLE GOAL ALERT!

  • Southampton 2-3 Wolves (Jimenez): A second goal for the Mexican, starting the move and giving it to Traore before meeting the pull back in the box. A well-worked goal and a great second half for the visitors.
  • Brighton 1-1 Aston Villa (Grealish): Douglas Luiz finds star man Grealish who finishes wonderfully into the roof of the net inside the box.

1632: VAR red card review

A look into a challenge by Ben Godfrey on Callum Wilson. A nasty tackle and he is given his marching orders. Rightly so. Ten men for both sides now.

More VAR work at the Etihad as a penalty is given for handball by Riedwald in the box (it ricocheted off his foot) but after replays it is decided no spot-kick. On the new handball rule for defending teams, the rules say:

"It is often impossible to avoid contact with the ball if it has deflected off the body of an opponent, team-mate, or even another part of the own player.

"So a handball will not be awarded if the ball touches a player’s hand/arm directly from their own head/body/foot or the head/body/foot of another player who is close/nearby."


1627: We saw you, Sheff United!


1622: GOAL! Southampton 2-2 Wolves (Jimenez)

A great comeback by Nuno Espirito Santo's men with two goals in 11 minutes. It comes from the penalty spot after a lengthy review. Game on!

The visitors, with all their ascendancy, are still at 5/2 to complete the comeback and win.


1617: Elsewhere in Europe...

Erling Haaland has scored on his Dortmund debut. Three times. Incredible.


1611: GOAL! Southampton 2-1 Wolves (Neto)

Shortly after Long hits the woodwork at one end...Wolves pull one back at the other. Adama Traore provided the cross (for all you Fantasy Football players) and the forward controlled it with his back to goal before turning and finishing. VAR checks for handball but the goal stands.

That's his second in three Premier League games now.


1609: Celebration shots

Arsenal's Martinelli

Gabriel Martinelli scored Arsenal opening goal against Sheffield United
Gabriel Martinelli scored Arsenal opening goal against Sheffield United

Trossard scores for Brighton

Brighton celebrate with goal scorer Leandro Trossard
Brighton celebrate with goal scorer Leandro Trossard


1607: Palace making it difficult

Roy Hodgson has sent his side out to play two banks of four. A long way to go but it could be a tough half for Man City. Not getting frustrated is key.

Another great save by Guaita to deny Bernardo Silva's rebounded effort.

Action shots from their goal...

Cenk Tosun scores for Crystal Palace at Manchester City
Cenk Tosun scores for Crystal Palace at Manchester City

Cenk Tosun celebrates his goal for Crystal Palace at Manchester City
Cenk Tosun celebrates his goal for Crystal Palace at Manchester City


1603: Second halves

All back underway now. Let's hope for an entertaining 45 minutes!


1601: Opta stats for Watford draw

  • Tottenham have failed to score in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since November 2013. It’s also just the second time a side managed by Jose Mourinho has failed to score in three league games in a row (Man Utd, October 2016).
  • This result ended a run of 93 Premier League games without a 0-0 draw for Tottenham, the second longest such run in the competition’s history (Man Utd, 114 games ending May 2002).
  • No side has kept more Premier League clean sheets than Watford so far in 2019-20 (8). However, the Hornets have also failed to score in a league-high 11 Premier League games this season.
  • Tottenham kept their first Premier League clean sheet away from home in 382 days, since winning 3-0 at Cardiff on New Year’s Day 2019.
  • There were 32 shots without a goal in this match, the most in a Premier League game without there being a goal since Crystal Palace v Cardiff in December 2018 (40).
  • Watford’s Troy Deeney has failed to score three of his last six Premier League penalties – he’d only missed one of his first 13 taken in the competition.
  • Tottenham are winless in their last six Premier League games in which Harry Kane has played no part (D3 L3), with the Lilywhites failing to score on four occasions in that run.

1559: Watford 0-0 Spurs report


1557: SKY BET PRICE BOOSTS

Brighton 1-0 Aston Villa

At half time in Brighton against Aston Villa Sky Bet have Price Boosted:

  • Leandro Trossard to score a brace to 6/1
  • Jack Grealish to score the 2nd goal is 10/1
  • Dale Stephens to be carded at 5/1

Place your bets here

Man City 0-1 Crystal Palace (Tosun)

Do we have another shock Man City defeat coming? Well at the break Sky Bet have Price Boosted:

  • Raheem Sterling to score between 45:00-59:59 to 11/2
  • Sergio Aguero to score the 2nd goal at 11/4
  • Manchester City to win 3-1 is 9/2
  • Cenk Tosun to score a brace at 12/1

Full market here

Arsenal 1-0 Sheff United

  • Alexandre Lacazette to score the second goal to 11/2
  • Gabriel Martinelli to score a brace is 6/1
  • Granit Xhaka to be carded at 10/3

Full Market here


1550: HT SCORES

Premier League

  • Arsenal 1-0 Sheff United (Martinelli)
  • Brighton 1-0 Aston Villa (Trossard)
  • Man City 0-1 Crystal Palace (Tosun)
  • Norwich 1-0 Bournemouth (Pukki)
  • Southampton 2-0 Wolves (Bednarek, Long)
  • West Ham 1-1 Everton (Diop; Calvert-Lewin)

Sky Bet Championship

  • Birmingham City 1-0 Cardiff City
  • Bristol City 0-0 Barnsley
  • Derby County 0-0 Hull City
  • Huddersfield Town 0-0 Brentford
  • Millwall 0-0 Reading
  • Preston North End 1-1 Charlton Athletic
  • Sheffield Wednesday 0-3 Blackburn Rovers
  • Swansea City 1-1 Wigan Athletic

Check out more HT scores, including Sky Bet League One and Two, here


1545: GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Sheff United (Martinelli)

The Brazil forward meets Saka's ball after timing his run well to poke the ball home and give the Gunners the lead before the break. Harsh on the visitors who are playing well.


1544: GOAL! West Ham 1-1 Everton (Calvert-Lewin)

Just as I wrote the hosts deserved to lead, Calvert-Lewin. Moyes will be disappointed to concede from a set piece, Digne's corner is flicked on by Holgate and the Everton forward, who is enjoying life under Carlo Ancelotti, heads home.


1543: DOUBLE GOAL FLASH

  • West Ham 1-0 Everton (Issa Diop): Robert Snodgrass's free-kick is met by the head of Diop. A deserved lead for the Hammers.
  • Brighton 1-0 Aston Villa (Leandro Trossard): A confident finish past Pepe Reina after good work by Neal Maupay. It came after Villa's first real chance at the other end. It was coming for the hosts though.

1541: GOAL! Man City 0-1 Crystal Palace (Tosun)

They can't do it again, surely not...can they? Tosun, on his full debut for the club, a sweetly-taken header at the far post. So many goals to bring you. Onto the next...


1536: GOAL! Southampton 2-0 Wolves (Long)

Shane Long was praised by Ralph Hasenhuttl this week for his work ethic - 'he wants to play to the end and you can feel he's not resting with his energy on the pitch, he wants to leave everything out there on the pitch' - and now he has his first goal of the campaign.

About time too.


1535: GOAL! Norwich 1-0 Bournemouth (Pukki)

The main man scores on his return to the side, a cool penalty to put the hosts ahead. The penalty came after Steve Cook handled the ball on the line to prevent City from scoring. The Cherries man is shown a red card for his sins.


1531: Anything in the David Moyes derby?

It is a little stretched at the minute, making for a decent watch as fans protest against the board in the stands. A 'static' protest after 10 years as owners of the club. Few clearcut chances as of yet - until now. West Ham have a great chance to go in front but Haller heads over.


1527: Arsenal growing into the game

Arsenal building pressure now as Nicolas Pepe shakes off Stevens, sidesteps another marker and finds Martinelli who fails to hit the target at the near post. As they keep camped in Sheff United's half, Xhaka is urged to shoot on the edge of the box but the Swiss midfielder resists the urge. Giving it away instead.


1521: Liverpool loanee scores on his home Swansea debut

Rhian Brewster gets his first goal in the Sky Bet Championship.


1520: Man United transfer update - via Sky Sports

Manchester United have reached a deadlock with Sporting Lisbon over the transfer of Bruno Fernandes after his valuation almost doubled in the space of 48 hours.

Last summer, Manchester United and other clubs including Tottenham were quoted Β£39m (€45m) for the midfielder.

Two days into the latest negotiations, Sporting's asking price increased to Β£68m (€80m) and as a consequence no further discussions are planned for this weekend between the two clubs.

Sky Sports News understands Manchester United feel their latest bid of Β£43m plus Β£17m in potential add-ons reflects Fernandes' form - as the midfielder has 13 goals in 21 games all competitions for Sporting.


1517: GOAL! Southampton 1-0 Wolves (Bednarek)

Ward-Prowse's corner is allowed to bounce and bypasses the defence, falling to Polish defender Bednarek who makes no mistake.


1515: What about in Man City v Crystal Palace

Unsurprisingly it is all City at the minute, Guaita making some great stops so far. He has been impressive between the sticks of late and this time he tips De Bruyne's free-kick over the bar. Fairplay.

A penalty is soon investigated (with an anti-VAR sign fittingly in the crowd) but a penalty claim is waved away after an apparent shove on Fernandinho.


1512: Any joy at Arsenal v Sheffield United?

Mousset just headed a good chance over for the visitors after Stevens capitalised on sloppy play by Maitland-Niles. They keep the pressure on and the French forward heads again, this time via a corner and his effort is high and wide. The Gunners' defence looks shaky as always though and United could well strike.

They are 13/8 with Sky Bet to score the game's first goal or BTTS is a tempting evens. The home fans finding their voice to inspire the Arsenal players. Better from them.


1508: Early goals in the Sky Bet EFL

  • Birmingham 1-0 Cardiff - Jude Bellingham
  • Preston 0-1 Charlton - Andre Green
  • Forest Green 0-1 Salford - Ibou Touray
  • Newport 1-0 Swindon - Josh Sheehan

1507: Look away now, Leeds fans


1502: Fine margins in the early game

So close for Mourinho's men...


1500: Kick-off!

Here we go around the country, good luck with your teams and all your fancies!


1455: Talking points

  • City need to avoid another Palace shock to keep hold of second place

Reigning champions Manchester City have been left trailing in the wake of Liverpool's sensational season.

Pep Guardiola's side sit 14 points adrift of the runaway leaders having played a game more and will instead be looking over their shoulder at Leicester as they look to finish best of the rest.

Crystal Palace are Saturday's visitors to the Etihad Stadium, where Roy Hodgson's side secured a shock 3-2 win last season.

  • Canaries aiming to pluck points from Cherries to ignite survival bid

Many have already written off the chances of Norwich surviving over a season in the Premier League.

Daniel Farke's side have been cut adrift at the bottom of the table and head into the weekend eight points from safety.

They do, however, welcome fellow strugglers Bournemouth to Carrow Road with their visitors slipping to 19th after a horror run of nine defeats from their last 11 league outings.

Tomorrow's big game

  • Will Klopp's Reds show just how far Manchester United have fallen?

Liverpool can continue their march to their first Premier League title by seeing off arch-rivals United at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

After years of seeing their near-neighbours enjoy unparalleled success in the competition, to mark their current dominance with an impressive win over the Red Devils would be another memorable afternoon for Jurgen Klopp and his side.

United have some comfort, they remain the only team to take any points off Liverpool from their 21 games this season after a strong showing in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in October.

  • Rash decision in FA Cup replay could cost United dear

If United are to spring a surprise and become the first team to win at Anfield since April 2017, they will almost certainly need Marcus Rashford to be fit and firing on all cylinders.

The England international was forced off injured just 16 minutes after coming on as a substitute in Wednesday's 1-0 FA Cup fourth-round replay win over Wolves.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted the move backfired, with Rashford now a doubt for Sunday's main event having aggravated a back problem.


1453: Man City v Crystal Palace key stats

  • Crystal Palace won 3-2 against Manchester City in their last away Premier League match at the Etihad – the Eagles have never won consecutive away league trips against City.
  • In their last game, Man City won by a 5+ goal margin for the 15th time in 136 Premier League games under Pep Guardiola. They had won by such a margin in just 13 of their first 734 games in the competition.
  • Crystal Palace have lost just one of their last nine Premier League games (W3 D5), with the Eagles coming from behind to win (1) or draw (3) four of those matches.
  • Man City manager Pep Guardiola has never lost consecutive home league games against an opponent before – indeed, the Spaniard has lost just 13 of his 195 home top-flight games as a manager, losing more than once against only one opponent in that time (Man Utd, twice).
  • Pep Guardiola will be the fifth Man City manager to take charge of a Premier League game on his birthday – none of the previous four have won; Brian Horton (1995), Joe Royle (2001), Mark Hughes (2010) and Roberto Mancini (2011 & 2012).
  • Kevin De Bruyne has had a hand in eight goals in his last eight Premier League appearances against Crystal Palace for Manchester City (2 goals, 6 assists).

1450: 10 minutes to go!

Time for teams to get their last instructions after the warm-ups, time for us to place our final fancies and input our Super 6 predictions!


1441: Bielsa's bogey club


1436: Sporting Life Acca


1425: FULL-TIME

  • Premier League: Watford 0-0 Tottenham
  • Championship: QPR 1-0 Leeds

1410: Penalty misses in the early kick-offs

Watford 0-0 Spurs

QPR 1-0 Leeds


1407: TEAM NEWS

πŸ”΄ Arsenal v Sheff United βš”οΈ

A number of absentees for the hosts - Sokratis (illness); Nelson (hamstring); Kolasinac (thigh); Aubameyang (suspended) - who make three changes in all, including a start for promising forward Martinelli.

One change for Chris Wilder's Blades, with Mousset coming in for McGoldrick.

πŸ† Man City v Palace πŸ¦…

Brazil coach Tite has sent his staff to the Etihad, but Jesus is on the bench. They will, however, be able to see Fernandinho and Ederson in action with the hope striker Jesus impresses from the bench. Birthday boy Guardiola rotates his team with a clash on Tuesday with Sheff United to also consider.

Cancelo and Stones keep their place, Sterling comes in for Jesus while Gundogan replaces Rodri.

Tosun makes his debut for Palace as Ward returns to the matchday squad after injury.

βš’ West Ham v Everton 🍬

Randolph makes his debut in goal after re-joining the club from Middlesbrough, while Snodgrass, Fornals and Diop all start as David Moyes makes four changes for the visit of his former club.

The Toffees also make four alterations, Carlo Ancelotti losing Sigurdsson and Richarlison through injury as Kean, Delph, Coleman and Mina start.

πŸ– Brighton v Aston Villa 🦁

Graham Potter makes three alterations as Mooy, Alzate and Connolly come into the side, while make five changes including a debut for goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

Dean Smith also makes a late change to the bench as Taylor replaces Elmohamady.

πŸ’› Norwich v Bournemouth πŸ’

A Norwich debut for Duda as Pukki returns while Eddie Howe makes three changes as Bournemouth look to turn their fortunes around.

♦ Southampton v Wolves 🐺

In-form Saints are unchanged while Wolves make one alteration from their midweek FA Cup defeat to Manchester United as Ruddy makes way for Patricio in goal.


1355: Premier League fancies

1pt Sheffield United +1 handicap at evens (George Pitts)

Sheffield United are another undervalued side and they travel to the Emirates as 18/5 underdogs against an Arsenal team without star man Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gunners captain is suspended after his red card last weekend and, while you can see what Mikel Arteta is doing in his short time in charge of the club, they are yet to play convincingly for a full 90 minutes.

This is where Chris Wilder's men can capitalise. The Blades are well organised and, as big admirers of the league newcomers on our Premier League podcast, we feel they can go and get something there.

The Yorkshire side have an impressive away record, losing only to Liverpool and Man City and collecting an impressive 15 points in the process.

Six of their 11 away fixtures have been draws and they can claim at least a point here. A +1 start on the handicaps is available at evens, incredibly tempting on a side that will not underestimate or give the Gunners too much respect - as we saw in the reverse at Bramall Lane.

Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Sheffield United (Sky Bet odds: 11/2)

1pt Norwich to beat Bournemouth at 6/5 (Paul Higham)

It's the 'basement battle', a 'relegation six-pointer' to use just a couple of cliches, but this game between the bottom two is a hugely significant one, if not one that people will be lining up to watch on Match of the Day.

The Canaries seem dead and buried at the foot of the table, eight points from safety, and although Bournemouth are a lot closer they've been dropping like a stone and are odds-on themselves to go down as Eddie Howe struggles to keep his head above water.

Just one win in 11 tells the story for Bournemouth, but Norwich have done even worse with just one win in 17 so it's one of those games were you'd back both of them to lose if you could! Two sides devoid of confidence, who have forgotten how to win, usually leads you into thinking draw straight away.

Howe is under real pressure, as although their run of results is bad, their form and performance level is even worse! There was a severe lack of confidence, belief, passion and fight against Watford and another display like that will see them lose at Carrow Road.

No Premier League stadium has seen more goals this season, with most of them coming for the visitors, as all 11 away sides have bagged so far this season but if there is a team that could draw a blank it's this struggling Bournemouth.

They've got just two goals in eight, drawing five blanks in the last eight away days, but the problem with teams as bad as these is that you just can't trust them. Norwich have no excuses not to win this one but you couldn't trust them to grab a first home clean sheet of the season.

Prediction: Norwich 2-1 Bournemouth (Sky Bet odds: 8/1)


1345: Good afternoon!

Jose Mourinho: Tottenham boss reacts after missing another chance against Liverpool
Welcome to Saturday's live blog

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 Watford v Spurs in the early kick-off, which is currently goalless, we have six 3pm fixtures to look forward to in the Premier League, with coverage of the key Sky Bet EFL matches, followed by Newcastle v Chelsea at 1730 BST.

Today's fixtures are as follows:

πŸ”΄ Arsenal v Sheff United βš”οΈ

πŸ– Brighton v Aston Villa 🦁

πŸ† Man City v Palace πŸ¦…

πŸ’› Norwich v Bournemouth πŸ’

♦ Soton v Wolves 🐺

βš’ West Ham v Everton 🍬

πŸ”³ Newcastle v Chelsea (1730 KO)

We will provide updates, goal flashes, statistics, the odd in-play tip and much more. Sit back, relax and enjoy football!

Get in touch with your fancies by tweeting @SportingLifeFC or @GeorgePitts_

Let's take a look at our fancies before heading onto team news...


Odds via Sky Bet and correct at time of publication on 18/01/20

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