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 put a massive spanner in the works for Arsenal’s title aspirations last Sunday with their sensational 2- nil win and will be hoping to further cement their top-four position with a win over 13th-placed Bournemouth this weekend. Villa have only lost 3 times at home in the league this season, and never to a team below the top seven. Ollie Watkins will also look to add to his 19-goal tally and catch up with Palmer and Haaland for the Golden Boot top spot which could make it a long afternoon for the Cherries.“
- Potential pick: “Burnley will see this fixture as a real chance to get all three points against bottom-of-the-league Sheffield United and give their season a much-needed boost. Burnley won the reverse fixture 5-0 back in December last year and will be hoping for a repeat on Saturday against a Sheffield United team that has only won three times this season. Burnley have only lost once in their last 6 games and recently have picked up impressive draws on the road against Chelsea and West Ham.“
- Risky pick: “Liverpool had a week to forget in both the league and in Europe with back-to-back losses at Anfield and this makes them a risky pick for me. This was the first time since March 2021 that Liverpool have lost two successive home games and they take on a Fulham side at the weekend who beat West Ham 2-0 in their last fixture. Fulham have beaten Arsenal at Craven Cottage this season, and have also notched up 3-nil wins at home against both Spurs and Brighton last month. “
The Teacher says…
- My pick: “I’m going to take a bit of a risk this week by siding with Palace at a tasty price. They should be buoyant after last week’s win at Liverpool and, crucially, both Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise are fit again. They face a West Ham side who have struggled in their post-Europa League matches, winning just two of nine this season. They also have the second worst expected goals against (xGA) figure in 2024.“
- Potential pick: “I don’t think I’ve sided with Burnley at all this season but now is the time. They’ve lost just one of their last six – and that was due to a goalkeeping calamity. Here, they meet a Sheffield United side who can’t keep goals out – the Blades have conceded 31 in their last eight home games and are without a win in eight. This looks must-win for Burnley and they can get the points they crave.“
- Risky pick: “ This always looked an awkward fixture for Arsenal in the run-in and the pressure has only intensified following last week’s home defeat to Villa. Wolves have only lost one of their five other games against the current top six at Molineux where they have beaten both Manchester City and Spurs. They’ve also beaten the Gunners in two of the five meetings here since their return to the top flight.“
Incognito Pro says…
- My pick: “Burnley’s opponents on Saturday are Sheffield United who have only won once in 2024, back in February against Luton, and have conceded 35 goals in those 12 games! The Clarets travel to Bramall Lane having drawn 1-1 in their last game against Brighton, while the Blades lost 2-nil to Brentford. Burnley have picked up 10 points so far in away fixtures this season and would be out of the relegation zone on goal difference if the league was based on away form.“
- Potential pick: “Palace will be flying high after their glorious away win at Anfield last week and will fancy their chances against West Ham who have been inconsistent recently, and have only won once in their last 6 league outings. Michael Olise and Eze teamed up brilliantly for Palace against Liverpool and could cause the West Ham defence real problems on Sunday. The Hammers, alongside Brentford and Nottingham Forest, have conceded the most goals in the league this season outside of the relegation zone teams.“
- Risky pick: “Bournemouth drew at home with United in their last league outing, but this was off the back of an away loss to Luton and worryingly their only away win this calendar year has been against relegation contenders Burnley. The Cherries travel to Villa Park with one away win in six while their opponents Villa will be buoyed by their massive win away at Arsenal last weekend to keep their Champions League qualification hopes alive. “
Good luck!
