Shay Says - Episode 10
Welcome to Shay Says, the latest football betting blog from LeoVegas’ Irish ambassador, Shay Given.
This week, the Republic of Ireland and Premier League legend previews three games across the Premier League and FA Cup.
We’ve also got his opinion on the unstoppable Erling Haaland – can the Norwegian break the half-century mark for the season?
Let’s see what Shay Says!
Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United
Hopefully Newcastle are back on track after that win last weekend against Wolves; in the previous six weeks, they’d hit a bit of a brick wall.
They’re very much still in the hunt for a Champions League place and fighting for a European spot.
Nottingham Forest have hit a bit of a sticky patch as well – I still think there’s some big obstacles for them to overcome for them to stay in the Premier League.
I fancy Newcastle to get a result here. I know it's Friday night and it’ll be a difficult place to visit – the atmosphere is really good at the City ground – but I’m still going to go with a Newcastle win.
I think it’ll be 2-1 to Newcastle, with Alexander Isak scoring anytime.
SHAY SAYS: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-2 NEWCASTLE
Manchester City v Burnley
Burnley are flying under Vincent Kompany – they’re top of the Championship and look home and dry for a Premier League return.
The job Vincent has done there has been phenomenal. He had to deal with a lot of players leaving last summer, but the way they’ve played this season and the style of football has just been brilliant.
He is a legend at the club and I’m sure he’ll get a phenomenal reception when he comes out of the tunnel on Saturday.
I think it’ll be a close game and a very good tie, but Manchester City will be too strong for Burnley here. They got a fantastic win against RB Leipzig on Tuesday and seem to be peaking at the right time of the season.
I’m going to go with a 3-1 City win. In terms of goalscorers, I think Riyad Mahrez is due a goal – he didn’t start the other night in the Champions League and is on penalties when he plays.
SHAY SAYS: MANCHESTER CITY 3-1 BURNLEY
Manchester United v Fullham
This is a big game for both clubs, but probably bigger for Manchester United – they’ll want to get back on a winning run after a couple of poor results.
United have stuttered a bit since the League Cup final. It’s not all rosy at Old Trafford at the moment and Casemiro will be a big miss after picking up another red card.
Marco Silva has done a brilliant job at Fulham, and I think they could get a result here.
They are flying in the Premier League; they don’t need to worry about being in a relegation fight, so they can go to Old Trafford and play with freedom and excitement at the prospect of getting into the semi-final of the FA Cup.
I’m actually going to go for a draw here – it sounds like a controversial one as everyone will be thinking of a United win, but I just fancy Fulham to get a result.
I reckon it will be 2-2 on the night, with Aleksandar Mitrović worth backing as an anytime scorer.
SHAY SAYS: MANCHESTER UNITED 2-2 FULHAM
Brighton v Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town have done amazingly to get to this stage of the FA Cup, especially with that win at Southampton in the previous round. It’s been a real fairy-tale story.
Having said that, the season Brighton are having, particularly with them being at home, means Roberto De Zerbi won’t pass up this opportunity of getting to Wembley.
I reckon Brighton will blow them away if I’m being honest, I’m going to go with 3-0 to the hosts. They will have too much, considering the way they are playing.
I’m backing my fellow Irishman, Evan Ferguson, to score anytime – he’s fit again and is looking sharp, and I fancy him to get an FA Cup goal.
SHAY SAYS : BRIGHTON 3-0 GRIMSBY TOWN
Superstar' Haaland will break 50-goal mark
What more can be said about Erling Haaland?
I was at the game against RB Leipzig – to score five goals in a single match is just amazing.
He’s such a great player and has that instinct of being in the right place at the right time – he’s a proper striker who knows where to be when chances come his way. Whether it be left foot, right foot or heading, he’s got the lot.
Will he break the 50-goal mark? It’s difficult to say no. We’re only in the middle of March and there are still so many games to play, so I would imagine he breaks that 50-goal mark for sure.
It seems like he’s breaking every Premier League record he can and he’s still only 22 years of age – he’s a real superstar.
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