Shay Says - Episode 5
Welcome to Shay Says, the latest football betting blog from LeoVegas’ new Irish ambassador, Shay Given.
This week, the Republic of Ireland and Premier League legend previews three big Premier League fixtures.
We’ve also got his opinion on how to get the best out of Erling Haaland.
Let’s see what Shay Says!
West Ham v Chelsea
West Ham have had a poor start to the season, but I don’t think they’ll get relegated. Having said that, the second half of the season must be a lot better.
I watched their last game against Newcastle when they went 1-0 down after two minutes; they could have capitulated, but they showed great character and deserved the draw.
I definitely think there are three worse teams than West Ham – they need to get results, but I don’t think they’ll get relegated.
Chelsea are having a crazy season – both on the field and off it.
They’re more than capable of going on a run, but every week you think ‘this is the start of their season’, and it just doesn’t seem to happen.
I hope Graham Potter gets given time – if you give someone that amount of money to spend on players and recruitment, it’s not going to happen overnight. He needs time to implement his style of play and work out his best XI, which isn’t easy in a squad of 30-something.
I can’t see Chelsea going to the London Stadium and winning, so I think West Ham will get a result. I was impressed with them last weekend against Newcastle and think they’ve turned a corner slightly.
I’m going to go for a 2-2 draw. I fancy Michail Antonio to score for the hosts here – I know he hasn’t scored for a while, but I can imagine him netting from a set piece.
SHAY SAYS: WEST HAM 2-2 CHELSEA
Bournemouth v Newcastle
It's a big game – Bournemouth are fighting for survival, whilst Newcastle are fighting to stay in the top four.
There will be a lot of sentiment with Eddie Howe returning to Bournemouth, but I think that will go out the window after kick-off.
It’s a game Newcastle need to win if they want to stay in the Champions League places; Tottenham got a great result against Manchester City last week, so they don’t want to give the chasing pack any opportunity.
Anthony Gordon came off the bench against West Ham and looked really sharp – it was a brilliant debut and I think the fans liked what they saw.
I think Eddie Howe will be preaching to his squad that they need to get back to winning ways here.
Bournemouth have picked up as well – any game at the Vitality Stadium is a difficult one, but I fancy Newcastle to go down and beat them.
Newcastle to win 2-1 is my shout, and I think Callum Wilson will get back on the scoresheet as well.
SHAY SAYS: BOURNEMOUTH 1-2 NEWCASTLE
Liverpool v Everton
This is a massive game under the lights at Anfield – particularly with Everton winning last week against Arsenal. The lift that Sean Dyche has given them is phenomenal.
It’s mad what’s happening with Liverpool – last season we were talking about them doing the quadruple and potentially being one of the best teams ever. You wonder how they’ve fallen off a cliff so much; they’re a mid-table side now.
They need to recruit more but the finances don’t appear to be there. Combine that with talk of the owners looking to sell, so there’s definitely a lot of uncertainty around the club.
It won’t be an easy game for Liverpool – the derbies are often very tight, and Jurgen Klopp’s men are off the back of a shambolic 3-0 defeat to Wolves.
It’s hard to call – you’d think Liverpool would have enough to win, but I’m backing Everton to get a result here.
I think it’ll be a 1-1 draw – I’m going to go with Dominic Calvert-Lewin as an anytime goalscorer for the Toffees, with Mohamed Salah for Liverpool.
SHAY SAYS: LIVERPOOL 1-1 EVERTON
Haaland will rediscover scoring touch
It’s been difficult for Erling Haaland recently. Obviously letting Cancelo leave in the January transfer window, then not starting Kevin de Bruyne against Tottenham, gives the impression that things just aren’t clicking at the minute for Manchester City.
Haaland started the season and people were saying ‘give him the Golden Boot now!’, but now Harry Kane is slowly reeling him in with his numbers!
I just think he needs to stay up top and be the man who’s going to get in the box and score goals. He seems to be dropping deeper and trying to link up the midfield, which isn’t really his game.
I don’t have any fear with his quality; with the players around him, I have no doubt he’ll get back on the goal trail soon.
I’ve said for years that City create so many chances and just need a number nine in the middle of the box to finish them off, so I think it’s too easy to say that they’re not playing with the same fluidity because of Haaland.
As a team, they need to improve, but I think they’ll get it right eventually.
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