Monthly Archives: August 2018

Football Factz

All the factz on Newcastle United v Chelsea in the Premier League August 26

Embed from Getty Images

Newcastle United play Chelsea at St James’ Park in the Premier League this afternoon at 4pm. The match is live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Here are the factz you need to know:

* Chelsea beat Newcastle 3-1 at Stamford Bridge last season. Newcastle then took a 3-0 win at St James’ Park. Chelsea also beat the Magpies 3-0 in the FA Cup.
* Newcastle have failed to win either of their opening 2 fixtures for the 6th successive season.
* Chelsea have won 4 of their last 5 away matches – their only loss in that run came at Newcastle.
* If Chelsea score a goal today, it will be the 2000th Newcastle have conceded in the top flight. Only 5 other side’s have conceded more.
* If Chelsea win it will be the 9th occasion that they have won their opening 3 fixtures in the PL era.

Football Factz

All the factz on Fulham v Burnley in the Premier League

Embed from Getty Images

Fulham take on Burnley at Craven Cottage in the Premier League today, with both sides searching for a first win of the season. The match kicks off at 4pm. Here are the factz you need to know:

* The side’s last met in the Championship in the 2015/16 season. Burnley did the double over Fulham in their way to promotion that season.
* Ryan Sessegnon became Fulham’s youngest player to provide an assist in the PL last time out at 18 years and 92 days.
* Burnley haven’t won in 7 PL matches (4 defeats).
* There hasn’t been a 0-0 draw between the sides in 40 years – the last one came in August 1978 in the old Division 2 (now Championship).
* Fulham have lost their opening 2 fixtures – they haven’t lost 3 or more since 1951, when they went on to finish bottom of the then Division 1.

Football Factz

All the factz on Watford v Crystal Palace in the Premier League

Embed from Getty Images

In the opening match in the Premier League today, Watford take on Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road, looking to build on their great start to the season. After Roy Hodgson’s outburst against Watford mascot earlier in the week, it could be a feisty game. It kicks off at 1.30pm and it is live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Here are the factz you need to know:

* Last season, this fixture ended 0-0. At Selhurst Park, Palace ran out 2-1 winners.
* Palace have a great recent record against Watford – winning 10 of their last 16 encounters and losing just 2.
* Watford have won their first 2 matches – they’ve never won their first 3 in a row in the top flight.
* The Hornets have lost just once at Vicarage Road this year in 9 matches (5 wins).
* Crystal Palace are unbeaten in their last 5 away matches.

Football Factz

All the factz you need on Liverpool v Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League

Embed from Getty Images

In the tea-time kick-off today, Liverpool take on Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield. Liverpool are looking to maintain their 100% start to the season, while Brighton want to build on their win over Manchester United. The match kicks off at 5.30pm and it is live on BT Sport. Here are the factz you need to know:

* Liverpool thrashed Brighton twice last season: 4-0 at Anfield and 1-5 at the Amex Stadium.
* The Reds are unbeaten in 22 PL matches at home, a run stretching back to April 2017.
* James Milner has scored in 48 games for Liverpool – and they haven’t lost any of those matches (38 wins).
* Brighton have won just 2 of their last 11 PL matches – both wins coming against Manchester United.
* Brighton haven’t won in their last 14 PL away matches (10 defeats).

Football Factz

Roy Hodgson warns Harry the Hornet to behave ahead of Watford – Crystal Palace clash

Embed from Getty Images

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has issued a warning to Watford’s mascot Harry the Hornet to behave himself ahead of the sides’ Premier League meeting on Sunday.

Hodgson’s message comes after a tense clash in 2016 where the Watford mascot dived in front of Palace’s star player Wilfried Zaha – a reference to the Ivorian’s alleged dive in the match.

The Palace manager failed to see the funny side, saying it was provocation: “If you’re asking me whether Harry the Hornet, who I presume is the mascot, should dive in that way, I think it’s disgraceful, because that’s not what football matches are about.

“And certainly if it’s provoking the crowd into looking for something that’s not there, it should be stopped.”

However, it seems Zaha himself has no beef with Harry. While he was angry at the time it happened, he later tweeted a jokey message to Gareth Evans, the man who plays Harry.

But, after the warning – and knowing the history of mascots behaviour – what’s the betting Harry gets up to something on Sunday?