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Remind me next time

Blimey those men in suits are getting their knickers in a twist. First the offside rule gets a tweak, then it’s handball.

When is handball not handball? And when is handball, well, handball?

I’m confused already FFS.

All I know is that if Fulham are relegated by one point, they’ll point to that ridiculous handball against Spurs when the ball hit Lemina’s arm from point-blank range and they scored - before VAR ruled it out.

A day later, the rule’s changed. Accidental handball is no longer an offence - and that’s got to be right.

Anyway, thank heavens Fulham ended up beating Liverpool a week later and might have righted and wrong. Then again everyone’s beating Klopp these days!

What’s gone on there?

I’m not having injuries this time.

They seemed to cope okay for months and months - okay, still not a match for City (alright United fans, I’ll get to you!) - but still doing enough. But the wheels really have fallen off now and Klopp’s management - and future - is under the spotlight.

But I’m not sure that’s right. He’s not blameless, of course - no manager is. But Liverpool look a tired team, plain and simple.

Ending 30 years of hurt and frustration last year by winning the Premier League must have taken its toll. Throw in injuries at the start of the season - high-profile ones at that - and a condensed season and it’s all falling into place.

They’re f****** knackered!

But the season’s the same for everyone else - and Man City and Man United have handled it better. They’re the top two, after all, and United were great against City at the weekend. No-one’s talking about bore draws against the top six now, are they?

The form of Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw must be delighting Gareth Southgate as we approach the international break later this month and United - and maybe Chelsea - will keep City on their toes from hereon in. Pep might actually enjoy that.

So to this week’s round of matches and City should get back on track against Southampton in their midweek clash - although maybe, just maybe there’ll be a shock.

What sort of reaction will Pep get? It could be interesting - and maybe painful for the Saints.

The weekend kicks off with a Friday night shootout between Newcastle and Villa. I’m going with the Geordies to give Stevie Bruce a break with a hard-earned victory - although it might not be pretty.

 

Leeds started well at West Ham in midweek. They had the ball in the back of the net twice early doors - and looked unlucky not to be in front. They lost momentum and were punished by a really good Hammers side. 

Anyway, a decent start from Leeds might put Chelsea on the back-foot in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off - so I’m going for a draw between these massive rivals. Yes, folks, massive rivals - if you don't believe me just Youtube their matches from the seventies!

 

I also fancy West Ham can keep up their fantastic run against United at Old Trafford. Moyes’s team are teak-tough and can soak up the early pressure from Ole’s army before knocking them out with a sucker punch!

There might also be a surprise at Leicester. I’m just beginning to think the Foxes are getting tired - and might Sheffield United prove too strong? Chrissy Wilder won’t let the Blades ease off - whatever their situation. 

 

And I’m going with Arteta to get one over Jose in the North London Derby on Sunday.

Spurs were great against Palace and Kane was superb, but I’m still not convinced they’re the free-scoring side the special one thinks they are! Go with the Gunners to edge it.

 

Check out all of my predictions below.

So to this week’s golf tournaments, starting with THE PLAYERS Championship - the so-called fifth major - at TPC Sawgrass, Florida.

What a course. What a 17th hole. What a field - but then again what prize-money. A cool $15m - not bad work for a good walk spoiled! What plank said that?!

 

Anyway, I’m looking outside the top six for Vinnie’s Three Off The Tee this week?

Bay Hill could have taken it’s toll. That was a brutal last round for so many players, although wasn’t Lee Westwood fantastic. What a man.

In the end Big Bad Bryson did the business and, to be fair, he handled the situation better than most of us thought. You half-expected him to implode at some point - and Lee probably hoped he would - but DeChambeau held firm. Well played, sir.

His game looks good heading into Augusta, but a lot of his rivals were in and out at Bay Hill - Spieth, McIlroy, Fleetwood and Hatton all dropping away on Sunday.

They’ll have an eye on Augusta, with success at Sawgrass a bonus.

DJ is back this week and you rule him out at your peril. He missed Bay Hill so arrives at Sawgrass fresh - and so will Patrick Cantlay and Tony Finau. Both started the season well and will surely be in the mix again.

Cantlay shot 67 in the first round at Sawgrass last year before the tournament was stopped and became one of the first major sporting events to fall victim to coronavirus. Fingers crossed this year’s four days go without a hitch!

I’m also throwing in young Will Zalatoris. He caught my eye at Bay Hill and could be ready to make a splash again having finished sixth in the US Open last year.

The European Tour is also back with the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters - so let’s go for an across-the-card double!

It’s been a few weeks since the last event on the European Tour and the schedule post-coronavirus is still fluid. Anyway, its Doha this week and I’m looking at Thomas Detry and Aaron Rai, who both played well stateside recently, along with Eddie Pepperell.

Be lucky - and keep safe,

Vinnie

   

Vinnie’s best bets

Premier League

Wednesday

Manchester City v Southampton  CITY WIN

Friday

Newcastle v Aston Villa  NEWCASTLE WIN

Saturday

Leeds v Chelsea  DRAW

Crystal Palace v West Bromwich Albion  DRAW

Everton v Burnley  EVERTON WIN

Fulham v Manchester City  CITY WIN

Sunday

Southampton v Brighton  BRIGHTON WIN

Leicester v Sheffield United  SHEFF UTD WIN

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur  ARSENAL WIN

Manchester United v West Ham United  WEST HAM WIN

Monday

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool  LIVERPOOL WIN

Golf

THE PLAYERS Championship

Patrick Cantlay
Tony Finau
Will Zalatoris

Qatar Masters

Thomas Detry
Aaron Rai
Eddie Pepperell

Vinnie Jones Betting Tips