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A rare full complement of fixtures over the weekend. With a potential cracker or two in among them.
ASTON VILLA vs ARSENAL (1230)
Senor Emery may feel he has some unfinished business to deal with in this early kick-off. His compatriot will want to return Arsenal to the top after failing to win in the last four games. The poor fellow feels unprotected by the fixture machine, a whine much favoured by managers over the years. Villa have made great strides under Emery and are far from the pushover of last season, so the visitors will have to be at the top of their game. Away win.
BRENTFORD vs CRYSTAL PALACE (1500)
Brentford are once again flying above their level, while Palace may feel a little disappointed with the season thus far. It’s hard to see anything other than a home win.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION vs FULHAM (1500)
Two sides that have become – surprisingly, perhaps – genuinely hard to beat. Will they cancel each other out? Quite possibly. Draw.
CHELSEA vs SOUTHAMPTON (1500)
Although just four points from safety and therefore well within catching-up distance (see Forest’s recent ascent), there’s something morose about the Saints, as if they’ve accepted the inevitability of relegation. Speaking of morose, Chelsea find themselves in the mid-table doldrums with little to suggest a rapid return to the kind of position their bank manager would expect. Home win.
EVERTON vs LEEDS UNITED (1500)
Now then. Two powerhouses of yore meet in a six-pointer that will influence not just their seasons. A must-win for both, but there’s the sense that Sean Dyche has already gripped his new charges by the neck in the hope of pulling them up the table. Clear your throat and watch the hosts show rudderless Leeds how it’s done. Home win.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST vs MANCHESTER CITY (1500)
Not so long ago, Forest were rooted to the bottom of the table with little chance in many people’s minds of escaping the drop. They’re now six points clear of the dotted line with their sights fixed as much on mid-table as what’s below them. City were on the receiving end of a major boost – psychologically if not practically – when they overtook Arsenal at the top of the table. Forest will give them a game, but that’s as far as things will go at the City Ground. Away win.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS vs BOURNEMOUTH (1500)
Another genuine six-pointer although Wolves have done well to pull themselves up in recent games. You’ll expect that to continue this afternoon. Home win.
NEWCASTLE UNITED vs LIVERPOOL (1730)
The Barcodes have slipped a little of late, but still have more than an edge over today’s visitors. This will be a test for both sides and promises to be a highly engaging contest. Draw.
*SUNDAY*
MANCHESTER UNITED vs LEICESTER CITY (1400)
Man U under 10 Hag have been a revelation. Challenging the top two looks unlikely this season. The challenge will be to make third their own. Another three points today will help that cause. Home win.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs WEST HAM UNITED (1630)
Despite occupying fifth spot, there’s something unpredictable about Spurs, who are again without keeper and captain Lloris. They haven’t won in their last seven games when he’s been absent. Clutching at straws, but what can you do when straws are all there are? Lucas Paqueta remains in the doctor’s chamber, while the increasingly influential Aguerd will be assessed before the game. We could certainly do with his presence. It is unrealistic to hope for a win, but as Chelsea last time showed a point may not be beyond the bounds of possibility. Draw.
*CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-UP*
Burnley and Sheff U continue their stubborn occupation of the top two places and there’s little to suggest that’s going to change by the end of the season. The battle for the other promotion spot is being battled out by the next ten sides. Yes, ten. Among them are Millwall, who host Sheff U in today’s early kick-off, while Burnley visit fourth-placed Luton. Coventry, who were recently at the foot of the table, are also in with a shout for a play-off finish. At the wrong end, Wigan (home to Norwich today), Blackpool (H – Stoke) and Huddersfield (H – Birmingham) make up the bottom three. You might see a Southampton spy checking out Rotherham (H – Coventry), now under Neil Warnock, and Cardiff, who narrowly overcame Reading last night.
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