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Spurs moved level on points with Man City last night with an expected win at Nottingham Forest. Steve Cooper’s job, according to some, is hanging by a thread after one win in their last thirteen games.
BOURNEMOUTH vs LUTON TOWN (1500)
Surprisingly, this could be a real pre-Christmas cracker. The Cherries have got their collective tails up, assuming cherries have tails, having seen off Man U, Newcastle, Palace and Sheff U in recent weeks and drawn with Villa. Luton, for all their shortcomings in the hardware department, rarely disappoint in terms of effort and commitment. You have to fancy Bournemouth, but don’t give up on the Hatters completely. Home win.
CHELSEA vs SHEFFIELD UNITED (1500)
Chelsea fans have been very – yes, very – tolerant of el Poch. Their team, assembled at eye-watering cost, remains firmly anchored in the lower half of the table. As do today’s opposition, who finally lost patience with their boss and turning back to a previous incumbent of that thankless role. But they’re still bottom of the league having shipped 41 goals in their 16 fixtures to date. Anything but an emphatic victory will leave Pochettino in muchos discomfort. Home win.
MANCHESTER CITY vs CRYSTAL PALACE (1500)
Speaking of managers with itchy collars, Roy Hodgson is feeling the heat which looks set to intensify further at the Etihad. Home win.
NEWCASTLE UNITED vs FULHAM (1500)
With top-four aspirations, Newcastle are languishing in seventh, just two points above us. Fulham are in a rich vein of form and come into this on the back of a 5-0 drubbing of a London rival. Still, the barcodes should have what it takes to see them off. Home win.
BURNLEY vs EVERTON (1730)
All eyes will be on guess-who in this vital bottom of the table clash. Everton have pulled up their socks of late, perhaps a kind of reaction to their 10-point penalty. Burnley too seem to have fired the afterburners, but it’s hard to be confident about any outcome at Turf Moor. Draw.
*SUNDAY*
ARSENAL vs BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (1400)
Arsenal could return to the top of the table, albeit for the briefest possible time, if they emerge victorious this afternoon. Brighton are enjoying another fabulous season, this time with a decent run in Europe. Should be as tight as… Home win.
BRENTFORD vs ASTON VILLA (1400)
Villa find themselves in third spot as they make the always tricky visit to the Heathrow Approach Community Stadium. It won’t be easy for either side, but such is the visitors’ form that only a fool would bet against them. Away win.
WEST HAM UNITED vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (1400)
What are the chances that Wolves get an early corner, which is met by the head of a defender who’s become well-known and well-liked in these parts and the ball ends up bulging the back of the net? Out of respect, there will be no exaggerated celebrations from the scorer. Now wake up. We’re in the last 16 of the Europa Cup, we’re five points above the visitors and a mere three points behind Man U. So fucking what, crows a multitude as they again lift their pitchforks. Sitting back and waiting for the counter has been the preferred modus operandi of recent times to which we’re becoming disturbingly accustomed, but that would show far more respect to the opposition than is due. A bright start with a goal or two is the order of the day. And not just a start and not just today. Home win.
LIVERPOOL vs MANCHESTER UNITED (1630)
The leaders take on arguably the most troubled team in the Premier League. This is always one of the season’s big games, but you kind of know what’s going to happen. Home win.
*CHAMPIONSHIP*
As we approach the half-way point of the season, Leicester and Ipswich continue their absorbing battle at the top of the table. The Foxes, who scraped past lowly Millwall in midweek, visit Birmingham on Monday, which gives the Tractor Boys the opportunity to climb into top spot if they can see off local rivals Norwich in today’s early game. All other fixtures today will be mere side-shows. At the bottom, QPR have done well to pull themselves to within a point of the dotted line and could end the day above it if they beat fellow strugglers Sheff Wed.
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