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EVERTON vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (1230)
The situation for the Toffees, currently occupants of the third relegation place, is anything but sweet and they’ll have to get their collective arse into gear if they’re to take something from this. Expect a Moyes-style approach with frustration of the opposition the cornerstone of their strategy. Away win.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION vs CRYSTAL PALACE (1500)
The closest both sides have to a local derby. Expect the M23 to be full of second-hand Toyotas bearing blue and red flags and carrying pissed-up teens giving wanker signs to neighbouring traffic. Both sides are in the form doldrums, but you’d think Brighton are better equipped to emerge from there victorious. Home win.
BURNLEY vs FULHAM (1500)
The gap between Burnley and safety is starting to look insurmountable. Which is a pity. That is, it may be. Or may not be. Both sides have taken four points from their last six outings. Make that five from their last seven. Draw.
NEWCASTLE UNITED vs LUTON TOWN (1500)
It’s hard to like Luton, but you have to admire them for having climbed out of the bottom three and giving themselves a decent shot at survival with a little over one-third of the season remaining. Tenacity more than innate skill will see them to another season in the top flight, but they’ll have to steal every precious point from the likes of Newcastle if they’re to avoid what seemed a certainty a few weeks ago. Home win.
SHEFFIELD UNITED vs ASTON VILLA (1730)
Few would bet on the Blades escaping the drop. Villa’s eyes are set on loftier pastures and will overtake Spurs into fourth if they win today and score more than the London side. Which they should. Away win.
*SUNDAY*
BOURNEMOUTH vs NOTTINGHAM FOREST (1400)
Forest remain firmly in the relegation mix despite trying hard to recruit their way out of it. That’s not going to happen, though, and they’ll find the Cherries far from the compliant fodder they were a few short months ago. As we know. Bastards. Home win.
CHELSEA vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (1400)
Wolves were unlucky to concede a very late winner at home to Man U on Thursday. They visit a Chelsea side that only intermittently reflects the massive amount of money that’s been poured into their playing staff. Chelsea should win, but would you bank on it? Only with Monopoly money. Home win.
MANCHESTER UNITED vs WEST HAM UNITED (1400)
Man U will have their peckers up after grabbing an injury time goal that saw them leave Molineux with all three points at the same time as our peckers pointed limply in the opposite direction after a drab draw at home to Bournemouth. We all know about Moyes’ record at Old Trafford, one that’s unlikely to change today. Home win.
ARSENAL vs LIVERPOOL (1630)
This should be a corker. Arsenal will have to win this – or at least get a draw – if they’re to remain in the title race. Two good footballing sides, plenty of sub-plots and a classic English top-flight fixture. What’s not to like? Answers on a large postcard. Draw.
*MONDAY*
BRENTFORD vs MANCHESTER CITY (2000)
The Bees are closer to relegation than to mid-table, but go into this knowing that they did the double over City last season. This time round they find themselves in a poor run of form while the visitors have won their last eight. Not an even tie. Away win.
*CHAMPIONSHIP*
A narrow win over Bristol City last night propelled Leeds into second place, but having played more than both Ipswich and Southampton below them. Leicester show no sign of relinquishing their grip on the top place. Their lead is now nine points, leaving Leeds, Ipswich and Southampton in hot pursuit of second. Just two points between the three of them. At the other end, Birmingham are in 20th and have a four point advantage over Huddersfield with QPR, Sheff Wed and Rotherham occupying the bottom three spots. It’s going to be tight, as it always is in this division. Pompey, Bolton and one other are waiting to take their places.
In today’s games, Leicester visit lowly Stoke, Ipswich go to Preston and the Saints travel to rock-bottom Rotherham. Millwall visit Hull, who are in the play-off battle. Can Coventry (6th) cut the mustard on their visit to Norwich? West Brom host Brum in another Midlands derby. Their fans better be on their best behaviour.
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