MANCHESTER UNITED vs EVERTON (1230) The Toffees have five points and goal difference on their side in the ugly battle to avoid the drop. Will that be enough to keep them up? The Mancs are six points behind Spurs in fifth, not to mention a game in arrears. Still, there’s hope for the Reds, which probably means another defeat on the road for the visitors. Beads of sweat grow larger. Home win.
BOURNEMOUTH vs SHEFFIELD UNITED (1500) The Cherries are safe, to all intents and purposes. The Blades are down, to all intents and purposes. Home win.
CRYSTAL PALACE vs LUTON TOWN (1500) Luton have lost their last four and if they don’t rediscover their form of a month or two ago, they’ll be joining Sheffield and Burnley sooner rather than later. Palace away must be worth a point, surely? Draw.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS vs FULHAM (1500) A largely meaningless game to all but the two sides involved, and their supporters. Some may consider than an achievement, for both. Draw.
ARSENAL vs BRENTFORD (1730) The Bees aren’t safe just yet, and goal difference could be a factor in the final analysis. Arsenal have the league’s best goal difference by a substantial margin, thanks most recently to our generosity and that of Burnley and Newcastle. Not an ideal time to be playing them, particularly when a mere two points are all that keep the top three apart. Anything less than 6-0 will surely be seen as a disappointment. A home win will see them back at the Premier League summit and if there’s no winner in tomorrow’s game at Anfield, they’ll stay there for the next three weeks at least. Home win.
*SUNDAY*
ASTON VILLA vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (1300) Fourth play fifth with a better goal difference and an advantage of five points. A Champions League place is at stake. A good, if nervy, game in store. Think B-List Gladiators. Home win.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION vs NOTTINGHAM FOREST (1400) Despite being in 9th spot, things aren’t all rosy for the Seagulls. Forest are in danger, great danger if Luton beat Palace yesterday. What can the bearded zen master do? Draw.
WEST HAM UNITED vs BURNLEY (1400) A team isn’t relegated until the arithmetic says they are. And often it’s only then, when the shackles are released and discarded, that they start playing freely. But until then, you can usually depend on the crap form that’s brought them to this position. I said usually. Not a fixture that inspires the greatest excitement or anticipation. No corner flags in the centre circle today (with luck). Home win.
LIVERPOOL vs MANCHESTER CITY (1545) Will this be the game, between two of the genuinely great Premier League managers, that decides who gets to wear the Premier League crown? Quite possibly. Will this be when the German’s English swansong starts to be set in stone? Or will Pep pip Klopp to the title once more? A draw is not what either will want, but it’s virtually impossible to separate them. Meanwhile, Arteta will be watching with hands clasped fervently for the draw. This should be a game and a half and an early goal from either side will really set the cat among the pigeons. How many red cards? Draw.
*MONDAY*
CHELSEA vs NEWCASTLE UNITED (2000) Two sides that have underperformed again this season. There’s little to suggest that either side starts as favourites. Draw.
*CHAMPIONSHIP* When once Leicester held a double-figure points advantage over the best of the rest, now there are just two points between them and Leeds in second. The Tractor Boys, sponsored by Lamborghini, start the day’s action in third place as they make the trip to Cardiff who are still in with a hope of making the play-offs. They’re not alone in that, though; Preston, Coventry, Hull and Norwich are all in the chase for the final play-off place. Leicester have a tricky appointment at hungry Hull tis afternoon and it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that they’ll end next week out of the automatic promotion places. That would be some turnaround. Southampton, who not so long ago seemed a decent bet for runners-up, look to have given up on that happy outcome and today host sorry Sunderland who have lost their last five on the trot. In the nether reaches, things are as tight as ever with a mere six points keeping Bristol City in 14th out of the relegation zone. Don’t look away.
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