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So the Premier League enters the final nine days of its season, and with the title decided all attention is now on the table’s nether regions. Today’s a massive day for the bottom six, which unfortunately includes us. If results go our way, we’ll be all but mathematically safe at the close of play. If they go against us, we’ll be in vastly deeper shit than we were this morning. So batten down the hatches and hope for the best. Here’s a reminder of how the bottom of the table looked this morning:
West Ham, P 35, Pts 35, GD -24, remaining games: Man U (H), Everton (H)
Huddersfield, P 35, Pts 35, GD -29, Man C (A), Chelsea (A), Arsenal (H)
Swansea, P 35, Pts 33, GD -25, Southampton (H), Stoke (H)
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Southampton, P 35, Pts 32, GD -19, Swansea (A), Man C (H)
Stoke, P 36, Pts 30, GD -33, Swansea (A)
West Brom, P 36, Pts 28, GD -24, Palace (A)
STOKE CITY vs CRYSTAL PALACE (1230 ko)
What a corker to get the weekend’s proceedings under way, with plenty of blood, guts and gore on the menu. A must-win for Stoke, who visit Swansea in their next and final game. Under Paul Lambert, Stoke have upped their game, but are still without a win in their last dozen. Palace have virtually assured safety, but will (hopefully) look to cement their Premier League status today. Draw.
BOURNEMOUTH vs SWANSEA CITY
Another whopper, this with cheese and, from Swansea’s perspective, extra pickle. After the extraordinary lift that their new manager brought, the Swans have found life more difficult in recent weeks and have had real trouble scoring goals. Swansea need this, Bournemouth don’t. Home advantage should see the Cherries blossom in the spring sunshine, though, and professional pride should ensure a competitive encounter. Hard to pick a winner. Draw.
LEICESTER CITY vs WEST HAM UNITED
There’s talk of discontent in the Leicester camp. That has translated into poor recent form, which we must hope will show no sign of letting up today. The Foxes’ Roman Polanski lookalike manager is under pressure to perform, but can he get his players up for today? David Moyes is also feeling the heat, the more so after this week’s latest Andy Carroll nonsense. It’s down to Moyes to turn that feeling to his and the team’s advantage, as you can envisage Carroll playing an important role today. Leicester are there for the taking and we should be good enough to come away with a precious point at least. Draw.
WATFORD vs NEWCASTLE UNITED
Today’s only genuinely meaningless game. Draw.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
The Baggies’ form under Darren Moore has been little short of sensational, but it’s all too late. Spurs are chasing third spot and will be in no mood to bestow a parting gift on their opponents. It’s been a near certainty for several weeks, but today’s the day that West Brom’s relegation will be confirmed. Away win.
EVERTON vs SOUTHAMPTON (1730 ko)
The day’s fourth whopper sees the Saints, with renewed belief, heading to Everton in search of a point or more. Southampton are in the enviable position of being in control of their destiny. But they’re in the unenviable position of having to visit Swansea (Tuesday evening) and host Man City after today’s tricky fixture if they’re to survive. Everton have little to play for, holding off Leicester to guarantee eighth spot being their only remaining challenge. Expect Southampton to come out all guns blazing as they seek to pull off a great escape. Away win.
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