SATURDAY
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION vs LIVERPOOL (1230 ko) The Seagulls’ last victory over today’s visitors came in an FA Cup tie more than 36 years ago. They’ve never beaten them in a top division league game. Is that going to change today? Not on your nellie. Liverpool sit behind league leaders Spurs on goal difference only and will look to steal a march in points if not goal difference today. A midweek kick up the arse in Europe offers added incentive. Tariq Lamptey is suspended, an absence Brighton can ill afford. Away win.
MANCHESTER CITY vs BURNLEY (1500) Burnley could find themselves in the bottom three at the end of this weekend’s games. Strangely, City could end the weekend just two places above the relegation zone in the unlikely even that all results go against them. Odd times in an odd year. But City have the stronger armoury by far and are way too powerful for their visitors, who seem to have forgotten how to win. Expect the deepest of deep defences from them, which means that an early City goal is the best hope of entertainment. Home win.
EVERTON vs LEEDS UNITED (1730) After a bright start, Everton have fallen away and have only managed wins against Brighton and Fulham since September. Bielsa’s side continue to show admirable grit and determination despite a massively inconsistent first quarter of a season in which survival will be the overriding measure of success. A tricky one to predict, although Leeds may fancy their chances of nicking a point. Draw.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION vs SHEFFIELD UNITED (2000) What do you get when the bottom two clubs play each other? Both have been unlucky but have worked to address their early season defensive frailties. Neither has yet discovered the secret to combining defensive integrity with attacking verve. How Sheffield could do with a Carlos Tevez to lead their line. It’s time for both to show courage and resilience. So what do you get – a bore fest, one fears. Draw.
SUNDAY Brave is he (or she) that puts their hard-earned on any of today’s games.
SOUTHAMPTON vs MANCHESTER UNITED (1400) The Saints have been good value for their lofty league position. As have Man U, but replace lofty with meek. With Ings and Walcott on fire for the hosts, and Bruno Fernandes likewise for the visitors, this has all the makings of a classic encounter between two evenly-matched sides. Draw.
CHELSEA vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (1630) FLJ could have done with a crowd on his side today. One that would have sent its warmest regards to the away manager, for whom a visit to this ex is always a trip replete with significance, emotion and a passionate desire to get one over the erstwhile lover. So two high-fliers meet in a game that promises much but offers little to the wannabe Nostradamus. Should be a corker, could be a porker. Draw.
ARSENAL vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (1915) Speaking of promise, Arsenal, you feel, have flattered to deceive so far this season. Yes, Arteta’s building a squad and yes, it’s a long job, but their fans will have hoped for more in the way of interim dividends than they have so far been presented with. Wolves continue strongly and are a threat to whomever they face. But this has stalemate written all over it. Draw.
MONDAY
LEICESTER CITY vs FULHAM (1730) Leicester are growing accustomed to the rarefied upper reaches of England’s top flight and will expect to consolidate their presence there this evening. Fulham are equally accustomed to the bottom three. They’re struggled and laboured to accumulate their four points to date and, but for the fortune of the condemned, should have had more to show for their endeavours. There’s only one possible outcome, isn’t there? Yes, though Leicester will have to work for it. Home win.
WEST HAM UNITED vs ASTON VILLA (2000) It seems like only yesterday that Villa became the latest beneficiaries of our generosity to secure their Premier League survival. Fair play to them, they’ve made the most of it and are now virtually unrecognisable from the side that might, had things gone differently, have been visiting Luton or Millwall today. Such are football’s fine margins. Yet inconsistency has become their hallmark. The last two months have seen them thrash Liverpool and Arsenal (away), but lose at Leicester and at home to Leeds, Southampton and, most recently, Brighton. What does that say about the team we host this evening? It says that at their best they’re capable of putting the best to the sword, so we must be alert and as disciplined as we’ve shown we can be in recent games. With Haller seemingly on form and Antonio possibly in contention, plus a defence that defends and a midfield that creates, we’re in good shape and have the quality to see off the Villains. Home win.
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