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Life can be cruel. Fulham had a chance last night of moving out of the bottom three, but an injury-time Wolves winner sees them deeper in that mire.
MANCHESTER CITY vs LEEDS UNITED (1230 ko)
This meeting of two of the Premier League’s more enigmatic bosses sees both teams safe, one luxuriating in the comfort of mid-table, the other 32 points above them and doing likewise as champions-elect. Citeh visit Dortmund next week and Pep may be tempted rest some of his key players. Or he may ask his side to come racing out of the trap, go into half-time with a match-winning lead and then withdraw the big guns. There’s little, you feel, that Leeds can do about things either way. Home win.
LIVERPOOL vs ASTON VILLA (1500)
It’s just over six months ago that Villa memorably put seven past their hosts. There’s zero chance of a repeat this afternoon, particularly with the influential Grealish out injured. The also influential Jordan Henderson remains sidelined for the hosts whose inconsistency has seen them slip to seventh. But they should still have enough to put their visitors to the sword. Home win.
CRYSTAL PALACE vs CHELSEA (1730)
Palace have become something of a team of boring spoilers and it would do our cause a lot of good if they continued that this evening. Chelsea are smarting from their unexpected demolition at the hands of soon to be relegated West Brom and will look to strike back at Selhurst. Away win.
*SUNDAY*
BURNLEY vs NEWCASTLE UNITED (1200)
The Barcodes will have been greatly cheered by Fulham’s defeat last night. They remain three points above the dotted line, with two games in hand. This is one of those games they have to win if they’re to keep out of the drop zone. Burnley are mathematically still in the relegation mix, but look to be more or less safe. Excitement may be in short supply in this one. Draw.
WEST HAM UNITED vs LEICESTER CITY (1405)
A really important fixture in the run-in and one that will miss the bonus of home advantage. A win will see us move to within a point of the third-placed Foxes, while anything else will give an opportunity for Chelsea, Spurs and/or Liverpool to leapfrog us. The absence of Rice and Antonio could be critical, but Lingard and Bowen will ensure that we still have teeth in the attack. We’re not quite at the bare bones stage yet, but this will be a test of the quality of the bones that take their places. Expect a high-octane, attacking game. Draw.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs MANCHESTER UNITED (1630)
Runners-up is the best Man U can do and they won’t want to forfeit the four-point advantage they now hold over third-placed Leicester. Spurs look light in defence and intermittently fragile both their and in attack. Jose will want to get one over, again, on his former employers, but may struggle to overcome them today. Draw.
SHEFFIELD UNITED vs ARSENAL (1900)
For the Blades, it’s now all about pride. As it should also be, and have been for long, for Arsenal. The visitors do not inspire confidence whoever they play and this is a massive potential banana skin in a season where routine win has too often become abject failure. And until kick-off, that will cheer the Sheffield changing room no end. Draw.
*MONDAY*
WEST BROMWICH ALBION vs SOUTHAMPTON (1800)
The Saints come into this with a 10-point cushion over Fulham in 18th place, which you’d expect to be enough to see them safe. Another win would change that to certainty. The Baggies, despite a remarkable win at Stamford Bridge last time out, remain eight points from safety, a near insurmountable gap. Draw.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION vs EVERTON (2015)
It’s hard to know what to expect from an Everton team that, during the course of the season, topped the table and slipped down the rankings like a homesick lead weight. Brighton, too, have shown themselves capable of putting the mockers on sides way above them. Inconsistency is what these sides have in common perhaps more than anything else. Both have legitimate incentives to win this game. Draw.
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