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BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION vs LIVERPOOL (1230)
Brighton have won just once – against Watford – since new year, a miserable run that’s seen them drop to thirteenth. No such concerns for today’s visitors, who continue to harbour realistic title aspirations. A pretty one-sided game, you’d think. You’d be right. Away win.
BRENTFORD vs BURNLEY (1500)
A massive six-pointer that could go a long way to determining which, if either, of these two go down. A win for the hosts will give them nine games to gather the handful or so of points they’ll need to stay up. Burnley’s fate still lies in their own hands, just, but things are looking grim for Sean Dyche’s men. They may look grimmer still come the final whistle. Home win.
MANCHESTER UNITED vs TOTTENHAM HOSTPUR (1730)
A draw may be the best outcome for us, but both these sides are painfully inconsistent so it’s hard to predict how this will go with any sense of probability. Spurs come into this on the back of a moral-boosting demolition of Everton and can also look to their last visit to Manchester for further encouragement. On paper, there’s little to separate them. The fence beckons. Draw.
*SUNDAY*
CHELSEA vs NEWCASTLE UNITED (1400)
The last few days have produced some of the best football jokes of the season. It’s anyone’s guess how current events will influence Chelsea today – it could go either way. Eddie Howe has done a great job in pulling Newcastle from rock-bottom to the lower reaches of mid-table. Has he done enough to save them from the drop? With a ten-point buffer separating them from the relegation zone, you have to assume that he has. Although the wind is behind them, a trip to Stamford Bridge remains tricky. All things considered, he can probably afford to lose. Home win.
EVERTON vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (1400)
Everton are firmly in the relegation mix. They’ll be more than grateful to have three games in hand over Leeds and Brentford, but they have to exploit that advantage if they are to survive. Wolves have lost a little momentum in the last couple of weeks, but remain tough to break down. You’d expect few goals here today. Draw.
LEEDS UNITED vs NORWICH CITY (1400)
Father Christmas pays a late visit to Elland Road. He will not appreciate that gift being returned to him unopened. Leeds have to win this, no ifs or buts. Home win.
SOUTHAMPTON vs WATFORD (1400)
Speaking of gifts, the Saints have a great chance to boost their ascent into the top half of the table. Ralf Hassenhutl has once again done a fabulous job of transforming his side from relegation contenders to a solid top-ten team. Home win.
WEST HAM UNITED vs ASTON VILLA (1400)
This may be the meat, or vegetarian alternative, in an Andalusian sandwich, but it’s a massively important game. After a disappointing February, Villa have scored seven in March’s two games – Leeds and Southampton – and with Ings, Coutinho and Watkins all flying, they’ll look to carry forward that form. For us, Bowen misses out today. Moyes will have to focus the players’ minds on this game and this game only, which will see us move up to fourth in a best-case scenario, or fall to eighth in the worst. A tough battle is in store. Home win.
ARSENAL vs LEICESTER CITY (1630)
Arsenal’s transformation since earlier in the season has been remarkable. As has Leicester’s. How welcome it would be if the Foxes could sneak up and bite a north London Arse. Won’t happen though, will it? Home win.
*MONDAY*
CRYSTAL PALACE vs MANCHESTER CITY
Palace have only once finished in the top ten in their Premier League career. They’ve got a pretty good chance of doing it again this season, but any hope of points against the league leaders is likely to be a vain one. Away win.
*PICK OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP*
With ten or so games left in the season, Fulham look to have wrapped up promotion and probably the title. Bournemouth are favourites for runners-up, while eight teams – including Millwall – are in the running for a play-off spot. The leaders visit second-from-bottom Barnsley in the day’s early game, while Bournemouth take on the unfortunate Derby. Huddersfield, temporarily occupying second spot, drew at West Brom last night, and Blackburn host Bristol City. Sheffield United in fifth visit Coventry, eleventh and six points behind the Blades, whose play-off hopes appear remote. But a home win would change that dramatically. Luton and QPR – sixth and seventh and separated by one point – do battle at Loftus Road tomorrow. At the bottom, it’s three out of four for the drop. But Paul Ince’s 21st-placed Reading will fancy their chances of survival with five points and one game in hand over Derby in 22nd. Don’t look away.
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