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So we’re well into the final quarter of the season, and it’s all still up for grabs.
ASTON VILLA vs CHELSEA (1245 ko)
These two teams show how much of an upside-down season this is: last year’s FA Cup finalists against last year’s champions. Villa have little to play for bar pride, but even that’s in short supply. Will Remi Garde’s departure make a different? Unlikely. And Chelsea have only the division’s middle ground to contest. But the London team go into this in far better shape and will come out of it three points better off. Away win.
ARSENAL vs WATFORD
A re-run of the recent FA Cup quarter final and Arsenal will be desperate to avoid a repeat of that result. Win this and they’re still within three points of Spurs, with a game in hand. But if they lose this and we win today, they will be just two points ahead of us, which would make our home game against them very interesting indeed. Watford are all but mathematically safe from relegation and are now focussing on the Cup. Home win.
BOURNEMOUTH vs MAN CITY
City just seem to have lost interest. They’re a point above us (and their quiet neighbours), but will Pellegrini be able to motivate them to their potential? Bournemouth’s season has exceeded all expectations. Is there anyone on here who didn’t expect them to be relegated this year? The contrast in the two teams’ determination to do well this season is as stark as between any other pair of teams in the Premier League. Can the Cherries do us a favour and win today? Let’s hope so, but… Draw.
NORWICH vs NEWCASTLE
This is today’s mega six-pointer, a really massive game. Neither side can afford to lose this and a point won’t be much good either. Newcastle’s away from is piss poor, but Rafa knows what he has to do and his early enthusiasm should have them better organised at the back. Expect a nervy game, with breaks on goal at a premium but also decisive. Away win.
STOKE vs SWANSEA
Swansea have done exceptionally well to drag themselves clear of the bottom three. A win at the Britannia today would almost certainly see them safe for another season. For Stoke, a European place is probably just out of their reach, although not impossible, and now seem to be left contesting seventh spot. Home win.
SUNDERLAND vs WEST BROM
Another huge game, this one between arguably the division’s two most tedious managers. A curious statistic courtesy of the BBC: Jack Rodwell has not been on the winning side in any of the 25 league games he’s started for Sunderland. Will that change today? BFS will certainly hope so, and will have his team right up for this one. The Baggies are effectively safe for another year, so the spoils are there for Sunderland to grab. Anything but a win for them today will go a long way to deciding their fate. Wouldn’t be surprised to see a red card or two. Home win.
LIVERPOOL vs SPURS (1730 ko)
Today’s glamour tie. Has Jurgen Klopp given up on this season? Can Spurs close the gap on Leicester to two points? If they lose today and Arsenal win, the gap between those two will be down to just three points and would give Leicester’s title ambitions a huge boost. This game promises bundles of entertainment with several interesting little sub-plots. Expect a full-blooded affair that will not disappoint the neutral. Draw.
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