|
A splendid result last night sees us in Premier League wonderland – well, the top five anyway. If: Villa win at Wolves, the Mancs draw, Chelsea beat Everton, and Sheffield U pull off a surprise victory at Southampton, we’ll still be there tomorrow night. More likely, we’ll drop down a couple of places, but still be better placed than most people on here – correction: everyone on here – would have dared to hope for after we lost to Newcastle on the opening day. It’s 2020.
SATURDAY
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS vs ASTON VILLA (1230 ko)
Villa’s early dominance of the table has given way, inevitably perhaps, to a lower mid-table position, with Wolves two places and two points above them. The hosts have been miserly in defence, but need to boost their attack – the more so with Jiminez out for the foreseeable – if they’re to replicate the latter season form of their last two campaigns. A tough game beckons. Draw.
NEWCASTLE UNITED vs WEST BROMWICH ALBION (1500)
Slaven may be forgiven for thanking Covid for weakening today’s opposition. Desperate times call for desperate hopes. The Baggies’ discombobulating self-destruction at the hands of mighty Crystal Palace last week bodes ill for his and his team’s fortunes. A positive reaction is called for. Here’s a chance. Draw.
MANCHESTER UNITED vs MANCHESTER CITY (1730)
The Reds will hope for the same linesman, ref and VAR that officiated in their last league game, not sponsored by Specsaver. Both sides have moved steadily up the table and continuation of that trend is what is a stake here, along with the obvious. On paper, you’d have to fancy City. But you know what Greavsie always said. Away win.
EVERTON vs CHELSEA (2000)
Chelsea will end the day at the top of the table if they win – a powerful incentive. They’re unbeaten in 17 games, while Everton have won just once – against Fulham – in the last two months. Looks straightforward, doesn’t it? Away win.
SUNDAY
SOUTHAMPTON vs SHEFFIELD UNITED (1200)
What’s happened to last season’s mojo? The Saints have carried it forward admirably, but someone’s halfinched it from the Blades. Not a win to their name and just a point on the board and it’s nearly Christmas. What hope do they have? Surely one opposition team will have an off-day. They have to win one day, don’t they. Not today, though. Lord Griffith, eat your heart out, you bastard. Home win.
CRYSTAL PALACE vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (1415)
Boring Palace’s cockles will have been warmed by the manner in which they destroyed the unfortunate Baggies last week. Today, however, is a different proposition altogether. The Kane & Son company continues its march and will expect to regain top spot this afternoon. Away win.
FULHAM vs LIVERPOOL (1630)
There’s something admirable about Fulham’s pluck. But they’re going to have to add luck to that if they are to survive this season with Premier League status intact. This is one of those games they won’t expect to win, and that should take the pressure off. Could be an interesting game if Allison is out again for Liverpool. But even then: Away win.
ARSENAL vs BURNLEY (1915)
Even in lockdown, there are surely more productive things to do with a Sunday evening than watch this? You could turn over and watch Leicester play Brighton instead. Burnley look shite this season. Arsenal marginally less so. Home win.
LEICESTER CITY vs BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (1915)
The Foxes will hope to consolidate their top-four position with what looks to be a routine test against a Brighton side hovering above the bottom three. There's always Countryfile on BBC One if this doesn’t rock your boat. Home win.
|
