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So after what has seemed an interminable international break, we’re back to the serious stuff. And for once, most of the decent games are on today.
CHELSEA vs WEST BROMWICH ALBION (1230 ko)
It’s looking dark for West Brom, 10 points from safety with just nine to play. Sam’s bitten off more than he can chew, which is saying something. Chelsea remain at the periphery of the chase for the runners-up spot, and will end the day no higher or lower than they started it. Have the Baggies got what it takes to do us a big favour here? No way. Home win.
LEEDS UNITED vs SHEFFIELD UNITED (1500)
With Leeds all but safe and the Blades all but gone, what can this game possibly offer? Not much, other than a dose of local pride. Ee by gum. Home win.
LEICESTER CITY vs MANCHESTER CITY (1730)
Citeh are romping towards yet another Premier League title and more, but the Foxes remain very much in the hunt (the right word?) for second. There’s little, you’d think, that they can do to put the brakes on the visitors’ return to supremacy. Away win.
ARSENAL vs LIVERPOOL (2000)
‘Surprise team’ is normally used for a team that exceeds expectations. But these two sides deserve that epithet for an altogether different reason. Both have failed utterly to live up to expectations. The champions in particular are inexplicably languishing below the likes of, let’s see, Tottenham and Leicester and show no sign of arresting their decline. El projecto Arsenal, meanwhile, sees them lower still, in ninth, a team too often lacking drive and characterised by consistent inconsistency. Which makes this one impossible to predict. The fence again shows its value. Draw.
*SUNDAY*
SOUTHAMPTON vs BURNLEY (1200)
Both these sides should be safe. But 33 points with nine games to run is not a place on which one’s laurels can safely be placed. Expect a nervy game of discipline (Burnley) taking on intermittent flair (Saints). Home win.
NEWCASTLE UNITED vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (1405)
Make no mistake, the Barcodes are deep in the proverbial. As things now stand, they are without doubt one of the four from which an unlucky three will fall. Spurs’ tail is wagging as they look to leapfrog superior teams to a top four spot. As painful as this is… Away win.
ASTON VILLA vs FULHAM (1630)
Villa look set for a safe, comfortable mid-table finish. A vast improvement over last season’s last minute escape from what for long seemed like the inevitable drop. Under Scott Parker, Fulham have shown extraordinary guts to pull themselves into a position where safety is within reach. They have the momentum and determination. Do they also have the energy for the season’s long, final sprint? Draw.
MANCHESTER UNITED vs BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (1930)
Man U’s climb up the table in recent months has been achieved in part with stealth along with a hefty helping of good fortune. In contrast, the Seagulls have experienced more than a fair share of ill fortune, something that often accompanies a team in decline, but they are still capable of giving a game to most opponents. Their hosts today, though, will almost certainly be too strong. Home win.
*MONDAY*
EVERTON vs CRYSTAL PALACE (1800)
Everton’s season has been one heck of a rollercoaster. While a European spot remains possible, there’s a strong subplot of finishing above their red neighbours. The Premier League is no division for old men and Palace’s aging first team may find the run-in fraught with the aches, pains and debilitation of advancing years. Fortunately for them, they probably have enough points in the bag to assure another top flight campaign. Home win.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS vs WEST HAM UNITED (2015)
When you end up taking a point from game that you led by three clear goals, there’s sure to be an effect on confidence. But a hallmark of this season has been the side’s ability to put setbacks behind them and start the next game with fresh vigour and determination. That’s West Ham 2021. The side can also take encouragement from the 4-0 demolition of this evening’s hosts earlier in the season, and Rice and Lingard will be key to the attack we take to Molineux. Wolves are adept at the quick counterattack, and our defence must be at their sharpest to deal with that constant threat. We started the weekend in fifth, but by kick-off may have dropped to eighth depending on the weekend’s results. A win can take us back to fifth and in the best case – albeit highly unlikely – scenario, we’d end Monday in fourth. It’s a sign of the times. Away win.
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