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LEICESTER CITY vs CHELSEA (1230)
After their customary bright start, the Foxes have fallen away and now sit in the bottom half of the table. No such hardship for the league leaders, who will look to solidify their place at the top. However much it would suit us, a Leicester victory looks unlikely. Away win.
ASTON VILLA vs BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (1500)
Villa have slipped of late, which must seem familiar to their new manager. The flight of the Seagulls, too, has taken a downward turn and they may struggle to contain the new manager bounce today. Plus, Ings is back for the home side. Home win.
BURNLEY vs CRYSTAL PALACE (1500)
Burnley are still in the bottom three, while Palace find themselves in the top half. Not perhaps the afternoon’s most inspiring prospect, but neutrals – should there be any – can expect a battling, and potentially extremely dull, contest. Away win.
NEWCASTLE UNITED vs BRENTFORD (1500)
Brentford have lost all four of their league games since they beat us at the start of October, and are the first and only side to have lost to Norwich this season. Only goal difference gives Newcastle the edge over the Canaries at the foot of the table. Eddie Howe, a Covid-enforced remote presence today, will have his hands full to overflowing to make this season a success for his new club. But the Bees perhaps offer an ideal opposition for his first game in charge. Home win.
NORWICH CITY vs SOUTHAMPTON (1500)
The Saints have worked hard to push themselves up the table and will be glad of this opportunity to add to their points tally. But, as Brentford discovered, not all that shimmers is gold and they will have to exercise their usual discipline and readiness to break to leave Carrow Road with what should be a routine three points. Away win.
WATFORD vs MANCHESTER UNITED (1500)
Conte’s arrival at Spurs and Howe’s at Newcastle may have come as welcome news to OGS. It removes two contenders from the list of his possible successors and could thus prolong what has become an increasingly tenuous tenure. His side are currently sixth, but a mathematically worst case scenario could see them drop as low as thirteenth at close of play today. A win would push them up one place, if Arsenal lose. Watford are one spot above the drop zone, so there’s plenty of incentive for them to put in a performance too. Should be interesting. Away win.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS vs WEST HAM UNITED (1500)
Michail Antonio, on whom we rely for so much to do with goals, has been notching up the old air miles in recent days and may not be ready for a full ninety minutes at Molineux. His scoring record against today’s opponents is not among his best, though his recent form in front of goal – including that scorcher against the USA – provides highly encouraging momentum. With Ogbonna probably out for the season, we may see Dawson fill in for him. Wolves look likely to have Adama Traore back, who always seems to do well against us. But the hosts have a miserable recent record of shots and have scored less than half the number that we have. But then, they’ve also conceded one less. Which tells you what exactly? A win today would equal the 21 victories we achieved in 1986. And if Leicester beat Chelsea, a 12-0 win would see us top the table at the end of the day. Away win.
LIVERPOOL vs ARSENAL (1730)
A Premier League classic to end the day. Only recently occupying a bottom three spot, Arsenal have somehow managed to climb to fifth, and are now just two points behind their hosts. How did that happen? Most would consider Liverpool the stronger side and anything but a victory for them will raise eyebrows. Home win.
**SUNDAY**
MANCHESTER CITY vs EVERTON (1400)
After a strong start to the season, the Toffees have managed two draws and three defeats in their last five. Which doesn’t bode well for a visit to Fortress Etihad. Poor old Rafa. Home win.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs LEEDS UNITED (1630)
Harry Kane seems to be reserving his goals for England, which may explain why only Norwich have scored fewer goals than Spurs so far this season. Arguably, Leeds have been unlucky in many of their results and, based on performances, probably deserve to be higher in the table. Poor fortune again sees them come up against a side awaiting and expecting rejuvenation, but this is still an intriguing contest between two accomplished managers. Home win.
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