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SATURDAY
LIVERPOOL vs WATFORD (1230)
A routine romp beckons in the weekend’s curtain raiser. The Hornets look doomed and, for once, the other side of Stanley Park will be firmly rooting for their darling neighbours. Home win.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION vs NORWICH CITY (!500)
Brighton have had little in the way of cheer from recent results. Now they have a gilt-edged opportunity to put things right. Home win.
BURNLEY vs MANCHESTER CITY (!500)
With Liverpool breathing down their necks, there’s no space for Man City complacency at Turf Moor. The Championship comes draws closer in Burnley’s rear view mirror. Away win.
CHELSEA vs BRENTFORD (!500)
Brentford look almost safe for a second season in the Premier League. By any standards, that’s a remarkable achievement for a club that is far from synonymous with the elite tier of English football. But they still need a few points to ensure that status. Today is unlikely to yield any points unless they can emulate the leadership of their opposing owner’s government with a smash and grab raid at Stamford Bridge. Home win.
LEEDS UNITED vs SOUTHAMPTON (!500)
Many felt that Bielsa was hard done by when he was dismissed. But Leeds have managed to suspend their slide towards the bottom three and now hold a seven point advantage over third-from-bottom Watford. The Saints are destined for a comfortable mid-table finish and will probably be satisfied with a point from Elland Road. Draw.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS vs ASTON VILLA (!500)
Until it came to a grinding halt at the London Stadium, Villa had enjoyed a resurgence of sorts that saw them climb the table to one spot below today’s hosts. Wolves’ season has been hampered by a lack of firepower that may have seen them challenging for the top four. The game could be moderately engaging. Draw.
MANCHESTER UNITED vs LEICESTER CITY (1730)
No booing Harry Maguire, please. Leicester have enjoyed a disappointing season, while Man U have also been below par. At least, that’s what their fans would say. We could do with a Leicester win this evening, even if that does seem rather unlikely. Home win.
*SUNDAY*
WEST HAM UNITED vs EVERTON (1400)
Now then, what do we have here? Three points, with any luck. Things are looking sticky for the Toffees as they seek to avoid a first relegation from the Premier League. The two managers have significant history with their opponents and will look to get one over their former employers. March was a mixed month for the visitors. Victories over Newcastle and Borehamwood couldn’t paper over the cracks deepened by a home defeat at the hands of Wolves and away losses to Palace (4-0, FA Cup) and Spurs (5-0). Their away from has been dire all season, with the last point gained on the road coming in December in an unlikely draw at Chelsea. For us, Bowen looks set to miss out again – although he may be back for Lyon next week – but it’s an excellent chance to do the double over them after a 1-0 win at Goodison last October. They should be stoked up, though, and despite league positions this will be far from a formality. Home win.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs NEWCASTLE UNITED (1630)
Until the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia came bearing a cheque book, Newcastle were bottom or next to for much of the campaign. Now they’re fourteenth, nine points clear of the drop zone and have the wind in their sails. Spurs have a kind of breeze in theirs and despite a twenty point advantage, a victory is far from guaranteed. Come on, you Barcodes. Draw.
*MONDAY*
CRYSTAL PALACE vs ARSENAL (2000)
There’ll be no room for nostalgia as Patrick Viera’s improving Palace side take on former club Arsenal, whose own improvement over the season eclipses even the Eagles’ achievements. Fourth spot is there for the visitors’ taking, but they’ll have to win games like this to be sure of it. Away win.
*WEDNESDAY*
BURNLEY vs EVERTON (1930)
With luck, both these sides will come into this on the back of defeat. It’s tough to differentiate between two poor teams desperate to avoid the drop. This could be the kind of spectacle that makes you want to watch Des O’Connor instead. Draw.
*CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-UP*
It’s a busy week ahead for the Championship. At the bottom, four teams are battling for one get out of jail card. With eight games to play and a five point lead over Barnsley, the balance lies with Reading at the moment. But the two teams meet in Yorkshire this afternoon, and the Tykes will have to take all three points to keep the battle going. At the top end, the title is Fulham’s to lose, and even that would take some effort. They travel to QPR this afternoon – will they take the tube? – who are still in the hunt for a play-off spot. A late goal saw Huddersfield boost their play-off aspirations at lowly Hull last night. Just two points separate the current occupants of those four places, the same number that also separate the sides in positions seven to ten. Luton host Millwall – who would you like to see win that one? Blackburn visit Coventry and Sheffield Utd go to Stoke, while Middlesboro will fancy their chances at Peterborough. And in what looks like a routine win that will further cement their runner-up spot, Bournemouth host Bristol City. In the early kick-off, Forest, who have games in hand, will expect to overcome hosts Blackpool. There’s everything to play for in this most intriguing of divisions.
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