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ARSENAL vs MANCHESTER UNITED (1230)
Arsenal’s turnaround after a dismal start to the season that saw them bottom of the table for a short, but pleasing, time has been sensational. Man U have enjoyed another dreadful season, but they’re still capable of putting in a performance. A repeat by the hosts of the attitude that saw them trounce Chelsea will be enough to take them, at least briefly, above Spurs. Home win.
LEICESTER CITY vs ASTON VILLA (1500)
There’s little riding on this for either side, although Villa can theoretically still be relegated. Unlikely but possible and the Foxes would enjoy making the season’s final weeks a touch nervy for their visitors. Draw.
MANCHESTER CITY vs WATFORD (!500)
Two sides with critical, yet contrasting, investments in the outcome of this game. One will take a further step towards the title, the other to the Championship. Life’s a bummer. Home win.
NORWICH CITY vs NEWCASTLE UNITED (1500)
Speaking of the Championship, for some it’s a second home. Next season, as Norwich battle again for promotion, the Barcodes are likely to be fighting for Europe. In a non-Russian, non-Ukrainian, non-Brexit, purely footballing sense, of course. Away win.
*SUNDAY*
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION vs SOUTHAMPTON (1400)
A battle of England’s lower latitudes. Brighton seem to have overcome their recent slump, while the Saints have entered what seems to have become a dramatic annual slump. But one they always manage to turn around. Draw.
BURNLEY vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (1400)
Burnley’s decision to dispense with Sean Dyche seems as bizarre now as it did a week ago. Even if they have recorded two decent results since. They now have a sporting chance of beating Everton to survival. Wolves will hope to end the day level on points with us. The next sentence is accompanied by a hefty gargle of Listerine. Come on, you Clarets. Draw.
CHELSEA vs WEST HAM UNITED (1400)
Is a wounded Chelsea the ideal opponent? Third is still theirs for the taking, although they’ll want another win or two to be sure of it. Our injury woes are well documented, and we don’t have our opponents’ luxury of a bench of competent internationals to call on. Chelsea looked poor and vulnerable against Arsenal a few days ago, but what does a 6-0 win at Southampton and a 1-4 home defeat to Brentford tell us about today? Presumably that they are beatable. But then so are we. A point or more will maintain our advantage over Wolves and, if Arsenal won yesterday, will keep us closer to Man U in sixth. David Moyes says the team is totally focussed on this game. That’s curiously hard to believe, with the Europa League semi-final on the immediate horizon. I’d bite your hand off for a point. Draw.
LIVERPOOL vs EVERTON (1630)
Scouse derbies always have a smell of cup final about them. If Burnley beat Wolves an hour ago, Everton will go into this in the relegation zone – albeit with a game in hand. Cup finals can be unpredictable. Not this one, though. Home win.
*MONDAY*
CRYSTAL PALACE vs LEEDS UNITED (2000)
Leeds have done well to pull themselves somewhat away from the relegation zone under new manager Marsch. But they’re not fully out of the mire, far from it. Palace have had a fairly decent season, certainly better than most expected last August. They are now equidistant from today’s opponents and Leicester in ninth. So there’s still a lot for both sides to play for. Draw.
*THURSDAY*
MANCHESTER UNITED vs CHELSEA (1945)
Intriguing. Draw.
*CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-UP*
So Fulham are back in the big time. They only have the title to wrap up now, which should be a formality. Look down, a long way down, and Derby and Barnsley are gone and to all intents and purposes Peterborough are too. Or will be today against play-off chasing Forest. As for the rest, Sheffield United have just agreed to be sold to American investors for £115 million (what does that value us at?) They’re currently sixth and their battle for a play-off place is largely with the four teams below them. Including Millwall. Wouldn’t it be luverly… Huddersfield, who consigned Barnsley to the drop last night, look set to fill the other play-off spots along with Luton and Forest. It's been a heck of a season in the Championship – in many ways a lot more exciting than the Premier League. Good on yer, Tier Two!
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