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Coffee 8:21 Sat May 14
Saturday football
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FA CUP FINAL (Wembley, 1645)
CHELSEA vs LIVERPOOL
Once the highlight of the English footballing year as, for now, league positions dissolve into irrelevance. There’s always been – and there remains – something genuinely special about the occasion, even if its gloss has been dulled in recent years. The build-up. The walk of the teams onto the field, two sets of gladiators pumped for battle, tension and nerves etched deep on every face. Abide with me. The national anthem. The roar of more than 80,000 fans as the man in black or yellow or green or purple blows for the start of combat. And two hours later, one team will climb the stairs to receive the cup. No deepening darkness or vain shadows for them. But who will it be? Not the foggiest.
PREMIER LEAGUE
The Premier League enters its penultimate weekend with three key issues still to resolve: the title, the third relegated team, and the final Euro spots.
*SUNDAY*
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs BURNLEY (1200)
Has Burnley’s new manager bump run its course? After today, they take on Villa and Newcastle in their bid to retain top flight status. Meanwhile, Spurs have ample incentive to play up as they seek to pip Arsenal to the last Champions League spot. Home win.
ASTON VILLA vs CRYSTAL PALACE (1400)
Little but mid-table pride to play for here. Draw.
LEEDS UNITED vs BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (1400)
Things are looking dark for Leeds and a win today is an absolute must. Their last game is at Brentford. Draw.
WATFORD vs LEICESTER CITY (1400)
Boring ahead. Away win.
WEST HAM UNITED vs MANCHESTER CITY (1400)
City will all but claim the title if they win today. But they have a wounded and therefore vulnerable defence, with Walker, Stones and Dias all confirmed out, while Fernandinho and Laporte have late fitness tests. This may (or may not) come to our advantage in set pieces. Either way, it looks like the only realistic straw that presents itself for clutching. De Bruyne is on fire and will be looking to add to the four he bagged at Wolves last weekend. For us, this marks the last home game for Mark Noble. He’s been with us through thick and a lot of thin. He’s played for more managers than any other West Ham player: Pardew, Curbishley, Zola, Grant, Allardyce, Billic, Pellegrini, Moyes. In the old days, he may have played out the last year or two of his career at Orient. There’s only one Mark Noble, one Mark Noble. Away win (Scorer: Noble, own goal).
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS vs NORWICH CITY (1400)
Wolves will be smarting from a comprehensive defeat at home to Man City last time out. Home win.
EVERTON vs BRENTFORD (1630)
Brentford have a major say in the relegation battle. Many would have thought that they’d be one of the sides heading back to the Championship, and much credit to them that they’re not. Everton’s fate is now in their own hands and home advantage will be significant. A win today will virtually assure them of safety, with another home game against Palace to come before they end a traumatic season at Arsenal. Home win.
*MONDAY*
NEWCASTLE UNITED vs ARSENAL (2000)
There’s something increasingly appealing about the thunder on Arteta’s face when Arsenal lose. It’s something that seems to run in the Arsenal manager lineage. Newcastle will be preparing for next season, but will want to end this one with respect. A tough game beckons. Away win.
*TUESDAY*
SOUTHAMPTON vs LIVERPOOL (1945)
The Saints may go marching into this, but you feel they'll be leaving with tails firmly twixt legs. Away win.
*THURSDAY*
EVERTON vs CRYSTAL PALACE (1945)
Home win.
ASTON VILLA vs BURNLEY (2000)
Draw.
CHELSEA vs LEICESTER CITY (2000)
Home win.
*CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-UP*
Luton and Huddersfield drew last night, leaving the Yorkshire side as probable favourites to make it to the final. Today, Saturday, sees Sheffield United host Nottingham Forest. The second legs are on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, with the final at Wembley on 29 May.
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Replies - In Chronological Order ( Show Newest Messages First)
Ronald_antly
9:05 Sat May 14
Re: Saturday football
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You make numerous mentions of winning 'today'.
Are people not meant to read the thread until TOMORROW?
Pedantry aside, with regard to Mark Noble, given the customary 'subbing off' to allow retiring players to get the standing ovation, will Moyes start him in this game?
That seems unlikely, so perhaps Moyes will bring him on at the 65 minute mark, and then sub him off shortly before the end.
Unless, of course, Nobes is making a game changing contribution, in which case Moyes will be in a real pickle of a dilemma (wrapped in a riddle).
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Manuel
9:21 Sat May 14
Re: Saturday football
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I doubt Moyes will start with Noble, since we still have something on the game. He will bring back Soucek, who will of course offer absolutely nothing.
Leeds MUST beat Brighton, after Burnley lose to Spurs.
As for the cup final, I note it's 30 mins earlier than in recent years. Fancy Liverpool might have Chelsea's number, but should be a cracking game.
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Coffee
9:31 Sat May 14
Re: Saturday football
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Ronald_antly 9:05 Sat May 14
Pedantry aside?
Hmm....
But good to see you.
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Sydney_Iron
9:49 Sat May 14
Re: Saturday football
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Chelsea to win the Cup, they are due some luck!
Spurs and Burnley to draw.....Hopefully!! although not to keen on that cunt Arteta and dirty Arse getting 4th, Burnley to survive then a (slim) chance we get Philips and/or Raphina.
Villa and Palace, couldnt give a fuck!
Leeds and Brighton to draw, although i can feel Leeds may nick this but hope they dont, reason being.......as above.
Watford and Leicester, another couldnt give a fuck
West Ham, as per the GTHC thread, another 3-2 epic coming up!!!!
Wolves, not that it matters, they wont beat the scouse on the last day even if we fuck it up.
Everton, fat Frank survives but will it be enough to keep his job?
Newcastle and Arsenal to Draw, more whinging from Arteta.........
Saints and Leeds to draw
Everton, Frank to be smug that he has single handedly saved them, not sure the boerd will see it that way?
Burnley, they fucked the home tie up, THEY wont fuck up this one.
Chelsea tie up 3rd if its not thiers already
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Mex Martillo
9:58 Sat May 14
Re: Saturday football
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Really hope we can get something tomorrow. I am sure we will give Man City a tough game and the score line will be close, not like Cities last couple of outings.
I hadn't noticed that Palace have a really busy week, while ManU have 2 weeks off. That might help ManU get the win they need for 6th. That would mean we need a win tomorrow...
We will see...
Thanks Coffee
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charleyfarley
10:36 Sat May 14
Re: Saturday football
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Thanks for doing these Coffee really appreciated
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happygilmore
10:44 Sat May 14
Re: Saturday football
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Thanks as usual Coffee.
Mark Noble to start and be subbed on 16 minutes to a standing ovation and the number 16 shirt number to be retired.
I think Leeds probably made a mistake appointing a Ted Lasso.
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Matthew Holmes
10:56 Sat May 14
Re: Saturday football
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thanks coffee - enjoyed reading that
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yngwies Cat
1:06 Sat May 14
Re: Saturday football
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Cheers Coffee.
I will avoid all coverage leading up the the cup today as you know they will show that clip of you know what. I then will watch the game I suppose with a great sense of unenthusiasm.
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AKA ERNIE
2:11 Sat May 14
Re: Saturday football
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Tuesday is Southampton v Liverpool not leeds
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Pedro
2:12 Sat May 14
Re: Saturday football
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Gerrard goal will be on repeat all day. Best to avoid.
So close to the “konchesky final” what a goal that was.
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Coffee
3:12 Sat May 14
Re: Saturday football
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AKA ERNIE 2:11 Sat May 14
Thanks, Ernie.
Just a test, you know. ;-)
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Manuel
3:40 Sat May 14
Re: Saturday football
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Coffee - You say you aint got the foggiest who will win the final, but why not? Are you just being lazy, or can you not think of anything that may favour either side? No opinion whatsoever?
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Sir Alf
4:11 Sat May 14
Re: Saturday football
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A proper “Hobsons Choice” today.
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Long Lost
4:15 Sat May 14
Re: Saturday football
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I despise Chelsea but if Liverpool win today the media will just ratchet up their love in and the quadruple talk which will be even worse
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ironsofcanada
4:33 Sat May 14
Re: Saturday football
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Cheers Coffee
Would love to have some kind of horse in the FA Cup race as either winning is a fair bit...unsavoury.
Still hoping Everton go down but will take Leeds. Viera need to show his worth in the coming week and a bit.
A old couple that were really nice to us when moved to Oxford support Burnley (his dad played for them at some level) so they can stay up.
Norwich have to win sometime don't they, against Wolves would be nice.
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New Jersey
4:47 Sat May 14
Re: Saturday football
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Thanks coffee
Would like to see Chelsea win as I despise them less than Liverpool. We would never hear the fucking last of it plus Klopp is such a bad loser, second only to that prick at Arsenal plus I fucking hate it when Klopp runs to their supporters doing that fucking punch routine!
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Manuel
4:51 Sat May 14
Re: Saturday football
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Hate and despise are going to be two words used a lot over the coming hours, that's for sure. Then there will be the usual loathing of the ref, var is shit, etc...Christ, you cunts are boring.
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ironsofcanada
4:52 Sat May 14
Re: Saturday football
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Forgot to mention
Hope Laryea and Jebbison get some minutes in the Championship playoffs with Forest winning, of course.
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Takashi Miike
4:59 Sat May 14
Re: Saturday football
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Haaland's last game for Dortmund, currently live on youtube (just rewind it, if interested. twenty minutes gone)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3s8EassBEL4
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