BRENTFORD vs LEICESTER CITY (1500)
Ruud van Nistelrooy starts his managerial career with a tricky visit to Brentford. It’s obviously a bid to keep the Foxes away from the relegation places. Mid-table Brentford seem to be safe from all that for now and will have to play well to stop what’s likely to be resurgent visitors’ new manager bump. Draw.
CRYSTAL PALACE vs NEWCASTLE (1500)
Palace are second from bottom and maintain their desire to play a particular way. Newcastle, meanwhile, can play any way they want when they play us. Boring game in store. Draw.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST vs IPSWICH TOWN (1500)
Back in August, most people would have had this down as a six-pointer. Not any more, with Forest knocking on the Euro places and the Tractor Boys knocking on the Championship places. Home win.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS vs BOURNEMOUTH (1500)
A fabulous result last week saw Wolves climb out of the drop zone, while the Cherries continue to consolidate their top flight status. Draw.
WEST HAM UNITED vs ARSENAL (1730)
The BBC asks, Could win at Newcastle be Lopetegui turning point? It won’t be just the BBC that grapples with that question. It could well be, but at the same time we all know that it could equally well not be. Arsenal are, for their supporters, maddeningly inconsistent with two wins, two draws and two defeats in their last six outings. Let’s hope this will become three defeats at the end of today. Turning point ahead? Home win.
SUNDAY
CHELSEA vs ASTON VILLA (1300)
Not so long ago, Villa were top of the table. Now they’re in eighth spot, but still very much in touch with the top four. Chelsea, meanwhile, are top four and will look to leapfrog Brighton – yes, Brighton – into second this afternoon. Home win.
MANCHESTER UNITED vs EVERTON (1300)
Just three places separate these two, but you feel that the force is with the hosts. The Toffees are still battling to escape the clutches of the bottom three, a fight that’s likely to go on for much of the season. Home win.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs FULHAM (1300)
Fulham have disappointed of late, yet there’s just a solitary point between these two. Both have been inconsistent, which make this game very hard to predict. Home win.
LIVERPOOL vs MANCHESTER CITY (1600)
I wonder if the media have noticed this fixture? And what on earth has happened to Man City? A great chance for Liverpool to cement their eight-point lead at the top. Walk on. Home win.
TUESDAY
IPSWICH TOWN vs CRYSTAL PALACE (1930)
Fearful times ahead for Palace. Home win.
LEICESTER CITY vs WEST HAM UNITED (2015)
Hmm. Dunno. Draw.
WEDNESDAY
EVERTON vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (1930)
A definite six-pointer. Draw.
MANCHESTER CITY vs NOTTINGHAM FOREST (1930)
City get back to winning ways. Home win.
NEWCASTLE UNITED vs LIVERPOOL (1930)
Away win.
SOUTHAMPTON vs CHELSEA (1930)
Away win.
ARSENAL vs MANCHESTER UNITED (2015)
Home win.
ASTON VILLA vs BRENTFORD (2015)
Home win.
THURSDAY
FULHAM vs BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (1930)
Away win.
BOURNEMOUTH vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (2015)
Draw.
