Saturday football

[Coffee]

"*PREMIER LEAGUE – SATURDAY* BURNLEY vs BRENTFORD (1500) The Bees are still in the relegation albeit on its periphery. The Clarets are as good as down. Draw. LUTON TOWN vs NOTTINGHAM FOREST (1500) A genuine six-pointer. Having led by three clear goals at half time on Wednesday, the Hatters contrived to do a West Ham and hand all three points to Bournemouth. How much will that affect their confidence and chances of survival? It will take all the man management skills of boss Rob Edwards to get them back on track. Draw. FULHAM vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (1730) Fulham look set for a comfortable mid-table finish. Spurs’ battle for the remaining weeks of the season is with Aston Villa. The prize: a Champions League place (although West Ham may have done both a favour in that respect). Away win. *FA CUP QUARTERS – SATURDAY* WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS vs COVENTRY CITY (1215) The FA Cup still has its old magic. Coventry are still in with a shout for a play-off place in the league and that has to be the season’s absolute priority. But an FA Cup quarter final isn’t a bad little side hustle, even though it will take something special to progress at Premier League mid-table Wolves. Could be a good ‘un. Home win. MANCHESTER CITY vs NEWCASTLE UNITED (1730) How Newcastle would have liked to have got Wolves’ draw today. But they didn’t and now face the trickiest tie of the day. Thay couldn’t, could they? No. Home win. *PREMIER LEAGUE – SUNDAY* WEST HAM UNITED vs ASTON VILLA (1400) Both sides moved convincingly into the next stage of their respective European competitions with comprehensive wins in midweek. Villa remain very impressive under boss Emery as they continue the hunt for a Champions League place and will be tough opposition. Confidence and home advantage will play their special roles, but there’s little to choose between these sides. Home win. *FA CUP QUARTERS – SUNDAY* CHELSEA vs LEICESTER CITY (1245) Mind the gap. Since this game came onto the horizon, Leicester’s form has plummeted and they could end the weekend out of the automatic promotion places for the first time since September. Chelsea, meanwhile, seem to have got their season back on track, to some extent anyway. Dangerous times for the Foxes. Stand clear of the closing doors. Home win. MANCHESTER UNITED vs LIVERPOOL (1530) This, as much as minnows baring teeth at sharks, is what the FA Cup is all about. Away win. *CHAMPIONSHIP* Oak trees still had their leaves when last a side other than Leicester were atop the Championship. By the end of the weekend, chances are that Leeds will have supplanted the Foxes in that exalted position. Leicester have the weekend off league duty while gentle Leeds host charming Millwall just as we kick off the second half tomorrow. The West Yorkshire Constabulary will have their hands full. The Lions are in 16th spot, a position that would usually spell safety in mid-March. But this time round, they’re one of nine sides separated by five points. Of whom two will go down. At the top, two out of Leicester, Leeds and Ipswich look set to go up, with Southampton ready to pounce if any of those three mess up."

[El Scorchio]

"Cov are going to be absolutely kicking themselves if they lose this now. Missed some golden, golden chances and wolves have been very lucky not to be losing by more and to still have 11 men on the pitch."

[,]

Coventry giving a good account of themselves against Wolves right now.

[With Kind Regards]

Thank you Coffee. For what it’s worth (a shilling at Ladbrokes?): BvB draw Luton Spurs Wolves City WHUvAV draw Chelsea Liverpool

[Manuel]

"Coffee - Mourinho's name is coming up and to be fair he could be a good fit up there as he's a football man and will get the club/city etc, but would the fans like his style of play? It would just be a vanity appointment by the Arabs looking for a big name and there isn't many bigger than the special (needs) one. Of course, it will end in disaster as usual."

[Mex Martillo]

"I'll go for, Brentford, agree Luton-Forest draw, Spurs and agree us. Also, no interest in the cup as the important team is not in it. I'd be happy if Howe came to us. Thanks Coffee"

[fraser]

Do the geordies want him out and if so has anyone said be careful what you wish for?

[Coffee]

happygilmore 9:01 Sat Mar 16 Agree with those outcomes. But deeply disappointed at the absence of half-time scores. ;-)

[happygilmore]

"After last week's lazy home wins post, I am going to give you a detailed EPL forecast. Burnley 1 v 3 Brentford Luton 2 v 2 Notts Forest Fulham 1 v 3 Spurs West Ham 2 v 2 Aston Villa Fuck the cup! Oh, and re managerial options for Newcastle, I don't think there has ever been so many high profile names available with others also due to be available at the season end. Let's pray Eddie is dealt with in a humane way."

[Coffee]

"Yeah, a lot of people seem to think he'll be gone at the end of the season. But who is there to realistically take over? He's still a decent manager and can still do a job. The Barcodes should proceed with caution."

[Manuel]

Agree that Howe could have done with progressing in the FA Cup. I doubt he'll be there next season.