Boxing Day football

[Coffee]

"Hope you enjoyed your Christmas - or, at the very least, that you survived it. Boxing Day can be a bit like the first day of the season, with some unexpected results popping up. Let's hope there's at least one unexpected result at The Emirates on Thursday. NEWCASTLE UNITED vs NOTTINGHAM FOREST (1230) You have to wonder if Forest might end up ruing Steve Cooper’s departure. Nuno is yet to prove himself fully in English football and faces a decidedly tricky visit to the northeast in today’s early kick-off. Newcastle have not enjoyed the kind of success their fans expected of late, but should see off their visitors with ease. Home win. BOURNEMOUTH vs FULHAM (1500) The Cherries have skyrocketed in recent weeks to be level with Chelsea, an incredible improvement to when they appeared dead certs for the drop. Fulham have been painfully inconsistent in that same period, having demolished us but lost at home to Burnley in recent weeks. So what happens in this game is anyone’s guess. Draw. SHEFFIELD UNITED vs LUTON TOWN (1500) A massive six-pointer. Should be a good old-fashioned game of English football. All that will be missing is the mud and an orange ball. Draw. BURNLEY vs LIVERPOOL (1730) Two wins in their last six has seen Burnley improve on what they’d managed in their previous 12. It’s also taken them to within sight of the dotted line without the help of binoculars. Liverpool will prove a huge test, though, and one they’re unlikely to pass. Away win. MANCHESTER UNITED vs ASTON VILLA (2000) Fresh off a hiding at the London Stadium, Man U’s woes have sunk further in this deep midwinter. Meanwhile, Villa are a point from the top of the table and will want to carry that momentum into the new year. Will Eric ten Hag be seeing in the new year in Den Haag? Away win. *WEDNESDAY* BRENTFORD vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (1930) A lower mid-table clash that will be of principal interest to the two respective sets of fans. Home win. CHELSEA vs CRYSTAL PALACE (1930) Surprisingly, another lower mid-table clash. What the heck is going on at Stamford Bridge? In their last combined 12 games, these two sides have managed two wins and seven defeats. Blimey. Home win. EVERTON vs MANCHESTER CITY (2015) Sean Dyche has got his team playing with belief. How much belief have City got after one solitary win in their last six outings? Still, class is permanent as the saying goes. Away win. *THURSDAY* BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (1930) The Seagulls have descended somewhat recently, while Spurs’ focus is on top spot, which they occupied not so long ago. Draw. ARSENAL vs WEST HAM UNITED (2015) The league leaders may see this as a routine win to cement their top dog spot, the more so with the benefit of home advantage. In truth, only the most optimistic, die-hard, loony, claret and blue bespectacled away fans would argue with that. Just work hard and retain a semblance of self-pride and respectability, please. Away win. *CHAMPIONSHIP* Leaders Leicester have pulled away from Ipswich thanks to the latter’s poor seasonal showing to date. The two meet this evening at Portman Road in the game of the season. The chasing pack sees Leeds and Southampton level on 45 points with the former visiting Preston this afternoon while the Saints host Swansea. Thereafter, just six points separate fifth from 15th of which only two sides have never played in the Premier League. In the table’s nether region, Rotherham remain rock-bottom, while QPR are working hard to climb out of the drop zone. Millwall are doing their best to fall into the drop zone and these two meet at the Den this afternoon."

[Slim Shady]

Would you have Eddie Howe here?

[Mike Oxsaw]

Not a bad start to the week's games. Let's hope it continues.

[Jimm]

I'm sure Newcastle would have more chance of scoring if they did not keep pretending to die every time they get near the box. And how does blonde prick get away without being booked so many times.

[Manuel]

"This fucking ref is a complete joke, he's not making any of the big calls, but instead just stops the game and waits for a bloke in a room somewhere to tell him what's what. Coward."

[Fauxstralian]

On track for defeats by Luton & Forest over Xmas Not good news for Edward Howe Beheaded in the morning You're getting beheaded in the morning

[Manuel]

I wouldn't be shocked to see Mourinho installed there in the summer.

[Admiral Lard]

"Fuck me, bet they're glad they sold Wood to Forest"

[lowlife]

"Forest 3-1 up, can’t see Howe lasting much longer if this continues."

[Admiral Lard]

Barcodes bereft of ideas.

[lowlife]

"Cheers for doing this Coffee. Forest 2-1 up, can’t see Howe lasting much longer if this continues."

[goose]

"Newcastle seem to have hit a wall, few players over performed last season but are finding their level again. Howe won’t see the summer at this rate."

[Coffee]

It'll be interesting to see if Forest's away record improves under Nuno.

[Manuel]

"Jimm - Yea was a bit soft, but none of the Forest players complained tbf, including the offender. Gibbs-White is a good player. Toon look wide open on the break."

[Coffee]

"Cheers, Mex, Charley, happy et al. Now then, 1-1 at half-time. What will the second half bring?"

[Mex Martillo]

"Great stuff Coffee, love the predictions, especially the hammers. I'll looking for that and hope we pull it off. Won't be the same, but we did it in the League cup. REMEMBER, everyone all this weeks games are on Prime, which is free if you remember to cancel the 30 day free trail."

[Jimm]

"Maybe it's my blind hatred of Newcastle, but it looked a really soft penalty to me."

[charleyfarley]

Thanks Coff for doing these very much appreciated

[charleyfarley]

Thanks Coff for doing these very much appreciated

[happygilmore]

"Happy St Stephen's Day, Coffee. Man utd v Villa Draw. Let's just dream along with the Thursday prediction"

[Manuel]

"Fancy Forest will give Toon a game, hope so anyway. Chelsea and Man Utd both have home games that they really could do with winning, but may not. Possibly the end for the Dutchman?"

[Mike Oxsaw]

We could end up 9th by the time our match against Arsenal kicks off...