Saturday football

[Coffee]

"LUTON TOWN vs CHELSEA (1230) An intriguing one to get the weekend off to what could be a dramatic start. Luton, many people’s relegation certs, are a point and goal difference below the dotted line, but do have a game in hand. They’re not bottom by virtue of a swashbuckling approach and an admirable never-say-die attitude. With Chelsea, you just don’t know which expensively-assembled team will show up. Should be an away win, but under no circumstances should you bank on that. Draw. ASTON VILLA vs BURNLEY (1500) At last Burnley have rediscovered their mojo. They’re still deep in the mire, though, and few outside the northwest will fancy their chances at high-flying Villa. Is it all a bit too late for the Clarets? Home win. CRYSTAL PALACE vs BRENTFORD (1500) Both these sides have underperformed so far this season. With one or two unfortunate exceptions. Palace were unlucky to lose at Chelsea last time out, and Roy Hodgson will be keen to make amends lest he finds his backside sacrificed at the altar of poor form. All meetings in this Premier League fixture have ended with honours even. Here’s to a sixth. Draw. MANCHESTER CITY vs SHEFFIELD UNITED (1500) The champions take on the rock-bottom Blades. Sheffield have nothing to lose, apart from the game, which they will. Home win. WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS vs EVERTON (1500) There were more than a fair share of moans and groans among Wolves fans when the club appointed Gary O’Neil. Those voices have gone strangely quiet of late and not without good reason. On the face of it, there’s very little to choose between these two sides. Draw. NOTTINGHAM FOREST vs MANCHESTER UNITED (1730) Forest remain perilously close to the relegation zone and might find themselves in it at the end of the weekend’s fixtures. Man U are a ship in stormy waters, surfing the occasional swell but more often diving into increasingly familiar troughs. Another tough one for the visitors. They should win but it will surprise nobody if they don’t. Draw. *SUNDAY* FULHAM vs ARSENAL (1400) You can’t help thinking that Fulham, already in a rut, may find themselves on the receiving end of a mighty backlash. Away win. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs BOURNEMOUTH (1400) Three wins, two defeats and a draw in their last six is not the kind of form that will return Spurs to the highest echelon of the table. Contrast that with the Cherries, who were relegation fodder while their hosts led the rest, with five wins and a draw in the same period. This promises to be an entertaining fixture. Draw. *MONDAY* LIVERPOOL vs NEWCASTLE UNITED (2000) So recently full of northeastern promise, Newcastle have fallen to ninth while Liverpool top the table. The first Premier League fixture of 2024 seems to offer little further promise for the visitors. Home win. *TUESDAY* WEST HAM UNITED vs BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (1930) What a win it was at the Emirates on Thursday. Can we repeat that result against a tough and talented Brighton side, albeit one that has fallen on inconsistent times? Easier said than done, although we did win the reverse fixture in August. The Seagulls come into this on the back of two wins, two draws and two defeats in the last six. Make of that what you will. Injuries, illness and probable but as yet unknown AFCON departures look set to dent the manager’s ability to name his preferred first XI. In the old days, you might have added hangovers from New Year’s Eve. 2023 was a remarkable year for the mighty Irons. Can today’s game mark the start of something even better? “The future looks extremely bright,” said David Sullivan last week at the release of the club’s last accounts. Let’s hope that future starts today. Home win. *CHAMPIONSHIP* Championship action resumes on New Year’s Day and sees Leicester continue to lead the division. Ipswich in second lost more ground after only managing a goalless draw at home to lowly QPR last Friday and now find a hungry Southampton just three points behind them and snapping eagerly at their heels. Leeds, in fourth, also fell to play-off rivals West Brom. QPR, Sheff Wed and Rotherham fill the drop zone places at the start of this year, with an increasingly uncomfortable gap opening wither side of the dotted line. One place above are Birmingham, who have plummeted as only the mighty can since Wayne Rooney took charge."

[fraser]

"Money no object Newcastle... Apart from FFP, let's have it right Newcastle haven't spent like City and Chelsea did when they came into money, they're not allowed to. He's still doing a lot better than Moyes was last season and with a massive injury list. They're in 8th with 29 points not 16th with 15 points."

[Manuel]

"7 defeats in 8 is a shocker and sackable. Oh dear, Edwin. He needs results very soon or him and his thug assistant will be back home to their wife's before very long."

[nychammer]

"7 defeats in 8, but isn't Eddie a 'progressive' manager who delivers exciting football? Begs the question: Who is out there to replace Moyes if Eddie cant cut the mustard at money-no-object Newcastle?"

[happygilmore]

7 defeats in the last 8 games for Eddie. He won't sleep well.

[nychammer]

"2 things from that: 1. Jota should have been booked for diving,. Clear as a bell 2. Liverpool third goal the lines 'were apparently drawn' by VAR they just couldn't show them on the broadcast. Hmmmmmmmm"

[Fauxstralian]

I dont imagine the Egypt manager is a former Newcastle manager Never liked Hughton when he played for us. Spurs cսnt

[Sir Alf]

It’s getting close to a completely non contact sport now. You have to get the ball but even then you can get a foul awarded for the follow thru leg or studs being visible. No contact just visible. And players actively coached to simulate nowadays. Some teams more than others. Throw in entitled fans ( again some than others ) a Premiership “product” where the vast majority of non -UK supporters follow 4 or 5 rich clubs. Refs and technology using microscopes but still interpretation of each incident. Hmmm… level playing field ?

[nychammer]

how has Salah been allowed to stay behind and fire Liverpool top but the same exception cant be made for us?

[Fauxstralian]

'Most shots in any game this year' IT'S JANUARY 1st INNIT?

[Slim Shady]

I see Liverpool have benefited by Salah not going away yet

[lowlife]

Disgraceful diving. ‘There was contact’ as noted by VAR. What a load of shit. Commentator then going on about how ‘brave’ Salah is when getting ready to take the penalty. Another grown man acting like a school kid talking like that. Embarrassing.

[Fauxstralian]

I see after his tap in and ludicrous penalty that SALAH has taken to celebrating by going and sitting on the advertising hoarding Wonder where he got that from?

[Slim Shady]

I see Liverpool have benefited by Salah not going away yet

[claretandbluedagger]

"Blatant dive, disgusting from Jota. No doubt it won’t be focused on as much as our first against Arsenal. Liverpool can do no wrong in the media’s eyes"

[happygilmore]

the game is fucked when you see Jota getting a penalty for that

[Manuel]

"Must admit it would be mildly amusing so see the spuds go above the arse. Arsenal really need a proper striker, you'd think they will be going all out for Toney this month."

[Sydney_Iron]

"Fuck me Arsenal fans are a deluded lot, some of the meltdowns on social media and YT are epic, Arteta out, our season is over blah blah blah, some silly cսnt saying its all down to the Refs having it in for Arsenal....FMOB! But yes im enjoying watching it, that smug bunch of fans have taken the number 1 spot off Spurs as biggest cunts in the PL so long may it continue."

[El Scorchio]

Arsenlol.

[simon.s]

I’m taking more pleasure in Arsenal losing than their north London rivals this season and I’m sure I’m not the only one.

[Kaiser Zoso]

Rice is world class at what he does. Being world class at it isn’t going to win Arsenal the league though

[Iron Duke]

"All the “experts”, including Rio, are gushing about Rice this season, saying how much of an important player he is. In the summer, they were all saying he’s not even worth £50m. Tossers."

[Iron Duke]

"All the “experts”, including Rio, are gushing about Rice this season, saying how much of an important player he is. In the summer, they were all saying he’s not even worth £50m. Tossers."

[Kaiser Zoso]

But Rice has learned sooooo much since joining Arsenal?

[happygilmore]

"Coffee 11:45 Sat Dec 30 Re: Saturday football happygilmore 11:39 Sat Dec 30 Those two wins are sandwiched between four defeats, including the last three ‚Äê---------------- Games where a key player was sent off after 20 mins and suspended for the next 2. Anyway looks like the rut/blip has ended, controlled that game against the Arse Arteta's boys were shit"

[arsene york-hunt]

We fucked them with a draw last year and they folded after that. We fucked them with a defeat this year and they are folding again. They must be hating us.