Saturday football

[Coffee]

"ARSENAL vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (1500) The league leaders have a chance to extend their lead as they host the impressive but flawed Wolves. Should be fairly routine unless O’Neil can work some magic. Home win. BRENTFORD vs LUTON TOWN (1500) Many people’s relegation favourites back in August, Luton have done really well to go into December out of the bottom three where they’ll remain whatever happens against Brentford. The Hatters have a drive and determination that will test their hosts but are unlikely to overcome them. Home win. BURNLEY vs SHEFFIELD UNITED (1500) A genuine six-pointer, even for December. Burnley have been better than their results would suggest, while the Blades have arguably been unlucky with some of their results. Blood, guts and gore on the menu at Turf Moor. Home win. NOTTINGHAM FOREST vs EVERTON (1730) Forest have done remarkably well in their ascent from the present realms of danger. That, in part, deepens Everton’s mire that’s already exacerbated by the 10-point penalty. The Toffees are five points from the dotted line, so this is the kind of game they have to win if they’re to stay up this season. But Forest’s home form has been their strength. Draw. NEWCASTLE UNITED vs MANCHESTER UNITED (2000) There’s little to separate these two. Man U may be smarting from their midweek Euro capitulation and may be off their best for the visit to St James Park. This looks like a game worth watching. Draw. *SUNDAY* BOURNEMOUTH vs ASTON VILLA (1400) Unai Emery is doing a fantastic job at Villa and it will take a lot for his opposite number, Andoni Iraola, to end today on the winning side. But after a shaky start to the season, Bournemouth have picked up some momentum and are sure to give Villa a game. Away win. CHELSEA vs BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (1400) The Seagulls recorded a fabulous win in Europe in midweek. With Chelsea, you just don’t know what you’re going to get. A stunning win one week, a shitstorm the next. The fence. Draw. LIVERPOOL vs FULHAM (1400) Pool in third at home to Fulham in 14th. What else can you say? Home win. WEST HAM UNITED vs CRSYTAL PALACE (1400) A win Thursday for us, but what a terrible game it was. On the plus side, Tomas Soucek is showing that he’s arguably at his most effective in or near the opposition penalty area. Palace have been a bit of a bogey team for us in recent seasons. There’s little to suggest that this is going to change any time soon. So heart it is then. Home win. MANCHESTER CITY vs TOTTNEHAM HOTSPUR (1630) This could and should be a cracker. After a casual dalliance with the league leadership, Spurs’ fortunes have taken a dip. For City, this should be straightforward. Home win. *CHAMPIONSHIP* Leicester and Ipswich continue their supremacy over the rest of the Championship, though the Tractor Boys may fancy their chances of taking over leadership today as they host Coventry (15th) while the Foxes visit West Brom (5th). The bottom three are as fixed in their positions as the top two are in theirs. After encouraging early-season form, Millwall’s progress has since been like a rock responding to gravity such that they now find themselves in 19th position. The main action focuses on the battle for a play-off place, with Leeds (3rd) taking on Boro (10th) and Cardiff’s (9th) visit to Southampton today’s picks."

[Pagey]

"Manuel, try not to worry about it."

[El Scorchio]

"Villa are doing great. Good luck to them. Case study in how a manager with a good, progressive mindset can transform a team who were festering under one with no real ideas. Same with Newcastle. I hope Steidten is watching very closely."

[Eerie Descent]

"That sideways move for Rice hasn't worked out for him, has it? Cheers Moyesie!"

[Takashi Miike]

"twoleftfeet 12:28 Thu Dec 7 Re: Saturday football Boo hoo we hate West Ham Cunstable Footinmouth, you fuck off"

[Mike Oxsaw]

"Arsenal PL Prize Money 1st

[Manuel]

"Pagey - Nobody is saying he isn't are they, but such is your hard on for Rice you stated that 105 mil is an ''absolute bargain'' but unless Arsenal win the league then it's hard to see how you can justify saying that. That's the point here."

[Texas Iron]

City stats today… 54% Possession 2 Attempts 2 on Target Zero Corners Guardiola clearly lost the plot…and is not infallible…clearly out manouevred by Emri…

[onsideman]

"Whether Villa are ahead of us or not is immaterial, but they clearly have a better manager and its simply bizarre to imagine anyone arguing to the contrary. I've not seen a more comprehensive 1-0 this season. That kind of performance for 97 mins against Man City to cap 14 successive home wins. If only."

[paulon]

Right on cue

[twoleftfeet]

"Boo hoo we hate West Ham Bunch of cunts, Wolves a few weeks ago and now Villa. Fuck off"

[paulon]

Villa miles ahead of us now despite a similar spend last 2-3 years BUT it doesn’t matter because we won fuck all at Upton Park which is apparently the only way you’re allowed to judge Moyes

[RBshorty]

Hope Villa go on and do a Leicester. The thought of the Goon or Red Scouse winning the title is sickening.

[stats]

Since Villa went 1 up they've still been pressing for a second. Oh to have a progressive manager.

[Pagey]

"Manuel, I really couldn’t give a shit. I think Rice is an exceptional footballer and will say that. Rather than pretending he wasn’t because he joined Arsenal."

[RBshorty]

Well. If Lucas doesn’t get a ban. That’s £85 million guaranteed come summer time.!

[onsideman]

Yes fraser. Galling isn't it?

[fraser]

Palace and Forest look shit.. Yet we struggled against both at home..

[Bonds78]

Villa giving it a real go against City deserve to be at least 1 up.

[twoleftfeet]

Cooper & Hodgson both gone by Sunday if scores stay as they are.

[pdbis]

I wish Fulham's form hadn't picked up of late.

[Manuel]

"Pagey - Your hard on for Rice is a bit cringe to be honest, but yes I worded it wrong, he has improved them in the respect that he is better than Partey and the Turkish bloke who has left, but if they finish second or below this season then he hasn't been the difference in that respect."

[Manuel]

"Pagey - Your hard on for Rice is a bit cringe to be honest, but yes I worded it wrong, he has improved them in the respect that he is better than Partey and the Turkish bloke who has left, but if they finish second or below this season then he hasn't been the difference in that respect."

[Pagey]

"Manuel, there will never be an argument that Rice hasn’t improved Arsenal. He improved them the second he walked through the door."

[Pagey]

"I think we’ll win it, regardless of Southgate. The experience of reaching the final of the last Euros, along with the semi-final of the World Cup prior to that, will be invaluable. Our top players are all playing at a higher level now, and that will be the clincher for me. Bellingham and Kane will have that winning mentality installed into them."

[LeroysBoots]

"Pagey, on the England Euros comment you forgot to factor in the Southgate effect, he makes Moyes look like Pep !!!"