Saturday football

[Coffee]

"WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (1230) Wolves now have the unenviable record of being the first side to have lost to hopeless Sheffield Utd this season. Spurs are not likely to be the team they’d want to play after that. But if Gary O’Neil can summon the best of his man management skills, he might be able to instill a sense of getting back on track in his players. Might. Away win. ARSENAL vs BURNLEY (1500) Burnley are one of a pack of four that finds itself increasingly adrift at the foot of the table. Arsenal are one of a pack of four at the top of the table. Home win. CRYSTAL PALACE vs EVERTON (1500) Palace have become spoilers par excellence and Everton won’t fancy their chances at a cold and miserable Selhurst Park. Still, they’re gaining ground and confidence. Draw. MANCHESTER UNITED vs LUTON TOWN (1500) Things aren’t too rosy at Old Trafford these days. Luton expect little from this season, so the pressure’s all on this hosts. A surprise in store? Possibly but not probably. Home win. BOURNEMOUTH vs NEWCASTLE UNITED (1730) Media eyes will be on Eddie Howe. They’ll watch his current side go to his former employers and return with all points easily in the bag. Away win. *SUNDAY* ASTON VILLA vs FULHAM (1400) It was a close shave for Villa in Europe this last week. Has their discipline and confidence taken a knock? No. Home win. BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION vs SHEFFIELD UNITED (1400) Both these sides recorded magnificent and unexpected victories in their last games. Expect the Seagulls to continue their exceptional form. Home win. LIVERPOOL vs BRENTFORD (1400) Never underestimate Brentford, but Liverpool should still be too good for today’s visitors. Home win. WEST HAM UNITED vs NOTTINGHAM FOREST (1400) Hmm. Home win. CHELSEA vs MANCHESTER CITY (1630) City have returned to their accustomed league position. Chelsea, despite that extraordinary win over Spurs last week, haven’t. Away win. *CHAMPIONSHIP* Ipswich missed a great opportunity to go to the top, but messed up and remain three points behind leaders Leicester. The chasing pack are starting to show signs of separation, while the bottom three – Sheff Wed, QPR and Rotherham – remain unchanged. Millwall, who visit Sheff Wed this afternoon, are slipping and the Owls may fancy something today. The picks of today’s fixtures sees Middlesboro host Leicester and Birmingham visiting Sunderland. Southampton’s game with West Brom could also be interesting."

[Fauxstralian]

"You'd expect comfortable wins for Arsenal, Man U & Newcastle today with a bit of arm wrestle at Palace (1-1?) Have been impressed by Wolves but struggle for goals which will be worse without Neto .... they have been raped by VAR in a few games. I see Maddison and Van der Valk are out til January & Romero & Udoggie will be suspended. Hopefully the wheels completely fall off today with a makeshift defence ... another couple of reds & injuries"

[Manuel]

"The early game could be a good one, Spurs will probably nick it but fancy Wolves will run them close. Would be hilarious to see Luton get something, and you can't completely write that off."