Saturday football

[Coffee]

"WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS vs LIVERPOOL (1230) Never an easy visit, but the Reds should be way too strong for Gary O’Neil’s side today. The hosts will look to climb away from the bottom while the visitors have their sights set on the opposite direction. Away win. ASTON VILLA vs CRYSTAL PALACE (1500) Villa under Emery have shown themselves capable of some decent, attractive, attacking football. Palace, the perennial spoilers, travel to Birmingham to show what they’re capable of. Probably not enough, though. Home win. FULHAM vs LUTON TOWN (1500) Leading contender for borefest of the weekend in all four divisions. Luton are yet to register a point on their return to the top division and there’s little to suggest that will change today. Home win. MANCHESTER UNTED vs BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (1500) This could be a cracker. Although media eyes have been glued on Maguire and Sancho, there’s a decent game of football on the cards at Old Trafford. Draw. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs SHEFFIELD UNITED (1500) Spurs have made an excellent start to life under Ange Postecoglou and will look to consolidate their chase of current leaders Man City. Sheffield have amassed just a point so far. The Cocks are likely to be far too sharp for the Blades today. Home win. WEST HAM UNITED vs MANCHESTER CITY (1500) There have been few occasions in recent seasons when you could say that we have a sporting chance of a point or more from this fixture. If we hadn’t conceded a late equaliser at Bournemouth on the opening day, we’d be level on points with today’s visitors. Stones, Kovacic and the ever-irritating Grealish are out for City, but such is the strength of their squad that their absence is unlikely to have a significant weakening effect. Both sides are quick and dangerous on the break. Ward-Prowse has already shown his value on set pieces and that could come in handy again today. Moyes will have to choose between Antonio and Kudus to lead the line – or will he be ultra-brave and pick both? No, don’t be daft. With both sides high on confidence and capable of goals, an intriguing contest is in store. Draw. NEWCASTLE UNITED vs BRENTFORD (1730) The hosts go into this six places below their visitors, but despite a slow start to the season they will be definite favourites. The Bees should not be underestimated, though, and will provide a tough opposition. Home win. *SUNDAY* BOURNEMOUTH vs CHELSEA (1400) Chelsea haven’t made the best start under Pochettino and currently sit in 12th spot, two points above the Cherries. If they can’t win at the Vitality, storm clouds may soon appear over west London. Away win. EVERTON vs ARSENAL (1630) Another terrible start to the season from the Toffees is not the best preparation for the visit of Arsenal. The status quo is set to remain unchanged. Away win. *MONDAY* NOTTINGHAM FOREST vs BURNLEY (1945) After their phenomenal sojourn in the Championship, many people would have expected more – much more – from Burnley on their return to the Premier League. Instead, the Clarets are rock bottom of the table with null points and eight goals conceded. Forest, meanwhile, are one point away from a European qualification place. Funny old world. Draw. *CHAMPIONSHIP* Leicester romped to victory and top spot at St Mary’s on Friday, but the top part of the Championship already looks as tight as ever with a mere three points separating second from seventh. Expect that trend to continue for much of the season. At the other end, Michael Carrick’s Boro are resolutely bottom, having gained just a single point from their opening five games. Carrick will take some succour from the duck’s arse that also characterises the table’s nether region, with three points again all that keeps the bottom six apart. Also expect Boro to be chasing a promotion spot before long. Another tense and exciting season appears in store in the second tier."

[happygilmore]

"Cheers Coffee. Aside from the two games v Manchester, it is a very dull week's fixtures. Yes Burnley have looked too lightweight to even manage a bench(pun intended) . But it's a funny old game"

[Coffee]

"Manuel, in hindsight agree about Forest probably beating Burnley. (P.S. respectively)"

[Manuel]

"Would love to see the Cherries and Brighton turn the screw on Pochettino and Ten Haag, receptively. Also wouldn't mind seeing Palace put some more pressure on the serial cup winner Dick Emery, who seems to struggle a bit with his bread and butter. Not sure Burnley will get anything at Forest."