Saturday football

[Coffee]

"CRYSTAL PALACE vs LIVERPOOL (1230) The Steven Gerrard slip memorial fixture. Palace are in a poor run of form and their spoiled fans may soon start losing patience with Roy Hodgson. A win will take Liverpool to the top of the table, even only for a couple of hours. Not the most enticing game with which to start the weekend, but could be entertaining nonetheless. Away win. BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION vs BURNLEY (1500) Burnley rediscovered a bit of last seasons Championship mojo in their 5-0 demolition of relegation rivals Sheffield Utd. Could that be what kindles their season? The Seagulls, meanwhile, have won two of their last six and drawn three. You’d fancy the hosts to come away victorious, but don’t write Burnley off just yet. Draw. MANCHESTER UNITED vs BOURNEMOUTH (1500) After looking like prime relegation candidates, the Cherries find themselves in a purple patch. Is this the start of a justification of their owners’ decision to switch managers? Speaking of which, Man U’s woes are perhaps not quite as profound as the media make out. They’re three points off the top four and they’re a very good side when the mood takes them. Home win. SHEFFIELD UNITED vs BRENTFORD (1500) They’re something likable about Chris Wilder and his return to the Blades is reminiscent of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. They’ll face tough opposition in Brentford, but will fancy themselves to get at least a point today. Draw. WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS vs NOTTINGHAM FOREST (1500) Gary O’Neill has a point in his observations about the injustice of VAR, but credit to him for not quite languishing in self-pity, yet. Forest’s aversion to away games continues and they’ll find their hosts in no mood to offer respite. Home win. ASTON VILLA vs ARSENAL (1730) The game of the day sees two quality Spanish managers lock horns. This should be a cracker. Home win. *SUNDAY* EVERTON vs CHELSEA (1400) The Toffees’ climb to above the dotted line seems to have galvanised them more than anything else in recent times. Chelsea are painfully inconsistent and you just don’t know which Chelsea will turn up. Draw. FULHAM vs WEST HAM UNITED (1400) An exceptional result from an unexceptional performance in midweek should have boosted our self-belief to the point that we’ll be expecting at least to avoid defeat at Craven Cottage. But entertainment is likely to be at a premium, as it has been in so many of our recent games. Away win. LUTON TOWN vs MANCHESTER CITY (1400) David and Goliath. On paper there’s only one possible outcome, but the Hatters are sure to put in a fighting display. That should make for an interesting game, the more so the longer they can stop City from scoring. Away win. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs NEWCASTLE UNITED (1630) Both sides come into this on the back of defeat. Who else is smiling? You’d expect Spurs to respond strongly. Home win. *CHAMPIONSHIP* The last week has seen two managerial casualties – Mowbray at Sunderland and Duff at Swansea. The top two remain unchanged, with Leicester hosting Plymouth and Ipswich travelling to Boro who will see this as an opportunity in their push for a play-off spot where Leeds have a tricky visit to Blackburn and Southampton go to Watford. Three points are all that separate Blackburn in 7th and Bristol City in 15th, so there’s all to play for in that middle section. At the bottom, a resurgent QPR host Hull while Rotherham take on Swansea and rock bottom Sheff Wed visit Stoke."

[Manuel]

"Yea it was a foul, but I don't like VAR going back, for me it should just look at the pen, if the ref missed something further back then so be it."

[Kaiser Zoso]

"Don’t get why the ref needed 20 odd viewings, from 3 different angles in slo mo and normal speed, before he decided Hughes pushed the tiddly, over while making zero contact with the ball Fucking obvious when it happened it was a foul"

[Mike Oxsaw]

"If the football gods play nicely this weekend, I believe that we can replace Man U in their European qualifying spot."

[Tomsdad]

They’re something likable about Chris Wilder and his return to the Blades is reminiscent of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. One for the teenagers!

[charleyfarley]

Thanks Coff

[goose]

Arsenal v Villa should be really interesting to watch. I have a sneaky suspicion Bournemouth might get a result. Hopefully spurs get hammered by Newcastle.

[happygilmore]

"Cheers Coffee, Yes the slip wasn't against Palace."

[Fauxstralian]

"Steven Gerrards slip was against Chelsea at Anfield where DEMBA BA ran through to score Palace away was when Liverpool had the game won and somehow let the EAGLES get back to 3-3 Palace fans are getting mutinous ... lots of losses and a point against us ..... Roy is getting close to the exit you'd think Villa v Arsenal is the standout today ... a 15th successive home PL win & the Villa become CONTENDERS Suspect wins for Liverpool, Brighton, Man Utd, Brentford, Wolves & a draw at Villa today"

[Iron Duke]

Cheers Coffee. I’ll go for: Liverpool Brighton Man Utd Sheff Utd Wolves Draw Chelsea Fulham Man City Draw

[Iron Duke]

Cheers Coffee. I’ll go for: Liverpool Brighton Man Utd Sheff Utd Wolves Draw Chelsea Fulham Man City Draw

[Coffee]

"The Cherries, you say? ;-)"

[Manuel]

"Some decent looking fixtures. The early game could be interesting with Woy digging out the Palace faithful midweek and then backtracking once the old bugger had calmed down a bit, stating that he now he bitterly regrets his comments and apologized. Newcastle are on the floor with all their injuries and playing CL football and agree tomorrow could be the game Spurs grab a much needed win. The Cherries are in a great run of form and you can't write them off at Old Trafford today, a bit of a free hit for them. Villa are going to slip up at some point at home and I fancy Arsenal to get something there today. Hope I'm wrong though. Finally, could Stevie Cooper get his cards if they succumb to Wolves?"