Saturday football

[Coffee]

"Spurs moved level on points with Man City last night with an expected win at Nottingham Forest. Steve Cooper’s job, according to some, is hanging by a thread after one win in their last thirteen games. BOURNEMOUTH vs LUTON TOWN (1500) Surprisingly, this could be a real pre-Christmas cracker. The Cherries have got their collective tails up, assuming cherries have tails, having seen off Man U, Newcastle, Palace and Sheff U in recent weeks and drawn with Villa. Luton, for all their shortcomings in the hardware department, rarely disappoint in terms of effort and commitment. You have to fancy Bournemouth, but don’t give up on the Hatters completely. Home win. CHELSEA vs SHEFFIELD UNITED (1500) Chelsea fans have been very – yes, very – tolerant of el Poch. Their team, assembled at eye-watering cost, remains firmly anchored in the lower half of the table. As do today’s opposition, who finally lost patience with their boss and turning back to a previous incumbent of that thankless role. But they’re still bottom of the league having shipped 41 goals in their 16 fixtures to date. Anything but an emphatic victory will leave Pochettino in muchos discomfort. Home win. MANCHESTER CITY vs CRYSTAL PALACE (1500) Speaking of managers with itchy collars, Roy Hodgson is feeling the heat which looks set to intensify further at the Etihad. Home win. NEWCASTLE UNITED vs FULHAM (1500) With top-four aspirations, Newcastle are languishing in seventh, just two points above us. Fulham are in a rich vein of form and come into this on the back of a 5-0 drubbing of a London rival. Still, the barcodes should have what it takes to see them off. Home win. BURNLEY vs EVERTON (1730) All eyes will be on guess-who in this vital bottom of the table clash. Everton have pulled up their socks of late, perhaps a kind of reaction to their 10-point penalty. Burnley too seem to have fired the afterburners, but it’s hard to be confident about any outcome at Turf Moor. Draw. *SUNDAY* ARSENAL vs BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (1400) Arsenal could return to the top of the table, albeit for the briefest possible time, if they emerge victorious this afternoon. Brighton are enjoying another fabulous season, this time with a decent run in Europe. Should be as tight as… Home win. BRENTFORD vs ASTON VILLA (1400) Villa find themselves in third spot as they make the always tricky visit to the Heathrow Approach Community Stadium. It won’t be easy for either side, but such is the visitors’ form that only a fool would bet against them. Away win. WEST HAM UNITED vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (1400) What are the chances that Wolves get an early corner, which is met by the head of a defender who’s become well-known and well-liked in these parts and the ball ends up bulging the back of the net? Out of respect, there will be no exaggerated celebrations from the scorer. Now wake up. We’re in the last 16 of the Europa Cup, we’re five points above the visitors and a mere three points behind Man U. So fucking what, crows a multitude as they again lift their pitchforks. Sitting back and waiting for the counter has been the preferred modus operandi of recent times to which we’re becoming disturbingly accustomed, but that would show far more respect to the opposition than is due. A bright start with a goal or two is the order of the day. And not just a start and not just today. Home win. LIVERPOOL vs MANCHESTER UNITED (1630) The leaders take on arguably the most troubled team in the Premier League. This is always one of the season’s big games, but you kind of know what’s going to happen. Home win. *CHAMPIONSHIP* As we approach the half-way point of the season, Leicester and Ipswich continue their absorbing battle at the top of the table. The Foxes, who scraped past lowly Millwall in midweek, visit Birmingham on Monday, which gives the Tractor Boys the opportunity to climb into top spot if they can see off local rivals Norwich in today’s early game. All other fixtures today will be mere side-shows. At the bottom, QPR have done well to pull themselves to within a point of the dotted line and could end the day above it if they beat fellow strugglers Sheff Wed."

[Manuel]

"pdbis - You can never be sure, but what would be the point in sacking a high profile coach like Poch so soon after Potter, then what? I suspect he will get time, he is also meant to be good with developing youngsters, which is possibly a big reason why he got the gig in the first place."

[pdbis]

Will Poch last the season?

[nychammer]

How much have Chelsea spent to be this shit? And they have Pochettino too!

[happygilmore]

Looks like Chelsea are still shit under Poch

[Helmut Shown]

"How was Kavanagh a Merseyside based referee, allowed to ref the Liverpool v Arsenal game?"

[Fauxstralian]

You have to admire what Luton are doing giving their absolute all and being competitive every game Great win for them today ... and us. If I was Eddie Howe & got invited to Christmas lunch at the Saudi embassy .... I WOULDN'T GO

[Capitol Man]

Great finish but a soft bit of defending there.

[lowlife]

"I don‚Äôt want Arsenal to win the title, but would like to see Liverpool getting absolutely smashed tonight. Hate those entitled cunts, particularly that perma grin cսnt in chief they have in charge."

[Manuel]

Proper old school atmosphere at Luton and a great result for us. Everton hit the woodwork with almost the last kick. What price Solanke now?

[nychammer]

watching Luton vs Newcastle - excellent scrap this hope they can hold on then its been a really good weekend for us!

[Mr Anon]

"Would anyone prefer Arsenal to win the premier league over Liverpool these days? I've had a long historical hatred for Liverpool based on them winning absolutely everything when I was a kid, I also didn't mind arsenal at all Recently I've completely reversed this position, I guess down to the way their fans were about the rice transfer, I never knew I was so petty!"

[happygilmore]

Coffee must be doing last minute Xmas shopping. West Ham Fulham Newcastle FOREST draw Spurs Draw Liverpool Wolves Draw

[zico]

"I stand corrected on McTominay, although knew he played for Scotland. I just haven't watched any of these games for a while and was surprised by the lack of quality and wondered whether it's all stopping the track of home grown youngsters through to first teams, you see it as well with Moyes. Might have something to do with the fact I am in the middle of reading Tony Carr's book. Did you know Kenny Dalglish had a trial at West Ham, was offered a contract but obviously decided on Celtic instead?"

[Percy Dalton]

Agree about Ian Wright totally biased regarding Arsenal last week him and Jenas had a bit of a fall out arguing whether Jesus should have got a penalty he buried his head in his hands like a spoilt kid. Glad to see the back of him no doubt he'll be more at home bigging up the women's attempt at football

[joe royal]

"Alfs, born in England = English; Full name Scott Francis McTominay[1] Date of birth 8 December 1996 (age 27)[2] Place of birth Lancaster, England"

[Alfs]

"McTominay is Scottish, Comma."

[lowlife]

Looking forward to Ian Wright leaving MotD. Hope they replace him with some who doesn’t say “we” and “us” whenever their ex team plays. Twat.

[Iron Duke]

Martinelli and Maupay would both get into the total cunts XI. How did Martinelli not even get a yellow card?

[lowlife]

"Scumbag Ben Mee getting sent off for a horrendous tackle. Horrible player, Brentford fans defending him. Thomas Frank saying it wasn’t a red either. Would love to see Brentford go down."

[,]

"Three Englishmen, Trent AA, Shaw and McTominay."

[zico]

Two Englishmen only on a starting 22 in a Liverpool v Man United match and that's what got served up. Getting harder and harder for home grown players to break through.

[zico]

Two Englishmen only on a starting 22 in a Liverpool v Man United match and that's what got served up. Getting harder and harder for home grown players to break through.

[Alex G]

I guess that red means Dalot is suspended for our match on Saturday then. Disappointed to see Man United pick up a point but at least Liverpool were huffing and puffing to the end ahead of playing us midweek.

[BRANDED]

About 1.4 million people in the UK are effected by atrial fibrillation. I had it and had an op about 10 years ago. Usually sorts it out for life.

[nychammer]

palace have a good record at their place