Post by staggerstag on Feb 7, 2019 6:35:47 GMT
Fulham's inspired 4-2 comeback v Brighton recently was let down by a 2-0 defeat at Palace just days later. They sit 7 points adrift of safety and host a challenging lunchtime kick-off against Man Utd, still enjoying a remarkable upturn under Ole. United are just 2 points off the top four now and seem a daunting prospect for any opposition. But let's see how they fare over their next 7 outings, with ties v PSG, Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal.
Palace are unbeaten in two league games, three including the win over Spurs in the FA Cup, and they entertain a West Ham side still buzzing at nabbing a point at Anfield most recently.
Doomed and pathetic Huddersfield (1 point from the last 36 - yes one point from 12 games) host up-and-down Arsenal in the second of the five 3pm encounters. Many books have been closed on Huddy going down. No fight, no plan, no anything. It's a far cry from the ass-end of last season where they fought tooth and nail to earn a survival-winning point at Stamford Bridge in the penultimate game of the campaign, and also screwed up Chelsea's Champions League aspirations.
Liverpool will be seeking an all-out destruction of Bournemouth following two straight draws which have allowed City to mount the Big Boys' step on the EPL stairway. A minus 7 GD to City will have Klopp in a goal-hungry frenzy on Saturday and let's hope he has a spare pair of glasses in his pocket should he feel the need to destroy the ones he's wearing. You can't see the Cherries doing much here but Spec Savers are on full alert just in case.
Southampton...well, it's Southampton, isn't it. Every goddamned week I try to find something to say about them but every week there's little worth saying. They might go down. The stripes on their shirts are getting narrower with every season. Mick Channon was a legend for them and nothing much has happened since. Anyway, they dust down the welcome mat for Cardiff who if they win will go a point above the Saints into 17th at least, depending on how Burnley get on later.
And here is Burnley, in a not altogether mouthwatering tie with Brighton by the seaside. Brighton are only five points from the drop zone and are by no means safe but Burnley hover just two points from safety with upcoming games v Spurs and Toon/Liverpool away. It doesn't look promising. I thought it was a Europa League hangover for the first few weeks of Burnley's season but it's clearly something more. What would they give to be occupying that 7th place spot that they so resolutely inhabited last season?
Two games on Sunday and first up is Spurs v Leicester. Claude Peul has been favourite for next manager to leave for quite some time now, while MoPo has hilariously been linked in some sensationalistic quarters with a move to Chelsea. You've gotta feel for Poch, he's doing a very good job without money from the board for back-up signings. It's little wonder he looks a mite depressed sometimes. Sooner rather than later, Levy has got to fork out for new signings.
Everton couldn't put a smile on Klopp's face but ensured Gladioli's smug grin was once again on full show by going down 0-2 on Wednesday to a Man City side who now top the table again albeit having played a game more than Liverpool. Citeh host Chelsea in the later Sunday set-to and despite Higuaín's brace v Huddy recently you have to feel nervous for the London side. Reports of Hazard's summer departure to Madrid, foreign interest in Willian, the uncertainty over Hudson-Odoi and the manner in which his future has been handled by the club - it all points to a possible lack of togetherness for this game. Any other opposition (even Liverpool) and I'd say wait, brah, Chelsea could surprise you. But City? No dice.
Monday night's game is Newcastle v Wolves. But hang on, this could be a goer. Wolves love to get forward, and Toon can hopefully regain some of that winning mentality that saw off Man City recently. It could be one to keep an eye out for.
Palace are unbeaten in two league games, three including the win over Spurs in the FA Cup, and they entertain a West Ham side still buzzing at nabbing a point at Anfield most recently.
Doomed and pathetic Huddersfield (1 point from the last 36 - yes one point from 12 games) host up-and-down Arsenal in the second of the five 3pm encounters. Many books have been closed on Huddy going down. No fight, no plan, no anything. It's a far cry from the ass-end of last season where they fought tooth and nail to earn a survival-winning point at Stamford Bridge in the penultimate game of the campaign, and also screwed up Chelsea's Champions League aspirations.
Liverpool will be seeking an all-out destruction of Bournemouth following two straight draws which have allowed City to mount the Big Boys' step on the EPL stairway. A minus 7 GD to City will have Klopp in a goal-hungry frenzy on Saturday and let's hope he has a spare pair of glasses in his pocket should he feel the need to destroy the ones he's wearing. You can't see the Cherries doing much here but Spec Savers are on full alert just in case.
Southampton...well, it's Southampton, isn't it. Every goddamned week I try to find something to say about them but every week there's little worth saying. They might go down. The stripes on their shirts are getting narrower with every season. Mick Channon was a legend for them and nothing much has happened since. Anyway, they dust down the welcome mat for Cardiff who if they win will go a point above the Saints into 17th at least, depending on how Burnley get on later.
And here is Burnley, in a not altogether mouthwatering tie with Brighton by the seaside. Brighton are only five points from the drop zone and are by no means safe but Burnley hover just two points from safety with upcoming games v Spurs and Toon/Liverpool away. It doesn't look promising. I thought it was a Europa League hangover for the first few weeks of Burnley's season but it's clearly something more. What would they give to be occupying that 7th place spot that they so resolutely inhabited last season?
Two games on Sunday and first up is Spurs v Leicester. Claude Peul has been favourite for next manager to leave for quite some time now, while MoPo has hilariously been linked in some sensationalistic quarters with a move to Chelsea. You've gotta feel for Poch, he's doing a very good job without money from the board for back-up signings. It's little wonder he looks a mite depressed sometimes. Sooner rather than later, Levy has got to fork out for new signings.
Everton couldn't put a smile on Klopp's face but ensured Gladioli's smug grin was once again on full show by going down 0-2 on Wednesday to a Man City side who now top the table again albeit having played a game more than Liverpool. Citeh host Chelsea in the later Sunday set-to and despite Higuaín's brace v Huddy recently you have to feel nervous for the London side. Reports of Hazard's summer departure to Madrid, foreign interest in Willian, the uncertainty over Hudson-Odoi and the manner in which his future has been handled by the club - it all points to a possible lack of togetherness for this game. Any other opposition (even Liverpool) and I'd say wait, brah, Chelsea could surprise you. But City? No dice.
Monday night's game is Newcastle v Wolves. But hang on, this could be a goer. Wolves love to get forward, and Toon can hopefully regain some of that winning mentality that saw off Man City recently. It could be one to keep an eye out for.
