Last chance for a full weekend of fixtures before another annoying international break, this one meaning even less with a handful of Euro playoffs and multiple freindlies. That will hopefully give the footballing public a break from Jose Mourinho’s future at Chelsea and Wayne Rooney’s lack of goals after both started to put things right during the Champions League midweek. Depends on what happens this weekend though.
Here’s our rundown of the fixtures ahead.
BOURNEMOUTH v NEWCASTLE – SAT 12:45 UK – FOX SPORTS 4
17th Bournemouth welcome 18th placed Newcastle whose 350 mile road trip will be worthwhile if they can beat Bournemouth as they will climb out of the bottom three. Bournemouth were probably expected to struggle afer promotion and more so given their injuries, but even the most pessimistic Newcastle wouldn’t have imagined their team in the bottom three all season. So much to play for.
STATISTICS PLEASE – Both sides are 1 win in 6 games – Newcastle’s coming 3 games ago and Bournemouth 6 games ago.
GURGLER TIPS – DRAW
MANCHESTER UNITED v WEST BROM – SAT 15:00 UK – FOX SPORTS 4
Manchester United may have underwhelmed in the league lately but their result in the Champions League will give them some breathing space, as will their current 4th placing. Wayne Rooney scored as well giving him a one-week reprieve from the media for not scoring. West Brom though, have had some success in Manchester in the past.
STATISTICS PLEASE – WBA have won their last two trips to Old Trafford. MAN UTD have scored either 3 or 0 in their past 7 games.
GURGLER TIPS – UNDER 2.5 Goals
WEST HAM v EVERTON – SAT 15:00 UK – FOX SPORTS 5
West Ham lost their first away game for the year last weekend against Watford, but still sit in 6th which would have nicely at this stage if you asked at the start of the season. Everton were ruthless against Sunderland winning 6-2 and will eye off another big bag O goals this weekend. It should be entertaining with plenty of goals at minimum.
STATISTICS PLEASE – Both Teams have almost same For and Against in the Last Six (West Ham 11-9) Everton (11-10), the one less goal conceded explains West Ham’s higher position on the ladder by 2 points.
GURGLER TIPS – OVER 2.5 GOALS
SUNDERLAND v SOUTHAMPTON – SAT 15:00 UK – FOX SPORTS RED BUTTON
Will Southampton get another decent scalp away from home, or will Sunderland drag them down into their level of play. It was only 2 games ago that Sunderland thrashed their big rivals in Newcastle, but Everton returned the favour with a 6-2 loss. That one wouldn’t have been Big Sam’s fault, although a win this weekend will be his.
STATISTIC PLEASE – SOUTHAMPTON are one of two teams unbeaten away this season – Leicester is the other.
GURGLER TIPS – UNDER 2.5 GOALS.
LEICESTER v WATFORD – SAT 15:00 UK – FOX SPORTS RED BUTTON
Two surprise packets meet. No one would have been brave enough to select Leicester to be third at this stage of the year, as an Ipswich Town fan it is similar to 2001 when Town featured in the top three at this stage of the year on the back of plenty of goals from the less fashionable Marcus Stewart akin to Jamie Vardy. Very few expected Watford to be the highest of the promoted clubs in 11th. Watford score more goals away than at home, and there’s always plenty of golas in Leicester games.
STATISTICS PLEASE – Watford have scored 7 golas in 5 away games. They have managed 3 in 6 home games.
GURGLER TIPS – OVER 2.5 GOALS
NORWICH v SWANSEA – SAT 15:00 UK – FOX SPORTS RED BUTTON
A hard one to pick given both sides struggling for form lately, Swansea’s only win came against busted arse Aston Villa. Norwich looked EPL ready earlier in the season but are now down to 16th and winless in their last 6 games, just 2 points from relegation. A home win is due surely.
STATISTICS PLEASE – only NORWICH and Aston Villa haven’t won one of their last six.
GURGLER TIPS – NORWICH to win
STOKE v CHELSEA – SAT 17:30 UK – FOX SPORTS 4
Chelsea visit the Britannia not long after their League Cup exit put Jose Mourinho one step closer to the axe. Last week’s Liverpool game was another, but a midweek Euro win has saved him for a bit longer and the drama continues. Jose Mourinho won’t be at the ground after receiving a stadium ban which was thoroughly earned with some combatant and strange behaviour. Stoke will be hard to beat as they have 3 wins and 2 draws in the last 6 games with as many points as Leicester and Man Utd.
STATISTICS PLEASE – STOKE have scored the second least amount of home goals with 4 in 5 games.
GURGLER TIP – UNDER 2.5 GOALS
ASTON VILLA v MANCHESTER CITY – SUN 13:30 – FOX SPORTS
Remi Garde takes over the mess that is Aston Villa with the thankless task of leading a side who have threatened to be relegated for the last few seasons but seem to be following through this year. Without a win since Round 1, the new manager has the unenviable task of hosting Manchester City first up fresh from midweek Euro success in Spain.
STATISTICS PLEASE – ASTON VILLA have lost 7 in a row.
GURGLER TIPS – MANCHESTER CITY to win
ARSENAL v TOTTENHAM – SUNDAY 16:00 – FOX SPORTS
The big game of the weekend, and a winner is hard to judge in this game at the best of times as form goes out the window. Even harder when awaiting the reaction of Arsenal who raised their Champions League hopes a few weeks ago and had them deflated badly with a 5-1 loss in Munich. Spurs somehow continue to evade the spotlight despite being unbeaten since Round 2.
STATISTICS PLEASE – ARSENAL beat Man Utd 3-0 after their last poor showing against Olympiakos in Europe.
GURGLER TIPS – ARSENAL to win
LIVERPOOL v CRYSTAL PALACE – SUN 16:00 – FOX SPORTS
This should be entertaining at least. With Liverpool building nicely under Jurgen Klopp and Crystal Palace always good to watch and much better away from home there’s plenty to look forward to.
STATISTICS PLEASE – CRYSSTAL PALCE have more points away (9) than at home (7) with one less game played.
GURGLER TIPS – DRAW.
SUPER MULTIS TIME
The Under and Over Multi
UNDER 2.5 goals – Sunderland v Southampton
OVER 2.5 goals – Leicester v Watford
UNDER 2.5 goals – Man Utd v WBA
OVER 2.5 goals – West Ham v Everton
UNDER 2.5 goals – Stoke v Chelsea
$1 for $17
The Other Multi
DRAW – Bournemouth v Newcastle
NORWICH to beat Swansea
MANCHESTER CITY to beat Aston Villa
ARSENAL to beat Spurs
DRAW – Liverpool v Crystal Palace
$1 for $62
