It feels like we’ve been writing this a lot of late – not that we mind – but it’s nearly time for another serving of Premier League football.
Indeed, things have really stepped up in recent games at both ends of the table with Spurs determined to make a go of the title race, the top four battle looking very hard to predict and the relegation battle being, as ever, tense with a capital t.
So, naturally, we can’t wait for the first ball to start rolling again and, with that in mind, it can only be time for one thing – the Rush Football Weekend Preview – please, no applause needed…
Saturday…
Tottenham v Watford 12:30
Spurs produced a superb comeback late on in the week against Swansea to keep things somewhat interesting at the top of the league. There’s seven points between them and Chelsea and against a Watford side that really do look as though they’ll be mid-table and nothing else, the gap should decrease if only for a few hours.
Man City v Hull 15:00
Hull are genuinely good fun to watch and are playing like they’ve got Champions League football secured, not as though they’re fighting for their lives. Man City, meanwhile, are going for that top four and despite the Tigers being more than likely to give them a game, we can’t see City not winning.
Middlesbrough v Burnley 15:00
Six-pointer alert! Boro actually found the net against Hull in the week only to see their usually solid defence let them down. They’ll be keen to win here, then, and bring Burnley into the equation with the Clarets still yet to win away this season. This really is a huge game for both – cue 0-0.
Stoke v Liverpool 15:00
Liverpool let their Achilles heel once again beat them as they drew with Bournemouth in the week to open the door slightly for Man United and Arsenal. Stoke, meanwhile, are firmly mid-table and will be looking to wind the Reds up even more at the Bet365 Stadium.
West Brom v Southampton 15:00
It might be too harsh to term this a dead rubber but only West Brom have even a chance of getting into Europe and it’s slim at best. Even so, this should therefore be a good game to watch with plenty of goals given neither has the pressure on and so now watch it be last on Match of the Day.
West Ham v Swansea 15:00
We’re going to need new batteries – six pointer alert! West Ham are in free-fall and, after their most recent loss against Arsenal, they look completely out of confidence. Swansea, meanwhile, deserved more against Spurs and will be confident of getting a massive win here.
Bournemouth v Chelsea 17:30
Bournemouth should be safe from the drop after a good point at Anfield and they’ll fancy getting something out of Chelsea. They’ll have to catch the Blues on an off-day, though, as the current leaders already look over their blip against Crystal Palace and ready to finish in style.
Sunday…
Sunderland v Man United 13:30
It’s goodnight Vienna for the Black Cats – they aren’t coming back from where they are. All they can do, then, is play for pride and they may restore some with a win over Manchester United. The Red Devils need a win to keep pace with the top four, though, and we doubt they’ll slip up here.
Everton v Leicester 16:00
A few weeks ago this was a nailed on Everton win but Leicester are all of a sudden the team they were last season. They’ll be up for annoying Koeman and co. then, but with the Champions League on the horizon they may rest players. Everton were good against United and should be confident of getting a win here, too.
Monday…
Crystal Palace v Arsenal 20:00
The weekend is rounded off with some MNF taking place in south London. Arsenal got back to winning ways over West Ham whilst Crystal Palace couldn’t follow their Chelsea win up against Southampton. The Eagles will be up for this at home, though, and so will their fans so the Gunners had better be prepared.
Plenty to look forward to as per usual, then, and we simply cannot wait to see how it all unfolds… Enjoy!