OT - What are you doing right now?

Just as there are Flat-Earthers moving freely amongst us there are other lunatics who believe data, statistics, and facts are indicators of future success.  Not me, lads - that’s all witchcraft and hokum. Football is about instinct, passion, bias, myopia, and mainly a conspiracy against your team. 

Those crazy cats at fivethirtyeight have persisted in their naive, arguably hopeless, data driven predictions and fallen in to the trap of saying Man City will win the PL.  But look, they are second with seven to play, two points off Arsenal, with two games in hand, a much better goal difference, in terrific form, and have just beaten Arsenal - who are fading fast.    Oh!  Well, there’s that I suppose.

Here we go, after a week full of catch-up fixtures;

Saturday

Palace v West Ham, so the real Roy as showed up and the Mighty Eagles have gone flaccid again.  The Hammers have also risen and fallen, albeit at higher frequency and moreover aren’t quite clear of the relegation battle.  Home win sees Palace safe, away win prolongs the 1% risk of us going down. Draw highly likely. 1-1

Brentford v Notts Forest, the home side have found their form again while Forest are a mid-ships amongst the four teams fighting for two relegation spots.  A good win for them against the Filthy Seagulls mid-week gave a big statement of intent. No-one should leave anything on this pitch and tough to call. Home advantage for the 2-1

Brighton v Wolves, stung mid-week the pretentious Filthy Seagulls have faltered across the last five games and their destiny to illuminate Europe next season looks in jeopardy.  Their guests kicked Palace up in the air mid-week to steal all three points and more or less assure PL safety.  They are just to sort or shysters to capitulate in this match without the merest whimper. 2-0

Sunday

Bournemouth v Leeds, the hosts all but did for Saints mid-week with a cheeky 1-0 win and simultaneously nudge themselves in touching distance of safety.  Leeds are really in the vortex and aren’t in great shape. Given I dislike the 3 other teams they are jostling with to go down, I wouldn’t mind an away win here to put the pressure elsewhere.  Yes, that’s how sophisticated it gets. 0-1

Fulham v Man City, 0-2 as Simon Le Bon famously sang “I’m on the hunt, I’m after you (Arsenal)”

Man Utd v Villa, the visitors remain in strong form and are fanning hard upon the embers of the European dream. Utd gave away a two goal lead against Spurs. Of all teams to go wobbly against? Narrow margins and I am not sure home advantage is enough. 1-2 because Olly Watkins is on fire for Villa.

Newcastle v Southampton, 4-0

Liverpool v Spurs, the two most Spursy teams of the season collide  The Reds are mounting a late, very late run for respectability while Spurs - on their 3rd manager of the season are remain apex Spursy, still 5th and we assume by some form of maths no one else uses. 3-1

Monday

Leicester v Everton - 18th host 19th, which no one would have predicted at the start of the season - but it is what it is,  and it ain’t what they want. The Foxes are in better trim and things look gloomy for the hitherto ever-present in the PL Toffees. I don’t even remember Everton being outside the top tier but I do like trying new things. Scrappy 1-0, please.

Tuesday

Arsenal v Chelsea, Super Frank has navigated the Chels from weak to abysmal with continuous losses. The Gunners should take the 3 points but after a soul shuddering 4-1 home spanking by City, do they have the spirit?  This is the bell weather game for the PL title. Anything less than win for the Gunners and it’s time to remind the larger framed lady to warm her vocal cords and serenade their title hopes. 2-0.

A long one, but we’re right in the business end now.