OT - What are you doing now? (2025)

The season within a season is starting.  All teams are affected by the African Cup of Nations, either losing players or gaining a slight advantage by not. Then we have the collision of Euro matches, a festive over-load of games, the latter stages of one domestic cup and then the start of the other one in the new year.  Plus the transfer windows opens for January, which fans believe will instantly fix all problems but clubs are traditionally more circumspect.   In to the hurly burly then. 

Saturday

Newcastle vs Chelsea - the great at home Toon welcome a wobbly Chelsea who have contrived to spill their good recent form. The hosts need points as their away form has left them adrift in mid-table.  It’ll be fun, there will be goals, so 3-2

Bournemouth vs Burnley - despite punching ‘17th place’ in to Waze the Clarets are ignoring all instructions and are free-falling south of the dotted line.  The Cherries will see this as a chance to stabilise recent weak performances. 2-0

Brighton vs Sunderland - The Maccems simply won’t give in and remain in lofty 8th place, and three points ahead of the Filthies. Tricky to call this one, but my feeling is AFCON absences will make the difference. 2-0 

Man City vs West Ham - 3-0, simple as that. 

Wolves vs Brentford - the Old Gold flirted with an upset at the Gunners last week, but capitulated late on. 16 games in and just the two points to show.  Not sure what the adjective is for that, but the out of sort Bees will be looking forward to three points.  0-1

Spurs vs Liverpool - The Reds have instituted some degree of reliability and should feel confident about this trip to London, but have lost key players to AFCON and have injuries elsewhere.  Spursy Spurs have found themselves in 11th and remain baffled by that.  No-one else is, though.  1-1

Everton vs Arsenal - The Toffees are another team who will be net losers during AFCON and start that period hosting the Gunners who were stung by nearly shipping points last week again Wolves.  No such repetition will be tolerated.  0-2

Leeds vs Palace - oh dear, it’s all too much for the Mighty Eagles and given the chance we would retire to our boudoir with a headache.  Dirty Leeds will be full of confidence as they have found good form.  But it’ll be tight, if the hosts get the first goal then that’ll be it.  We’d shake hands on a draw right now.  1-0.

Sunday

Villa vs Man Utd - unquestionably Utd are doing better now, but they confront the absolute form team who just keep winning.  Taking home three points form this game would be a huge statement, but the Villans have forgotten how to lose. 2-1

Monday

Fulham vs Forest - and then there’s this bit of admin to keep things tidy. 14th host 16th and no one will notice, nor care. 0-0.

OK, need to start thinking about Christmas admin.  Turns out that there’s not many days left and in fact some gifting is required.