Race for CL round 31....

Seems like only yesterday that the last set of fixtures was completed, but tomorrow we go again...
Week 30 saw most of the top contenders win, and a couple of the pretenders fall away. I will stick my neck out and say Crystal Palace and Brentford are no longer in the running.

The action, as is traditional, kicks off at 12:30 tomorrow. Everton vs Arsenal sees the last fixture at Goodison between the two clubs, the longest consecutive fixture at a ground in English football - with games between the two in the top flight every season since 1954. A return from injury and a season ending injury took the headlines in Arsenals 2-1 midweek win over Fulham with Saka back but Gabriel's season ending. For Everton it was a controversial defeat to Liverpool, with a seemingly obvious red card not given to Tarkowski - ensuring he can play tomorrow - and a contentious winner with the finer details of the offside law under scrutiny. Beto was a handful that night, and he will be buoyed by the lack of Gabriel. Tough game for Arsenal.

The 3 o'clocks include the game with the most tenuous claims to be called a derby going. Crystal Palace vs Brighton and Hove Albion finds two teams who suffered poor midweek results after FA Cup quarter finals. Palace allowed Southampton to hit double figures in points, while Brighton were comfortably beaten by Aston Villa. The away side are now 4 points off 5th, so a win seems vital here to maintain any hope.

West Ham United vs Bournemouth is a meeting between 2 of the sides in the worst form. Bournemouth, with European football within touching distance, have only managed 1 point in the last 5 games. West Ham, safe but dismal in 16th have lost 2 of the last 3 and drawn the other.

Ipswich vs Wolves is the other 3pm game. Ipswich simply must win to keep any hope alive, being 9 points behind their opponents with just 8 games to go.

The Sky 17:30 offering is a real battle in the chase for top 5. Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest finds 7th vs 3rd meet. There is a shadow of a CL quarter looming over Villa, so question marks over how strong Emery will go. Forest have hit a bit of an injury obstacle, but a good win on Tuesday means they are in a position of strength.

Four games on Sunday, headlined by Sky offerings Fulham vs Liverpool - which is pretty meaningless - and the Manchester derby, where Manchester City will be looking for revenge and to keep their top 5 place against Manchester United. Both games promise to be rather drab affairs.
Also at 2pm is the battle of "Oh when the... go marching in" merchants Spurs and Southampton. Spurs are fighting to avoid their worst season in memory, while the Saints are fighting to avoid the worst season of any team.
Brentford vs Chelsea completes the Sunday 2pms, with Chelsea in 4th and looking good for a return to CL football after beating Spurs. Brentford sit 11th and still have hope of some sort of European football.

On Monday night Leicester City host Newcastle United, with the away team in danger of starting the game 4 points outside the top 5 - but with 2 games in hand. Leicester were the only one of the bottom 3 not to get a midweek point or 3, and have 7 Ls in a row and 9 in the last 10 (hi Dr Tottenham).


With the Grand National also tomorrow, the bookies are looking forward to welcoming old and new money!! Have fun.