WHY SAY ANYTHING?

The early kick-off on Saturday morning is the game between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford. With only two points separating the teams, United are second and Liverpool third, a win for either side would be profitable. For United it would take them five points clear of Jürgen Klopp’s team and a win for Liverpool would move them a point above United into second place.

So the smart/clever/wise/whatever-you-want-to-call-it money is on a draw.

This wouldn’t necessarily be a disastrous result for either side and is certainly more preferable to losing but it would allow the three chasing London clubs the opportunity to close the gap as all of them are involved in games they should win.

Chelsea v Crystal Palace

Chelsea are involved in the late game on Saturday when they take on Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge. They currently sit nine points behind second-placed United and the result from the earlier game may have an effect on this one.

If United have won then Chelsea need to win just to tread water and the same applies if Liverpool have won. A draw is the only scoreline which will give Chelsea the required incentive to go all out to try and beat Roy Hodgson’s team as a win would close the gap on both of the north west clubs.

They will not find it easy against a Palace side encouraged by their recent performance, if not result, against Manchester United when they led 2-0 for quite a long time before succumbing 2-3.

Arsenal v Watford

On Sunday the early afternoon game is between Arsenal and Watford at The Emirates and Stubborn Old Man needs to find a way of continuing the form shown in the Europa League against AC Milan on Thursday.

The Gunners are at a stage where they just have to keep winning and then hope for a minor miracle whereby the rest start losing. They are currently 17 points off Manchester United and, more worryingly for them, 13 points off fourth placed Tottenham Hotspur so a return to Champion’s League football next season is totally dependant on them winning Big Vase.

Unfortunately they are not consistent enough to take advantage of any slip-ups by the rest and will probably struggle against Watford.

Bournemouth v Tottenham Hotspur

Later in the day Bournemouth play Tottenham Hotspur at Dean Court. This one will be interesting just to see how Spurs react to their Champion’s League departure on Tuesday.

In the past they have gone into their shell and barely turned up for games as if sulking at their misfortune. They have to show more maturity and pride if only for their supporters sake!

Any mistakes now could cost them their place in the top four as Chelsea are only five points behind them and, as discussed earlier, will probably have beaten Crystal Palace by the time Spurs kick off against Bournemouth, meaning that the gap will be down to two points.

As for The Cherries, they are a difficult team to beat at present as Newcastle United discovered recently when taking a two goal lead only to be pegged back to a 2-2 draw so, unless Spurs are on top of their game, this one will also end in a draw.

Stoke City v Manchester City

The last member of the top six to play is Manchester City, who do so on Monday night. They are in the enviable position of not having to care about the results of others and will travel to Stoke City in the knowledge that another win takes them one step nearer to being crowned champions, a draw has the same effect but slows down the process a little and even a defeat will not prevent the inevitable from occurring in the near future.

Stoke have become draw specialists under Paul Lambert who has arrested their slide by making them difficult to beat. He now needs to find a way of winning games if they are to escape relegation.

On a freezing cold, windy night in Stoke, Manchester City will win again purely because there is no pressure on them.