The ironing tip – 25 February
Stoppage of play: Saturday, February 25, at 3:59 p.m
1. Crystal Palace – Liverpool, X2
After victories against Everton and Newcastle in the league game, and then a 2-0 lead against Real Madrid in the Champions League, there were probably many who thought that Liverpool had now really come to life. But 2-0 against Real became 2-5, and it is still difficult to know where “Pool” stands. Now at least clearly more manageable opposition awaits in Crystal Palace, and we think Liverpool will get at least a point. We play X2.
2. Bournemouth – Manchester City, 2
Manchester City won the league final against Arsenal, and then we expected to see the team just accelerate by stringing up victories until they were past Arsenal in the table. But it got awkward immediately, 1-1 against Nottingham Forest. However, it was a game City absolutely should have won given all the goalscoring chances they created, and we believe they will get revenge on themselves by beating Bournemouth here. Spike two.
3. Leicester – Arsenal, 2
Arsenal pulled off a mentally impressive victory when they turned around and won against Aston Villa last time out. The decision was settled in stoppage time, through a shot from new signing Jorginho that went through the frame, on Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and into the goal.
Leicester then? They come from 0-3 against Manchester United, and have a generally difficult season. Here we play the 2nd.
4. Leeds – Southampton, X2
Bottom meeting between second-tier Leeds and junior Southampton. Southampton are actually coming off a win last time out, 1-0 away to Chelsea, and have thus received a confidence boost ahead of this game. Leeds, on the other hand, have not won in ten games, and are getting closer and closer to the Championship. We believe in Southampton, but know with us that these anxiety matches have a tendency to end in a draw. We play X2.
5. Everton – Aston Villa, 1
After the change of coach, Everton have taken two victories in three games, which is as many three points as they took in the last thirteen games before the change of coach. Here you meet an out-of-sorts Aston Villa, who come here with three straight losses. The last one, against Arsenal, was a tough one where they lost the lead twice and conceded the death blow in added time.
We believe that Everton build on their fine streak, and take their third straight home win. The 1st is left alone.
6. West Ham – Nottingham Forest, 1X
18th-placed West Ham go in as clear odds-on favorites here, which may seem odd against 14th-placed Nottingham Forest. But at home, West Ham are actually quite capable, with a score line of 4-2-5, while Forest have 1-3-7 away from home.
We believe more in West Ham here, but do not feel comfortable in any spiketta. Hence, 1X is played.
7. Birmingham – Luton, 2
The coupon’s first Championship match. Luton is 6th in the table, and is fighting for a playoff spot. Birmingham are in 19th place, and risk being dragged into the relegation battle. Luton are the league’s third best away team, and will certainly have their sights set on traveling home with all three points in the bag. We think you will succeed, and nail the 2nd.
8. Bristol City – Hull, 2
Middle Championship meeting between 15th-placed Bristol City and 13th-placed Hull. Bristol are showing good form, and have not lost in eleven straight games. Hull, on the other hand, lost as recently as last week. If Bristol continues like this, a playoff spot is not completely impossible, and we believe that they will steam ahead by taking a win here. We play singles two.
9. Norwich – Cardiff, 1
Norwich is one point away from a playoff spot, and that is also the position the “Canaries” have in their sights. At home, they have won their last two games, and now they are betting on flying further towards new victories.
At Cardiff things are more troubling. Of course you have two straight victories, but you are just above the relegation zone. We think the clearly stronger Norwich win here, and we nail the 1st.
10. Queens Park Rangers – Blackburn Rovers, X2
QPR are struggling just above the relegation zone, and with ten straight league games without a win are doing their best to get closer to that red line with each passing round.
It looks all the better for Blackburn. The team is fourth, and has six straight league games without a loss. However, they have had a lot of problems with away games this season, where they are one of the league’s worse teams. We don’t feel comfortable singling Blackburn, but play X2 here.
11. Sheffield United – Watford, 1X2
Sheffield United are in second place in the table, and have their sights set on direct promotion. But they have lost their last two games, and the question is whether the players’ nerves have started to creep in? Here you meet a Watford with four straight without a loss, and a Watford that won 3-2 against West Brom after two goals from Ken Sema last time out.
We feel that this match can end either way, and choose to save.
12. Stoke v Millwall. 1X
Stoke are in 17th place, and are here against 5th-placed Millwall. Despite Millwall’s advantage in the table, it is Stoke who are made big odds favourites, and that has a lot to do with Millwall’s away record, where they are one of the worse teams in the Championship. We don’t think Millwall will win this away game either, but play 1X.
13. West Bromwich – Middlesbrough, 2
Middlesbrough are going like a train right now, and with their five straight wins are the most in form in the entire series. West Brom, on the other hand, have only won one of their last five. We believe that “Boro” will take another win here, in their pursuit of a direct place in the Premier League. Singles two.