Neal Collins soccer
So here it is, this is Christmas; everybody’s grabbing points. The festive season is when the overpaid, overpampered (and in David Ginola’s case, not-quite-overweight) English Premiership footballers finally get to earn their living the hard way. Though currently the bookmakers are making odds for the warmest Christmas on record rather than the old pre-global-warming white Christmas bets, it remains cold, muddy and very, very wet.
December 22 Coventry vs Southampton The Saints will go marching into Highfield Road convinced they can grab a point or three, especially with James Beattie firing on all cylinders. After 18 goalless months, he bounced back with seven goals in eight games how long can it last?
December 23 Charlton vs Everton No Christmas cheer for Everton at The Valley, where Charlton are tough to beat at the best of times. Shaun Bartlett should be back after his goal against Liberia for Bafana. Chelsea vs Bradford Bewildered by the Bantams at Valley Parade, Chelsea should get their revenge this time despite that defeat at Middlesbrough last time out. Derby vs Newcastle Bobby Robson’s men might not travel well in London, but Pride Park shouldn’t be too tough an assignment. Can Alan Shearer keep going through all those injections on the wounded knee? Leeds vs Aston Villa Lucas Radebe should be back from suspension to shore up the Leeds defence, but Villa are creditable opposition, especially now Ginola has been fired up by John Gregory’s comments over his weight. Leicester vs West Ham Tough one to call, with Leicester and new boy Matthew Jones from Leeds up against Harry’s allegedly over-happy Hammers. Bet they have a great Christmas party. Watch out for more sporting gestures from devil-turned-saint Paulo di Canio. Liverpool v Arsenal Don’t miss this one. Arsene Wenger and Gerard Houllier may look like French sophisticates, but they’re both capable of being Gallic goons. Arsenal desperately need to close that five-point gap on United. Manchester United vs Ipswich Christmas treat this one. And I’m backing George Burley to upset his fellow Scot Sir Alex Ferguson, whose men have only managed a draw against Charlton and loss to Liverpool in their past two Premiership games. Watch that red nose glow! Sunderland vs Man City Peter Reid vs Joe Royle? There can be only one winner in this clash. Inconsistent City will struggle at the Stadium of Fright, especially with Niall Quinn having been given a day off in the week. Tottenham vs Middlesbrough George Graham versus Terry Venables used to mean Arsenal vs Spurs. Now it means life or death for Boro. El Tel has the greater need, and he started with a win over Chelsea.
December 26 Arsenal vs Leicester If my instincts are right, it’s a bleak Christmas for Arsenal. The draw against Spurs exhausted them. Aston Villa v Man Utd With any luck, Villa can rock United again and keep the title race alive. Dion Dublin, who I believe would have become one of the greats had he not broken his leg at Old Trafford, gets the chance to prove my point. Bradford vs Sunderland How long can the Jim Jefferies magic last? Not much longer I’d suggest. Bradford’s Xmas struggle will finally leave them facing the drop. Everton vs Coventry Goodison Park is less intimidating than it was last season, but then Coventry aren’t as good as they were last season. Walter Smith should be able to get his men back on track after the shocker against Manchester City. Ipswich vs Chelsea This is where we find out how good Burley’s men really are. Chelsea have twice the squad, five times the investment. But then they also have Claudio Ranieri.
Man City vs Derby Royle can’t afford to lose to the rocking Rams at Maine Road or he’ll be under pressure again. Jim Smith, now teamed with Colin Todd, has begun something of a resurgence but it won’t last. Middlesbrough vs Liverpool Will the Venables effect kick in? Have Boro got the players? Oh yes. Just watch Paul Ince against his old team-mates. Newcastle vs Leeds Quite a battle this, and with Shearer struggling , I back Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell and Co especially with David Batty closing in on full fitness again.
West Ham vs Charlton The Hammers won’t settle for anything less than three points against their unfashionable friends from south London. They might have to.
December 27 Southampton vs Tottenham A must win for Graham, but then the Saints are no pushover at the tight and soon-to-be-demolished Dell. December 30 Arsenal vs Sunderland Will Quinn come back to haunt the Gunners all these years later? Not this time.
Aston Villa vs Leicester The Midlands derby is too tight to call but vital to both clubs’ Euro aspirations.
Bradford vs Liverpool Surely Liverpool can’t join the select band of clubs who have fallen at Valley Parade? Oh yes they can, in true pantomime style. Everton vs Leeds Can Everton hold out Viduka, the Australian wanted by AC Milan? Ipswich vs Tottenham Expect Ipswich to play all the football and Spurs to grab a point in the true Graham style. Man City vs Charlton City may find Charlton too much of a handful, even at Maine Road. Middlesbrough vs Coventry How will the Sky Blue Moroccans cope with a British Christmas? I’m backing Hadji and Chippo to play in stockings. Newcastle vs Man Utd Ferguson will expect all three points, but he could be disappointed. Can Teddy Sheringham carry his form into next year? Only if he recovers from injury. With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the only fit striker, United may struggle. Southampton vs Derby Derby too will find it tough to take anything away from The Dell. Jim Smith will lose more hair. West Ham vs Chelsea Chelsea’s New Year resolution? To find more youngsters like Sam Dalla Bona and Jodi Morris.
January 1 Charlton vs Arsenal Not a pleasant start to 2001 for the Gunners. Alan Curbishley’s men are tough at The Valley. Chelsea vs Aston Villa David “Calamity” James goes to London having removed himself from the Villa transfer list. Could it be because nobody wanted him? Coventry vs Man City This could be a relegation six pointer. Both clubs will be in trouble at the end of the season but Coventry have a lot of experience in that area. Derby vs Everton Malcolm Christie will be a striker to watch over 2001. Sadly, he’ll have to leave Derby to shine. Leeds vs Middlesbrough With Rio Ferdinand settling in, Boro will find Leeds tough to break down. Has Christian Karembeu more to offer than a big hairstyle? Leicester vs Bradford Peter Taylor enjoyed a wonderful 2000. But I think Leicester will struggle to keep up the momentum even against the battling Bantams. Liverpool vs Southampton Houllier knows points against sides like the Saints are a must. Will he play Robbie Fowler or Michael Owen with Emile Heskey? And can anyone believe that it’s Heskey who has turned out to be first choice? Man Utd vs West Ham While the rest of the nation prays for United to slip up, Ferguson’s team are unlikely to buckle against the visiting Hammers. Sunderland vs Ipswich The Stadium of Light will be gloomy for Ipswich, another side unlikely to do as well in 2001.
January 2 Tottenham vs Newcastle With Alan Sugar selling out, Spurs fans are running out of things to complain about. I’m sure they’ll find something. Unlike the Geordies, who support their side loyally no matter what.
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