Greetings MicroFootballers! Well, they say Christmas is a time for sharing and it seems that Tottenham have taken that literally – with 8 players and 5 coaching staff struck down with Covid it’s an early bath for them – MATCH POSTPONED. Let’s hope that’s not the start of a trend…
Nearer to home the MicroNations League is hotting up with the New Weddington Warriors starting to look over their shoulder as more teams join the 500+ points club. So let’s see that the weekend has to offer – an early Christmas pressie or a visit from the Grinch??
Snap poll for you by the way: “Die Hard” – it is a Christmas movie or not???
Friday 10th December
Brentford 20:00 Watford
It's Friday, it's 8pm (in the UK), it's the Apiarian Derby! A clash between two newly promoted sides, Brentford and Watford. The Bees are in 13th place and have had a mixed bag of results recently. Toney was missing due to Covid last weekend. Canos is banned. Watford are in 17th place and on a run of three straight loses. Foster and Sarr still out.
Saturday 11th December
Manchester City 12:30 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Saturday kicks off at 12:30 with a match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers. City are top of the League after winning their last 5 games. Foden and Jesus both missed the Champions League match but should be back today. Wolves are eighth and have only picked up 5 points from a possible 15. Ait Nouri may be out, Marcal should be back.
Arsenal 15:00 Southampton
Three 3pm games, the first of which features Arsenal versus Southampton at the Emirates. Arsenal surrendered a one goal lead to lose to Everton on Monday. Aubameyang started on the bench. Martinelli came off injured in that game and Smith Rowe was missing. Southampton are comfortably above the relegation zone and have drawn their last two games. Both keepers are injured so the Saints have signed Willy 'Junior' Caballero.
Chelsea 15:00 Leeds United
The next of the 3 o'clocks is Chelsea v Leeds United. Chelsea slipped from the top of the table last weekend after defeat to West Ham. The Blues played out a high scoring drawing against Zenit in the CL. No Chilwell, Chalobah, Kante or Kovacic, plus Jorginho is a doubt. Leeds had Bamford score last weekend but he got injured in the goal celebrations. Oops. Cooper also out.
Liverpool 15:00 Aston Villa
The last of the 3pm matches is Liverpool against Stevie G's Aston Villa at Anfield. The Reds won in midweek with Salah on the scoresheet once again. Firmino may be back in the squad for today. Villa manager Stevie G is back on his old stomping ground and he's made an impressive start with the mighty Villa. Targett and Ings may be back but Bailey misses out.
Norwich City 17:30 Manchester United
The last game this Saturday features Norwich City and Manchester United. The Canaries are bottom of the table on goal difference but results have definitely improved under Dean Smith. Brandon Williams is ineligible to face his parent club. United won last week and kept a clean sheet in the process. Their run of games is decent so time to pile in on Man U defenders?
Sunday 12th December
Brighton & Hove Albion 14:00 Tottenham Hotspur
<Match postponed>
Burnley 14:00 West Ham United
The first 2pm match features Burnley versus West Ham United. Burnley are in the bottom three and have only collected 6 points from a possible 15. Cornet and Mee missed the last game. The Hammers recorded a good victory over Chelsea last weekend but lost in Europe on Thursday. Cresswell, Johnson, Ogbonna and Zouma could all be missing.
Leicester City 14:00 Newcastle United
Next, Leicester City against Newcastle United at the King Power. The Foxes lost to Villa last weekend and also lost in Europe on Thursday. Schmeichel is nursing a hand injury. but played. Tielemans is nearing recovery. Newcastle are joint bottom of the table but recorded their first win last weekend. Wilson is in good form and Fraser may be back from injury.
Crystal Palace 16:30 Everton
And finally, Crystal Palace against Everton at 4:30pm. Palace have gradually slipped down the table and haven't won for three games. No new injuries to report for the Eagles. Everton recorded a good victory on Monday against Arsenal, Richarlison and Gray with the goals. Calvert Lewin still missing and Rondon and Mina may also be out.
And that’s your lot! Tune in on Monday for the all-important round review then it’s barely time to catch your breath and take a bite of mince pie before ANOTHER full fixture round from Tuesday 14th to Sunday 19th. I’m currently trying to convince Lady Kate Revill to record a Christmas message 😉
But it’s not all bad – you can look forward to a well-earned week off after Christmas, returning on 26th… and then we’re into 2022 already for the second half of game of two halves!!
Nearer to home the MicroNations League is hotting up with the New Weddington Warriors starting to look over their shoulder as more teams join the 500+ points club. So let’s see that the weekend has to offer – an early Christmas pressie or a visit from the Grinch??
Snap poll for you by the way: “Die Hard” – it is a Christmas movie or not???
Friday 10th December
Brentford 20:00 Watford
It's Friday, it's 8pm (in the UK), it's the Apiarian Derby! A clash between two newly promoted sides, Brentford and Watford. The Bees are in 13th place and have had a mixed bag of results recently. Toney was missing due to Covid last weekend. Canos is banned. Watford are in 17th place and on a run of three straight loses. Foster and Sarr still out.
Saturday 11th December
Manchester City 12:30 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Saturday kicks off at 12:30 with a match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers. City are top of the League after winning their last 5 games. Foden and Jesus both missed the Champions League match but should be back today. Wolves are eighth and have only picked up 5 points from a possible 15. Ait Nouri may be out, Marcal should be back.
Arsenal 15:00 Southampton
Three 3pm games, the first of which features Arsenal versus Southampton at the Emirates. Arsenal surrendered a one goal lead to lose to Everton on Monday. Aubameyang started on the bench. Martinelli came off injured in that game and Smith Rowe was missing. Southampton are comfortably above the relegation zone and have drawn their last two games. Both keepers are injured so the Saints have signed Willy 'Junior' Caballero.
Chelsea 15:00 Leeds United
The next of the 3 o'clocks is Chelsea v Leeds United. Chelsea slipped from the top of the table last weekend after defeat to West Ham. The Blues played out a high scoring drawing against Zenit in the CL. No Chilwell, Chalobah, Kante or Kovacic, plus Jorginho is a doubt. Leeds had Bamford score last weekend but he got injured in the goal celebrations. Oops. Cooper also out.
Liverpool 15:00 Aston Villa
The last of the 3pm matches is Liverpool against Stevie G's Aston Villa at Anfield. The Reds won in midweek with Salah on the scoresheet once again. Firmino may be back in the squad for today. Villa manager Stevie G is back on his old stomping ground and he's made an impressive start with the mighty Villa. Targett and Ings may be back but Bailey misses out.
Norwich City 17:30 Manchester United
The last game this Saturday features Norwich City and Manchester United. The Canaries are bottom of the table on goal difference but results have definitely improved under Dean Smith. Brandon Williams is ineligible to face his parent club. United won last week and kept a clean sheet in the process. Their run of games is decent so time to pile in on Man U defenders?
Sunday 12th December
Brighton & Hove Albion 14:00 Tottenham Hotspur
<Match postponed>
Burnley 14:00 West Ham United
The first 2pm match features Burnley versus West Ham United. Burnley are in the bottom three and have only collected 6 points from a possible 15. Cornet and Mee missed the last game. The Hammers recorded a good victory over Chelsea last weekend but lost in Europe on Thursday. Cresswell, Johnson, Ogbonna and Zouma could all be missing.
Leicester City 14:00 Newcastle United
Next, Leicester City against Newcastle United at the King Power. The Foxes lost to Villa last weekend and also lost in Europe on Thursday. Schmeichel is nursing a hand injury. but played. Tielemans is nearing recovery. Newcastle are joint bottom of the table but recorded their first win last weekend. Wilson is in good form and Fraser may be back from injury.
Crystal Palace 16:30 Everton
And finally, Crystal Palace against Everton at 4:30pm. Palace have gradually slipped down the table and haven't won for three games. No new injuries to report for the Eagles. Everton recorded a good victory on Monday against Arsenal, Richarlison and Gray with the goals. Calvert Lewin still missing and Rondon and Mina may also be out.
And that’s your lot! Tune in on Monday for the all-important round review then it’s barely time to catch your breath and take a bite of mince pie before ANOTHER full fixture round from Tuesday 14th to Sunday 19th. I’m currently trying to convince Lady Kate Revill to record a Christmas message 😉
But it’s not all bad – you can look forward to a well-earned week off after Christmas, returning on 26th… and then we’re into 2022 already for the second half of game of two halves!!