As the next weekend of the MicroNations League Cup comes round the question is will you be Giving Thanks for your team selection or will it be Unlucky Week 13 for some? It’s been another week of Managerial musical chairs and a lot will depend on how teams react to their new bosses… Stevie Gerrard starts life at Villa with a win, but if football management is liking riding a bike, Conte’s just fallen off his… and how will Man Utd fare under temporary coach Ralf Rangnick? We’ll have to wait and see until his work permit comes through.
And back in the MLC what awaits – will Lundenwic Lions make a move on the top spot? Will Maslatonia score a goal? And will the Isle of Lithua EVER make a transfer?? All will be revealed…
SATURDAY 27TH NOVEMBER
Arsenal 12:30 Newcastle United
This weekend kicks off with a game at 12:30 featuring 5th place Arsenal against bottom of the table Newcastle. The Gunners suffered a heavy defeat last time out against Liverpool. No new injuries to report. The Magpies picked up a useful point in a high scoring draw against Brentford which unfortunately saw Schar come off with a knock.
Crystal Palace 15:00 Aston Villa
Three 3pm games this Saturday, the first of which takes place at Selhurst Park between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa. The Eagles lie in 10th place but are on a decent run of form with three draws and two wins in their last 5. Eze was fit enough for the bench last weekend. Villa got their first win in five last week, and are now 15th.
Liverpool 15:00 Southampton
Third place Liverpool take on Southampton at Anfield in the next 3pm game. The Red recorded a good win in the Champions League in midweek, Salah on the scoresheet. Firmino is getting closer to a return to action and Keita could be back. Mid-table Southampton lost to Norwich last weekend. No Stuart Armstrong for the Saints.
Norwich City 15:00 Wolverhampton Wanderers
The final 3pm game is Norwich City versus Wolverhampton Wanderers at Carrow Road. Norwich are on a two game winning streak and are no longer bottom of the league. No new injury concerns for the Canaries. Wolves are in fine form at the moment, they lie in 6th place after their poor start to the season. Jimenez with two goals in the last three matches.
Brighton & Hove Albion 17:30 Leeds United
The final game this Saturday kicks off at 5:30 and features Brighton v Leeds. The Seagulls haven't won for a month and have slipped to 9th place. Only Welbeck injured for Brighton. Leeds are 17th and suffering badly from second season syndrome. Looks like Rodrigo and Raphinha are fit but Patrick Bamford is still out injured.
SUNDAY 28TH NOVEMBER
Brentford 14:00 Everton
Four 2pm games this Sunday. Brentford against Everton is the first up. The Bees have gradually slipped down the table, has last week's draw stopped the rot? Jensen could be back after recovering from Covid. The Toffees are also on a poor run of form, 1 point collected from a possible 15. No DCL or Davies (injured). No Holgate or Richarlison (suspensions). Grey to have a late fitness test.
Burnley 14:00 Tottenham Hotspur
Burnley versus Tottenham Hotspur next. Burnley are in 18th place but have been picking up points of late, drawing with Chelsea and Palace. Westwood and Tarkowski both suspended. Barnes may be fit. Spurs suffered a defeat in the Conference in midweek but Kane did get on the scoresheet. Romero out injured as is Lo Celso.
Leicester City 14:00 Watford
At the King Power it is Leicester City against Watford. The Foxes recorded a good win in Europe on Thursday, they will be hoping they can now get their first league win in four. No Tielemans, no Pereira. 16th place Watford beat Man U 4-1 last time out causing Ole to be sacked. Star man Sarr went off with a knock last weekend.
Manchester City 14:00 West Ham United
The last of the 14:00 games is Manchester v West Ham United. 2nd v 4th in one of the biggest games of the weekend. Both teams were victorious in Europe in midweek. Foden and Grealish should be recovered from knocks. KDB out with Covid. The Hammers were beaten by Wolves last weekend and will be missing Ogbonna from their back line.
Chelsea 16:30 Manchester United
And finally, the 4:30pm match is probably the game with the biggest spotlight in it, Chelsea versus Manchester United. The Red Devils finally sacked Ole after defeat to Watford. Michael Carrick was in charge in the CL and will still be at the wheel for this one. No Varane, Maguire (suspended), Pogba. Doubts over Shaw, Cavani and Greenwood. Chelsea are top and won convincingly against Juventus on Tuesday. No Chilwell or Kovacic, doubts over Kante and Havertz.
So there you have it, check back for update on Monday, then there’s no time to catch your breath as there is a full midweek fixture with all teams hitting the turf again from Tues 30th Nov to Weds Dec 2nd – so expect some rotation of players….
And back in the MLC what awaits – will Lundenwic Lions make a move on the top spot? Will Maslatonia score a goal? And will the Isle of Lithua EVER make a transfer?? All will be revealed…
SATURDAY 27TH NOVEMBER
Arsenal 12:30 Newcastle United
This weekend kicks off with a game at 12:30 featuring 5th place Arsenal against bottom of the table Newcastle. The Gunners suffered a heavy defeat last time out against Liverpool. No new injuries to report. The Magpies picked up a useful point in a high scoring draw against Brentford which unfortunately saw Schar come off with a knock.
Crystal Palace 15:00 Aston Villa
Three 3pm games this Saturday, the first of which takes place at Selhurst Park between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa. The Eagles lie in 10th place but are on a decent run of form with three draws and two wins in their last 5. Eze was fit enough for the bench last weekend. Villa got their first win in five last week, and are now 15th.
Liverpool 15:00 Southampton
Third place Liverpool take on Southampton at Anfield in the next 3pm game. The Red recorded a good win in the Champions League in midweek, Salah on the scoresheet. Firmino is getting closer to a return to action and Keita could be back. Mid-table Southampton lost to Norwich last weekend. No Stuart Armstrong for the Saints.
Norwich City 15:00 Wolverhampton Wanderers
The final 3pm game is Norwich City versus Wolverhampton Wanderers at Carrow Road. Norwich are on a two game winning streak and are no longer bottom of the league. No new injury concerns for the Canaries. Wolves are in fine form at the moment, they lie in 6th place after their poor start to the season. Jimenez with two goals in the last three matches.
Brighton & Hove Albion 17:30 Leeds United
The final game this Saturday kicks off at 5:30 and features Brighton v Leeds. The Seagulls haven't won for a month and have slipped to 9th place. Only Welbeck injured for Brighton. Leeds are 17th and suffering badly from second season syndrome. Looks like Rodrigo and Raphinha are fit but Patrick Bamford is still out injured.
SUNDAY 28TH NOVEMBER
Brentford 14:00 Everton
Four 2pm games this Sunday. Brentford against Everton is the first up. The Bees have gradually slipped down the table, has last week's draw stopped the rot? Jensen could be back after recovering from Covid. The Toffees are also on a poor run of form, 1 point collected from a possible 15. No DCL or Davies (injured). No Holgate or Richarlison (suspensions). Grey to have a late fitness test.
Burnley 14:00 Tottenham Hotspur
Burnley versus Tottenham Hotspur next. Burnley are in 18th place but have been picking up points of late, drawing with Chelsea and Palace. Westwood and Tarkowski both suspended. Barnes may be fit. Spurs suffered a defeat in the Conference in midweek but Kane did get on the scoresheet. Romero out injured as is Lo Celso.
Leicester City 14:00 Watford
At the King Power it is Leicester City against Watford. The Foxes recorded a good win in Europe on Thursday, they will be hoping they can now get their first league win in four. No Tielemans, no Pereira. 16th place Watford beat Man U 4-1 last time out causing Ole to be sacked. Star man Sarr went off with a knock last weekend.
Manchester City 14:00 West Ham United
The last of the 14:00 games is Manchester v West Ham United. 2nd v 4th in one of the biggest games of the weekend. Both teams were victorious in Europe in midweek. Foden and Grealish should be recovered from knocks. KDB out with Covid. The Hammers were beaten by Wolves last weekend and will be missing Ogbonna from their back line.
Chelsea 16:30 Manchester United
And finally, the 4:30pm match is probably the game with the biggest spotlight in it, Chelsea versus Manchester United. The Red Devils finally sacked Ole after defeat to Watford. Michael Carrick was in charge in the CL and will still be at the wheel for this one. No Varane, Maguire (suspended), Pogba. Doubts over Shaw, Cavani and Greenwood. Chelsea are top and won convincingly against Juventus on Tuesday. No Chilwell or Kovacic, doubts over Kante and Havertz.
So there you have it, check back for update on Monday, then there’s no time to catch your breath as there is a full midweek fixture with all teams hitting the turf again from Tues 30th Nov to Weds Dec 2nd – so expect some rotation of players….