Garde bemoans his players’ lack of passion
While the game won’t have any bearing on Fantasy Football tallies, the first proper bit of silverware this season (forget the Charity Shield) presents a potentially entertaining game, even if it is the League Cup.
Liverpool and Manchester City, however, surely have reasons to care. For Jürgen Klopp, the situation is simple.
A trophy in his first season would be a marker of promise for the club’s fans; a hopeful indicator that their team is about to become as entertaining as their manager’s interviews. They haven’t so far.
For City, a win would further back up their decision to field an under-16 team in the FA Cup, which didn’t so much disrespect the competition as pull its pants down and kick it in the nuts. That’s not a criticism of City, the fixture pile-ups are unreal and, besides, Abu Dhabi sheikhs don’t give a dishdash about anything other than the Champions League.
The harsh fact, though, is that this League Cup final will have as much chance of being remembered in a few years as Christian Benteke has of finishing off a one-on-one.
Hopefully, that won’t diminish the entertainment value at Wembley.
Tomorrow’s games
West Ham v Sunderland (8.45am)
West Ham have not lost at home in ten games and present a tough challenge for Sunderland, who have been in the news this week for dubious reasons in the Adam Johnson trial.
Sam Allardyce led the away team to a 2-1 win against Manchester United last time out so confidence should be high.
Prediction: 2-2
Leicester’s defeat to Arsenal should not have dented their belief they can push on with their title challenge.
The Canaries have now failed to win in six in the league and lost eight of their past nine away league outings.
Prediction: 3-0
Two in-form teams, although there is not a great deal at stake. Southampton are now unbeaten in their past six league games, winning five and keeping a clean sheet in each of those six matches.
Chelsea have lost only one of their 13 matches with Guus Hiddink at the helm. This one could be tight.
Prediction: 1-1
Villa have failed to win 23 of their last 25 matches. And with Rémi Garde admitting some his players can’t even get up for training, their season is over.
Stoke will view this as a must-win three points.
Prediction: 3-0
Eddie Howe’s men are unbeaten in their past three away league matches and they could extend that run here. Watford will be compact, as they have been all season, but Bournemouth should be bang up for this one.
Prediction: 1-1
Crystal Palace have lost six of their past seven league matches but won in the FA Cup and, crucially, have Yannick Bolasie back. Boy have they missed him.
West Brom somehow managed to sneak a win over Everton at Goodison, which probably says more about their opponent’s wayward finishing than anything else.
Prediction: 1-0
Manchester United v Arsenal (10.05am)
Arsenal can’t afford to splutter here, the last time they won at Old Trafford in the league was way back in 2002.
They won’t get a better chance, surely, but then we’ve said that before.
Prediction: 1-1
With the FA Cup out of the way, Spurs will look to push on with their title challenge just two points behind leaders Leicester.
Their team will depend on the state of the players after the Europa Cup clash in the week. A comfortable home win.
Prediction: 2-0
Liverpool v Manchester City (12.30pm)
City’s focus was in evidence against Dynamo Kiev in midweek and if they can muster a similar intensity at Wembley, they have to start as favourites.
But Liverpool have impressed in the big games since Klopp took over and have had a rare breather since their last game.
City, however, will surely be more ready to deal with Liverpool’s pressing game after the 4-1 defeat to them earlier in the season.
Prediction: 2-3
