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Some really interesting games today with a lot of the former & current top teams taking each other on. The first 2 games will be of a lot of interest to us Blues and if it was ever to go right for us the 2 home teams could have us all smiling before our game kicks off. Spurs are now on a 3 match winning run which should give them confidence while the Saints have bounced back with 2 after a difficult run of games. Could either side take the points?

Then we're into the relegation battles with many of the bottom teams pitted against each other. Hull, Leicester, QPR & Palace are all in the bottom 5 with the other being Burnley who have the unfavourable task of taking us on this afternoon. All of them will be scrapping for something and it could make an interesting watch on MotD.

Arsenal take on the Hammers with no Giroud and for the last televised game of the day an underperforming Everton, who have lost their last 2, take on the equally underperforming Newcastle who've lost their last 3.

And to finish it all off for this round of games, the candles will be out as the Dippers take on the Swans. The Dippers, after 2 draws and a loss, scraped a win against our contenders today and will not be relishing hosting a Swansea side that has had back-to-back wins after sorting their defensive frailties out. Swansea sit one place above the Dippers in 8th and will be looking to cement their position in the top half of the league. Come on, I say.

All-in-all, it looks like a good couple of days of football with the over-riding instinct being that it all goes our way. Here's to that and good luck to all that can help our cause.

Today

Tottenham v Man Utd 12:00
Southampton v Chelsea 14:05
Aston Villa v Sunderland 15:00
Hull v Leicester 15:00
Man City v Burnley 15:00
QPR v Crystal Palace 15:00
Stoke v West Brom 15:00
West Ham v Arsenal 15:00
Newcastle v Everton 16:15

Mon 29 Dec

Liverpool v Swansea 20:00

Good work there, cheers Beefy

Has he given up already or will his fresh legs help them against an unchanged Rags?

11:33 Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino: "It is difficult because we played less than 48 hours ago. That's never easy but that is our football. We have made four changes from the Leicester game, it is a good team for the game.

"We need to show energy personality and character today. We need to be brave, we know Manchester United are a good team but we need to believe and believe in our philosophy.

"Manchester United have a top manager and unbelievable players, but for us it is a good challenge."

11:27 We all know Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is a man who likes to use his full squad - and today is no exception. The Argentine makes four changes from the 2-1 win at Leicester, with England winger Andros Townsend coming in for Erik Lamela in the most eye-catching switch.

Full-backs Vlad Chiriches and Ben Davies start ahead of Kyle Walker and Danny Rose, while central midfielder Ryan Mason replaces Nabil Bentaleb.

A straightforward selection for Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal, who names the same XI which started the 3-1 home win against Newcastle. The Dutchman makes one change on the bench though, England left-back Luke Shaw returning from an ankle injury to replace Tyler Blackett.

Usual story with Spurs. It's roll over time against the Scum.

blues2win wrote:Usual story with Spurs. It's roll over time against the Scum.

Spurs have beat the Rags at the Swamp and drawn at home in the last 2 seasons.

Lot of diving by the Rags forwards so far (18 mins).

Pains me to say it but this is the best I've seen them play this season.

Spurs are nearly always shit against Utd though.

Would be great if Tottenham do somehow win this, Spurs/Arsenal/Utd could all be within 2 points of each other.

In all likelihood though they would rather gift CL to them instead though =(

Why are they discussing the goal line technology?

Didn't Falcao foul the goalie ? Otherwise why fid the ref blow his whistle against the rags ?

Every single touch by a Spurs player is under or overhit. They are scared & their defending is beyond shite. Recipe for disaster.

The rags are wide open every time Spurs take the ball off them though. Two decent passes & they are through. But they can't pass.

Rags must have scored ten goals just knocking the ball over defenders right down the centre. And that should have been 11.

Pass from Townsed then. Everything open. Passes to the rags. Typical.

Utd unable to accept the traditional pre half time gift goal.

Though I said best I've seen United played, I'm not sure if its just Spurs that have made them look that way. Can't pass the ball to save their lives atm

Tesl wrote:Though I said best I've seen United played, I'm not sure if its just Spurs that have made them look that way. Can't pass the ball to save their lives atm

If Spurs start to pass the ball, they will rip these open.

But their defence is so poor they can concede from pretty much any kind of attack. Weakening their whole right side, has made Ashley Young Utd's biggest threat. Remarkable.

It's like both teams just randomly knock shit passes about, then hope one of their attackers produces something. Utd have the advantage with more quality players up front & Rooney breaking forward without anyone even trying to pick him up. The rest is just very poor quality.

Set pieces for both may be the best option.

forest 3 down at home to b'ham
psycho is on borrowed time

Must have been 6 defensive mistakes in that Utd attack followed by an awful finish.

Piss poor all round.

Nigels Tackle wrote:forest 3 down at home to b'ham
psycho is on borrowed time

There's plenty of dissatisfied voices in Nottingham right now. The club are in a bit of trouble with the transfer embargo so I doubt Pearce will be replaced just yet, but you are right in that he needs to get results, or he could go in the summer

If Spurs had any composure r on the ball, they'd piss this game. Unfortunately hey are bloody awful

Bluedj wrote:If Spurs had any composure r on the ball, they'd piss this game. Unfortunately hey are bloody awful

Are they usually this shit on the ball ? I thought they were ok. It's like watching Barnsley.

Fucking shocking from both again.

Nah they've been shit for a while. I actually think Kane looks alright on the ball though - he is genuinely a decent young talent. Worth noting that he did nothing of great note out on loan at lower league clubs - its not the be all and end all of a player's career. Devante Cole etc definitely fall into this category as players who could definitely develop into good squad players.