The Eurovision Song Contest is being held in Liverpool this week so I am grading each teams season performance the same way it will be done Saturday.

0 (nul points)

BT Sport kicks off the footy action in its usual lunchtime kick off slot:

Leeds United v Newcastle United

Leeds – nul points

Fighting relegation and three managers in a season means the Yorkshire club are the definition of disappointment!

Newcastle – 8 points

One of the seasons success stories are on the verge of Champions League football, proving some investment and good coaching can turn a clubs fortunes around.

PL Fixture Icons

Chris Fairclough – Newcastles first visit to Leeds ended in a draw, April 1994 (1-1) with the home sides dependable defender Fairclough the unlikely scorer in the last minute.

Keith Gillespie – The Northern Irish makeweight in the Andy Cole transfer scored the one goal in April 1996 to give Newcastle their first away win at Leeds (0-1).

Game Narrative

Big Sam has to combine defensive stability while offering a threat going forward against one of the in form sides in the league, it’s hard to see them being successful. Quite simply they do not have the players within the squad who are good enough while Newcastle thrive on matchups like these. The pace out wide for Eddie Howes team will determine the result as they attack like heat seeking missiles.

The One to Watch – Jacob Murphy

One of the most confident players in England right now who will thrive within the atmosphere Saturday at Elland Road.

Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur

Aston Villa – 4 points

After a terrible start to the season, the clubs decision makers brought in Unai Emery who almost instantly turned the teams fortunes on the pitch around. In 2023 their results have been on a par with a title challenger, night & day season.

Tottenham Hotspur – nul points

Like Leeds they’ve had three different managers but their level of failure is the possibility of not qualifying for the Champions League. The standard of football on the field has been a disgrace considering some of the talent they have at their disposal.

PL Fixture Icons

Steve Staunton – August 1993 (1-0) see Villa beat Spurs for the first time in the Premier League at Villa Park courtesy of a Staunton penalty late in the second half. One of the nineties most underrated footballers.

Teddy Sheringham – Tottenham didn’t win at Villa Park until January 2003 (0-1) via Sheringhams 70th minute strike.

Game Narrative

Matty Cash returning is a massive plus for Villa, his defending ability relies upon speed which will help nullify Heung-Min Son’s threat. Without the polish international Villas defence is very one paced and can be penetrated on the break. Spurs main dilemma is stopping the home sides midfield dominate the match, if they cannot press, hassle and bite at Luiz & Co they will be in for a long afternoon.

The One to Watch – Emiliano Buendia

The Argentine is the man who provides the pass before the assist and will look to drag the Spurs defenders out of position for Ollie Watkins to then move into.

Chelsea v Nottingham Forest

Chelsea – nul points

Currently 11th, the best they can finish is ninth and they would need the two above them (Fulham & Brentford) losing all their games while Chelsea winning all there’s! Four men have managed them this season and club owner has spent £600million over the last two windows.

Nottingham Forest – nul points

Close to earning one point but ultimately any team fighting the drop as we enter the last three games shouldn’t score. Home form has been great but the away games will probably mean they go down, with all the transfer activity last summer they never really had a chance.

PL Fixture Icons

John Spencer – The Premier League was full of diminutive, angry Scottish strikers during the nineties with Spencer epitomising that spirit. January 1996 see him the score the only goal at Stamford Bridge (1-0).

Stan Collymore – The difference maker scored both goals in January 1995 (0-2), which earned the away side their first three points at Stamford Bridge.

Game Narrative

Chelsea winning last weekend should be a springboard for them to finish the season with a flourish, confidence should be oozing. If Forest are to get anything from this match they have to keep the score all square for as long as possible and strike on the counter via Johnson or Gibbs-White.

Stamford Bridge has to become nervy and toxic so the away side can pounce!

The One to Watch – Danilo

Proven himself to be a cool customer when all around him is panicking during this run in, Forest fans will hope he can score for the fourth game in a row.

Crystal Palace v Bournemouth

Crystal Palace – nul points

Despite possessing three of the leagues most talented forward thinking players, Vierra set the team out so negatively and only some late season results saved Palace from the drop under the leadership of Roy Hodgson.

Bournemouth – 2 points

No one gave the Cherries a chance, not even the manager who led them to promotion, Scott Parker. Racking up 39 points with three games to go is amazing, Gary O’Neill deserves the freedom of the town!

PL Fixture Icons

May 2019 saw these two clubs battle out a last day of the season humdinger with the hosts coming out on top (5-3). Wilfred Zaha and Michy Batshuayi shone for Palace while Jefferson Lerma scored the goal of the game.

Game Narrative

Due to league positions you would expect both sides to be on the beach Saturday but their respective managers surely will not allow this. It’s more likely to be a battle of talent rather than tactics so the defences will aim to prevent gaps behind and make forwards beat them when faced up. If this happens their is plenty of skill talent who could prosper.

The One to Watch – Ryan Christie

His big game experience from his Celtic days has been invaluable for Bournemouth during the last few months, battling the Palace fullbacks will a match up he should enjoy.

Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Manchester United – 3 points

Erik ten Hag has made a impact, United have won the league cup, can win the FA Cup and are close to qualifying for the Champions League but some of the defeats this season especially the away ones at Brentford and Liverpool publicise how much more is needed regarding altering the culture at Old Trafford.

Wolves – nul points

The Black Country side have secured safety but they have no identity and Lopetegui has a big job reinventing them this summer.

PL Fixture Icons

John O’Shea – Back in Uniteds glory days, squad players like O’Shea provided the platform for the pursuit of trophies. Seamlessly slotting into the starting line due to a injury to a mainstay and subsequently playing at 9 out of 10 levels. In August 2003 the Irishman scored the only goal (1-0) at Old Trafford.

Joao Moutinho – Wolves hold one victory at Old Trafford during their Premier League existence and that occurred last year, January 2002 courtesy of Moutinhos late strike (0-1).

Game Narrative

Both teams are Jekyll & Hyde when it comes to displays on the pitch and the game should be decided by who has the greater talent on show, which is United. The tactical battle will come down to which team can generate the most quality possession in the centre of the field, this will lead to sustained pressure forced on the centre backs for either side, who are the weak links.

The One to Watch – Bruno Fernandes

The petulant one can play one touch football or drive in possession for long distances, keeping him quiet is essential for the visitors.

Southampton v Fulham

Southampton – nul points

Another club who’ve utilised three managers this season, the middle incumbent Nathan Jones will surely rank as one of the worst bosses in the leagues history.

Fulham – 6 points

The decision makers at Craven Cottage learnt from their last two spells in the Premier League, kept faith with the majority of the playing staff, invested wisely and ensured they was hard to beat. Staying up was the aim and they fulfilled that task in March.

PL Fixture Icons

James Beattie – The power forward had one of his best games for Southampton in October 2002 when they beat Fulham (4-2), he helped himself to a hat trick.

Steve Marlet – Fulham have never won at St Mary’s, drawing three times, the first being March 2002 (1-1). Marlet was the scorer that day and was the clubs record transfer in 2001 (£11.5m), holding that title for seven years.

Game Narrative

Relegation can be confirmed this weekend even if Southampton win this game so in front of their own fans they have to control the narrative! Surely it’s better to go out fighting then playing it safe and nick a result. Fulham prefer to be out of possession and snatch goals on the break therefore the first fifteen minutes for the home side is when they need to crash into the visitors hard and now allow any flow to begin.

The One to Watch – Lyanco

Dominant in the air especially from attacking set pieces, he will be matched up with the returning Mitrovic at both ends of the field and it will be like watching a heavyweight boxing match.

Brentford v West Ham

Brentford – 5 points

Thomas Franks team have ignored the second season syndrome and will finish higher in the table than last year. The top six clubs hate playing them and Brentford’s aim next season will be avoiding lost points against teams lose in the table than them.

West Ham – nul points

Massively underperformed this season and still mathematically could be relegated. It’s scandalous they are so low in the table when they can call upon players like Declan Rice, Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma.

Fixture Icons

These clubs history has been scarce before the last two seasons meetings in the Premier League, the Bees have the upper hand as they’ve won each meeting. In 1992/93 they competed in Division 1 and prior to that the last meeting was 1954.

Game Narrative

West Ham’s energy levels will be tested on Sunday as after falling behind Thursday they had to put in a major shift to win the game. Now they will have one eye on the Europa Conference Semi Final 2nd leg, so expect some rotation but also the home side will press high and look to pepper the tired legs/squad players into mistakes.

The One to Watch – Danny Ings

Michail Antonio has become the first choice striker since Ings joined in January but the former Villa striker will likely start Sunday and will have a point to prove to David Moyes.

Everton v Manchester City

Everton – nul points

One of the worst run top flight clubs over the last ten years have battled the drop for the second successive season, they are the product of thinking spending big equals success.

Manchester City – 7 points

We all know they are the best team and they are in pole position to win the title again but their is a element of underwhelment about this campaign

PL Fixture Icons

Joe Parkinson – One for the famed “Dogs of War” was not known for scoring goals but was on the scoresheet in February 1996 (2-0). Injury ended his career at 28 years old when he was just making a prolonged impact in the top flight.

Robinho – Goodison Park has not been a happy hunting ground for City, they won the first encounter in October 1992 but it took until April 2009 (1-2) for the second victory. Peles heir never fulfilled his potential and his £32.5m transfer to Manchester City quickly was swamped by other high profile arrivals.

Game Narrative

Everton’s issue is following up a good result or performance with another and facing City will make it very hard after the Brighton match. The prize for the hosts is almost securing their top flight survival so they will defend deep and play on the counter while City rack up 75% possession. Peps team selection will be interesting but we all know the drop off in class is minimal.

The One to Watch – Riyad Mahrez

Jordan Pickford is a frenetic goalie and Mahrez will look to test him constantly Sunday with his left foot drives cutting in from the right, if the first is successful it will be a long afternoon for the home team.

Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion

Arsenal – 12 points

The standout team this season, they have overachieved and come close to winning the league. At the start of the campaign qualifying for the Champions League was the aim by any means necessary but they conclude this campaign as one of the best teams to watch week in week out.

Brighton & Hove Albion – 10 points

After Arsenal the Seagulls are the most impressive team this season, they lost their manager early but have gone from strength to strength since.

PL Fixture Icons

Nacho Monreal – The Spanish left back took his time to settle in at Arsenal but once he did, cult status was secured. His first goal for the club came in October 2017 (2-0) which was the first Premier League meeting between these clubs.

Adam Webster – Current Seagull Webster scored the first Brighton goal in December 2019 when they won for the first time at the Emirates (1-2).

Game Narrative

Arsenals defending has improved the last couple of games thanks to Arteta finally rotating his squad but both fullbacks will have their hands full dealing with March and Mitomo, they will need to stop the ball progression early as when the Brighton men get near the penalty area their shooting or delivery into the box is lethal. Odergaard versus McAllister promises to be a classic duel but the winner in that head to head will not decide the winner, this will come down to the substitutes for both teams offering a impact to affect the match.

The One to Watch – Danny Wellbeck

The former Gooner surely will play like a man possessed and threatens to give Gabriel the run around as he can match the centre back in every physical trait.

Leicester City v Liverpool

Leicester City – nul points

Bar Chelsea the Foxes have the most talented squad in the bottom half of the table but continually take one step forward and two back.

Liverpool – 1 point

Results at Anfield have just about kept Liverpool relevant but if they fail to make the top four this season has been a disappointment.

PL Fixture Icons

Ade Akinbyi – March 2001 (2-0) see Leicester set upon Liverpool all over the pitch, with the first goal scored by Akinbyi. When joining the Foxes he became the club record signing (£5.5m) but in two years he only scored eleven. His early career was brimmed full of goals but he dropped off massively once he joined Leicester and never recovered.

Michael Thomas – He will always be remembered for his last minute winner for Arsenal against Liverpool in 1989 which enabled them to win the league title but he actually spent the same amount of time at both clubs. One of his nine goals for Liverpool was scored in September 1996 (0-3) at Filbert Street.

Game Narrative

Leicester will look to attack with the same penetration as when they last played on a MNF v Everton but improve their defending after last Mondays defeat to Fulham. The worrying aspect for them is even if they play the perfect game that may not be enough against Liverpool who can win a game within a flash. Harvey Barnes holds the key for the home side as if he can capitalise on Trent’s hybrid right back role and the space it leaves then his team have a outlet.

The One to Watch – Fabinho

The guy loves a naughty challenge or two and his impact on this match could well be a negative one if he cannot contain his discipline.

Newcastle United v Brighton

This game on paper is mouthwatering but it’s tone will be decided by how the two teams perform at the weekend. Brighton are running off vapours and if they lose Sunday then taking on Newcastle at St James Park will seem like hell. Look out for Kieran Trippiers set pieces putting whoever is in goal for Brighton under severe scrutiny, both Steele and Sanchez look suspect and Pervis Estupinan who is still trying to score his first league goal.

Premier League Player Power Rankings

With the end of the season so close, the top of the Power Rankings has altered once more due to Odergaards sublime away performance last weekend at St James Park. Mo Salah keeps ascending but fifth is the highest he can go as the top four are this years stand out men:

Martin Odergaard up one
Erling Haaland down one
Harry Kane up one
Marcus Rashford down one
Mo Salah up two
Jack Grealish non mover
Kaoru Mitomo down two
Kevin de Bruyne non mover
Bakary Saka up one
Ivan Toney new entry

When watching matches this weekend remember Eurovision Legends ABBA once said “if you change your mind, I’m the first in line” and that line sums up football fans around the world, their commitment is limitless and even when the chips are down they believe it will get better.