27th February 17

So, Claudio Ranieri. Let's tackle this.

Sentimentality vs Practicality - Examining Ranieri's Sacking

It's tough to know where to even start with this discussion. The sacking of Claudio Ranieri is one of the most cutthroat, ruthless, emotionless acts in football for as long as I can remember. For many people it was the symbol of everything that is wrong in the game, a sign that all owners care about is making money, and that the current footballing climate is toxic and doesn't give managers the time that they deserve. 

The backlash to Ranieri's sacking was instinctive and shot throughout the footballing world. However, there has of course, been a backlash to that backlash. The rhetoric of those in defence of Ranieri's sacking has been that it was a footballing and business decision, and that sentimentality cannot come into it. Whether or not Ranieri deserves to stay as Leicester boss is irrelevant, what's important is keeping the club in the Premier League, and the intelligent, practical decision was to sack him. 

First of all, I think that this does highlight an increasing problem in football, which has only been exacerbated by the sheer financial reward of staying in the Premier League. No longer can teams down the bottom afford to give managers time that they require to improve their squads, before they have to press the panic button. And the same is true at the top of the table, as Brendan Rodgers and Jose Mourinho were unfairly yanked from their positions based off one poor season. Recent examples down the bottom include Francesco Guidolin, Tim Sherwood, Nigel Adkins, Quique Sanchez Flores, and frankly anyone who has managed at Sunderland not called Sam Allardyce (pray for Moyes). 

Secondly, I think Ranieri's sacking is absolutely, unequivocally a disgrace. To treat the man who brought Leicester the biggest honour in its history in this manner is absolutely disgusting. This isn't just Leicester's first league win in modern football, it's their first ever top flight win. It's impossible to understate how big an achievement Ranieri has made with these players, and for the players and board to stab him in the back this way is an aberration. 

I don't want to focus on the sentimental side, as that has been put far more eloquently by people closer to the club than I. And whilst it's currently uncertain whether or not four Leicester players (Schmeichel, Morgan, Vardy and Albrighton) went behind their manager's back to complain to the board, what is clear is that the players have a lot to answer for. If four players at my club did that then I would want their contract's terminated. If they didn't, then they still share a lot of responsibility for his sacking. 

You can talk about tactical errors that Ranieri has made this season, but frankly too many players seem to not care about the club. You can accuse Ranieri of many errors this season, but at no point did he ever stop caring about Leicester Football Club, and his heart-breaking words upon his dismissal just underline how little Vardy and co in comparison do care. The level of effort, fight, stomach and integrity that Leicester players have shown on the pitch is truly despicable and many of them need to have a good long look on the mirror.

Before I attempt to undermine the practical argument for Ranieri's sacking, I want to discuss whether or not the practical argument works to undermine the sentimentality argument. Assuming that Ranieri being sacked was the right decision for the club, does that mean that they should have sacked him? I'm inclined to think no. Weighing up the sentimentality vs the practical arguments, even before I undermine the latter, I think the simple truth is that if you'd offered Leicester fans a league title and then relegation two years ago, every single one of them would have taken that deal. In a world where football is becoming increasingly cutthroat, a man as good as Claudio Ranieri, at a club like Leicester, surely deserves the benefit of the doubt, less than twelve months after pulling off the greatest achievement in sporting history. 

So the practical argument, the crux of the defence for this action. Ranieri was sacked with his side having been knocked out of the FA Cup, just beaten 2-1 by Sevilla in Seville and one point outside the relegation zone in the Premier League. So to begin with, the focus has to be the Premier League. Losing in the FA Cup is frankly irrelevant at this stage, although it didn't help that it added to Leicester's dreadful run of form, and given that even reaching the Champions League Last 16 was an achievement, let alone only losing 2-1 to a vastly superior Sevilla side, and grabbing an away goal.

So what makes the sacking odd is the timing. A 2-1 defeat in Seville is not a bad result for Leicester by any stretch. What I suspect may have been important for the owners is that the performance was poor. Leicester's players couldn't seem to get themselves up for one of the biggest games in their history, and they took that as irrevocable proof that Ranieri had lost the dressing room. 

Now this is an interesting point and one that I want to focus on. The idea of a manager losing the dressing room is one that irritates me. Yes, man management is a crucial part of management, which is part of why I've argued that Jose Mourinho cannot be the greatest manager of all time as he often struggles with that side of the game. But nevertheless, it speaks volumes about the characters of the players. The same players who turned down big money moves to stay at Leicester are barely bothering this season, with the attitude seemingly being: if we go down, I'll move to a better club. And this is part of the problem: it can be quite hard to motivate players who simply don't care. 

One key point that has come out of this discussion is: you can't sack a whole squad. And that at least is a valid point. And Ranieri should certainly have done more with say dropping the likes of Morgan and Vardy, who have been genuinely awful this season. But given that Leicester have been unable to replace N'golo Kante, they can't afford to also replace title-winning performances from Vardy, Mahrez, Huth and Morgan. Even left back Christian Fuchs looks a shadow of his former self. 

Nevertheless, does sacking Ranieri increase Leicester's chances of staying up this season? That, I think is the core question. Leicester's owners stuck by Nigel Pearson in 2015 and were rewarded by Premier League survival, so why hasn't Ranieri earned at least as much faith as Pearson? Leicester were not in the drop zone when he was sacked, and whilst they have been awful in recent weeks, there are plenty of very bad teams still in the relegation battle. 

The other point that I don't understand is that when the owners appointed Ranieri in the first place, Leicester were thoroughly expected to be in a relegation battle. Now they are: they've returned painfully to the mean, but rather than doubling down on faith in their manager, they have decided to push the panic button. 

Leicester's players need to take the bulk of the flak for this season, and if Leicester do go down, as in my opinion looks likely at the current stage, then they should keep hold of all of their key players, and make them earn their way back into the Premier League. Either way, what does Craig Shakespeare bring to the table? Either he stood back and watched Ranieri lose the dressing room and did nothing to stop it, or alternatively. he did everything he could to get the players to perform and failed miserably. So either he's going to improve the players, which frankly would raise questions about his character, or, just as likely, Leicester are doomed. 

The Hard and Fast Section

• England saw off tricky Italian tactics to win 36-15.
• Wins also for Ireland and Scotland. Wales in disarray. 
• Man United picked up the EFL Cup in controversial circumstances. 
• Spurs destroyed Stoke. Chelsea beat Swansea. Business as usual.

25th February 17

So I've been in Croatia for the last week or so. While I've been gone there have been some FA Cup shocks (Lincoln!), some stunning UCL games (wow City), and one of the most disgraceful sackings in English football history. Anyway, I'm back now so let's dive into this weekend's EPL fixtures (with a bonus League Cup prediction).

Chelsea v Swansea (3pm)

So beginning with table-topping Chelsea, whose lead remains a pretty significant eight points over Manchester City. And with City not playing this weekend, this game represents an excellent opportunity for Chelsea to take their lead into double figures. Swansea have been much improved since sacking Bob Bradley, but defeats to Arsenal and Man City in this calendar year have shown that that improvement does not quite stretch to having the firepower to match the top teams. If Chelsea turn up, this should be a comfortable win, and they usually do turn up at home, with only Liverpool picking up points at the Bridge. Nevertheless, given that Swansea were the first team to take points off Chelsea this season, this could be an interesting one. 

Prediction: 2-0 Chelsea

Crystal Palace v Middlesbrough (3pm)

This is an interesting one. Boro are now eight games without a win, and Palace have only one win in their last eleven games, and have the worst home record in the division, having lost their last five home games. Boro meanwhile, have secured just one point in their last five away games. Needless to say, this is going to be a scrappy game, low on quality. Boro are excellent defensively, but poor up front. Palace the opposite. I think this one will be very close, but I wouldn't like to hedge my bets. 

Prediction: 1-1

Everton v Sunderland (3pm)

The David Moyes derby. Everton will be justifiably massive favourites for this one and it's hard to find too much evidence to support Sunderland in this one. They've picked up just five points from their last eight games, and their only away win since November came when they destroyed Palace recently. Everton have an exceptional record at home, and will be very much expecting to extend it, as they look to make it nine games unbeaten in all competitions. 

Prediction: 4-0 Everton 

Hull v Burnley (3pm) 

Hull's last four league games have been against Chelsea, Man United, Arsenal and Liverpool, and have played extremely well in those four games. However, whether or not that can translate to a good performance and result against one of the lesser teams remains to be seen. And whilst Burnley have been formidable at Turf Moor, they still retain the worst away record in the division, with just one point and five goals from eleven games. For Hull this is a must-win game, as a victory could lift them out of the bottom three. And it's a game that I think they will edge, if they can find a way to turn good performances into goals, something that they have struggled to do this season.

Prediction: 2-1 Hull

West Brom v Bournemouth (3pm) 

West Brom have been one of the surprise packages of the Premier League this season, leapfrogging the likes of Southampton and West Ham to climb to 8th in the division. And whilst they've struggled against the top teams, West Brom have been excellent in games like this, particularly at the Hawthorns. Whilst home advantage is in West Brom's favour, you could make the case that they don't really need it, as they have a better team than a Bournemouth side who are in a wretched patch of form, with two points from their last six games, and one win in nine. 

Prediction: 3-1 West Brom 

Watford v West Ham (5:30pm)

West Ham have managed to return to their 2015-16 form, with their only defeats in 2017 coming at the hands of the two Manchester clubs, and ten points secured from their other four games this calendar year. They've also won three of their last four away games, seeing off Boro, Saints and Swansea comfortably. All of this bodes badly for a Watford side that hit a really sticky patch before back to back wins against Arsenal and Burnley a few weeks ago. Overall, this is a tough one to predict, as these are two reasonably well matched teams on paper if they both turn up, but you'd have to back West Ham to nick it on current form. 

Prediction: 2-1 West Ham 

Spurs v Stoke (1:30pm Sunday)

If there are two teams in the Premier League that you can count on for a home banker, it's Chelsea and Spurs. Spurs are unbeaten at home, with only Liverpool and Leicester picking up a point at White Hart Lane this season. Stoke's away form is decidedly average, but this is one of those games where it doesn't matter what Stoke do, if the home side turn up and play their stuff, they should win easily. That said, Spurs are reeling, with a shambolic knock out to Gent and one win in their last four league games, and could be there for the taking. 

Prediction: 3-0 Spurs

Leicester City v Liverpool (8pm Monday)

The Monday night football is the one that everyone has been talking about. The shocking, if not necessarily surprising, sacking of Claudio Ranieri has left the football world reeling, and this is the game where Leicester's players have to react. Despite their shambolic form in all competitions: five straight league defeats, out of the FA Cup and losing their first leg tie with Sevilla, Leicester have a point to prove and given Liverpool's away record against teams outside the top six, with three embarrassing defeats, coupled with their loss to Swansea and draw to Sunderland in recent weeks, mean that this could well be a massive banana skin for the team that should on paper go into this one as massive favourites. That said, narrative aside, Liverpool are a superior side to Leicester and if they play as well as they did in their 2-0 win over Spurs last time out, or as well as they did when they thumped Leicester 4-1 in September, then this should be an easy win against a side that have been, frankly, in utter disarray for months.

Prediction: 3-1 Liverpool

Bonus Prediction: EFL Cup Final - Manchester United v Southampton (4:30pm Sunday)

So since this is the big game of the weekend, it's only fair that I talk about it as much as the various league games going on. This is Mourinho's chance to make his first big statement as Manchester United manager. Whilst they can still win three trophies this season, this one is the only one that they're favourites for, which is why it's imperative that they see off Southampton, who are not in the same caliber as United's other major roadblocks, Chelsea and Roma. In any case, preamble aside, this should be a comfortable victory for Mourinho's side, even without their gem of a player Mkhitaryan. Saints are a solid side and on their day they are capable of big performances (and frankly I think they'll turn in a big performance in this game), but United should have enough firepower to breach a weakened Saints' defence. 

Prediction: 2-0 Man United 

The Hard and Fast Section: 

• Six Nations back this weekend. Ben Te'o starts. 
• Australia destroyed India on their own soil. No. Really. 
• England name unchanged squad to face West Indies in ODIs. 
• F1 unveils and testing beginning. Exciting. 

17th February 17

So FA Cup weekend. Rather than preview all the games to a large degree, I thought I'd rate them by #CupShockO'Meter, so the chances of it being a cup shock. Going from least likely to be a shock to most likely. Okay let's do this.

8. Sutton United v Arsenal (7:55pm Monday)

I mean, it's a non-league side vs Arsenal. Arsenal. Yes they were murdered by Bayern Munich but given the absolutely vast gap between Sutton United and Bayern Munich, I'm not sure the two fixtures are even remotely comparable. Moreover, we're likely to see a lot of changes, and Arsenal's young guns have always been good in these sorts of games. Sutton realistically don't stand a chance. 

CupShockOMeter: 1/10

7. Blackburn Rovers v Man United (4:15pm Sunday)

Man United are good at this sort of thing. As they've displayed in the last two rounds against Wigan and Reading, they can send out a middling team and do the business against lesser opposition. Yes they'll make changes from their Europa League game against St Etienne but they have a big enough squad to make plenty of changes and still send out a team better than lower end of the Championship. Nothing to see here folks. 

CupShockOMeter: 3/10

6. Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea (5:30pm Saturday)

Without European football to worry about, Chelsea can afford to take the FA Cup seriously. As a result, I expect that there won't be too many changes to their side, and they'll send out a team somewhere close to full strength. Whilst I expect Wolves will put up a stern fight, a second string Liverpool side and a prime strength Chelsea team are two entirely different prospects, and I can't say much evidence that Chelsea will slip up as they chase a very plausible league and cup double. 

CupShockOMeter: 3/10

5. Burnley v Lincoln (12:30pm Saturday)

This one has a real sense of magic about it. Non-league Lincoln travelling to Burnley feels like the sort of game that's properly up for an upset. But, sadly, I don't see it happening. Burnley have turned Turf Moor into a fortress and don't tend to lose games there. If Burnley were travelling to Lincoln then it would be a different story but they aren't. Sooner or later, all fairytales in the FA Cup come crashing down. 

CupShockOMeter: 4/10

4. Huddersfield v Man City (3pm Saturday)

I wouldn't say that this one is likely to be a cup shock, given that City are the second best team in England at the moment, but it's certainly got more potential than the Chelsea or United games. Partly because Huddersfield are a significantly better side than Wolves or Blackburn, but also because City, who play Monaco on Tuesday, will be sending out the reserves for this one. Second string City vs top Championship club? Could get very tasty. 

CupShockOMeter: 6/10

3. Fulham v Spurs (2pm Sunday)

I really like Fulham at the moment. They've been playing some good football, especially as they tore apart Hull to reach this stage. With Spurs' first team having travelled to Belgium on Thursday, there's almost certainly going to be either changes or fatigue, which means that a giant killing is almost certainly on the table. If Fulham turn up, this could be a real humdinger. 

CupShockOMeter: 7/10

2. Middlesbrough v Oxford (3pm Saturday)

Boro are a side who are really struggling at the moment, particularly when it comes to goalscoring. Despite Oxford's middling league form, they looked very impressive against Newcastle, and the gap between Boro and Newcastle is not very big at all, assuming it even exists. I would say that Boro are solid enough that this one will probably go to a replay, but even so, if Boro make too many changes, they're ripe for the taking. 

CupShockOMeter: 7/10

1. Millwall v Leicester (3pm Saturday)

It took Leicester extra time in a replay to see off a spirited Derby side, and they also have Champions League football in midweek. Millwall meanwhile were more than good enough to see off a mediocre Watford display last round, and will be snapping at the heels of the side in the Premier League in the worst, and most high-profile, run of bad form. All the red flags are out for this one, we really could have a cup shock on our hands. 

CupShockOMeter: 9/10

The Hard and Fast Section

• Wenger confirms he won't retire in the summer.
• Strauss ruled out of Six Nations. Blow for the Scots. 
• Wehrlein missing pre-season test. Ouch. 
• Sri Lanka see off Aussies in first T20. Upset. 

16th February 17

So, what now for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal?

Bayern Munich 5-1 Arsenal 

At half time, there was a sense of cautious optimism. A sense that maybe, just maybe, Arsenal could break the cycle. They had the talent, they had the players. They had demonstrated that they could hurt Bayern defensively, and the penalty that had resulted in Sanchez's goal was no more than Arsenal deserved for a spirited final fifteen minutes of the first half.

Of course, that's just narrative. Bayern had utterly dominated Arsenal in the first half, with Lewandowski missing two crucial headed chances and a wonderful strike from Arjen Robben putting the German Champions in total control. Arsenal barely had a kick for half an hour before a rare foray into Bayern's half resulted in a fortuitous but fair penalty against the unfortunate Lewandowski.

And the reality of that narrative was made abundantly, brutally clear in the second half, as the gulf in class between these two teams was well and truly exposed, in what can only be described as a humiliating evisceration, leaving Arsenal's Champions League hopes not so much in tatters, but shredded, blended and then mashed into a pulp. Bayern weren't so much streets ahead as light-years.

I've seen games of football where a vastly superior team plays cat and mouse with the opposition, controlling the ball, dominating the game at will, and choosing strategically when to strike. Barcelona have done it for years: precise opportunities created and taken to tactically KO the opposition.

But this was something different. This was a team so comfortable in their authority, so calm in the knowledge that they were better, that they went for the kill from the moment they went in front, and never looked back. Bayern kept attacking until the very last whistle and only a combination of luck, poor finishing and world class keeping from Ospina kept the scoreline down. Bayern won the second half 4-0, but they could easily have scored twice that many.

Phillip Lahm, still one of the best right backs in the world at 33 and retiring far too young, delivered a pin-point cross that Lewandowski powered home, scoring a header at the third time of asking. Just a couple of minutes later, the big Polish striker flicked the ball delightfully around the corner for Thiago to run onto, as he powered the ball home.

Arsenal then rode their luck incredibly, with Lewandowski hitting the bar, Robben's rebound diverted wide via an Arsenal hand, and then the resulting corner forcing a point blank range save from Ospina. It was a miracle that Arsenal weren't 4-1 down sooner. But 4-1 down they soon were as Thiago's shot was deflected past Ospina for his second of the night, the Bayern attacking midfielder showing why he's keeping Thomas Muller on the bench with a phenomenal man of the match display.

And there was simply no let up for Arsenal as both Robben and Costa were denied from close range by top saves from Ospina, who was screaming at his defence, which was totally and utterly hapless after Laurent Koscielny came off in the 49th minute. Wenger blamed a lack of mental strength, which is certainly accurate, but a lack of fight, hunger, defensive cohesion and any level of organisation certainly played a part. Arsenal did lack a leader, but they also lacked any individual quality. Sanchez, who had been excellent at points in the first half, was anonymous in the second. To suggest that Coquelin and Xhaka are Champions League central midfielders is laughable, as 36-year-old Xabi Alonso ran the show for Bayern, and Thiago ran circles around the pair. Coquelin managed six passes and no tackles in his 77 minutes on the pitch, with Xhaka not much better. It was honestly a bit of a joke that the commentators were suggesting Arsenal needed a second goal to stay in the tie, as if anything that they had witnessed over the previous 80 minutes suggested that the Gunners were anywhere close to still in the tie.

And Bayern made it a humbling 5-1 to compound a pathetic night for Arsenal, as Thomas Muller came off the bench to slam home. The same result as in November 2015 really compounded the sense around the Emirates that Arsenal simply have not progressed under Wenger, and even if they aren't going noticeably backwards, they've not made a Champions League quarter final in seven years now, and at this stage, might even be lucky to get into the competition next season.

This was the sort of night that would make you ask: why does top four matter? Why does Champions League qualification matter? If the first time you come across a decent team you get humiliated then why put so much stock in qualifying at all?

And so the recriminations of this defeat are ringing around the world of English football right now. Is it time for Arsene Wenger to go? Is Alexis Sanchez on his way out of the club? Is Mesut Ozil finished as a top player? Simply put, where do Arsenal go from here?

Now there's a reasonable case to be made that conclusions shouldn't be jumped to based on one game of football, and that much is true. But these are the sorts of games that end careers. These are the sorts of games that would have the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson selling players at the next available window. And moreover, this isn't simply one game, but a symptom of how far Arsenal are off the pace at the top end of world football. The defence is still held together by Koscielny, their midfield is still spineless and inadequate, Wenger got his tactics wrong, picked the wrong players, Ozil's laziness and poor form are not going anywhere any time soon and this team is painfully over-reliant on Alexis Sanchez and to an extent Olivier Giroud to produce end-product.

Do I think Arsene Wenger should leave in the summer? Honestly yes. The current noise is that he will decide at the end of the season, but I really think that his time has come. Arsenal haven't been able to close the gap to the top teams, either in the Premier League or in Europe, and their failure to muster a prolonged title challenge last season with Chelsea, Liverpool and the Manchester clubs so far off the pace signals the final straw.

There is certainly a case to be made that the grass isn't always greener, but right now the grass isn't looking overly green for Arsenal to begin with and to suggest that there aren't quality managers out there simply isn't true. Sampaoli at Sevilla is doing wonderful work (but sadly will probably end up at Barcelona). Emery at PSG and Diego Simeone would be quite tough to secure and maybe not quite fit the bill but they're both very good options and the current favourite for the job, Allegri would certainly be no bad option, having had success in Italy: winning three Serie A titles, two Coppa Italias, two Supercoppa Italiana and a Champions League runners up medal since 2010 with AC Milan and Juventus.

As for players, I personally think it's hard to say for certain that Alexis Sanchez will leave in the summer, but I'd be surprised if he stayed should Arsenal finish outside the top four. And if Wenger leaves then there's every chance Ozil will leave too. Regardless, Arsenal need to sign top players, something that they're capable if not willing to do.

As for Bayern, they look set for another successful season. They're making light work of the competition in the Bundesliga, and have to be considered favourites for the Champions League after this display, especially with Barcelona crashing out at the hands of PSG. It's hard to imagine even the two Madrid clubs besting them over two legs.

Elsewhere, Real Madrid saw off Napoli 3-1, a scoreline that just about keeps the Italian side in the second leg. There were some really good goals in this one too, with Casemiro's wonder volley the pick of the bunch, and some pretty poor defending from Napoli very much in the mix. On Tuesday night, PSG ran riot against Barca 4-0, a scoreline that had me flummoxed when I got a chance to check the scores after work, and Dortmund lost 1-0 at Benfica. Next week: Leicester and Man City try not to get humiliated against Sevilla and Monaco respectively, whilst Juventus travel to Porto and Bayer Leverkeusen face Athletico. More shocks inbound?

The Hard and Fast Section

• Mark Clattenburg is off to Saudi Arabia. Farewell.
• Europa League tonight. United and Spurs in action. 
• Root confirmed and so far making all the right noises. 
• Alun Wyn Jones backed for Lions captaincy. Contender. 

14th February 17

So how does the Premier League top four race and relegation battle stack up after some crucial fixtures this weekend? Some detailed talk on the games I watched and some general conclusions from some others.

Arsenal 2-0 Hull 

Kicking off the weekend, Hull City showed why they have been securing good results against top clubs in recent weeks. Lazar Markovic in particular was excellent, running second choice left back Kieran Gibbs ragged as Hull created plenty of chances to win the game, as well as largely defending solidly. 

The introduction of video replays in football has been a point of contention for as long as I can remember but it honestly is embarrassing how far ahead of football every other sport is when it comes to refereeing. Rugby isn't exactly the gold standard but frankly the officiating is light years ahead of football, which is turning into an absolute joke. Games like this make football look absolutely pathetic, as Arsenal's first goal was a handball, their second was a penalty that shouldn't have been given for handball, and Gibbs was given a huge let off as he hauled down Markovic when the latter was in on goal. A stonewall red card. 

Two of the biggest arguments against video refereeing are that it will slow down play and that it will undermine referees. These are both absolutely nonsense. If you have an official watching video replays that can talk to the referee, all he has to do is intervene when he sees something blatant that the referee has got wrong, especially where goals are concerned, as there's already a 20-30 second gap when a team scores a goal. Even the Gibbs booking, the amount of time between the referee blowing his whistle and Hull taking the free kick is more than enough time for the official to look at a replay. It's a laughable argument, given that viewers at home can see an incident two or three times before the game begins again, yet the referee doesn't even get the option of a second glance. 

As for the argument for undermining referees, that simply doesn't happen in rugby or cricket. Referees can undermine themselves by making dreadful decisions, and do all the time, but having another look at a decision that a referee has made can reinforce the decision, as the referee himself can say: "I'm not sure about that, let's have another look". Moreover, when we're sat every week talking about how games are constantly decided by bad refereeing, surely not having that happen by itself increases faith and competency in referees? 

In any case, this is another big game that has been totally decided by poor refereeing and as such, it's hard to draw any tangible conclusions from it about either team's chances moving forward. However, it is fair to say that Hull look significantly better than they have done under Mike Phelan. Moreover, they've had a rotten run of fixtures. So it'll be interesting to see if they can keep their momentum going when they're playing teams in and around them. We should find out soon, as their next three games are Burnley at home, Leicester away and Swansea at home. Huge fixtures coming up for them. 

As for Arsenal, they've simply not played well all season and after back to back defeats and a scrappy win over Burnley, this game will not have filled anyone with confidence that they are capable of shaking off their rocky form and maintaining their top four challenge. 

Man United 2-0 Watford

United have got very good at winning games like this: quelling opposition that aren't playing particularly well. And in true United fashion, they were totally dominant from the first kick to the last, with Mata and Martial scoring the goals. Missing chances and scoring goals remains a huge problem for United (with an xG of 3.3 from this game and only 38 goals this season in the league) but if they can keep rolling over opposition like Watford in this fashion, they'll be in the mix for top four, although they're still rightfully an outside bet. 

As for Watford, they're another team that has fallen away having started the season well, but to suggest that they're in relegation trouble or underperforming isn't accurate. They're ten points clear of Hull (and crucially nine points clear of Leicester) and look exactly like the team that they are, which is a lower-mid-table team. And for a team only in their second season in the top flight, lower-mid-table is no bad thing. 

Boro 0-0 Everton 

I watched this game. It's 90 minutes of my life that I'll never get back, the highlight being when Romelu Lukaku managed to fall over in a shooting position. Boro of course, deserve a lot of credit for that, as they're a very solid defensive unit. But the other side of Boro's game was in equal display in this game, which is a total lack of cutting edge. Everton looked patchy at best at the back and yet Boro never caused them any problems. Whether draws will be enough for Boro is an interesting question. Games like this one certainly don't hurt their cause, and whilst it's easy to argue that one win is better than three draws, Leicester and Crystal Palace in particular don't look like winning a single game at the moment. Moreover, Boro are capable of nicking 1-0 wins against teams in and around them when said teams (Palace, Leicester and Sunderland in particular) are not so much patchy defensively as an outright train wreck. 

As for Everton, it's hard to see them finishing anywhere other than seventh. They're not good enough to close the gap (currently seven points) to the top six, and they should have enough firepower to keep West Brom below them. This was Everton nowhere near their best, but they ran into a tough nut to crack in Boro, especially at the Riverside, where they've only lost by more than one goal on two occasions.

Sunderland 0-4 Southampton

So Sunderland are back to being relegation fodder. It's honestly strange how Sunderland can play pretty well on occasion, and then the next week go back to reminding everyone why they are rock bottom with a pretty awful display against a Southampton side who played quite well. There was some rumblings that Saints might find themselves dragged into a battle with relegation after a pretty wretched run of form, but they showed here why that simply won't happen. Southampton are too good to go down. When they play teams in this league that are truly bad, they generally win. 

And make no mistake, Sunderland are terrible. Whilst new signing Gabbiadini had a field day, the defending for his second goal, and then for Shane Long's two late efforts, was truly out of this world bad. The Sunderland fans had long since ejected the stadium when Southampton's fourth went in, and you wouldn't be blamed for thinking that the Sunderland defence had left with them, so little effort was put into stopping Long scoring. Sunderland may yet survive, but if they do, it'll be because they didn't play as badly as this. Moyes is living on borrowed time. 

Liverpool 2-0 Spurs

I don't want to say too much on this one, as I already have elsewhere, but Liverpool were as excellent as Spurs were abject. Spurs seem to have a problem away from home against the top six, having picked up just two points from those five games this season, but luckily for them they only have to play the top sides twice more, Arsenal and Man United at the Lane, where they've picked up seven points against the top teams this season, beating Chelsea and City already. 

Beyond that, it's hard to draw much to look forward for either of these teams, since we already knew that Liverpool can get themselves up for this sort of game, and that Spurs can't. Liverpool's problem remains beating smaller teams, something that will be tested against Leicester away on the 27th, whilst Spurs should get back to winning ways at home to Stoke. Both of these teams remain serious top four contenders. 

Burnley 1-1 Chelsea

Again, not much to see here. Burnley are very tough to beat at home, so it was never going to be a walk in the park for the Champions elect (yes they are come on). I said on Friday that this would be a good point for Chelsea should they fail to win as long as Spurs didn't win at Anfield and sure enough, here we are. Yes City closed the gap to eight points on Monday night (coming to that in a moment), but Chelsea are still very much in cruise control and there was nothing here to suggest an imminent implosion. 

That's not to say that Chelsea played particularly well, because they didn't, but nor did they play particularly poorly. This is the Chelsea that we've been watching for months. Rarely explosive, but always solid, and usually good enough to get exactly what they needed. Following four points from two games against Liverpool and Arsenal, Chelsea ground out another good point in a tough game away from home. This was a similar performance (and to be honest result), that saw them grind out 1-0 and 2-0 wins around the Christmas period. 

As for Burnley, again little to take away from this game of any major consequence. Robbie Brady looks like a cracking signing, which is a boost for them. But they defended admirably at home, played very well overall and didn't deserve to lose. The time will come when either they play well away from home or they start to crack under pressure at home, but that time was, thankfully for them, not this weekend. 

Swansea 2-0 Leicester

Leicester are getting relegated. I know snap conclusions at this stage of the season shouldn't be drawn because you're inevitably wrong, but Leicester need to step up or they are going down. I don't even think that it's a possibility at this stage, they're currently one of my favourites for the drop. Since the turn of the year they have been categorically the worst team in the Premier League and there are no signs of an up turn. This defeat, 2-0 against a resurgent Swansea side, was frankly pathetic. There was no fight, no quality, no defensive organisation and no class in this Leicester team. 

Swansea played a very good game, but they weren't exactly world class. I thought that they played well in the first half but once they scored two goals: a thumping volley from Mawson and a lovely finish from Olsson, the game was over. Leicester created one genuine chance in the second half: a clever pass from Mahrez freeing Slimani who was denied by Fabianski, but really they were never in it as Swansea shut the game down well in the second half. 

It wasn't so much the result that convinced me that Leicester were doomed as the performance. This was a reasonably tight game for the most part, but Swansea were 2-0 up at half time and Leicester simply didn't play like it. They never looked like scoring, they never looked confident or hungry or even angry. 

I wonder about the attitude of the players. The likes of Mahrez, Vardy and Gray (who ironically is the only player even trying) will probably leave to play Premier League football again next season whether Leicester go down or not, even though Vardy in particular looks increasingly like a one season wonder and has returned to his pretty awful form of the 2014-15 season. The heart of their mdifield is a gaping black hole where nothing good comes out. Andy King, Amartey, Ndidi and Mendy have all been tested alongside Danny Drinkwater and none of them are even close to Premier League quality. Defensively they're a shambles, with Huth and Morgan embarrassingly bad and Simpson and Fuchs no better. The first goal was unbelievably bad, as three Leicester players were stood aimlessly in the six yard box, but none thought that picking up Mawson, stood completely free on the penalty spot, was their problem. 

As for Swansea, this was another solid performance and another excellent result to lift them four points clear of the drop zone. They look wholly rejuvenated under Paul Clement and with them and Hull both heavily improved under new managers, it'll be interesting to see which of the teams down the bottom pulls the trigger next (my money is on Sunderland - because Sunderland). 

Bournemouth 0-2 Man City 

This was honestly a cracking game of football. Both teams played open, expansive football and looked all the better for it. Ultimately, as is often the case with these kinds of games, the bigger, more powerful side was the one who had the firepower to win the game, and on balance it was hard to argue with the scoreline. As much as Bournemouth had their chances, including a good save from Caballero and Josh King's disallowed strike, both at 1-0, City had more than enough good chances to win the game, as Sterling hit the post, Sane hit the bar and Aguero missed a sitter, on top of the two goals that they did score: Sterling's back post finish and an OG from Mings. 

City always look impressive coming forwards, and with De Bruyne and Silva at the hub at the heart of the midfield that's no surprise. But with all of the headlines about the Jesus/Aguero battle up top, one that Aguero will be winning for a while as Jesus broke his metatarsal (ouch), it was the two wingers: Sane and Sterling who lit up the show for City. Sane in particular was excellent all evening, running Adam Smith riot down Bournemouth's right hand side. Smith was the man beaten for both goals, first by a wicked cross from Sane to pick out Sterling, and then Sterling himself turning provider, Aguero getting a touch on the low cross before Mings diverted it past his keeper. The wingers in any Pep Guardiola system are of vital importance, so it will be very good news for City that these two are playing well. 

The other area that I wanted to highlight was the performance of John Stones, who was excellent last night. Whilst Kolarov is certainly not the centre-back partner that Stones needs to improve, the English defender was in fine form last night, with crucial tackles and interceptions for his side. Caballero behind him was also impressive, as he continued in goal ahead of the struggling Claudio Bravo. 

Whether City will make the top four is still very much an open question. Right now five teams are fighting for three spots and on current form there is very little between them. But wins like this will certainly help City on the way. As for Bournemouth, they should be fine to avoid the drop, but if they carry on in current form then there's no two ways about it, they need to be looking over their shoulder; they could well be dragged into the relegation battle. 

The Hard and Fast Section

• Finn in for Willey for England. Pace. 
• George Ford back at Leicester. Tasty. 
• PSG v Barca tonight. Goal fest. 
• England two wins out of two. Grand Slam?
• Ireland bounced back to pummel Italy. 
• France saw off Scotland. Not much between them.

10th February 17

Premier League previews. It's that time of the week.

Arsenal v Hull (12:30pm Saturday)

This predicting the Premier League lark should be easy. Arsenal turn up play well, win by three or four goals, everyone shrugs and goes home. But Arsenal have lost two games on the trot, including their last home game against Watford. Meanwhile, Hull have picked up four points from two games against Liverpool and Man United. Even so, what else am I supposed to say other than if Arsenal turn up then they win? 

Prediction: 3-1 Arsenal 

Man United v Watford (3pm)

Man United have hit a sticky patch of form, drawing three games in a row before taking apart Leicester. Meanwhile, back to back wins have taken Watford up to 10th, and they're unbeaten in four games. Whilst on paper this should be another comfortable win for United, I have a sneaking suspicion that Watford could well make something happen. 

Prediction: 2-1 United

Middlesbrough v Everton (3pm)

Everton are in red hot form, unbeaten in seven games with 17 points collected since they lost the Merseyside Derby. Boro on the other hand, are seven games without a win and are sliding closer to the drop zone every week. Whilst I think it's unlikely that either of those records go anywhere this weekend, Boro remain a tough nut to crack at the Riverside, and I can see them nicking a point. 

Prediction: 1-1

Stoke v Crystal Palace (3pm)

Stoke's loss to West Brom is their first handed to them by anyone outside the top six since they lost at home to Bournemouth, and only their second since Palace bludgeoned them in September. But a lot has changed since then, with Stoke safely in mid-table and Palace languishing in the bottom three, and fresh off the back of an absolute hammering at home to Sunderland. Palace are marginally better away from home, but nevertheless this game should have home win written all over it. 

Prediction: 2-0 Stoke

Sunderland v Southampton (3pm)

Southampton's league form has gone well and truly off the rails since Christmas, with just one win in seven games, including home defeats to West Ham and West Brom, as well as defeats away at Burnley and Swansea. Sunderland will be licking their lips at this one after their much needed win against Palace brought them within two points of safety. Nevertheless, although form favours the home side, Saints are still a much better team on paper and this won't be an easy one. 

Prediction: 0-0

West Ham v West Brom (3pm)

After a disastrous start, three wins in four have hauled West Ham as high as 9th, only one place below their opposition for this fixture. The Baggies are making beating teams below them a habit, having only dropped four points against teams below them in the table in the last four months. Nevertheless, West Brom have secured four 1-1 draws away from home in the league against opposition below them in the table this season, and this one looks too close to call. 

Prediction: 1-1

Liverpool v Spurs (5:30pm)

This is a tasty one. Liverpool have been in bad form, but are very good at getting themselves up for fixtures against the big teams, whilst Spurs are up to second with 23 points from their last nine games. Most predictions for this game will be 1-1, for a variety of reasons. That was the score the last two times these teams met, Liverpool have drawn three games 1-1 against the top six this season. Nevertheless, although I think it probably will be 1-1 at some point, I think that this is such a pivotal game for both teams that someone will score a winner, and I think Liverpool have the superior firepower. So...

Prediction: 2-1 LFC

Burnley v Chelsea (1:30pm Sunday)

Okay this is an interesting one. Burnley's home form is the 4th best in the division, whilst Chelsea have dropped eight of their eleven dropped points away from home. Burnley don't lose heavily at home, losing by only one goal on the three occasions they've been breached at Turf Moor. Having beaten Arsenal and drawn with Liverpool, a point wouldn't be a bad result for Chelsea in this game, especially as Spurs are unlikely to close the gap if Chelsea do draw. Nevertheless, you'd back Chelsea to nick it. 

Prediction: 1-0 Chelsea

Swansea v Leicester (4pm)

This is a real relegation six-pointer, a game that Leicester cannot afford to lose. And yet, I'm reasonably sure that they will lose it. Swansea have been excellent in recent weeks, under new manager Paul Clement, who claimed January's manager of the month award, and have decent home form, whilst Leicester have been absolute fodder and away from home, they've been nothing short of garbage. I'd expect the home side to win this one. 

Prediction: 2-0 Swansea

Bournemouth v Man City (8pm Monday)

Bournemouth have slid to 14th in the table after a poor run of form. Man City meanwhile are up to third as new signing Gabriel Jesus propelled them to two straight wins following their draw with Spurs. Overall, this is a game that you would expect City to win comfortably, as they look to keep some resemblance of pressure on Chelsea.

Prediction: 3-1 City

The Hard and Fast Section

• Root, Broad and Stokes in England captaincy talks.
• Savinova stripped of 2012 gold. Guilty.
• India pile on the runs against Bangladesh.
• Wales v England. Tomorrow. It's on. 
• And speaking of on, I'm back on RaW tomorrow.

7th February

England's captain, and one of its greatest ever batsmen, has stepped down.

Cooky Takes A Step Back

Even before England's tour of India, there was talk that it might be Alastair Cook's last as captain of England's Test side. After a brutal and humbling defeat in the country where Cook made his triumphant debut as skipper, Cook decided the time was right to step aside, and the toll that the job has taken on one of England's greatest ever batsmen was obvious. 2016 was a bruising year for Cook, as England lost eight Tests, failing to see off Pakistan in England before slumping to a 1-1 series draw with Bangladesh, and finally the 4-0 humiliation in the sub-continent. 

And it is a good time for Cook to step down, as the next captain will have nearly six months to prepare himself for the role, before taking on South Africa and then the West Indies in seven Tests stretching from July to September, both in England. This is a good warm up period for the new captain (thoroughly expected to be Joe Root) as those are two very winnable series, before travelling down under at the end of the year, to face the toughest possible test for an England captain: an Ashes series in Australia. 

Cook has been somewhat unfortunate in the sense that his captaincy has seen him watch over one of the toughest periods in English cricket. With Andrew Strauss retiring, and Graeme Swann following reasonably early in Cook's reign (and past his best when he finished), along with the likes of Johnathon Trott, Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen all ending their England careers under Cook, Cook had to battle to find an opening partner to replace the man who had led alongside him for years, replace the best English spinner in 40 years, as well as stalwarts of his middle order. He's been lucky to find some naturally gifted cricketers to shore up the middle order (including the man looking destined to replace him), but finding an opening partner has been a problem that has affected Cook's entire captaincy, and Moeen Ali simply isn't in Swann's class. 

Cook's problem wasn't so much that his team wasn't good, but that he was expected to be the man to launch England back to the top of world cricket, a position that Strauss had triumphantly taken them to. Expectation for Cook's reign was arguably as high as it had ever been. Cook walked into almost constant criticism for his style, his decision-making and how the captaincy affected his batting. And his team's high profile failings under him (whitewash down under, slip ups at home, decimation away to Pakistan) have often overshadowed some exceptional results that England have achieved under him, most notably the aforementioned win in India, during which Cook himself scored three centuries. 

Having followed English cricket for the entirety of Cook's tenure, I have to say that I am a huge fan of Cook. It always infuriated me when his captaincy was called into question with England 400 runs ahead and cruising to victory. Cricket more than any sport puts relentless pressure on its leader and Cook dealt with that pressure better than most, keeping his cool and using the resources in front of him to the best of their ability. 

More importantly, Cook stuck to the principles of his predecessor, Andrew Strauss (pretending the KP debacle didn't happen for a second). Cook stuck with what he knew, trusted his instincts and continued the work that Strauss started, both on the field with his declarations and follow-on choices, and off it, with the choices of the team selection (which are obviously not down to him but nevertheless he has a say in the matter). Cook has often been accused of being too conservative, but that style of captaincy paid dividends for Strauss, and at times for Cook too. 

For me, Alastair Cook will always be a legend who will be remembered more fondly for his batting performances than for his captaincy, and that's fair enough, given that he's one of England's greatest ever batsmen, if not necessarily the single greatest, and given that his captaincy has been hit and miss at times, compared to say Andrew Strauss, who will probably be remembered more fondly for his captaincy than Cook, but less fondly for his batting (not that Strauss wasn't a phenomenal batsman of course). 

So, in the spirit of positivity, here are Cook's five greatest results as England captain. Note that these aren't necessarily individual performances from Cook, as I'm saving those for when he retires but just Test matches where under Cook, England were excellent.

1. England beat India by 10 wickets - Wankhede Stadium 2012

After losing the First Test in Ahmedabad, it looked as if England were in serious trouble in Cook's first tour as skipper. However, the skipper was in red hot form and having scored a century in the First Test in vain, he hit another one in this match to take England comfortably past India's total of 327, before his spin bowlers, Panesar and Swann, skitted the home side for 142 to put England level in the series, one that they would go on to win 2-1, with Cook scoring a mammoth 190 in that Third Test to complete the turnover. Leading from the front, this was Cook's first win as captain and a huge one at that. 

2. England beat Australia by 347 runs - Lords 2013

This was a terrific performance by England to put themselves 2-0 up in Cook's first Ashes as captain. Having narrowly edged out the Aussies by 14 runs in the First Test, there was nothing narrow about this win, as England were totally superior with bat and ball. Ian Bell's century got England off to a solid start, but Australia never got close to chasing England's 361, as Graeme Swann ripped through them to reduce them to 128. Rather than enforce the follow-on, Cook chose to bat again and give his bowlers a rest as Root and Bell pounded Australia into the dirt before declaring nearly 600 runs ahead. Fair to say the Aussies never got close. 

3. England beat India by an innings and 244 runs - The Oval 2014

It would be fair to say that India never even got close to England in this one. This was a cracking test series that had started well for the visitors, moving 1-0 up after two Tests, only for England to turn into a juggernaut. Centuries from Ballance and Bell made it 1-1 before Stuart Broad went a little bit bonkers, taking 6-25 to make it 2-1, and then this one. There may have been more impressive victories against sterner opposition in Cook's reign, but none quite so emphatic as this. England's seamers all worked in tandem to skittle India for 148, before Joe Root scored 149* to give England a lead of well over 300. India failed to even get close to making England bat again, capitulating for less than 100. A triumph of bat and ball.

4. England beat Australia by an innings and 78 runs - Trent Bridge 2015

I couldn't not include this one, although frankly any excuse to bring it up. I'll never forget Stuart Broad's face as Ben Stokes made an unbelievable slip catch until the day I die. Australia were absolutely poleaxed by Broad, who took a magical 8-15 to ensure that India were all out for just 60 on a truly astounding morning in Nottingham. The rest was frankly academic, as England hit nearly 400 before bowling the Aussies out again for just over 250. The win that secured Cook's second Ashes victory in England, made all the sweeter by the humiliating way it was done. 

5. England beat South Africa by 7 wickets - New Wanderers Stadium 2016

People are happy to tell you that South Africa were a shadow of their former selves when England traveled there last Winter, but Cook's second series win away from England is nevertheless nothing to sniff at. I chose this particular win because it was the one that sealed the series, leaving the Saffers 2-0 down with one to play, as Joe Root struck a magnificent century to snatch a ten run lead for the visitors at the midway point in the match. Of course, I also picked it because I love a Stuart Broad bonanza, and the Notts man then took 6-17 to skittle South Africa for 83 on their own turf, leaving Cook and co with an easy chase and Broad as the world's number one bowler. Take that Dale Steyn (yes I know he was injured). 

The Hard and Fast Section

• Ranieri backed. But for how long?
• England snatch an important Six Nations win. Last ditch. 
• Ireland lose to Scotland. Wow. Wales thump Italy. 
• Gabriel Jesus. Oh boy. 

3rd February

Premier League previews again. Blimey it's been a busy month.

Chelsea v Arsenal (12:30pm Saturday)

Arsenal travelling to the Bridge? No way that this can possibly end badly for them. Arsenal are in serious trouble having come unstuck against Watford in midweek, and go into this game knowing only a win can keep the title alive. Realistically, you wouldn't bet on them. Whilst I think these two teams are evenly matched, Chelsea have the edge. Chelsea have the advantage in central midfield, where Arsenal are lacking. Koscielny and Mustafi will have their hands full with Costa and Hazard, and realistically, unless Sanchez does something special, Arsenal will struggle to break down Chelsea. Nevertheless, Chelsea are nothing special, so much as a relentless bulldozer of very good. On their day, Arsenal could easily topple them. But this is at the Bridge, where Chelsea have only dropped points once, their defeat to Liverpool.

Prediction: 2-1 Chelsea

Crystal Palace v Sunderland (3pm)

This is a great time for Palace to be playing Sunderland. Sunderland really don't look like picking up any points away from home, and Palace are fresh off the back of their first win under Sam Allardyce. Nevertheless, we're going to the point in the season where this is well and truly a six-pointer and if you're writing off Sunderland in these games, then you might as well write them off as survival candidates. 

Prediction: 2-0 Palace

Everton v Bournemouth (3pm) 

Bournemouth have had another good season, but the truth is that they're not quite in Everton's league, and the Toffees have only lost one game at home all season, that to their Merseyside rivals Liverpool. Whilst I think it's possible that the Cherries could nick a point, the odds are against them. Everton have won four of their last six since their defeat to the Reds, whilst Bournemouth have just one win in their last seven games. That said, these two have thrown up some surprises before. It could be a cracker.

Prediction: 3-2 Everton 

Hull v Liverpool (3pm)

Hull picked up a valuable point at Old Trafford in midweek after giving the Manchester boys a good run in the EFL cup. Nevertheless, they only have one Premier League win in their last twelve games, picking up just seven points in those twelve games. Liverpool meanwhile, well their problems have been publicly analysed to death. But with Sadio Mane back and their first team completely free of injuries, the Reds have a real opportunity to lay down a marker for the rest of the top four contenders with a win against a team that on paper they really should be beating. 

Prediction: 2-1 Liverpool

Southampton v West Ham (3pm) 

Two teams in bad form, with Saints losing five of their last six games, including defeat to Swansea, and West Ham losing three of their last five, including a hammering at home to Pep's Man City. Nevertheless, this is another game where you'd say that home advantage could be important. With Jose Fonte looking to get back at his former club, and just one point separating the sides, Saints I feel just have the edge. Still, I don't think either of these clubs are good enough to win this one. 

Prediction: 1-1

Watford v Burnley (3pm) 

Watford secured their first win in eight games with a heroic win at the Emirates, whilst Burnley saw off Leicester to move 10th in the Premier League. I'm going to follow my usual formula though, of if Burnley are playing at home, backing them, and if they're playing away, backing their opposition, as their point at Old Trafford is still the only result they've secured away from home this season in the Premier League. 

Prediction: 1-0 Watford

West Brom v Stoke (3pm) 

The Saido Berahino derby. Also known as the Tony Pulis derby. 8th vs 9th in the Premier League. Stoke are okay away from home, West Brom are solid at home, and frankly I think that these two teams are fairly evenly match, similar to my prediction for Saints v West Ham, I think that fence-sitting is the wisest move in this one. 

Prediction: 1-1

Spurs v Boro (3pm)

I predicted Spurs to beat Sunderland 4-0 in midweek and they inexplicably completely failed miserably to score, securing their second straight Premier League draw, but I'd back them to get back on track in this game, as Boro are not the most formidable of opponents. Nevertheless, they have six draws away from home this season and are a tough defence to breach, so don't be surprised if Spurs struggle to break them down. 

Prediction: 2-1 Spurs

Man City v Swansea (1:30pm Sunday)

City hit top gear as they swept aside West Ham on Wednesday night, to halt what was a worrying slide of form. But nevertheless, they've been patchy for weeks, able to turn on their form, only to slip up again the following week. Swansea meanwhile, have somehow secured back to back Premier League wins, including that famous win at Anfield, to lift them out of the drop zone as Paul Clement revitalized his squad. Nevertheless, you have to back the home team in this one, as City haven't lost at home this season to anyone that isn't Chelsea. 

Prediction: 3-1 City

Leicester City v Man United (4pm)

Man United have hit a sticky patch in form, drawing three league games in a row. So it stands to reason that they would play Leicester City at the King Power, since Leicester have been nothing short of fodder in recent weeks, losing three games in a row and just one of their last eight. I'm struggling to think of an argument in favour of United not winning this match, but then they failed miserably to score against Hull and have had huge slices of luck with the officials in recent weeks. But their away form is good so count this one as a win for the visitors. 

Prediction: 3-0 United

The Hard and Fast Section

• Rose out for a month. Blow. 
• Berahino missed eight weeks with drug ban. Yikes. 
• Boothroyd under-21s boss. Good choice.
• Benitez under pressure at Newcastle...because...reasons? 

2nd February

England imploded as India took the T20 series 2-1.

Dominant India Thrash Sorry England

We need to find a better word to describe what occurred than "collapse". Don't get me wrong the phrase: "English batting collapse" has a certain inevitability about it, and it really is a fantastic way of describing the skittle effect as one wicket follows another. But this was beyond a collapse. This was an implosion, a capitulation, a self-destruction of epic proportions. England didn't so much fall apart as spontaneously combust. From 119-2, they were bowled all out for 127, losing by 75 runs. This after India had hit over 200 on a pitch that really wasn't doing much at all. 

Eoin Morgan of course, deserves a lot of credit for his handling of the situation post-match. He's gotten very, very good at taking the pressure and the blame away from his young and inexperienced (and frankly at times not good enough) bowling attack, and putting the blame squarely on himself, and his fellow batsmen, particularly the cool and experienced heads of Buttler and Root, with the latter taking the flak alongside the captain in the post-match press conference. And whilst I think it's nevertheless a deflection, deflecting the blame onto the captain and vice-captain, especially when they top-scored in England's innings, is not a bad tactic. 

But if we're talking about credit, then let's put it where it truly belongs, with Yuzvendra Chahal, whose incredible spell of 6-25 took England apart. Yes, the wickets of Root and Morgan in the same over sent England spiraling into not so much a freefall as a plummet, but not only was Chahal's brilliance responsible for those two wickets, but he kept on bowling sumptuous cricket to dismiss Stokes, Moeen and Jordan in the following over. 

Earlier, it had been Suresh Raini and MS Dhoni who had put England to the sword, assisted by Yuvraj and Rahul, as India hit a mammoth 202-6, which generated the scoreboard pressure that triggered the collapse. England got off to a great start as a moment of madness from Virat Kohli saw him removed, but some huge shots, including one out of the stadium from Rahul left them under no illusion that this was a pitch for scoring 200 on. 

Despite removing Rahul to keep themselves in the hunt, England toiled as India systematically took them apart in the back ten. Raina's dismissal for an exceptional 63 off 45 with six and a half overs to go and 120 on the board failed to even slow India down. In fact if anything it accelerated them as Yuvraj came in and went mad, scoring 27 off 10 as Dhoni plundered 56 off 36 at the other end. 

If 202 was a disappointing total for England to concede, it was certainly not unchaseable, especially as their batting line up is full of strength and power down the order. And despite Chahal removing the unfortunate Billings for a duck, Jason Roy went hard: scoring 32 off 23 alongside Joe Root to set England up well for Eoin Morgan to enter the fray, with England 55-2 off just over 6 overs. And from there, things looked very well set for a fantastic grand stand finish, as Morgan hit 39 off 19 and Root 42 off 35 for England to reach 114-2 with 8 overs to go. 

At that point, the scoreboard pressure told. A really good over from Mishra built the pressure as Root struggled to accelerate, heaving more pressure onto Morgan. Morgan tried one big shot too many and didn't quite middle it against Chahal, and his dismissal was a real blow for England. But then Root completely misjudged a darting quicker delivery from Chahal that had him out LBW and all out panic set in. Buttler and Stokes, realising England needed 84 from 6 overs, went big and hard too early, and weren't set. Both were caught. Moeen suffered a similar fate and from there the end was inevitable. India's death bowling was exceptional again, but England just completely, and understandably, lost their heads. Nevertheless, losing 8 wickets for 8 runs is an incredibly painful and sad way to end what was a very even and terrific T20 series, and what had the potential to be an incredibly tense and high-scoring finale. 

But all credit to India who were composed and strong as ever, and with bat and ball they were all over England. They kept their cool when England looked like they might get close to the mammoth total that India had set and proved that their batting line up has seriously explosive firepower and is not even slightly reliant on Virat Kohli. 

As for England, they have a lot of work to do on the bowling side of their game but I think it's important not to overstate the nature of this collapse. Yes, a lack of composure and some poor shots were involved, but the collapse was mitigated by a run rate of 14 runs per over, leaving Stokes and Buttler no time to get themselves set, and forcing big shots that accelerated England's demise. A bigger problem for England is that they didn't have any bowlers capable of doing what India's did on the day, and the form of Adil Rashid is becoming a major issue. 

So England have to lick their wounds, but for India, it's a clean sweep. Tests, ODI, T20s. And they deserved to win all three. 

The Hard and Fast Section

• Gabriel Jesus and Man City looking a real threat. 
• Spurs, United and Arsenal all humbled. 
• Chelsea all but secure the title at Anfield.
• Big wins for Swansea and Palace at the bottom. 
• Six Nations team news out. Not long now.