Lesser Footy Before the Madness

Yes, it’s almost time to be consumed with our office pools and the like.  But first, there is some unfinished business in the Prem worth watching, like the amazing seasons of strikers Harry Kane (Spurs) and Romelu Lukaku (Everton).  It’s quite refreshing that neither of the marquee goal scorers plays for one of the “Sky Five” and one will get to see them face off head to head this Sunday at White Hart Lane (8:30, NBCSN).  Sunderland later host Man City (11:00, NBCSN), but the early fixture is the match of the weekend.

Not to worry, there are still Saturday fixtures.  If one wakes early (or has a West Coast Friday night bender that includes beak, as the Brits call it), yeah right’s Cherries start us off invading Old Trafford (7:30, NBCSN).  On 26 points through an equal number of matches, Bournemouth can feel the gravitational pull of the relegation zone, even from 14th position.

Speaking of said zone, Leicester/Hull is a classic “six pointer” and the lead dog of the 10:00 window (NBCSN).  Fellow plankton Palace take on 8th position West Brom (CNBC), along with various other mid/low-table rabble on Extra Time (Watford/Soton seeming mildly interesting to me).

4th position Arsenal invade Liverpool’s largest public outhouse to take on the 5th position Redshite at 12:30, but only get NBCSN coverage.  As well they should, given how lousy both these sides have been playing of late.

Finally, as if Stoke weren’t embarrassed enough last Sunday at WHL, they go to the Eithad to meet Man City for Monday Night Footy (3:00, NBCSN).  Prepare thine anuses, mutants.

Sorry, misread the schedule – that’s next week.  Tis the Hammers and Chelsea this Monday.  My bad.