An EPL Return to Normalcy (Except Leicester Still in First)

In case you want a very brief respite from basketball (for fuck’s sake, don’t do anything insane like go outside or talk to your family), rejoice. The FA Cup interruptions are over until late April (Everton to Wembley WOO!!!), and there’s a full slate of matches this weekend.

Speaking of Everton, the Blues square off against Arsenal in the early bird special (8:45, NBCSN). The Gunners are in 3rd place with a game in hand…but 6 points back of Spurs and a full 11 behind Foxy Footy. They need all 3 points from their trip to Goodison Park, or it’s down to a 2-team race for the title. Despite the Cup success, Everton continue to be more than a bit shit in the League, and need a statement win to salvage some self-respect and at least move into the top half of the table.

Leicester get reeling, 15th place Palace (also in the Cup semis) in the main 11:00 fixture (NBCSN), as they look to at least maintain their working margin. 5th place West Ham and 10th place Chelski are USA’s alternative, if so inclined to flip around.

NBCSN is starting the “hey, come look at the gruesome car wreckage!!” coverage early this year, featuring Sunderland/Newcastle in a Sunday relegation scrap (9:30), ahead of the fairly decent Soton/Shite match, which is relegated to Extra Time. That’s the lead-in to noon’s Manchester Derby, 4th place City and 6th place Manure (big boy NBC). Should United get all 3 points, they would have an outside shot at the final Champions League slot again. 2nd place Tottenham also plays at noon Sunday, on Extra Time against Bournemouth.

P.S. Don’t forget to read Balls’ super-early morning open letter re La Liga:

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