Despite our playing poorly yesterday, this weekend saw us increase our lead over United by two points (to seven) and establish a lead of three points over City. City still has a five-goal advantage on us in goal difference, and United has a game in hand, albeit a vastly inferior goal difference. Our odds of securing Champions' League qualification, already good, just went up. All we have to do now to secure 4th is win one more game. 4 points gives us 3rd; I think even two points would do that. Ideally, we'd beat City, but a draw should be enough, given that we play Villa at home on the last day.
The Leicester-Man U game was an excellent spectacle, wasn't it? It was truly end to end, possibly because one point was really not much good to either side. Both teams were up for it, and it was a tough game to officiate. I can't understand how Marouane Fellaini stays on the field. He's dirty, aggressive, and so ugly you'd think referees would red card him just to avoid having to look at him anymore. Besides his assault on the not-entirely-innocent Robert Huth, two pivotal fouls were not called (one on each side) and they spotted a late free kick just outside the Leicester area when it happened just inside. The ref (Oliver?) lost control of the game in the first half and despite handing out yellows like crazy he couldn't get it back in the second. But the result was a fair one, I thought.
For City, I hope we don't start Giroud. Welbeck's movement would make him far more useful. I also would start Coquelin in place of Ramsey. I assume Per is gone for the season with hamstring problems, so it's Gabriel and Koscielny at the back. I wouldn't mind seeing Campbell get a run-in if Iwobi or Alexis are deemed too out of form. Joel plays both ways, and we will need that.
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