Once again Saints have to sit out the Saturday round of fixtures, so where will our rivals for a top four finish slip up this weekend.
Firstgame on the cards this Saturday is the lunchtime kick off where Arsenal travel to West Brom, the Baggies arent in great form, but they could spring a surprise or two against the Gunners, Arsenal are at a bit of a crossroads in that if they don't start winning a few more games they could lose touch with the top three, they start the weekend 9 points behind Saints and defeat at the Hawthorns would be a disaster for them.
Next on our radar is Liverpool V Stoke, although many are writing Liverpool off this season, the fact that so many of the usual suspects in the top 7 are failing means that although the title is beyond them a top four finish is not, a good run of wins could see them right up the league again and they will look to get that going against Stoke, from a Saints perspective any points dropped are a welcome bonus.
Manchester United V Hull looks to only have one winner and United have shown just what a win or two can do for your league position, sadly I cant see them dropping points this weekend.
Likewise Swansea V Crystal Palace, although I dont see Swansea as bigger challengers to us, at least yet than any of the currently mis firing big boys, I think they are more than capable of despatching Palace, although the Eagles might still be soaring after beating Liverpool.
West Ham V Newcastle is the first of the weekends fixtures where at least one of our rivals has to drop points and when that is the case I always think a draw is the best result, if thats the case here then both clubs will still be at least 6 points behind us come our kick off on Sunday and that is a good position for us, whereas a win for either side would bring them a little too close for comfort..
Sunderland V Chelsea is another home banker, that is for a home defeat rather than win, whilst it would be nice to see Chelsea slip up and give us the opportunity to make up ground, I cant see it.
Sunday's other game sees Spurs host Everton, again another draw will keep both sides a long way behind us whereas a win for either will see the winner within 6 points.
Whether you are going great guns at the top of the table or fighting at the bottom, it is not just about winning your own games, it is about your rivals dropping points, therefore whilst the old adage about winning your games and letting the rest worry is all well and good, the reality is that for most sides that is not the case, you still need your opponents to **** up as well, because if they do so it makes things a lot easier.