EPL: AVB on shaky ground

Andre Villas-Boas is on thin ice.

Reports suggest that quite apart from the fact his team can’t buy a goal at the moment — despite a £110.5m player outlay — or that they have slipped to ninth in the Premier League, it seems AVB is not endearing himself to the boardroom.

The top brass at White Hart Lane are said to be fed up with the stream of excuses from a manager who even had the cheek to turn on his own fans recently.

History will tell you that rarely ends well. Throw in his public admonishment of his players after the 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Man City and it seems the players aren’t happy with him either.

These players, quite frankly, don’t have a leg to stand on after the City debacle but AVB has shown his hand.

The only thing that will haul him back into everyone’s good books are wins —and entertaining ones at that.

Next up: Man Utd. I don’t fancy his chances much. 

TOMORROW

All 11am unless stated

Aston Villa v Sunderland

Villa should be buoyed by the comeback against West Brom. They have a steel absent last season and should pick up a victory.

Prediction: 2-1

Cardiff v Arsenal

Expect the Gunners to be less timid than United at Cardiff. Expect them to be more clinical, too.

Prediction: 0-2

Everton v Stoke

The Toffees showed more than enough attacking endeavour against Liverpool to worry Stoke. Lukaku will once again be the danger man.

Prediction: 3-1

Norwich v Crystal Palace

Tony Pulis is back and will have no doubt found a long-throw specialist at Palace already.

The boost of a new manager is not what the Canaries would have wanted.

Prediction: 1-1

West Ham v Fulham

Having seen both teams recently, this is not a game to set the alarm for. Alarm bells will, though, ring out for the losing manager.

Prediction: 3-0

Newcastle v West Brom

1:30pm

This column is always one to claim small victories and yes, that’s right, we hailed the Baggies’ Shane Long as a ’man reborn’ last week. Let’s see if he can do it again. Draw.

Prediction: 1-1

SUNDAY

Tottenham v Man Utd

8am

As mentioned, another spanking and AVB is in real trouble. How we’ll all miss his hilarious press conferences and witty tunnel interviews. Wait, what? That was Mourinho? Ah.

Prediction: 3-2

Hull City v Liverpool

10:05am

The Reds go to Hull and back and it promises to be one Hulluva game. Will the Tigers win? Not unless Hull freezes over. #threepunstoomany

Prediction: 0-2

Chelsea v Southampton

12:10pm

Providing Saints keeper Boruc doesn’t decide to practice his appalling Cruyff turn again, Saints may have a chance. Chelsea are certainly not fluent and manager Jose Mourinho does not appear wholly enamoured with many of his players. Will be a tight one but the Blues should nick it.

Prediction: 2-1

Man City v Swansea

12:10pm

City are at home so their fans can rest easy. Let’s see how many they can rack up this time. My money is on four.

Prediction: 4-1