The 'Big Six' from the Premier League in particular- I can understand the European Super League being attractive to the top Spanish and Italian teams who have long been poorly run and struggling to rub two pennies together, but why on earth would the Premier League clubs want to do this? Ok, guaranteed money for the leech like owners that have arrived from the United States where the owners of all NFL teams are taking a piece of the pie regardless of how they perform on the pitch, but surely someone, somewhere, would have told the organisers that most fans are not going to stand for a closed shop for what are the top teams in this snapshot of time.
Tottenham Hotspur being involved was laughable.
This is the same Tottenham Hotspur who are hoping to snap a thirteen year wait for a trophy on Sunday and who were last League Champions in 1961. Since then the likes of Ipswich Town, Derby County, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers have all been Champions, while Leicester City have not only been Champions just five years ago, but are above this club in the current Premier League standings having done the same last season.
However, 'it's Tottenham lads' so I am not too fussed about how they blagged their way into the 'elite'.
As a Manchester United I am disgusted with my club, but for the first time the rest of England and Europe can see what we have long been telling anyone that listens- the Glazers could not give a damn for anything but the bottom line and all they care about is stripping Manchester United of as much as they can.
I would say it is hard for those people to ever sit foot inside Old Trafford again, but they don't anyway and I think it would only be fitting that they die on this hill and have to sell the club.
I doubt that happens right now, but I am hopeful that the fans get behind the common cause and at least have co-ordinated efforts to really rally together and show the entire world what kind of power the 'legacy fans' have.
A serious punishment is unlikely to be forthcoming, because the Premier League and UEFA need Manchester United arguably more than the other way around, but I don't care if they can find a way to throw the book at them. Maybe that would be the spark for the ridiculous owners to move on and find something else to ruin, but I won't be holding my breath before the next set of television rights come around next year.
The Super League idea might be over for now, but I have little doubt that something else will crop up sooner than later. The hope is that this whole palaver is going to inspire real changes as to the power of the fans and how their wishes have to be considered first and foremost rather than the amount of money that can be siphoned away by the owners hiding behind the 'good of all football' rhetoric that Florentino Perez has been trying to promote.
My only hope is by that time the American owners in particularly have been ousted in England and any new owner will understand our game and our culture much better than those currently in charge.
Arsenal v Everton Pick: If plans had come to fruition like the Big Six of the Premier League wanted, Arsenal would be secure in their 9th place knowing they were going to be a part of the Super League next time around regardless of their final position domestically.
That seems so far against what we are used to seeing as football fans and it is no surprise the Super League has been consigned to the history books (for now) and the importance of this Premier League game is not lost on two powerful English clubs.
Neither Arsenal nor Everton are having the season they would have liked, but the latter are showing more progress. Carlo Ancelotti has long targeted a place in European competition, but he will be highly frustrated that Everton are not much closer to the top four places after dropping some very poor points in recent weeks.
Time is running out for Everton, but a win would be a huge boost on a weekend when West Ham United host Chelsea and Everton would push back into the top seven with a victory. Injuries have hurt them, but Everton could have some key figures back for this game while Arsenal are the ones that may be without some important players like Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
With an upcoming Europa League Semi Final, Mikel Arteta may not want to risk any player with knocks and that should give Everton a chance. However, Arsenal have been creating chances and I think they will cause problems for an Everton team that have been struggling to contain opponents.
However, I also think Everton can make chances here and this may be another one of the higher-scoring Premier League games that have been evident since the March international break. They haven't scored in their last couple of away Premier League games, but Everton might be facing a weakened Arsenal team and they have to know how important it is to win this game which could leave the fixture as an open one.
In the last couple of Premier League meetings between Arsenal and Everton an early goal has opened things up and I think that could be the case here.
Liverpool v Newcastle United Pick: The importance of this fixture has increased for Liverpool over Newcastle United when a couple of weeks ago you could have suggested it will be the other way around at kick off.
In that time Newcastle United have won a couple of Premier League games and moved clear of the bottom three, while Liverpool have got back in the mix for the Champions League places. Moving clear means the pressure is off Newcastle United, which could make them dangerous, but they also lost Allan Saint-Maximin to injury and his absence this weekend would be a big blow.
Liverpool dropped two more League points on Monday evening after a day of being dragged through the mud for their horrible decision to join a closed shop European Super League. The fans made their feelings clear and it would have affected the players who have come out in solidarity with their supporters in deriding the new competition which the Big Six and some top European clubs were keen on exploring.
Jurgen Klopp was visibly irritated by the questions he had to face and mainly because he had been blindsided by the decision of those above him at the club. Instead of facing up to their decisions, the manager had to stand in front of the press and the hope for Liverpool is that their subsequent withdrawal will allow the players to focus.
They are still in reach of making the Champions League on sporting merit and a win would move The Reds into the top four. The poor run at Anfield in the Premier League was ended in Liverpool's last game here though and having a week to prepare for this fixture is very important for the squad and especially as they should be very keen to remind the supporters that they are behind them with a strong performance, even in front of the empty stands.
Liverpool probably have the right opponent to be honest and I think they are going to be too much for Newcastle United to handle if playing anywhere near the level they found in the first half at Elland Road on Monday. With the wins under their belt to ease relegation worries, Newcastle United could potentially fold with the amount of chances they have been giving up defensively of late and I think that shows up here.
A poor record at Anfield doesn't help and I think Liverpool likely win by a couple of goals on the day.
West Ham United v Chelsea Pick: With six Premier League games to be played, this is a huge fixture between Chelsea and West Ham United on Saturday afternoon.
In another dimension it means nothing to Chelsea who have secured a spot in the European Super League regardless, but in this one The Blues are hanging onto a Champions League spot via a top four finish in the Premier League. They are only above West Ham United on goal difference and the winning team will certainly feel they have the momentum.
West Ham United have a decent home record against Chelsea in recent seasons, but they are under pressure having lost 3-2 at Newcastle United last weekend. They are back at home where they have won 4 of their last 5 Premier League games, but West Ham United's underlying numbers have not made for good reading and the feeling I have is that the bubble may have burst last week (pardon the pun).
Defensively they are allowing too many chances and this week West Ham United are without Craig Dawson and potentially without Arthur Masuaku and Aaron Cresswell. They have been reliant on special finishing, but Chelsea are not a team that offer up a lot of chances and I think that is where the visitors have an edge.
The squad looks healthier, even while managing a heavy schedule, and I think there will be a sense of freedom from the pressures that have been created by their owner with the Super League news. Now that has been put to bed, at this moment anyway, I think Chelsea have the quality in the final third to earn a big away win which will make them favourites for a top four finish.
Granted they have not enjoyed much success in this Stadium in recent visits, but Thomas Tuchel's men are not likely to give a lot away and I think that is the difference. While West Ham United have impressed, they are a team that have been fortunate to win a couple of their games of late and last week that deserted them in their defeat to Newcastle United.
I expect the Chelsea attacking quality to shine through and help earn the victory on the day, a big one ahead of the Champions League Semi Final with Real Madrid.
Sheffield United v Brighton Pick: The likes of Sheffield United, West Brom and Fulham have not really put the pressure on their relegation rivals as they would have wanted and it may be too late for them now.
It is definitely too late for The Blades who return to the Championship after spending two seasons in the Premier League and there is some considerable work to be done at the club. A new manager is needed and some changes to the squad may also be required as Sheffield United begin to prepare for how they can challenge for promotion next time around.
The players have absolutely given their all, but some poor transfer decisions have proved to be costly. The lack of goals has not been fixed and losing Dean Henderson meant the clean sheets were not as forthcoming as last season.
Those disguised the problems in the final third and ultimately Sheffield United have paid for the lack of goals.
Brighton have not been picking up too many wins, but draws with Everton and Chelsea keep the points ticking along and a victory on Saturday night will almost certainly mean they are safe from the drop. They are already 7 points clear of Fulham, but to make that 10 points with just five League games left should be enough for Brighton to secure top flight football again.
They are a team who create chances, although Graham Potter has to be looking for a striker who can put away some of those opportunities next season. I expect Brighton to be able to do the same here and they are secure enough at the back to believe they can keep their hosts at arm's length in a narrow victory.
It is hard to trust Brighton because of their ability to miss so many chances, but they should be able to break down a Sheffield United door which has been left ajar far too often this season. The Blades lack of a cutting edge is a concern for them and I think Brighton will likely win a relatively low-scoring game.
Wolves v Burnley Pick: If there is one thing I have learnt over the last couple of seasons it is that it is almost impossible to pick a Wolves game with any real confidence.
With little left to play for, I do think they are still likely to maintain the momentum they have picked up over the last couple of weeks, but Wolves still look plenty short to win this game.
Burnley are a team that will offer up chances, but they continue to find results when you least expect it and it took two late goals to help Manchester United get past this opponent last week.
The first goal feels like it is going to be huge, but I would not be that surprised if it ended goalless too. And I have no real conviction as to which of these teams will score first which makes this a game that will be one that I can afford to move past without taking much of a backwards glance.
I wouldn't even call this one as important for the neutrals, but Burnley's motivation is a touch higher and that could be enough to earn a result here.
Leeds United v Manchester United Pick: This might not appeal to the 'fans of the future' but for us 'legacy fans' Leeds United versus Manchester United is the kind of rivalry fixture that gets the juices flowing.
It has been a long wait for these two rivals to meet at Elland Road in the Premier League and the only shame is that the stands will not be packed to the rafters. The atmosphere, which has helped create the Premier League into the monster viewing event it has become around the world, will be missing, but both Leeds United and Manchester United should entertain those tuning in.
Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United will play their usual way and they continue to rattle the cages of the top sides by getting amongst them and attacking with pace and power. On another day they would have beaten Liverpool in the 1-1 draw on Monday night, but Leeds United will go again and they will certainly believe they can hurt a Manchester United team that have conceded in each of their last 3 Premier League games.
That has not stopped them winning games though and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be very much aware of the rivalry so I expect Manchester United to be focused despite the upcoming Europa League Semi Final against Roma later this week. Manchester United have won 4 of their last 5 away games in all competitions, but they give up as many chances as they create and I think that will be the key to the way this fixture develops.
The playing surface at Elland Road has not been the best and is likely going to be replaced in the summer, and that has perhaps been the main reason that 3 of the last 4 Premier League games have ended with two or fewer goals shared out. However, it was only fantastic saves that prevented there being more goals in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Monday and both Leeds United and Manchester United are unlikely to sit back in this one.
An early goal really will fire up the fixture, although the fans are going to be a big miss.
This may not appeal to those watching from afar, but the Yorkshire and Lancashire rivals are going to be very keen to impose themselves on the other and I think an early goal will see something of a shoot out develop.
Aston Villa v West Brom Pick: It is very hard to trust Aston Villa at this stage of the season considering their recent form and the likelihood that there is very little left for the squad to play for.
A poor run means Europe looks to be beyond them, although one or two figures in the squad will be looking to impress Gareth Southgate and try and earn a spot in the Euro 2020 squad. One of those would be Jack Grealish, but the midfielder's continued absence has hurt Aston Villa who were beaten despite taking the lead against Manchester City during the week.
It is the second Premier League fixture in a row in which they have taken the lead but eventually been beaten, although I think the first goal in this game is going to be key.
A Midlands derby would have had more intensity if the fans were allowed into Villa Park, but without them it will be difficult for the players. Things may also have been different if West Brom's run of consecutive wins had not come to a crashing halt in their 3-0 defeat at Leicester City on Thursday which is almost the one that confirms their place back in the second tier of English Football.
West Brom have been trying hard though and I think that may make this an open game as they look to try and get forward and score the goals they need to have an opportunity to escape their perilous position in the standings.
The problem is an open game leaves their vulnerable defence exposed and Leicester City showed what can happen when that is the case.
Aston Villa are not as strong as Leicester City and especially not without their inspirational leader Jack Grealish, but this is a team that has pace in the forward areas. Any spaces can thus be exploited and I think the home team will likely have too much against an opponent that is beginning to get a little desperate.
The form has not been ideal, but Aston Villa's sole win in recent weeks has come against a relegation threatened side at home. I think they can double that up here against a rival as they push West Brom that much closer to the trapdoor.
Leicester City v Crystal Palace Pick: There was plenty of attacking verve on display by Leicester City as they beat West Brom comprehensively on Thursday, although they are going up against a rested Crystal Palace that are back in action for the first time since April 10th.
Will that make a difference on the day? Obviously physically Crystal Palace should be in good shape, but there is very little for this team to play for in the remaining month of the Premier League season and motivation has to be questioned.
They did earn a late draw at Everton in their last away game, but Crystal Palace were very fortunate and a similar defensive performance is more likely to end in a similar way to the 1-4 home loss to Chelsea rather than the 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.
It is especially the case against this Leicester City team who are playing with real confidence at the moment and one who beat Crystal Palace comfortably here last season. The first goal on Thursday inspired Leicester City and they are about as healthy as they can be at the moment which gives them the edge as they look to secure a top four finish and a place in the Champions League.
Leicester City have won 3 of their last 4 at the King Power Stadium and scored at least three goals in each of those wins. We have also seen Crystal Palace lose half of their last 6 away Premier League games and all by at least two goal margins, while a more composed Everton would have likely beaten them pretty comfortably in their last away game too.
Last season Leicester City won this game 3-0 and I think they are more likely to secure another comfortable win and keep the pressure on those below them that are looking to steal away Champions League Football.
MY PICKS: Arsenal-Everton Over 2.5 Goals
Liverpool - 1.5 Asian Handicap
Chelsea
Brighton & Under 3.5 Goals
Leeds United-Manchester United Over 3.5 Goals
Aston Villa
Leicester City - 1 Asian Handicap
Fantasy Football GameWeek 33
The Triple Captain play on Heung-Min Son looked to be a risky one that was not going to pay off, especially after VAR ruled out what looked like being a late winner against Southampton on Wednesday evening.
However, he did manage to put away a late Penalty to give the week a positive return with the decision to take a slight hit for Kelechi Iheanacho also proving to be a correct one.
Unfortunately it looks to have come too late in some of my mini-Leagues and I am not even sure I am going to end with a good Overall Ranking in what has been a congested season.
Too many strange results seem to have impacted me and these early deadlines are irritating too.
We have another on Friday.
And the Wild Card is activated.
However, I am already committed to going out on Friday afternoon and that means having to make late decisions on my phone, a far from ideal way to play the Wild Card. With the Double GameWeek coming up in GW35 yet to be confirmed (we are still waiting to hear how the final two weeks are going to shake up to allow fans to be present for all twenty clubs despite the constant rumours that a decision has been made).
With that in mind I have to take a guess at how the weeks will break down- I have to assume what is currently GameWeek 36 due to be played in the midweek between GW35 and GW37 will be pushed back a few days and instead there will be a full round of fixtures between the final two weekends of the Premier League season.
So what does that mean for Fantasy purposes? First off it will mean the FA Cup Final will cause a blank for Leicester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea, but all four clubs should have a DGW in 35.
Add in the Southampton vs Crystal Palace and Aston Villa vs Everton fixtures and it should mean eight teams have a Double left, but only half of them will also be in action in GW36.
It is such a shame that Jack Grealish is injured because he would have been a perfect player to bring in, but I am looking at bringing in a couple of Aston Villa players despite the difficult nature of their remaining fixtures and with motivation running down.
Other teams that look to have favourable fixtures are Liverpool, Leicester City, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur (although they blank in GW33), and Leeds United (after this week of course, I couldn't be asking their players to have a big week against Manchester United).
Those are likely to be the teams that make up the bulk of my Wild Card.
If you see someone buried in his phone while enjoying a nice, cold drink on Friday afternoon at least leave him alone until the 6:30pm deadline has passed.
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