Harsh schedule beginning to take its toll

IT takes a lot for me to start feeling sorry for footballers but even to these cynical eyes the idea of them playing twice in three days seems a little bit harsh.

I know myself what a gruelling period the festive time can be and, after being on the booze since mid-December, I had to give myself a Steven Gerrard style “we go again” pep talk when I woke up on Boxing Day thinking there was no way I could stomach any more food and drink.

The words seemed to do the trick easily enough when I polished off a Nandos with a couple of pints in the afternoon so footballers need to just get their heads down and fight their way through this punishing schedule.

However, with tired minds and tired legs we may not get too many classics in the Premier League on Sunday and a draw trixie in three tight fixtures is the way to go.

Six of the last eight meetings between Aston Villa and Sunderland have produced no more than one goal and with both teams struggling for wins the draw is a value shout.

I also like the stalemate in the Nigel Pearson derby at the KC Stadium. Hull beat Sunderland on Boxing Day but back-to-back Premier League wins for the Tigers are about as rare as the beef Mrs B knocked up on Christmas Eve.

Leicester played well in defeat to Spurs and I fancy them for a point and a share of the spoils looks the obvious play in Newcastle versus Everton given both teams are in rubbish form.

Now, pass me the trifle and Baileys.

We go again.