It will be yet another exciting event in the world of football when the English Premier League takes center stage this midweek, starting from tomorrow, the 1st of April 2025. As few Muslims are in celebratory mode as regards to their fasting it will definitely not be the same story for lovers of football all over the world whether they be Christians, Pagans or Muslims because supporting a football team comes with a host of mixed feelings, some of pure happiness, a rush of excitement mixed with suspense and a sprout sadness that can’t be described, all due to the turn of event for or against one’s favorite team. At this time, those who do not patronize Sports as fans (especially football fans) do not know what God has done for them.
You can recall how people have lost their lives due to tensions that build up as a result of adrenaline rush, which not only affects players but fans who view the game live on TV or at the stadium.
Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United, three Premier League teams with the most followers in Port-Harcourt and Nigeri, will be in action again. It is sadness, joy and the feeling of emotional dissatisfaction waiting to hit many of their fans, except for those of the devils of Manchester who since they would be going away to take on an inform Nottingham Forest with a very stubborn defense line, who hardly concede at home, and the Blues who take on London rivals Tottenham at the bridge on Thursday and have concluded in their mind that nothing good can happen considering how abysmal majority of their performances have been this season.
As for the Gunners, thus far it has been a pretty good ride, which is why fans from that end are always in high expectation each time their team takes to the field but it will a double blow for them if the Super Eagles fails to make it to the 2026 World cup and they too fail to win the EPL, a competition that they have not won for more than 20yrs after their invincible triumph.
After being nicknamed ‘tittle pretenders’ one waits to see if things would change this season but it seems unlikely as Liverpool sit above them on the log and looking like they are more motivated to hold on to lift the trophy after being eliminated from the FA cup, Champions League and recently losing 2-0 to Newcastle United in the League Cup few weeks ago.
Overall it is not going well for many teams right now, as four times consecutive winners Manchester City are struggling to hold on to their current 5th position and are on the brink of ending the season outside the Champions qualification spot now that their Norwegian striker is currently a doubt for their next game after picking up a knock yesterday in their FA cup win away at Bournemouth.
We wait to see the fan base that is left with happiness this midweek, especially those of the Muslim divide who are supposed to be celebrating. Whether the joy of the celebration continues or the results of their respective team would introduce a not-so-strange feeling of anger to what they are currently experiencing.
Midweek fixtures are as follows:
Tuesday, April 1st:
20:45 Arsenal – Fulham
20:45 Wolves – West Ham
21:00 Nottingham – Manchester Utd
Wednesday, 2nd April:
20:45 Bournemouth – Iphswich
20:45 Brighton – Aston Villa
20:45 Manchester City – Leicester
20:45 Newscastle – Crystal Palace
21:00 Liverpool – Everton
Thursday, 3rd April:
Chelsea – Tottenham
