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Former Manchester City midfielder Trevor Sinclair: "Aston Villa are gone, and just  look at the response the players are giving Remi Garde, zilch.

"Sunderland bought well in the January window, bringing in a big defender in Kone. Sam Allardyce does what he says on the tin, he is going to keep them up for me."

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Former Manchester City winger Trevor Sinclair on Steve McClaren: "For me the manager's biggest thing is to pick the players up when they've lost and I'm not getting that from listening to Steve McClaren.

"That's not the Steve we know. He was great when he was the manager with England. He was always involved with the players and had an infectious personality."

Image source, Getty Images

Burton (a) for Newcastle fans next season?

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Times football writer Henry Winter on Steve McClaren: "Newcastle fans should start getting the road map out for the championship. McClaren came out after yesterday's game and you are depressed listening to him. That was just the press conference so heaven knows what he's like with the players.

"McClaren is a good coach but in terms of saying the right things at the rights times and managing men he is not a top flight manager. 

"Newcastle need a Bobby Robson or a Kevin Keegan to save them."

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So Connor Wickham nets four in two games and then disappears from the Crystal Palace squad. We assume he's carrying an injury, as is Wayne Hennessey - the keeper is out.

Liverpool welcome back Alberto Moreno and Mamadou Sakho. Moreno's defensive quality has been questioned at times. We will see how he handles this examination.

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Former Manchester City winger Trevor Sinclair on the return of Yannick Bolasie: "This season has been a huge compliment to Bolasie. What a talent he is for them. He's been so useful for Palace this year and he's been sorely missed. However, now he's back in the team, you believe they can win matches again."

Image source, Getty Images

Dwight Gayle was the man who put the dagger in Liverpool's title charge two years ago. He's on the bench this afternoon for the Eagles - can he puncture their season again?

Image source, Getty Images

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Former Manchester City winger Trevor Sinclair: "You look at the stats and Tottenham have covered the second most ground in the league behind Bournemouth. 

"They are such a fit team. Pochettino has trained them so well throughout the summer and that fitness can't be improved in the season. I think that's why Spurs are now reaping the rewards."

That's right Jack. They are both on the bench. Surprised? 

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Leicester full-back Danny Simpson is asked who has been harder to face, Tottenham or Arsenal: "The away game at Tottenham was really tough - we probably shouldn't have won. We nicked it. Every area of the pitch they were at it. As a defender they were attacking us and you felt that threat. Defensively they were strong as well.

"Even though we took points off them, I felt like they were a team. As a team I'd say Tottenham were the best."

Image source, Reuters

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Times football writer Henry Winter: "Mauricio Pochettino has been at Tottenham for 18 months and he is developing a strong team challenging for the title. There is a long running debate about Arsene Wenger, basically I think he should stand down this summer. 

"This was Arsenal's window of opportunity. Next season Chelsea will come back with a new manager, Manchester United will probably have Jose Mourinho, Man City will have Pep Guardiola, this was the window of opportunity and they haven't seized it."

Liverpool

Liverpool make two changes, both in the back four. Alberto Moreno and Mamadou Sakho come in for Nathaniel Clyne and Kolo Toure. 

Image source, Getty Images

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Leicester full-back Danny Simpson on the title: "Out and about the neutrals always say they want us to win it, which is really nice to hear, but there's still a long way to go."

Crystal Palace

Well that's a very quick commentator's curse. Connor Wickham is not involved this afternoon as Palace make three changes. Alex McCarthy comes in in goal and Emmanuel Adebayor starts up front. 

Image source, Getty Images

Connor Wickham has bagged a brace in each of his last two Premier League matches, having scored one goal in his 18 Premier League games before that.

Will he continue that form this afternoon?

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Leicester full-back Danny Simpson is asked if this is the best dressing room he has experienced as a player: "The closest was at QPR when we had the play-off scenario but this is the best. On the pitch and off the pitch we all want to do well for each other.

"The manager is right, we have to concentrate on us and focus on the next game. We can't effect what Arsenal, Tottenham and City do. It is hard not to pay interest in what is going on but he's right, we have to just focus."

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Leicester full-back Danny Simpson on winger Riyad Mahrez: "I leave him to it because he can go both ways, I don't like to overlap him. 

"He's a magician out there and I just try to help him out when I can. He plays on the right but he has the licence and the ability to play wherever he likes."

On his defence: "We've accepted that he's not always going to get back because we need him up top, but he's getting better now."

Image source, Getty Images

It certainly is Danny...

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Leicester full-back Danny Simpson on manager Claudio Ranieri: "He's funny, he's really calm and I think that has started it all off. His calmness is helping us as a team. It's great that we can have a laugh with him. Claudio and Jamie Vardy are the jokers around training.

"A few of the lads were worried that he might bring in a lot of foreign players. But he took his time; looked at all of the players already here and stuck with the core.

"He came in, gave us a chance and it's working out."

We should have team news for the day's first game in the next 10 minutes or so. What will Pards do to stop the rot?