Man City v Blackburn, 15:00 2nd May
After being knocked out of the UEFA cup by Hamburg 2 weeks ago, Manchester City need a strong finish to have a chance of being back in Europe next year. Blackburn will also be wanting a lot rom the game, although they have six points of daylight between themselves and the relegation zone, none of the teams in the bottom half of the table can afford to take their feet off the gas. Recent meetings between the 2 teams have been overwhelmingly in Blackburn’s favour with City failing to win in the last 11 meetings
Morale is however high in both teams– Rovers were victorious in he local derby against Wigan last week and since being knocked out of Europe City have responded in the best way possible by beating both West Brom and Everton.
I predict a respectable but non exciting 1:1 draw.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Chelsea vs Fulham Premier League Sat 2nd May 15:00
Saturday 2nd May Chelsea v Fulham, 15:00
Chelsea must be flying high after keeping a clean sheet this week against Barca, but equally Hiddink must be wary of avoiding injury / fatigue prior to the return leg on Wednesday. Hiddink has also ruled out winning the Premier League this season so is likely to rest many of the big names
Fulham on the other hand have a lot to play for. They are currently on course for the highest finish in their 130-year history (best to date was ninth place 2003-04) and a potential place in the third qualifying round for next season's Europa League.
Both teams are solid defensively – this season to date Fulham have only conceded 28 goals (fourth best Premier League record) and Chelsea only 20 (best record). Therefore unlikely to be a showpiece, but a lot for Fulham fans to be interested in.
Chelsea must be flying high after keeping a clean sheet this week against Barca, but equally Hiddink must be wary of avoiding injury / fatigue prior to the return leg on Wednesday. Hiddink has also ruled out winning the Premier League this season so is likely to rest many of the big names
Fulham on the other hand have a lot to play for. They are currently on course for the highest finish in their 130-year history (best to date was ninth place 2003-04) and a potential place in the third qualifying round for next season's Europa League.
Both teams are solid defensively – this season to date Fulham have only conceded 28 goals (fourth best Premier League record) and Chelsea only 20 (best record). Therefore unlikely to be a showpiece, but a lot for Fulham fans to be interested in.
Premier League Middlesbrough vs Man United Sat 2nd May 12.45
Middlesbrough vs Man United 12.45
Boro fans will be cheered by the knowledge that they beat Liverpool at the Riverside last month and drew with Arsenal before Christmas. Boro will also be relieved that 2 stalwarts of the Manchester United defence – Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville - are almost certain to be out. Gareth Southgate has also called on the fans to get behind the team and help them maintain the Riverside’s status as an unpenetrable fortress in 2009.
However despite the news about Ferdinand and Neville and lthough it is true that the Red Devils have played about 1000 matches this season and will almost certainly look to rest some of the big names ready for Tuesday’s Champions’ League semi final against Arsenal, even a second tier Manchester United is unbelievably formidable and will probably be too much for Boro.
Boro fans will be cheered by the knowledge that they beat Liverpool at the Riverside last month and drew with Arsenal before Christmas. Boro will also be relieved that 2 stalwarts of the Manchester United defence – Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville - are almost certain to be out. Gareth Southgate has also called on the fans to get behind the team and help them maintain the Riverside’s status as an unpenetrable fortress in 2009.
However despite the news about Ferdinand and Neville and lthough it is true that the Red Devils have played about 1000 matches this season and will almost certainly look to rest some of the big names ready for Tuesday’s Champions’ League semi final against Arsenal, even a second tier Manchester United is unbelievably formidable and will probably be too much for Boro.
Wigan v Bolton Premiership news Sat 2nd May 15:00
This weekend sees another local Derby for the Latics, who are entertaining Bolton at home. Steve Bruce will be hoping that Wigan can overturn their recent poor form of three consecutive defeats, which have effectively ended their hopes of playing in Europe next season, and finish strongly for the fans. If on-loan strike Mido is fit to play, this will substantially help Wigan’s chances.
The Trotters' results this season against their North West neighbours have also been disappointing, with only five points won from 10 meetings. However as victory this weekend will take Bolton to 41 points and could secure their Premier League status for another year (if other results go their way), Megson should have no problems motivating his men. Megson will also be expecting to have Ricardo Gardner, Danny Shittu and Andy O'Brien available again, which will help his cause enormously.
The Trotters' results this season against their North West neighbours have also been disappointing, with only five points won from 10 meetings. However as victory this weekend will take Bolton to 41 points and could secure their Premier League status for another year (if other results go their way), Megson should have no problems motivating his men. Megson will also be expecting to have Ricardo Gardner, Danny Shittu and Andy O'Brien available again, which will help his cause enormously.
Tottenham v West Brom Premier League Review Sat 2nd May 15:00
As one of the Tottenham faithful who watched Spurs in freezing temperatures capitulate to West Brom 2:0 in the reverse fixture just after Christmas, I am hopeful that as well as the weather looking much more favourable, Spurs’ impressive run of form at home will continue this weekend (and that conceding 5 goals in the second half against Man U last weekend will be just a distant memory).
West Brom have not managed to score, let alone win, in London this season, but will be optimistic that they can bring their form in the North East to the capital after defeating Sunderland 3:0 last weekend. West Brom, lying in last place in the Premiership, of course have everything to play for this weekend, particularly as the 2 teams above them are playing top 4 opposition and are unlikely to collect full points. However despite the importance of the match and the spirit of the squad and fans, their chances of victory at White Hart Lane are reduced by the fact that Tony Mowbray is without two of his key performers - James Morrison and Abdoulaye Meite are both injured.
Spurs’ leading scorer Darren Bent is also out, but with Keane, Pavlyuchenko and Defoe all fit and available, Redknapp will be able to field a strong attack. Fingers crossed this will be enough to beat West Brom and earn Spurs a sixth successive home victory.
West Brom have not managed to score, let alone win, in London this season, but will be optimistic that they can bring their form in the North East to the capital after defeating Sunderland 3:0 last weekend. West Brom, lying in last place in the Premiership, of course have everything to play for this weekend, particularly as the 2 teams above them are playing top 4 opposition and are unlikely to collect full points. However despite the importance of the match and the spirit of the squad and fans, their chances of victory at White Hart Lane are reduced by the fact that Tony Mowbray is without two of his key performers - James Morrison and Abdoulaye Meite are both injured.
Spurs’ leading scorer Darren Bent is also out, but with Keane, Pavlyuchenko and Defoe all fit and available, Redknapp will be able to field a strong attack. Fingers crossed this will be enough to beat West Brom and earn Spurs a sixth successive home victory.
Stoke v West Ham Premiership 2nd May 15:00
If Stoke win this fixture and Newcastle and Boro both lose, Stoke’s premiership future next season is assured. Stoke therefore have a lot to play for and their record at the Britannia Stadium is excellent (currently unbeaten in last 7 home games). The Potters will be hoping that James Beattie will pass a last minute fitness test to maximise their chances of passing the magical 40 point threshold.
The Hammers too will be looking for full points this weekend as they are one of the teams chasing hard for European football next year. They will be hoping that Fulham will drop points against Chelsea and therefore a victory over the Potters will put them back in seventh place. Scott Parker is still out although Kieran Dyer is available to start.
The Hammers too will be looking for full points this weekend as they are one of the teams chasing hard for European football next year. They will be hoping that Fulham will drop points against Chelsea and therefore a victory over the Potters will put them back in seventh place. Scott Parker is still out although Kieran Dyer is available to start.
Premier League Portsmouth v Arsenal 2nd May 15:00
Portsmouth have never beaten Arsenal in the Premiership; however this will not prevent Paul Hart from wishing to capitalise on their current run of form and claim the 3 points to make top flight football next season even more secure. Although the influential Kranjcar is out for the rest of the season with a bad ankle, Kaboul is just returning to fitness and is a strong candidate to start for Portsmouth. Formal Arsenal player Pennant is also likely to play. Looking at the names on Arsenal’s squad list, Hart will however be hoping that Arsenal will be resting some of their top names ready for Tuesday’s big European match.
However Andrey Arshavin, who is cup-tied and ineligible for the Champions’ League semi final, will almost certainly start and after scoring 4 times against Liverpool 2 weeks ago his ability can not be under rated. By winning 3 points at Fratton Park Wenger’s men well guarantee a fourth place finish so Wenger will be looking to win this match convincingly.
Groin strain is however sweeping through the Emirates and Arsenal will be without leading scorer Robin van Persie, striker Eduardo and defender Mikael Silvestre for the match.
However Andrey Arshavin, who is cup-tied and ineligible for the Champions’ League semi final, will almost certainly start and after scoring 4 times against Liverpool 2 weeks ago his ability can not be under rated. By winning 3 points at Fratton Park Wenger’s men well guarantee a fourth place finish so Wenger will be looking to win this match convincingly.
Groin strain is however sweeping through the Emirates and Arsenal will be without leading scorer Robin van Persie, striker Eduardo and defender Mikael Silvestre for the match.
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