Sunderland v Everton Premier League 4pm May 3rd

Sunderland v Everton, May 3rd Sunday 16:00

Ricky Sbragia will be keen for Sunderland to stop licking their wounds after last week’s 3-0 defeat to West Brom and for his team to concentrate on getting some points off Everton and putting some distance between themselves and the relegation zone. Relying on their North East neighbours to continue to drop points is not an appropriate approach, particularly if it all goes down to the last match of the season (Sunderland face Chelsea). Sbragia will also be keen to put to bed the memory of the reverse fixture earlier this season, which was his first match in charge and was another 3:0 defeat for the Black Cats.

The Sunderland squad us however missing some key players. They are without goalkeeper Craig Gordon (knee), defender Nyron Nosworthy (hamstring) and George McCartney (calf). Sbragia will however be hopeful that Captain Dean Whitehead is ready to return after coming on as a substitute last week. French star Steed Malbranque is also available.

Although Toffee historians will be encouraged by the fact that Sunderland have not beaten Everton for 8 years, most fans will be more concerned by their more recent form. Everton have not won on their travels since December (beating Middlesbrough on Boxing Day) and this cause will not be helped by the absence of Phil Jagielka, sadly be missing for the rest of the season due to the knee ligament injury he picked up last week. It is likely that Joseph Yobo will cover for Jagielka and partner Joleon Lescott for the rest of the season in central defence. James Vaughan, Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling could also all feature and Tim Cahill may return after starting on the bench last week.

Some commentators suggest that David Moyes may be resting his strongest players for the FA Cup final; however with fifth place in sight and the FA Cup several weeks way, this sounds more like wishful thinking from the Stadium of Light. This tie is however hard to call, I’ll go for a 2:1 win for Everton.

Liverpool v Newcastle Premiership 3rd May 2009

Liverpool v Newcastle, Sunday 3rd May 13:30

Thirteen years ago these two teams played each other in what has since been billed as the best Premiership game ever. In this fixture in April 1996 Stan Collymore scored a last minute winner to beat the Geordies 4:3 and to dent their premiership title bid. Tomorrow however both sets of fans would be overjoyed with a boring 1:0 victory over the other. Shearer’s Toon Army are of course desperate for 3 points, which could be the lifeline they need to scrabble out of the relegation zone (if Hull also lose tomorrow). As the Scousers are going into this fixture 6 points behind Manchester United, they also need to win if they are to retain any hope of topping the Premiership this season.

Newcastle’s form this season has been particularly poor. They are without are without a win in nine matches and have gained just two points from a possible 12 under Shearer. They have drawn the most fixtures in the Premiership this season (thirteen) and have won the fewest (six). Jose Enrique’s hamstring injury from the Portsmouth match means that Shearer has no recognised left-back available in his squad and may have to use Damien Duff in this role instead. Steven Taylor is also injured leaving Fabricio Coloccini and Sebastien Bassong to shore up the defence. Shearer’s three pronged attack of Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka are all still available, but it remains to be seen whether he will risk such an attacking formation.

Liverpool will however be welcoming back their inspirational captain Steven Gerrard after an absence of 4 matches. Rafa has stated that “the team were doing well without Stevie, but everyone knows we are stronger with him on the pitch. He is a player who can changes games and is very important for us.” With or without Gerrard, Liverpool’s form this season has been impressive. They are only club with an unbeaten home Premier League record this season (10 wins, seven draws) and have only lost two games this season (the best record in the Premiership). Gerrard and Fernando Torres are joint top scorers in the league this season, with 13 goals apiece. Given the quality of this attack coupled with the injuries to Newcastle’s defence and adding in need to win to keep up the heat on Manchester United, it seems unlikely that the Geordies will be returning home with anything but disappointment.

Middlesborough 0 Manchester United 2 Premier League Result 2nd May

Manchester United took went a full 3 points closer to winning the Barclays Premier League today with a 0-2 away win at the Riverside Stadium.
Gareth Southgate couldn’t have been relishing the prospect of playing a Man Utd side getting back into form and getting something towards their Premier League survival. Players like Alves and Tuncay have really struggled to find the net this season for Boro which ultimately could cost them their Premier League status. It is well documented that Stuart Downing has a cultured left boot but can suffer from low confidence. All of these factors meant that the home team conceded most possession to the champions which is too dangerous with the likes of Berbatov and Rooney on the pitch.

Captain Ryan Giggs opened the scoring mid way the first half (25 mins) when the ball ricocheted off of a challenge between the boro defence and Macheda outside of the box. The ball made its way the Welshman who had space to pick his spot with that sweet left foot to get an important early goal.

Wayne Rooney was superb in his less favourite position of left midfield, driving at the Boro defence and cutting inside to open up attacking options. It was Rooney’s cunning through ball that but in South Korean international Ji-Sung Park who emphatically finished past Jones who really had no chance on either of the two goals.

I thought the home team were disappointing today at the Riverside Stadium, there was no massive push to get a goal and the severe lack of confidence dictated the pace of the match because Manchester United kept the ball so much. I also thought that Huth and Wheater battled really well but perhaps would have hoped for more industry and cover in the defensive midfield area. That said, Manchester United are in top form and will now be thinking that they have one hand on the Premier League title 2008/2009.

Premier League Man City v Blackburn, 2nd May 3pm

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.