Survival Sunday

Aston Villa vs. Liverpool

Liverpool have been reinvigorated since the return of Kenny Dalglish and are now challenging for a top 5 finish, which would result in Europa League football next season. Defeat at the hands of Spurs last weekend means that the Reds will have to win at Villa Park and hope Tottenham fail to beat Birmingham, but they face an Aston Villa side fresh from victory at the Emirates last Sunday. The hosts may only have pride to play for but they will also be desperate to finish a poor season on a high note, while Ashley Young is likely to be playing his last game for Villa, and will have the opportunity to impress against one of his reported suitors. Regardless of the result here, both Villa and Liverpool are expected to enjoy more productive campaigns next season.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Liverpool




Bolton Wanderers vs. Manchester City

After their midweek win against Stoke, Manchester City know that three points at the Reebok will ensure a 3rd place finish, ahead of Arsenal and more importantly avoiding the qualifying round for the Champions League next year. They will face a Bolton side who have surpassed expectations this season but have faltered in recent weeks, especially after the crushing 5-0 defeat to Stoke in the FA Cup Semi-Final. The Trotters have now lost four games on the bounce and have conceded ten goals in the process - and even more worryingly they have all been against teams below them in the table. If Bolton continue to defend poorly, Carlos Tevez, who could finish as the league’s top scorer for the campaign if he manages to out-score Dimitar Berbatov this weekend, will punish them.

Prediction: Bolton Wanderers 0-3 Manchester City



Everton vs. Chelsea

Neither Everton nor Chelsea can finish any higher in the table than the place they currently occupy, although the home side could drop one if they lose here and Fulham manage a win at home to Arsenal. Both of these sides have produced a good second half of the season - in fact, had the season started in January, Everton would be 5th and Chelsea would be in pole position to lift their second consecutive league title. These two have played each other three times already this season (once in the league and two in the FA Cup), and each of them ended 1-1. Jermaine Beckford was on the score sheet in the league meeting at Stamford Bridge and the former Leeds striker is looking for one more goal to take his tally into double figures, which would be a respectable total in his first Premier League season. The game should be tension-free, allowing both sides to play openly, and I predict a score draw.

Prediction: Everton 1-1 Chelsea



Fulham vs. Arsenal

Arsenal have been in dire form ever since Obafemi Martins struck the late winner for Birmingham in the Carling Cup final back in February. The Gunners have only won three games since that crushing blow at Wembley, against Leyton Orient, Blackpool and more recently Manchester United. That win at the Emirates gave Arsenal fans some consolation but two consecutive defeats to Stoke and Aston Villa have seen Manchester City climb above them, leaving the Gunners in 4th. Interestingly, Arsenal’s away record reads P18:W8:D6:L4 - exactly the same as Fulham’s home record. The Lilywhites have been hard to beat at Craven Cottage but they don’t boast the greatest set of results against the league’s top teams - drawing with Manchester United and Chelsea, and losing against Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool. With Arsenal in such poor form however, this could be Fulham’s chance to get the win that could see them finish as high as 7th. The importance of the three points for Arsenal, coupled with a favour from Bolton against Manchester City, will mean a 3rd place finish for the Gunners which would mean they will avoid the qualifying stages for next season’s Champions League.

Prediction: Fulham 1-0 Arsenal



Manchester United vs. Blackpool

This could have been the game that decided whether Manchester United would win the league, but instead it will be the game that determines whether Blackpool stay in it! Ian Holloway’s men have been a breath of fresh air in this debut season, but they have a mountain to climb at Old Trafford, even if Sir Alex Ferguson rests his key players. United’s home record has been exemplary and only West Brom have come away from Old Trafford with any points. The Red Devils are the league’s top scorers, with 74 so far, while Blackpool have by far the league’s leakiest defence - conceding 74. The Tangerines are capable of finding the net themselves however, and have actually scored as many goals as Tottenham, who occupy 5th position. With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic likely to be rested, the visitors may add to that tally but United should have too much for them. Dimitar Berbatov already has three hat-tricks at Old Trafford this season, and if selected, could bag his fourth.

Prediction: Manchester United 4-1 Blackpool



Newcastle United vs. West Bromwich Albion

Both teams ensured Premier League safety some weeks ago and are sitting comfortably in 12th and 11th respectively. The sackings of Chris Hughton, in December, and Roberto di Matteo, in February, were met with widespread criticism from fans and pundits alike but both Alan Pardew and Roy Hodgson have been good replacements in leading their teams to safety. One of the biggest positives for West Brom this season has been the form of Peter Odemwingie, who has netted 15 goals in his maiden Premier League season. Newcastle on the other hand lost their talisman in January, when Andy Carroll joined Liverpool for £35M. Newcastle haven’t lost at St. James Park since March, but West Brom’s away form has also been impressive. Before losing 3-1 at Wolves two weeks ago, the Baggies had drawn at Tottenham and Stoke, and had taken maximum points from Birmingham and Sunderland.

Prediction: Newcastle United 2-1 West Brom



Stoke City vs. Wigan Athletic

Stoke have again exceeded expectations this season and find themselves in 9th place in the league and runners up in the FA Cup. When Stoke were promoted three years ago, you would never have thought they would finish 12th, then 11th, and now potentially in the top half. Their style of play irks some but Tony Pulis and his players deserve huge credit, as does the chairman Peter Coates for running the club the right way. Meanwhile, Wigan’s six-year stay in the country’s is in serious jeopardy. Last weekend’s late win against West Ham was a massive victory for the Latics and a win at the Britannia, in all probability, should be enough to keep them up - bearing in mind two of their relegation rivals are playing each other, Blackpool are visiting Old Trafford and Birmingham will travel to Tottenham. Stoke have won 10 of their 18 home games so far and are difficult to beat, while Wigan have won just three away from the DW stadium. One point could be enough for the visitors but they’ll go for all three, and I’m backing them to get the win - and so are Sky Bet.

Prediction: Stoke City 1-2 Wigan Athletic



Tottenham Hotspur vs. Birmingham City

Winning the Carling Cup was a great achievement for Birmingham, but the Blues’ league form since that day has been horrendous. They have only managed two wins since February, against Bolton and Sunderland, and they haven’t managed a win away from home since 6th February. Their defensive trio of Ben Foster, Scott Dann and Roger Johnson was praised earlier in the season, but since Dann was struck by injury they have been leaking goals - conceding 16 in their last 8, an average of two per game. Tottenham have spent the last few weeks seemingly trying to avoid finishing 5th place and the consequential Europa League - but last week’s victory over Liverpool means a win here would seal a place in the top 5. The hosts are certainly favourites (Sky Bet have Birmingham at 5/1) but Harry Redknapp’s side have consistently dropped points when at home to the lesser teams. Wigan, Sunderland, West Ham, West Brom and Blackpool have all come away from North London with at least a point. Alex McLeish will remember his first game in charge at Birmingham was at White Hart Lane, where a wonder striker from Seb Larsson sealed a shock 1-0 win. The Blues are in real danger of relegation to the Championship, and defeat here would open the door for Wigan and Blackpool to escape the dreaded drop zone.

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Birmingham City



West Ham United vs. Sunderland

Managerless West Ham meet strikerless Sunderland at Upton Park in a match that involves two of the Premier League’s worst form sides. The Hammers are already relegated and it is likely that the home fans will be seeing the likes of Scott Parker and Demba Ba for the last time at Upton Park. Having spent most of the season threatening to qualify for Europe, Sunderland are now 14th in the table and Steve Bruce will be looking forward to seeing the back of this campaign. The Mackems are actually unbeaten in their last three visits to the capital but with their current form, I fancy the home side to end a dismal season with a win.

Prediction: West Ham 2-0 Sunderland



Wolves vs. Blackburn Rovers

Blackpool and Wigan would give anything to be in either of these two’s position - in control of their own destiny. A win for either side guarantees safety, and even a point apiece should be sufficient unless in the unlikely event that Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan all win. Blackburn have been solid defensively in recent weeks, conceding just three in their last four games. Meanwhile, Wolves’ main strength in their last few games has been scoring at the other end, netting seven times in their previous three games. Both sides are unbeaten in their last three and there is a danger that, if encouraging news from other ground creeps through to Molineux, we could see both sides settling for a draw. However, I’m backing Wolves to get the win, though Blackburn should still stay up courtesy of other results.

Prediction: Wolves 2-0 Blackburn