Okay Ladies & Gentlemen, this is it...the penultimate round in what has been an epic season. Looking at everyone's picks over the campaign we've had a couple of 9 for 10's but not one of us could hit perfection.
If you played it safe and picked the 'B4' every week you'd have at least guaranteed 92 wins, interesting huh but a boring strategy however I think I'll employ it next season!
Season-to-date: 166 from 330 = 50% (48 bulls-eyes)
Bolton vs. Hull
Wanderers will have earned no new supporters this season but they'll not care one jot because in Northern terms 'it's been a job well done!' It'll be interesting to see what kind of attitude Gary Megson sends out with his team - we're Bolton Premier League battlers or we're Bolton and we're on holiday.
If bums twitched any harder or faster, Hull could possibly have a top ten single down at the local drum & bass club. Now level on points with Newcastle but with an inferior goal difference it looks all over for the Tigers. If they could just recapture the Emirates spirit for ninety minutes they might make it interesting but I think that bird has flown.
Bolton 1 - 0 Hull
Everton vs. West Ham
With sixth place assured, this must be the weekend where David Moyes looks ahead to the FA Cup Final and rests the 1st team regulars - if he doesn't and someone gets crocked, he'll kick himself from Merseyside to the Outer Hebrides.
West Ham were disappointing to say the least against Liverpool. Gianfranco Zola would've have looked at that performance as a measuring stick and thought to himself...'boy, have we got a long way to go.'
Everton 1 - 1 West Ham
Man Utd vs. Arsenal
Let's be honest here, United were magnificent against Wigan as they chased the game at the JJB and that's why they'll be crowned champions. You could say that it's harder for them to fail with the talent available but that would be a disservice to Sir Alex Ferguson who continues to manage egos better than anyone in the history of the game.
Arsenal travels to the Theater of Dreams after back-to-back thrashings - and I can't remember having ever seen the Professor so downhearted. I believe that this rough patch could quite easily spiral into a crisis if they're not careful and this match is crucial to the clubs morale. Will it be 90 minutes of torture or character?
Man Utd 2 - 1 Arsenal
Middlesbrough vs. Aston Villa
Gareth Southgate's players let their boss believe that anything was possible for what seemed like a millisecond at St. James' Park before reverting back to type. They'll be a massive clear out at the Riverside once the campaign officially ends and it will start with the gaffer.
Villa are to the top of the table what Hull are to the bottom - a team seemingly incapable of shaking out of a slump that is embarrassing. To think we seriously thought about a 'B4' membership card is now laughable. It just goes to show you that the gap, which is huge, is now pretty much unbridgeable.
Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Newcastle vs. Fulham
The atmosphere generated by the Toon Army on Monday night was impressive to say the least and it's not something I want to see disappear from the Premiership. Alan Shearer will want more of that plus a repeat performance from his squad as they showed a desire and commitment that has been missing all season long.
Fulham were superb at the Cottage against Villa however they usually don't travel well. With a Europa League placing in sight, Roy Hodgson, must figure out a way to silence the Geordies early doors or that could get swept away in a 'Shearer Wonderland.'
Newcastle 2 - 1 Fulham
Stoke vs. Wigan
It'll be party time at the Britannia as Tony Pulis, the playing staff and the faithful give a collective finger to all those critics and pundits who said that they'd go straight back down to the Championship. It's been a brilliant effort by the Potters, well done and sorry I doubted you.
Wigan stopped trying weeks ago so I was surprised to see them put up a fight against United and then I remembered that Steve Bruce would love takeover from his old mentor one day...appearances are everything, enough said!
Stoke 2 - 0 Wigan
Tottenham vs. Man City
From entertainers who can't win to grinders that get results - I'm not sure if that is the Tottenham way but there is no knocking its effectiveness. I'll be a very interested observer of Harry Redknapp over the next couple of months as he is the master wheeler & dealer.
Is Mark Hughes keep the seat warm for the 'Special One?' It feels as though there are conflicting messages emanating from Eastlands and I'm having trouble reading them. With European football a must for the other half of Manchester, City must get something out of this challenging fixture.
Tottenham 2 - 1 Man City
Sunday
Chelsea vs. Blackburn
So now Carlo Ancelotti wants the poisoned chalice eh! The Italian has the credentials, the ego and the chops to turn the Blues into European champions but I don't know how he'll handle the Premiership having never stepped out of Italy. In all honesty it's hard to see Chelsea ever regaining their luster until they have some stability in the managerial ranks - over to you Roman.
Like one of Sam Allardyce' former clubs, Blackburn have done the job required which judging by the early season form looked nigh impossible. Think deck chairs, umbrella cocktails and lot's of suntan lotion.
Chelsea 3 - 0 Blackburn
West Brom vs. Liverpool
By the time this kicks off, United will be champions and that just may help the Baggies as they crunch the numbers. With a million different scenarios possible they'll hope that Liverpool will be gutted and go through the motions allowing them to get closer to Newcastle or Sunderland. Form has been excellent recently...where was that the last seven months!
Second place is a must so the Reds will have to swallow their disappointment and put in a professional performance against a side who'll want it a lot more than they do. This is where you find out about character and mentality.
West Brom 1 - 2 Liverpool
Monday
Portsmouth vs. Sunderland
Portsmouth and Sunderland will know exactly what they have to do after the weekend fixtures. If the results pan out the way I think they might it means they'll stare at each other for 90 minutes and replay the notorious Germany/Austria match from the 1982 World Cup. Yes, a draw would do them both very nicely.
Portsmouth 0 - 0 Sunderland
Until then, I'll see you at the far post.
Send Message
Add Friend
Reserve