Premier League predictions – Chelsea to stroll to the title?

SoccerNews predictions

The last day of the Premier League season and everything is already decided apart from the destination of the title. After such a close season it is fitting that the big one has gone down to the last day, but it is a shame that there are not more things up for grabs.

Arsenal will be very keen indeed not to let their hated rivals in North London, Tottenham, overtake them for third place. For that to happen, they would have to lose this game and although Fulham have had a wonderful season, I just can’t see that happening.

Fulham play their Europa League final in Hamburg just seventy-two hours after this game and with the best will in the world, the manager and players will surely be focussed on that game.

SoccerNews prediction: 3-0

Villa are guaranteed a Europa League place and Blackburn are guaranteed a mid-table finish. Although Villa had hopes of a top four place, both clubs would probably have taken the outcome if it had been offered before the start of the season.

There have been positives and negatives for both sides this season but the positives far outweigh the negatives for both. They can relax and put on a decent game of football in this one.

SoccerNews prediction: 2-1

At the start of the season many people would have thought that this game would be a crucial relegation battle. As it has turned out, Birmingham are likely to finish in the top half and Bolton, under Owen Coyle, have eased themselves to safety in relative comfort.

Birmingham have had a great first season in the top flight and Bolton will be looking forward to next season with a great deal more confidence than they would have expected a few weeks ago.

SoccerNews prediction: 1-1

There will be contasting emotions at Turf Moor on Sunday. The home side have had a horrible season and are facing a return to the Championship and a feeling that it may be quite some time before they return.

The away side, on the other hand, have had a wonderful season and will be celebrating their qualification for the Champions League. Knowing that a win could give them third place above Arsenal if they slip up against Fulham, means that they certainly won’t be taking it easy.

SoccerNews prediction: 0-3

This could be a nervy day for Chelsea but I thought that when they played Stoke a couple of weeks ago and they put seven past them! Assuming that Manchester United beat Stoke, Chelsea know that nothing less than three points will give them the title. Until they score the first goal, things will definitely be tense.

Wigan beat Chelsea in their home game but they are also a side who are capable of being absolutely thrashed. They won’t be adding to their three away wins.

SoccerNews prediction: 4-1

Everton can’t quite qualify for the Europa League but they are guaranteed a respectable eighth place finish. They have finished the season well and will be looking to go into the Summer break with a good win behind them.

Portsmouth have been relegated for a while and the debts their club have seem to be growing alarmingly by the day. Their minds will be on the FA Cup Final followed by a nice long Summer holiday.

SoccerNews prediction: 2-0

Relegated Hull against Europa League qualifiers Liverpool. I doubt that there are any games today where both sets of supporters feel so miserable.

Whilst both teams have had a shocking season, the fact remains that Liverpool are a much better side and will win this one at a canter.

SoccerNews prediction: 0-4

Manchester United need to win and then hope that Wigan can win at Chelsea. I fully expect them to do their bit by beating a hard-working but limited Stoke side, but United must know in their heart of hearts that Wigan are not going to be able to do their bit.

SoccerNews prediction: 2-0

Strange one this, really, because you would expect the team who finish fifth to be a lot happier than the team who finish seventeenth.

As it happens, Manchester City are bitterly disappointed with their finish one place outside the Champions League and West Ham are mightily relieved with their finish one place outside the drop zone.

City should show their superiority.

SoccerNews prediction: 1-2

I suspect that this will be a pretty dreary game between two dreary teams. Not that they will care. The fact that they’ll be facing each other in the Premier League next season is as much as either of them could have hoped for.

SoccerNews prediction: 0-0