Saturday 9th May 2009
Both of these teams have had seasons to forget really. It could have been a lot worse for both if the boards of directors hadn’t reacted as quickly to get rid of Paul Ince and Tony Adams respectively,
As it stands, both teams are pretty much safe and a point each here should just see them OK.
SoccerNews prediction: 1-1
Gary Megson’s side only need a point to be mathematically safe and they will fancy themselves to get at least that in this one.
Sunderland look like a team who don’t know where their next point is coming from. They are four points clear of the drop zone and their only hope seems to be that three of Hull, Newcastle, Middlesbrough and West Brom will find it just as difficult to pick up points as they will.
SoccerNews prediction: 2-0
Anyone who thought Everton would relax and take it easy once their European place was guaranteed, in preparation for the FA Cup final would have had those thoughts wiped from their mind by the clinical way they disposed of an admittedly poor Sunderland last week.
Tottenham are still fighting for the final Europa Cup place and whilst Harry Redknapp says that he is not too bothered by that competition, he will be doing all he can to ensure they qualify.
This is a tough game to call and largely depends on which Tottenham side turns up at Goodison.
SoccerNews prediction: 2-1
Fulham in Europe is still a distinct possibility although they have fallen one point behind West Ham in the race for seventh place. Whatever happens to them for the rest of this season, Roy Hodgson should take a bow for getting his team to punch well above their weight and perform way better than anyone expected back in August.
Likewise, Aston Villa have had a great season and are still in contention for an extra-ordinarily good fifth placed finish. They finally got a win last week to end a dismal run and they will be looking to finish the season on a high.
SoccerNews prediction: 1-2
This is a big game for Hull. Of course they are all big games down at the bottom at this stage of the season, but this is a rare winnable game for the home team. They sit just three points above both Middlesbrough and Newcastle, but know that one of those two teams may well pick up three points this weekend.
Stoke are just about safe but a point would guarantee it. They will be confident of doing the necessary.
SoccerNews prediction: 0-0
Six points from safety with just three games left. West Brom will have rarely needed a win more than they do in this game. With Wigan in mid-table and with little to play for, West Brom may well see this as a game they can win and put pressure on those just above them.
Don’t expect this one to be a classic, but I do fancy West Brom to do just enough to keep things interesting.
SoccerNews prediction: 1-0
West Ham need a win to maintain their European challenge and Liverpool need a win to keep any pressure whatever on Manchester United at the top.
This will be one of Liverpool’s tougher games as Zola has his West Ham team well organised and playing good football. Xabi Alonso will be a big miss for Liverpool if he is unable to play.
SoccerNews prediction: 1-2
Sunday 10th May 2009
Arsenal are guaranteed fourth place and Chelsea will be resigned to finishing third. These will two very demoralised teams after they both lost their Champions League semi-finals during the week.
Arsenal were humbled by Manchester United and Chelsea were unlucky to go out to an injury-time goal. The manner of both defeats will have had a draining effect on the players and we will have to see what effect that has on this game.
SoccerNews prediction: 1-1
With four games to go for the leaders, Liverpool and Chelsea will be looking to Arsenal’s visit to Old Trafford and this game as the two chances they may have for United to slip up.
City ruined the Munich remembrance day last season and are in the type of form to cause another shock.
United are on the crest of a wave and Fergie will surely not allow lightening to strike twice.
SoccerNews prediction: 2-0
Monday 11th May 2009
They don’t come any more “must win†than this one for both teams. They sit in the relegation zone level on points and three points behind their nearest rivals. Defeat here for either side and it will probably be all over for the losers. A draw and it might be all over for both of them.
The Shearer factor surely has to kick in at some point, doesn’t it?
SoccerNews prediction: 1-0
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