Will the title be sown up? Can Spurs mount a late rally and does anyone care about Sunderland v Fulham? JOE talks you through the action in the Premier League this weekend.
Surprise Package: Tottenham Hotspur
The form of Harry Redknapp’s side has deteriorated to the extent that it would be a massive shock if they overturned Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this weekend. The stark reality for Spurs, however, is that they really need three points if they harbour any ambitions of qualifying for some more Champions League adventures next season.
Whether it’s Redknapp’s pally pally relationship with the media, or as a result of sympathy at their Champions League exit, but Spurs’ awful, awful form in the league of late has largely gone unnoticed.
Eight points from their last seven games would suggest that a win over a Chelsea side who still have slim Premier League hopes is unlikely, but maybe ‘Arry’s lads can summon reserves from somewhere and remain in the hunt for the elusive fourth place. If they don’t manage to do so, Spurs fans shouldn’t be surprised if Bale, Modric and company depart for sunnier climes in the summer.
Game not to miss: Arsenal v Man United
A few weeks back, this game was being billed as a title showdown, the result of which would decide whether Manchester United were destined to win a record 19th title, or whether Arsenal would win a first trophy in six years and cast off assertions of brittleness and an inability to cope with pressure that have been hanging around them since the ‘Invincibles’ side of 2004.
We should have known better. In fairness, was there ever a chance that Arsenal were going to handle the pressure and mount a significant title challenge? History would certainly suggest otherwise. For Gunners fans, the collapse of the last month or so must have been so depressing because it is all so familiar.
The flipside for Manchester United fans is that Arsenal are a far more dangerous animal now that the pressure is off and they will relish the chance to halt their rivals’ title march in a fixture in which they have dominated in recent seasons. Still, as was evident in the wins over victories over Schalke and Everton in the last week, the way in which United have been getting their results has been ultra efficient and business-like and a point should be the very least of their ambitions this weekend.
Game to miss: Sunderland v Fulham
With the title (kind of) still up for grabs, European places to play for and the relegation issue far from decided, does anyone really care about a game between two sides in 9th and 12th position in the table? Didn’t think so.
Irish interest: Birmingham v Wolves
The biggest Irish contingent in the Premier League this weekend will be at St. Andrew’s, where up to five players from these shores will hope to play a pivotal part in a crucial relegation battle.
Injury riddled Stephen Hunt has had precious few opportunities to impress in this campaign
While Stephen Carr and Keith Fahey are likely to feature from the start for Birmingham, the Irish contingent at Wolves have fallen off the radar somewhat after being heavily involved earlier in the season.
Mick McCarthy has badly missed the services of Kevin Doyle up front, Kevin Foley hasn’t started any of the last two games and while Stephen Ward has, his appearances prior to that were sporadic cameos off the bench. Stephen Hunt, meanwhile, has been riddled with injuries all season and may or may not get a few minutes to be his usual, nuisance-like self down the flank.
What about the rest:
The two sides just above the relegation zone, Blackpool and Blackburn, face crucial home encounters against Stoke and Bolton respectively that will go a long way to deciding their fate. A couple of places above them, a point would suit Aston Villa and West Brom just fine in the Midlands derby at the Hawthorns and leave them well out of harm’s way with precious few games remaining.
Wigan, another side deeply embroiled in the relegation battle, face a resurgent Everton side at the DW, while Andy Carroll is likely to be in for a frosty reception from the away fans when Newcastle make the trip to Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
In the final game of the weekend, the priorities of both sides will contrast sharply as Manchester City look for a win that would all but seal fourth place and all but relegate West Ham in the process.
Due to an official warning from the Premier League powers-that-be, we have been forbidden from naming the Premier League teams in our fixture list.
Most of you will remember the old Pro Evo, and all of them are mentioned above. So see if you can encrypt our “England Division 1” fixtures for the weekend:
Fixtures
Saturday 30 April
Ewood Fowlers v Reebok Wanderers 15:00
Dublin Seasiders v The Potteries 15:00
The Mighty Quinns v Smooth Cottagers 15:00
West Midland Stripes v Lerner’s Lions 15:00
DW Warriors v Merseyside Blue 15:00
West London Blue v White Hart Whites 17:30
Sunday 1 May
Brumingham v Wolverines 12:00
Merseyside Red v Tyneside 12:00
Woolwich Gunners v Man Red 14:05
Man Blue v Upton Olympic 16:10
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