We’ve come to that point in the Premier League campaign where teams go one of two ways: they either learn to rise above the the rest and make an indelible mark at the end of the season, or they end up falling into a pit of despair and never coming back.
Which road will your team take this weekend?
For a handful of teams this weekend could ultimately decide their relegation or European hopes — or in Liverpool’s case, whether their title dreams live to see another day. As usual, we’ve got the predictions and the previews for all of the matches.
Saturday 9 May 2009
West Ham v Liverpool
Liverpool’s title hopes essentially rest on this one match. Rafa Benitez will be walking into a house of horrors at Upton Park, where his squad surely remembers their shocking loss last season to the Hammers. Mark Noble slammed home a 93rd minute penalty that sent the crowd into raptures.
They can’t let that happen again. Judging by the improved mentality and self assurance of Liverpool, it will be a completely different team this time around. West Ham are still fighting for that final Europa spot, so I’d imagine they’ll give Liverpool all they can handle.
Soccerlens Prediction: Liverpool to win
Everton v Tottenham
Like West Ham, Tottenahm are still have an outside shot of stealing the final Europa Cup spot. They looked absolutely shambolic at the weekend against West Brom, so any repeat performance will almost certainly get them run out of Goodison Park.
Everton are safe from just about everyone and looked destined for European football next year. They would love nothing more to kill Tottenham’s European dream. Their squad is beyond thin, but every time people doubt them they come and pull off the shock. They’ll be using this game as a potential tune-up for the FA Cup final.
Soccerlens Prediction: Everton to win
Fulham v Aston Villa
Villa’s 1-0 win over Hull City was far from impressive and if it wasn’t for Hull’s reeling form, I have a feeling the result may have ended differently. They seem to be playing without emotion after looking like a serious challenger to the top four for most of the season. They’ve all but wrapped up a European spot, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see them take their foot off the gas and coast into the summer.
Fulham are a point behind West Ham for the final Europa spot and have been playing some magnificent football. Last week’s loss at Chelsea was a humbling experience and I think it got some of the players fired up. Expect to see a rejuvenated club when they step foot on the Craven Cottage pitch.
Soccerlens Prediction: Fulham to win
Hull City v Stoke City
Hull City know three points could all be solidify their spot in the Premier League for next year. They’ve been reeling for the last couple of months and have seen only one point in their last seven matches. That’s got to change if they want to hang around for another year. Phil Brown will need to rally the squad for what could be their most critical match of the season. They question is: can Hull keep their emotions in-check and get the job done.
Stoke are sitting close to the towards the bottom in the league and really don’t have much to play for other than pride. They have a final home match against Wigan next week that could be on their minds, so I’d expect them to be a little more relaxed for this match.
Soccerlens Prediction: Hull City to win
West Brom v Wigan
West Brom HAVE to win this weekend. There’s no other way of looking at it. Three points could see Tony Mowbray’s side take a huge step towards Premier League survival. Sitting at the bottom of the table this late in year can drain you emotionally, but so far West Brom have taken to the role with gusto.
They almost won last weekend against Tottenham and looked clinical against Sunderland at home. I wouldn’t put it past them to get a result.
Wigan are still playing for Europe and could be out for blood against West Brom. Wigan haven’t won a Premier League match since March 22nd against Hull City, and I don’t expect them to find their way back to the tracks anytime soon.
Soccerlens Prediction: Draw
Bolton v Sunderland
Bolton have enjoyed winning at home of late, whilst Sunderland have enjoyed getting thumped away from the Stadium of Lights. That sounds like a perfect recipe for three points going one teams direction — and that team won’t be Sunderland.
In all seriousness, I’d expect Bolton to grab the three points and move further up the table. They could finish the season in the top 10 and judging by where they were last year, this would be a welcomed surprise.
Soccerlens Prediction: Bolton to win
Blackburn v Portsmouth
Two clubs sitting near the bottom of the table but not close enough to the relegation battle face each other in a match that could be an absolute snoozer.
Pompey have scored a whopping three goals in their last six matches, whilst Blackburn have scored six in their last six. Neither team has an edge in this match, so I’d expect this one to go either way.
Soccerlens Prediction: Blackburn to win
Sunday 10 May 2009
Manchester United v Manchester City
The Manchester Derby will have a lot on the line when these two teams take the pitch at Old Trafford.
United will be playing for the chance to stay three point clear of Liverpool (assuming Rafa’s side wins) and move ever closer to the Premier League title. After sleepwalking through a couple of fixtures, United came alive against Tottenham and have looked like a different team since. The victory over Arsenal should have them in good spirits for this critical clash between two clubs that absolutely despise each other.
Manchester City have been no slouch late in the season. They’ve been averaging two goals per game over their last five and have the history of last season’s shock win at Old Trafford on their side. They’d love nothing more than to put a massive dent in United’s title hopes. They’ll need a stellar match from Stephen Ireland if they want to get past their rival.
Soccerlens Prediction: Draw
Arsenal v Chelsea
This had all the makings of an absolute classic. But that was before this week’s disheartening losses in the Champions League. I’d imagine Chelsea are still fuming from their controversial loss to Barcelona; Arsenal find themselves in a dark place after an embarrassing loss at the Emirates against Manchester United that saw Wenger’s young group take an emotional hit.
Neither team has much to play for at the moment, so I’d expect both to just go out there and let loose. Either that or both clubs will come out on to the pitch in a comatose state and hold the ball for minutes on end. I’d like to see the former!
Soccerlens Prediction: Draw
Monday 11 May 2009
Newcastle United v Middlesbrough
Newcastle are playing for their Premier League lives. Simple as that. Shearer came in with the goal of saving Newcastle’s lives and this match could be the one that goes down in the history books as the game where he pulled the club out by the scruff of their neck or let them fall off the cliff. Their recent draw against Portsmouth was far from impressive, while the loss against Liverpool (and the loss of Joey Barton) just added more fuel to the fire. Do they have the moxy to beat the drop?
Middlesbrough sit on 31 points with Newcastle and will surely be looking for the same thing, which is three points. Boro have been horrific of late and look like a mirror image of Newcastle. They’ll want to look back to their 3-1 home performance against Hull as motivation. They’ll need that type of performance again at St. James’ Park to get a result. It should be a cracker of a match.
Soccerlens Prediction: Newcastle to win
Wednesday 13 May 2009
Wigan v Manchester United
Assuming Manchester United win against Manchester City on Sunday, this match could seal the title for the club for the third straight season. If they do get the three points in the derby, I’d expect them to come out firing at the Wigan defence from the start. Even with the short rest you’d have to expect them to be running on adrenaline with the finish line in sight.
They won the title against Wigan last year at the JJB and could do it again. It would be fitting to see them secure the title on the same pitch.
Soccerlens Prediction: Manchester United to win
Don’t agree with the predictions? Take the time to copy and paste the fixture list below and give us your take!
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English Premier League fixtures
Blackburn v Portsmouth
Bolton v Sunderland
Everton v Tottenham
Fulham v Aston Villa
Hull City v Stoke City
West Brom v Wigan
West Ham v Liverpool
Manchester United v Manchester City
Arsenal v Chelsea
Newcastle v Middlesbrough
Wigan v Manchester United
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