Saturday 21 May 2011

Judgement Day

Blackburn, Birmingham, Wolves, Blackpool and Wigan will fight for their lives on Sunday
If Harold Camping's prediction the world will come to an end today proves correct, we will never find out who survives on 'Survival Sunday', which will be a shame.

There has been so much hype and build-up to this day that for whoever goes down, it will feel like the end of the world.

Wigan, Blackpool, Birmingham, Wolves and Blackburn are all in peril and this openness promises to provide a great day of drama for the neutrals.

The beauty of the last weekend of this Premier League season is that seven of the ten games have something meaningful riding on them, meaning fans will not know where to look for the biggest stories as there will be so many.

Here are my previews and predictions for all ten of the games, which promise to be packed with nerves and excitement (providing the world hasn't ended by then).

Aston Villa v Liverpool (1600 Sunday)
David Ngog was among the scorers as Liverpool beat Villa 3-0 earlier this season
Aston Villa have had a wretched season but seem to have turned the corner now and are enjoying a strong end to the campaign.

They have lost just one of their last seven games to secure survival and last week's 2-1 win at Arsenal offers real hope for next season.

There is a lot of uncertainty over whether manager Gerard Houllier will return to boss the side next season after his health scare and this is something which should be sorted out quickly to ensure Villa start next season strongly.

They will need to keep hold of the likes of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing in the summer if they are to progress but if they can do that, and add a bit of depth to the squad, next season should be a lot better than this one has proved to be.

As for Liverpool, last Sunday's 2-0 home loss to Tottenham was no more than a minor blip for Kenny Dalglish's side.

Dalglish has had a terrific time since returning as manager in January and they still have a chance of wrestling fifth place away from Tottenham, which would be a great achievement.

There is so much hope for the future at Anfield with John Flanagan, Jack Robinson and Jonjo Shelvey among others possessing real potential, while Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez will lead the line for years to come and inspirational skipper Steven Gerrard will return for the start of next season. They are also likely to strengthen their squad in the summer so the future looks bright for Dalglish's Reds.

Despite Liverpool having the motivation of trying to finish fifth, there will be a real end-of-season feel to this fixture and that should provide an open game with the away side possibly coming out on top.

Prediction: 1-2

Bolton v Manchester City (1600 Sunday)
Carlos Tevez scored the only goal in the reverse fixture against Bolton
Bolton have suffered four successive defeats so Owen Coyle will be determined his side finish with a win.

They looked set to have such a great season but that has fallen apart since they were dismantled 5-0 by Stoke in the FA Cup semi-final.

They remain in 10th and deserve at least a top-half finish for their early-season work but only a win here will be good enough to achieve that.

Whatever happens here, Bolton have had a very good season but that risks being overshadowed if they finish with a fifth-straight loss.

Manchester City are now lying in third and that is a major bonus for Roberto Mancini's side.

They have also won the FA Cup so this season has been a major success for City and gives them a real platform to build on.

It would be great for them to win here and secure third, therefore avoiding having to play in the Champions League play-offs, and the way Bolton have been playing recently they should have no real problems at the Reebok Stadium.

With Carlos Tevez on form and City finishing the season on the crest of a wave, there should only be one winner here.

Prediction: 0-2

Everton v Chelsea (1600 Sunday)
Jermaine Beckford's header earned Everton a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge
Everton will be happy with how they have recovered from their early season troubles but David Moyes will be wondering if he has taken this side as far as he can.

Without significant investment, the excellent Moyes can do nothing to compete with free-spending clubs like Manchester City and Tottenham, so he must be considering his options.

Every season, Everton seem to finish higher than their squad would suggest so Moyes has done a terrific job at Goodison Park but may need a new challenge.

Toffees fans may argue that if they can start next season the way they usually end the season they could challenge for Champions League qualification but it would take a remarkable effort to achieve that.

This game looks set to be Carlo Ancelotti's last game in charge of Chelsea.

His side have been disappointing this season but they are set to finish second and they reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, so many would argue this campaign has not been as bad as many have made it out to be.

Next year could be the one for Chelsea to kick on with Fernando Torres in particular being tipped to return to form, so the future may not be all that bleak under Ancelotti, who won the double in his first season in charge.

There is nothing really riding on this game and Everton have performed well against the so-called 'bigger' clubs recently, so that could lead to a home win here.

Prediction: 2-1

Fulham v Arsenal (1600 Sunday)
Two excellent Samir Nasri goals handed Arsenal a 2-1 win over Fulham in December
Fulham may have had a torrid time of it in their last home game against Liverpool, but they are finishing the season strongly and could clinch seventh place with a win here.

Around Christmas time, they looked in real danger of going down and Mark Hughes was said to be a game or two away from the sack, so he deserves credit for the way he has turned it around.

Bobby Zamora is now back from injury and the likes of Clint Dempsey are continuing to impress, so Fulham should be very pleased with how this season has turned out.

Arsenal, though, will be bitterly disappointed by their season.

They have fallen apart recently and won just two of their last ten league games, meaning they have slipped from title contention to fourth place in a matter of weeks.

Arsene Wenger needs to strengthen his squad significantly in the summer or he will face these same problems again and again.

There is a lot of hope for the future, with the likes of Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Kieran Gibbs, but this always seems to be the case and yet they still aren't delivering trophies.

If they don't win here they are sure to have to play in the play-offs of the Champions League which will be an added complication, and the way they are playing at the moment a win at Craven Cottage for them is extremely unlikely.

Prediction: 3-1

Manchester United v Blackpool (1600 Sunday)
Dimitar Berbatov scored twice as United came from 2-0 down to beat Blackpool earlier this season
Whatever Manchester United team Sir Alex Ferguson puts out here, you can be sure they will be up for the game and eager to protect their unbeaten home record.

United will lift the Premier League trophy after this game and will not want to do that on the back of a defeat as they did in 2007, and with the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Anderson and Patrice Evra playing, it is hard to see Blackpool winning at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have looked unbeatable at home this season and their squad players proved they were more than good enough by thrashing Schalke in the Champions League semi-final second leg, so it could be a long afternoon for the Seasiders.

It would be a real shame if Ian Holloway's Blackpool were relegated as they have been a refreshing addition to the Premier League.

They have lit up the league at times and provided great entertainment with their attacking style, with the likes of Charlie Adam really making a name for themselves with fantastic seasons.

Their away record has been particularly impressive - they have won as many times on the road as champions United - and they have had plenty of bad luck this season so they deserve another year in the Premier League.

They know getting anything from this game will be an uphill task but if they can keep the score down, they will be in with a real chance of staying up on goal difference.

It is hard to see United losing at home here but Blackpool will give it a good go and should keep the score respectable.

Prediction: 1-0

Newcastle v West Brom (1600 Sunday)
Newcastle's 3-1 loss at the Hawthorns this season proved to be Chris Hughton's last game in charge
Both these sides can look back on very successful first seasons back in the Premier League and the winner of this game looks set to secure a top-half finish.

Both clubs sacked the managers which won them promotion in mid-season and both decisions looked harsh, but the respective boards will feel their decisions have been justified.

Alan Pardew replaced Chris Hughton at Newcastle in December with fans protesting against owner Mike Ashley's decision, but has coped with this well.

He lost star player Andy Carroll in January but his side has continued to pick up points and the £35million gained from the Carroll deal may prove invaluable in the summer.

New strikers are desperately needed at St James' Park as the likes of Shola Ameobi and Peter Lovenkrands are not good enough to lead a Premier League attack, but if Pardew spends his money wisely next season could be an exciting one for the Magpies.

Roy Hodgson has done a magnificent job since taking over from Roberto di Matteo in February and led the Baggies to their best season in the Premier League.

With his experience and players of the calibre of Peter Odemwingie and Chris Brunt at the Hawthorns, there is much to be hopeful about for West Brom fans.

Both these teams like to attack and that could provide an exciting game, with Newcastle perhaps edging it because of their home advantage.

Prediction: 3-2

Stoke v Wigan (1600 Sunday)
Tom Cleverley scored in the 2-2 draw between the sides in December
If Wigan win this game, they will finish the season just four points behind Stoke which says it all about how tight the Premier League has been this season.

Of course, the bigger motivation for the Latics here is to stay up, and they will be confident a point will be enough to save them.

There will be no better time for Wigan to visit the Britannia Stadium than this as Stoke are still reeling from their FA Cup final defeat and seem to have nothing left to give.

Tony Pulis will have his side up for this game as a win will secure a top-half finish, and they will certainly be no push-overs here.

The way Wigan celebrated their thrilling win over West Ham last week, you would think they had already secured survival but they still have a massive task ahead of them here.

Sitting 19th, they need to get something out of this game and hope other results go their way.

If Charles N'Zogbia continues his recent good form and his side can tighten up at the back, Wigan should have a real chance here.

Having said that, I'm still not convinced by them and, despite their recent good form, I think they will lose and suffer the agony of relegation here.

Prediction: 2-0

Tottenham v Birmingham (1600 Sunday)
Craig Gardner's late goal gave Birmingham a 1-1 draw against Tottenham earlier this season
Tottenham have regained fifth place from Liverpool and no matter what anybody says they will want to qualify for next season's Europa League.

Their major problem this season has been the amount of points they have dropped at home, with teams like Birmingham often picking up points at White Hart Lane.

They have won just two of their last eleven games but they still possess a formidable team, with the likes of Aaron Lennon and Luka Modric set to cause Birmingham no end of problems here.

Birmingham have lost four of their last five games to slip into the relegation mire and are now only out of the bottom three on goal difference.

All the joy of their Carling Cup triumph is now a distant memory and they are in severe danger of the drop now.

If Sebastian Larsson can perform in what is likely to be his last game for the Blues, they will have a chance but it is hard to see where their next point is coming from at the moment.

As with Blackpool, it may be a case of keeping the score down and hoping to stay up on goal difference, which is a dangerous ploy but may be necessary.

Tottenham will want to send their fans home happy and that could spell trouble for Birmingham, who will surely have to rely on other results going their way.

Prediction: 3-0

West Ham v Sunderland (1600 Sunday)
Jordan Henderson scored the only goal in the reverse fixture
2-0 up and cruising at Wigan last weekend, this should have been the game West Ham would need to win to survive in the Premier League.

As it is, this is now their funeral and the atmosphere will be one of hurt and anger.

Avram Grant has paid for his side's failure with his job but it is the club's owners and players who will face the fans' wrath here.

A team with the likes of Scott Parker, Carlton Cole and Matthew Upson in it should not have even been in a relegation battle, so Hammers fans will let their feelings be known here.

This is a game West Ham would rather not face as there is nothing they can possibly gain from it.

Sunderland cannot wait for the season to be over either.

They looked set to challenge for a European place earlier in the season but all that has fallen apart since January and Steve Bruce looks set to have a big summer ahead of him in the transfer market.

Despite all the issues surrounding this game, I can see the Hammers picking up three points which will act as small consolation for their relegation.

Prediction: 2-1

Wolves v Blackburn (1600 Sunday)
David Dunn was among the scorers in Blackburn's 3-0 win against Wolves in December
Depending on other results, this could be a relegation shoot-out but in reality neither of these sides should go down.

Wolves have picked up two straight wins at just the right time and Mick McCarthy's side deserve to stay up.

They have beaten some top sides this season and been unlucky in other games, so it is just a pity it has taken this long for them to get the luck.

Steven Fletcher has been the key player recently and should cause problems against Blackburn here.

Rovers are extremely unlikely to go down but have not been helped by negative press this week.

If they had waited until the end of the season to sack Sam Allardyce, they would not have been in any trouble and it seems inevitable Steve Kean will not be their manager next season.

The owners seem to have good resources and if they can spend them wisely in the summer, next season should be a lot more promising for them.

They have been playing well recently but so have Wolves so the home side should finish the season off with a win here.

Prediction: 3-0

If my predictions are to come true, it will be Wigan and Birmingham suffering the pain of relegation on Sunday night.

Blackpool would move out of the bottom three on goal difference despite losing at Manchester United, which would be some finish to the season.

It is so hard to predict that these tips will probably be well wide of the mark.

Whatever happens, it should be a day of nerve-shredding action right to the end.

This is a great end to the season for the neutrals but for those whose teams are involved it will be agony.

We may never get to see 'Survival Sunday' if certain Americans are to be believed, with the end of the world said to be nigh, but for five teams here all they will be worrying about is avoiding relegation.

For them, going down might just be the end of the world.

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