Premier League - Arsenal host champions Utd NEWS
Although the title has been won by Manchester United there are still Champions League places to be won and Arsenal need a win against the champions this weekend if they are finish in the top four.
A combination of Man City's 3-1 defeat to Spurs and Man Utd's 3-0 win over Aston Villa ensured that Utd captured their 20th top flight championship and their 13th Premier League title.
In a game that represented their season as a whole City let slip a 1-0 lead at White Hart Lane to eventually lose 3-1 meaning that Utd knew the title would be theirs if they were able to beat Villa at home the following day.
Utd didn't disappoint a packed Old Trafford as they played some wonderful attacking football to take a 3-0 half-time lead, all the goals going to Dutch striker Robin van Persie who, as many pundits have observed, has made a significant contribution to Utd's success all season long.
With the destination of the Premier league trophy decided all that remains to be settled are the European places and, of course, the issue of which clubs are relegated.
City's defeat means that there is a certain amount of pressure on them now, as they are only seven points above Spurs in fifth, and they cannot afford a collapse. Arsenal and Spurs both won whilst Chelsea were pegged back to a 2-2 draw at Liverpool. Although Arsenal are third they've played a game more than City, Chelsea and Spurs and, what's more, they face the champions, Man Utd, this weekend.
The Man Utd v Arsenal game looks to be the game of the weekend and it could go one of two ways. Either Utd will relax a little now the title is won and Arsenal's need for Champions League football will give them the edge, or Utd will be so free of anxiety with the title in the bag that they play completely without fear. Whichever scenario unfolds the game is a key one for the Gunners.
Although Chelsea's draw at Anfield wasn't ideal for the Blues, the main talking point from that game concerned Luis Suarez's biting of Branislav Ivanovic. What exactly the referee saw of the incident remains unclear as he awarded Suarez a yellow card and not a red, which would have been normal for such an offence. Insult was added to literal injury when Suarez was able to snatch a late equaliser, denying Chelsea the win they probably deserved.
Suarez, one of the game's most controversial figures, has a history of biting opponents as shown by his seven match ban in 2010 when he bit an opponent whilst playing for Ajax. Although he made an instant apology and both Chelsea and Ivanovic himself declined to involve the Police, the FA have charged the Uruguayan and given him a lengthy 10 match ban, although he could appeal.
Although Suarez is a fantastic player, and Liverpool's runaway top scorer, the club must be pondering whether the negative baggage he brings is worth the damage he causes the club. The furore over his racial abuse of Man Utd's Patrice Evra last season still hangs over Suarez and, to a certain extent, Liverpool as a club. With Suarez's services still in demand with various big clubs it will be interesting to see whether Liverpool are now more inclined to cash in on the striker.
Another controversial character, Sunderland's new manager Paulo di Canio, has also hit the headlines, but for the right reasons. His appointment was questioned by many, myself included, but he has an instant impact on the Black Cats who have now won their last two games and seem a more certain bet to still be in the Premier League next season. Whatever di Canio has I bet he wishes he could bottle and sell it - the Italian, who is now a hero on Wearside, would make a fortune.
Of course, the immediate impact di Canio has achieved will have been viewed with interest by a number of club chairman and will, without doubt, be referred to as the justification for late season sackings in the future. It seems that when some people are facing a terribly difficult situation often logic goes out of the window and it is better to do something, anything, rather than hold their nerve and do nothing.
With Sunderland's recent improvement the main relegation issue appears, in most people's eyes, to have distilled into the question of whether it will be Aston Villa or Wigan who join Reading and QPR in the Championship next season. Whilst that may be a slight over-simplification with Stoke, Newcastle and Sunderland still just three points above Villa and six above Wigan, the odds are very much on the Latics or Villa finishing in 18th place.
Interestingly enough, and in a twist of fate which could only feature in real life as a scrip writer would be dismissed for being so outlandish, Wigan will play Villa in the final game of the season. What's the betting that the issue of relegation is still alive and it is that game that decides who stays up and who goes down? After last season's final day drama at the top of the table it looks like the bottom will grab all the attention on May 19.
With the bottom two clubs meeting this Saturday someone will be relegated, and perhaps both QPR and Reading will both have the bad news finally confirmed. The loser of the game will definitely be down and, should they draw their game and Villa draw with or beat Sunderland, both will be relegated.
One final word before the review of this weekend's games and that is to mention the action in Europe this week which included Chelsea's success last night in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Basel.
In contrast to Spurs Chelsea were able to dominate their Swiss opponents and they are now favourites to reach the final after a 2-1 away win. Although interim manager Rafa Benitez will definitely be leaving Stamford Bridge at the end of the season there is a fair chance he will do so having led the club to their second European trophy.
In the Champions League it has been suggested that we are witnessing a shift of power, away from the recent dominance of the Premier League and La Liga to the German Bundesliga, with Bayern Munich thrashing Barcelona 4-0 and Borussia Dortmund dismantling Real Madrid 4-1.
In both games Munich and Dortmund were more powerful, physical and tactically astute and an all-German final is an attractive proposition given the quality of play these teams have achieved throughout the competition.
That said it's a little early to write off the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Man Utd and Chelsea. Whilst Bayern are a European powerhouse, regularly competing at the highest level Dortmund will be weaker next season, no matter what happens in the Champions League final, should they both make it there, as expected.
Bayern have already secured the services of Dortmund's Mario Gotze for next season and rumours suggest that they would also like to bring Dortmund's Polish striker Robert Lewandowski to Munich. Lewnadowski, who has impressed coaches throughout Europe with 10 Champions League goals this season, only has a season left on his contract and, unless he signs an extension, Dortmund face the prospect of losing him on a free contract next Summer. Given that they may choose to cash in on him at the end of the season.
Sir Alex Ferguson is a known admirer of Lewnadowski but the Pole would have his pick of suitors and Utd would probably have to offload a striker to accommodate him. Still, with Wayne Rooney's Old Trafford future still the subject of speculation this is a situation worth monitoring.
Saturday 27 April
Man City v West Ham - 12.45pm ko at the Etihad. Although their title has finally gone the pressure remains for City who still need a couple of wins more to ensure Champions League qualification for next season. In West Ham they couldn't have asked for a more accommodating visiting team either - comfortable in mid-table and with a poor away record. City should be able to recall Aguero, Silva, Milner and perhaps even Rodwell whilst West Ham will be without defenders Tomkins and McCartney. City looked in control against Spurs until the equaliser, after which it all went wrong. They won't make the same mistake this week and will win by two or three goals.
Everton v Fulham - 3pm ko at Goodison Park. Even if there is no chance of Everton achieving Champions League qualification they still have an outside chance of snatching the final Europa league place on offer, although last week's defeat makes that increasingly unlikely. The lack of European football after what has been a promising season may just be the tipping point in manager David Moyes' consideration of his future. With his contract up this Summer and he being a coveted man he might just decide to try his hand elsewhere, although better options may be limited, unless Chelsea come calling or Roberto Mancini is culled. I can see the Toffees rebounding from last week and beating Fulham, who've been off the pace of late with four straight losses.
Southampton v West Brom - 3pm ko at St. Mary's Stadium. With survival assured Saints fans can now relax and enjoy the final few weeks of the season with their team now looking for as high a finish as possible. In fact, a top ten finish is not out of the question - something that would have been unthinkable just a few short weeks ago. West Brom have been secure in the top half for some time and their form has perhaps reflected this as they've only won once in their last six games. In fact since Christmas they've been one of the least effective teams in terms of securing points, although they should still finish in the top ten, which would be a creditable result. What they'll do next season without the on-loan Romelu Lukaku is a problem though as strikers of his quality are difficult to find. In this game I think the Saints will maintain their recent momentum and claim all three points.
Stoke v Norwich - 3pm ko at the Britannia Stadium. Last week's 2-0 win at QPR will have calmed nerves at the Brtiannia somewhat although Stoke remain in danger, only six points above 18th placed Wigan, who have a game in hand. Norwich are only marginally better off and have suffered from a similar drop in form since the New Year. Both clubs really need just one more win to guarantee safety and, even though they've been more generous at home than is usual, the Britannia is still a tough place to visit and get a win. Neither team scores enough goals to scare the opposition so I'm expecting a low scoring affair, which the Potters will win.
Wigan v Spurs - 3pm ko at the DW Stadium. This game could be an absolute cracker with both teams desperate for all three points but for contrasting reasons. Wigan, seemingly annual magicians at this time of year, are leaving it late if they are to avoid relegation again and they remain in the bottom three. Spurs, who enjoyed a great victory over Man City last week, are still behind Arsenal and Chelsea in the race for a top four place although they will leap frog the Gunners if they win their game in hand. Wigan won the last time these two met, 1-0 at White Hart Lane but its hard to see lightening striking twice as Spurs are back on form, determined to take that last Champions League spot. I fear this is the year Wigan's late season luck finally wears out. Spurs to win.
Sunday 28 April
Reading v QPR - 1.30pm ko at the Madejski Stadium. A few weeks ago this game was probably viewed as a potential battle-royale, a real six-pointer. Now it will probably be the game that decides who finishes rock bottom, as both teams are 10 points from safety and the loser will have their relegation confirmed. Both could be condemned should they draw and Aston Villa manage a draw or win against Sunderland on Monday, so expect both teams to battle for the win. It's a tough match to call and, in all honesty, the result doesn't really matter in the circumstances. Home advantage may just give the Royals the edge.
Chelsea v Swansea - 3pm ko at Stamford Bridge. The games between these teams so far this season have been high quality affairs with the Welsh team coming out on top in their League Cup semi-final. With Swansea having little to play for in contrast to Chelsea's desperate need to finish in the top four there may well be a reversal of fortune in the air, although Chelsea's midweek exertions may leave them a little fatigued. Benitez will shuffle his resources with Demba Ba, Oscar and Mata recalled after not starting against Basel and Gary Cahill could also be fit to resume playing duties. Swansea have only won once since lifting the League Cup and that is all the
Arsenal v Man Utd - 4pm ko at the Emirates. Probable game of the weekend with the newly crowned champions visiting Arsenal who will carry their trophy drought into a ninth season. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has promised to provide an honour guard for Utd in acknowledgement of their title win, but he'll be hoping that his team's courtesy extends no further. It must be a bitter pill for Gooners that Robin van Persie will be at the Emirates in a Utd strip but he left there in search of championship medals and he has returned with one, so his move was vindicated. Recent clashes between these two have seen Utd dominate but Arsenal's need is the greater. I think Utd will be on a bit of a down after finally sealing the league and that Arsenal will take advantage with a narrow win.
Monday 29 April
Aston Villa v Sunderland - 8pm ko at Villa Park. Villa manager Paul Lambert was probably viewing this game as three points in the bag a couple of weeks ago but the arrival of Paulo di Canio has re-invigorated Sunderland who will arrive at Villa Park on the back of two straight wins. Villa lost last time out, understandably really given they were at Old Trafford to make up the numbers in Man Utd's title coronation. In contrast Villa should be up for this game - they badly need the win to maintain the gap between themselves and Wigan. As said before Villa have class going forward and that should see them snatch the win.
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