Arsenal v Stoke
Yes, Stoke have had a blinder of a season, but their away form is not great. Arsenal haven’t had the best season, but Arsene Wenger’s men will take this one easily. They’ve secured fourth place a few months ago, even though by December this looked increasingly unlikely.
Prediction: 2-0
Aston Villa v Newcastle
Many don’t agree, but I fancy Newcastle to get a point and secure their Premier League survival. The form of Aston Villa has been sliding since mid-season. Sure, the Magpies have gone through nearly half a dozen managers this season, but Alan Shearer is there to stay. Regardless of whether they’re playing Championship football next season.
Prediction: 1-1
Blackburn v West Brom
Big Sam Allardyce has pulled an escape act in spite of the injury crisis at the club. West Brom very nearly produced a miracle, but Tony Mowbray knows they left it too late. Expect frenetic football. West Brom may even win this which would stir the pot a little, but it won’t be enough to get them to safety.
Prediction: 2-1 (or 2-2!)
Fulham v Everton
After last week’s cracking win against Newcastle, the form team of the season face a side which you can bet is focused on next week’s FA Cup final. Barring an upset at Anfield, Fulham will be playing in Europe next season – a tremendous achievement considering they were battling for survival last season. Expect Fulham to clinch it (yet again).
Prediction: 2-1
Hull v Man Utd
More has been written about this encounter than any other fixture this weekend. Everyone caught up in the train smash at the bottom of the table have been criticizing United for fielding an “under strength” side. And the teams hadn’t even been announced. The United “second” team that very nearly made it to the FA Cup final will beat Hull every day of the week. A contrarian view, then:
Prediction: 1-2
Liverpool v Tottenham
Possibly the match of the weekend, from a pure football view (of course). Liverpool weren’t exactly great last weekend, and Spurs are playing decent soccer under Harry Redknapp. In theory Liverpool should win this, but Tottenham could easily snatch a draw.
Prediction: 1-1 (or 2-1)
Man City v Bolton
It’s been a poor first season for the “richest club in the world”. But Mark Hughes’s job is safe, we’re told. City have good home form, and Bolton have done enough to survive but not much more. City have also recently shown they can score goals.
Prediction: 2-0
Sunderland v Chelsea
Chelsea were even money (1/1) earlier this week when betting opened, which was plainly ridiculous. Sunderland have to get a point to be doubly safe, but that’s only if other results go against them. Chelsea will field a close to full-strength side for their final league match under Dutch master Guus Hiddink. Nothing but a win for the Blues.
Prediction: 1-3
West Ham v Middlesbrough
West Ham have the class to dispose of Middlesbrough, no matter what Gareth Southgate’s men throw at them. It doesn’t help matters that Middlesbrough aren’t too good at the back at all. Life in the Premier League is over for Middlesbrough, but expect them to bounce back next season.
Prediction: 2-0
Wigan v Portsmouth
Neither of these two teams are in any kind of form at all. Wigan have been idling along, and Portsmouth very nearly left it too late. It will be a scrappy encounter and could end up being dead boring.
Prediction: 1-1 (2-1 advantage to the home team is possible)
May 23rd, 2009 at 1:12 pm
I really want Newcastle to stay up. Imagine if they went down. Their entire squad would be sold!
May 23rd, 2009 at 6:09 pm
@Cpt Awsome, yeah you and Hilton share the same sentiments, me on the other hand, as much as I like Newcastle and Shearer, I just don’t see them getting a point at Villa tomorrow…
May 23rd, 2009 at 11:37 pm
I also don’t want The Geordies to go down. My money is on Hull and Boro getting the chop.
If results go their way a point will be enough to keep them up.
May 23rd, 2009 at 11:44 pm
great post calvon
May 24th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Well, what can you say! I feel hull are the most deserving of the four sides and will stay up! They wont get a result against man utd but middl esbrough will lose newcastle will lose and sunderland have got two hopes and one of them is BOB against chelsea!!! Hull to stay up! Come on the tigers!
May 24th, 2009 at 11:46 am
Newcastle 1 – 2 villa
Hull 1 – 3 man utd west ham 3- 0 middl esbrough sunderland 0 -2 chelsea newcaslte have been poor all season, hull had a good start but went downbank and therefore most deserving, middl esbrough have got worst every season they have bin in the top flight! And sunderland dont have a clue but will stay up cus newcastle are shocking lol i now who my moneys on lol i hope newcastle are the next leeds united! Lol
May 24th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
@Bailey,
LOL dude! I remember once the thought of Newcastle becoming the next Leeds United, hehehe, if they fail to beat Villa today, we might just wave goodbye to them for a very long time…
May 24th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
No doubt that will happen?! Hull to stay up tho come on the tigers! Stoke to beat arsenal
May 24th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Newcastle to stay up. Hull and Boro to go down. Thats my prediction for today.
May 25th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
@Ash how wrong was your prediction everyone knew castle couldnt get anything up at villa!?!!!!?! Seriously come on you mist off bin in lapland! Lol joke!
May 25th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
@Bailey, LOL!
May 25th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Come on Baily cut me some slack. Newcastle were unlucky to lose yesterday, the goal-line clearance from Villa and a deflected goal by Barry. Could easily have ended 0-0 and Newcastle would have stayed up
So close….
May 25th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
So close, but too late Ash
May 27th, 2009 at 12:39 am
@Ash lol it was only a joke son! Lol it was a close shave but newcastle were dog shit all season and they wunna be back for a long time!!!! Were you guys from and who you support boys? Lol
May 27th, 2009 at 7:31 am
NO worries Bailey
We’re from South Africa. I’m a Liverpool supporter, so either way I dont care if Newcastle stayed up.
Who do you support?
May 27th, 2009 at 7:39 am
Chelsea for life
Kinda had a soft-spot for Newcastle, but Shearer came in to try save the club wayyyyyyy too late!
May 27th, 2009 at 7:43 am
@Bailey,
I’m a GOONER!
May 28th, 2009 at 12:24 am
Well im from stoke! Lol but im a man united fan! Lol bet you all love that+! Lol out classed in the champions league final lol how old you guys???
May 30th, 2009 at 9:09 am
@Bailey,
Dude I thought you a Hull fan, sorry Man United got whooped the other day, it’s the nature of the game,
but I’m 25 you?
June 10th, 2009 at 12:07 am
Im 17 lol and i just like hull lol
January 19th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Chelsea for life
Kinda had a soft-spot for Newcastle, but Shearer came in to try save the club wayyyyyyy too late!