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Two years ago, Manchester United beat out Chelsea for the title by beating Wigan on the final day of the season, and tomorrow, Chelsea have the chance to pip United to the trophy by doing the same thing.
Going into tomorrow’s 38th and final round of matches, Chelsea lead Manchester United at the top of the English Premier League table by one point, with the Londoners on 83 points (+63 goal difference) and the three-time defending champions on 82 (+54 GD).
Chelsea have been amazing at home this season, winning 16 of their 18 home league matches, and in doing so, outscoring opponents 60-14. Their lone home loss was a 4-2 setback to Manchester City on February 27.
That defeat might have been just what Chelsea needed, as since that loss, the Blues have dropped points only twice in nine matches, in a 1-1 draw away to Blackburn on March 10 and in a 2-1 away defeat to Tottenham on April 17.
The defeat to Tottenham opened the door for Manchester United to have a chance, but Carlo Ancelotti has to feel confident that his side will be hoisting the trophy come tomorrow evening. Chelsea have won four in a row at home since the defeat to City, and opponents have been outscored – get ready for it – 19-2.
However, Wigan won’t be intimidated by Chelsea’s scoring prowess. Chelsea have failed to hit the back of the net at least twice in a league match only 11 times in 37 league matches, and one of those times came against Wigan, in a 3-1 defeat at the DW Stadium on September 26. That was Chelsea’s first Premier League defeat after six wins to start the season.
Wigan have only three wins and two draws to their credit away from home this season, and among their 13 away defeats are heavy losses against Tottenham (9-1 – yes, 9-1), Manchester United (5-0), and Arsenal (4-0). Their last positive result on the road was a 1-1 draw against Sunderland three months ago.
While Chelsea will be looking to secure the three points that will take them to the title, Manchester United will try to do as little scoreboard watching as possible while facing off against Stoke City at Old Trafford.
As nice as it would be to know what Chelsea have done beforehand, the players will be well aware of what’s going on without having to turn their eyes to the scoreboard. Nothing less than three points will keep United in the mix, which manager Sir Alex Ferguson will have reminded them of before they hit the pitch.
Like Wigan, Stoke City will be motivated to play spoiler as well. The Potters have won only four times away from home this season, but two of those wins are against Tottenham and Fulham, and their amount of positive results (12 – four wins, eight draws) outweighs their losses (6). So, anything can happen.
That being said, United will look to put this one out of reach early on to take the pressure off, so you can expect them to come out with the intent to break down a Stoke side that did allow seven goals away to Chelsea and four to Liverpool but has conceded only 12 times in the other 16 away matches.
However, though United should take care of their end of the deal, can their area neighbors do the same in London? Safe to say, Chelsea shouldn’t come away with anything less than a win, and I don’t expect anything less than that. Sure enough, Wigan will be fired up and then some to have a chance to crash Chelsea’s expected title bash, but Chelsea will be fired up all the same, which should carry them to their first title since the 2005/06 season.
May 8th, 2010 9:24:44 PM UTC | Posted in Premier League, Soccer by Griffdog | No Comments
HULL
There are not many chances of salvation for the team, this one is the one that can’t be missed. Hull will meet Sunderland and a defeat will mean the end of the hopes.
Dowie didn’t change much on the morale and the team struggle to find victory.
- J Vennegoor Of Hesselink – Concussion (no date)
- R Garcia – Knee Injury (5 Weeks)
- K Zayatte – Knee Injury (1 day)
- S Hunt – Ankle/Foot Injury (2 Months)
- A Gardner – Ankle/Foot Injury (1 day)
- I Ashbee – PCL Tear (1 week)
Overall form: LLLLLWLLDL
Home form: WDLDDWLWLL
SUNDERLAND
Sunderland have a really bad away record with only 1 victory over Bolton at the begin of the season.
The team is already in a safe position and don’t have to ask anything to this match.
- L Cattermole – Calf Muscle Strain (1 day)
- G McCartney – Hamstring Injury (1 day)
- L Cana – Groin Strain (1 day)
- A Reid – Hamstring Injury (3 Weeks)
Overall form: LDWDWDLWLW
Away form: LLDLLDLDLL
HEAD TO HEAD
12/09/2010 Sunderland 4 – 1 Hull
VERDICT
As Sunderland don’t have anything to ask from this match I could see an home victory. But the question mark is the Hull’s performance
April 23rd, 2010 10:04:24 AM UTC | Posted in Premier League by ranma | No Comments
LIVERPOOL
Last game against Manchester utd was very tight, a boring match with few chances on both sides that a brilliant Park who saved the result for manchester utd.
After all a good performance of Liverpool team who showed personality.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has no new injury worries for Sunday’s home match against Sunderland in the Barclays Premier League.
With no midweek match the Reds manager has been able to give his squad some time off to recuperate from a busy schedule involving Europa League matches.
He may opt for a more attacking line-up at home than he did for last Sunday’s defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford, which could bring the likes of Ryan Babel, Alberto Aquilani and Yossi Benayoun into contention.
Martin Skrtel (foot) and Fabio Aurelio (thigh) are still a couple of weeks away from fitness while Albert Riera is unlikely to be included as the club consider a loan deal to Russia for the Spain winger.
SUNDERLAND
Sunderland are unbeaten in their last five matches and hope to derail Liverpool’s challenge for a top four place. Steve Bruce is quite confident on that: “It has been a tough winter through players missing through injury but we have lost only one of the last nine games, against Arsenal, and we have hit a bit of form. We have also become a little bit more resilient.”
Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones has a chance of returning.
The Trinidad and Tobago international has missed the last two matches with a hip flexor injury, but is back in training and may well be involved.
However, defender John Mensah (hamstring) is struggling after limping off at Aston Villa in midweek, while midfielder Andy Reid remains on the sidelines with a similar problem.
HEAD TO HEAD
03/03/2009 Liverpool 2-0 Sunderland
VERDICT
Sunderland want to ensure safety as soon as possible but Arsenal is not an easy team to meet.
I think the technical difference will come up during the game and Liverpool will get the 3 points here
March 27th, 2010 4:04:57 PM UTC | Posted in Premier League by ranma | No Comments
EVERTON
The last game in Birmingham was a missing chanche to reach the 8th place as the team didn’t manage to defend the initial 2-0. “I was pleased with the performance but not the result. We played very well at times. We scored two goals and should have been more ahead but for their goalkeeper.” – Moyes.
There are no injuries to worry Moyes and key players like Saha and Osman are back.
Overall form: DWWWLWWLWD
Home form: DLDDWWWWWW
BOLTON
Owen Coyle saw his Bolton Wanderers side gain their third win in four Barclays Premier League matches and edge closer to safety with victory over relegation rivals Wigan Athletic.
The Glasgow-born manager was recruited from Burnley in January to try to secure the club’s status and his methods appear to be working.
Mark Davies is in contention after an ankle injury while Coyle is mulling over whether to include Gary Cahill following his speedy recovery from a blood clot.
Overall form: WLDLDLWWLW
Away form: DLDLLLDLWL
HEAD TO HEAD
07/02/2009 Everton 3-0 Bolton
VERDICT
Despite the good performance of the team last game, Bolton have to meet an hard-to-beat team at home. Everton always scored at least 2 goas on the last 2 games while Bolton seems to find hard keeping the clean sheets.
With both team without big injuries problems I think it will prevail the strongest team with the home factor on its side: so take Everton to win here
March 20th, 2010 5:48:38 AM UTC | Posted in Premier League by ranma | No Comments
EVERTON
Everton have won their last five at Goodison Park, Moyes is enthusiast of the team’s performance against Chelsea and Manchester Utd (2 wins) “It was a great result and you don’t beat the big teams that often so we are delighted. I have said for a while on our day we can be a match for the teams above. We have not got everyone fit but I think it shows the spirit we have got. I think we can play better and I think we will.”
Everton midfielder Tim Cahill is still to return to training after suffering a calf injury two weeks ago but has not been ruled out by manager David Moyes.
Phil Jagielka, recently returned from a long-term knee injury, is doubtful due to a slight thigh strain, as is Leon Osman after a blow to the foot.
Top scorer Louis Saha (hamstring) is again ruled out and James Vaughan will be assessed after suffering a knock playing for the reserves in midweek. In defence, Philippe Senderos (hip) is hoping to prove his fitness but Tony Hibbert (groin) is still out. Marouane Fellaini (ankle) will miss the rest of the season.
Home form: DDLDDWWWWW
Overall form: DWDWWWLWWL
HULL CITY
Hull City have yet to win away from home this season taking just four points from 14 matches. There will be a lot pressure on players to get results here as there’s a little chance if they take advantage of the many outfit and missing players on the Everton side.
Hull manager Phil Brown has revealed Jimmy Bullard could start.
The midfielder, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since December, was left out of the squad for the defeat against West Ham United two weeks ago but has since played for the reserves and in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Doncaster this week.
Geovanni (knee) is fit but Anthony Gardner is facing six weeks on the sidelines with an ankle problem while Stephen Hunt and Dean Marney are doubts.
Craig Fagan will definitely miss the match following his red card against the Hammers.
Away form: LLDLLDDLLL
Overall form: LLDDLDDWLL
HEAD TO HEAD
10/01/2009 Everton 2 – 0 Hull City
VERDICT
On the paper is an easy bet on Everton. But as Hull won’t have anything to lose on this match they will start aggressively and could cause some trouble on Everton with many outfit and injured players. It’s all about who’s going to score first: Hull will defend the result desperately while an Everton goal will mentally break down Hull.
Take Everton to win but also consider a high probability of a draw…
March 7th, 2010 3:34:39 AM UTC | Posted in Premier League by ranma | No Comments
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