Last weekend focused mainly around two key matches: QPR at Old Trafford and Manchester City at The Emirates. Both matches were vital in regards to the title race and began with Manchester United sitting on a five point gap above rivals Manchester City.
Yet with United’s 2-0 win and City’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal, the lead opened up to eight points, in what could have been the most decisive weekend of the season.
Until Wednesday morning, when Wigan stunningly upset United, and City smashed West Brom. United has beaten Wigan in its last 14 fixtures, yet Sean Maloney’s second half strike snatched three vital points for the relegation, threatened Wigan, and allowed Manchester City a strong chance to close the gap.
The race for the championship looked to slowly fizzle out after last weekend, but now it is most definitely on.
Norwich City vs Manchester City: Carrow Road Saturday 9.45pm
Manchester City struggles have continued in the past few weeks, beginning with its complete elimination from Europe, to surrendering top position to rivals United, as well as the continually bizarre – albeit entertaining – behaviour of Mario Balotelli. Balotelli’s dismissal at Arsenal on the weekend seemed to sum up City’s woes; and lead to manager Roberto Mancini conceding that he may sell the Italian striker at the end of the season.
Yet City’s fortune was reversed during the week, with a 4-0 thumping of West Brom, which re-ignited the title race.
This weekend City travel to Norwich, and will have a tough task to chase down United – a feat that is not impossible. Norwich managed an astonishing upset during the week, winning 2-1 in Tottenham, which has all-but ensured their safety in the top flight for next season. City should be able to rally this week, although Mancini will have to decide who will replace the suspended Balotelli. Carlos Tevez is the likely choice – having scored midweek against West Brom.
Prediction: Man City will be hot on the heels of United, and will win 2-1.
Sunderland vs Wolverhampton: Stadium of Light Sunday 12.00am
Sunderland’s 42 league points currently has them happily sitting in the middle of the table, decidedly safe from relegation. Sadly, the same cannot be said for Wolverhampton. The Wolves have been desperately unlucky in a season to forget. Last week resulted in them beaten 2-1 at Stoke, while midweek action saw them beaten 3-0 at home to Arsenal.
With just five matches left, the Wolves essentially need to gain maximum points from their remaining games to have a chance to stay up. Their season may come down to the final day trip to Wigan, in what could become the match to avoid relegation.
Prediction: Sunderland’s plucky form will continue, while the Wolves’s woes will continue. 2-0 to Sunderland.
Swansea vs Blackburn: Liberty Stadium Sunday 12.00 am
Swansea, akin to Norwich, has enjoyed an admirable first season in the top flight, and as well as playing an attractive style of football, are poised to remain in the Premier League. Its key man Gylfi Sigurðsson – on loan from Hoffenheim – has played a major role in the Swans’ midfield. Whether or not he turns his loan deal into a permanent move to Wales has the potential to shape Swansea’s aspirations for the next season.
Blackburn’s season – similar to the Wolves – has been shaped by the club’s constant misfortune, which continued mid-week with a 3-2 loss to Liverpool, after Andy Carroll headed a late winner in the 94th minute. The Rovers have not enjoyed much success during the Venkys’ tenure – even their television ads have been rubbish. QPR’s superior goal difference is all that separates the two and relegation as it stands, although a trip to Wales could make survival a lot harder for Blackburn.
Prediction: Swansea’s home form has been good this season, having only lost four matches at the Liberty Stadium. They should beat Blackburn, 3-0.
West Bromwich Albion vs Queens Park Rangers: The Hawthorns Sunday 12.00am
West Bromwich are happily sitting in 13th place at the moment, and after a strong 3-0 win over Blackburn last week, will happily look down upon Black County rivals Wolverhampton – should the latter be relegated at the seasons’ end.
QPR has managed a stuttered revival of their season following Mark Hughes’ replacement of Neil Warnock. After consecutively slaying both Liverpool and Arsenal at home, QPR has managed to lift itself out of the relegation zone. Just. The fitness of January signing Bobby Zamora continues to be a major source of concern for Hughes though, as the role played by the striker could be key in keeping QPR up.
A big win over Swansea during the week moved them up to 16th, and they seem to be hitting a vein of late-season form, which potentially will keep them up.
Prediction: After wins against Liverpool and Arsenal, coupled with losses to Bolton and Sunderland, QPR is incredibly hard to pick. Here they might well manage a win, 2-1.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa: Old Trafford Monday 1.00am
When Sir Alex Ferguson coined the phrase ‘Squeaky-Bum-Time’ in 2003, few would have expected it to become a routine phase of each United season. Yet again we see the Red Devils leading the league, and managing near-routine wins week after week as the season comes to a close – such as their 2-0 win over QPR last week.
Ryan Giggs hailed the return of Paul Scholes as a ‘massive bonus’, while Ferguson declared the 37-year old to be one of the greats of the club. Scholes’ return has added a wealth of experience to the United midfield, and the results are continually showing.
Yet a shock midweek loss to Wigan – a match that has traditionally been a straightforward victory for Ferguson’s men in the past – has caused a few tremors in United’s title aspirations.
Villa’s season has greatly improved since the New Year, and they look poised to remain in the top flight this season, after looking decidedly shaky under Alex McLeish at the start of the campaign. While they did well to manage a draw against Stoke last weekend, a trip to Old Trafford may be too much for them here.
Prediction: Ferguson is usually quick to eliminate the cause of losses such as the Wigan match. The team won’t be flashy, but will get the job done, and bounce back to win 3-1.
Arsenal vs Wigan: The Emirates Tuesday 5.00am
Arsenal played very well against Manchester City on Easter Sunday, and would have been pleased to quickly move on from its embarrassing defeat to QPR. Mikel Arteta’s late strike proved the difference, after Van Persie managed to hit the woodwork twice.
Midweek Arsenal recorded a comfortable victory over Wolves at the Molineux, which further strengthened their push for Europe.
Arsenal is currently five points above Tottenham, and should be able to hold onto third place and automatic qualification into the Champions League, with what should be a relatively straightforward last few fixtures.
Wigan is stuck second last at the moment, tied on 28 points with QPR and Blackburn – separated only by goal difference. But its giant-killing potential was shown midweek, and the team could cause an upset here.
Prediction: A trip to the Emirates will be way out of Wigan’s league, and Arsenal should record a 3-0 win.
Shane Palmer is a third year Bachelor of Journalism student at La Trobe, and is part of the upstart editorial team. You can follow him on Twitter: @SDPalmer12.
