Terrace Talk Blogs

Will Newcastle United deliver a hammer blow to Chelsea's title hopes?

Mark Bryans — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:03:37 +0100

Mark Bryans previews the weekends up and coming Premier League fixtures

NEWCASTLE UNITED v CHELSEA - 16:00

Avram Grant and his Chelsea team could probably think of an easier fixture at this stage of the season than a trip to St.James' Park. Behind the Blues, Newcastle are the most in form side in the Premier League.

In front of their loving crowd for the last time this season Kevin Keegan has vowed not to let his players stroll through the game. He will want to finish the season on a high and show his 'disciples' just what they can expect from his team next season. Depending on other results in the last fortnight of the season, King Kev could give the Magpies a top half finish.

Meanwhile you feel Chelsea will need to at least match Manchester United's result against West Ham if they want to regain the Premiership crown. After requiring extra-time to see of Liverpool on Wednesday night, Grant will be pleased he has until Monday to allow his players to recover.

Newcastle have no fresh injury concerns and Chelsea only have a slight concern over midfielder Michael Ballack (leg), but he should be fit to play.

MY PREDICTION: Newcastle 1-2 Chelsea

Can the last home game of the season at St James' spoil Chelsea's title charge? Does Avram Grant deserve clarification on his future before winning either the league or Champions League? Will Michael Owen still be a Newcastle player come next season?

Will Liverpool crank up the pressure on the Manchester City boss?

Mark Bryans — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:59:57 +0100

Mark Bryans previews the weekends up and coming Premier League fixtures

LIVERPOOL v MANCHESTER CITY - 16:00

This Sunday afternoon stroll is possibly the only game of the season, which has no bearing on outcomes at either end of the table. Liverpool are assured of 4th spot and have nothing to play for. Depending on the outcome of the FA Cup and other teams final positions in the Premiership Man City could squeeze into the UEFA Cup, but it is very unlikely.

After a trophy less season for Rafael Benitez there have been some questions asked about his tactics. The season has really been a mixed bag for Liverpool with problems on and off the field but a Champions League semi-final and the form of Fernando Torres balancing each other out.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has the axe swinging over his head and would liked to have had an easier fixture this weekend to try and hold on to his job. With talk of his players refusing to travel on a tour of the Far East in protest and fans also in uproar, Manchester City may be underprepared for their trip to Anfield.

Neither side has any new injury concerns.

MY PREDICTION: Liverpool 3-1 Man City

Much has been made about the future of Sven, but is Rafa safe at Anfield? If Sven is sacked, who would you like to replace him? Will Shinawatra be happy with any future manager unless he delivers instant success?

Will Arsenal scupper David Moyes and Everton's UEFA hopes?

Mark Bryans — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:55:26 +0100

Mark Bryans previews the weekends up and coming Premier League fixtures

ARSENAL v EVERTON - 13:30

If West Ham United manage a fourth successive win over Manchester United a victory for Arsenal in this game would give them a sniff of the title. The most optimistic Gunners fan may still hold title-winning aspirations, but surely it is too late?

Arsene Wenger will be targeting two wins from his team's final two games and insists that Arsenal will be able to last the pace next season after an awful run of results around Easter effectively ruled them out of the running this time around. PFA Young Player of The Year Cesc Fabregas will be looking to impress as will back-in-form front man Emmanuel Adebayor.

Everton may also need a positive result if Aston Villa win against Wigan to regain 5th spot. David Moyes' men have sat in fifth for much of the season and to lose out now would be a bitter blow for a team which pushed Liverpool for the final Champions League qualifying spot.

Robin van Persie (thigh) returns to the treatment room for Arsenal although Mathieu Flamini (ankle) should return to the squad. Tim Cahill (toe) and James Vaughn (knee) are still out for Everton but Mikel Arteta should be pushing for a start.

MY PREDICTION: Arsenal 1-1 Everton

Can Arsenal finish the season in a flourish? Would it be a travesty if Everton lose 5th spot? Is this a must win game for David Moyes?

Can Bolton secure Premier League safety or will Sunderland leave them on the brink?

Mark Bryans — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:49:11 +0100

Mark Bryans previews the weekends up and coming Premier League fixtures

BOLTON v SUNDERLAND - 17:15

Bolton are now 16th in the table after a run of impressive results. A victory in the evening kick off could secure their position for next season, Sunderland are all but safe but manager Roy Keane will still insist on a result to mathematically keep his side up.

Gary Megson was under pressure as soon as he replaced Sammy Lee as Trotters fans didn't see him as the man to keep them in the Premiership. But his experiences with West Brom have shone through and Wanderers fans will now be hopeful that Megson has done enough.

Roy Keane has refused to comment on his contractual status but there is still a year to run on his current deal. He has already declared he requires hefty financial backing over the summer to help Sunderland avoid a similar relegation battle next season.

Sunderland have no new injury concerns but Bolton will have to wait to see if both Ivan Campo (calf) and Joey O'Brien (hamstring) are fit enough to play.

MY PREDICTION: Bolton 1-0 Sunderland

Has general opinion of Gary Megson changed in recent weeks? Are fans worried by the lack of talk over Roy Keane's new contract? If given £50 million over the summer, who should Keane buy?

Can Spurs put a huge nail into Reading' Premier League coffin?

Mark Bryans — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:43:39 +0100

Mark Bryans previews the weekends up and coming Premier League fixtures

READING v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR - 15:00

Reading will be hopeful to capitalise on Tottenham's poor away form to drag themselves away from the relegation zone. Going into the run-in as one of the most out-of-form teams in the league is not ideal but Steve Coppell will not give up on survival.

Tottenham really do not have anything to play for and although on their day they can compete with the best teams in the division, it really depends on which Spurs side arrives on the day. Being a Spurs fan at the moment must be very frustrating as they can play some of the most exciting and exuberant football on weekend and be lacklustre and mediocre the next.

Reading have suffered from the infamous second-season-syndrome and survival this season would still leave Steve Coppell with a huge job over the summer to improve his team so they are not in the same position next year.

Glenn Little (calf) is out but Reading will be glad to welcome back Brynjar Gunnarsson and Jimmy Kebe. Ibrahima Sonko and Emerse Fae (both banned by club) will be missing. Tottenham's long term absentees Ledley King, Gareth Bale and Benoit Assou-Ekotto are still out.

MY PREDICTION: Reading 1-3 Spurs

With relegation looming was Steve Coppell right to ban two players from his squad? Why are Tottenham so inconsistent? Would defeat condemn Reading to the Championship?

Can Harry's Portsmouth heap more pressure on Middlesbrough?

Mark Bryans — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:37:03 +0100

Mark Bryans previews the weekends up and coming Premier League fixtures

MIDDLESBROUGH v PORTSMOUTH - 15:00

After yet another injury time goal for Sunderland condemned Middlesbrough to defeat last weekend, Gareth Southgate knows his team are still not completely safe. A point against Portsmouth at the Riverside should be enough to confirm Boro's Premiership status and Southgate will be hoping Pompey heads are focussed on Wembley and the FA Cup final.

A win for Portsmouth would keep their chances of qualifying for the UEFA Cup through their league position possible. The history books side with Pompey as Middlesbrough are still yet to record a victory over them in the Premiership, and with Harry Redknapp leading the side to their highest ever finish in the Premier League it may still be a record Middlesbrough have to deal with.

Mark Schwarzer seems certain to exit the Riverside over the summer but he should return to the side after a back problem. With Robert Huth, Mido and Gary O'Neil out for the remainder of the season, Southgate will be hoping Jeremie Aliaidiere (leg) will be fit. Portsmouth meanwhile have no fresh injury concerns.

MY PREDICTION: Boro 1-2 Portsmouth

Should Portsmouth now start to concentrate on the Cup? Would Boro fans be unhappy to lose Gary O'Neil after he reportedly said he wished to leave? Are Middlesbrough too good to go down?

Fulham, Birmingham - Who will triumph in the massive six-pointer?

Mark Bryans — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:30:47 +0100

Mark Bryans previews the weekends up and coming Premier League fixtures

FULHAM v BIRMINGHAM CITY - 15:00

Arguably the biggest game of the weekend but unarguably the biggest at the foot of the table takes place at Craven Cottage. 19th v 18th at this stage of the season is huge and with both teams still fighting for survival the game will be intriguing, if not pretty.

Fulham really do need a victory even though a point will not necessarily relegate them. A win would really have the Londoners on a high and take them to the last game of the season when they play Portsmouth. Roy Hodgson will be hoping that Harry Redknapp will have one eye on his sides impending FA Cup final.

A draw for Birmingham will keep their survival chances alive and could even lift them out of the bottom three. A win will see them move onto 35 points and possibly climb as high as 16th. Alex McLeish will be pondering whether to push for a victory or settle for a point in a must-not-lose game for his team.

There are no new injury worries being reported from Fulham whereas Birmingham could recall Stephen Kelly (knee) and Mehdi Nafti (thigh).

MY PREDICTION: Fulham 1-1 Birmingham

Can Fulham survive if they fail to win? If Birmingham are relegated, should McLeish remain in charge? Who will eventually join Derby in the Championship?

Can Aston Villa continue UEFA push or will Wigan stick a spanner in the works?

Mark Bryans — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:22:15 +0100

Mark Bryans previews the weekends up and coming Premier League fixtures

ASTON VILLA v WIGAN ATHLETIC - 15:00

Aston Villa have a chance to jump into 5th spot with a victory over Wigan Athletic. With Everton not playing until Sunday Martin O'Neill's men can go above the Toffees on goal difference. Wigan meanwhile are still not mathematically safe, but any sort of result at Villa Park should secure their Premiership position for next season.

Villa are one of the most in form teams in the league at this crucial time of the season and after three impressive routs the team showed their resolve by coming from behind twice at UEFA Cup-chasing rivals Everton at Goodison Park.

Steve Bruce will be hoping for at least a point to remove any lingering possibility of relegation and allow him to start planning for next season. But the Latics away form this season has left a lot to be desired, with only one victory all season on the road. Only Reading and Derby have picked up fewer points in away fixtures this term and it is something Bruce will want to address over the summer.

Juventus-bound Villa defender Olof Mellberg is set to miss his Villa Park farewell (illness), fellow defender Craig Gardner is another doubt (thigh). Wigan skipper Mario Melchiot is set to miss out (groin) but top scorer Emile Heskey (ankle) is set to return.

MY PREDICTION: Villa 2-1 Wigan

Would Villa be deserving of 5th spot? How much will Villa miss Mellberg next season? What can Wigan fans expect from next season if they stay up?