As we enter the final weekend of English Premiere League action there is only won race that is still yet to be decided. Chelsea holds a slim one-point advantage on the table and a nine- point goal differential of rival Man U. The Blues control their own destiny; a win at home against Wigan would bring the title back to Stamford Bridge for the first time since 2006. Other scenarios are as follows:
- If Chelsea loses, and Manchester United beats Stoke City at Old Trafford, United are champions
- If Chelsea draws, and Manchester United beats Stoke City at Old Trafford, United are champions
- If Chelsea loses, and Manchester United draws, Chelsea wins the title (I don’t think they’re going to lose 9-0, which is what it would take to overturn the goal difference)
- If they both lose, win or draw, the title is Chelsea’s
Chelsea vs. Wigan will be live on Fox Soccer Channel while Manchester United vs. Stoke City will be on Fox Soccer Plus. Both matches should produce its own brand of excitement as both teams are poised to hoist the EPL Trophy at the end of the day on Sunday.
Here I take a look at a few of this weekend’s matches, giving you insight on making your EPL soccer wager a winner.
A victory over Wigan at home would give Chelsea their fourth top-flight crown and keep them on course for the first league and FA Cup double in their history. There mission is simple — win and collect the silverware. But no match is ever easy and Wigan proved that by ending Arsenal’s title challenge three weeks ago. A win for the Latics would keep them from ending the campaign with their lowest points tally since promotion to the Premier League as well as securing a first league double over Chelsea. The odds are against them as they have lost their last five away matches while Chelsea have won 16 of 18 league games at Stamford Bridge this season, scoring 60 goals. Since losing to City, the Blues have won four successive home league games, scoring 19 goals. That kind of goal production will not bode well for Wigan keeper Vladimir Stojkovic who has conceded 12 goals in six appearances. I expect a dominating win from Chelsea as they lift the cup on their home pitch.
Manchester United vs. Stoke City
The reigning champions title hopes rely mainly in the hands of Chelsea. However, the Red Devils do need a victory over Stoke even if their rivals were to succumb to a surprise defeat to Wigan. United’s three Premier League titles have been won on the last day of the season so a dramatic finish could be in the works. Stoke’s season has been another of steady improvement. The Potters could finish as high as ninth if results go their way on Sunday. Along with Portsmouth, the Potters have scored fewer Premier League away goals than any other team this season, while United have the best defensive record in the division, conceding 28 goals in 37 matches. I expect United to put the pressure on Chelsea as they win this one 2-0.
Arsenal has never lost at home to Fulham, and needs a win at Emirates this Sunday to solidify its hold on third place. Fulham will certainly be looking past this fixture to the Europa League final in Hamburg on May 12. The Gunners have only won one of their last six league games and picked up a solitary point from the last 12 available. However, they are on a six-match unbeaten run at home, winning five and keeping a clean sheet in the last three. I expect Arsenal to pick up three points; enough to hang on to a third place finish over Tottenham.
The Hotspur enter Sunday’s match after a solid win over Manchester City that sealed fourth spot and a place in the Champions League. But they are still eying third and a win over an already relegated Burnely side coupled with an Arsenal loss could seal the deal for an automatic entry into the Champions League group stage. I expect a win for Tottenham, but falling short by an Arsenal victory over Fulham.
West Ham United vs. Manchester City
West Ham could rise three spots with the right results while City could fall to sixth if they lose on Sunday. I’m not sure either side cares that much one way or the other. Manchester City has won only two of their nine Premier League trips to Upton Park. Their last win away to the Hammers was on the opening day of the 2007-08 season. West Ham has won only one of their last seven league games against City, a 1-0 home victory last season. Expect West Ham to make things interesting as they squeak out a narrow 1-0 victory at home.
Aston Villa vs. Blackburn Rovers
Villa is assured of Europa League football next season, but they can climb as high as fifth for the first time in 13 years if they win and Manchester City lose. Aston Villa beat Blackburn at home in both domestic cups this year. Villa is unbeaten in their last seven home games against Blackburn, winning six of them – including in both domestic cups earlier this year. I expect the Villans to finish the season with a strong outing against the Rovers taking three final points.
Europa League football may be of little solace for Liverpool as its wraps up its season finishing outside the top five for the first time since 1999. The Tigers’ two-year stay in the top flight ends on Mother’s Day. Hull has never beaten Liverpool. The teams have met 15 times and the Reds have won 12, with three draws. I expect that trend to continue through this weekend.
Everton vs. Portsmouth
Another team with its mind on other silverware plays out the season this weekend as Portsmouth visits Everton. The FA Cup final is all that’s left this season for relegated Pompey, and while Everton can’t finish any higher than eighth. The Toffees are unbeaten in 10 matches since losing 2-1 at Tottenham in February. The side pulled together after beginning the year with string of injuries, leaving one to wonder if Everton could have made a run at this year’s top four. Everton wins.
Bolton Wanderers vs. Birmingham
A little pride and a place or two on the table is on the line as Birmingham visits the Trotters. The scorer of the first goal in this fixture has won 10 of the 11 Premier League meetings between these two sides. Birmingham remain on course for their highest finish in 51 years and require a point to record their best-ever points tally in the Premier League. They will do it with a win over Bolton on Sunday.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Sunderland
Two teams in the bottom half of the table cap the season as the Black Cats visit the Wolverhamprton. The Wolves are looking for a first win in seven as they have drawn their last three at Molineux. The Black Cats have won just twice away all season, and I don’t expect that to change as the Wolves edge them out in a 1-0 victory and now start preparing for a second successive season in English football’s top-flight for the first time in almost 30 years.
Matt Martz is a sportswriter for the Bakersfield Californian located in Central California. “ Football (soccer) is a game in which a handful of fit men run around for one and a half hours watched by millions of people who could really use the exercise.”
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