Posted on 13 May 2011 at 22:22 PM by
Formex
Man United only need a point from their last two games to secure their nineteenth league title and there is little doubt they deserve their success in what has been a most competitive and from a punting perspective profitable campaign.
It would however be typical of this season if United failed to secure that point when they visit Blackburn on Saturday. They go into that game on the back of the 2-1 win over Chelsea last Sunday and face what can only be described as a moderate Blackburn side. However United on the road have been anything but top draw, with a 5-9-4 record and although the visitors should get the point they need they are certainly no value to get all three.
Local rivals Man City secured Champions League football next season at Eastlands with a 1-0 win over Tottenham on Tuesday night and go into Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley with Stoke in determined mood. It is over thirty five years since the Citizens won a major trophy and it’s unlikely they will get a better chance for the next few years to lift some silverware.
If Carlos Tevez starts they are undoubtedly strong favourites but the way Tony Pulis’ side demolished Arsenal last weekend showed the underdogs are working as a strong and unified team who are dangerous to underrate.
City of course have looked anything but unified at times this season and although Mancini may well have saved his job for another year it’s not difficult to see this match going the distance. With the last two league matches between the two ending 1-1 as well as the same score in last season’s cup encounter, it may pay to bet for the same again. One thing is for certain Stoke will not repeat the 5-0 semi-final victory they enjoyed on their last Wembley visit.
It is crunch week at the bottom of the table for West ham who need all three points from their game at Wigan to prolong their fading hope of staying up. Wigan of course are desperate for points themselves but the Latics have shown enough of late to suggest they can at least take a point and perhaps that should be the bet.
Wolves have finally moved out of the bottom three and face a trip to play Sunderland, a side in decline in recent weeks. The visitors have the worst away record in the league
(2-3-13) but could claim a valuable draw especially if Kevin Doyle returns from injury.
Bolton also have a very poor away record (2-5-11) which must give Blackpool hope on Saturday. This is a game they simply must win to have any chance of survival as they play at Old Trafford in their final game. A point will not be enough to save the Tangerines but this is probably all they will get in a season that has seen them surprise some of the league’s elite but ultimately struggle for points since the turn of the year. All the neutrals will be sad to see Ian Holloway and his side return to the Championship and the league will be a poor place for that.