Posted on 20 May 2011 at 09:57 AM by
Formex
West Ham got exactly what they deserved this season with relegation confirmed by their defeat at Wigan last weekend but with the five teams above them separated by just a single point the battle to avoid the drop goes to the final weekend of the campaign.
Sunday’s action revolves around the three sides on 39 points with Wigan’s trip to Stoke, Champions Man United hosting Blackpool and Birmingham’s game against Tottenham at White Hart Lane. But the place to start simply has to be the two teams on 40 points who play each other at Molineux where Wolves host Blackburn.
If results elsewhere fall right a draw could suit both teams but this would be a dangerous strategy for the teams to adopt and with Mick McCarthy’s side in such excellent form in recent weeks and with home advantage they must go all out to secure their own survival. Amazingly having spent most of the season in the drop zone survival is now very much in Wolves’ own hands.
Regulars know that Blackburn were tipped to exit the Premier League when their new owners sacked Sam Allardyce and appointed Steve Keen as manager, unfortunately the point they picked up against Man United last Saturday may well prove enough to keep them up regardless of a defeat here.
Blackpool won 4-3 at home to Bolton last weekend in what must rate as one of the most exciting games of the season and although Ian Holloway and his team have won many friends this term they go into their final game at Old Trafford knowing that a win would not necessarily guarantee them survival. However such is the complexity at the bottom a narrow defeat could be enough if both Birmingham and Wigan loss badly.
With the Premier League Trophy to parade and a Champions League Final against Barcelona only a week away United will undoubtedly rest some key players but even their second eleven should be good enough to send the home supporters’ home happy with a win.
Of the five fighting for survival Wigan appear to have the best chance of victory as they play Stoke at the Britannia Stadium. The home side have to pick themselves up following last Saturday’s FA Cup Final defeat by Man City and their 3-0 midweek league humbling to the same side and Wigan, who themselves secured an injury time victory over West Ham last weekend, couldn’t be facing them at a better time and look a decent bet.
Finally Birmingham who only a few weeks ago were parading the Carling Cup to adoring fans find themselves desperate for three points at Tottenham where the home side need to win to secure a Europa Cup place for next season. The Blues form has deteriorated so much recently that it is very difficult to imagine them getting a result in London which will mean that unless both Blackpool and Wigan lose, we're betting that a trophy winning season will end with relegation.
Further up the table Arsenal so long in the running for title glory could be pushed out of the top three and needing to qualify for the Champions League if Man City win at Bolton. The Gunners must ensure they pick up all three points from their game with Fulham at Craven Cottage and hope that the Citizens fail to do the same at the Reebok. A tough ask and a situation that Arsenal only have themselves to blame and one in which Wenger will be rightfully pilloried by fans and media alike.
Liverpool could secure the Europa Cup spot should Tottenham fail to beat Birmingham and they return victorious from Villa Park. This game though appears good for a draw and that has to be the betting recommendation.