Fixtures April 5, 6, 8

[Gribz 745]

Arsenal v Liverpool:

Arsenal were robbed of a clear cut penalty in the same fixture in the CL during the week. The dominated most of the match but its seems its advantage Liverpool with the away goal for the 2nd leg. So with that game in the balance it may have a baring on this league match would could see Arsenal close the gap to 3 points on Man Utd albeit until Sunday.

Home Win.

 

Aston Villa v Bolton:

2 teams on a bad run of form recently. Villa were pressing to 4th place not long ago but havent won for 4 weeks and Bolton have barely scored in that period. If Bolton lose this it could put the final nail on their coffin. Villa wont want to lose to a relegation threatend team for the 2nd time in a row at home which was sandwiching a hammering at Old Trafford. Home win.

 

Blackburn v Tottenham:

Spurs are really up and down. They can play super football and win games then lose at home the following. Nobody expecting them to be thumped by Newcastle. Blackburn are still pushing for europe but have had a blip of late. Should be a close game. Draw.

 

Fulham v Sunderland:

Make or break for Fulham. A win almost secures Sunderland' premier league status. They have had 2 terrific wins in a row at Villa and at home to West Ham despite a 96th minute winner. Fulham have it all to do and must surely be down if they dont win this. The momentum is with the away side - Away win.

 

Man City v Chelsea:

Good game on paper but Man City are just not the same team as they were Pre Christmas. You would have faniced themselves against any team at home then. Chelsea just keep dragging wins out to stay in the title hunt and will see this as a great chance to put pressure on Man Utd with there rivals having to go to Boro, then play Arsenal at home before they meet them at Stamford Bridge. They lost out in midweek in the CL but i dont think it will have a baring here. Away win.

 

Newcastle v Reading:

All of a sudden the Keegan Honeymoon period comes back with back to back wins and 6 goals in 2 games. They will avoid relegation now due to those 2 wins and Bolton not picking up points but they are still a team in a mess. Reading are still punching abover there weight in the league but should also survive. They are capable of getting a point on there day but it wont be this weekend. Home Win.

 

Wigan v Birmingham:

Huge match which sees Steve Bruce play his old side. The Wigan putch is still a mess. Wigan were ok a few weeks ago but now they are with Birmingham and looking over there shoulder at Bolton. Brum got a vital win last week against Man City to give them a bit of breathing space. Cant see anything other than a draw here.

 

Everton v Derby:

Everton have almost lost out on the battle for 5th place after a no wins in there last 3. However they may see this weekend as a great chance to get back in the hunt. They will think Arsenal can win at the Emirates and they should easily overcome Derby. Derby are officially relegated despite being unofficially down since October. Paul Jewell has claimed his side are an embarrassment but for me he has been the only embarressment stating this so much in public. Its an insult to the great work done by Billy Davis, who took a struggling Championship side to the Premier League in no time. Davies was a victim of his own success and he joined in the EPL with much the same team he had in the Championship. All the Derby fans wanted and expected was a season in there to get the cash. Sometime when teams are down they play a bit better but not here - Home win and I hope Jewell gets stuffed.

 

Middlesboro v Man Utd:

Middlesboro did well at Chelsea last week and were very unlucky not to get a draw. Southgate has impressed me this season after I expected him to struggle. He conducts himself very well. He is up against here though. Man Utd are on fire and Ronaldo just doesnt stop scoring. Arsenal and Chelsea will be hoping for a potential slip up here by Man Utd but Sir Awex wont let it happen. Away Win.

 

West Ham v Portsmouth:

This game is moved to Tuesday due to Pompey playing in the FA cup semi final. West Ham's season is over as european places are almost beyond them unless they get a few back to back wins. Curbishley has struggled with injuries in his first full season but he really should have got some better results at Upton Pk. Drawing with the likes of Reading, Birmingham and Bolton isnt good enough for where West Ham expect to be. Pompey are still going for 6th place. Their form in this game may depend on the FA cup game. Home Win.