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Time for Fergie to be knocked off his perch?

May 11, 2012

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Manchester City have waited 44 long years for Sunday to arrive, with almost every one of them spent in the shadow of their local rivals. This weekend they can finally claim to be the best side in Manchester if they secure the three points needed to pip United to the title, although any slip-up would represent arguably the biggest choke of the Premier League era.

The title battle is one of only three major issues, though, on a phenomenal final day of football. Will Arsenal, Tottenham or Newcastle book guaranteed Champions League football by finishing third? And which of that trio will have to nervously wait on the outcome of Chelsea's European Cup final with Bayern Munich by finishing fourth?

At the bottom, Bolton are down if they fail to beat Stoke, but victory would leave QPR needing something at - you've guessed it - Manchester City. So many sub-plots to the final day, read on as ESPN previews the crescendo to the Premier League season...

Sunday

Manchester City v QPR

Form: Following the blip that almost wrecked City's season, they have been close to flawless in their recent five games, taking a maximum 15 points and conceding one goal. Crucial wins over Manchester United and Newcastle have shown Roberto Mancini's men have the stomach for the fight, and they face a QPR side who have lost 13 of 18 away league trips this season, including their last six.
Key battle: Sergio Aguero's touch and composure has escaped him somewhat in recent games, but his movement and willingness to lead the City attack remains exceptional. Clint Hill's style of defending is to 'let them know you're there', but he may not be 'there' very often as he attempts to keep tight to Aguero.
Player to watch: Yaya Toure would be the obvious choice - the Ivorian has been immense in City's title run-in. But this season has been scripted for Carlos Tevez, he picks up dangerous positions around the edge of the area and will be heavily involved at the Etihad this weekend.
Talking point: If City win the title, will it beckon in a new era of dominance? Or will United simply respond as they usually do? With money allied to guaranteed success, could City begin to lure the likes of Lionel Messi to the Etihad?
Bet of the day: City to lead inside 10 minutes: 5/2 with bet365
Prediction: 2-0

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Sunderland v Manchester United

Form: In contrast to City, Manchester United have won only two of their recent five league games, losing their last two on the road. Big games have seen United struggle this year, failing to win at City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle - coupled with European failures at places like Basle. This fixture has to be billed as a big game, given the context, and Sunderland have lost only four of 18 home fixtures all season.
Key battle: Not so much of a battle as an 'occupancy of space'. Michael Carrick likes to sit deep and get on the ball often, Stephane Sessegnon attempts to buzz around such areas and bring class to the Sunderland attack. Will it be Carrick's game management or Sessegnon's ability to bypass defenders that has the telling say?
Player to watch: Rio Ferdinand. With John Terry horribly out of sorts at Liverpool, another of England's stalwart defenders comes under the spotlight. Should Ferdinand be considered a rock on which Roy Hodgson builds his Euro 2012 campaign?
Talking point: Sir Alex Ferguson has £15-£30m players throughout his United squad, with De Gea, Ferdinand, Jones, Carrick, Young, Valencia, Rooney, Berbatov and Nani all arriving at Old Trafford for around that price bracket. Can he really moan about City's money?
Bet of the day: Sunderland to render City's result irrelevant with victory: 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-0

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West Brom v Arsenal

Form: It seems a long time ago that Arsenal were beaten 8-2 by United at Old Trafford, but a run of three points from four games means the Gunners are once again facing something of a crisis - with next year's Champions League campaign in real jeopardy. A draw guarantees them a top-four finish, but a top-four finish doesn't guarantee them Champions League. Victory is the order of the day at West Brom, who are undefeated in four games and hoping to give Hodgson a winning send-off as he heads for England duty.
Key battle: Stop Robin van Persie and you've got a fine chance of stopping Arsenal. Somewhat in the Clint Hill mould, Jonas Olsson will hope to give the Dutchman a rough afternoon - as he recently succeeded in doing against Luis Suarez at Anfield.
Player to watch: Yossi Benayoun. The Israeli is in a very strange position. He plays for Arsenal, but is loaned by London rivals Chelsea. Therefore he would return to Stamford Bridge as something of a cult hero if he misses the chance that prevents Arsenal getting Champions League football next season. Couldn't happen, could it?
Talking point: Arsene Wenger continues to bemoan 'poor errors' whenever his defence turns in a shaky performance like the one produced in the 3-3 draw with Norwich. Yet he rarely raids the transfer market for a £20-25 million established rock that could make the difference. Stubbornness or a blind spot?
Bet of the day: Arsenal have lost seven times on the road this season; West Brom to win: 4/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

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Tottenham v Fulham

Form: Of the three sides aiming for Champions League football, Tottenham have the easiest fixture on paper - not least because they are at home. Spurs have won 12, drawn three and lost three at White Hart Lane this season, while Fulham have been beaten nine times on the road. The pace and swagger is beginning to return to Harry Redknapp's side and they will kick themselves if they mess up at the final hurdle.
Key battle: Aaron Lennon's absence was a highly overlooked factor in Spurs' dip in form earlier in the campaign, the England speedster brings balance and width from the right flank, where Redknapp boasts little cover. John Arne Riise isn't the force he once was at Liverpool, and can expect to spend more time going backwards than forwards.
Player to watch: Williams Gallas. With Benoit Assou-Ekotto injured and Danny Rose suspended, Gallas will start at left-back against Fulham. His job will be to ensure he provides no hindrance to the electric game of Gareth Bale. Basically, if Gallas goes unnoticed for 90 minutes, he'll have completed his mission.
Talking point: If Spurs fail to secure Champions League football, Luka Modric and Bale will be huge targets for Europe's giants. Which player would Tottenham miss more?
Bet of the day: Tottenham to score four or more: 16/1 with bet365
Prediction: 4-2

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Everton v Newcastle

Form: Newcastle's fate is out of their hands... if Arsenal and Tottenham both win, the dream of Champions League football finally dies out. But the Magpies have been surprising people all season and they have won eight times on the road. Their big problem is they have to beat an Everton side undefeated in eight games. The Toffees also know victory means they finish the campaign above Liverpool.
Key battle: Hatem Ben Arfa once scored a beauty at Goodison Park and he represents an important link between Newcastle's sturdy defence and their prolific strikers. Papiss Cisse does not contribute an awful lot outside the area, but with the right supply from Ben Arfa he could yet fire Newcastle into the top four. Everton's left-back has been warned.
Player to watch: Demba Ba. Newcastle's top scorer has had to change his role - for the worse - since the arrival of Cisse, and the goals have dried up. This weekend would be a good time to correct that problem.
Talking point: What should Newcastle fans expect from their club next year? It is widely accepted that they have over-achieved, but if they fail to challenge the top four next season will Alan Pardew have failed?
Bet of the day: Keep the game interesting for 90 minutes by betting on the match to produce exactly 10 corners: 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-0

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Swansea v Liverpool

Form: If Everton fail to pick up three points Liverpool can still keep their neighbours in their shadow by leapfrogging them on the final day. As a frustrating campaign reaches its climax the Reds have actually won three of their last four league games, scoring 10 goals. Swansea have headed for their summer holidays early with one win in eight, but they will want to seal a fine season with victory at The Liberty Stadium.
Key battle: All the talk has been about Andy Carroll but Luis Suarez remains Liverpool's only genuine world class outfield talent when Steven Gerrard doesn't feature. He arguably performed better than Carroll in the 4-1 win over Chelsea, so Ashley Williams can expect the odd ball to pass through his legs this weekend.
Player to watch: It has to be Carroll. A half-hour cameo at Wembley followed by a bludgeoning display against John Terry has suddenly masked an underwhelming season by the £35 million man. He wants to go to the Euros, and this is his final chance to prove he deserves a place in Hodgson's squad.
Talking point: How to judge Liverpool's campaign? A trophy won, an FA Cup final reached, and style of football improved, all in Kenny Dalglish's first full season. Or a wretched campaign at Anfield, largely devoid of goals, with most of the big-money buys flopping as the club falls behind Everton? Both hold plenty of truth.
Bet of the day: Liverpool simply don't score penalties anymore, so take them to miss another: 18/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-2

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Stoke v Bolton

Form: Bolton simply have to win at the Britannia Stadium, but they have only triumphed six times away from home all season. If there is comfort in that statistic, it is that their home form is even worse. Wanderers haven't won any of their last three fixtures, but neither have Stoke.
Key battle: Bolton need to score and they need individuals to stand up and be counted. Kevin Davies has done that on multiple occasions throughout his career, his battle with Ryan Shawcross could dictate what type of territory Bolton can gain in the contest.
Player to watch: Peter Crouch's goal record for England is superb. His reputation, however, is rather less impressive. For a man who has scored 22 England goals in 42 appearances, he should be a certainty for a squad lacking firepower. The fact that he isn't means he must produce an eye-catching performance this weekend to turn Hodgson's head.
Talking point: How difficult might Owen Coyle find it to adjust from saying the 'Barclays Premier League' to the 'npower Championship' next season? No manager tows the party line quite like Coyle...
Bet of the day: Bolton to score first to set the proverbial cat among the pidgeons: 6/5 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

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Norwich v Aston Villa

Form: It should be noted that Aston Villa are not yet officially safe. Granted it would take a 17-goal swing for them to go down, but the well-used cliche of the fat lady cannot boom into song just yet. The Villans have drawn 10 times on the road this season, more than any other side. Norwich have won six, drawn six and lost six at home. Make of those statistics what you will...
Key battle: The game does not have enough meaning to justify a 'key battle' on the field, but Villa's fans will want to show the club's owners exactly how unhappy they are with the continued presence of Alex McLeish. Will they get their wish over the summer? It's unlikely.
Player to watch: There's a lot of strikers with an eye on England duty this summer. Grant Holt's goal record has given him a more persuasive argument than most. He's not really built in the mould of a Roy Hodgson-type striker though.
Talking point: Given the relatively horrendous season Villa have had, plus the sheer displeasure of the fans, do we have proof that employing a manager who had just got the club's local rivals relegated was perhaps a poor decision by the board?
Bet of the day: Norwich to win both halves: 11/2 with bet365
Prediction: 3-1

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Chelsea v Blackburn

Form: Don't expect Chelsea to field a full-strength XI at Stamford Bridge. Raul Meireles and Ramires are suspended for the Champions League final so have no real business this weekend. Roberto Di Matteo, instead, might choose to field the midfield and forwards who will start in a week's time - to keep them bubbling. The likes of John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic will be needed though, with David Luiz and Gary Cahill still requiring more time to recover from injury.
Key battle: Once again, there is little riding on the game, so the key battle is against the clock for Luiz and Cahill. Does Di Matteo give them 20 minutes at Stamford Bridge? Would it be a risk for them to be thrown into the Euro final with no playing time whatsoever?
Player to watch: Terry turned in arguably the worst performance of his career on Tuesday against Liverpool. Yet that came on the back of a solid display in the FA Cup final. Which Terry would England get if he does go to the Euros?
Talking point: Does Di Matteo secretly know he will not get the Chelsea job - as reported in the papers? One can only imagine the backlash if he isn't appointed after winning the Champions League.
Bet of the day: Three or more goals in the first half: 10/3 with bet365
Prediction: 4-0

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Wigan v Wolves

Form: Wigan have every right to be considered the main challengers to Manchester City's [expected] Premier League crown next season - given their outstanding form. Six wins in eight games mean the Latics are safe, but if they could produce such form all season they'll soon have Ferguson accusing them of buying their way up the league.
Key battle: Wigan face a battle on two fronts this summer, to keep their manager and - arguably - their best player Victor Moses. Martinez is vastly more important, but the potential loss of both would once again leave them facing relegation expectations next season.
Player to watch: The man Moses. How good is he? Is he on a par or better than Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain? Or is he more Matt Jarvis: Eye-catching in places but prematurely linked to England?
Talking point: If Martinez secured a summer to a club such as, let's say, Liverpool, would he really begin to shine? A magnificent manager, surely access to better players would only enhance his influence over a club.
Bet of the day: Moses to score first: 11/2 with bet365
Prediction: 3-2

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