• Premier League preview

The party at the Park: United set to clinch title No. 19

ESPN staff
May 13, 2011
Sir Alex Ferguson has promised to play his best side at Blackburn © PA Photos
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It's a rare occasion when Sir Alex Ferguson declares the season over before it is actually over, but the Manchester United boss has already confidently declared his team "will get the point" needed to win a 19th league crown. Blackburn are the first of two sides who can heap embarrassment on United at Ewood Park, and if they achieve the unthinkable, Chelsea will need to be in position to capitalise by beating Newcastle.

The real drama is saved for the bottom of the table, where West Ham can be relegated if they lose at Wigan, who also know their Premier League future is on the line. Blackpool and Wolves have huge fixtures in the fight to beat the drop, while at Anfield, the final home game of the season for Liverpool will see Kenny Dalglish welcomed as permanent manager for the second time of his career.

Saturday

Blackburn v Manchester United
Form: It seems quite unthinkable that a team that has won just five away league games all season can be on the cusp of Premier League glory, but that is the situation United find themselves in this weekend. Blackburn, still only three points from safety, are in desperate need of points and have taken four from their last two games.
Key battle: Chris Samba delivered a quite monumental performance as Rovers drew at West Ham, but it is goals Blackburn will need to deny United the title. Jason Roberts can be a bully when he puts his mind to it, and Nemanja Vidic has been found wanting against such a player at times - one casts the mind back to Carlton Cole at Upton Park.
Player to watch: Antonio Valencia. Perhaps lost in the celebrations at Old Trafford last week was the fact Valencia completely destroyed arguably the best left-back in England: Ashley Cole. His return from serious injury has been remarkable.
Talking point: What will Ferguson's team be for the Champions League final? Does he employ three centre midfielders to negate the Xavi-Iniesta-Messi axis? If so, does that mean dropping Javier Hernandez?
Bet of the day: Blackburn were dire for large parts of their draw at West Ham. United to win 4-0: 28/1 with bet365
Prediction: 0-4

Blackpool v Bolton
Form: Unlike Hot Chocolate, Ian Holloway insists he does not believe in miracles, but he is attempting to make dreams come true (his lyrics, not ours). Certainly the Tangerines almost produced the dream result before Jermain Defoe restricted them to a 1-1 draw at Tottenham, but the confidence from that display should be crucial. Bolton failed even to beat a Sunderland team that did not boast a single striker. The season ended not long after their FA Cup humiliation, and Owen Coyle is desperate for fixtures to dry up.
Key battle: Charlie Adam's corners have been one of the sensations of the season. Whoever lines up on Bolton's near post might want to wear a hard hat.
Player to watch: DJ Campbell has 12 goals to his name this season, but he missed a hatful of chances at White Hart Lane. Blackpool need him firing this weekend.
Talking point: If Blackpool go down, should ESPN move heaven and earth to enlist Ian Holloway as a studio guest?
Bet of the day: Blackpool to score in both halves: 6/4 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

Sunderland v Wolves
Form: Wolves can smell survival. One win takes them to 40 points, and surely that will be enough. Four points from their last two games have got Wanderers' necks above water, and they will be boosted by the return of Kevin Doyle. Sunderland have staggered over the line this season in the bid to beat the drop, and they even convinced Bolo Zenden to roll back the years with a barnstorming 40-yard run in their 2-1 win at Bolton.
Key battle: Steve Bruce is believed to be hopeful of securing John Mensah on a permanent deal at Sunderland, and he will trust the defender to shackle in-form striker Steven Fletcher.
Player to watch: Adlene Guedioura. This preview has been championing the cause of Wolves' central midfielder for a while. He has an instinct for being in the right place at the right time, and his goal against West Brom came as no surprise.
Talking point: Sunderland will not be hanging on to Sulley Muntari when his loan expires in the summer, despite his goal at Bolton. The right call from Bruce?
Bet of the day: Wolves have lost 13 of 17 away games this season. Sunderland to win 2-0: 10/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-0

Everton produced a Jekyll and Hyde performance against Manchester City © PA Photos
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West Brom v Everton
Form: Roy Hodgson's Baggies already appeared to have got the sun loungers out in their 3-1 defeat at Molineux, but Hodgson might secretly want a performance of note on the weekend that Kenny Dalglish is once again crowned King of the Kop at the former manager's expense. Everton still have a sniff of catching Spurs, and they have only lost one of their last 10 league matches.
Key battle: Leon Osman is the man in form for Everton with four in his last nine, so Youssuf Mulumbu will want to keep an eye on the midfield schemer.
Talking point: Unless a treasure chest is thrown Everton's way, has David Moyes taken the club as far as he can?
Bet of the day: With the shackles off, expect at least four goals in the match: 9/4 with bet365
Prediction: 2-2

Sunday

Chelsea v Newcastle
Form: Chelsea's form had improved before their dire trip to Old Trafford, but they are still far from the slick outfit that smashed in goals for fun at the start of the season. Newcastle are coming off a win over Birmingham, but they have not won in four away league games and there will be no chicken-wing celebrations from Kevin Nolan, out with an ankle injury.
Key battle: Big Shola Ameobi has provided an attacking platform for Newcastle in recent weeks, even chipping in with a couple of goals. David Luiz, if played, will continue his English footballing education.
Player to watch: John Obi Mikel. Take notes on what he brings to the Chelsea outfit, and then inform us please.
Talking point: Why all the sudden good feeling towards Carlo Ancelotti? The Italian spent £75 million in January, and none of it was on the pitch when Chelsea emerged at half-time chasing a 2-0 deficit against Manchester United.
Bet of the day: Didier Drogba to score first: 10/3 with bet365
Prediction: 2-0

Arsenal v Aston Villa
Form: The pressure is off for Arsenal, trophies are no longer in danger of sneaking into the Emirates cabinet. Therefore, expect Arsene Wenger's men to turn on the class against an Aston Villa side that has failed to beat Stoke, West Brom and Wigan in recent weeks.
Key battle: Bacary Sagna is the outlet ball for Arsenal. When going through the middle doesn't work, they toss it to the Frenchman to send an aimless cross into the area. Ashley Young will patrol Villa's left flank, but will he opt to track Sagna or capatilise on the break?
Player to watch: Robin van Persie. One of the few who can hold his head high after Arsenal's disastrous end to the season.
Talking point: Is it time for Arsenal to bring in a chief defensive purchaser? Allow Wenger to control midfield and attack, but bring in a Sam Allardyce figure to sort out the defence. Revolutionary.
Bet of the day: Arsenal have had a plethora of penalties this season, back them to score another: 4/1 with bet365
Prediction: 4-1

Birmingham v Fulham
Form: Birmingham continue to make life difficult for themselves, taking one point from the last four games to hover three above the relegation zone. However, they face a Fulham side who were in generous mood in their last game - a 5-2 loss to Liverpool.
Key battle: Bobby Zamora changed Fulham's entire complexion when brought on at half-time against Liverpool. Roger Johnson will need to stop the England man bringing others into play.
Player to watch: Moussa Dembele. Could he be better than what he is showing? Clearly a talented player, but he has only scored five all season.
Talking point: At the start of the season, if Blues fans had been offered the Carling Cup and European football at the expense of their Premier League status, would they have taken it?
Bet of the day: Sebastian Larsson to score first: 10/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

Luis Suarez starred against Fulham © Getty Images
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Liverpool v Tottenham
Form: Liverpool are guaranteed a hot reception as Kenny Dalglish is presented as the Reds' permanent manager on Sunday. Only Chelsea have amassed more points since Dalglish took over, and Liverpool have won four of their last five. By contrast, Spurs have not won in six matches and have several injury problems.
Key battle: Liverpool will either have Glen Johnson or John Flanagan at left-back, neither of whom has great experience at Premier League level in that position. Aaron Lennon is Spurs' pace merchant, and a lot of their attack is channelled towards the speedster with Gareth Bale injured.
Player to watch: Maxi Rodriguez has smashed two hat-tricks in three matches, but it is Luis Suarez who has stolen the show. Hailed the new hero of the Kop, it would be fitting for the Liverpool No. 7 to score on the day King Kenny officially returned.
Talking point: What could Dalglish do with a good team?! Flanagan, Skrtel, Lucas, Spearing, Rodriguez, Kuyt and Meireles were hardly considered world beaters before the Scot took over from Roy Hodgson.
Bet of the day: Both teams can concede goals, but both love to score them, so back the 2-2 draw: 14/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-2

Wigan v West Ham
Form: Is this the day no West Ham fan wanted to arrive? Defeat would be the final nail for Avram Grant's men, but victory could lift them within a point of safety. Wigan can also go down on Sunday, so six-pointers rarely come much bigger.
Key battle: If ever Carlton Cole had to prove he is worth the money that filters into his bank balance every week, he surely needs to give Gary Caldwell an afternoon to forget.
Player to watch: If he plays, superman Scott Parker. If not, Charles N'Zogbia could see a lot of ball.
Talking point: According to reports, Rob Green is quitting international football. How do you think Fabio Capello celebrated?
Bet of the day: Newcastle were relegated two seasons ago after what was, more or less, an own goal from Damien Duff at Aston Villa. Back an own goal in this one: 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

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