The Final Showdown
As an avid barclays premier league fan, I so have to blog about the final round of fixtures next weekend. Having followed the EPL (or some of you call it BPL) for so many seasons already, this one has proven to be the most exciting one, simply because everything is to be decided on the final day itself. For quite a few seasons already, the final day of matches would be just a formality for most teams, with nothing to really play for, but this season its all different. There is just so much to play for in all divisions of the table itself.
At the top, Man Utd and Chelsea will be gunning for the title. Ok let me attempt to do some predictions here. I say Chelsea will succumb to at least one draw in their last 2 matches. I see the possibility of Chelsea slipping up either tomorrow at Newcastle, or against a Bolton side who are still fighting for relegation. I personally believe that when it comes down to the last matches of the season, and knowing that there is either a threat of relegation or chance for a title, it becomes like a cup final. It sometimes doesn't really matter if one team is better, or more on form, but it's just what the players can do in that very 90 minutes. Wigan shouldn't be a problem for Man Utd, and if Chelsea really slip up and draw in one of those matches I mentioned, then all Man Utd need is a draw, and they will still win the title on goal difference. So we'll see how Chelsea fare against a much improved and in-form Newcastle tomorrow. Man Utd should eventually still clinch it. Hmm title clincher on last day, the all so familiar scenes of Blackburn's 94/95 win, right Man Utd fans? :)
Just below the top, and the fight for Intertoto Cup, and thats where my beloved Blackburn comes into the picture. Miraculously after last night's result, we really do have a chance at 6th place, and the Intertoto spot. Blackburn has a good run of form recently, and they are now 1 points behind Villa. Pompey and City are close by, but I'm saying it's a fight between Rovers and Villa. I am crossing my fingers here though, as I don't see Villa losing in their last match, so that would mean that Blackburn must win at a relegation-threatened Birmingham, and hope for Villa to secure only a draw or less. If Blackburn draws, the will fall victim to the 'goal difference' devil too. Oh well, just praying that Blackburn makes the last minute cut. Quite disappointing though, as due to the unpredictability of the League and FA Cup this season, it meant lesser spots for Uefa Cup, and Blackburn is the cruel victim of that. Oh well.
And as excitingly, the bottom. Only Derby are relegated, and its a 3-way dog fight between Birmingham, Fulham and Reading. I am impressed at how Bolton got themselves out of it from almost nothing, and how Fulham are almost doing that too. Few weeks back it looked kinda confirmed that Fulham and Bolton would go down with Derby, but kudos to them for doing a 'West Ham' this season. Looking at things now, I predict that Birmingham will go down, and based on form alone, Reading to go with them. Eventhough Reading should win against Derby, I see Fulham winning against a FA-Cup bothered Pompey. So guess what it's down to again, goal difference! It's kinda sad for Reading, who did so well not too long ago.
So yup, so lets see how true my predictions will be. I will be in Bangkok hoping to watch the matches. To wrap up, as can be seen goal difference turns out to be really important this season, but well, every goal matters huh. Prediction at a glance:
Champions - Man Utd
Intertoto Spot - Aston Villa (as much I'm praying for Blackburn)
Relegated - Derby, Birmingham, Reading
To a great weekend of EPL matches next week! Oh I was amazed to know yesterday that Starhub are actually showing all 8 matches at one time! Feast on that soccer fans!
At the top, Man Utd and Chelsea will be gunning for the title. Ok let me attempt to do some predictions here. I say Chelsea will succumb to at least one draw in their last 2 matches. I see the possibility of Chelsea slipping up either tomorrow at Newcastle, or against a Bolton side who are still fighting for relegation. I personally believe that when it comes down to the last matches of the season, and knowing that there is either a threat of relegation or chance for a title, it becomes like a cup final. It sometimes doesn't really matter if one team is better, or more on form, but it's just what the players can do in that very 90 minutes. Wigan shouldn't be a problem for Man Utd, and if Chelsea really slip up and draw in one of those matches I mentioned, then all Man Utd need is a draw, and they will still win the title on goal difference. So we'll see how Chelsea fare against a much improved and in-form Newcastle tomorrow. Man Utd should eventually still clinch it. Hmm title clincher on last day, the all so familiar scenes of Blackburn's 94/95 win, right Man Utd fans? :)
Just below the top, and the fight for Intertoto Cup, and thats where my beloved Blackburn comes into the picture. Miraculously after last night's result, we really do have a chance at 6th place, and the Intertoto spot. Blackburn has a good run of form recently, and they are now 1 points behind Villa. Pompey and City are close by, but I'm saying it's a fight between Rovers and Villa. I am crossing my fingers here though, as I don't see Villa losing in their last match, so that would mean that Blackburn must win at a relegation-threatened Birmingham, and hope for Villa to secure only a draw or less. If Blackburn draws, the will fall victim to the 'goal difference' devil too. Oh well, just praying that Blackburn makes the last minute cut. Quite disappointing though, as due to the unpredictability of the League and FA Cup this season, it meant lesser spots for Uefa Cup, and Blackburn is the cruel victim of that. Oh well.
And as excitingly, the bottom. Only Derby are relegated, and its a 3-way dog fight between Birmingham, Fulham and Reading. I am impressed at how Bolton got themselves out of it from almost nothing, and how Fulham are almost doing that too. Few weeks back it looked kinda confirmed that Fulham and Bolton would go down with Derby, but kudos to them for doing a 'West Ham' this season. Looking at things now, I predict that Birmingham will go down, and based on form alone, Reading to go with them. Eventhough Reading should win against Derby, I see Fulham winning against a FA-Cup bothered Pompey. So guess what it's down to again, goal difference! It's kinda sad for Reading, who did so well not too long ago.
So yup, so lets see how true my predictions will be. I will be in Bangkok hoping to watch the matches. To wrap up, as can be seen goal difference turns out to be really important this season, but well, every goal matters huh. Prediction at a glance:
Champions - Man Utd
Intertoto Spot - Aston Villa (as much I'm praying for Blackburn)
Relegated - Derby, Birmingham, Reading
To a great weekend of EPL matches next week! Oh I was amazed to know yesterday that Starhub are actually showing all 8 matches at one time! Feast on that soccer fans!
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