Manchester United v Aston Villa Preview
Posted on | April 15, 2012 | No Comments
Despite many suggesting that the title race was over last week, it now appears as though Manchester United desperately need to pick up some more points to guarantee their triumph. That means that they should be going all out against an Aston Villa side who also need points, with Villa’s relegation woes certainly not over as they sit just six points above the bottom three.
Manchester United’s defeat to Wigan during the week turned the title race on its head once again, with that cutting United’s lead at the top to five points. With Manchester City winning their clash yesterday, it now means that United’s margin is just two points meaning that they are now the ones with the pressure on their shoulders. To say their loss to Wigan on Wednesday was unexpected is something of an understatement, as before that that Sir Alex Ferguson’s men had won eight consecutive league games, with their last Premiership defeat coming all the way back at the start of January. This probably means that their supporters are still confident ahead of this encounter, while the fact United have won their last six in the league at Old Trafford should keep confidence levels high as well.
Aston Villa meanwhile know they need at least a few more points to guarantee their survival. With six games remaining, you would have to assume that Villa are almost there, but Alex McLeish will want to make sure of that sooner rather than later just to gain some more belief from his own supporters. It would be fair to describe Villa’s recent form as torrid, with the club managing to win just one game out of their last eleven. They have managed to show signs of improvement following back-to-back draws ahead of this game, yet that is probably not sufficient enough for any confidence to be discovered ahead of a trip to Old Trafford.
Manchester United are almost certain to make changes following their defeat during the week, with Paul Scholes the most likely candidate to step in. Scholes was rested for the trip to the DW Stadium yet his presence was sorely missed and Sir Alex Ferguson is unlikely to leave him out again. There is plenty to report for Villa on the other hand, with the visitors firstly set to be without Fabian Delph, Chris Herd, Marc Albrighton and Stephen Warnock as the quartet sit on the treatment table. However, Alex McLeish has plenty of players returning, with Carlos Cuellar, Charles N’Zogbia, Ciaran Clark and forward Nathan Delfouneso back in the reckoning following recent problems.
Even though Manchester United lost their last game, we still cannot see anything but a United victory in this clash. They have excellent form at Old Trafford and with their opponents enduring such a poor campaign, our prediction is going to be a 3-1 win for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.
Sunderland v Wolves Preview
Posted on | April 14, 2012 | No Comments
Some would suggest that both of these teams approach this game with nothing to play for, with Sunderland sat in a comfortable mid-table position while Wolves appear all but relegated. Still, Wolves manager Terry Connor is likely to disagree, as he continues to hunt for his first victory in charge of the Molineux outfit.
When Martin O’Neill first took over at Sunderland the former Aston Villa manager could not do a thing wrong, with the Black Cats making a charge up the league that saw them come within touching distance of the European places at one point. Since then, their form has dried up somewhat although the Stadium of Light outfit can still be exceptionally pleased with their current position as they approach this clash sat in 11th. Moreover, that position can easily be improved, with just three points separating them from 9th spot. It has to be said that their form has to turn around if they are to achieve a higher placing though, with O’Neill’s side currently without a win in their last four games. Having also been thrashed 4-0 against Everton in their last clash, it remains to be seen how the Black Cats will respond against the division’s bottom side.
The end appears near for Wolves on the other hand, with Terry Connor’s men sat nine points adrift of safety with just five games remaining. Such a position means that Wanderers are surely preparing for next season in the Championship, and probably putting together a shortlist for their next manager. It would be fair to say that the appointment of Connor has backfired spectacularly with Wolves now without a win in their last nine. With the club also losing their last seven games, it’s no surprise to see that most associated with the club have already given up.
As for team news, Sunderland are hopeful of three players returning who missed the Black Cats’ last game. John O’Shea, Fraizer Campbell and Nicklas Bendtner have all been missing through recent weeks, yet all three should have a part to play this weekend. Wolves on the other hand could have two absentees, with Terry Connor firstly sweating on the fitness of Dave Edwards as he struggles with a hamstring problem. Sebastien Bassong will definitely be missing, with his recent red card meaning that he sits this one out through suspension.
It would be fair to say that both of these sides are in dismal form at the moment, although Sunderland’s recent results are nothing like those of Wolves. The visitors simply do not know where their next point is going to come from and with Sunderland also possessing the home advantage, our prediction is going to be a comfortable 2-0 win for Martin O’Neill’s side.
Swansea v Blackburn Preview
Posted on | April 14, 2012 | No Comments
Out of both of these sides, there’s no doubt that most people thought that Swansea would be the big strugglers. However, as it turns out the Swans have fared just fine, with Brendan Rodgers’ men sat a comfortable ten points above the drop zone. Opponents Blackburn are in real trouble though, with Rovers in grave danger of slipping into the Championship as they sit in 19th position.
Even though it is still mathematically possible for Swansea to suffer relegation this term, with five games left it looks as though the Liberty Stadium outfit are all but safe. The club have enjoyed a fantastic opening year in the Premiership, although Brendan Rodgers may approach this clash with some concerns following recent form. Despite being relatively consistent throughout the year, Swansea have now put together a four game losing run. It is also worth mentioning that they have not enjoyed much success at the Liberty Stadium through recent weeks either, with the Swans winning just one of their last five home games. With three of those matches ending in defeat, it’s no surprise to see their supporters slightly concerned ahead of this fixture.
It was only a couple of weeks ago that many people thought Blackburn were safe from the drop. Steve Kean’s side had put together some good form which had seen them pull clear of the bottom three, only for all that hard work to be ruined following a narrow loss at fellow-strugglers Bolton. They now approach this clash having lost their last four games and while a lot of people will bemoan how unlucky they were against Liverpool last week, that defeat will still not be good for confidence. However, it’s not all over for Rovers and Kean knows that his side could exit the bottom three should they manage to get all three points this weekend.
As for team news, Swansea approach this game with nothing to report, with Kemy Agustien the only player to miss out as he continues with his long-term problem. Brendan Rodgers is expected to make several changes though, following his side’s recent poor form. It’s also looking good for the visitors, with Steve Kean set to have Bradley Orr and Martin Olsson back in contention following recent injuries. Rovers also received good news in relation to Anthony Modeste, with the defender available for selection again after the authorities reduced his suspension to just one game.
This game is certainly difficult to predict, with both of these sides struggling in recent weeks. However, Swansea have not made a habit of going on long losing streaks this term and bearing this in mind, we think Brendan Rodgers’ side could prosper with a narrow 2-1 win in this encounter.
Birmingham v Bristol City Preview
Posted on | April 14, 2012 | No Comments
This is one game in the Championship that involves two sides with everything to play for. In Birmingham’s case, the Blues need to continue to pick up points to strengthen their grip on the playoff places, with Chris Hughton’s side currently sat in 4th place. Bristol City in contrast need points for different reason with the Robins lingering precariously close to the bottom three in 21st spot.
With twelve points separating Birmingham from 2nd place, it would take an extremely unlikely turn of events for the Blues to gain automatic promotion this term. However, Chris Hughton’s side have positioned themselves fantastically well for the playoffs, with the Blues sitting a comfortable seven points away from 7th spot. To make matters even more promising for the Blues faithful, the club look set to take some fantastic form into the playoff stages of the campaign. The St Andrews outfit have lost just one of their last seven games and having collected ten points from their last four games, confidence is sure to be high. Moreover, the fact they have lost just one home game all season bodes well ahead of this clash.
Bristol City on the other hand find themselves in some severe relegation difficulties, although the Robins’ future is at least in their own hands. With four points separating the Ashton Gate outfit from the drop zone, they can’t slip into the bottom three this weekend although Derek McInnes knows how severe their situation is considering their goal difference which reads as the second worst in the division. Despite all this negativity, City do approach this clash on the back of two fantastic results, following victories over fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest and Coventry over the last couple of weeks. Such wins have helped create a four game unbeaten run, which at least gives the Robins something to build from ahead of this tricky trip.
In terms of team news, Birmingham have been handed a boost in relation to Pablo Ibanez after he recovered from his injury issue. However, it’s not all positive for Chris Hughton’s side, with Guirane N’Daw and Jonathan Spector both regarded as doubtful for the clash as they struggle on the treatment table. Bristol City have nothing but negative news to report, with the Robins firstly set to be without Brett Pitman as he serves a suspension following his recent red card. Elsewhere, Lewin Nyatanga and James Wilson are other absentees as injuries hinder them.
Both of these teams approach this clash with good form behind them, although as they’ve proved on countless occasions this term Birmingham’s home advantage tends to count for a lot. Bearing this in mind, our prediction for this clash is going to be a 2-1 win for the Blues.
