EPL Match day 37 - Race Against Matches

The penultimate game in the English Premier League (EPL) comes on this weekend, with some exciting games with the various teams in need of games if that was possible. Saturday sees the rollercoaster team Arsenal take on a stable and safe Norwich team who have nothing to prove or loose. The gunners can stake a claim at the now most converted 3rd spot when the take on the cannaries in an early kick-off. With the game coming on a day earlier than their closest rivals Tottenham and Newcastle, the gunners can make their own destiny. A win at the Emirates will go a long way to show how much Arsenal want this 3rd Position and it will be a befitting gift to their home fans that stood by them the whole season.

Newcastle then takes on title chasing Man City in an early kick-off on Sunday. This is the match game of the week by far, with both teams having different aspirations. Man City cannot afford to drop points, if they are to be crowned Champions as Man United will quickly take advantage when the play Swansea at Old Trafford later that day. Newcastle on their part cannot also afford to drop point, as that will make qualifying for the Champions League difficult. Rule out Newcastle out at your own peril with their in-form Senegalese Striker Papise Demba Cisse who seem not to stop scoring and every touch from him might just end up scoring (ask Petr Cech). They will also have a capacity crowd of 52387 loyal fans at the Sports Arena (St. James Park) cheering them for the whole duration of the game.

Tottenham also face a daunting task when they visit the Villa Park to face Aston Villa, who themselves are fighting against relegation. The Villians are not normally found at this part of the table, but as they say “ The League Table does not Lie “, Aston villa have had a torrid time this season and nothing seems to work for Alex McLeish and his charges. Aston Villa will have to win to be certain of their safety with one more game to go.

It gets interesting at the bottom of the table when a 6-pointer game between Wigan and Blackburn. A win for Wigan will certainly guarantee them another year in the EPL. A win for Blackburn will afford them a fighting chance in their last game against Chelsea. QPR will need to sort themselves out when they take on Stoke City, bearing in mind that their last game will be against Man City at the Ethihad. This is a MUST win game. Bolton will need to be at their best to beat the team of the newly appointed England manager WBA who will come out to show solidarity for their manager to whip up support for the manager.

The penultimate fixtures for this years’ EPL couldn’t be more fascinating and mouth- watering. I guess no one can confidently make a call on the various highlighted matches. Your guess is as good as mine. What are your predictions? Who takes 3rd and 4th i.e, if 4th becomes relevant, provided Chelsea doesn’t win the CL. Who wins the EPL? Who beats the relegation drop?

Article by Michael Quaye