English Premier League Final Day Preview

We head into the final day of the most exciting league in the world with the title still up for grabs! Of course Manchester City are in the driver’s seat as a win at home over Queens Park Rangers will see them lift the trophy after a 44-year wait. Defending champions Manchester United travel to Sunderland knowing that even victory there may be inadequate as their rivals boast a superior 8-goal difference.

Mark Hughes will be looking to get one over Roberto Mancini, the man who replaced him at City, as well as keeping his team up in the Premier League. However, City will have what it takes to seal the deal having already seen off their rivals 1-0 in their recent title-deciding derby.

Meanwhile, Arsenal travel to West Bromwich Albion looking to seal up third place and automatic Champions League qualification whilst their bitter North London rivals Tottenham should hang on to fourth spot as they welcome Fulham to White Hart Lane. That will put Spurs into the Champions League qualifying rounds unless Chelsea defeats Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in this year’s Champions League final. Of course, if Spurs win and Arsenal lose or draw, then Spurs will leapfrog their rivals for automatic qualification.

Newcastle United are in with a mathematical chance of claiming either third or fourth should Arsenal and/or Spurs stumble across the finish line but face a difficult task away at Goodison Park against Everton. Looks like the Magpies are bound for the Europa League next season.

As mentioned in my penultimate round preview, Wigan sealed their safety by defeating Blackburn and in turn, condemned Rovers to join Wolves in relegation to England’s second tier league next season.

So that leaves 3 teams fighting for survival - Aston Villa, QPR and Bolton. However, given Villa’s superior goal difference over both QPR and Bolton, the fight will really only be between QPR and Bolton.

At present, Bolton sit in the relegation zone 2 points below QPR but with City expected to beat QPR, the Trotters can leapfrog into safety with a victory away at Britannia Stadium against a faltering Stoke who have nothing to play for.

Writer’s prediction:
1^st Manchester City
2^nd Manchester United
3^rd Arsenal
4^th Tottenham
5^th Newcastle United

Final relegated team: QPR

Spurs will also be in the Champions League qualifying rounds as Bayern Munich will lift this season’s Champions League trophy in their own backyard, thus denying Chelsea a berth. Shame, as that will also most likely mean no permanent manager’s role for Roberto Di Matteo.

See you all soon for Euro 2012!