Overnight saw a very high scoring round in the EPL. We witnessed Everton tearing apart Fulham, the Swans and Wolves playing out an 8 goal thriller to finish up 4-4, Wigan revived their top flight hopes with an outstanding 4-0 win over the Toon side and it was the Luis Suarez show as Liverpool stole the point at Norwich with a 3-0 win. We also had a 2-2 draw at Sunderland who hosted Bolton and Stoke who drew with the Gunners 1-1.
It was fitting that in mid week Robin Van Persie was named the EPL player of the year and celebrating that award with a goal last night in the 15th minute. The striker has enjoyed a healthy run of goals this term and has him in good stead for the upcoming European Championships in June. A lot of clubs have been circling the Dutch striker and those clubs include Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus. It is still unclear what the striker wants to do after this season but one thing is certain is that fans will have to wait after the Euro 2012 championships are done to see which jersey the prolific striker will put on in 2013.
In tonights games we travel to Stamford Bridge to see QPR try and wiggle their way out of 17th place and stay in touch with the likes of Wigan and Villa. Chelsea who are coming off a fantastic week that saw them qualify for the Champions League final and finally seeing Fernando Torres hit the back of the net, the club will surely love to end this week on a high. They are currently in 6th position but seeing as Arsenal (3rd) and Newcastle Utd (4th) both stumbled overnight, it gives the blues a chance to come within 1 point off Champions League places.
Tottenham are also in the mix for a top 4 place and they host Blackburn Rovers at White Hart Lane. Blackburn who sit in 19th place are all but assured the drop if they don't produce the game of their life and take home the 3 points. They will need results to go their way to escape relegation.
Spurs however sit in 5th spot and a win tonight will see them in 4th spot on goal difference. Lately Spurs have been in a purple patch with not having a win in the past 4 games:
- Sunderland v Spurs 0-0
- Spurs v Norwich 1-2
- Spurs v Chelsea 1-5
- QPR v Spurs 1-0
Spurs have a tricky run home to season end with away games at Villa and Bolton (both clubs fighting for survival).
I expect both games to have not one empty seat and hopefully plenty of goals.
Tuesday morning Australian time we see the game of the year. Manchester City vs Manchester United at the City of Manchester Stadium. As it stands:
- Manchester United - 83 pts
- Manchester City - 80 pts
A match that obviously City need to win to keep their hopes alive of claiming the title. But in saying that it is a position the master Sir Alex is all to familiar with. It will be a battle that I believe will be won in the midfield. Not so much by the play makers but by the hard working running of either De Jong or Yaya Toure for City and for United Michael Carrick. The strike power up front for City looks a lot better than United but all it takes is a brain burst by Mario Balotelli and the momentum swings United's way. Should be a fascinating game with plenty of goals.
Italian Serie A -
Overnight were 3 games and 3 draws. Palermo hosted Catania in a 1-1, Cagliari were held at home by Chievo Verona 0-0 and in the battle for 3rd place AS Roma scored in the last 10 minutes to salvage a 2-2 draw against a determined Napoli side. The battle for the 3rd and final Champions League spot is heating up and it is between Lazio, Napoli, Udinese, Inter Milan and AS Roma. If Lazio win tonight they will be favourites to take the spot. But they do play Udinese who are 3 points away from them.
In other games the battle for the title is still on between Juventus and AC Milan. AC travel to Siena who are in 11th place and if they can pull an upset they can be as high as 9th if results go their way. In the last 5 meetings between these 2 AC Milan have won all 5.
Novara host top of the table Juventus and in their last meeting together Juventus prevailed 2-0 at the Juventus Stadium. A loss tonight for Novara will see them relegated to Serie B.
PREDICTIONS -
Chelsea vs QPR - 3-1
Tottenham vs Blackburn - 3-0
Man City vs Man Utd - 4-1
Man City vs Man Utd - 4-1
Bologna vs Genoa - 2-0
Inter Milan vs Cesena - 2-0
Atalanta vs Fiorentina - 2-1
Novara vs Juventus - 0-2
Siena vs AC Milan - 1-2
Lecce vs Parma - 1-3
Udinese vs Lazio - 2-2
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