Premier League Fixtures 9th May Part 1

Arsenal v Fulham
A few short weeks ago, Arsenal were looking like they might actually win the title. Now they have a chance of being pipped to fourth place by Tottenham Hotspur. The lasagne comes back to bite us.
A draw with Fulham should be enough to ensure that Arsenal remain in third place – although Tottenham are playing Burnley, they’re unlikely to win 10-0. But a win would make it certain. Tottenham could probably also take Arsenal’s place at the top of the Fair Play League if Arsenal aren’t careful, it’s looking very close.
Fulham would probably love to end their Premier League season with a win but they’re not known for their away form and they have a Europa League final to think about. However, a win could give Fulham another top-ten finish.
Arsenal are without Aaron Ramsey of course. Sanchez Watt’s loan to Leeds United might have ended today but as he played in their promotion-clinching win, he won’t be available to play for Arsenal in this match.
Simon Davies could play for Fulham but as he played midweek and I’m sure he’ll play a part in the Europa League final, I’m expecting him to be rested for this match. But who knows what goes on in Roy Hodgson’s mind? If we knew that, we’d still have English clubs in the Champions’ League too.

Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers
It probably doesn’t matter whether Villa finish 5th, 6th or 7th – I don’t think it’s like the Champions’ League where teams in the lower positions need to qualify. But Villa would love to end the season with a win – which could possibly mean an improvement on last season’s 6th place finish.
Blackburn are only out of the top ten on goal difference. They’re not known for their away form but beating Arsenal probably boosted their confidence but they were lucky.
The last time these two teams met (in the Carling Cup), Villa won 6-4.
James Collins should be in central defence for Villa. Jason Brown will be on the bench for Blackburn. It could be his last appearance in a Blackburn squad following rumours that Blackburn will be bringing in a new goalkeeper and Jason wants first-team football anyway.

Bolton Wanderers v Birmingham City
Bolton are safe from relegation but a win could see them finish just one place above Hull City (or Burnley). Birmingham need a draw to be sure of finishing in the top ten .
Sam Ricketts has been on the bench for the last few matches but I think it’s time Bolton manager Owen Coyle forgave the defender for not being brilliant in midfield. He wasn’t even that bad.

Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur
Burnley are down and they’d be lucky to win against a rampant Tottenham side. There’s not even much chance Tottenham will have been over-celebrating, they’re not allowed to drink alcohol.
Burnley however do have a chance of European football next season. The table looks like this:
Arsenal (already in Europe)
Tottenham Hotspur (already in Europe)
Fulham (if they win the Europa League, they’ll get in anyway)
Chelsea (already in Europe)
Manchester United (already in Europe)
Aston Villa (already in Europe)
Burnley are seventh
Manchester City aren’t far behind them but they’re already in Europe.
I don’t know how the scoring works but maybe if Burnley get a couple of players sent off, Wigan Athletic, Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Ham United and Everton (already in Europe) would be able to overtake them.
As with the proper Premier League, Portsmouth and Hull City are in the bottom three.
So getting back to the important Welsh things, Gareth Bale might not start for Tottenham as Harry Redknapp might decide to rest a few players . But Gareth will probably be starting for Tottenham regularly for a least the next four years – he’s signed a new contract to keep him at the club until 2014. I’m happy for him, I really am. I’m just a teeny tiny bit worried about Arsenal.


Chelsea v Wigan Athletic
Chelsea have two reason for wanting to win. The main reason is that a win will mean they’re definitely the Premier League champions. But also, Wigan beat them 3-1 in the reverse fixture this season which is more than they beat Arsenal by so Chelsea will be out for revenge.
I don’t quite know how the Fair Play League works but if Wigan play fair and Burnley don’t, they might just find themselves in the Europa League next season. They’re four points behind Burnley and they could get up to 40 from this match.
One thing we won’t find in this match however is Welsh players. If Chelsea had already won the league, maybe Rhys Taylor would get a place on the bench but probably not, he’s still only a baby. Maybe next season. But even if hell had frozen over, I still don’t think we’d see Jason Koumas in Wigan’s squad. Not that I’d mind if they proved me wrong.

Hull City v Liverpool
Hull fought so bravely but they’re relegated. Still, I wouldn’t be hugely shocked if the Tigers got their claws out for the last match. The Fair Play League suggests they’ve been getting their claws out more times than is advisable. Hull aren’t particularly a team who come to mind when I think of the dirty teams but they do have a few dirty players.
Boaz Myhill will probably be on the bench again for Hull. He says he’s prepared to stay with Hull and help them fight their way back into the Premier League next season but Hull’s financial problems mean it’s not really up to him.