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menandautotrader.com may 2012

Football

6

Premiership Prediction Forecast

Tuesday 1st May

Liverpool V FulhamDespite their worst run of form since 1953 I’d still think that Liverpool can do enough to win here. Fulham aren’t the greatest away from home and I think with the baying of the Kop, the Liverpool players will keep in mind that they’re also playing for their very futures now. 2 - 1 to Liverpool.

Saturday 5th May

Arsenal V NorwichArsenal have been in red hot form recently and their timing has come at just the right time to maintain their status as a Champions League club. While Norwich have been an excellent addition to the Premier league with their free flowing football, I suspect that Arsenal will have too much for them at the Emirates and I think they’ll win 2 - 0.

Wednesday 2nd May

Chelsea V NewcastleThe revived Chelsea will be fighting for every point they

can get, hoping to pip either

Spurs or Arsenal to the post.

Newcastle have been pretty

good away this season, so this has all the hallmarks of a

cracking match. In my opinion

Chelsea will just edge this but

it might be a high scoring game and an absolute belter

for the neutral. 3 - 2 to Chelsea.

Bolton V TottenhamBolton have been fairly strong at

home in the last couple of months

making sure that they can maintain

their Premiership status, while Spurs

haven’t been exactly amazing away

from home recently. With both sides

desperately needing points for

quite different reasons both sides

will be going for the win and as a

result might just cancel each other

out. I predict a 1 - 1 draw.

FernandoTorres

The premier league gets down to the nitty gritty now, with 2 games left. If Man City won the game of the season on the 30th of April, then both Manchester clubs could win the title. A lot can change and judging by the victory celebrations from Manchester United after beating Blackburn early in April, any observer might think they’ve won it. They haven’t yet but unless Manchester City step up to the mark, then the experience of Manchester United may just win the title once more.


Football

7

Sunday 6th May

Aston Villa V TottenhamWith Villa being fairly safe from relegation and Spurs needing the points then I can see Spurs winning this one. 0 - 2 to Spurs.

Blackburn V WiganA relegation six pointer and whoever loses may be relegated. Both sides have been scrapping away for points recently and the only thing that may separate the sides is home advantage and bottle. I’m going for a draw though. 1 - 1.

Bolton V West BromWest Brom have been pretty impressive of late and I can see them getting a win here at Bolton. If Bolton are to remain in the Premiership then this game could be the game to prove their worth. I’m going for a 1 - 0 win for Bolton against all the odds.

Fulham V SunderlandThis could be a brilliant game to watch. Both teams are safe as houses and both have had pretty good seasons overall. They both play entertaining attacking football and there’s every chance that this game could be a very high scoring one. I’ll go for a 3 - 3 draw.

Liverpool V ChelseaThis may be a repeat of the cup final but with Chelsea playing in the Champions league semi’s as well and as it’s the last game at Anfield this season, then this might end up in stalemate. 1 - 1.

Man Utd V SwanseaFergie will have hoped that the title is already theirs by the time they meet Swansea at Old Trafford. If they haven’t won it by now then there’s no place like home and I can see Swansea being swept aside. 3 - 0 to United.

Newcastle V Man CityIf Man City are to win the title and are still fighting in this their penultimate game, then this is make or break time. Newcastle have been incredibly strong at the ‘Sports direct arena’ and despite Mike Ashley’s critics the team has gone from strength to strength on a limited budget. Extremely tricky game for City and if they have the bottle to win this, then they may just go on and win the league. 0 - 1 to Man City.

QPR V StokeIf not relegated already QPR will be still fighting for their lives here. Stoke have once more survived in the premiership on limited funds and will be playing for points as mid table up to 6 teams are within 3 points of each other. I see a draw here though with a score of 1 - 1 which won’t help either team.

Wolves V EvertonWolves last game at home and probably their last in the premiership sees the visit of Everton who will be wanting as many points as possible to end up above local rivals Liverpool. I can see them getting those points too by winning 0 – 2.

Sunday 13th MayChelsea V BlackburnThe last game for Chelsea may see a goal fest at Stamford Bridge. Blackburn may be safe from relegation at this point but if not they will be fighting for their lives. I still see Chelsea winning this no matter what Blackburn’s status. 3 - 0 to Chelsea.

Season Overview:Chelsea has had a mad season as usual. It started with promise with the signing of the young Porto manager, Andre Villas-Boas, but went dramatically wrong when he tried to change things too quickly. Older players tend to be stuck in their ways and there can be a case of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. There wasn’t much wrong with Chelsea before the arrival of Andre, and him wanting to change things so quickly meant a clash of personalities with some of the established stars. Change can be respected if things go well, but as soon as things go badly, the knives and critics are quickly out. Leaving the ever present Frank Lampard out of the side didn’t help Andres cause. Nor did leaving out and then selling Nicolas Anelka. The appointment of Roberto Di Matteo revived things and they looked a completely different outfit with confidence and belief once more. Whether Roman Abramovich will want a new established manager in the closed season is anyone’s guess, but judging by the previous years, I’d go for a yes. If Matteo wins the Champions league though I would hope he earned it!As for Blackburn, if they survive then it’s a job well done by manager, Steve Kean. The Indian owners seem to have realised that their once wished for ‘top four’ place is never going to be achievable with no money and if Blackburn maintains their premiership survival then Kean can be assured of his job for the foreseeable future.

Peter Crouch

Roberto Di Matteo

Steven

Gerrard


Football

8

Sunday 13th May (Cont...) Everton V NewcastleEverton are always strong at home and want the best possible league position and with Newcastle wanting to secure a Europa league place, there’s still much to play for. Everton to edge it though for me, as I think they’ll keep it tight in defence and control midfield. Everton to win 2 - 1.

Season Overview:This season marks the 10th year of David Moyes managership at Everton and it’s hard to imagine that any other manager would have done such a good job. Everton have not merely survived in the premiership for those years on limited funds, Moyes has turned them into a tight unit who always give their best and at times play good football. Despite a slow start they’re up in the top half of the table and challenging for Europe once more.For me Newcastle are the Team of the Season, Alan Pardew lost his 4 best older players in pre-season and had to bring in untested young players. The result is a far better unit full of players who have hunger to succeed. Pardew has maintained the flair attacking football that Newcastle are associated with and for a very small amount of money. Favourites for Europa League football next season and deservedly so.

Man City V QPRQPR have been pretty awful away from home so Man City should walk this game and win comfortably. QPR may even be relegated by this time so they’ll be playing for a bit of pride while Man City may be trying to win the title at their home ground. 3 - 0 to Man City.

Season Overview:Man City have spent wisely in the last year and jettisoned quite a few of the costly mistakes that Mark Hughes brought in. While still spending they seem to be getting more of their monies worth with the likes of Aguero coming in. This wise spending has resulted in a genuine Title challenging team and they have done so all season. Whether they have the experience and belief to go on and win is another matter because since February they have begun to show some self doubt. Manchester United has fed on this and made it look even worse. What is assured is that as long as the Arabs own the club they will continue to invest in it and eventually they will win the Premiership. Whether the owners can continue to invest so heavily and still be allowed into the Champions League due to the financial fair play rules will be interesting.If QPR survive in the premiership then they’ll be more than happy with that. They’ve changed managers and got Mark Hughes who is talented enough but not with money. If they can survive they can at least strengthen for next year. Norwich V Aston VillaThese two teams could cancel each other out for this last game at Carrow road. Villa should be just about safe from relegation by now and so with either team having nothing to play for, it might be quite entertaining. Norwich will want to give a good send off to the home crowd and I fancy them edging this game and winning 2 - 1.

Season Overview:Norwich have been pretty good this season after their climb up from the Championship and they sit comfortably at mid table safe from any hint of relegation. They’ve played good football this season and got some good results and if they continue to strengthen I see no reason to think that they can become an established premiership side.Villa under McLeish have been ‘McLeishian’ meaning dour, dull football. Villa have probably done just about enough to escape relegation but for the biggest club in the midlands that’s not really good enough. That McLeish jumped ship from Villa’s derby rivals, Birmingham, also puts some doubt into his loyalties. But that’s football nowadays, honour disappearing and business being all important. Stoke V BoltonThe last game of the season for Stoke in front of their home crowd and as they’re extremely hard to beat there normally, I fully expect a Stoke win. Bolton have been a pale shadow of their former selves this season, so I’m going for a 2 - 0 win for Stoke.

Season Overview:Stoke have turned their home turf into a very strong fortress and with Peter Crouch up-front and playing consistently, Stoke have turned into a decent outfit. Due to the competition of the Premier League, there’s nearly 8 teams that are so close together points wise that a couple of wins can change any teams position from 8th to 14th. If Stoke continue to buy wisely then a top ten finish can be a permanent position in the future.Bolton have been nowhere near their normal consistency this season and have been close (or in ) the relegation zone for most of the year. I think they will just about survive due to their experience but if they continue next season in their current form they’ll definitely be relegated.

David Moyes


Football

9

Sunderland V Man UtdIf the Premiership title comes down to the last game, this is a potential tricky game for Fergie’s men. Sunderland at home is quite a nasty away game and with Martin O’Neill making sure that the Sunderland team will fight for every ball. I’m going for a draw here 1-1.

Season Overview:Sunderland have finished on a high after the sacking of Steve Bruce and the signing of Martin O’Neill. Using the same players, O’Neill has transformed the club into a keen energetic skilful squad almost over night. With the correct backing by the board, then O’Neill could easily turn the club into a club challenging for European football every season.Manchester United continues to dominate the English Premiership which is purely down to Ferguson. Love him or hate him you can’t ignore the fact that he can turn a fairly unremarkable squad of players into a title winning team. They have a belief about them and they fight and attack until the last whistle. Fergie shows no sign of retiring and so Manchester United’s success will continue until his demise.

Swansea V LiverpoolWith nothing to play for, this may be quite an entertaining match for both teams. Could this be the last game for King Kenny at Liverpool after a season that promised much and delivered disappointment once again? Expecting a 1 - 0 win for Swansea here.

Season Overview:Swansea can be very proud of their achievements this season; the same can’t be said for Liverpool. Kenny’s lack of tactics and his activity in the transfer market (selling player of the season Merieles to Chelsea, buying English also-rans for extortionate prices) means that he is accountable, whether Liverpool’s new owners, FSG, do anything about it, is another matter. Tottenham V FulhamIf Spurs are still fighting for a top 4 place and the chance to play in the Champions League, I fully expect this to be a humdinger of a game. Fulham have been pretty poor away from home so I’ll go for a Spurs win. 2 - 0.

Season Overview:Spurs season has been an extremely good one. The team has played with confidence and belief that they could regain a top 4 place and at one point they could go one better and challenge for the title. Fergie’s mind games always seems to get the better of Redknapp though and he tends to play a completely different style where he should just play to his strengths. Spurs season began to unravel as soon as Fabio Capello resigned as England manager. Speculation was rife that the people’s choice Redknapp was going to take over and as soon as this happened, Spurs’ confidence began to slip, a succession of defeats or draws resulted and the top 4 place is now under threat. With Arsenal and Chelsea playing well again this could prove decisive. With Martin Jol in charge of Fulham they’ll go from strength to strength next season. They have a good squad and have had a pretty good season all in all.

West Brom V ArsenalWest Brom under Roy Hodgson has been transformed into a decent enough unit. They had horrific home form for quite a while but slowly but surely they’ve gotten the results needed to survive in the League. I doubt that they’ll be good enough to stop Arsenal though. So will go for a 1 - 3 win to Arsenal.

Season Overview:West Brom will need some investment if they’re to retain their League status next year. At times they’ve played well but they’ve also been pretty awful.Arsenal seem reborn after a woeful start to the season where for the first time Arsene Wenger’s position as manager was under threat. From Mid October though they got their injured players back and transformed their season and at times have been brilliant. If they can keep hold of Robin van Persie then with their youngsters gaining great experience this season they can challenge for the title next season. Wigan V WolvesBoth clubs could be relegated by this stage, and so both are playing for pride. As it’s a home game for Wigan I’ll go for a home win. 2 - 1 to Wigan.

Season Overview:If Wigan stick with Roberto Martinez then they have every chance of returning to the Premiership because at times they’ve played some good football. Wolves however are in free-fall and they’ll need a good manager to get them back into the Premier.

Roberto Martinez

Harry Redknapp

Sir Alex Ferguson

Football

10 menandautotrader.com may 2012

Championship Things are tight in the top 6 of the premiership with the top 2 automatic promotional places contested by 3 clubs and the 4 following play-off places being fought for by at least 6. West Ham and Cardiff have fallen off the pace and so whereas West Ham was looking an odds on certainty for certain promotion, Reading have taken their place. West Ham should be cautious here because even though they’re 10 points ahead of 4th place that lead counts for nothing.

In the mix with West Ham are Birmingham, Blackpool and Brighton. Cardiff and Middlesbrough need to start winning again to have any affect on the table. Keep an eye out for Watford as well, because they’ve been playing very well recently and if that form continues they may just sneak a play-off place.

FA CUP Final Saturday, 5th May So I was 100% on the predictions for the semi’s but now that it comes down to these 4 strong teams the FA Cup suddenly becomes relevant again.

With an all London derby and a Merseyside one, you couldn’t ask for better games. As they are derbies then each match could go to any side.

On current form you’d have to go with Everton and Chelsea as favourites but as we’re talking derbies here then all sides can win. As Liverpool’s form since January has been utterly woeful then the players might just step up for this game, especially it’s an opportunity to get one over their neighbours and they can gain a fairly decent showing to their season if they step up for 2 more games (semi and final). Everton also seem to have a little bit of a mental block over beating Liverpool in big games so I’ll go with Liverpool to win this game 2-1.As for Chelsea v Tottenham, then before the departure of Andre Villas Boas then I would have definitely gone for Spurs but with Di Matteo taking over then I would go for Chelsea edging the Semi Final.

So I’m going for a Chelsea v Liverpool final. If Chelsea are still involved in the Champions league Semi finals and the fight for the 4th place in the league, then this final could be seen as a ‘bridge too far’. This game though for Liverpool is the most important in the entire season. Their league form is spiralling down but I suspect they’ll step up for this game. I’m going for a Liverpool win, 1-0.

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2011/12 UEFA Champions League Final Saturday 19th May Final teams: Real Madrid v Barcelona. With both semi finals having been close affairs between Barcelona v Chelsea and Real Madrid v Bayern Munich, there is a high probability that this could be an all Spanish final. Having said that, Bayern Munich certainly have the class to prevent both Spanish teams to go through to the final. While Chelsea have been reborn under Di Matteo, I can’t see any team stopping Barcelona who in my mind will be the eventual winners. Barcelona to win the 2012 Champions League final.

The 2011/12 UEFA Europa League Final9th May, Bucharest Final teams: Valencia v Athletic Bilbao The Spanish teams Valencia v Athletic Bilbao could make this a classic final. Both play good attacking football and have the potential to win. I still think Valencia will win it because they’ve been considerably stronger in the Spanish league.

La Liga As previously predicted I thought that Real Madrid’s lead of 10 points will be chipped away over the following few days. Currently standing at 6 points (as of the beginning of April) and with the game between Barca and Real taking place on the 22nd of April, then Real’s lead could disappear very quickly. Malaga is fighting it out for the final Champions league place as well, and let’s hope that they manage to get there in the end, meaning the top European clubs coming down to our neck of the woods.

Euros June 20128th June - 1st July, Poland & Ukraine Next month’s issue will include an In depth analysis of the 16 competing teams, a Euro 2012 tournament planner, full schedule of each game, full Analysis of England; their players and manager,player profiles of the best international players, and predictions of each game.

Pep Guardiola

Football

11

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Golf

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