English Premier League
West Ham v Manchester United
The first weekend in April see’s a fascinating fixture between West Ham, fighting for survival, and Manchester United who are challenging to regain the league title.
Avram Grant has been in the press of late claiming that his side have been undone by too many bad referees’ decisions. Grant believes that such decisions have cost his side at least 10 points. If the West Ham manager was correct, and the Hammers had the extra points, they would be safe from relegation and currently sitting in 7th. As it is, they’re not, and they currently sit outside the final relegation zone on goal difference alone. It’s incredibly tight in the bottom half of the Premier League where as many as 10 teams could conceivably go down. West Ham have picked up of late with just one defeat from their last six matches in all competitions. Key to their resurgence of late has been the loan signing of Demba Ba. The striker has proved a real success thus far and has four goals to his name already. When you consider that only three players have scored more than him for the side, you can imagine the positive impact has arrival and performances have had.
United have a real fight on their hands if they wish to reclaim what they believe is theirs. Having looked as though they would stroll away with the title after Chelsea’s collapse and Arsenal’s inconsistency, the Red Devils have a lead of five points but have played one more game than Arsene Wenger’s men. They have difficult games as well coming up as they have still to face both Chelsea and Arsenal. They still harbour hopes of repeating their magnificent feat of 1999 with the chance of another unique treble. If they do succeed then they will have deserved it as they also face Chelsea in the Champions League as well as a semi final derby in the FA Cup against Manchester City. Sir Alex Ferguson thrives on such a climax to the season and will be fully aware that neither he nor his side can take their foot off the gas as they head into tomorrow’s fixture.
Manchester United have the upper hand in recent match ups with tomorrow’s opponents. They have won the last six Premier League games between the two. West Ham will, however, take heart from their thrashing of United back in December in the League Cup. It was a tremendous performance and will surely provide them with the confidence and belief that they are able to test the league leaders once again. They will also be boosted by the fact that United have only won four away league matches all season long, whilst they have also suffered three defeats from their last four games on the road.
It’s a really tricky match to predict as both sides have a real desire and need for the points tomorrow. West Ham have been improving whilst United have struggled of late on their travels. Despite that though, Ferguson is as shrewd as they come and will be aware of the need to get all three points from this game with so many hard fixtures coming up. With that in mind, I believe Man U will just edge an intriguing affair.
My Selection: Manchester United to beat West Ham
Best odds available: 5/6 available with Coral
English Premier League
Everton v Aston Villa
Everton have probably done just about to enough to survive this season but their opponents tomorrow, Aston Villa, are still very much in the thick of battle.
Davie Moyes will have been disappointed with his side’s lack of consistency this season which has been the major reason as to why they have been unable to challenge for a European spot. With an abundance of quality players at his disposal, he has been hit hard with injuries as well as losing Tim Cahill for a month due to international commitments. What Moyes will be demanding from his team is a strong finish to the season and finish as high up the table as possible. A European spot is not completely gone as they are currently only five points off of 6th placed Liverpool, but they will have to win at least six of their last eight games to stand any chance, and with games against the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea still to come, it is a big ask. Their small squad will be tested this weekend as they will have to do without Mikel Arteta and Marouane Fellaini definitely, whilst they may also be missing Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman. Moyes will be hoping at least one of the latter duo can make it as their energy will be much needed against Villa.
Gerard Houllier has also struggled to instil consistency in his Villa side since taking over at the beginning of the season. Despite credible performances against the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea at home, they are struggling to keep their heads above water with just one point separating them from the dropzone. It’s a strange position to be in for a club who have several England Internationals. Ashley Young, Darren Bent and Stewart Downing all played for their country over the last week, with Bent scoring in the Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales. Villa have lost their last three in all competitions, including last time out against fellow strugglers, and Midlands rivals, Wolves. It was a very disappointing result for all concerned and one they will be determined to rectify tomorrow. They will have history on their side as Everton have won just one of the last 10 against them in recent years.
If Everton had a fully fit squad I would fancy them to beat Villa at home. But as they are missing key players, especially Arteta, I think they may well add to their numerous draws this season with another score draw looking very likely between these two sides.
My Selection: Everton to draw with Aston Villa
Best odds available: 13/5 available with PaddyPower
Scottish Premier League
Motherwell v Aberdeen
Craig Brown makes his first return to Fir Park tomorrow after leaving Motherwell to take on the job as Aberdeen manager at the tail end of 2010.
Motherwell marched their way into the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup on Wednesday after thrashing Dundee United 3-0 in their replay. Stuart McCall, who replaced Craig Brown when he departed, was delighted with his side’s performance and believes they are a match for anyone when they’re on their game. He may well have a point as Motherwell also defeated Celtic recently. The problem for McCall and his players is they have a very young squad of players and that brings with it, more often than not, some good days and some bad days. This is evidenced with their recent run of form as they have been unable to win consecutive games since the middle of February. They will be looking to change that tomorrow as they welcome back the man who had such a good spell in charge.
Aberdeen are in their second semi final of the season as they to are in the last four of the Scottish Cup. Unfortunately for them they once again come up against Celtic who have gotten the better of the Dons in all of their meetings this season. Brown will be hoping for a change of luck when they face the Hoops next time, but before that he will be hoping his side can at least apply some pressure to Motherwell as they look to sneak into the top six. They are six points worse off than tomorrow’s opponents but have one game in hand. It’s not inconceivable to imagine the Dons turning around that deficit with a win tomorrow and then being successful in their game in hand. They will need to improve their recent form, however, which has seen them win just one of their last five games in all competitions.
Games between these two sides regularly bring with it goals. There has been 10 goals in the last four contests and it’s a trend I envisage continuing tomorrow. Aberdeen need to collect all three points otherwise they will be playing out their league season against the lower lights in the SPL. Motherwell be on a high after their convincing win over Dundee United in midweek so they will be expecting to carry on where they left off. The other reason is because of the spice attached to it by the return of Craig Brown. Both sets of players have points to prove to him and with that in mind I can see an entertaining match on the cards.
My Selection: Both teams to score
