Apparently there are games going on this weekend that aren't Manchester United vs. Chelsea, which is a bit of a shocker. Wigan and Blackpool are both looking to wriggle away from the relegation zone, while Tottenham and Manchester City fight for their future European lives on Saturday before their titanic midweek battle. All in all, we're shaping up for this to be the climax of the most up-and-down Premier League season in recent memory.
Premier League Preview: Title Could Be Decided On Sunday
Saturday
Aston Villa vs. Wigan Athletic
3:00 PM GMT, 10:00 AM EST
Aston Villa are safely in mid table while Wigan Athletic are fighting for their Premier League lives. This, I'm thinking, means that Villa will absolutely destroy the poor Latics just because they can, It would be a fairytale escape if Roberto Martinez and his marry band of mini-Arsenalites escaped relegation, and this is football. If you want a magical elven forest you'll have to go to Catalonia.
Pick: 3-1 Aston Villa
Bolton Wanderers vs. Sunderland
3:00 PM GMT, 10:00 AM EST
It’s a team with no strikers against a team with Danny Sturridge. Advantage: Sturridges. Not even the signing of Michael Dawson will save Steve Bruce’s men from the blisteringly powerful force that is the England U-21 man at the Reebok Stadium.
Pick: 2-0 Bolton
Everton vs. Manchester City
3:00 PM GMT, 10:00 AM EST; Fox Soccer Channel
This could actually be quite an interesting match for Manchester City, as they could virtually secure the fourth Champions League spot with a win at Goodison Park. However, should they fail to pick up points they could leave themselves badly exposed to the prospect of being beaten by Tottenham in midweek, which would put the race for 4th well and truly back on. Roberto Mancini is said to be experimenting with a 9-1-0 in accordance with his team’s need to win this match at all cost.
Pick: 0-0 Draw
Newcastle United vs. Birmingham
3:00 PM GMT, 10:00 AM EST
Newcastle only lost 3-0 to Liverpool while Birmingham lost by eight (goals scored against you by Maxi Rodriguez count as double per Premier League rule P.1g, which comes after 'haha Heurelho Gomes'). Therefore, Newcastle will win by five. It's maths. It works. Don't doubt it.
Pick: 5-0 Newcastle United
West Ham United vs. Blackburn Rovers
3:00 PM GMT, 10:00 AM EST; ESPN 2
West Ham United are once again looking for a miracle to take them off the bottom of the table and towards safety, while Blackburn are looking uneasily towards the precipice themselves. Intergalactic superhero Scott Parker is off fighting the bug-aliens of Omega-268 on a mission of critical importance, and although he's planning to defeat their evil leader Emperor Zorkoria in time for the match he's making no guarantees. Without their inspirational midfielder, West Ham will have trouble picking up all three points.
Pick: 1-1 Draw
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Blackpool
5:30 PM GMT, 12:30 PM EST; Fox Soccer Channel
Any game that could reasonably be considered a must-win for both teams is interesting. Blackpool travel to White Hart Lane to face suddenly sixth place Tottenham Hotspur, with the game having huge ramifications at each end of the table. Blackpool need three points to have much hope of continuing their Premier League story into next season, while Tottenham may see themselves overtaken by a resurgent Liverpool for the Europa League spot unless they win this one.
Pick: 2-0 Tottenham
Sunday
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. West Bromwich Albion
12:00 PM GMT, 7:00 AM EST
This would have been so much more interesting with West Brom staying in the relegation zone, but as it is it’s a side that’s totally safe vs. a team that’s a) not too shabby at home and b) fighting tooth and claw to stay in the preview league. That’s a recipe for a narrow, tense home win.
Pick: 2-1 Wolves
Stoke City vs. Arsenal
2:05 PM GMT, 9:05 AM EST; Fox Soccer Channel
Arsenal are now more or less out of the title race and they’re missing a slew of their biggest names, which means that with no pressure whatsoever they’ll handily obliterate Stoke, win their next three games, and everyone will proclaim that the squad has matured and is ready to make a real run for trophies next season.
Pick: 4-0 Arsenal
Manchester United vs. Chelsea
4:10 PM GMT, 11:10 AM EST; Fox Soccer Channel
This game could very well decide the title race. If Manchester United win on Sunday they’ll be six points clear with two matches left to play, but if Chelsea sneak an away win (and it’s happened before) they’ll go top of the table on goal difference. This is the single most important game in English football for the last several years. Watch it.
Pick: 1-1 Draw
Monday
Fulham vs. Liverpool
8:00 PM GMT, 3:00 PM EST; ESPN 2
This isn't a very important game, but it does feature Luis Suarez so you should watch it too. Liverpool are pushing hard for a Europa League spot, and Fulham are pushing hard for nothing at all. It might be interesting. It might not.
Pick: 2-1 Liverpool
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