Never say never..

NEVER SAY NEVER

Looking back on Saturday the 31st March one thing came to my mind at the final whistle, the season must be coming to a end because teams are really pushing for results now.  A day full of comebacks and shocks as teams fighting the drop start pulling out all the stops to avoid relegation.  This also means more unpredictable results and bad news for punters.

Firstly in the match between Aston Villa & Chelsea I stated in my opinion Chelsea would get a result today but could also see a possible draw.  As soon as the visitors took a early lead I felt Villa would struggle to get back into the game due to the lack of attacking options.  Villa need to find a win in their next few matches to avoid being dragged into a real relegation dog fight.

On Merseyside Everton got the win I expected against a West Brom team that has been left with little to play for.  The home side coming in off the back of a good away win in the cup and back to full strength scored early and could have easily added more goals.  West Brom I feel might struggle with motivation for the rest of the season and also not assisted by the will Roy sign a new contract or not situation. 

Fulham a team that I have back before at home most recently against Swansea and been let down, today came up trumps.  The early goals assist the home side gain control and despite a second half revival from Norwich they claimed all three points.  Again motivation is going to be hard for these two teams who have secured survival but will struggle to claim a Europa league spot.

One of the biggest shocks of the day was at the Etihad, a match everyone would have put their house on for a home win they only managed a point after a stirring fight back.  After going behind but managing to get a penalty to equalise they then conceded all most instantly to trail at half time.  Early in the second half they conceded again.  Despite a late fight back to get a point there are worrying signs coming from the team.  They no longer have the flow and tempo they had early in the season and most concerning is their great home form is now stuttering.  City have been poor away from home for a while but prior to the last two matches at home have been unstoppable.  Once again Balotelli is the name in the headlines and I do wonder if or how many other teams could manage to carry him in the squad.

QPR pulled off a surprise of their own managing a win at home against inform Arsenal, a game that I thought there would be goals put mainly in the home teams net.  Sadly for QPR I still see them struggling to avoid the drop and today could be just another day to remember.  Inconsistency will plight this team right up until the last match of the season.  Also coupled with a very poor disciplinary record.

Wigan also managed to upset my predictions gaining a win at home to Stoke,  looking back I should never have thought Stoke on the road would be able to get a result.  I cannot think of a more indifferent team in the league than Stoke at home and away.  Able to consistently take points off top four teams at home but completely unable to beat relegation candidates away.  Is this the annual start of the great Wigan escape, for me no as they have a very taunting fixture run in this season. 

And lastly Wolves at home to Bolton, billed as the home teams last chance to save themselves I tweeted earlier in the day if the visitors managed to keep it 0-0 for a long period the home support would get nervous and assist Bolton.  When it was that score at half time I backed Bolton to get the result they needed and despite going behind after the break I remained confident.  Then Bolton raced into a 1-3 lead.  Despite a fight back from Wolves sadly I think this was one of the final nails in their premier league coffin.

Tomorrow brings Newcastle hosting a out of form Liverpool, I would suggest there will be a few goals in this game but maybe all in the second half.  Both teams average their first goal in the second half and I'm sure Liverpool will try and keep it tight and compact.  Areas of concern would be the hosts aerial power from set plays and also Ben Arfa who has recently been in outstanding form.  The hosts have been able to do what the visitors have struggled to do which is grind out results when not at their best.  A lot of this match will come down to the formation and players used by Liverpool I would tend to feel a draw maybe the most likely outcome.

TOMORROWS TIPS

Liverpool to win the corners match bet @1.91
Newcastle to win draw not bet @2.34




The final match sees Harry Redknapps Tottenham host the eye catching Swansea, early in the season this would have been predicted as a easy home win but in recent times Spurs have struggled at home and Swansea have suddenly found the answer to gaining points away from home.  This really should be a game for the football purists and goals would all most be a definite.  I would still side with the home team to win but would also suggest the visitors should score.


TOMORROWS TIPS

Both teams to score @2.04
Tottenham clean sheet no @1.88