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High Fives From Magic Mike

Welcome to "High Fives" the personal column of our ace Director of Football "Magic Mike".

Magic Mike's football credentials are first class. Last season he handily beat the Beeb’s expert tipster “Lawro” who never got a look in after Magic took an early lead at the start of the 2008/09 season.

A good number of our players were rescued by Magic’s tips in our Five Lives scheme which automatically gives you his tips, up to five times during the season, should you forget to enter them yourself. Magic Mike's canny inside knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of players and teams, combined with a passion for getting it right, is what you need to make an impact in this game. It also means you're going to have to be at your best to outdo him.

The Management - Score Five

And now, once again, over to Magic Mike...

See what Mike had to say in the olden days - visit his 2008/09 season archives.

previous predictions -

Round 33.... Round 32.... Round 31.... Round 30.... Round 29.... FA Cup 6th Round

League and Cup Double 

Just 2 Saturday games this week featuring relegation threatened teams. The big game on Humberside features Hull City vs. Burnley at the Kingston Communications Stadium. A relegation 6 pointer; amazingly 3 points and goal difference still separates Burnley and 17^th place but chances of Premier League survival for the Clarets surely hinge on this game. A victory for Iain Dowie’s side would leave the Burnley needing a miracle with just 5 games to play. A victory for the Tigers would see them move to 30 points taking them within a win of 14^th place in the table before Sunday’s action begins.

Magic predicts: Hull City 2 - Burnley 1

 

West Ham United vs. Sunderland at Upton Park. All is not well in East London but the Hammers need to pull together for the remaining 5 games of the season. An away draw at Everton last week was West Ham’s first point in their last 7 games and a visit to Champions League chasing Liverpool next week means they will have to make this game count.

Sunderland are in form at the moment and Darren Bent was again on target with a double against Spurs to further push his claims for an England place. Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney could appear for the Black Cats against their former club. Sunderland have recorded just 1 away win and will be looking to improve on that record before the end of the season.

Magic predicts: West Ham United 1 - Sunderland 1

 

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Stoke City at Molineux. Wolves were unlucky to come away from the Emirates without a result last Saturday but Mick McCarthy’s side has shown resolve in their last 5 games and have pulled clear of the relegation zone. Another win should confirm Wolves place in the Premier League next season and in current form Wolves should soon be able to celebrate a successful season.

Tony Pulis’ side continue to push for a top half finish, and after a second successful season the Potters can now be considered as an established Premier League team. Another workmanlike performance was enough to take all 3 points from Hull last Saturday and nothing less should be expected from Stoke in this Midlands derby.    

Magic predicts: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 - Stoke City 0

 

Blackburn Rovers vs. Manchester United at Ewood Park. Rovers can have a big say in the destination of the Premier League title with games against Manchester United and Arsenal before the end of the season. Blackburn held Chelsea 3 weeks ago and will give Sir Alex Ferguson’s side a stern test.

After defeat at home to Chelsea, United have it all to do to hold onto their title and an away trip to Blackburn is a tricky game. With Blackburn safe in mid-table they can relax and enjoy their football.  Wayne Rooney’s edge was sorely missed against Chelsea and Sir Alex will hope he is fit to return to the side.

Magic predicts: Blackburn Rovers 0 - Manchester United 3

 

Liverpool vs. Fulham at Anfield. Liverpool lost ground on Manchester City when they could only secure a draw at Birmingham last Sunday. The Reds are now 4 points adrift having played a game more and will be desperate for 3 points against the Cottagers, who are more preoccupied by their Europa Cup chances. Rafa Benitez’s team could fail to make it to the Champions League qualifying stages for the first time since his appointment to the Anfield hot seat, with qualification resting on both Spurs and Manchester City dropping points on the run-in.

Fulham came from behind to defeat Wigan last Sunday and Roy Hodgson’s side are still pushing for a top half finish and Europa Cup glory. They face Wolfsburg in the quarter final 2^nd leg and potentially could meet Liverpool in the competition.

Magic predicts: Liverpool 2 - Fulham 0

 

Manchester City vs. Birmingham City at the City of Manchester Stadium. City regained the initiative in the chase for 4^th spot with the 6-1 thrashing of Burnley. Roberto Mancini’s side have a difficult run-in with Manchester United, Spurs and Aston Villa yet to visit Eastlands, but with a superior points advantage and after being beaten just once at home, expectations are running high that City will be playing Champions League football next season.

A Liam Ridgewell goal cancelled out a Steven Gerrard strike as Birmingham put a dent in Liverpool’s Champions League challenge. Birmingham have had a great first season back in the Premier League and can enjoy the remaining games of the campaign influencing outcomes at both the top and bottom of the league.

Magic predicts: Manchester City 2 - Birmingham City 0

 

Chelsea vs Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium. A morale boosting victory over rivals Manchester United has given the Blues the edge in the title race but the season could yet have a few more twists and turns before the outcome is clear. Indeed the title race looks as though it may be in the balance until the final game of the season. Having regained pole position, Carlo Ancelotti will be keen not to let the advantage slip and that doesn’t auger well for Bolton. Chelsea have scored 14 goals in their last 3 league games and will not only will be looking for 3 points but also improvement in their goal difference, which could yet be a deciding factor.

Bolton are not yet out of the woods in terms of securing Premier League safety. They have only a 5 point cushion on 18^th place Hull but that lead could be cut down to 2 points should Hull defeat Burnley. Nonetheless Bolton manager Owen Coyle will believe his players can beat the drop by getting results in their remaining home games. This fixture will perhaps be an exercise in damage limitation for the Trotters.

Magic predicts: Chelsea 3 - Bolton Wanderers 0  Banker

 

Fulham vs. Stoke City at Craven Cottage. A meaningless end of season game with both teams in safe mid-table positions and just pride to play for. Fulham came back from a goal down to take 3 points against Wigan in their last home game. Stoke defeated Hull with another workmanlike performance over the Easter period. Both teams have built their success on tight defence.

Magic predicts: Fulham 0 - Stoke City 0

 

Aston Villa vs. Everton at Villa Park. Aston Villa bounced back into contention for 4^th spot with a 1-0 victory over Bolton with a brilliant strike from Ashley Young. Villa have a tough run-in to end the season and face the Toffees who will still be hoping to leapfrog the Villains. A victory for Villa would all but end Everton’s hopes of finishing above them.  Everton manager David Moyes will have been bitterly disappointed that his side couldn’t hold onto 2-1 lead after scoring with just 5 minutes remaining against West Ham. Everton lost vital ground in their pursuit of Villa and will need to make up for that with a victory in this contest.

Magic predicts: Aston Villa 2 - Everton 1

 

Wigan Athletic vs. Portsmouth at the DW Stadium.  Wigan are still not safe and Roberto Martinez will be aiming for 3 points against basement club Pompey to all but secure his team’s Premier League status, allowing him to turn his attention to improving his squad for next season.

Portsmouth could be mathematically relegated before the start of this fixture should Hull and West Ham earn points in their Saturday matches. Portsmouth will have already faced Spurs in the FA Cup semi-final and the players’ morale could be impacted by the result of that game.

Magic predicts: Wigan Athletic 1 - Portsmouth 0 

 

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Arsenal at White Hart Lane The North London derby takes on more importance as it could effectively determine Arsenal’s title and Tottenham’s 4^th place challenge. Arsenal ran out 3-0 winners in the meeting between the sides at the Emirates earlier in the season, a scoreline that was overly flattering for Arsenal. Spurs have a chance for revenge and to potentially end the Gunners’ title challenge. Spurs come into the game on the back of an FA Cup semi-final against Portsmouth but whatever the outcome of that game Harry Redknapp’s players will be focused on the race for 4^th place.

Arsenal have arguably the easier run-in to the season than their title rivals Chelsea and Manchester United, but with the loss of Cesc Fabregas, William Gallas and Robin Van Persie for the rest of the season, the Gunners will be the outsiders in the title race, although there is still enough quality in their side to spring a surprise.

Magic predicts: Tottenham Hotspur 1 - Arsenal 2 

 

FA CUP SEMI-FINALS

 

Aston Villa vs. Chelsea at Wembley Stadium. A repeat of the 2000 FA Cup final won by Chelsea. Chelsea go into the game having thrashed Villa 7-1 just 2 weeks ago. Psychologically Chelsea will hold the advantage and leave Martin O’Neill to ponder on what tactical improvements he can make to overcome an in-form Chelsea. Carlo Ancelotti’s side are homing in a domestic league and cup double and will go into the game a clear favourites having beaten Manchester United last Saturday to take over the lead in the race for the title. Florent Malouda has been in tremendous form for Chelsea of late and will be a player that Villa will have to watch closely. Aston Villa’s form had dipped recently but they got back on track with an away win at the Reebok Stadium last Saturday.

Magic Predicts: Aston Villa 0 - Chelsea 2

 

Tottenham Hotspur meet Portsmouth at Wembley Stadium in the second semi-final of the weekend. Harry Redknapp will go into the game with mixed emotions; he will certainly be focused on taking Spurs to their first FA Cup Final in 19 years, but he will also remember just 2 years ago leading Portsmouth to an FA Cup semi-final victory over West Brom and subsequently lifting the trophy a month later with victory over Cardiff. 2 years is a long time in football; the team Redknapp built at Portsmouth has been dismantled, with the remaining survivors also set to leave the club at the end of the season. Many players have followed Redknapp from Portsmouth to Spurs and they too will be saddened by the club’s financial difficulties. Spurs will go into the game as clear favourites but Portsmouth will see this as an opportunity to restore some pride as they appear destined for the Championship.

Magic Predicts: Tottenham Hotspur 2 - Portsmouth 0