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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 35.... Round 34 and FA Cup Semi-Finals.... Round 33.... Round 32.... Round 31.... Round 30

The Business End of the Season

Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford. Both sides re-ignited the race for the title and 4^th place when each beat the other’s rival last Saturday. Those results mean the likelihood of the outcome only being decided in the final game of the season. Sir Alex Ferguson will want to take advantage of Chelsea slip and take maximum points from remaining games and hope that Chelsea drop points in their last 3 games. Spurs have 3 away games in their last 4 matches but have a 2 point lead over Manchester City. Spurs still have to re-visit Manchester again to play City and that game will be the most signicficant in deciding who plays Champions League football next season. Spurs have bounced back well from FA Cup disappointment to beat both Arsenal and Chelsea. 

Both sides need the win and this should make for an open and entertaining game.

Magic predicts: Manchester United 2 - Tottenham Hotspur 1

 

Bolton Wanderers vs. Portsmouth at the Reebok Stadium. Owen Coyle’s side all but ensured Premier League football will be seen at the Reebok Stadium next season as Bolton came back in the last 10 minutes to defeat Stoke to record their 4^th away victory of the season last Saturday. The Trotters are now 7 points clear of 18^th placed Hull with a superior goal difference with 3 to play.

Portsmouth have an FA Cup final to look forward to, and in the league with relegation already confirmed, Avram Grant can afford to introduce some of the younger players as Pompey prepare for Championship football next season. Portsmouth lost to a late goal at Fratton Park on Sunday to Aston Villa and Grant will be looking for his players to remain focused with competition for places in the FA Cup final at stake.

Magic predicts: Bolton Wanderers 3 - Portsmouth 2

 

Hull City vs. Sunderland at the Kingston Communications Stadium. A must-win game for Hull who remain 3 points adrift of 17^th placed West Ham and with an inferior goal difference. Iain Dowie will have to rally his troops but can be encouraged by an improved performance at Birmingham last Saturday as the Tigers fought hard to take a point. Dowie will be hoping to get within 3 points of safety heading into the last game of the season. A defeat could see Hull’s relegation confirmed with 2 games remaining.

The Black Cats produced one of their finest performances of the season in defeating Hull in their first meeting of the season, 4-1 at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland also mathematically confirmed their Premier League status by beating Burnley last Saturday and virtually condemned Burnley to Championship football. They could do the same this week to Hull if they can produce their second away win of the season.

Magic predicts: Hull City 2 - Sunderland 1

 

West Ham United vs Wigan Athletic at Upton Park.  With defeat to Liverpool on Monday the Hammers are still looking for another win to make them safe. Gianfranco Zola’s side have come through a turbulent season and it will remain to be seen whether the Italian will be in charge at West Ham next season.

Roberto Martinez’s side produced a fine fight-back in the last 10 minutes to defeat Arsenal last Sunday to confirm their place in the Premier League for next season. Wigan have saved their best football this season against some of the top teams but have struggled for consistency.  

Magic predicts: West Ham United 1 - Wigan Athletic 1

 

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Blackburn Rovers at Molineux. Wolves have been coming to terms with the Premier League as the season reaches its conclusion, with Mick McCarthy’s side putting in some solid performances in recent weeks. Wolves still need another win to ensure safety but that shouldn’t be a problem based on recent form.

Blackburn lost by the odd goal in 5 in an entertaining game against Everton on Saturday. Sam Allardyce’s side have nothing to play for at this stage and Allardyce may chose to give some of the more inexperienced players in his squad playing time.

Magic predicts: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 - Blackburn Rovers 0 

 

Arsenal vs.Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal had the opportunity of getting back into the Championship race after Chelsea’s defeat in last Saturday’s match but blew their chances by throwing away a 2 goal lead at Wigan. The Gunners will most likely have to settle for third place but will have a major influence on the race for 4^th place in this game. Arsenal will be out for revenge for their earlier defeat to City at Eastlands.

City lost the advantage in the race for 4^th place with defeat to a last gasp Paul Scholes winner in last week’s Manchester derby. With Spurs in action at Old Trafford, City have an opportunity to make up ground if they can produce a result at the Emirates. City have a miserable record at Arsenal s but with Arsenal stumbling in recent games this may be the best opportunity for Roberto Mancini’s side to break this sequence.

Magic predicts: Arsenal 0 - Manchester City 2

 

Aston Villa vs. Birmingham City at Villa Park. This derby game will be keenly contested to determine which club has bragging rights into next season. Villa edged a tight contest at St. Andrews earlier in the season and although a 4^th place finish looks to be beyond Martin O’ Neill’s men, they will be pushing to finish the season on a high and win all their remaining games in the hope that both Spurs and Manchester City both drop points in their remaining matches.

Birmingham’s results have been disappointing in the last few weeks; last Saturday they were held by struggling Hull City, who Villa beat 2-0 on Wednesday. Both Birmingham and Villa have relied on tight defence so expectations are for a low scoring game.

Magic predicts: Aston Villa 1 - Birmingham City 0

 

Burnley vs. Liverpool at Turf Moor.  Burnley’s survival hopes improved 2 weeks ago with a 4-1 away win at Hull but after defeat at Sunderland, Brian Laws side now face the prospect of relegation being confirmed with 2 games remaining should they lose against Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool. The Clarets have nothing to lose at this stage and will no doubt throw caution to the wind as they go for 3 points that could then take the relegation battle to the final game of the season.

Liverpool’s chances of Champions League football next season look remote and with Portsmouth potentially taking a Europa Cup slot, the Reds still have work to do to confirm they will be playing any European football next season. This has been a desperately disappointing campaign for Liverpool and they will be without the services of their leading goalscore, Fernando Torres, who may now be a doubt for Spain in the World Cup. Liverpool comfortably beat West Ham in mid-week and should still have too much quality for struggling Burnley.

Magic predicts: Burnley 1 - Liverpool 1

 

Everton vs. Fulham at Goodison Park. Everton’s impressive form continued with an entertaining 3-2 victory at Blackburn last Saturday and with just 1 defeat in the last 11 games Everton are the form team in the Premier League. Everton are all but guaranteed an 8^th place finish  but David Moyes will have not given up the battle for a Europa League place until it because a mathematical impossibility; to have  any chance his side will have to win all their remaining games.

Fulham are more focused on a Europa League semi-final against Hamburg next Wednesday and Roy Hodgson may decide to rest some of his key players ahead of that game. Although the Cottagers will be aiming for a top-half finish, their league for has dipped coinciding with their progress in Europe.

Magic predicts: Everton 2 - Fulham 0 Banker

 

Chelsea vs. Stoke City at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea’s 4 point lead at the top of the Premier League was reduced to just 1 point again and Carlo Ancelotti’s side, after appearing to have one hand on the Premier League trophy, look like being made to work to regain the title until the final game of the season.  Destiny though is still in Chelsea’s hands, which 5 games ago looked unlikely. Ancelotti then, will be happy with that position with 3 to play, but knows his side will be made to work for the points against a dogged Stoke side. Chelsea, with home advantage, will be firm favourites for the win.

Stoke confirmed a mid-table finish some weeks ago and have nothing left to play for this season. Tony Pulis will relish the chance to have a say in determining the destination of the Premier League trophy and out for revenge for defeat to Chelsea in the FA Cup.

Magic predicts: Chelsea 2 - Stoke City 0