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

Crunch Time

 

Birmingham City vs. Burnley at St. Andrews Stadium. Birmingham head into their final home game of the season. They will be aiming to put the derby day disappointment of a 1-0 defeat and conceding a season double to their city rivals Aston Villa behind them. Alex McLeish’s side are looking for a 9^th place finish if they can win their remaining 2 games of the season and after their last 4 home games ending in draws, will want to end the season on a high in front of their home supporters.

Burnley‘s quick return to Championship football was confirmed last week with a home defeat to Liverpool. The gamble to appoint Brian Laws as manager, without any previous Premier League experience, didn’t pay off as the Clarets slumped to 14 defeats in 17 matches under his command. Burnley will be looking for their second away win of the season.

Magic predicts: Birmingham City 2 - Burnley 0

 

Manchester City vs. Aston Villa at the City of Manchester Stadium. The race for 4^th spot is still alive and City’s fate is still very much in their own hands with next week’s mid-week home game to Tottenham also being a must-win game for Roberto Mancini’s side. City realistically need to win their remaining 3 matches to earn the Champions League spot.

Aston Villa were fortunate to win the Birmingham derby last week and have to win their last 2 matches and hope that Tottenham take no more than 4 points in their remaining 3 matches if Martin O’ Neill’s side is to make it to the Champions League for the first time.

Magic predicts: Manchester City 1 - Aston Villa 0   

 

Portsmouth vs Wolverhampton Wanderers at Fratton Park. This game could be the last Premier League match seen at Fratton Park for a while with Pompey doomed to relegation and an uncertain future. There is sure to be a vociferous home support and Pompey will be looking to complete a league double. Ivorian, Aruna Dindane scored a brace last Saturday as Portsmouth completed a fight back from a 2-0 deficit to earn a draw at Bolton and Avram Grant’s side will be looking to keep this momentum going ahead of the Cup Final date with Chelsea in 2 weeks time.

A satisfying season for Mick McCarthy as Wolves survival was confirmed following last week’s home draw with Blackburn. Wolves can now relax and enjoy their remaining 2 matches. They will be looking to avenge their 1-0 home defeat to Portsmouth earlier in the season.

Magic predicts: Portsmouth 1 - Wolverhampton Wanderers 1

 

Stoke City vs. Everton at the Britannia Stadium. The Potters were meted out their heaviest defeat of the season last Sunday as Chelsea went on the rampage and put 7 goals past a normally resolute Stoke defence. Ryan Shawcross made his comeback in that game after suspension and injury and the England hopeful will be disappointed that his return coincided with Stoke’s worst performance of the season. Tony Pulis’s side will now be looking to end the season in front of their home support on a high, with a victory ahead of Stoke’s final 2 games, both of which are away. The Potters are still aiming for a top half finish in their second season in the Premier League.

Everton were fortunate to win against Fulham last Sunday, a disappointing performance, against a side who were more focused on a Europa League semi-final return leg. Mikel Arteta however; saved Everton blushes with a last minute penalty. David Moyes will demand a better performance and will be looking for his side to win their final 2 league games and hope city rivals Liverpool lose theirs, which would mean the Toffees would claim the final Europa League spot for next season.

Magic predicts: Stoke City 0 - Everton 1

 

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Bolton Wanderers at White Hart Lane. Tottenham gave a fighting display at Old Trafford last Saturday before going down 3-1, and Harry Redknapp’s side look to secure the 4^th spot by winning their remaining 3 games. They face a Bolton side whose Premier League safety was secured last week and they will go into the game playing for pride and looking to thwart Spurs’ Champions League ambitions.

Harry Redknapp’s side drew at Bolton early in the season in the league and again in the FA Cup prior to thumping the Trotters in the FA Cup replay at White Hart Lane 4-0. This is a must-win game for Spurs and in the form they have displayed in the last 4 games; they should be too strong for Owen Coyle’s men.

Magic predicts: Tottenham Hotspur 2 - Bolton Wanderers 0 Banker  

 

Liverpool vs. Chelsea at Anfield. Liverpool still have an outside chance of claiming the 4^th spot but realistically Rafa Benitez’s side would have to win their remaining 2 matches and pray for a miracle that both Spurs and Manchester City lose at least 2 of their remaining home matches. Liverpool can do a big favour to their bitter North West rivals Manchester United, by taking at least a point that would give United an edge in the title race. Most Liverpool supporters would be happier for Chelsea to win the title race ahead of United, with United ready to claim the record from Liverpool for most league titles, should they win the Premier League this season. The Liverpool players will be looking for a win to keep their slim Champions League hopes alive.

Chelsea bounced back from defeat at Spurs to record their biggest win of the season in the 7-0 thrashing of Stoke. Carlo Ancelotti needs a big performance from his players to secure points that would leave Chelsea needing win in their last game of the season against Wigan to claim the title for the first time since 2006. All eyes will be on this, the biggest game of the week in the Premier League.

Magic predicts: Liverpool 0 - Chelsea 2

 

Fulham vs. West Ham United at Craven Cottage. Fulham are in jubilant spirits, after reaching the final of the Europa League in mid-week with the defeat of Hamburg. The players may be tired after their exploits and Roy Hodgson may rest some of his squad for the game. Fulham’s leading goal scorer, Bobby Zamora is likely to not feature as he tries to recover from a niggly achilles strain.

West Ham narrowly defeated Wigan at Upton Park last Saturday to confirm their Premier league status for next season. New owners David’s Gold and Sullivan will be delighted and will now be consider the future of manager Gianfranco Zola.

Magic predicts: Fulham 0 - West ham United 0

 

Sunderland vs. Manchester United at the Stadium of Light. Another Darren Bent goal and Sunderland’s second away victory of the season condemned Hull to relegation last Saturday. Steve Bruce now goes head-to-head against his former mentor Alex Ferguson and the club that he helped to their first league title in 26 years, when in 1993 Manchester United won the then inaugural Premier League title. Ironically Steve Bruce will be plotting the downfall of his former club‘s march to a record 19^th league title,

Alex Ferguson will be hoping that Liverpool can take a  point from Chelsea that would leave United’s title challenge in their own hands. United’s league chances looked to have disappeared with a draw at Blackburn that handed Chelsea a 4 point lead but back-to-back wins against Champions League hopefuls, Manchester City and Tottenham, have resurrected the Red Devils title dreams. This is a must-win game.

Magic predicts: Sunderland 0 - Manchester United 3

 

Wigan Athletic vs. Hull City at the DW Stadium. A game that looked a few weeks ago to be a relegation decider is now a meaningless game, with relegation places already being decided with 2 games remaining. Wigan lost to West Ham last Saturday, a result that confirmed the Hammers Premier League status for next season and condemned Hull to a return to the Championship. Wigan will be looking for a good performance in front of their home fans for the last time this season and prior to taking on Chelsea in the final game of the season  that could be a Premier League title decider.

Magic predicts: Wigan Athletic 2 - Hull City 0

 

Blackburn Rovers vs. Arsenal at Ewood Park. Blackburn looked set for their third away victory of the season last Saturday until Sylvan Ebanks-Blake popped up for only his second goal of the season to rescue a point for Wolves. Sam Allardyce’s side are still pushing hard for a top half finish, in what can be regarded as a successful season for a club of Blackburn’s means.

Arsenal are guaranteed to finish in third place and so it’s a meaningless game for Arsene Wenger’s side. The match offers a chance for Robin Van Persie to gain vital match practice following his rehabilitation from injury and hopefully a place in Holland’s World Cup squad next month.

Magic predicts: Blackburn Rovers 1 - Arsenal 1   

 

Fulham vs. Stoke City at Craven Cottage. Fulham crowned a fine season when they came from behind in defeating Hamburg to reach the Europa League final. The Cottagers can take pride from their European foray as well as another solid season in the Premier League with a mid-table finish. They will be eager to turn on the style in front of the home faithful, many of who have supported the club across the continent this season.

Stoke can leapfrog Fulham with a win as Tony Pulis looks for improvement on his side’s last year’s 12^th placed finish. It’s been another solid season for the Potters and they will quickly want to wipe out the memory of last week’s defeat, their heaviest of the season against Championship chasing Chelsea.

Magic predicts: Fulham 0 - Stoke City 0

 

Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur at the City of Manchester Stadium. This is a must-not-lose game for both sides in the race for 4^th place. City having played Aston Villa at the weekend will probably need the win, more so than Spurs, if the result of their weekend game against Bolton ends as would be expected with a Spurs victory. The game will be a Cup Final for both teams with Aston Villa waiting in the wings anxiously to see the outcome of the game and the impact it has on their chances of claiming the 4^th spot.  

Magic predicts: Manchester City 1 - Tottenham Hotspur 1