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

Over and Out 09/10

 

Arsenal vs. Fulham at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners are now without a trophy in 5 years. Arsene Wenger’s young side need at least a draw to hold onto 3^rd place in the league. Their title challenge ended relatively recently, not quite having the consistency to stay the pace with Chelsea and Manchester United. Wenger will be looking to strengthen his squad in the close season adding some strength to all areas.

Fulham have a Europa League final ahead of them and if they can lift the trophy the season will go down as the best season in the club’s history. Roy Hodgson can be proud of the progress the club has made since he took charge just 2 ½ years ago. The Cottagers may have the distraction of a European final but they make Arsenal fight for the points

Magic predicts: Arsenal 1 - Fulham 0

 

Aston Villa vs. Blackburn Rovers at Villa Park. Aston Villa’s battle for 4^th place ended at Manchester City last Saturday. Although Villa have again qualified for the Europa Cup and the squad has performed better than the previous season, both Manchester City and Spurs have advanced more in the last 12 months and it’s back to the drawing board for Martin O’Neill. Villa beat Blackburn in the FA Cup 3^rd round in January and will looking for a repeat victory in the final game of the season.

Rovers are still pushing for a top half finish and will need a win in the final game to achieve this goal. Sam Allardyce outwitted Arsene Wenger in the bank holiday clash on Monday. Blackburn came back from a goal behind with Chris Samba heading the winner. Blackburn have enjoyed a great finale to the season with just 1 defeat in their last 9 games.

Magic predicts: Aston Villa 1 - Blackburn Rovers 1

 

Bolton Wanderers vs. Birmingham City at the Reebok Stadium. Bolton narrowly lost at White Hart lane last Saturday and will be looking for a win today to secure 14^th place in the Premier League . Defeat could see the Trotters finish in 17^th place and the prize money difference should ensure that Bolton will be going full out for the points.

Birmingham’s first win in 9 games last Saturday in their final home game of the season against Burnley should be enough to ensure that Birmingham will finish in 9^th place in the Premier League. It’s been a tremendous first season back in the Premier League for Alex McLeish and he’ll be looking for a win to avenge Bolton’s early season victory at St. Andrews Stadium.

Magic predicts: Bolton Wanderers 1 - Birmingham City 0

 

Burnley vs. Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor.Burnley say goodbye to the Premier League but want to go out with a bang. It will remain to be seen whether Brian Laws will be in charge next season but with the parachute money from the Premier League, Burnley will be hoping for a quick return.  It will be a carnival atmosphere for Spurs supporters as their side qualified for the Champions League on Wednesday with a victory at Manchester City. A Peter Crouch goal on W took Spurs to the promised land.

Magic predicts: Burnley 0 - Tottenham Hotspur 3

 

Chelsea vs. Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge.   Chelsea have one last hurdle to overcome to claim the Premiership crown. Carlo Ancelotti will want to eliminate any complacency from a side that believes the title was won with Chelsea’s away victory at Liverpool last Sunday. Wigan did upset Chelsea earlier in the season, when winning 3-1 at the DW Stadium. With Roberto Martinez’s side is safe and  with nothing more to play for, they will be able to relax and play their football knowing the keen interest that the game will generate. The Latics will be out to make life very difficult for Chelsea.

Magic predicts: Chelsea 2 - Wigan Athletic 0 Banker

 

Everton vs Portsmouth at Goodison Park. Everton lost the chance of challenging their city rivals Liverpool for 7^th place by drawing at Stoke last Saturday to leave themselves 4 points adrift. David Moyes will be asking his charges for one last effort and to end the season in style in front of the home faithful.

Portsmouth also bid farewell to Premiership football although they do have an FA Cup final to look forward to against Chelsea in a week’s time. All the Portsmouth players are in the shop-window for new clubs next season, as well as wanting to impress boss Avram Grant to secure a cup final starting berth.

Ayegbeni Yakubu may start against his former club.

Magic predicts: Everton 2 - Portsmouth 1

 

Hull City vs Liverpool at the Kingston Communications Stadium. Hull return to the Championship after 2 seasons, leaving Iain Dowie facing a second successive relegation after being involved in the last 6 games with Newcastle last season. In truth, Hull have lacked the quality throughout their side to survive at the top level

If Dowie remains in charge next season he will have to re-build the squad with many of the current players certain to leave the club due to the financial implications of relegation.

Liverpool lost at home to Chelsea last week, and all involved at the club cannot wait for the season to end. Liverpool finish the season without a trophy and just managed to scrape into the Europa League next season. Speculation surrounds the future of Rafa Benitez and a major re-build of the squad will be needed if Liverpool are to challenge for honours next season.

Magic predicts: Hull City 0 - Liverpool 1

 

Manchester United vs. Stoke City at Old Trafford. The Red Devils can only look to end their season on a winning note and hope that Chelsea somehow contrive to collapse against Wigan. If United fail to win the league, it will be considered a season of failure, with just the Carling Cup in the trophy cabinet for this season.

Stoke could yet snatch a 9^th place finish in the Premier League, after a mid-week victory at Fulham. Matthew Etherington got the winner on Wednesday but The Potters face a tall to take another 3 points to put pressure on Birmingham.

Magic predicts: Manchester United 3 - Stoke City 0

 

West Ham United vs. Manchester City at Upton Park. After City’s the mid-week defeat against Tottenham, this game becomes another meaningless end of season affair. West Ham are safe from relegation and City had the wind taken out of their sails with the race for 4^th place already decided. Roberto Mancini will now have the task to list himself and his squad for the final game of the season. It will remain to be seen after City’s failure to qualify for the Champions League whether Roberto Mancini and his scarf will be seen at Eastlands next season.

Magic predicts: West Ham United 1 - Manchester City 1

 

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Sunderland at Molineux. Both teams can move up the table and secure more Premiership prize money. Wolves can potentially move up 2 places in the table and Sunderland 3 places but dependent on results in other matches. Wolves are without a win in 6 games and will want to win in front of their home supporters on the final day of the season.

Sunderland could still potentially move up 3 places and a top half finish. Steve Bruce can be happy with his first full season in charge at Sunderland and with the form of Sunderland's record signing Darren Bent, who has repaid much of the clubs investment with his 24 league goals this season.

Magic predicts: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 - Sunderland 1