WEDNESDAY, APR. 4: In the most exciting league in the world. It’s crunch time at both ends of the table.
A football feast over the Easter weekend means a busy schedule for the modern day gladiators. Squad strength and depth are key as the games are rolling in fast and furious.
Shock results are piling up as the scrap continues for survival in a more unpredictable season than ever. Title hopes, silverware, European spots and miracles to avoid relegation. The pressure is on. Who’s got the bottle to step up on the final lap?
Friday
Swansea v Newcastle
12.30pm (Bda time)
An irregular Friday night game sees a long journey for the North East Magpies to Wales. Both teams have produced great attacking football for most of the season and with Newcastle still eyeing a European passport after beating Liverpool last week, an away victory could be on the cards.
BDA Sun prediction: 1-2
Saturday
Sunderland v Tottenham
8.45am
Spurs returned to winning ways last week with Adebayor’s 50p head proving it’s worth for a change. Sessegnon ran the show last week and O’Neill’s men nearly done the double against Man City. The Northeast outfit are always tough at home. Hard call with both being inconsistent.
BDA Sun prediction:n 1-1
Chelsea v Wigan
11am
Two teams with close to disastrous seasons by their own standards seem to have finally found some form. Di Matteo has remarkably discovered and dusted off Torres’ boots which we all thought must have been left in Liverpool.He was undoubtedly the best player on the park against Benfica with signs of his old genius. Wigan have put some points on the board recently as the dogfight heats up but anyone will struggle at the Bridge right now.
BDA Sun prediction: 3-1
Liverpool v Aston Villa
11am
The last time the Scousers got as little points in 12 games was in 1954!
Villa have not been shining stars in recent weeks either and now find themselves looking over their shoulder after some of the bottom clubs have pulled their socks up.
BDA Sun prediction: 1-0
West Brom v Blackburn
11am
Albion’s recent results haven’t impressed anyone so they will be looking for a bounce back of sorts.
Steve Kean somehow still had a job to go to in
January, never mind in April.
He has pulled out some great wins when everyone (including his own fans) had written him off.
Hats off to his desire and passion to bring the club some hope of survival.
BDA Sun prediction: 1-1
Bolton v Fulham
11am
Three wins in a row for Bolton. The shock of Muamba’s hospital run seems to have inspired Coyle’s men. Fulham have been solid most of the season and the Bolton faithful will be hoping Dempsey doesn’t come out blazing. No easy points here.
BDA Sun prediction: 2-2
Norwich v Everton
11am
Shocker! Everton find form in the second half of the season. They will be admiring the demise of their Scouse rivals as they find themselves in a higher position. Two Scottish managers clash here, Norwich have been fantastic to watch but Everton could prove too strong.
BDA Sun prediction: 1-2
Stoke v Wolves
1.30pm
Nobody likes going to the Britannia Stadium and especially in Wolves’ current form. Five losses in a row, it’ll take something very special for them not to be a championship club next year. Where’s Mick McCarthy when you need him?
BDA Sun prediction: 2-0
Sunday
Man Utd v QPR
9.30am
The London club have a close to impossible run-in but with shock maximum points from Liverpool and Arsenal they probably feel they can beat anyone. United left it late last Monday but it’s hard to see them dropping points at this crucial stage of the season especially at Old Trafford. If they do, Fergie’s gum will be spat and his wine will turn to vinegar. Put it this way, you wouldn’t want to be in the Glaswegian’s dressing room.
BDA Sun prediction: 2-0
Arsenal v Man City
12pm
Possible title decider, which would be a shame for the neutral as we would all love it to come down to the Manchester derby. A fast, feisty affair looms and if Balotelli is involved — guaranteed fireworks. A huge test for Mancini and his men, they need to step up and show some real bottle and get three points if they want to keep their title hopes alive. Arsenal are tied on 58 points with Spurs so no love lost with their London rivals as they aim to grab anything that’s going.
BDA Sun prediction: 1-2
Monday
Everton v Sunderland
11am
Two solid teams on their day but with Everton dumping the Mackems out of the FA Cup in the replay at the Stadium of Light this could prove to be a mental obstacle for Sunderland.
BDA Sun prediction: 2-1
Newcastle v Bolton
11am
Big points up for grabs here as a lot on stake for both clubs. Opposite ends of the table... who’s going to prove they have what it takes?
BDA Sun prediction: 3-2
Tottenham v Norwich
11am
As the North London team sees an easing of hard fixtures, Norwich are no pushovers. They have shown they are here to stay with great passion and their attacking minded football has served them very well.
BDA Sun prediction: 2-1
Aston Villa v Stoke
1.30pm
Dull! Will not be a graceful affair by any means. Sure to be more elbows, kicks and cards than goals.
BDA Sun prediction: 1-1
Fulham v Chelsea
4pm
Chelsea trying to save their season at the Cottage. Pogrebnyak v Terry, Dempsey v Mata and Hangeland v Torres. One to watch!
BDA Sun prediction: 1-2
Jamie Macmillan is co-owner of Moongate Productions.