Chelsea played Spurs in a game that could have made a difference in the chase for the final Champions League spot. A Chelsea win would have more or less made third spot secure but a win for Spurs would have seen them leap above their North London neighbours Arsenal a point ahead with two games to play. The end result was a 2-2 draw at the Bridge with Spurs coming from behind twice to share the spoils. The final fixtures will be interesting especially with Chelsea facing an Everton whose manager will be heading east to Manchester United come the end of the season. Chelsea travel to Aston Villa looking to repeat the result that they got at the Bridge earlier in the season. One thing is that it wont be 8 for Chelsea but it will be much closer. If the powerful Benteke is feeling it on Saturday, he could easily give the Chelsea defence a run for their money. Chelsea know that a draw is not the result they need especially if Arsenal and Spurs win both their matches.
Spurs travel to Stoke City again needing to avoid a draw as that could end their Champions League hopes and given Spurs late win against Southampton in a game where Southampton were unlucky to get a point, if Stoke can shackle Bale, it could be another long night for the North Londoners. Their neighbours Arsenal get an extra few days thanks to Wigan playing in the FA Cup final on Saturday. Arsenal could have a greater advantage as they wont play till midweek. That's not to say that Arsenal are guaranteed a win. Whilst Arsenal have been getting wins and not playing well, we all know that Wigan dont like to conform and given their latest form in the league it is hard to predict which Wigan will turn up. Will it be the Wigan that comes back to win or the Wigan that looks like the keystone cops.
Tottenham's final game of the season is a home game against Sunderland. This should be a three pointer on any normal day. This of course is no normal day. It's the final 90 minutes of the domestic season. Spurs playing for Champions League and Sunderland playing for Premier League security. Whilst Wigan look the favourites to win, Paulo Di Canio's team will certainly not sit back and relax. They have beaten Everton this season, but at the same time lost to QPR and Reading and of course more recently given a pasting by Aston Villa so nothing can be taken for granted.
Arsenal finish their season against Newcastle United. This Newcastle team has seemingly gone from being a top four chasing team to a team that has flirted briefly with the relegation trapdoor. For loyal Newcastle United fans, it has not been a season to remember. Notably the departure of Demba Ba to Chelsea. Yes they have suffered injuries, but then so have other clubs. What must worry the fans is the fact not only did they capitulate against Sunderland but they went missing against Liverpool in a game which saw them leak six goals. Arsenal and Newcastle have produced some good games, but this time I think the Arsenal will come through.
So who do I think will qualify for the Champions League? I believe that despite everything that had been said about Rafa, he will secure the third and final automatic Champions League spot. In that final fourth spot in what is a battle of the North London clubs, will be Arsenal. Having sold Robin Van Persie in the summer, it would always be a testing season. They would be written off and after a dismal League Cup exit of Wenger going would be greatly talked about, but like always, Arsenal like always seem to pick up in the league after Christmas.
Some people may think that Im leaning towards Arsenal, which is risky as some of my great cousins are Spurs fans and would hate to get ditched in the Thames....only joking. After beating Arsenal, Spurs should have cruised to third but a run that saw nine points taken from a possible 24 seems to have been their downfall. Arsenal on the other hand went the opposite way. An inspired performance against Bayern Munich kicked their season again and twenty points from a possible twenty four looks certain to see Wenger finish once more in the top four.
With the penultimate weekend hours from kick off, it will be interesting to see what happens.
Some people may think that Im leaning towards Arsenal, which is risky as some of my great cousins are Spurs fans and would hate to get ditched in the Thames....only joking. After beating Arsenal, Spurs should have cruised to third but a run that saw nine points taken from a possible 24 seems to have been their downfall. Arsenal on the other hand went the opposite way. An inspired performance against Bayern Munich kicked their season again and twenty points from a possible twenty four looks certain to see Wenger finish once more in the top four.
With the penultimate weekend hours from kick off, it will be interesting to see what happens.
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