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Wigan

Wigan Athletic lost 3-1 on the road to West Brom in their last match, the Latics’ fifth straight match without a win. In their last five, Wigan have drawn one and lost four, picking up only a single point from the available fifteen. The Latics are currently 11th in the league, five points behind 10th placed Manchester City and equal on points with 12th placed Stoke.

Manchester United

Winning each of their last five matches has given Manchester United all fifteen points available from these matches. Man Utd are currently first in the league, three points ahead of second placed Liverpool with a match in hand. The Red Devils need only four points from their remaining three matches to clinch the title for the third successive year.

Form Guide

Wigan Athletic:
3rd May vs. Aston Villa (A) won 2-0 (Premier League)
26th April vs. Reading (H) drew 0-0 (Premier League)
19th April vs. Tottenham (H) drew 1-1- (Premier League)
14th April vs. Chelsea (A) drew 1-1 (Premier League)
5th April vs. Birmingham City (H) 2-0 (Premier League)

Manchester United:
3rd May vs. West Ham United (H) won 4-1 (Premier League)
29th April vs. F.C Barcelona (H) won 1-0 (CHAMP LG)
26th April vs. Chelsea (A) lost 2-1 (Premier League)
23rd April vs. Barcelona (A) drew 0-0 (CHAMP LG)
19th April vs. Blackburn Rovers (A) drew 1-1 (Premier League)

Facts and Stats

(Source: news.bbc.co.uk)

• Last May, Manchester United won this corresponding fixture 0-2 at the JJB, and thus gained the points they needed to retain the Premier League title. Twelve months later, Wigan again entertain a Red Devils outfit, this time in need of four points from the last nine available to claim a second hat-trick of Premier League crowns, and an 11th title in this league.
• If United avoid defeat here they could clinch a record-equalling 18th English top-flight championship, home to Arsenal on Saturday or away to Hull on Sunday week.
• United have won their last six Premier League games; Wigan are chasing their first win in six.
• This is the 150th Premier League game, and 75th at home for the Latics, who are still searching for their first Premier League victory over a member of the ‘Big Four’.
• The two managers, Steve Bruce and Sir Alex Ferguson, share the same birthday (31 December), but were born 19 years apart. Both were appointed to their current clubs in the same month (November), 21 years apart.
• Bruce, who is 48, has never beaten his old boss as a manager. He has drawn two and lost 10 of 12 games against Ferguson’s United, when in charge of either Birmingham or Wigan, 11 of those being Premier League games.
• Ferguson has only been beaten five times in 55 Premier League matches against clubs managed by one of his former players.
• Manchester United have won all eight league and cup matches they have played against Wigan.

Team News

Midfielder Kevin Kilbane will be rested for this game. He will join defenders Mario Melchiot (groin) and Erik Edman (knee) on the sidelines. Wigan will also be without Cho Won-hee and Amr Zaki.

For Man Utd, Wayne Rooney should be fit enough start from bench after recovering from hip injury. Nemanja Vidic should also start after recovering from the concussion. However, Nani is suspended after receiving a crazy red card against West Ham, and Louis Saha is out for the season with a hamstring tear. Rio Ferdinand and Johnny Evans are also doubtful for this match.

Prediction

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Atalanta

The season is over for Atalanta, who cannot qualify for Europe now, but who are also 15 points above the relegation zone and in no trouble whatsoever. Last weekend Atalanta looked jaded and uninterested as they lost 0-3 at 8th placed Udinese. Add in the fact that Atalanta have lost three of their last four home games, two of them against Reggina and Chievo.

Genoa

Genoa are battling hard for a Champions League spot, and sit just one point away from 4th placed Fiorentina. Genoa also have an easy looking run-in with Chievo, Torino and Lecce to come but it’s important for the Grifone, to pickup points from EVERY game as they chase Champions League football. Away form has not been the greatest asset for Genoa, but the last few months have brought a better return and a 3-1-1 record in the last five road games, suggests that coach Gian Piero Gasperini has found a way to get Genoa performing on the road.

Prediction

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West Ham

It is more than clear that Gianfranco Zola have done a marvelous job at West Ham and not even the most optimistic fans could have predicted that their team would be fighting for European places, when the Italian took over the reigns. The boss had plenty of problems with injured players along the way, which makes his success even bigger. He was forced to rely on some very young players in the last few weeks but they did really well and that is one of the reasons why West Ham are still in seventh place. Unlike most Premiership managers, Zola wants his team to play in Europa League next season as he feels that it would benefit the youngsters a great deal. This is why the Hammers will give their best against Liverpool but we are yet to see if that will be enough for the positive result. The team beat Stoke last weekend thanks to the great strike by Diego Tristan although the game could have gone other way as Stoke had dominated the proceedings. Zola faces big selection problems before the Liverpool game and that could damage their chances of getting a positive result from this match. Cole, Gabbidon, Ashton, Collins, Dyer, Savio and Behrami are all out, whereas Scott Parker remains an injury doubt. The injury crisis hasn’t caused a lot of problems against the weaker sides in the league but this is something Liverpool will know how to exploit. (Source: freebetting.net)

West Ham have 5 wins out the last 10 home games, drawing 1 and losing 4. The 4 losses were to Spurs, Aston Villa, Man Utd and Chelsea, only 1 of these matches was by more than a 1 goal deficit, 0-2 against Spurs. This was the only time the Hammers conceded more than 1 goal. (Source: bettingexpert.com)

Liverpool

Liverpool have certainly made a lot of progress this season, especially in the Premier League and if they were to win the league title, that would be completely deserved. However, that is unlikely to happen as Manchester United are three points clear at the top, with a game in hand, although the Reds will fight till the very end. Rafa Benitez’s side have been in excellent form lately, having won seven of the last eight league games. The team are out of the Champions League which gives them enough time to focus on the league campaign and that has produced great results. Liverpool will probably win all the remaining games but they will have to wait and see if United will make some slip ups. Steven Gerrard has stated that this team were too good not to win Premier League and he may have a point there. The Reds played really well this season, even against the direct title rivals but few unexpected slip ups are likely to cost them title. Nevertheless, they will enter this match on a high and we cannot see how West Ham will stop them from winning this match, especially in the state the Hammers are in. (Source: freebetting.net)

Liverpool have only 1 loss in the last 10 away games, winning 6 and drawing 3. The solitary loss was to a struggling Middlesbrough which goes to prove that they can be got at. The wins come against Blackburn, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Man Utd, Fulham and Hull. Apart from Man Utd and Fulham, the other 4 teams were all struggling when they played Liverpool and are battling relegation. (Source: bettingexpert.com)

Facts and Stats

• Three points for Liverpool at West Ham will see the Merseysiders knocking Manchester United off the top of the table for the last time, unless the Red Devils drop points in their final four games. This match comes 20 hours before the defending champions entertain City in a Manchester derby and four days before United play their game in hand at Wigan.
• West Ham go into this clash in possession of seventh spot and a possible place in Europe, but they hold a slender one point lead over Manchester City, Fulham and Spurs.
• This match brings together one of the clubs to have scored the fewest goals in the last 10 minutes of Premier League games this season, and the one to have netted the most; West Ham have knocked home five in that time sector, Liverpool 18.
• Liverpool have lost only one of their last six Premier League visits to West Ham.
• The Hammers are looking to notch successive home league victories over Liverpool for the first time since 1999.

Form Guide

West Ham
May 02 Stoke City 0-1 West Ham
Apr 25 West Ham 0-1 Chelsea
Apr 18 Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham
Apr 11 Tottenham 1-0 West Ham
Apr 04 West Ham 2-0 Sunderland

Liverpool
May 03 Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle
Apr 25 Hull City 1-3 Liverpool
Apr 21 Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal
Apr 14 Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool (Champions League)
Apr 11 Liverpool 4-0 Blackburn

Team News

Striker Carlton Cole is expected to remain on the sidelines and Scott Parker is likewise afflicted, while James Collins and Kieron Dyer have calf and hamstring problems respectively. January signing Savio is back in the squad after illness, while Jack Collison is pushing for a start here. Dean Ashton, Valon Berhami and Danny Gabbidon are all out for the season.

In Liverpool, Xabi Alonso will miss today’s game after he picked up a foot injury when he was the victim of a Joey Barton’ lunge at him. Brazilian Lucas Levia is expected to deputise. Former West Ham man Javier Mascherano will take on his former team after he was passed fit. Fernando Torres who was a spectator in the win over Newcastle where the Reds won 3-0, will also be back.

Prediction

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Chelsea

Chelsea have shown great defensive quality last week at Camp Nou. Of course, the experienced Dutch coach Guus Hiddink contributed to that a lot cause he prepared hiw team very well for the game against Barcelona. The goal has been accomplished, his team held mighty Barcelona to a goalless draw and with a huge confidence is awaiting them at home in London. Great news for the Blues’ coach is that left-back Ashley Cole is returning to the squad after a longer break and will most probably replace Bosingwa. It’s expected that at their Stamford Bridge Chelsea will have the same approach and focus to the game in stopping Messi, Iniesta and Xavi, but also their other dangerous players like in Barcelona last time. Hiddink is famous for setting up great defense, which he demonstrated in the first leg. Players of the English representative will again focus on the aggressive and tough defense, where they won’t allow Barcelona’s technique to reveal much. They will be seeking for their chance through set pieces, which is the worst part of their opponent’s play. Of course, Chelsea also proved they can play great on counterattacks, as they will surely have a few of them due to very open visitors’ play. We remember that great Drogba’s chance when he came up to Valdes face to face but didn’t react quickly enough so a great chance for the Blues failed. (Source: 365tip.com)

Barcelona

Barcelona have recorded a bit unexpected result at home, not managing to score a single goal against a team from London, which hasn’t happened on Camp Nou for almost a year. Guardiola didn’t expect such aggressive and defensive-minded game of the Blues. His game creators such as Messi, Iniesta and Xavi, and even offensive right-back Dani Alves, didn’t have enough space and time to present the play they’re displaying in Spanish Primera all the time, so it can freely be said that some of them were almost invisible on the pitch. Barcelona can’t play defensive football so therefore they will be very offensive-oriented in London. (Source: 365tip.com)

Facts and Stats

• FC Barcelona and Chelsea are playing against each other for the 10th time in the Champions League.
• They also met in the semi-finals of the 1965-66 Fairs Cup. Barca proceeded to the final after a 5-0 win in the decisive match at home. Both clubs had won their regular home ties 2-0.
• In total, Barcelona have won five of the 12 matches played against Chelsea with the Londoners winning four.
• Both clubs have progressed twice in their four previous knock-out match-ups in the CL.
• Barcelona have failed to beat Chelsea in their last four matches. This is their joint longest current winless run against a club in the Champions League/Champions Cup. They have also not won in their last four matches against Manchester United.
• Barca’s last win against Chelsea was on 22 February 2006; 1-2 at Stamford Bridge. This is Chelsea’s only home defeat in 11 matches against Spanish clubs; seven of those matches have been won.
• Chelsea’s last two home matches against Spanish clubs resulted in draws, 1-1 and 0-0, both against Valencia.
• Barcelona have lost 15 of their 29 away matches against English clubs. They have won six and drawn eight. Their last win on English soil was on 6 March 2007, at Liverpool (0-1).
• In the last four CL seasons Barcelona have been eliminated by Chelsea (2004-05), Liverpool (2006-07) and Manchester United (2007-08). In the 2005-06 season they won the CL final against Arsenal 2-1.
• In the 2-2 draw between Barcelona and Chelsea on 31 October 2006, 10 players received a yellow card. The record number of yellow cards in a CL match is 11.

(Source: news.bbc.co.uk)

Form Guide

Chelsea
May 2 Chelsea 3-1 Fulham (PREMIER LEAGUE)
Apr 28 Barcelona 0-0 Chelsea (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)
Apr 25 West Ham United 0-1 Chelsea (PREMIER LEAGUE)
Apr 22 Chelsea 0-0 Everton (PREMIER LEAGUE)
Apr 18 Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea (FA CUP)

Barcelona
May 2 Real Madrid 2-6 Barcelona (LA LIGA)
Apr 28 Barcelona 0-0 Chelsea (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)
Apr 25 Valencia 2-2 Barcelona (LA LIGA)
Apr 22 Barcelona 4-0 Sevilla (LA LIGA)
Apr 18 Getafe 0-1 Barcelona (LA LIGA)

Team News

Ashley Cole will come back from suspension and most likely he will replace Jose Bosingwa even though his performance at left-back last week was amazing. Michael Ballack will also return after being rested. Hiddink will again be without Deco, Joe Cole and Paolo Ferreira. From last week’s crowded midfield, John Obi Mikel is likely to miss out.

For Barca, Milito is carrying a long-term injury; Marquez got injured in the last match and will be out for the next couple of months, while captain Carlos Puyol will miss the game due to accumulated yellow cards. Thierry Henry’s phantom knee-knock has seemingly cleared up and he has travelled with the squad.

Prediction (will be sent to GoTipsters Subscribers ONLY, right before the match starts)

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The return leg of the English encounter in the semifinals of the Champions League will be an explosive one to watch. Manchester United and Arsenal will be meeting for the third time this season and it is Arsenal who will feel the pressure. The march to Rome is the only trophy left for the North Londoners to compete in…

Arsenal

Arsenal defeated Manchester United 2-1 at the Emirates earlier this season in the Premier League, and have been relatively dominant over the Red Devils at home in recent years, winning two and drawing two in their last four seasons. In spite of this, Manchester United have scored in their last three meetings at the Gunners’ home ground, which may prove a worry for Arsene Wenger’s men.

Arsenal will likely play at the Emirates with the confidence that they lacked in much of the first tie against United, but whether this will be enough to secure victory remains to be seen, with Man Utd in fine form and poised to secure their third successive Premier League title.

Manchester United

Manchester United is leading with 1-0 from the first leg and this slender lead might be enough to secure their second consecutive appearance in the Champions League Final. In spite of the Red Devils having had the potential to put more goals in the back of the Arsenal net if it weren’t for an impressive performance by goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.

Manchester United will be full of confidence, knowing that they are now very close to hat-trick title in Premier League after their 2-0 weekend victory over Middlesbrough. They are now quite above the second placed Liverpool at the point table and this could also boost up Manchester United psychologically. No matter, the kind of challenge Arsenal poses at home; it seems that Ferguson boys would appear with their top form.

Form Guide

Arsenal
02/05/09 Portsmouth 0-3 Arsenal (EPL)
29/04/09 Man Utd 1-0 Arsenal (Champions League Semi 1st Leg)
26/04/09 Arsenal 2-0 Middlesbrough (EPL)
21/04/09 Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal (EPL)
18/04/09 Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea (FA Cup)

Manchester United
02/05/09 Middlesbrough 0-2 Man Utd (EPL)
29/04/09 Man Utd 1-0 Arsenal (Champions League Semi 1st Leg)
25/04/09 Man Utd 5-2 Tottenham (EPL)
22/04/09 Man Utd 2-0 Portsmouth (EPL)
19/04/09 Man Utd 0-0P Everton (FA Cup)

Team News

Wenger rested all but Bacary Sagna, Alex Song and Theo Walcott of his potential starters last weekend’s away game against Portsmouth. Denilson and Nicklas Bendtner, who bagged a brace against Pompey, are in their gaffer’s thoughts after strong performances. Robin van Persie and Mikael Silvestre will face late fitness tests while Gael Clichy, William Gallas and Eduardo da Silva remain sidelined. Song could drop into defence if Wenger doesn’t want to throw a fringe man like Johan Djourou in at the deep end.

For Red Devils, Edwin van der Sar, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and Rio Ferdinand were all completely omitted from the squad as United beat Middlesbrough at the weekend, and all could return. Ferguson remains hopeful over Ferdinand, with Jonny Evans on stand-by if the stopper, who suffered bruised lungs during the first leg, doesn’t make it. O’Shea, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and Wayne Rooney all started, yet will likely line up again on Tuesday. Gary Neville remains injured, while fellow right-back Wes Brown is unlikely to be risked following his recent return to full training. Other players who performed well at the weekend include Park Ji-Sung, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, although Michael Carrick, Fletcher and Anderson could well return to the midfield, leaving Park and Carlos Tevez as high-impact subs.
(Source: Goal.com)

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Genoa

Gasperini was disappointed with the play in Bologna. He even stated that it was the worst performance of the team since he took over. Perhaps he exaggerated but the fact is that the team is out of form. They lost to Lazio and Bologna and we have seen nothing of the attractive play we are used to. That is why we expect changes in the team as the stakes are high and we don’t believe that Gasperini will be offensive as usual. Milito is back but the long break left traces. This autumn Genoa won the derby 1:0; it was a sweet win but a draw wouldn’t suit them now and they will have to impose their tempo. The complete team is at disposal which is a boost for the fans, Palladino and Sculli will join Milito. Former Juventus player was one of the rare ones that lived up to the expectations against Vologna. Jankovic will stay on the bench; Genoa usually crushed their rivals with great tempo in the second half. (Source: freebetting.net)

Sampdoria

Mazzari won’t rest the team. No one would forgive him such a thing, even though the Cup finals is due on Wednesday. Actually, if they win the Cup they will play in Europe for the second year in a row which will be a great success. However first they have to play the derby; Mazzario can county on all of his key players: Cassano, Pazzini and Palombo, the hero of the duel against Cagliari while the triple scorer Marilungo will stay on the bench. This young man, wjo is expected to be a major star, will get his chance in the second half. Ever since Genoa came back to Serie A two seasons ago, these teams have played three games, won a game each and drew one. Sampdoria were much weaker this autumn, troubled by injuries and without a real forward. Since Pazzini arrived things look much better, fantastic Cassano wasn’t so good against Cagliari but only couple of his moves can solve any game. (Source: freebetting.net)

Form Guide

Genoa
26 April: Bologna 2-0 Genoa
18 April: Genoa 0-1 Lazio
11 April: Genoa 3-2 Juventus
5 April: Reggina 0-1 Genoa
22 March: Genoa 2-0 Udinese

Sampdoria
26 April: Sampdoria 3-3 Cagliari
23 April: Inter 1-0 Sampdoria (Coppa Italia)
19 April: Catania 2-0 Sampdoria
11 April: Lecce 1-3 Sampdoria
5 April: Sampdoria 2-2 Napoli

Team News

Gian Piero Gasperini has no fresh selection worries ahead of Sunday’s crunch derby with the Blucerchiati. Diego Milito takes centre-stage in his second game back from injury alongside Raffaele Palladino and Giuseppe Sculli in the forward line.

In Sampdoria, Walter Mazzarri is expected to field his regular eleven following the use of some turnover in the 3-3 draw with Cagliari last Sunday. Claudio Bellucci and Manuel Da Costa are both carrying injuries but Giampaolo Pazzini returns to partner Cassano up top.

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