Wednesday 9 May 2012

It's up for grabs now - last day of the season

Sky already have their cameras ready. A couple will be focused on the trophy being lifted, of the players lying on the grass in tears. But the others will be aiming into the crowd, poised to capture the emotions of the fans. The Premier League season is coming to an end this Saturday, but significantly, there is still an awful lot to play for.

The title hasn't been decided. Three teams can still finish third. Two teams (Bolton and QPR) could still be relegated with Wolves and Blackburn - Aston Villa are 99.9% safe. The fans of those clubs have invested months, money and tears in their teams, and ninety minutes will shape their lives. As is tradition, many will be in fancy dress for their last game. Even Brendan Rodgers has asked Swansea fans to dress as Elvis... This Wally below was a Birmingham fan last season.

Well done photographer, you found him!

So it's my turn to preview the final day of the season, NC style. Looking at the title race, the race for Europe and the relegation places. Read on...

The title

It looks all over. Fergie reckons that City have two hands on the trophy. QPR need not bother turning up apparently. Or is this just the famous drunk rubbish he spouts mind games? The sub-plots are in place. Mark Hughes returns to the club that binned him. United travel to a team which could almost call themselves a Man Utd Old Boys XI. This could be the first championship decided on goal difference since 1989. Remember we're talking about Manchester City, chokers supreme. For what it's worth, I hope City win with a last minute Tevez goal, so we can all revel in the hero worship of the mercenary who really doesn't want to be there.

City announce Roque Santa Cruz is to return in place of Aguero

Third/fourth place

It seems like no-one wants Champions League football next season. Every weekend, the main contenders seem to match each other stride for stride. Spurs perhaps have the most to be upset about, even in late January they were being touted as potential champions. Arsenal recovered from an awful start, while Newcastle were being linked with relegation and have now shown that maybe Mike Ashley wasn't a complete tosser after all. The Gunners have it in their hands, but a Roy Hodgson farewell show isn't out of the question, and the Chelsea versus Bayern match will have two sets of fans watching the final with all the stress of a trip to the dentist. No predictions for me, but Chelsea are in an enviable position of power over their rivals. If they win the cup, feel sorry for the Belgian champions who would then have to enter a play off rather than the group stage directly.

The Spurs PA system played Diamond Lights on repeat

Relegation

Wolves and Blackburn have gone. QPR need a point at Man City (worth a fiver perhaps), while Bolton will rue chucking a two-goal lead at home to West Brom. If clubs were sent down based on quality, it would be hard to choose just three. Villa have been abject, Wigan were awful before March, and even Stoke have scored the fewest goals in the division but survive by rugby alone. Blackburn fans claim their owners Venky's believed that they couldn't be relegated (like US sports). It's like playing Russian Roulette for morons - just stick six bullets in the gun and watch them keep firing.


Earrings from Elizabeth Duke

It's not been a great Premier League season by any stretch, but for one day, there'll be drama, triumph and pain. Plus the potential for extra drama in Munich come the following Saturday evening.

Once the season is done, I'll do the usual football blog guff with awards, memories and reviews.

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Don't forget to vote here for which shirt you think I should buy with my Classic Football Shirts voucher, the poor Dortmund shirt is feeling unloved...

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