While Liverpool can't clinch their first Premier League title until next week, a win over Chelsea this weekend could end the contest for all intents and purposes. Chelsea is rumored to be considering fielding a much-weakened team for their Sunday trip to Anfield, as they look to conserve their players for the upcoming Champions League semi final 2nd leg in midweek. Manchester City visit on-fire Crystal Palace, who has beaten both Everton and Chelsea in their recent run of good form, without key players Yaya Toure and David Silva. Needless to say, the drama and suspense of the title chase is fading quickly, and I would expect the gap between Liverpool and their chasers to grow even wider this weekend.
But not relegation battle. Here are 3 matches that may play a pivotal role in who goes down:
Fulham v Hull City
Fulham hosts the FA Cup finalists and may need to win to stay off the bottom of the league. The upcoming match between Cardiff and Sunderland (more on that below) means that a loss, combined with a draw in Sunderland, would do just that. An even worse scenario would be a loss combined with a victory by either club, because it would put the Cottagers a win behind with just two matches left to play.
Fulham's goal difference is hopeless, so they need as many points as they can get. Manager Felix Magath will be hoping to secure all 3 tomorrow. A draw won't really help Fulham here. Magath's a master of avoiding the drop, and he'll need to be, because he's facing serious competition from the teams behind Fulham in order to stay up.
Hull was beaten soundly by Arsenal last weekend, but their two January signings, the strikers Jelavic and Long, have been in good form this spring. They could put Fulham's defense (by far the worst in the EPL) under serious pressure. Long's pace in particular could exploit Fulham's slow back line. And Fulham's midfield is one of the few in England that won't be able to take advantage of Hull's lack of pace in that area. In a match where Fulham needs to push forward to score and win, Hull has the quality in attack to hit Fulham on the counter. I'll predict a Hull away victory here.
Things are looking grim for Fulham at the moment, after their future looked so bright two short weeks ago. I simply didn't expect the Cottagers to be overtaken by the teams behind them, but Sunderland and Cardiff have taken unexpected points in recent weeks.
Man United v Norwich
At least things aren't as ominous for Fulham as they are at both these clubs right now. Both have sacked their managers this month, and their replacements are about as unproven as it gets in the EPL.
I've written plenty about United and Moyes, so I won't re-hash that now. Ryan Giggs takes over as player-manager for the remainder of the season. I would expect the players to play harder for him than they did for their beleaguered former manager. Therefore I expect United to win comfortably tomorrow.
Norwich fought admirably against Liverpool, but a visit to Old Trafford is a different story. The Canaries have the worst away record in the league, and they look destined to be overtaken by at least one of the current bottom three. I think this is the weekend they fall into the relegation zone, and I don't think they'll pull out before season's end. The final 2 matches against City and Arsenal won't be any easier for Norwich.
Sunderland v Cardiff
Sunderland took 4 points from two matches against title challengers City and Chelsea last week. They've found the perfect time to find their best form. Cardiff has also taken 4 points from their last two matches, albeit against weaker opposition. The Bluebirds have a favorable schedule remaining against Newcastle and Chelsea (both of whom should have very little to play for), but Sunderland has a game in hand.
This is the traditional relegation 6-pointer. It's simply a must-win for both clubs. The loser would almost surely be doomed to spend next year in the Championship, and 3 points will be much more valuable to both sides than 1. This is the must-watch match of the weekend. It promises to be one of the more entertaining matches all season, as both clubs will do everything to win.
I expect Sunderland to do just that, despite their awful home record. Cardiff has only won two away matches all season. Its hard to see them winning in the Stadium of Light with so much on the line. Sunderland takes serious momentum into this weekend after taking points from two opponents in the title race. They may just believe Premier League destiny is on their side.
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