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Grayson looking to complete job

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Leeds boss Simon Grayson is confident the team he puts out against Bristol Rovers at Elland Road on Saturday will get them over the finish line and earn automatic promotion from League One.

The Whites are odds-on (1/5) to join Norwich City back in the Championship next season although the likes of Millwall, Swindon, Charlton and even Huddersfield are all waiting in the wings should the fallen Yorkshire giants slip up again.

Leeds have simply been down among the dead men for too long after paying the price for ‘living the dream’ under former chairman Peter Ridsdale.

But they have the chance to avoid the dreaded play-offs by putting the Pirates to the sword on home soil on the final day of the regular League One season – and they are certainly fancied to do just that (Leeds 2/7, draw 7/2, Rovers 8/1 in match betting).

Grayson is picking from a position of relative strength at the end of a long season, with just Ben Parker, Paddy Kisnorbo, Jason Crowe and Aidy White on the sidelines.

“We’ve got everyone you would expect available,” said Grayson. “We’ll consider all our options and, as I always say, we will put a team out that we believe can do the job we want to do.”

Win and Leeds are up, but any other result makes them vulnerable given their slender one-point advantage over Millwall and Swindon, who meet at the Den.

The Lions could be without top scorer Steve Morrison with the hitman facing a late fitness test on a hamstring problem although fit-again Gary Alexander, who himself is no stranger to the back of the net, is ready to be pitched in following a bad heel injury.

Robins forward Vincent Pericard, once of Juventus, Portsmouth and Stoke, looks set to sit the game out with a heel problem of his own after missing last weekend’s 3-2 victory over Brentford.

Swindon chief Danny Wilson admits his side will be under the best kind of pressure.

He told the BBC:  “You’ve just got to enjoy it. I’d certainly rather be in our position than fighting against relegation.

“We’ll go out and remember this time because they don’t come around too often.”

At the other end of the League One table, four clubs are slugging it out to avoid joining Southend, Wycombe and Stockport in League Two next season.

Tranmere, Gillingham, Hartlepool or Exeter will lose their place in the division, with the unlucky club’s players set for a miserable summer break.

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Ancelotti calls for calm heads

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Manchester United supporters praying for a miracle at Stamford Bridge on Sunday should perhaps look away now (1/12 Chelsea 7/1 Man United – Premier League outright).

Premier League leaders Chelsea will win a first domestic crown since 2006 if they beat Roberto Martinez’s Wigan – regardless of how the defending champions do against already-safe Stoke at Old Trafford (1/10 Chelsea 7/1 draw 20/1 Wigan – match betting).

Martinez has toed the party line by insisting his players will play for professional pride and refuse to roll over.

However, scratch below the surface and the omens do not look good for Latics.

They have lost their last seven top-flight matches in London, including a 9-1 hammering at Tottenham and 4-0 thrashing from Arsenal earlier this season.

United fans can take heart from the fact that Wigan have already beaten Chelsea this season and they effectively ended Arsenal’s title challenge three weeks ago when they appeared doomed.

But all the evidence suggests Chelsea should have too much to avoid a coupon buster against the visitors.

Carlo Ancelotti, twice a winner of the European Cup as a player and manager, only managed one Scudetto in a trophy-laden spell with his former club AC Milan.

But the experienced Italian remains on course for both the Premier League title and FA Cup.

Ancelotti has called for full concentration and demanded his players keep a lid on their emotions.

He said: “We have to play one more game, though, and nothing is decided yet. But we have a great opportunity and a great possibility because the team is fit, in good condition and has fantastic motivation for this game.”

“We have to be ready, but we have to play for 90 minutes. We come to play this game, to try our best. They have a very good team and beat us earlier in the season, so we have to pay attention,” he added.

Ricardo Carvalho, Jose Bosingwa, Michael Essien and John Mikel Obi, who will miss the FA Cup final against Portsmouth after knee surgery, will sit out the final game of the season.

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Rooney reveals Premier regrets

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Wayne RooneyWayne Rooney claims Manchester United can point to seven Premier League defeats this season if they fail to clinch a fourth straight title from under the noses of Chelsea (United 7/1, Cheslea 1/12 – Premier League Outright).

The United and England frontman is set to be fit to face Stoke on Sunday as United need to win (United 1/9, Stoke 16/1, draw 7/1 – 90 Minutes) and hope that Wigan prevent Chelsea from picking up three points in their final game of the season at Stamford Bridge (Chelsea 1/10, Wigan 20/1, draw 7/1 – 90 Minutes).

However, Rooney acknowledges that a favourable outcome for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side is a tall order, while suggesting that they have not been ruthless enough throughout the course of the league season.

“If we could have stayed more consistent and not lost so many games we would have won the league but we’ve lost too many games,” he told The Sun.

“We shouldn’t be losing seven games at this club.”

United did lift the Carling Cup at Wembley in March, but Rooney has also been left frustrated by their FA Cup exit at the hands of Leeds United and Champions League elimination on away goals to Bayern Munich.

Rooney added: “The FA Cup defeat to Leeds was not good enough. As for the Champions League, we were a bit unlucky considering the way we started against Bayern.

“I couldn’t see us losing that tie. But we went out on away goals and it was hard to take.”

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Barry fears played down

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Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry will see a specialist this week about his ankle injury but it is not thought that problem is serious enough to keep him out of the World Cup (11/2 England – World Cup 2010 outright).

Barry was forced to come off during the second half of City’s crucial top-four clash with Tottenham on Wednesday night.

There were initial concerns that Barry may be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with the World Cup looming later this month.

With Fabio Capello watching on from the stands, the former Aston Villa man was forced to limp off, leaving worried faces on the City bench and amongst England supporters.

The 29-year-old is seen as an almost certain inclusion in the 23-man party to go to South Africa and Capello will now be anxiously awaiting news of his scan.

Reports claim Barry has just suffered a sprained ankle but England officials will not know the full extent of the injury until the results of the scan are revealed, although he is definitely out of Sunday’s game at West Ham (West Ham 3/1, City 3/4 – match betting).

England will announce a 30-man provisional squad on Tuesday (May 11), with the final selection to be made by June 1.

City manager Roberto Mancini claimed on Wednesday night that the damage was “not too serious”, although he admitted it would require further tests for a full diagnosis to be confirmed.

Capello has always stated that he would want no doubts over a player’s fitness if he was to select them for this summer’s tournament in South Africa and any injuries at this stage would put a major question mark over the player’s availability.

Meanwhile, the Italian will have been impressed by another top-class performance from Tottenham defender Ledley King, who now looks a good bet to make the squad.

Harry Redknapp revealed this week that Capello had been in touch with regards King’s fitness, but two games in four days have indicated he could feature at the World Cup.

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Jose coy on Inter future

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Jose MourinhoJose Mourinho is remaining tight-lipped over his Inter Milan future after again admitting he wants to return to manage in England at some point (Inter 8/15 to win Champions League).

The former Chelsea coach has a fractious relationship with the Italian media and that has led to plenty of speculation over his future, with suggestions he will quit at the end of the season.

He has always maintained he wants to return to England at some point and has been linked with taking over at Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City in the past, but now the Portuguese admits he could stay on at the San Siro.

“This is a team that in any case, whoever guides it, will do well,” he said.

“Are there any possibilities that I remain? Yes.”

Mourinho, who has guided Inter to the Italian Cup and could yet complete an amazing treble this season with the Champions League and Serie A title (Inter 1/14 to win Serie A) within his grasp, has made no secret of the fact he is keen to return to the Premier League where he enjoyed such success at Chelsea between 2004 and 2007.

He had been tipped to return this summer but he has now hinted that it could be delayed.

“I lived there (in England) three years and I know I will return for sure – when? Nobody knows,” he added.

“Will it be next season? I don’t think so, but for sure I will be back in England.”

Mourinho’s side are on the verge of the Italian title as they lead second-placed Roma by two points with just two games to go, while they take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League final on May 22 and it appears the 47-year-old would prefer domestic glory to more European success.

“With regards to the scudetto, we will do our duty until the end,” he said.

“As I have said many times for us the Champions League should be a dream, not an obsession.”

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Ferguson hints at minor surgery

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It may not be the clearing of the desks that many had predicted but a suggestion from Sir Alex Ferguson that he will perform minor surgery to his Manchester United squad this summer could be significant (Manchester United 7/1 to win the Premier League).

The game’s longest-serving manager appeared resigned to missing out on an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title when he described Sunday’s last-day scenario as “bleak”.

The defending champions must beat Stoke at Old Trafford and hope Wigan defy the odds to shatter Chelsea’s hopes of a first domestic crown since 2006 (1/9 Man United 7/1 draw 16/1 Stoke in the match betting market).

United have already lost seven Premier League games so far this season, were knocked out of the FA Cup by old rivals Leeds and were denied a fourth straight semi-finals appearance in the Champions League by Bayern Munich, meaning they are likely to end the season with just the Carling Cup added to the trophy cabinet.

Ferguson said he would not be pointing fingers or getting himself in knots about what went wrong but did suggest there could be a change in personnel.

“You have to take a decision about where we can improve the team,” he told MUTV.

“When you are challenging for four trophies it can have a draining effect. You have to be aware of that and spot the moment when it is time to freshen up one or two players.

“It is not a desire to do it but you need to do it because the demands and pressures on players can, over time, be quite exacting.”

Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville continue to roll back the years but cannot be relied upon week in-week out on four fronts.

Ferguson’s pointed remark that “we were just careless in our finishing” in the 1-0 win over Sunderland on Sunday has led to suggestions £30m signing Dimitar Berbatov has blown his chance to prove he is the perfect foil for Wayne Rooney, while England midfielder Michael Carrick could be another high-profile casualty off the back of a disappointing campaign.

Dutch veteran Edwin van der Saar is fast approaching 40, Rio Ferdinand has struggled for fitness and Nemanja Vidic has repeatedly denied he is seeking a transfer.

Ferguson has made a career out of coming off the ropes in the face of adversity and he may need to pull one last rabbit out of the hat to take United back to the top of English football in what could be a telling close-season of transfer activity.

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Torres doubt for Spain opener

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Liverpool and Spain striker Fernando Torres could miss his country’s World Cup opener as he tries to recover from knee surgery (Torres 12/1 in totesport’s topscorer market).

Spain begin their World Cup campaign against Switzerland on June 16 and according to the head of Liverpool’s medical team Peter Brukner, Torres could well be a doubt for the first game.

He said: “He’s doing well and he’s certainly tremendously committed to his rehab, as are the staff here, and if anyone can recover from an injury, he can.

“You can’t be absolutely certain of anything but at this stage, if he continues to progress the way he is, he should be fit to play at some stage during the World Cup. Whether he’ll be fit for the first game or not is uncertain, he added.

Brukner and the medical staff at Liverpool are looking at the 26-year-old’s fitness in the long term and are determined not to rush him back from his operation which was the second on his knee within three months.

Torres has spent large parts of this season on the sidelines, which many believe was one of the main reasons for a poor season by Liverpool’s standards. Despite the injuries, the Spaniard has still scored 18 goals in 22 Premier League games.

The European champions who are one of the strong favourites for the tournament (Spain 4/1 to win the World Cup outright) are struggling with injuries to key players, which could severely affect the team’s chances of bringing back the trophy from South Africa.

Along with injury to Torres, Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas is recovering from a cracked fibula which he picked up in his clubs Champions League tie with Barcelona, who are also struggling with an important injury.

Star midfielder Xavi, who is integral for both club and country, could miss out on the World Cup for Spain. The Barca ace is currently playing through a calf tear to help ensure the Catalan giants fend off rivals Real Madrid and the win La Liga this year, but what part he will play in the World Cup is uncertain.

Spain’s group in at the tournament include Switzerland, Honduras and Chile (Spain 1/18 to qualify through the group stages).

That’s a group that they are expected to come through comfortably which should give players like Torres Fabregas and Xavi time to recover for tougher challenges further on in the competition.

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Mancini planning City future

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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has insisted that his future at Eastlands does not depend on beating Tottenham (13/5 to beat City in the 90 minutes market) and qualifying for the Champions League.

The Italian leads his side into the game against Spurs on Wednesday night knowing that defeat will curtail their hopes of finishing fourth and joining European football’s elite in next season’s Champions League.

City (10/11 top four finish) have been battling it out for fourth for the majority of the season as they look to establish themselves amongst England’s elite.

The club and their mega-rich Arab owners are desperate to secure Champions League football in order to continue attracting the big names to Eastlands as they plan for another summer of lavish spending.

Having failed to attract some players to the club because they were not in the Champions League City now see the competition as a vital aspect in their development.

With so much on the line should Macini fail to get City into the top four it seems inevitable he will get the chop.

However, the former Inter Milan (8/15 Champions League outright winner) boss doesn’t believe his future as City manager depends on where the club finish this season and claims he would be happy should they only be in the Europa League next season.

“My future does not come down to this game,” said Mancini.

“We have qualified for the Europa League next year, that is important.

“I have worked here for five months. I can build a good future here. We are trying to change the history of the club.”

While Mancini claims not to be feeling the pressure Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is adamant that it’s City who need a result more than Spurs.

Should the north London outfit lose they could still catch City on the last day of the season, but only if West Ham do them a favour and take three points from the Eastlands club.

However, Redknapp admits he is keen to wrap up their place in the top four as quickly as possible and not have to rely on other sides doing them favours.

“At the start of the season, we would have been delighted with a European place or being in the top seven, so to have a chance of making the Champions League is great for us,” said the former Portsmouth boss.

Spurs fans will be keen to avoid another last day play-off for fourth having faltered at the final hurdle in 2006 when the majority of the squad had food poisoning and were beaten 3-1 by West Ham, handing local rivals Arsenal the last Champions League spot.

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Gerrard dismisses favour talk

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Liverpool captain Steven GerrardLiverpool captain Steven Gerrard has insisted the Reds are totally focused on winning their matches against Chelsea (5/6 to win in the match betting) in order to end their home campaign on a high.

The Reds welcome the Blues to Anfield on Sunday knowing only a win can keep their slim hopes of finishing in the top four alive following Saturday’s results.

Fourth place Tottenham (4/5 top four finish) are now five points clear of Liverpool with two to play following their win over Bolton, with Manchester City a further point back on the north London side.

The Reds now have to win their two remaining matches and hope results go their way to have any chance of finishing in the top four and avoid missing out on the Champions League income.

Rumours continue to dominate the newspapers that the likes of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard could be put up for sale should they miss out on a top four finish, with the Liverpool’s American owners keen to finance the club’s massive debts.

Manager Rafael Benitez has added to the turmoil on Merseyside by failing to clarify whether he will be at the club next season, the Spaniard having been linked with Juventus and Real Madrid in the past month.

With the season drawing to a disappointing close the Reds have the chance to end their home campaign on a high by beating title chasing Chelsea (1/2 to win the Premier League outright) this weekend.

However, should they beat the Blues they could hand the advantage to their greatest rivals Manchester United heading into the final day of the season.

United are looking to win their 19th league title, a feat that would eclipse Liverpool’s record of 18 English championships.

United’s attempts to overhaul the Reds title record has lead to some sections of the Anfield faithful to call for their team to lose to Chelsea on Sunday in order to prevent Sir Alex Ferguson’s winning yet another domestic title.

However, Gerrard has dismissed the idea of doing Chelsea a favour and says his side are just focused on winning the match, not on what other sides need.

“My only thoughts on the Chelsea game is to win it,” said Gerrard.

“We owe it to our supporters to try and finish the season with two wins. I know there has been a lot of speculation in the media about us going to take our foot off the gas and try and do Chelsea a favour. Well that won’t be happening.

“I can understand fans talking about it because I’m a fan myself. But we are professionals and we get brought up at Liverpool FC with a winning mentality.”

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Lennon hopes for Old Firm luck

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Neil Lennon feels Celtic are due some luck against Rangers as they bid to claim their first Old Firm derby win of the campaign at Celtic Park (Celtic 11/8, Rangers 19/10, draw 23/10 90 Minutes) on Tuesday evening.

Lennon was installed as caretaker manager of the Bhoys until the end of the season when Tony Mowbray was sacked in March. And he is looking forward to being in charge of his first Old Firm encounter, having featured in over 30 as a player.

The Northern Irishman is aware that with Rangers already claiming the SPL title it means there is less at stake in the match, but he claims the pressure, build-up and hype surrounding the match is the same.

However, while Lennon claims he is treating the match the same as any other encounter, when asked if it would be extra special to win because they are facing Rangers, he said: “Probably.”

He added: “I want them to play well and give a good account of themselves. More than anything else, I want to win.”

Lennon played down talk that Rangers have a hold on Celtic at the moment as he feels there has not been much between the two sides so far this term (Celtic 5/2 To Win To Nil), while he pointed out that former Bhoys boss Martin O’Neill won seven Old Firm games on the bounce after losing his first four in charge at the club.

He added: “I think we are due a bit of luck. I don’t think Tony Mowbray had any luck at all throughout the course of the season.

“And we want the referee to call the right decisions, to make sure he gets them right.”

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