Who faces the basement battle?

Posted on July 18, 2011 by SoccerCapper

The fight to stay in the Premier League is often more nail-biting than the battle for the title and this season looks likely to be another tight tussle for survival. We take a look at the main contenders looking to avoid the dreaded drop from the top flight……..

The three promoted teams will always be mentioned among the favourites from relegation and the 2011-12 Premier League campaign will be no different, with QPR, Norwich and Swansea expected to struggle.

Swansea (8/15 to be relegated) are the team most people would expect to face an instant return to the Championship, following their play-off success. It will undoubtedly be tough for the Swans and, despite the capture of Danny Graham and their successful attempts to keep Neil Taylor, they look short of goals and too weak at the back to have an impact.

Norwich (11/4 to finish bottom) have at least been active in the transfer market, with the decent captures of James Vaughan, Steve Morison and Bradley Johnson. But Paul Lambert is relying on a lot of untried players at the top level and that is a big gamble which is unlikely to pay off.

QPR have been quiet in the transfer market to date, with just the two confirmed captures. If the R’s (4/9 to stay up) can keep Jay Bothroyd and Kieran Dyer fit then they can give themselves a chance, but defensive reinforcements will also be needed before the end of August.

Of the current crop of established teams, Blackburn (7/2 to be relegated) look to be in the most danger with a lack of transfer activity piling more pressure on rookie boss Steve Kean. Only a last day win at Wolves kept Rovers up last season and unless they find more firepower and fill the void left by Phil Jones’ departure, they will struggle again.

Wolves (9/1 to finish bottom) will be seen by many as relegation candidates, but Mick McCarthy has been shrewd with the captures he has made so far and they may be looking more towards mid-table than the bottom three this term. Roger Johnson is the type of centre-half they needed last season and he will sure up their flimsy back four.

At lot will depend on who Wigan (2/5 to stay up) keep this summer as to how well they will do this season, but Roberto Martinez had them playing good, effective football towards the end of last term and, although they are likely to face another relegation scrap, can survive again.

Under Roy Hodgson, West Brom (7/2 to be relegated) look to be heading in the right direction although the pressure will be on the Baggies boss to build on his current squad. He’s lost keeper Scott Carson and his signings, so far, this summer have been nothing to write home about.

Bolton (11/2 to be relegated) need some squad strengthening, especially with the threat of Gary Cahill leaving, but should have enough about them to be well clear of the relegation zone. While Fulham (1/20 to stay up), under the leadership of Martin Jol, have enough quality in their ranks not to be too concerned about the threat of relegation.

One side who could be dragged into the dogfight are Newcastle (6/1 to be relegated). They are yet to sign the big name the Toon fans expect following the recent high-profile departures of Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan. Alan Pardew admits he needs at least a couple more players during the current window, in particular a 20-plus goal striker, and there is still the prospect of summer exits for the likes of Jose Enrique and Joey Barton.

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Nine in relegation battle

Posted on July 5, 2011 by SoccerCapper

The new Premier League 2011/12 football season is just around the corner – 39 days to be precise – and the runners and riders are all gearing up with the transfer market set to hot up between now and the end of August (Premier League 2011/12 – outright winner).

Six clubs are certain to retain their top-flight status at the end of the forthcoming campaign – Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham will not go down given their financial muscle – which leaves 16 other sides looking over their shoulders.

So 16 bosses will have survival as their first aim – and rightly so given the millions of pounds at stake – but we reckon five of them can relax and be safe in the knowledge they will not be a part of the relegation shake-up.

SUNDERLAND

Injuries and the sale of star striker Darren Bent to Aston Villa conspired to make the second half of last season a miserable one for Black Cats boss Steve Bruce.

Youngster Jordan Henderson has since joined Bent in leaving the Stadium of Light but Bruce has been active in the transfer market, reinvesting the cash raised on the likes of Connor Wickham, Seb Larsson, Craig Gardner and Ji Dong-won.

There will doubtless be more to follow which will be enough to keep Sunderland up for fifth consecutive season.

First game: Liverpool away

Relegation odds: 8/1

ASTON VILLA

Alex McLeish may well have taken Birmingham down last season but it appears he is well out of it at St Andrew’s given the arrest of owner Carson Yeung on money laundering charges in Hong Kong.

And while he has already lost Ashley Young to Manchester United already – and Stewart Downing looks set to go too – McLeish has guaranteed goals provided Bent stays fit.

The Villans badly under-achieved last season but their new boss will ensure the side does not rob the fans again this time around – although he is never likely to be the most popular Villa manager in their history.

First game: Fulham away

Relegation odds: 22/1

EVERTON

David Moyes has achieved miracles on a show-string budget at Goodison Park and although the days of cracking the top four may be a dim and distant memory, he’ll keep them clear of the trapdoor.

Moyes’ standing in the game will attract always players in the right price range and Jermaine Beckford will have come on greatly following his debut Premier League season.

But perhaps the biggest concern for Moyes will be keeping hold of the club’s youngsters like Jack Rodwell and internationals like Leighton Baines.

First game: Tottenham away

Relegation odds: 25/1

BOLTON

The third side with a Scottish boss and it is fair to say north of the border will still be well represented in the Premier League by the end of next season.

Owen Coyle’s rise has been meteoric after guiding Burnley to the promised land in 2009 before jumping ship to stabilise Bolton following the end of Gary Megson’s uninspiring reign.

Coyle has pulled off coups to land both Jack Wilshere and Daniel Sturridge on loan in recent seasons and he will continue in that vein to give the Trotters fans another year in the top flight.

Opening game: QPR away

Relegation odds: 5/1

WEST BROM

A left-field choice, but the Baggies will continue to prosper under Roy Hodgson who almost secured a top-10 finish despite inheriting a struggling side in February.

Forget Hodgson’s Liverpool debacle and it is clear he is an extremely streetwise boss who did a fantastic job in guiding Fulham to the final of the Europa League.

He was also brave enough to realise that they could go no further and should not be judged on matters at Anfield given the club’s change of ownership and associated issues last term.

Opening game: Manchester United home

Relegation odds: 10/3

Nine left sweating: Blackburn, Fulham, Newcastle, Norwich, QPR, Stoke, Swansea, Wigan and Wolves.

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Battered Celts set for battle

Posted on May 24, 2011 by SoccerCapper

Wednesday night throws up a traditional Celtic clash as Wales and Scotland go head-to head in the Carling Nations Cup in what should be an open and exciting contest (Wales 23/10, draw 23/10, Scotland 6/5 – match prices).

But after a long hard season for many players, there are a number of causalities who will not be able to take the field at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Sunderland’s Phil Bardsley is a doubt for the Scots after he took a knock on the hip whilst playing for the Black Cats in their 3-0 victory over West Ham United last weekend.

The 25-year-old has only earned three caps for the Scots but has become a key member of the defence under manager Craig Levein because of his attacking and defensive abilities.

Scotland will be hoping the full-back will feature in the starting XI, although there will be no hope for attacking threats Kris Commons and Craig Mickail-Smith.

Commons has been ruled out of this game with tight hamstrings and is also a doubt for Scotland’s game against Republic of Ireland on Sunday.

The former Derby star has been a revelation since he moved north of the border with Celtic and has developed into a key player for the national side.

As for Mickail-Smith he will be absent due to his club side Peterborough reaching the play-off final to face Huddersfield on Sunday.

Scotland will be relying on the likes of Rangers striker Steven Naismith, Bursaspor’s Kenny Miller (5/1 to be first goalscorer) and Leeds United’s Ross McCormack for their goals.

The Scots have a number of talented players coming onto the international stage in the midfield with Charlie Adam, Barry Bannan and James Morrison, although the tireless skipper Darren Fletcher will be with Manchester United ahead of their Champions League clash this weekend.

As for Wales they have named Nottingham Forest striker Robert Earnshaw as their captain for Wednesday’s game.

The talented goalscorer takes the armband from Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey who is one of a number of Premier League players being rested by Gary Speed for the game.

Wales have injury problems of their own, as Aston Villa defender James Collins and Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley are both sidelined.

Experienced international Craig Bellamy is also unlikely to feature, which leaves Wales lacking some firepower upfront.

As well as having the responsibility of the captaincy, Earnshaw (7/1 – first goalscorer) will have to have one of his best games at this level if Wales are to get anything out of this clash.

Speed’s side were comfortably beaten in the opening game of the Nations Cup 3-0 by Republic of Ireland and it would not be surprising to see a similar scoreline against the Scots, who have a bit more quality in key areas of the field.

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Quintet ready for survival battle

Posted on May 21, 2011 by SoccerCapper

Five sets of Premier League supporters will be nervously checking scores from around the country, as well as watching their side, in the hope they end the final day of the season outside of the dreaded bottom three. There are myriad permutations involving Wolves, Blackburn, Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan. Here is our look at what may – or may not – happen.

Wolves v Blackburn

Both these sides sit a point outside the drop zone (100/1 for both sides to go down) and know if results go their way they could see out a comfortable draw and both secure safety.

However, after beating Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City at home this season Wolves will be desperate to Blackburn to their list of Molineux victims and guarantee a third successive Premier League season.

Blackburn (8/1 to go down) are on a poor run of form with a narrow home win over Bolton last month their only victory in 13 matches. They do though have the best goal difference out of all five teams and I suspect boss Steve Kean will be relying on the results of others to keep his side safe.

Wigan v Stoke

At half-time at the DW Stadium last weekend Wigan (evens to stay up) were staring relegation in the face. But their stirring comeback and eventual 3-2 over West Ham has given them a fighting chance of survival. They play a Stoke side still licking their wounds after their defeat by Man City in last week’s FA Cup final.

Tony Pulis will demand nothing more than 100% effort from his well drilled side but you wonder whether their Wembley agony could work in Wigan’s favour, allowing them to grab the win they desperately need.

Manchester United v Blackpool

Ian Holloway’s men have the toughest game of all the relegation-threatened sides as they become the final team to try and defeat Champions Manchester United at home this season.

A debate has raged this week about Sir Alex Ferguson’s team selection and whether he will rest key stars ahead of next week’s Champions League final. Fergie has since confirmed though that Edwin van der Sar, Darren Fletcher, Patrice Evra, Paul Scholes, Anderson, Dimitar Berbatov will all start.

Blackpool (4/11 to go down) have impressed with their bold, fearless approach this season and that could yet bring them rewards. Should they end the campaign level on points and goal difference, their impressive haul of 53 goals scored could yet save them.

Tottenham v Birmingham

That memorable day at Wembley when Birmingham (4/6 to go down) lifted the Carling Cup must feel like a long time ago now as the club slides towards the bottom three.

They have spent the majority of the season in lower mid-table but their run of two wins from their last 12 games is classic of a side sleepwalking into a relegation battle and not having time to wake up before it is too late.

They play a Tottenham side who need a win to ensure Europa League football next season and after watching City’s limp display against Fulham last weekend I suspect they will be relying on other results to keep them out of trouble.

Prediction: Birmingham and Blackpool to go down with West Ham

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Relegation battle hotting up

Posted on May 10, 2011 by SoccerCapper

There are now just two games left for those clubs battling for survival to beat the drop from the Premier League. There is still much to play for so we will have a look at the the possible relegation scenarios ahead of the scrap to avoid the drop.

West Ham

It has been a woeful season at Upton Park and a tense end to the campaign has been made worse by comments from the co-owners but it is back to matters on the pitch on Sunday with a must-win clash with Wigan (West Ham 1/10 to be relegated).

The Hammers are currently bottom of the standings, with 33 points and they could be relegated this weekend if they fail to win and other results go against them.

Although Avram Grant’s men could mathematically catch both Blackburn and Birmingham, they would have to win their remaining two games and hope that the aforementioned pair fail to pick up a single point – unlikely.

And so Wolves are their realistic target if they are to stay in the top division, with a home encounter against Sunderland set to finish the season in east London.

It is not over yet for West Ham but, although two wins from their final two games is not out of the question, it has to be remembered that they have won just seven times all season.

Wigan

Latics are just above West Ham with 36 points and are in with a much better chance of beating the drop, as they travel to Stoke on the final day following the Hammers clash.

Roberto Martinez’s side have drawn too many games at home and won just four times at the DW Stadium and failed to build on the recent victory over fellow strugglers Blackpool.

But they secured an excellent point at Aston Villa on Saturday and will be full of confidence going into the West Ham game knowing that three points could be all they need to stay up.

A point on Sunday will ensure that a tense season goes right to the final game but defeat could spell the end of their stay in the top flight.

Their final game is a trip to the Britannia Stadium to face the Potters, who may have one eye on their holidays by then as they sit comfortably in mid table.

Blackpool

It seemed inconceivable that Blackpool would be embroiled in a survival battle after the first half of the season but the pre-season prophets of doom appear to have been correct as Ian Holloway’s men look in real trouble of making just a brief stay in the Premier League.

They are level on points with Wigan and have a winnable game against Bolton on the horizon.

However, they have reserved their hardest test right until the end of the season as they conclude proceedings with a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.

It is true that the Red Devils will probably have won the title by the time the Tangerines come calling but professional pride means that Sir Alex Ferguson will likely play a decent side, even with the Champions League final on his mind.

Saturday’s derby with Bolton is, therefore, a must-win match-up but it does not look promising for the Premier League entertainers.

Wolves

Four points from their last two games has seen the Midlanders move out of the relegation zone and they sit on 37 points – just one more than Blackpool and Wigan.

But that could be significant, with nobody seemingly capable of winning a game at the foot of the table.

Mick McCarthy has always maintained that his charges would beat the drop and he may be proved right as they travel to the Stadium of Light at the weekend before welcoming Blackburn to Molineux for the final match of the campaign.

Sunderland are safe but have been in free-fall for a while and Steve Bruce’s side is currently decimated with injuries and so Wolves have a real chance of putting daylight between themselves and the bottom three.

They face Blackburn at home on the last day of the season and will be confident of getting the result that they need against a Rovers side who will probably still be looking over their shoulders (Wolves 1/2 to stay up).

Blackburn

Although Steve Kean’s men have 39 points and appear clear of the drop zone, they welcome Manchester United to Ewood Park this weekend and will probably still have 39 points on the final day.

It may be enough and, with a superior goal difference to both Blackpool and Wigan, they are in pole position to keep their top-flight spot.

But it has been a funny old season and they might well have to get something from their final clash with Wolves to make sure of avoiding the drop into the Championship.

Birmingham City

Blues have never quite been able to secure safety and the weekend defeat to Newcastle kept their fans sweating for another week.

Level on points with Blackburn, a win against Fulham would surely be enough to stave off the threat of relegation and they are more than capable of doing it, especially after the Cottagers 5-2 thrashing by Liverpool on Monday night.

If they do need a point on May 22, then what better than a trip to White Hart Lane to play a Spurs side that seem incapable of achieving any other result than a draw at present, and Alex McLeish’s men are looking good to stay in England’s top division for another season.

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Seasiders set for Latics battle

Posted on April 15, 2011 by SoccerCapper

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway Points in the Premier League are priceless at the moment with plenty to play for at this business end of the season. Saturday throws up five games in the top flight with all 10 teams desperate to pick up three points.

In arguably the game with the most at stake, Blackpool take on Wigan Athletic in a crucial game for both sides (Blackpool 13/10, draw 23/10, Wigan 19/10).

After an impressive start to the season, the honeymoon period is well and truly over for manager Ian Holloway and his players.

Without a win in their last five outings, the Seasiders have been drawn into the relegation battle and now they sit just above the bottom three in the Premier League table.

Wigan are rock bottom of the table but could leapfrog the Tangerines with three points at Bloomfield Road.

This is bound to be a tight and scrappy contest but Wigan have been here before and they should pick up the invaluable victory on Saturday.

Birmingham City are another side desperate for points and they will be confident going into their game against a Sunderland side who have got the end of season syndrome (Birmingham 5/4, draw 11/5, Sunderland 21/10).

The Black Cats have not won in their last 10 games and from being in contention for a European qualification spot, they now find themselves looking over their shoulders.

With the St Andrews crowd behind them, the Blues should win this game and ease their relegation fears.

West Ham United continue to battle for survival and they take on Aston Villa at Upton Park on Saturday (West Ham 5/4, draw 23/10, Villa 2/1).

Villa have appeared to have turned a corner after their victory over Newcastle United last weekend but they are still just five points above the relegation zone.

The Hammers will be hurting after they were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Bolton in their last outing.

With a fully fit squad at his disposal, Villa boss Gerard Houllier should be leaving Upton Park with a win to extend the gap between themselves and the drop.

Everton have been strong finishers in recent seasons and once again a poor start to the campaign has let the Toffees down.

The Merseyside club face Blackburn Rovers on Saturday at Goodison Park in a massive game for the visitors (Everton 4/6, draw 5/2, Blackburn 21/5).

Rovers have struggled under manager Steve Kean and now the Lancashire side run the risk of playing Championship football next season.

Everton are comfortable in seventh place in the Premier League table and with Blackburn battling for their lives, Rovers might just bag a point at Goodison.

Chelsea will be looking to put the disappointment of the Champions League quarter-final defeat to Manchester United behind them when they take on West Brom at the Hawthorns (West Brom 21/5, draw 11/4, Chelsea 8/13).

The pressure is building on all concerned at Stamford Bridge with manager Carlo Anclotti walking a tightrope and striker Fernando Torres yet to open his Blues goalscoring account.

With no silverware up for grabs it might be hard for Chelsea to get motivated for this one, however the club must make sure they qualify for the Champions League this season.

The Baggies are never an easy proposition at the Hawthorns and they might just compound Ancelotti?s misery by holding the Blues to a draw on Saturday.