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Barca ready for Real test

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There are plenty of big derby matches in football but given the stature of the clubs and the animosity between the fans the biggest derby in Europe takes place on Saturday when Real Madrid travel to Barcelona for what could be the a title-deciding El Clasico.

Barcelona v Real Madrid

You don’t need a history lesson to understand that these two clubs aren’t the best of friends and take great joy in getting one over on each other. In recent times it has been the Barcelona fans who have been doing the majority of the celebrating, losing just one of the last 14 encounters with Real.

That sole victory for Los Blancos came in last season’s Copa del Rey final, and even then they needed extra time to dispatch the Catalonians. Given the way the league has shaped up this season you could describe Saturday’s match as a final, with Real looking to protect the four-point lead they enjoy over Barca.

The gap at the top had been 10 points but a run of 11 straight wins for Barcelona has seen them claw back Real, who have won eight and drawn three in that time. With four games to go after Saturday’s Clasico you wonder whether Jose Mourinho’s men will be able to hold their nerve if they do lose at the Nou Camp.

Real haven’t lost in the league since the first meeting between these two clubs in December but come into the match off the back of a disappointing defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League. You might argue Mourinho’s men had one eye on El Clasico, given how important it is, but given recent performances it could well be the tension getting to Real.

They know a win on Saturday will all but hand them their first La Liga crown in four years, ending Barcelona’s domination in Spain. Given the importance of the game, and with the ‘Special One’ in the dug-out, no one would be surprised to see Real employ negative tactics in a bid to get something out of the game.

With that in mind it is no wonder Real are 4/1 for the win, with Barcelona 4/6 and the draw 3/1.

Mourinho’s tactics in previous encounters have been to press Barcelona high up the pitch and chase everything. However, Real looked tired on Tuesday night and to do that at the Nou Camp for 90 minutes will take a super-human effort.

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola must feel as though he has Mourinho#s number given the way his team has outplayed Real since the Portuguese tactician took over. The 5-0 win for Barca in the league meeting between the two last season must have been a humbling experience for Mourinho as it showed the gulf in class.

Today, that gap has shrunk, but not enough to persuade you to back Real at 4/1. Given how many times this game has taken place recently you can guess what is going to happen: Barca will dominate possession, Real will lose their cool and eventually their discipline before Guardiola’s men strike.

The Barcelona coach will be looking for a reaction from his team after Wednesday’s defeat at Chelsea so expect them to come out all guns blazing, in particular Lionel Messi after his mistake led to the goal at Stamford Bridge.

The Argentine genius has scored the first goal eight times for Barca this season and is 5/2 to do so again. Contrast that with Cristiano Ronaldo – who has the same number of league goals as Messi – at 5/1 and you know which way we think the game is going to go.

Both teams will score, there is no doubt about that given Barcelona’s defending, but the home side will get more on their way to dispatching Real like they do any other team which comes to the Nou Camp.

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Madrid ready for Munich test

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No teams have reached the semi-finals of the European Cup more than Bayern Munich and Real Madrid and now these two giants are set to go head to head in the first of their last-four showdowns on Tuesday night (Bayern 13/8, draw 12/5, Real Madrid 17/10 – 90 minutes).

Bundesliga giants Bayern have reached the last four of this competition 14 times and have only been bettered by their upcoming opponents at the Allianz Arena, with Real playing in an astonishing 23 semi-finals in this tournament.

So this stage of the Champions League is nothing new for these European powerhouses and games in this competition don’t get much bigger than this.

Having lost to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga this month, Bayern are all but out of the race for their domestic title, which will give them the freedom to focus on getting past Madrid over the next couple of weeks.

That’s clearly the mindset of the Bavarian outfit, who decided to rest key players in the form of Mario Gomez, Toni Kroos and Frank Ribery for their last Bundesliga outing.

Gomez (9/2 first goalscorer) is a key figure in the Bayern side and he will certainly be causing the likes of Pepe and Sergio Ramos in the Real defence problems.

With the likes of Ribery, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Arjen Robben all capable of a bit of magic in the middle of the park, it should be an intruding battle in the midfield.

Real find themselves just four points clear of rivals Barcelona in La Liga, having held a 10 point lead over the Catalan outfit earlier in the campaign.

Manager Jose Mourinho has to battle on a couple of fronts and he will have some concerns about Barca closing the gap in league, going into this all-important Champions League encounter.

It would be impossible to do a preview on this game without mentioning Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (7/2 first goalscorer) who has already notched up an astonishing 41 goals in La Liga this season.

The 27-year-old has added eight goals in as many games in the Champions League this term to that tally and the former Manchester United star will certainly have the focus on him on Tuesday night.

With Angel Di Maria returning to fitness and Karim Benzema getting back into some decent form, Real certainly have threats all over the pitch.

Neither side particularly has the tightest of defences so expect goals in this semi-final clash at the Allianz Arena.

These two giants are fairly evenly matched and a draw with a number goals is not beyond the realm of possibility.

A 2-2 (12/1 correct score) draw would put Madrid in a strong position, with away goals potentially making a huge difference, in what are set to be two thrilling legs of Champions League football.

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United ready for Rovers return

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Monday night will see Manchester United return to the ground where they secured the Premier League crown last year, as they take on Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park looking to extend their lead at the top of the table this season (Blackburn 15/2, draw 7/2, United 2/5).

With rivals Manchester City dropping points in a dramatic 3-3 draw with Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, United have the chance to go five points clear if they can overcome a resurgent Rovers side.

The mind games between United’s manager Sir Alex Ferguson and City’s Roberto Mancini have been rife over the past few weeks, with the Italian tactician predicting their rivals will only draw their game on Monday night.

United are in fine form, though, and will be fully expected to get three points against Blackburn, as they have notched up nine wins in their last 10 games.

The defending Premier League champions did come unstuck against Rovers at Old Trafford, when these two teams met earlier in the season in what was one of the shock results of the season.

United could welcome back Rio Ferdinand, as the veteran defender has recovered from a back injury and will be able to add his vast experience to the back-four.

Ferguson has challenged Wayne Rooney (5/2 First Goalscorer) to continue his fine form by scoring a goal in every game for the rest of the campaign.

The former Everton star scored a crucial penalty to help United secure their 19th league title last year and will be looking to get his name on the scoresheet again at Ewood Park, to help the club make a big step towards taking number 20.

By no means will the league’s frontrunners have it all their own way, as Rovers manager Steve Kean has got his side battling hard in games as they fight for their lives near the bottom of the table.

With just goal difference separating Blackburn from a place in the relegation zone, every game in crucial for the men from Ewood Park they will not writing this game off as unwinnable.

Results over the weekend have not helped their cause and their defeat to local rivals Bolton in their last outing will not have done their confidence any good.

However, Blackburn do have some quality players dotted around their squad and none more so than their striker Yakubu (8/1 First Goalscorer) and the young an exciting talent David Hoilett.

This duo are likely to cause the likes of Ferdinand problems at the back so don’t be surprised to see either name on the scoresheet on Monday night.

Both teams have so much to play for at either end of the table, so these games can go either way at this the business end of the Premier League season.

However, on their current form, Mancini’s prediction of a draw looks unlikely and United should extend their lead at the top of the table with another win, with games running out for City.

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Barca ready for Milan test

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Barcelona as usual are hitting form at the right point of the season but will face a test when they take on unpredictable AC Milan at the San Siro on Wednesday in the Champions League (AC Milan 4/1, draw 11/4, Barcelona 8/11 – Match Prices).

There has not been a more Jeckyll and Hyde pair of performances than the ones witnessed in Milan’s last-16 double-header with Premier League outfit Arsenal in the last round.

The Italians dominated the first leg at the San Siro as they completely out-gunned the Gunners with an accomplished display in front of their fanatical support. However, the Serie A outfit crumbled at the Emirates and were lucky to scrape through to the quarter-finals of the competition.

Manager Massimiliano Allegri will be determined for his side to put on a similar home performance to their demolition of Arsenal when they host the European champions this week.

Zlatan Ibrahimovich (7/1 – First Goalscorer), Robinho and Kevin Prince Boateng were on fire that night and they will certainly be a trio who can cause problems for the sometimes shaky Barca backline.

Likewise Milan have leaked goals at the back this season and with the loss of Thiago Silva to injury, Allegri is going to have to shuffle his pack for Wednesday night.

Barcelona could be smelling blood already and the pace they have throughout their side is going to keep the likes of Alessandro Nesta and Daniele Bonera awake at night.

The Catalan club’s goal-machine Lionel Messi (11/4 – First Goalscorer) is the top scorer in the Champions League this season with seven to his name so far. So do not be surprised if the Argentine magician dances his way through the Milan defence to add to his tally in the competition.

Even when the playmaker does not have the ball he draws the attention of defenders which creates space for those around him, with the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Pedro set to be a threat at the San Siro.

The game will depend on which Milan turns up on the night; if they can repeat their efforts from their first clash with Arsenal they may well be able to hold the La Liga giants.

However, Barcelona have so many attacking options and keep the ball so well that they should be able to bag a couple of vital away goals and take a lead back to the Nou Camp.

In Wednesday’s other Champions quarter-final Marseille host Bayern Munich in a massive game for the Ligue 1 side (Marseille 7/2, draw 5/2, Bayern Munich 5/6 – Match Betting).

The encounter at the Stade Velodrome will see the return of Bayern star Franck Ribery (7/4 Anytime Goalscorer) to his former club in the first competitive meeting between the two teams.

It looks likely that Marseille won’t be happy to see the return of the French international, as he is part of strong Bayern side who are more than capable of getting a comfortable win in the south of France.

Les Phoceens have lost nine of their last 19 games in this competition at the Stade Velodrome and you should be able to add another defeat to that tally come the final whistle on Wednesday night.

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Gers ready to respond

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ally mccoistRangers travel to Rugby Park on Sunday to take on Kilmarnock with just a four-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League following Celtic’s victory on Saturday.

Kilmarnock v Rangers

Kilmarnock are charged with the task that no side has done in the SPL this season and that is to beat Rangers in a league fixture.

Although Killie have had a respectable start to their campaign, they would need their very best performance if they are to get anything out of the game.

It is hard to look further than the 1/2 available on the visitors as they look to stretch their lead at the top of the table to seven points once again.

The Gers have had an impeccable record on the road this season, winning all seven of the league fixtures. They have conceded just one goal and have scored on average more than two goals a game.

In contrast, Killie have won just two of their seven home games, in which they have failed to take advantage of playing in front of their home crowd at Rugby Road.

Their last game on home soil left their loyal supporters walking away in embarrassment as bottom-placed Inverness knocked six past them in a 6-3 defeat.

With respect to Caley Thistle, the Gers have a much stronger attacking threat than Terry Butcher’s side and are more than capable of at least repeating that feat.

Kenny Shiels is likely to have their last home game in mind and may choose to take a more cautious approach against their visitors this time around.

Ally McCoist’s men may have to be patient with regards to their first goal in the game so take Rangers to be drawing at half-time but winning at full-time at 10/3.

Once they do get the first goal though, there could be another bagful available at Rugby Park.

Nikica Jelavic looked in good form when scoring two past Dundee United earlier in the month. The Croatian striker is 10/3 to score the first goal on Sunday.

However, a safer bet would be to take him to score at anytime at generous odds of 5/6.

Jelavic is Rangers’ biggest attacking threat and if he stays on the pitch for 90 minutes you’d fancy him to find the back of the net at some stage with a defence at rocky as Kilmarnock’s.

McCoist has also been boosted with the news this week that Sone Aluko has signed a contract at the club.

Rangers agreed a compensation deal with Aberdeen for the player who left the Dons in the summer but could not sign for another SPL club without a fee.

The home side’s leading talisman is Paul Hefferman but he will have to pass a late fitness test if he is to make the starting line up against the Gers. They do have the goalkeeper Cammy Bell back in contention for selection though.

In terms of a correct score bet, Rangers 3-0 looks the most likely outcome at 8/1.

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Get ready for Sunday goal-fest

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There is a triple header in the Premier League on Sunday to get stuck into following the European action in midweek, which could have a big impact at both ends of the table. It all kicks off with a crucial clash at the foot of the league as Wolverhampton host Wigan, with the kick off at 13:30.

Wolves v Wigan (13:30)

The Latics currently prop up the Premier League after picking up just five points from their opening ten games and are 7/4 favourites to still be there at the end of the season.

Wolves are just one place above the relegation zone but if they were to lose, Wigan would draw level, making Sunday’s result a crucial clash at this early stage of the season. Mick McCarthy’s men do have home advantage and are installed as 20/21 favourites in the match betting, particularly as they entertain a side that holds the second-worst away record in the division.

The Latics have picked up just one point on their travels – a goalless draw at Swansea – and have managed just one goal away from the DW Stadium, so it is no surprise to see them on offer at 3/1, with the draw available at 5/2.

Punters may fear backing either side in this one given their problems so far this season but, with the respective defences on show, it is not hard to see Over 2.5 goals being a distinct possibility at odds of 10/11.

Bolton v Stoke (15:00)

This particular match throws up some interesting contrasts which could serve the punter either way with the match betting standing at 7/5 for a Bolton win, 2/1 for Stoke and 9/4 the draw.

Owen Coyle’s men have been awful this season and especially at home where they have yet to pick up a point, while they have shipped in 27 goals – easily the worst in the Premier League.

Stoke though are poor travellers, have only mustered eight goals in their opening ten games and have struggled in games immediately following a European venture – a tournament in which they are unbeaten and average two goals a game.

The Trotters have lost 13 of their last 15 league games, but they have played most of the so-called big boys this season and their form has got to turn around sooner or later (or has it).

As well as struggling to find the net, Stoke have had problems defensively with just one clean sheet in the last six league games, while they have a number of injury problems going into Sunday’s clash.

Ryan Shawcross and Marc Wilson are struggling after being substituted through injury against Newcastle last Monday, while Matthew Etherington, Jermain Pennant and Rory Delap are also doubts.

Fulham v Tottenham (16:00)

An attractive-looking fixture to round off the weekend’s Premier League action and the threat of more goals, as Fulham and Spurs do battle at Craven Cottage.

Martin Jol’s men have started to find their rhythm after a slow start to the campaign and go into the match on the back of successive victories, with Andy Johnson (6/1 First/Last Goalscorer) bagging a brace in Thursday’s 4-1 demolition of Wisla Krakow.

The Cottagers though, who have won and lost just one each of their opening five home games, are 11/5 to make home advantage count, with an in-form Spurs side the 5/4 favourites and the draw priced at 12/5.

Forgetting the result in Russia on Thursday, Spurs have put the horrors of the two Manchester defeats at the start of the season behind them to climb up to fifth in the table, with a game in hand, after winning six and drawing one of their last seven league games.

Goals have not been hard to find either as Spurs have scored twice in each of those last seven league games and Rafael van der Vaart has got to be considered at 5/1 First/Last and 11/8 Anytime in the goalscorer markets.

The Dutch ace has bagged in his last five Premier League games, scoring the first in three of them, and should well feature again in what is expected to be a high-scoring game (Over 2.5 goals – 5/6).

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McCoist ready for Old Firm clash

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ally mccoistAlly McCoist may be preparing for his first-ever Old Firm game as manager on Sunday, but he is no stranger to the feisty Glasgow encounter (Rangers 6/4 draw 9/4 Celtic 9/5).

The 48-year-old hit 273 goals in 581 appearances during a 15-year-long playing career at Ibrox, before enjoying two spells as assistant to manager Walter Smith.

Smith retired over the summer allowing McCoist to make step-up into his first managerial role. The former Scotland international has made a solid start to life in the Ibrox hotseat, wining five and drawing one of their opening six league games to sit a point clear of Celtic at the top.

However, he now faces his biggest test to date when his side play host to their bitter local rivals on Sunday lunchtime.

The Old Firm games are often pivotal in deciding who wins the SPL title, given the last side to win the league outside of the Glasgow duo was Aberdeen in 1985.

McCoist is all too aware of the size of Sunday’s encounter, especially on a personal level now he is manager.

“I was very lucky as a player against Celtic and hopefully I’ve kept some of that luck,” said McCoist. “The pressure as assistant manager was very intense and I realise the responsibility is certainly greater.

“I understand the enormity of the occasion, having played in so many and being an assistant in so many. I’m not sure it will feel any different because the desire to win and to do well will be absolutely massive.”

The Gers did suffer early season disappointment in Europe, losing at first to Malmo in Champions League qualifying and then to NK Maribor in the Europa League.

However, their early European exit does mean they have had a week to prepare for Sunday’s game, a luxury not afforded to Celtic, who lost 2-0 away at Atletico Madrid in the Europa League Thursday night (Rangers 6/1 to win 1-0).

Their boss Neil Lennon believes that could work in their favour, affording them an early chance to make amends for that defeat in Spain.

“Going from the European game into the Old Firm game is probably the best thing that can happen,” said the 40-year-old.

“Sometimes you can come back from a European game and there is a flatness going about your SPL duties but with a game of this magnitude, it can be easy to motivate the players.”

Lennon had the upper hand in Old Firm clashes last season, winning three, drawing two and losing two of the seven matches.

After one of those games – a Scottish League Cup clash in March – Lennon and McCoist had an infamous fight on the touchline.

The duo promptly apologised after the game, aware of the influence their behaviour may have on the terraces, but their presence in each dugout merely adds to what is already a passionate affair.

Value bets:

Nikica Jelavic to score first 5/1
1-1 draw 11/2.

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Gers ready for Malmo mission

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After their shock 1-0 first-leg defeat at Ibrox last week, Rangers head into their Champions League third round qualifying clash against Malmo hoping to overturn the deficit against the Swedish outfit on Wednesday night (Malmo 7/4, draw 9/4, Rangers 5/4).

There were few who expected Malmo to come away from Glasgow with an advantage, but Gers fans were once again ruing the name Larsson, as Daniel Larsson’s first-half goal was enough to give the Scandinavian side the narrow win.

Rangers had their chances in the first leg, with Scotland international Steven Naismith (5/1 first goalscorer) missing two gilt-edged chances to give the SPL champions a goal to take to Sweden.

The attacking midfielder has scored two already this season but could have had plenty more, with chances also going begging against Hearts on the opening day.

A goal against St Johnstone last weekend will not have done the 24-year-old’s confidence any harm ahead of this crucial Champions League qualifier, with the outcome potentially having a huge effect on Rangers’ season.

The money from the lucrative European competition is irreplaceable, especially for a club in the financial position that Rangers finds itself in these days.

It’s been a slow start for manager Ally McCoist at Ibrox after waiting till his third game in charge to secure a victory for the Old Firm outfit.

Now the former assistant manager to Walter Smith will have to continue his steep learning curve, as his side go into their uphill battle against Malmo.

The club which brought current AC Milan star Zlatan Ibrahimovic through their ranks as a youngster will have been delighted with their success in the first leg and have an important away goal to protect at the Swedbank Stadion.

Malmo are ninth in the Allsvenskan and have found the Champions League a welcomed distraction from their under-par domestic form.

However, the Himmelsblatt or Sky Blues will have their 24,000-seater stadium to themselves on Wednesday, with Rangers (5/4 SPL 2011/2012 outright) having their fans banned for the European clash following problems with reported sectarian chants in the Champions League last season, so the home side will be a tough nut to crack on Wednesday in front of a passionate home support.

Gers always have a strong following whenever they play abroad and McCoist and his men may well miss their travelling fans, on what will be a difficult night for the side, as they hope to find the form that brought them success last term.

Malmo did not just produce a smash and grab performance in the first leg and they tested Scotland goalkeeper Allan McGregor on a few occasions with only decent saves from the Gers No.1 keeping his side in the tie.

Brazilian centre-forward Wilton Figueiredo was a constant threat at Ibrox and could have had a couple of goals of his own, were it not for McGregor.

So, all things considered, it will be a tough task for Rangers to overturn the deficit but, man for man, the SPL champions do have a stronger squad than the Swedish outfit – if they perform to their best.

Malmo proved they fully deserve to be at this stage of qualification but, with Rangers showing promising signs of improvement against St Johnstone, McCoist’s men might just sneak their way into the group stage with an away win of their own in Sweden – although the smart money might be on them doing it via extra time.

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Reds ready to challenge again?

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Liverpool kick off their summer pre-season games with a friendly against Chinese side Guangdong on Wednesday amid heightened expectation that the Reds are on the up under Kenny Dalglish – but just how well can they expect to do next season?

It’s tempting to say the sky’s the limit for Dalglish’s side and nothing is out of reach for them in the 2011/12 campaign as the manager rebuilds the Reds squad and attempts to turn them into top-four Premier League challengers once again (10/1 Premier League Outright).

He has already bolstered the ranks with Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam and there are expected to be more big-name arrivals before the action gets underway for real on August 13 against Sunderland. Stewart Downing remains a top target despite Aston Villa’s determination to keep him (Villa 18/1 – Top Four finish) and a deal could be struck for the England winger if a fee can be agreed.

The former Middlesbrough man would certainly add more quality from out wide – something Liverpool were desperately short of under former bosses Rafa Benitez and Roy Hodgson – and should provide the service the likes of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez will crave up front.

Dalglish has other targets in the transfer market – Newcastle’s Luis Enrique and Birmingham’s Scott Dann remain on his radar amongst others – but it is thought he will have to sell some first-team squad players before making more significant purchases.

David Ngog, Milan Jovanovic, Joe Cole, Christian Poulsen, Alberto Aquilani, Emiliano Insua and even last season’s PFA fans’ player of the year, Raul Meireles, have been tipped to leave should the right offers come in and certainly, with Henderson and Adam now on board, Liverpool have too many midfielders.

One of Dalglish’s biggest dilemmas next season might be how best to mould a successful side out of his squad – especially if he can’t shift some of the dead wood in the next month or so. Several experienced players, like Dirk Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez, Meireles, Cole and Lucas no longer appear to be first-choice under the Scot and will have to work hard to enjoy regular action.

However, the critics will say the reason why Liverpool have struggled to make an impact in the top four over the past few years is because their first-team squad has simply not been good enough and, while the likes of Lucas, Maxi and Kuyt are solid Premier League players in their own right, they are hardly the sorts who would make the Reds into a title-winning outfit (Manchester United 13/8f – Outright).

So Dalglish, well aware of that fact and determined to add more players of the calibre of Suarez, Carroll and Adam to his ranks rather than rely on those simply not up to the required standard, does still have plenty of work to do to ensure the Reds are able to compete at the top end of the table again.

Captain and vice-captain Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have been keen to try and quell rising expectation levels among fans ahead of next season and have said the top four is the priority with anything else a bonus.

Without the distraction of Europe, as it stands with the players at his disposal now, fourth (5/4 – Top Four finish) might be just about the best Dalglish can hope for (and even that would be some achievement) but, with a couple more top-quality additions over the next few weeks and a streamlining of the first-team squad, the Reds might just be ready to emerge as dark horses and begin to dream about a title challenge in 2011/12.

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Quintet ready for survival battle

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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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