After 37 exciting rounds of fixtures, there is still plenty to play for at both ends of the table on the last day of the Premier League season, with Bolton (1/3 to be relegated) and QPR (9/4) battling to avoid the final relegation place.
Bolton occupy 18th right now and know that only a victory at Stoke will keep them in the top-flight while 17th-placed QPR will believe that an unlikely point away at leaders Manchester City should be enough for them to avoid the drop.
Following their promotion in 2001, Bolton have largely been one of the mid-table stalwarts of the division, with their strong defensive play and plucky resilience.
However, they have struggled recently due to a number of long-term injuries to key players, as well as a lack of investment within the squad, and now stand on the brink or relegation.
They travel to the Britannia Stadium on Sunday and, as already mentioned, need to win to stand any chance of avoiding Championship football next season (Stoke 11/8, draw 5/2, Bolton 15/8 – Match Betting).
However, it will not be easy as Tony Pulis’ side always present a tough challenge, especially on home soil.
Like many before them, Stoke appear to be rather burnt-out following their first season of European football and have struggled in the second half of the campaign.
However, despite their problems, they still have a number of quality players who could threaten Owen Coyle’s men, most notably Peter Crouch. The lanky striker appears to have come back into form recently and he’ll be looking for another big showing following talk of a potential return to the England squad.
If the Trotters are to survive, they will need a big performance from skipper and talisman Kevin Davies (7/4 to score any time). After an indifferent campaign, the veteran has once again proven his worth in recent weeks, scoring a number of vital goals. He’ll relish the challenge of facing the Potters’ physical defenders and he could score the goal that keeps his side up.
After Wigan won at the Britannia on the final day of last season, Bolton will fancy their chances and should just sneak it in an extraordinarily tight encounter.
In the other match which will have a say on relegation, Mark Hughes takes his QPR team to the North-West to face former club Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium (City 1/7, draw 8/1, QPR 16/1 – Match Betting).
The Hoops have an advantage in that the situation is in their hands and a draw would probably see them survive due to their vastly superior goal difference.
However, they face a Citizens team that knows a win will see them claim their first title since 1968 and after a topsy-turvy season, they will be desperate for the points.
The one to watch for City is undoubtedly Carlos Tevez (4/7 to score any time) who, following his much publicised problems in the first half of the season, has inspired his team-mates since returning to the fold in March. He will be desperate to make the difference at the Etihad so look out for a big performance from him.
Despite the odds being stacked against them, QPR can hold some hope in that they have fared reasonably well against the big teams this year, having beaten the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea.
If they are to have any hope of success on Sunday though, striker Djibril Cisse (3/1 to score any time) will need to have the game of his life. The inconsistent Frenchman has scored five in seven since joining the club in January and in the right mood can trouble any defence.
However, City will surely win this quite comfortably and the result could see Rangers return to the Championship after just one season in the top flight.
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