Who will conquer in tonight’s title battle?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

Tonight, the biggest game of the Premier League season – and one of the biggest Manchester derbies of all time – takes place at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City take on Manchester United knowing that victory will put them above their fierce rivals with just two games remaining.

For United, a win will all but secure their 20th league title and end the hopes of Roberto Mancini‘s side in a title race that has had plenty of twists and turns.

It looked well and truly over a few weeks ago when City’s defeat at Arsenal left them eight points adrift of Sir Alex Ferguson‘s men with just six games remaining.

But a shock defeat for United a few days later at Wigan left the door ajar, and City haven’t looked back since.    

Barnet or Hereford: who will survive?

By Tony Alvarez

Yesterday Macclesfield were relegated from the Football League and will ply their trade in the Blue Square Premier next season.

That’s one of the two relegation spaces filled, with one remaining with just one game to play its going to be a nervy time for Hereford and Barnet.

Barnet are in pole position. They are currently outside the relegation zone with 2 points more than Hereford, although Hereford’s goal difference which could come in to play is superior.

Both teams are not going down without a major fight, yesterday both sides had big wins against teams much higher placed inb the table. Hereford impressively beat automatic promotion chasing Crawley at Crawley 3-0.

Barnet also had an impressive win albeit at their Underhill home, they beat 17th placed AFC Wimbledon 4-0. These results ensure both teams will go into their final fixtures full of confidence.    

What is the Championship story of the season?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

Today sees the conclusion of the 2011/12 Npower Championship season, and once again it has been a campaign full of drama and excitement.

There are still one or two permutations to be decided, with Southampton and West Ham fighting for the final automatic promotion spot.

Cardiff City and Middlesborough are also vying for the final play-off place and complete the line-up of those semi-finals, with both having steadily built up a promotion push with new and inexperienced sides respectively.

While these are outcomes yet to be revealed, this Championship season has thrown up plenty of talking points for the 24 clubs involved.    

Is too much made of the pre match handshake?

By Tony Alvarez

It is believed that following a meeting between QPR players and staff it has been agreed that certain players would not shake John Terry’s hand. According to reports the FA were informed of this decision and have moved to stop a scene being caused and cancelled the usual pre match ritual.

This is not the first time in the not too distant past that the handshake has been in the press and made back pages, sometimes sadly overshadowing the football that is being played.

Play-off disappointment shouldn’t cloud Brighton’s progress

By Laurie Fitzgerald

Brighton & Hove Albion go into Saturday’s final game of the season at Barnsley with only pride left to play for after their play-off push ran out of steam over the last few weeks.

Gus Poyet‘s men have gone on a run of seven games without victory while their promotion rivals kept up the pace and pull away from the Seagulls at the business end of the campaign.

It’s a disappointing way for Brighton‘s first season back in the Championship to end, but looking at the bigger picture and there are plenty of positives to take and build on for the future.    

Heineken Cup Semi-Final Preview

By Laurie Fitzgerald

After a pulsating set of quarter-finals, this year’s Heineken Cup has reached the last four with some intriguing possibilities in store.

Edinburgh‘s stunning win over Toulouse at Murrayfield three weeks ago means that Michael Bradley’s side are just one victory away from becoming the first Scottish team to reach the final of European rugby’s showpiece event.

They take on an Ulster side that produced one of the best away performances in the tournament’s history when they conquered fortress Thomond Park and defeated Munster with a clinical display.

In the other semi-final, Leinster are now two victories away from becoming only the second team to successfully defend the trophy following their dismantling of Cardiff Blues in Dublin.

However, they face a tough trip to France to take on a Clermont side that comfortably disposed of Saracens in the last eight, and are in ominous form both domestically and in Europe as they search for their first Heineken crown.    

Do you agree with the PFA Team of the Year?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

On Sunday night, the Professional Football Association revealed the recipients of their numerous annual awards as the Premier League season draws ever nearer to its conclusion.

Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie received the PFA Player of the Year after his 27 league goals have helped keep the Gunners on course for a Champions League spot.

Tottenham full-back Kyle Walker was awarded the PFY Young Player of the Year following his impressive displays at for Harry Redknapp’s side.

Also announced was the PFA team of the year, where the best players in their respective positions are recognised for their efforts throughout the campaign.

As always, this has drawn plenty of debate from football lovers as to those that deserve to be in the XI, and those that have been unfairly ignored for their performances over the past nine months.    

Who will win the race for the final play off place in the Championship?

 

Swansea- last years play off winners

By Tony Alvarez
With only a single fixture left in the regular season in the Championship all matters of relegation are decided as are the Champions and it would take an almighty collapse for Southampton to now not take the 2nd automatic promotion spot.
With that in mind all that’s really left in the balance is who will take the play off spots, especially the final spot which is still very much up for grabs. As well as that the positions are important as it determines who a side will play in the semi final. I will look at the contenders especially for that final spot.

Charlton’s promotion a testament to backing a manager

By Laurie Fitzgerald

Charlton Athletic ended their 3-year absence from the Championship last Saturday when a Bradley Wright-Phillips strike gave them a 1-0 win at Carlisle United and earn the Addicks automatic promotion.

The South London club have lead League One since October, and despite the best efforts of both Sheffield clubs Chris Powell‘s side wrapped up a top-two finish with three games to spare.

This achievement was heightened when victory over Wycombe yesterday secured the League One title, and a possible 100-point season is still within reach.

For Powell and Charlton, it’s a great reward not only for a man that has the club very close to his heart, but also to a club that kept faith and backed a manager in his beliefs and convictions.    

Is the standard of refereeing really decreasing?

By Tony Alvarez
Yesterday Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini questioned the standard of refereeing in England and admitted he was some what disappointed by the standard of refereeing in England Is not what he expected.
The Italian said “When I was in Italy I always thought, here, there were the best referees, My idea has changed.”
Although I can’t relate to Mancini’s experience of referee’s in Italy as to that of the ref’s in England I do somewhat agree with him.
Despite attending matches as much as possible in previous years this is the first season I’ve had a season ticket thus attending every match and seeing 90 minutes every week.