The Full English: This Is It

Posted Saturday, May 01, 2010 by Goal.com

The title will be decided this weekend. Probably.

So there are two weeks left in the season and STILL there is tons to play for. I write about this often, but it’s really quite incredible that we could be 36 games into this campaign and have the races still be on. On like MJ in the “Bad” video...dude’s got moves.

This season is particularly special though, and this weekend in particular. I’m one for irony every now and then and the match between Liverpool and Chelsea, which will obviously be the top match, just oozes the stuff.

For those in need of a history lesson, Liverpool have 18 first division titles to their name. Manchester United also have 18. They are tied for the most all-time for any English club. Do you really think Liverpool wants to help Manchester United to that 19th and record-breaking title? I think not.

As my Goal.com colleague Zac Lee Rigg pointed out in his latest edition of the Phalanx Prophecy (a TFE rip about Serie A...I know, what’s the point, right?), those Italians are going through something very similar. First-place Inter have Lazio with second-place Roma nipping at their heels. Think Lazio want to do their bitter rivals any favors? Again unlikely.

Oh, the intrigue. It’s like daytime TV, I tells ya.

The Bacon (as in Bringing It Home)

Liverpool vs. Chelsea (Anfield, May 2nd, 8:30 a.m. ET, Fox Soccer Plus)

Fresh off their 7-0 beating of practically anyone they want, but most recently Stoke, Chelsea are more ready for this than they probably could have hoped. Liverpool on the other hand are mentally deflated following their crushing ‘loss’ at the hands of Atletico Madrid in the Europa League earlier in the week.

Ready for the picking, you say?

Not exactly. The Reds are always able to pull out a result, no matter who the opposition is, and that very same uncertainty is part of the reason they have been such a mess this season. No one ever knows which team will show up. It could be the team that beats Manchester United 2-0 or the one that loses to Portsmouth by the same score.

Chelsea have been the model of consistency for most of this season and save a few poor stretches have been the league’s best team without question. Playing at Anfield used to be their least favorite thing to do, having only won eight of 66 trips up north, they have done quite a bit better of late taking three wins from six.

They are just so dangerous and unrelenting that you could see this match getting out of hand quite easily. Liverpool still have an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League and that if nothing else should be their sole motivation in this match.

What if Liverpool lose their last two matches of the season and Everton win their last two. The Toffees would then take over the Reds in the table, knocking them COMPLETELY out of Europe. Wouldn’t that be something?

Let’s focus on this match though and I think it’s going to come down to my two favorite Brits...Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. Both players, (Lampard more so) have been excellent at times this year and this is one of those big games where their presence will need to be felt, not only through their expert distribution, but the chances they have on goal as well.

I give the edge to Frank.

TFE Prediction: Chelsea slip out of Merseyside 2-1 winners and put one hand firmly on the EPL trophy.

Sunderland vs. Manchester United (The Stadium of Light, May 2nd, 11 a.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel)

It’s funny how this works. Liverpool won’t roll over in their match despite it helping Manchester United’s bid for the title. Sunderland will probably play a little different against the holders.

Again, history lesson time...for those of you who aren’t familiar with Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, he holds one club pretty close to his heart. No, not the Black Cats, not yet anyway. Dolly, as he was once known, made over 300 appearances for Manchester United in the late 80s and 90s, captaining them for many of those matches.

Roll over and die, maybe?

I respect Bruce as a manager and always adored him as a player, but I don’t think he’s that type of guy to just let United come to their house and make a mess of things. If the Red Devils score a few early goals though, they may just decide to close up shop and defend for the rest of the match. Remains to be seen.

The last match between these two was actually quite a respectable one on Sunderland’s part as they came into Old Trafford and if it weren’t for a pretty terrible Anton Ferdinand own goal late on, they would have taken three points.

That was then and this is now. Sunderland haven’t played well since that point, for a variety of reasons and will be hard-pressed to keep a determined United team at bay for the entire match.

Wayne Rooney is apparently near full health and could play against Sunderland. Darren Bent will hope he doesn’t as the often-overlooked English striker is gunning for the Golden Boot.

Rooney or no Rooney. Bent or no Bent. I’ve got United keeping the pressure up.

TFE Prediction: It’s a bit more comfortable for the Red Devils this time around as they go home 3-1 winners.

Manchester City vs. Aston Villa (Eastlands, May 1st, 10:00 a.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel)

Another very tasty match that really could help decide things in the race for fourth in the EPL. Who wants it the most is what it’ll come down to. Manchester City should want it more as they’re the team with all the stars and if they don’t get fourth their could be some issues this season.

The clubs do have a pretty big tie and he comes in the form of a burly Irishman by the name of Richard Dunne. Cast out of Manchester as he was deemed surplus to requirements, I’m sure City management would love to have him back given the showing of certain over-priced defenders they’ve bought recently.

Since joining Villa for a paltry £5 million in September, Dunne has been as impressive as any defender in the league (hold the team’s 7-1 beating by Chelsea last month). He’s even popped in three goals, the most famous of which came in the earlier fixture between these two.

It’ll be his return to Manchester and if he doesn’t get a long standing ovation, all that money has obviously gone to City’s head. Would be nice to see Dunne playing in the Champions League next season while Kolo Toure and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named are sitting at home watching on television.

If Manchester want to be the ones playing in the tournament, they’ll need to pick it up against Villa and then Spurs midweek. Results in those matches should do enough to see them onto the continent next year. I reckon they’re built for it.

TFE Prediction: Villa come in and play hard as they always do, but City are too strong in the end as they take it 2-1.

The Toast (as in Of The EPL): Coming & Going Edition

Sergio Aguero, Atletico Madrid: Not even waiting for the end of the season, let alone the transfer window, Chelsea are apparently ready to pounce on Kun before anyone else has a chance. The move is a great one for both sides and the Argentine whiz kid should shine at Stamford Bridge under Carlo’s tutelage. Was nice knowing you, Joey.

Wayne Rooney, Manchester United: Apparently Real Madrid have called off their quest to poach another United superstar for the second straight summer. Instead, they are apparently going after Red Devils target David Villa, which seems like a more natural fit. For me, I don’t see Rooney going anywhere this summer or any other summer. He’s going to play out his best days at Old Trafford and that’ll suit him just fine.

Gareth Bale and Luka Modric, Tottenham: The Spurs stars have caught the attention of Manchester United boss SAF of late and moves could be made in the summer for the pair. According to old 'Arry, they aren't going anywhere as their contributions this season and going forward are essential to his plans. Apples and pairs, my son. Apples and pairs.

The Dressing (as in What To Wear)

Liverpool Home Kit 2010/11

Well for the first time in yonks, Carlsberg wouldn’t be on the front of the Liverpool home shirt. Coincidentally the company has sponsored the Merseyside club since 1992. Since then, the Reds haven’t won a domestic title. Hmmm. Anyway, the new kit is nice. Retro. Different. I’d buy it. Maybe. Overall: 7.5/10

Leicester Update

We’re in the playoffs! Leicester are in the playoffs! Playoffs! Wooooo! What a remarkable season it’s been for my boys. Down in the dumps a few years ago, they have risen back to prominence and have had an amazing year. Two promotions in a row would be incredible but I won’t jinx it. Still a lot of work to do.

Philadelphia Union Update

Been a rough start for the Union. One win from four in the league and a messy showing in the U.S. Open Cup play-in match, Philadelphia now have to travel west to take on Los Angeles, who happened to be the best team in the league. Oooohhh, as long as we got each other. We got the world spinning right in our hands. Growing pains.

And Finally...The Black Pudding of the Week

Fulham Football Club: Talk about achievements. This team has fought back time after time after time in the Europa League this season and they just simple will not die. An amazing late show against Hamburg sent the Jerrys packing. If only the final could be played at Craven Cottage...they deserve it that much. England’s last team in Europe...wonder what the odds on that were at the start of the season?