EPL Relegation: A Battle for Survival

If we go back to the pages of history, we will encounter many times when we have witnessed teams enforcing a dramatic last minute escape from the clutches of relegation on the last day of the premiership season . Be it West Bromwich under Bryan Robson or Hull City under Phil Brown, there are countless such examples in the last decades where teams have defied expectations and surged forward amidst high pressure. This season is no exception and barring a spineless West Ham side led by the inept Avram Grant ( Although I have immense respect for the man, yet West Ham are the strongest team to get relegated), we have experienced numerous teams from the likes of Everton , Newcastle and even Liverpool hovering around the relegation spots. With as many as 5 teams involved in a desperate attempt to cling onto the 3 safe position , it brings an interesting and thrilling finish up in front of all English football fans .

SURVIVAL SUNDAY : Who will come out on top?

Manchester United vs Blackpool : Mission Impossible

The one team which would have mixed feelings going into the match would definitely be Blackpool. On one hand they face a resolute Manchester United squad aiming to give a fairytale farewell to Van Der Sar in front of the OT faithful , yet we can fully expect Sir Alex to give some of their main players a rest ahead of the monumental clash against Barcelona at Wembley in a week’s time. Blackpool have ensured some fine form ahead of the trip to Manchester with a thrilling 4-3 win over Bolton and Ian Holloway must surely believe they can do a West Ham type escape ( led by none other than Carlos Tevez then ). A number of neutrals would definitely root for Blackpool who have had an entertaining season to say the least . Losing a personality of the stature and charisma of Ian Holloway would definitely rub off some spark from next season .

What the Seasiders need is a draw if results go according to the plan. And as far as the season panned out till now, it won’t be a big thing to ask. A 4 game unbeaten streak has lifted the morale of the Tangerines but they still need to enact one final monumental act of courage and determination if they need to stay in the Premier League .

Ian Holloway : A great persona to grace the Premier League

Prediction : Blackpool’s fairytale run this season which saw them in the top half in the early days would be over as Manchester United would ensure a winning farewell for their inspirational Goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar .

Tottenham vs Birmingham : A match for contrasting fortunes

Never could anyone have imagined the precarious position Birmingham are in. A fantastic effort which clinched them the Carling Cup could be overshadowed if they fail to make the cut in the Premier League . Can the statisticians answer as to which team had a similar season as that of the Blues ? A highly experienced squad with Alex Mcleish at the helm was least expected to be in the relegation scrap after their inspiring win at Wembley. But the players seem to have lost all focus after that and the causes of a relegation to the Second tier can be pinned to the inept display of football by Birmingham. Tottenham have everything to play for as a Europa League place is up for grabs. Even a loss might allow Tottenham a chance via the Fair Play route but that will curtail the holidays of all the players. So everything to play for both the teams. The Blues have struggled on the last day before, though, and have never kept a clean sheet in their final fixture of a top-flight campaign .

Gareth bale is injured and Rafael Van der Vaart is a major doubt. All other injured players are likely to play some part in the match. Craig Gardner and Liam Ridgewell would return back from suspensions to provide much needed stability .

Prediction : Although I would be shattered to see Birmingham face the drop , yet they have a team which can no doubt defeat Tottenham at their own backyard and considering the indifferent season for the Spurs , a draw or a win looks highly likely for the Blues . Will Survive .

Alex Mcleish

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Blackburn Rovers : A Relegation 6 pointer

A real relegation 6 pointer that is so tightly poised that even playing out a draw , as most experts have predicted , might be insufficient for both the teams to survive in the Premier League. With both the teams on 40 points , a draw between the sides can most likely give them another shot next year plus the multi million dollar profits they will endure. Currently out of the drop zone, both teams know that their future is in their own hands. Wolves have been on a fine run of form at the right time and would definitely cherish the wins over Chelsea and Manchester United at home in an other wise abject overall performance in the league. But such has been the drop in standards of the teams that they can yet survive and are favourites to do just that. Mick McCarthy have all his players from Fletcher to Hunt firing on all cylinders but Kevin Doyle is unlikely to play any part in today’s match .

Blackburn Rovers had became a common name in the minds of the football fans and businessmen in India when and Indian consortium led by Venky’s hatcheries bought the club . What followed was the surreal speculations linking David Beckham and Ronaldinho to the club . The squad quickly got unsettled and coupled with the mystery behind the owners decision to give Steve Kean the full time job , Blackburn quickly fell apart . But Steve Kean can yet become a hero if he ensures survival tonight , a must for the Indian owners . A dodgy performance against a lethargic ManUnited last week allowed them to claim a point and this could yet be the point which saves them from relegation .

Prediction : Wolves are highly fancied to win tonight . But I believe a draw would be enough to keep them in the league . See you both next season .

Will we see two Indian owned teams next year ??

Stoke vs Wigan : A Tricky Encounter

WIgan survived to fight for another day in the must win game against West Ham when they came from 2 goals down to win 3-2 and push West Ham down the relegation trap door. Roberto Martinez has led the club to some fine wins this season but apart from them their performance has been totally shoddy . Billed as a relegation fodder this season , it has panned out exactly like in the scripts for Wigan , a town known more for its Rugby exploits . They face a Stoke side already having one eyes on the much awaited summer holidays . Rejuvenated by last week’s win , Wigan will go all out for a victory but their poor record against set pieces can tear them to shreds against a physically superior Stoke side armed with a great set piece scoring record . Banishing their FA Cup defeat to Manchester City and giving their fanatic supporters , one last moment of hurrah is topmost in the minds of Tony Pulis

The Stoke boss told the club’s official website:

“We have a responsibility to the Premier League and to this football club to do our very best to win that final game. As it is the last game of the season, we are keeping our fingers crossed that we can get Jermaine, Matty and Kenwyne back in time.”

Prediction : Wigan to surrender against Stoke’s superior techniques . A drop to the Championship is inevitable.

Survival to the medium budget teams are similar to what Champions League is to the giants of English football . Everything . Tonight , players would not only play for their careers but for their survival . 5 clubs , 3 spots . Unfortunately , two clubs would follow West Ham into the Championship next season and I believe Wigan and Blackpool are the main contenders .