Sunday picks

Liverpool V Man City

Ok il probably get slated for this pick but im going to oppose the home side here. It’s been a tough week for Liverpool fans losing out on a champions league spot during the week. With that result went any last remaining thoughts of silverware and physically and mentally it was a very draining exercise. Skrtel went off injured and reports suggest that Torres is also absent today.
Both teams are similar in regards to off the field trouble. The ownership problems at Liverpool are well documented and City were rocked by the news this week that Sven Goran Eriksson’s ten month reign will be brought to an end shortly by Thaksin Shinawatra. Its bizarre to me really as Man City have had a great season, and it’s not a popular choice as Eriksson is a popular man at Eastlands. He is held in high regard by the players and the decision has angered many of the players and supporters, especially those players who appear to have signed contracts on the basis that Sven would be at the helm for the “three year plan” bandied about by the club owners.
With this in mind we should see a much better and determined performance from the visitors today as the target appears to be to embarrass Shinawatra. Man City left themselves down last week, throwing away a 2 – 0 lead to lose 3 – 2 to strugglers Fulham.

Verdict
Rafa will probably rotate the Liverpool team a bit and freshen it up but after the gruelling 120 minutes they played at Stamford bridge on Tuesday there will be some tired minds out there. They are already assured of 4th place too so the pressure is somewhat off them.
Manchester City have a point to prove to the club owners today and although they are without Dunne and Richards they can still give a good account of themselves.
An away win might sound unrealistic to some but remember Man City won away at Old Trafford when nobody gave them a sniff. Against all odds Wigan won away at Aston Villa yesterday so results like this are not so extraordinary. Man City to at least get a draw for me.

PICK
Manchester City +0.5 ( 2.58 @ 5dimes) 4 points


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Blackpool V Watford

One of the few championship games where something is riding on the result. Interestingly a draw may be enough for both teams so a cagey affair is to be expected here. Blackpool are in 18th place and a draw will be enough to keep them up as long as Southampton don’t win by 13 or more goals!
The mathematics tell us that Watford only need a point for a playoff spot but only if Wolves don’t win by three or more.
What does this all mean? It means that at this moment a draw is probably good enough for both teams and I feel that it will be a tight cagey low scoring affair. Blackpool are no mugs at home and have only been defeated once in the last eleven games.
Half time draw stands out as having a great shot as neither team will want to commit too much early on. If Wolves take a 3 – 0 lead elsewhere then Watford may have to go looking for a win but this situation should not come up until after half time. Remember a defeat for Watford would be a disaster so cagey and disciplined would be how I see them staring the game.
Anyhow, half time draw is the selection for me

PICK
Blackpool V Watford ht draw ( 2 @ paddy power) 4 points

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Sheffield Wednesday V Norwich

Sheffield will have the final say over their own destiny, as a win will ensure survival for another year. Luckily for them they are facing Norwich, a team who are safe and as such only playing for pride. Since they won 3 away on the trot back in Jan/Feb Norwich have stuttered along on the road picking up 1 point from a possible 18.
Sheffield have really responded well to the relegation threat and last weeks 3 – 1 win away to Leicester was a massive result. At home they are undefeated in 5 and they include games against teams such as Stoke and in form Coventry.
Ticket prices have been reduced for the home fans to encourage a sell-out crowd and with two teams with contrasting needs and form its just impossible to look past the home win today.
Sheffield Wednesday to stage a final day survival act and take 3 points.

PICK
Sheffield Wednesday (1.73 @ totesport) 6 points