ESPN’s man with the mic Jon Champion looks ahead to the weekend’s Premier League action. Watch exclusive all-day coverage of the FA Cup Final on Saturday from 8am
It goes without saying that this weekend will have a huge impact on the title race. City are in the driving seat after a dogged and disciplined performance gave those 'noisy neighbours' a 1-0 victory over United on Monday at the Etihad Stadium.
The blue half of Manchester will face a stern test in the game of the weekend away at Newcastle, whose own Champions League aspirations were boosted by that superb win at Chelsea in midweek.
It is very much in the history of Manchester City to get into winning situations and see it slip through their hands, but this is the new City, and although many expect them to win their final two fixtures, this is their pivotal game. City will be expecting United to win their last two and must therefore do the same.
Only two teams have managed to beat Newcastle at St James Park this campaign, and City will need to be at their best if they are to avoid coming unstuck and opening the door for the red half of Manchester to regain the title.
Never in their wildest dreams did Newcastle supporters imagine that their side would be on the brink of a Champions League place with two games to go, but they will now be expectant of grabbing it with a win on Sunday. The atmosphere will be electric and passionate as it is the game that decides both clubs’ seasons. Manchester City may find they feeling a long way from home when they step out on the turf of St James Park.
Manchester United will be aware of the result in Newcastle by the time they kick-of at Old Trafford against Swansea, but they must win their final two fixtures. United’s line-up in Monday’s Manchester derby was cautious and they would be expected to return to their standard 4-4-2 formation on Sunday.
Swansea have only won once in their last seven, and as long as United are on their game they should have too much for their Welsh visitors.
Away from the title race the battle for third and fourth place is really hotting up with Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle only separated by a point.
Arsenal contest the only fixture on Saturday at the Emirates against Norwich City, who have had a fantastic season but were well-beaten by Liverpool last week and have not performed well recently. They should be ideal opponents for Arsenal as they look to secure a Champions League spot with six points from their final two matches.
But Spurs will be hoping their North London rivals slip up before they travel to Aston Villa on Sunday. Villa are really struggling but they should scrape over the line. Only one win at Villa Park in six months is not good enough and it will be interesting to see if Alex McLeish is still at the helm next season.
Tottenham looked good at Bolton in mid-week and they seem to be gradually getting back on track. The England management question mark has also been lifted, which will come as a timely relief for their players and supporters. They are in pole position for fourth place but must not take their foot off the gas against Villa, who are desperate for points.
Villa will be looking over their shoulder at how the teams below them get on. One of those, Bolton, face a massive game at home to West Brom, which they must win to stand any real chance of staying up.
Owen Coyle’s side did not get a lift from the emotional return of Fabrice Muamba in mid-week but they face a side who may have their minds elsewhere, as they know that a new manager will be in the dug-out next season, after Roy Hodgson’s appointment as England manager.
It has come to the crunch now and Bolton must capitalize on their home advantage to stay up.
Also battling at the bottom are QPR, who entertain Stoke at Loftus Road. Rangers have won their last four home fixtures and with a trip to Manchester City on the last day this is a must win game for them. Stoke have only won one in nine but they are always difficult opponents and their height and power at set pieces could trouble QPR.
But Mark Hughes has made Loftus Road a fortress over the past month or so, beating the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs and if they can reproduce that form they should beat Stoke. Tony Pulis’ side could have a big impact on who goes down as Stoke entertain Bolton at The Britannia on the final day of the season.
If the bottom sides pick up points on Sunday, Blackburn could well be down if they lose at home to Wigan in Monday evening's game at Ewood Park.
The form book does not favour Rovers, who have lost six of their last seven, while Wigan have won five from the same amount of games. Roberto Martinez’s side have played with real adventure and deserve to be where they currently are but if they lose to Blackburn they will be right back in the thick of things. However if the Latics come away with a victory, they could be assured of survival.
It's credit to the excitement of this season’s Premier League that there are only two games with nothing riding on them in the penultimate weekend of the campaign.
Relegated Wolves host Everton at Molineux, and although Terry Connor’s side showed resilience to earn a 4-4 draw away to Swansea in their last game it is a case of too little too late. Everton have been very solid in recent weeks, and I should be too well drilled to slip up in this one.
If the Toffees win at Wolves they will be pretty much nailed on take seventh place above their Merseyside rivals Liverpool.
The Reds may even be pipped to eighth spot after their mid-week home defeat to Fulham. That win will leave the Cottagers brimming with confidence when they take on Sunderland at Craven Cottageon Sunday.
Martin Jol hopes to be back in the sidelines after a recent chest infection but, Martin O’Neill’s team have been drawing too many games recently. It’s five stalemates in their last six outings and I wouldn’t be surprised if it is another draw for Sunderland here.
Bale out: City set to offer Spurs £40m players-plus-cash deal
Massive transfer would see the Welsh winger triple his salary and potentially see Adebayor and another star swap Eastlands for Tottenham
Super-rich City will try to make the move happen by offering the Welsh wonder THREE times his wages, which would put him on over £100,000-a-week.
The league leaders' Arab owners have given their blessing to the staggering swoop, and are ready to propose a cash-plus-player package.
Bale may be tempted to make the move after dropping heavy hints that he will review his future this summer.
He said in a recent interview, “If we don’t [qualify for the Champions League], I have to discuss what’s best for myself.”
However, sources close to the situation say that even qualification for Europe's top club competition will not stop the move happening.
Bale has been heavily linked with a move abroad, with Barcelona in the frame, but staying in the Premier League and competing for the title and other top prizes may suit him more.
The contract that would be on offer at Eastlands - worth almost £30m over five years - makes it almost a no-brainer for the Welsh star, who is arguably the best in Britain at his age.
Background work on the transfer is already going on but the nitty-gritty of figures will be hard for the negotiators, because of the size and nature of the move.
Striker Emmanuel Adebayor - on loan from City to Spurs for the season - would make his switch permanent if the clubs can agree the more complicated part of the talks.
The big striker is still on a giant wage and Tottenham would not want to pick that up, so his final value in the deal will have to be carefully assessed.
City may also offer another player in the deal if Spurs boss Harry Redknapp and his chairman Daniel Levy do want to play ball, with Nigel De Jong and Adam Johnson both potentially on the list of candidates.
Roberto Mancini doubts Wales star Gareth Bale will leave Tottenham for Manchester City
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed there have been talks about next summer's transfer targets - but he does not expect Gareth Bale to leave Tottenham.
It has been suggested Manchester City will try to lure Gareth Bale to the Etihad Stadium with a big-money bid. But Roberto Mancini does not think Spurs would be interested.
"Gareth Bale is a fantastic player," said the Manchester boss. "But I don't think he will leave a big team like Tottenham."
However, Mancini has spoken to the Manchester City hierarchy about summer plans, even if, with the Premier League title battle now into its last two games, those talks are on hold.
"We talked about this some weeks ago," he said.
"But now our focus has to be on the next two games."
Having repeatedly claimed Manchester United remained favourites for the title, Roberto Mancini was sticking to that mantra ahead of his side's visit to Newcastle on Sunday.
It is City, though, who now sit on top of the Premier League and, barring an eight-goal swing against them, they will remain there if they win their last two matches, at the Sports Direct Arena this weekend and against QPR at home seven days later.
"We have done nothing yet," said Mancini.
"We have got two games left and Sunday will be a tough one.
"Nothing has changed. We just have to do what we did on Monday (against Manchester United)."
Liverpool Eye Up Manchester City Enforcer Nigel De Jong
Liverpool are eying up a summer bid for Manchester City’s Nigel De Jong, according to this afternoon’s reports…
Reports leaving Anfield this evening suggest that Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is set to test Manchester City’s resolve by tabling a summer bid for midfielder Nigel De Jong.
The Merseyside club have endured one of their worst Premier League campaigns do date, currently sitting eighth in the table – three points behind bitter rivals Everton.
Dalglish spent big in last summer’s transfer window and is yet to reap in the rewards; with signings Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam all so far failing to make the grade at Anfield.
However, the Liverpool board have told Dalglish that despite the failures of last summer’s signings, they’re still willing to back any realistic targets the Scot has on his radar this summer, with Nigel De Jong said to be the top of his list.
Liverpool are crying out for a holding midfield player following the injury to Lucas, as well as poor performances from bit part players such as Jay Spearing and Charlie Adam, and De Jong could be just the right guy to shore up the shaky Anfield ship.
De Jong was one of City’s most consistent players last season and many have been surprised at the lack of game time he’s seen this term, with Mancini opting to play Gareth Barry in the holding role with three attacking midfielders just in front.
And the Netherlands international is likely be partial to a summer move away from the Etihad in order to gain first-team football once again, with a bid in the region of £15m thought to be enough to tempt City into selling.
ROBIN VAN PERSIE IN MOVE TO STAY AT ARSENAL AS MANCHESTER CITY BID JUST £20M
ARSENAL’S hopes of holding on to Player of the Year Robin van Persie have been boosted by the fact Manchester City have valued him at just £20million.
Striker Van Persie last night collected his Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year award to add to his PFA honour, having scored 35 goals in all competitions this season.
Spanish champions Real Madrid and City are ready to prise Van Persie from the Emirates after being alerted to the fact he has yet to start negotiations on extending a contract that expires next season.
But City’s valuation of him is far below the figure that would force the Gunners to even consider cashing in on their prized asset. Entering the final season of his contract and approaching his 29th birthday at the start of August, City chiefs believe Van Persie’s market value is roughly £20m.
There are also concerns that he could be burnt out by the start of next term, as he will push his season’s tally towards 60 matches at the summer’s European Championship.
City are also factoring in that on top of a fee, they would have to hand Van Persie a four-year contract worth about £200,000 a week.
But any bid of around the £20m mark would be rejected by Arsenal, who are growing increasingly hopeful of hanging on to the striker – especially if they can secure an automatic place in the Champions League.
The Gunners will offer Van Persie a new £120,000-a-week contract along with a signing-on fee and a £5m loyalty bonus. But, unlike Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas last year, he is not set to put the club under any pressure to sell.
If he cannot agree a new deal at the Emirates, it is understood the striker would not object to entering the final season of his contract.
Boss Arsene Wenger has promised he will not allow Van Persie to follow Nasri to City and also dropped hints that, if need be, Arsenal are prepared to hold their captain to his present deal, even if that means risking losing him for nothing in 12 months’ time.
Arsenal's Robin van Persie celebrates his second goal against Norwich with Theo Walcott
City would have to offer over £30m to force the Gunners into a rethink, and the size of Madrid’s bid would largely depend on how much they can get for Gonzalo Higuain.
But Real would also have to convince Van Persie to leave England, where his family are known to be very happy.
[spoiler]She certainly looked the part for a glittering star-studded award ceremony in her sexy little dress.
But Kirsty Gallacher would have no doubt wished that she'd also brought a pair of flat shoes just to help her make her way across the car park.
The sports presenter was snapped arriving at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium yesterday for the club's Player of the Year Awards
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... -City.html[/spoiler]
OTHER BOLLOX
Chelsea make offer to buy Battersea Power Station
Chelsea have made a bid to buy Battersea Power Station in south-west London and plan to redevelop it into a 60,000 capacity stadium. The landmark's four chimneys would be kept as part of a design which includes a 15,000 seat single-tier south stand.
Chelsea said in March expanding their current home, Stamford Bridge, made no economic sense, while a new stadium on the site faced planning problems. The club added they are not the only party interested in acquiring the site. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17958598
Manchester United are believed to be close to finalising a move for Borussia Dortmund's Japan international playmaker Shinji Kagawa, and the 23-year-old is expected to sign a three-year deal at Old Trafford. talkShit
Arsenal are facing competition from Tottenham Hotspur for Junior Hoilett as well as Jan Vertonghen and Eden Hazard The Telegraph
Newcastle and Reading are in competition to sign Barnsley's £2m-rated 21-year-old midfielder Jacob Butterfield. Daily Mail
FC Twente's 19-year-old winger Ola John, wanted by Sunderland and Aston Villa, is thought to prefer a move to Benfica, who are likely to secure his services for £9m, according to Portuguese newspaper A Bola. talkShit
Fabio Capello has warned Roy Hodgson that he will find it difficult to forge team spirit and create a winning mentality in the England squad before the European Championship finals in Poland and Ukraine this summer. The Times
Jose Mourinho has told Roman Abramovich he will be staying with Real Madrid and not coming back to rule over Stamford Bridge again. Daily Express
Stuart Pearce could be the first casualty of the Roy Hodgson regime, with the former England left back expected to lose his role with the senior squad and so miss out on next month's European Championship. Daily Mail
Tottenham playmaker Rafael van der Vaart has hailed Harry Redknapp as a "special manager" and hopes he remains at White Hart Lane for the foreseeable future. Metro
Former Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo interrupted his celebrations after Real Madrid's win over Athletic Bilbao that clinched the league title, by making a disrespectful gesture towards Javi Martinez, Bilbao's Spain international who had been sent off during the game. Metro
