Lenny Boyle
Premier League Final Sunday Preview by Lenny Boyle
11/05/2012
So it all comes down to this. There are oodles of story lines going into the last day of the 2011/2012 Premier League season. With most of the focus on the two dueling football rivals of Manchester.
Manchester City welcome QPR to the Etihad while Manchester United travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland. City know that a win will give them their first title since 1968. But anything short of three points leaves the door open for United to swoop in and claim the title in dramatic fashion.
City are undoubtedly - rightfully - favourites. But the way this season has gone there will be twists and turns on the final Sunday, whatever happens.
Chelsea’s success in the Champions League has thrown a real spanner in the works as far as qualifying for next year’s competition goes. Only third and above guarantees a go at the 2012/2013 Champions League. If Chelsea lift the cup on May 19 they will condemn fourth in the Premier League to a season outwith Europe’s premier cup competition.
Arsenal, Spurs and Newcastle could all finish third. Though Arsenal are in the driving seat knowing a win against West Brom will guarantee lucrative Champions League football.
The Etihad is the focus of yet more final day drama in the relegation battle. Wolves and Blackburn are already down. Either QPR or Bolton will join them. If Bolton win away at Stoke they stay up. QPR must take something from City, or hope their pals in Stoke can help them out against Bolton. It’s obvious which one of those scenarios is the more likely.
Another interesting final day story line; who is the daddy of Merseyside? Everton last finished above their bitter rivals in the 2004/05 season. If they better or match Liverpool’s result on Sunday they will be the crowned kings of Merseyside. A sequence of events that would be another great achievement over the last decade of David Moyes’ rein in charge of the Toffees.
Robin van Persie goes into Arsenal’s last game with the golden boot firmly in his grasp, or on his feet. But he can be a record breaker with two more league goals. He sits on 30. Two more will see him surpass Cristiano Ronaldo (2007-08) and Alan Shearer (1995-96) with 31 in a single 38 game league season; and take the accolades as the most prolific single season striker in Premier League history.
It all comes down to this. Perhaps the greatest Premier League season ever. With so much to decide on the last day of action. Buckle in and enjoy.
Remember you can watch this event live on your computer or mobile with Sky Sports Streaming on Sky Go. Need a UK IP address? Click Here
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