Tuesday, June 02, 2015

Game 64 - Week 21

One game to go, and still no champions crowned in game 64.  The Premier league is pretty close to being decided though, Ethan Bailey's Arsenal need just a point from their final game away at Tottenham on Friday evening.  This week was a bit of a strange one, four 0-0 draws in the Prem, but the only two outright results having a massive impact on the top of the table.  Going into this weeks games, the Gunners were tied at the top with Rich Coupland's Wolves, but the Molineux side had a better goal difference.  That all changed though - Arsenal won 4-0 at Celtic, Messi scoring all four to take his total for the season to 29, whilst Wolves lost 1-0 at James West's Aston Villa.   Both teams now have the same +24 goal difference, Wolves are at home to Celtic next week.  Down at the bottom of the table, both Kieran Hundal's Everton and David Newton's Rangers are relegated.  One of the two sides above them will go down too... Anthony Woods' Spurs drew 0-0 at Bournemouth and are currently third from bottom, a point behind Marc Lewry's Man United who drew 0-0 at home to Manchester City.  United are unbeaten in four games and - after reaching the halfway stage of the season with a mere four points - have picked up 17 from their last 10 matches.  United are at home to Chelsea next week, Spurs probably have the easier game as they play bottom of the table Everton at White Hart Lane.

We do have champions in division 1, Craig Rathey's Scarborough were confirmed a week or so ago.   It's looking likely that Kirk Greenway's West Ham are going to take the second automatic promotion place with them, after third placed Doncaster drew 1-1 with the league champions this week.  West Ham are three points ahead of Doncaster, but with a worse goal difference so will need at least a point on Friday night at home to Nick Smith's Liverpool.  Chris Burton's Sheffield Wednesday are going to finish in the playoffs, and face a first round match with Liverpool whatever happens next week.  They do however take on Scarborough at Hillsborough and have the opportunity to be the first team all season to beat Rathey's side.

Five teams go into the final game of the season with a realistic chance of the Serie A title.  Rich Coupland's Lazio were top for just one week, as a 3-1 defeat at Mini Mars sees them drop to second, and James Teager's Real Madrid are back on top after a home draw with Basle.  Glen Pine's Basle side are still in the hunt after that draw, two points behind the leaders, but are down in fifth place now after letting a two goal lead slip for the second time in two games.  With a minute to go before half time, Basle were 2-0 up on Madrid thanks to goals from Inler and Shaqiri, but Zaza pulled one back just before the break and scored a second late in the second half.  He also missed a second half penalty which could yet prove costly.  Like Basle and Madrid, it was a second successive draw for Bayern Munich - Gerard O'Brien's side were held 1-1 at Antwerp, Suarez again with a vital Munich goal but Henrique with an equally vital equaliser for the home side.  PSG are back in the hunt too, a 1-0 home win over Atletico Madrid puts them up into fourth place, level with Munich and Lazio, just one point behind the leaders.  What could happen next turn?  Real Madrid are at home to struggling Benfica knowing a win for them would guarantee the title - and send Benfica down in the process.  Louis King's side are without a win in eleven games, so Real will obviously be favourites, but Benfica are not easy to beat, and have already beaten Madrid once this season so won't be pushovers.  Basle are at home to bottom of the table Atletico, Lazio are at home to safe from relegation Juventus whilst Bayern entertain PSG.  Any slip up from Real Madrid and any of their rivals could yet pounce.  There was delight in Turin this week, as Mark Wheat's side recorded their third successive victory to ensure their place in Serie A will be safe for another season.  Juve beat PSV 3-0 to move up to 6th place, three points clear of the drop zone - but also put James Bartaby's side in deep trouble.  Mini Mars' brilliant victory over Lazio also sees them move out of the drop zone but they're not yet safe, only a point out of the bottom three.  James West's AC Milan continued the trend of brilliant form amongst the bottom clubs, it was their third win in a row as well this week, as they beat Benfica 2-0, but they're still in the relegation places.  Atletico Madrid are already down, Benfica are three points from safety and will join them unless they can win at Real Madrid next week.  AC Milan are one point worse off than PSV, Mini Mars and Antwerp - so it looks highly likely to be one from those four - and amazingly they're all up against each other.  Mini Mars at home to Milan and Antwerp at home to PSV, lots of permutations, but at the very least all four sides know they'll be safe if they win their last match.

The Serie B title is going to go down to the last match, Patrick Lyons' NY Red Bull side are two points clear of Jamie Maycroft's Dnipro; both will be playing in Serie A next season.

Remember, this Friday we have a live turn, deadline is 5pm with kick off in the matches at 6pm.

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