2003.
That was the last time an English side failed to make it to the semifinals of the Champions League.
In that year, Arsenal, Liverpool, United and Newcastle made the squaredance. Liverpool were axed in the first group stage, while Newcastle and Arsenal would fall in the second group stage. United was bounced by Real Madrid, though made the conclusion a thrilling one in a 4-3 victory over the Spanish supermen. That year would be Milan’s sixth title season, knocking off a Juventus side that nipped both Barcelona and Madrid in successive rounds.
In the present day, United lost its spark once Rooney departed the contest against Bayern Munich with effectively the same injury as he suffered in the first leg, an injury that probably had England boss Fabio Capello’s people flooding the United call center in outrage, not because of the injury but the fact that they let him play when he was supposed to be out at least two weeks. This is the kind of thing that will keep happening until SAF lets Rooney rest long enough for it to heal. That, however, seems unlikely, thus rolling back around to a previous argument. Both desperately have to have him. It’s this desire for him that makes it likely that he will break down before he is able to serve both.
But in the here and now, his presence makes such a monstrous difference in the title race, he becomes the most valuable player to any team in any major league. His absence will cost United the title; his playing could win it for them. The power that his presence has is enormous; he may not be the best overall player like Messi, but Barcelona could survive without Messi; United cannot without Rooney. And right now is the most vital time to have the world’s most invaluable man.
But United are not the only team in a vital race. Fourteen of the twenty Premier League outfits are in either jockeying positions or in dire straights in four separate races. The title, Champions League, Europa League and relegation spots are not settled, and with five or six matches left to a club, much can be decided. Let us look now at what trials await each club in the run-in.
1) Chelsea (74 points)
The Blues have an easy 9 spot in the bag with their three remaining home contests, but face somewhat difficult trips to Spurs and Liverpool. It is, on the back of current form, hard to see Chelsea dropping more than two points between now and the end of the term, making them odds-on to win the title and possibly an F.A. Cup on the side.
Prediction: 1st
2) Manchester United (72 points)
The schedule isn’t terrible, but it’s not particularly easy either. A trip to Blackburn without Rooney as the spearhead will be more difficult than probably most would imagine. What should concern United fans is if Rooney is not ready for the City clash, one that, regardless of who is on the pitch, will be contested with all the fire and brimstone of a volcano eruption. Spurs at home will, depending on Spurs’ needs, be competitive while Sunderland will try to right the wrongs of earlier and Stoke visit to close.
Prediction: 2nd
3) Arsenal (71 points)
The Gunners are in flux at the moment. Having been brutalized by the Messi Machine midweek, a much needed break takes them to the midweek, where they’ll meet a Spurs side needing three points in the Champions League fight. Wigan will give them the room for a massive beat down, though a visit from City to close the month may make or break both sides. A visit to Blackburn will probably draw ire from Monsieur Wenger and the final of the London Derbies (v. Fulham) concludes the term.
Prediction: 3rd
4) Manchester City (59 points)
City are in a good spot at the moment. But, much like spurs, they have a hellacious end to the term. A visit from Birmingham is guaranteed to show their hunger for the fight before United enter the City of Manchester Stadium. The aforementioned trip to the Emirates follows before home matches against Villa and Spurs. You can’t tell me the end of this term isn’t fraught with peril for everyone. Thankfully, West Ham ride in at the end to possibly save the day for the Citizens.
Prediction: 4th
5) Tottenham Hotspur (58 points)
City have a five pack of major contests, but Spurs are in the train wreck portion of the schedule: the top three in 10 days. Considering the line up they offered up to Sunderland last weekend, Harry Redknapp must feel like he’s playing the world’s largest game of Craps. The F.A. Cup may be his best bet at anything for Spurs this term.
Prediction: 6th
6) Liverpool (55 points)
With a chance to light a fire under the bums of City and Spurs, the Reds promptly focused on the Europa League and got their noses bloodied by Birmingham. However, they should be able to all but sweep the remaining part of the schedule (which is somehow remarkably light) and get back into the Champions League. There are only two things preventing a run-through: Europa League requirements and Chelsea.
Prediction: 5th
7) Aston Villa (54 points)
Villa have a chance to right the wrongs of a few weeks ago against Chelsea in the F.A. Cup semifinal. Chances are, however, that they might need to concentrate on just hanging on to their European place. Wednesday features a super-critical crunch with Everton, a match Villa need to get something from if they don’t want to find themselves suddenly falling out of the European spots altogether. Trips to Pompey and Hull should garner wins but a derby match against Birmingham, a trip to City and the closeout with Blackburn will make life a touch more frantic than O’Neill and Co. would like and will put them on the 8-ball.
Prediction: 8th
8) Everton (50 points)
Should they happen to take out Villa, and while the schedule wouldn’t be super-easy, it is entirely conceivable that Everton could sweep out the rest of the term. Trips to Blackburn and Stoke will not be fun, but could be winnable. Hosting Europa-concerned Fulham and closing with Pompey could make a 15 point run plausible, with 12 a minimum.
Prediction: 7th
9) Birmingham City (46 points)
It isn’t a terrible end of the year list of opponents, but all five clubs that the Blues play all have something on the line. Birmingham doesn’t. Trips to City, Villa and Bolton all await while home matches with Hull and Burnley should be winnable. This is a flux schedule: one could see anywhere from 3 to 12 points getting nabbed here.
Prediction: 9th
10) Stoke City (42 points)
It’s a tale of two halves in the closing for the Potters. While Wolves, Fulham (postponed for the moment) and Bolton are the early matchups, the term closes with Chelsea, United and Everton. Certainly well out of the relegation scrap, these are the kinds of matches that Stoke can go out and try to play spoiler in.
Prediction: 10th
11) Blackburn Rovers (42 points)
Rovers got no favors to close the term out. While Big Sam’s side have been playing with nothing to lose, the clubs they play do. Home to United, Everton and Arsenal is no cake walk; roadies to the Midlands (Wolves and Villa) are no cakewalks either.
Prediction: 13th
12) Fulham (41 points)
As long as this Europa League thing continues, Fulham are going to be somewhat non-competitive during those stretches with midweek matches. Liverpool, Everton and Arsenal would expect to take three a piece as Fulham make their visits, while points could be had against Stoke, Wolves and West Ham.
Prediction: 11th
13) Sunderland (38 points)
The Black Cats finally snapped out of their stupor by hammering Spurs (though somebody should really take Bent off the penalty spot). The schedule is also quite enjoyable, as they should be able to put daylight between themselves and Wolves, West Ham, Burnley and Hull. They’ll also try to better the result that they had against United at Old Trafford.
Prediction: 12th
14) Wolverhampton Wanderers (32 points)
Wolves have already taken all of their upper crust pummelings for the term and do not play a team higher than 10th in the current table. In fact, they play the four clubs currently above them and Pompey. Not a bad way to close out the term, assuming they get a couple of wins in this stretch. Start missing, though, and suddenly Wolves are in the thick of the relegation scrap.
Prediction: 14th
15) Bolton Wanderers (31 points)
Bolton have climbed out of imminent danger, but certainly not out of complete danger. A trip to Chelsea might result in a lot of head banging, but the other two roadies, to Stoke and Spurs, yield good possibilities of points. Home with Pompey is critical, and a point from the close with Birmingham should see them through to next term.
Prediction: 15th
16) Wigan Athletic (31 points)
Can we say there is a hint of desperation in the air? With Arsenal and Chelsea still on tap, they must get results against Pompey, West Ham and Hull. Chances are good they can secure at least four points, and probably just keep their heads above water.
Prediction: 17th
17) West Ham United (28 points)
Snaring a draw at Everton shows that maybe West Ham do have the fire to stay up. If they can snag three against Sunderland we will know for sure. With Liverpool and City still to come, Fulham and Wigan represent the best chance for points, ones that West Ham will finally take and get out of the term still standing.
Prediction: 16th
18) Hull City (27 points)
They have a game in hand and any slip up against Burnley will make it valuable. Birmingham, Villa and Liverpool still await, so result against Sunderland and a critical mass contest at Wigan may decide the fate of the Tigers. If there is a winner in that contest, that team lives to fight on most likely.
Prediction: 18th
19) Burnley (24 points)
Burnley have all but given up at this point. That said, should a spark of life envelope them, they still will need a lot of help. The Hull contest is make or break, seeing as Sunderland, Liverpool, Birmingham and Spurs are standing between them and the Championship.
Prediction: 19th
20) Portsmouth (14 points)
It’s a game of pride for Pompey, and has been for some time now. They are in the semifinals of the F.A. Cup, which is a pretty remarkable achievement. Contract issues may force them to become No-Name Pompey before the season closes; if that is the case, expect some utterly nasty results to come.
Understood: 20th
With as many teams still fighting at different ends of the table, the season should have a dramatic May 9th conclusion
But, should you be bored this weekend, I hear there is this match down in Spain that’s supposed to be alright…..
