Wolves v Blackburn Rovers – Sunday 22 May – Molineux Stadium, (17:00)
With the English Premier League title already been decided, the main focus of the Premiership turns to the relegation battle.
Wolves and Blackburn Rovers are both level on 40 points and are stuck in the danger zone. Both teams are coming off positive results as Wolves got the better of Sunderland 3-1 and Blackburn Rovers held champions Man United to a 1-1 draw. Wolves have enjoyed 2 seasons in the premiership as they achieved promotion at the end of the 2008-2009 season and have managed to hold their own amongst the elite of English football. They face a Blackburn Rovers team that has become a household name within top flight English football as they were last relegated in 1999-2000 campaign. Wolves’ manager Mick McCarthy has called for his players to show that fighting spirit that has kept them in the premiership for the past 2 seasons. In a post match conference McCarthy stated that his players are all in emotional turmoil and that relegation would be devastating for the players. Club captain Karl Henry stated that relegation is not a option and has demanded that his team mates battle till the finale of the league to ensure that they beat the drop.
Blackburn should have enough to ensure they compete in the premiership for another season.
.
Stoke City vs Wigan Athletic – Sunday 22 May – Britannia Stadium (17:00)
Stoke City are coming off a devastating defeat as they were undone by a late Yaya Toure strike in the historic FA Cup final. Stoke have had some morale boosting results in recent times as they dumped Arsenal 3-1 two weeks ago and will be looking for a similar performance in this match up. Wigan dealt a massive blow to West Ham last week as they came from 2-0 down to snatch the game 3-2 and ultimately relegate West Ham. A brace by Charles N’Zogbia sealed the victory for Wigan and gave them hope of maintaining a spot in the Premiership. Both teams know the stake of this contest and will be giving their all to secure survival.
This will be an encounter filled with emotions and determination as Wigan know that defeat will all but ensure their relegation to the Championship. Wigan should just have the upper hand in this tie as Stoke’s FA Cup defeat will still be haunting them.
