With everything other than one relegation place and the order of 2nd, 3rd and 4th already decided in the EPL it is time to go down a step to check out the real action this weekend.
The biggest game in UK Football this weekend is the clash between Norwich and Ipswich in a game described amongst many things as the old farm derby or farmageddon. It is the second leg of the Championship playoffs and with winner set to go to Wembley to play off for a spot in the EPL, the local rivalry cranks it up to 11 this Saturday.
The tie sits at 1-1 after Ipswich fans hit the ceiling (some literally) when they equalised after an earlier Norwich goal. Norwich looked the slightly better side and go into the second leg at home favourites, but Ipswich are known for fighting hard if nothing else, so nail biting penalties could be the solution.
As a life long Ipswich Town fan, one can only hope that the team can break out of mediocrity and head for the EPL.
There is another leg to this playoff series too, and that one features Middlesbrough and surprise playoff team Brentford.
The better game of the first legs finished 2-1 to Middlesbrough after a very late goal disappointed the boisterous home fans in west London.
Boro looks the good on paper, but Brentford have surprised thus far, and another en route to a Wembley final is not out of the question.
GURGLER PREDICTS
Norwich 1 – 1 Ipswich – please let it be Ipswich on pens.
Middlesbrough 2 – 0 Brentford
Further down the divisions the next three divisions have their finalists decided, and only the big day at Wembley awaits.
The first of those is the Conference Playoff Final between Bristol Rovers and Grimsby Town. The Conference is the division is the fifth tier of UK Football and first of the non 100% full time leagues, although that is barely the case these days. The problem with being in the Conference is that only two go up each year -1 automatically and 1 from the teams 2nd to 5th.
Bristol Rovers, who are spending their first season in the Non League div ever after 90 odds years above, finished second and could have been automatically promoted with better results on the last day. Grimsby Town were relegated to the Non League tier in 2010 and like Bristol Rovers the trip down was their first ever and after 100 years above. So one of these teams will get back to where they think they belong this Saturday, we think Bristol Rovers will make it back first attempt.
GURLGER PREDICTS – BRISTOL ROVERS 3 GRIMSBY TOWN 1
The division the above teams are trying to make it into, League Two, have their finalists decided – Wycombe after a pair of wins against Plymouth, and Southend who needed extra time to get past Stevenage after a draw first up.
League One playoff finalists are decided too with Preston North End to meet Swindon Town. Swindon went through after a goal invasion 5-5 in the second leg against Sheffield Utd proved enough after a first leg win. An invasion of a different kind at Preston left a Chesterfield players attacked and Preston in trouble. More trouble is Preston’s inability in 9 attempts to win a playoff final.
We’ll give our thoughts on a final Football League playoffs bit next weekend.
There still are some EPL games worth following this weekend, and for different reasons. The full list is below for interest.
[soccer-info id=’2′ type=’fixtures’ title=’EPL GAMES’ limit=’10’ /]
One of them is Newcastle @ QPR. Two of the worst form teams in the comp meet each other with the R’s already down and Newcastle looking like they are on a commission for places on the ladder dropped.
Man Utd v Arsenal is always a good game, but with not a great deal at stake it hopefully open up the game a bit.
Liverpool v Crystal Palace sees Steven Gerrard’s last game at Anfield. The man deserves no less than a huge turnout and a win. Hopefully he’ll get both on the weekend. A true hero of the English game.
TIME FOR BEST BETS
ASTON VILLA to beat Southampton
SPURS to beat Hull
EVERTON to beat West Ham
OVER 2.5 GOALS – Liverpool v Crystal Palace
MAN UTD to beat Arsenal
$1 multi pay $90
