Planes, trains and automobiles

It was all about the travel this week. UEFA decided to press ahead with the Champions League and Europa League games even though the planes were still grounded due to the volcanic eruption. This meant the away teams had to travel via whatever means necessary. Left Rafa checks his watch as the train from Runcorn is 10 minutes late

Liverpool and Fulham had the longest trips having to cross to mainland Europe via the channel tunnel. A lot was made of these 12-13 hour journeys but how hard is it sitting on a luxury bus? Sure there is boredom and the potential for muscles to seize up but it’s not exactly the worst thing that could happen. The problem for the clubs was that players are pampered these days and used to their routine so this slight inconvenience of using a bus to travel through Europe was major news. They should try travelling on an overnight bus from Bangkok to Ko Samui!!

Neither team seemed badly affected although both Europa league games were pretty poor, Barca got an unexpected beating off Inter but I don’t think the travel had any real impact on the result, and if it did then Mourinho was taking credit for setting of the volcanic eruption.

All the semi finals in both the Champions League and Europa league are perfectly poised which should make for a great week of European football on TV this week.

Back to domestic matters and it is all about the top of the table on TV this weekend. Spurs travel to Old Trafford to face a United team looking to put pressure on Chelsea with a win taking them 2 points clear, while Spurs will be looking to open a gap of 5 points on Man City in the race for 4th. Spurs however have never won at Old Trafford since the start of the Premier League drawing only 3 times. Therefore this game is either a home banker or it is time for Spurs to break that record, but rest assured it won’t be a draw.

Spurs are 11/2 to win and United are 4/9.

The Saturday evening game see’s Arsenal entertain Man City at the Emirates. Arsenal maybe out of the title race after their shock 3-2 defeat at Wigan but they will still have pride to play for. The Gunners fans might secretly be hoping for a City win as I’m sure they don’t want to see their arch rivals Spurs finish in the top 4.

Man City are 11/4 to win with Arsenal favourites at 10/11, the draw is 12/5.

Sunday see’s Villa, another team with top 4 aspirations take on local rivals Birmingham. Villa are a point behind Man City but have played a game more so really need to win every game to be in with any sort of a chance, however a local derby is never easy and I’m predicting a draw for this one.

The draw is 11/4 with a Villa win being priced at 4/7 and a Birmingham City win at 9/2 .

The final Premier League game of the weekend is Chelsea v Stoke. This may seem like a home banker but with Chelsea seeming to struggle in their last two games a resilient Stoke side could well stifle Chelsea and leave them frustrated. The longer that goes on more the fickle Stamford bridge crowd will get anxious and Chelsea’s’ back. Expect a closely fought game and I am predicting a 1-1 draw.

Chelsea are 1/7 on to win with Stoke a massive 14/1 in a two horse race, the draw is 6/1 .