The live TV match between Swansea and Middlesbrough in Wales on today has implications for relegation issues. The home team are one place above the drop zone while Boro are in massive trouble. This match could be huge in the context of relegation and a match Swansea cannot affords to lose. A defeat could deplete all their confidence and give Middlesbrough some hope of staying up.
Swansea have won five and lost five of their last 10 fixtures which isn’t relegation form. However, they have been playing catch up under their new coach but are performing well enough to pull clear from the nightmare relegation scenario. Middlesbrough are the only team in the league without a win in 10 fixtures and they look doomed. Another loss on the road could be terminal with regards the battle to beat the drop but that is the most likely outcome of this fixture.
The match between Arsenal and Man City at the Emirates Stadium could be significant in the context of Arsene Wenger’s future. A home defeat will seriously affect Arsenal’s prospects of qualifying for the Champion’s League which they have always done during the Wenger era. A City win could be the tipping point for his departure in the summer which is what most fans now demand. However, the man deserves some respect and the Board hold the purse strings.
It seems like Wenger is on borrowed time despite rumours that he could sign a two year contract to stay at Arsenal until 2019. However, he has lost the support and trust of the fans and his time is up. He deserves a respectful send off and I’m sure the fans would acknowledge the positives at his last game in charge. It’s the lack of information that grates and Wenger’s public stubborn refusal to accept its time to go. City are good enough to finally end his tenure and allow time for a dignified exit.
Even without the managerial subplot the fixture is huge in determining the top four. The tension will be palpable at the Emirates Stadium and it could all be too much for the home team. A win for City is on the cards and maybe an announcement next week about Wenger’s future. It could be La Fin for Monsieur Wenger!
To make your Sunday even better, we've got 14/1 about the Gunners or 12/1 about City grabbing the 3 points...
