| Rank | Team | PTS | Prev.Pts | +/- | Pos | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1775(1775.04) | 1687 | 0 | |||
| 2 | 1509(1508.72) | 1457 | 1 | |||
| 3 | 1496(1496.26) | 1494 | -1 | |||
| 4 | 1435(1434.91) | 1412 | 0 | |||
| 5 | 1392(1392.10) | 1372 | 0 | |||
| 6 | 1378(1377.91) | 1301 | 0 | |||
| 7 | 1229(1229.45) | 1221 | 0 | |||
| 8 | 1183(1183.33) | 1176 | 0 | |||
| 9 | 1164(1163.87) | 1127 | 2 | |||
| 10 | 1147(1147.02) | 1132 | 0 | |||
| 11 | 1146(1145.54) | 1135 | -2 | |||
| 12 | 1115(1114.65) | 1086 | 0 | |||
| 13 | 1101(1100.58) | 1085 | 0 | |||
| 14 | 1056(1056.16) | 1016 | 1 | |||
| 15 | 1051(1051.11) | 1030 | -1 | |||
| 16 | 1036(1035.55) | 923 | 2 | |||
| 17 | 1012(1012.31) | 920 | 2 | |||
| 18 | 992(991.98) | 977 | -1 | |||
| 19 | 989(989.46) | 1002 | -3 | |||
| 20 | 946(946.29) | 891 | 5 | |||
| 21 | 941(941.49) | 917 | -1 | |||
| 22 | 929(929.15) | 916 | -1 | |||
| 23 | 926(926.20) | 908 | -1 | |||
| 24 | 916(916.26) | 907 | -1 | |||
| 25 | 899(898.83) | 900 | -1 | |||
| 26 | 833(832.65) | 828 | 1 | |||
| 27 | 823(823.24) | 825 | 1 | |||
| 28 | 818(818.23) | 796 | 2 | |||
| 29 | 808(807.87) | 793 | 2 | |||
| 29 | 808(807.80) | 808 | 0 | |||
| 31 | 806(806.07) | 762 | 3 | |||
| 32 | 802(802.37) | 783 | 0 | |||
| 32 | 802(801.56) | 753 | 3 | |||
| 34 | 800(800.40) | 833 | -8 | |||
| 35 | 784(784.07) | 772 | -2 | |||
| 36 | 782(781.55) | 752 | 0 | |||
| 37 | 769(769.02) | 728 | 1 | |||
| 38 | 746(745.57) | 737 | -1 | |||
| 39 | 737(737.33) | 704 | 0 | |||
| 40 | 725(725.28) | 649 | 6 | |||
| 41 | 717(716.54) | 689 | -1 | |||
| 42 | 685(684.87) | 665 | 1 | |||
| 43 | 681(680.69) | 659 | 2 | |||
| 44 | 676(675.63) | 672 | -2 | |||
| 45 | 673(673.37) | 678 | -4 | |||
| 45 | 673(672.56) | 664 | -1 | |||
| 47 | 666(666.13) | 624 | 2 | |||
| 48 | 653(652.79) | 648 | -1 | |||
| 49 | 641(640.59) | 627 | -1 | |||
| 50 | 635(635.32) | 549 | 11 |
Thursday, June 04, 2015
FIFA Men's World ranking
Saturday, May 30, 2015
DFB Cup Final: Borussia Dortmund VS VFL Wolfsburg Preview
Wolfsburg have the chance to make a good season even better when they take on Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup final this weekend.
After finishing second in the Bundesliga table they now have the chance to lift some silverware, up against a Black and Yellows side determined to wave goodbye to departing coach Jurgen Klopp in winning style. Borussia Dortmund It is easy to forget at this stage, with a cup final on the horizon and European football of sorts secured next season, that Dortmund were rooted to the foot of the Bundesliga table as recently as February.
A 1-0 defeat against 10-man Augsburg in front of their own supporters meant that the impossible was possible - some began to question whether Klopp had taken BVB as far as he possibly could. Since those murmurs of discontent first emerged, a lot has happened - not least Dortmund going on a seven-game unbeaten run in the league to claw themselves well away from the drop zone, which culminated in last weekend's win over Werder Bremen to cement a top-seven place in the table. That victory will be remembered for a lot more than just the scoreline, though, with Klopp beginning his prolonged send-off to supporters after announcing in April that he would indeed step aside. The parting of ways may do both parties good in the long term, but the in-demand manager would love nothing more than to end his highly successful stint in North Rhine-Westphalia with another trophy.
The league position counts for little on Saturday evening, as Die Borussen look to build on their semi-final win over Bayern Munich and claim a third German Cup triumph in eight seasons. Regardless of what happens upon full time this weekend Klopp will walk away from the club with his head held high, but the only way his final season at the helm will be remembered as a true success is if he can steer his side beyond Wolfsburg in the showpiece final.
Recent form in DFB-Pokal: LWWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWDWLW
Wolfsburg
Dortmund may have been the side to offer Bayern their closest test at the top of the division in recent times, but the role of support act in the Bundesliga this term has gone to Wolfsburg. The Wolves ended the season just 10 points off the Bavarian giants, and while winning the crown never really looked probable - even if they did beat their rivals 4-1 in January to keep the title race alive - finishing best of the rest is no mean feat in itself.
It means that Champions League football is back on the agenda for Wolfsburg next season, but the mood among the fanbase may drop a little should they spurn the chance to lift silverware for the first time since their 2009 league success.
Worryingly for Dieter Hecking's side, they could only manage nine points from a possible 19 as they closed the season out, which means that Dortmund actually head into the Berlin final as the form side. That is largely down to striker Bas Dost's failure to maintain his form from the first half of the season. The Dutchman found the net 15 times in his opening 14 games of the campaign, but could only add a further three over the next 13 heading into Saturday's key fixture. However, with the chance of making club history by winning a first ever German Cup on the line, it is unlikely that Hecking will have to do much to motivate his players.
Recent form in DFB-Pokal: LWWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): LWDWWD
Team News
Questions remain over the fitness of defenders Naldo and Marcel Schafer, with Wolfsburg not likely to make a decision until the day of the game. The Wolves could very well stick to the side that edged out Dortmund in the league just a fortnight ago, with Andre Schurrle - a key player all season - offering support to forward duo Ivan Perisic and Dost.
Dortmund have been further boosted heading into the game, with the news that Neven Subotic will remain at the Westfalenstadion beyond this summer. Klopp is likely to name something close to an unchanged side for the journey East, having decided against making a raft of changes in his team's final league outing.
Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup: Langerak; Durm, Schmelzer, Papastathopoulos, Hummels; Kehl, Mkhitaryan, Gundogan, Kagawa; Reus, Aubameyang
Wolfsburg possible starting lineup: Benaglio; Jung, Rodriguez, Knoche, Klose; De Bruyne, Arnold, Caligiuri, Schurrle; Perisic, Dost
Head To Head
The Wolves will be seeking revenge, having been knocked out of this competition by BVB at the last-four stage in 2013-14. Across the last five games, Wolfsburg have won two - including the recent 2-1 victory - while Klopp's charges have also claimed two wins of their own. There was nothing to separate the pair when they met back in December, meanwhile, as Naldo's late equaliser earned the visitors a 2-2 draw at the Westfalenstadion.
Kick Off Time - 19:00HRS
FA Cup Final: Arsenal VS Aston Villa Preview
Two of England's most historic clubs will go head to head in the final of the oldest cup competition in world football this Saturday as Arsenal and Aston Villa compete for FA Cup glory at Wembley.
The competition has seen a number of notable shocks already this season, and Villa will be looking to provide one more to prevent holders Arsenal from retaining the trophy.
Arsenal
History could be made by the Gunners this weekend as they look to become the most successful team in the long and illustrious story of the FA Cup. Last year's success not only ended a nine-year trophy drought for the club as Aaron Ramsey's extra-time strike secured a comeback victory over Hull City, it also took them level with Manchester United as 11-time winners of the competition. One more victory this weekend would see them become the first team to lift the famous cup 12 times, in addition to becoming the first side to retain it since Chelsea five years ago.
There is a personal goal on the line for manager Arsene Wenger too. He would overtake Sir Alex Ferguson as the competition's most successful manager of the modern era with what would be a sixth FA Cup winners' medal on Saturday. Villa boast a claim to that title too, with George Ramsay winning six during his time in charge of the club between 1887 and 1920, but although Wenger has played down the significance of reaching that landmark, it would certainly be another memorable achievement during what has been a successful, if sometimes tumultuous, 19-year spell at the club. The success of his managerial reign will not rest on this Saturday, but the success of Arsenal's season may do.
The Gunners improved on last term's fourth-place finish in the Premier League, but they ended the campaign four points worse off and once again failed to launch a serious title bid. Another FA Cup triumph will appease the 'Wenger out' brigade once again, but progress has been slow in recent years and a fresh assault on the league title is sorely needed. They ended the season with just one win from their final four games, but that came in style at the Emirates as they scored four goals in the first half on their way to a comfortable victory over West Bromwich Albion. They were less convincing in their semi-final win over Reading, needing an Adam Federici error in extra time to progress, but including penalties, the Gunners have now won 11 FA Cup games on the bounce, last losing back in February 2013.
Recent form in FA Cup: WWWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): DWLDDW
Aston Villa
For Aston Villa, Saturday has been a long time coming. It will be their first appearance in an FA Cup final for 15 years, and their trophy drought stretches back even further to 19. You have to go back to 1957, 58 years ago, for the last time they lifted this particular piece of silverware, although in the entire history of the cup only three teams have won it more often.
Villa's heyday came a long time ago, however, and the current crop of players will be desperate to write their own names into the history books on Saturday. Tim Sherwood achieved his primary goal of keeping the club in the division, injecting plenty of passion and heart along the way, but FA Cup glory would likely top even Premier League survival. It would turn a troublesome, worrying season into a memorable one for the Villans, in addition to raising optimism that they won't be put through the rigours of another relegation battle next term.
They don't come into the match in great form, however, with their league campaign tailing off after their survival was secured. An embarrassing 6-1 defeat to Southampton was followed up by a final-day loss at the hands of already-relegated Burnley, but those results will be long forgotten should they triumph in the capital. They go into the match as underdogs, but that will not be a new scenario for Sherwood. Indeed, it may be one that he relishes, having toppled Liverpool and ended Steven Gerrard's dreams of a fairytale goodbye in the semi-finals.
It has not been an easy route to the showpiece for the Villans, who have had to overcome three Premier League teams already, in addition to a Bournemouth side that will be joining them in the top flight next season. Much like Hull last term, Villa now find themselves just one match away from European football next season having only narrowly survived in the Premier League less than a week ago. Victory over Arsenal would see Sherwood's side qualify for the 2015-16 Europa League at the expense of Southampton.
Recent form in the FA Cup: LWWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WLWWLL
Team News
Arsenal will be without Danny Welbeck, scorer of the winning goal in the quarter-final victory over former club Manchester United, due to a knee injury. That leaves Wenger with one less decision to make up front, although he will likely still need to choose between first-choice striker Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott, who dazzled with a hat-trick on the final day of the season. Wojciech Szczesny is expected to continue his role as the cup goalkeeper ahead of David Ospina, although Wenger refused to categorically confirm that the Pole would retain his spot. Jack Wilshere is another who impressed on a rare start against West Brom, while fit-again Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made a cameo appearance off the bench and is in line to feature. Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy are nearing fitness themselves, but it is unlikely that they will feature having been absent since November and January respectively.
Villa, meanwhile, could be without cup goalkeeper Shay Given due to a groin injury, which would mean that Brad Guzan makes his first appearance in this season's competition. Kieran Richardson was also absent against Burnley on the final day of the league season, but he is hopeful of recovering in time to start this weekend. Nathan Baker made his first start since January against the Clarets and will be pushing for another ahead of Jores Okore at Wembley. Semi-final heroes Jack Grealish and Fabian Delph will both start in midfield alongside Tom Cleverley, who will play the final match of his loan spell with the club. Up front, Sherwood is likely to opt for Gabriel Agbonlahor partnering in-demand Christian Benteke, who has again been heavily linked with a move away and could also be playing his last Villa game.
Arsenal possible starting lineup: Szczesny; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Cazorla, Coquelin, Ramsey, Ozil, Sanchez; Giroud
Aston Villa possible starting lineup: Given; Bacuna, Vlaar, Baker, Richardson; Cleverley, Westwood, Delph, Grealish; Agbonlahor, Benteke
Head To Head These two sides have featured in 28 and won 18 FA Cup finals between them, but they have never met each other in the showpiece of this competition. They last met in the FA Cup in the 2011-12 fourth round, when the Gunners came from two goals behind to win 3-2, just as they did in last season's final against Hull. Arsenal also had the better of things when these two met in the Premier League this season, winning 3-0 at Villa Park in September before going two better in a 5-0 triumph at the Emirates in February
Kick Off Time - 17:30HRS
Friday, May 29, 2015
FIFA Election: Everything you need to know
It's Sepp Blatter vs Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein in the battle for the FIFA presidency, but how does it work? Here's all you need to know
Back to Sepp? Blatter is the favourite for today's vote
It's the election we've all been waiting for.
Sepp Blatter vs Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein, old vs new, same old vs hope.
FIFA has been engulfed in crisis this week after the arrest of seven officials in Switzerland and the launch of two investigations.
Today is an opportunity for change, but which way will it go?
All you need to know here:
When is the FIFA presidential election?
The vote will begin at 8.30am (UK time) this morning.
The Hallenstadion Zurich is the venue, where the 209 FIFA members will descend to cast their votes.
The vote is point 17 on the agenda so we could be waiting a while. We may have to wait until mid-afternoon for a result to be announced.
How does it work?
If either candidate wins two-thirds of support in the first vote, they become president.
If neither does, it will go to a second vote where whoever gets the majority of the 209 votes - 105 or more - will become president.
Watch next
Sepp Blatter's speech at FIFA congress following string of arrests on officials
What's the vote share?
Africa - 54 votes
Europe - 53 votes
Asia and Australia - 46 votes
North and Central America - 35 votes
Oceania - 11 votes
South America - 10 votes
Who is in the running?
Luis Figo, Michael van Praag and even David Ginola expressed their desire to challenge Sepp Blatter for the post, but in the end, only Prince Ali bin al-Hussein will contest the Swiss.
FA chairman Greg Dyke has thrown his weight behind the Jordanian, who is hoping to stop Blatter from winning a fifth term.
Defiant: Blatter still believes he's the man to lead FIFA from this latest crisis
What is likely to happen?
In short: Four. More. Years.
Voting intentions suggest that while the majority of Europe will vote against Blatter, the Swiss holds huge support in Africa and beyond.
UEFA chief Michel Platini revealed on Thursday that he had asked Blatter to resign in the midst of the scandal currently engulfing FIFA, but he rejected.
Even if UEFA unanimously vote against Blatter, the support from Africa, South America and Asia should still be enough to see him win a majority.
If there is a mass boycott, a second round of voting could be triggered.
Why would there be a mass boycott?
In case you have been living under a rock for the last 48 hours - FIFA is in absolute turmoil.
The Swiss authorities and the FBI made 14 arrests of FIFA officials on Wednesday morning, over alleged 'rampant, systemic and deep-rooted' corruption.
However, Blatter has distanced himself from the arrests, insisting they have nothing to do with him, and saying he is the right man to lead FIFA forward.
"I know many people hold me responsible. I cannot monitor everyone all the time. If people want to do wrong, they will also try to hide it," he said.
What are the odds?
Sepp Blatter: 1/4
Prince Ali: 5/2
Read More »
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Manchester City VS Southampton Preview
A season that started so brightly for Southampton has faded somewhat as the climax approaches but, after the ructions of last summer, most supporters would have gladly accepted seventh place if offered it at the start of the campaign. There is still a chance that Ronald Koeman’s side could rise as high as fifth if fortune favours them, while City are safe in second following Arsenal’s stalemate with Sunderland on Wednesday.
Kick-off Sunday 3pm
Venue Etihad Stadium
Last season Man City 4 Southampton 1
Referee C Foy
This season G14, Y48, R5, 3.79 cards per game
Odds H 4-7 A 11-2 D 18-5
Manchester City
Subs from Caballero, Wright, Boyata, Pozo, Lampard, Sagna, Milner, Clichy, Jovetic, Mangala, Dzeko
Doubtful None
Injured Fernando (knock), Nasri (groin, both Aug)
Suspended None
Form LWWWWW
Discipline Y78 R2
Leading scorer Agüero 25
Southampton
Subs from K Davis, Cropper, Yoshida, Gardos, Targett, Schneiderlin, Djuricic, McCarthy, Reed, Gallagher
Doubtful Schneiderlin (knee)
Injured Forster (knee), Mayuka (groin), Rodriguez (match fitness), Tadic (groin, all Aug)
Suspended None
Form WLDLLW
Discipline Y56 R3
Leading scorer Pellè 12
Newcastle United VS West Ham United Preview
It is a little over seven years since Newcastle sacked Sam Allardyce. Now, on what seems virtually certain to be his final game in charge of the visitors, he can possibly help push his old club into the Championship. If John Carver has been heartened to learn that West Ham’s players were all given most of this week off, his team’s recent record of does not inspire confidence. After collecting a solitary point from their past 10 games Newcastle really are in crisis.
Kick-off Sunday 3pm
Venue St James’ Park
Last season West Ham 0 Newcastle 0
Live Sky Sports 3
Referee M Atkinson
This season G31, Y124, R7, 4.2 cards per game
Odds H 4-5 A 15-4 D 31-10
Newcastle United
Subs from Woodman, R Taylor, Anita, Gutiérrez, Aarons, De Jong, Gouffran, Ameobi, Obertan, Satka, Rivière
Doubtful De Jong (thigh)
Injured Elliot (thigh), Haïdara (knee), S Taylor (achilles), Tioté (knee, all Aug)
Suspended None
Form LLLLDL
Discipline Y70 R7
Leading scorer Cissé 11
West Ham United
Subs from Jaaskelainen, Spiegel, Lee, O’Brien, Tomkins, Oxford, Amalfitano, Cullen, Poyet, Nolan, Jarvis
Doubtful Tomkins (shoulder)
Injured Carroll (knee), Collins (hamstring), Demel (calf), Sakho (thigh, all Aug)
Suspended None
Form DLDWLL
Discipline Y66 R2
Leading scorer Sakho 10
Everton VS Tottenham Hotspur Preview
Mauricio Pochettino will end his first season as Tottenham manager with a fifth-placed finish should his team win at Everton and Liverpool lose at Stoke, who beat Spurs comfortably on their last away outing. For Roberto Martínez, the aim is to hold on to a place in the top half after a difficult season and, possibly, give Sylvain Distin a more fitting end to a fine Everton career having frozen the veteran defender out of his plans since January. Aaron Lennon is ineligible to face his parent club.
Kick-off Sunday 3pm
Venue Goodison Park
Last season Everton 0 Tottenham Hotspur 0
Referee J Moss
This season G29, Y111, R8, 4.1 cards per game
Odds H 7-5 A 2-1 D 13-5
Everton
Subs from Robles, Griffiths, Garbutt, Besic, Koné, Naismith, McGeady, Distin, Browning, Atsu, Lundstram
Doubtful Distin (illness)
Injured Alcaraz (calf), Baines (ankle), Gibson (foot), Hibbert (knee), Oviedo (foot), Pienaar (muscle fatigue, all Aug)
Suspended None
Ineligible Lennon (terms of loan)
Form DWWLLW
Discipline Y66 R2
Leading scorer Lukaku 10
Tottenham Hotspur
Subs from Friedel, Vorm, Walker, Kaboul, Chiriches, Paulinho, Soldado, Yedlin, Townsend, Dembélé, Capoue, Stambouli, Ceballos, Veljkovic
Doubtful Vorm (illness), Walker (ankle)
Injured Davies (shoulder, Aug)
Suspended None
Unavailable Adebayor (compassionate leave)
Form LWDLLW
Discipline Y78 R4
Leading scorer Kane 20
Aston Villa VS Burnley Preview
Tim Sherwood could be forgiven for having an eye, or possibly even both eyes, on next week’s FA Cup final against Arsenal. But even though Aston Villa’s top-flight place is safe and already-relegated Burnley are heading to Villa Park, he has vowed not to rest players. The visitors, with little but pride to play for, could still suffer the ignominy of finishing bottom if Queens Park Rangers can avoid defeat at Leicester.
Kick-off Sunday 3pm
Venue Villa Park
Last season n/a
Referee M Jones
This season G20, Y57, R5, 3.1 cards per game
Odds H 11-10 A 14-5 D 13-5
Aston Villa
Subs from Guzan, Sinclair, Sánchez, Agbonlahor, Weimann, Cole, Baker, Lowton, Cissokho, Gil, Robinson
Doubtful None
Injured Okore (knee, 30 May), Richardson (calf, 30 May), Clark (knee, Aug), Kozak (broken leg, unknown)
Suspended None
Form DWLWWL
Discipline Y72 R7
Leading scorer Benteke 13
Burnley
Subs from Gilks, Ward, Keane, Reid, Sordell, Jutkiewicz, Wallace, Cisak, Lafferty, O’Neill, Taylor, U lvestad
Doubtful None
Injured Long (knee), Marney (knee, both Aug)
Suspended None
Form LLLLWD
Discipline Y63 R2
Leading scorer Ings 10
Leicester City VS Queens Park Rangers Preview
After guiding Leicester City to safety, Nigel Pearson will want to end the season with a seventh home win and a 14th-place finish after being bottom of the Premier League just six weeks ago. For Chris Ramsey it is a chance for Queens Park Rangers to bow out of the top flight with pride and they could even claw their way up to 19th if they manage to better Burnley’s result at Aston Villa
Kick-off Sunday 3pm
Venue King Power Stadium
Last season Leicester 1 QPR 0 (Championship)
Referee M Oliver
This season G27, Y96, R5, 3.74 cards per game
Odds H 8-13 A 5-1 D 7-2
Leicester City
Subs from Hamer, Schwarzer, De Laet, Konchesky, Drinkwater, Hammond, Upson, Lawrence, Moore, Knockaert
Doubtful None
Injured Nugent (calf, Aug), James (knee, Dec)
Suspended Simpson (club sanction)
Form WWLWWD
Discipline Y50 R4
Leading scorer Ulloa 10
Queens Park Rangers
Subs from Murphy, Isla, Sutherland, Furlong, Zamora, Hoilett, Kranjcar, Wright-Phillips, Doughty, Mitchell, Comley
Doubtful Isla (knee), Zamora (hip)
Injured Caulker (hand), Faurlín (knee), Green (concussion), Taarabt (match fitness), Traoré (match fitness), Vargas (knee), Zárate (knee, all Aug)
Suspended None
Unavailable Sandro (visa issue), Ferdinand (compassionate leave)
Form DLDLLW
Discipline Y77 R3
Leading scorer Austin 17
Hull City VS Manchester United Preview
On the final day of the season six years ago Hull lost 1-0 to Manchester United and still survived. This time they have to win and hope Newcastle don’t defeat West Ham. United have secured a Champions League place so will be a touch relaxed no matter how professional they attempt to be. This could give Hull the chance to pull off the required victory – then it is all about what occurs on Tyneside.
Kick-off Sunday 3pm
Venue KC Stadium
Last season Hull 2 Man Utd 3
Live Sky Sports 1
Referee L Probert
This season G6, Y22, R2, 4.0 cards per game
Odds H 23-10 A 5-4 D 11-4
Hull City
Subs from Jakupovic, McGregor, Bruce, Figueroa, Rosenior, Robertson, Aluko, Sagbo, Hernández, Dudgeon
Doubtful None
Injured Davies (thigh), Diamé (knee), Ramírez (hamstring), Snodgrass (knee, all Aug)
Suspended Livermore (club sanction)
Form LWWLLL
Discipline Y72 R6
Leading scorer Jelavic 8
Manchester Utd
Subs from De Gea, Lindegaard, Evans, Vermijl, Thorpe, Blackett, Lingard, Falcao, Januzaj, McNair, Roho, Wilson, Di María, Da Silva
Doubtful Da Silva (rib), De Gea (hamstring)
Injured Carrick (calf), Shaw (face, both Aug)
Suspended None
Unavailable Pereira (international duty)
Form WLLLWD
Discipline Y64 R4
Leading scorer Rooney 12
Arsenal VS West Bromwich Albion Preview
Arsène Wenger has spoken of a season of progress and while Arsenal supporters are grateful not to be sweating on a top-four place on the final day, they are also rather miffed at three successive home games without scoring that do not bode too well for next Saturday’s FA Cup final. Tony Pulis’s Albion, safe and having just mauled the champions 3-0, will be out to make that four.
Kick-off Sunday 3pm
Venue Emirates Stadium
Last season Arsenal 1 West Bromwich Albion 0
Referee M Clattenburg
This season G27, Y93, R3, 3.5 cards per game
Odds H 2-5 A 17-2 D 9-2
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion: probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Guardian
Arsenal
Subs from Martínez, Szczesny, Diaby, Gabriel, Rosicky, Wilshere, Walcott, Monreal, Flamini, Chambers, Gnabry
Doubtful None
Injured Debuchy (hamstring, 30 May), Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring, 30 May), Welbeck (knee, 30 May), Arteta (ankle, Aug)
Suspended None
Form WDWLDD
Discipline Y68 R2
Leading scorer Sánchez 16
West Bromwich Albion
Subs from Rose, Wisdom, Baird, Nabi, Gardner, Ideye, Anichebe, Sessègnon, Davidson, Pocognoli, Mulumbu, Gamboa
Doubtful None
Injured Foster (knee, Oct)
Suspended None
Form LWDWDW
Discipline Y64 R3
Leading scorer Berahino 14
Crystal Palace VS Swansea City Preview
Swansea find themselves in the odd position of having literally nothing to play for on the last day of the season – they cannot catch Southampton above them and cannot be overtaken by Stoke, who trail them by five points. Palace could still sneak into the top 10 if they win and other results go their way which would be quite an achievement given their situation when Alan Pardew arrived in January.
Kick-off Sunday 3pm
Venue Selhurst Park
Last season Crystal Palace 0 Swansea City 2
Referee C Pawson
This season G20, Y69, R7, 3.8 cards per game
Odds H 13-10 A 12-5 D 13-5
Crystal Palace
Subs from Speroni, Kettings, Kelly, Mariappa, Hangeland, Ledley, Boateng, Sanogo, Gayle, Guedioura, Ameobi, Mutch, Lee, Kaikai, Murray, Campbell
Doubtful Ledley (hip)
Injured Thomas (thigh, Aug)
Suspended None
Form WLLLLW
Discipline Y64 R4
Leading scorer Murray 7
Swansea City
Subs from Tremmel, Grimes, Cork, Barrow, Emnes, Bartley, Tiendalli, Richards, Fulton, Lucas, Sheehan
Doubtful None
Injured Amat (foot), Carroll (ankle), Ki (knee), Naughton (ankle), Oliveira (ankle), Routledge (ankle, all Aug)
Suspended None
Form DLWWWL
Discipline Y51 R5
Leading scorer Ki 8
Chelsea VS Sunderland Preview
These sides have met their season’s objectives, which should transform Stamford Bridge into something of a celebration. Dick Advocaat’s achievement in retaining Sunderland’s top flight status should be lauded. José Mourinho, the manager of the season, would have preferred to have hoisted the silverware after the victory over Crystal Palace earlier this month but will still savour the moment as he flings more youngsters into the fray to gain experience. He pinpointed the 5-3 defeat at Tottenham on New Year’s Day as psychologically important for his team. They have not looked back since.
Kick-off Sunday 3pm
Venue Stamford Bridge
Last season Chelsea 1 Sunderland 2
Live Sky One
Referee L Mason
This season G24, Y68, R5, 3.04 cards per game
Odds H 4-11 A 11-1 D 9-2
Chelsea
Subs from Blackman, Courtois, Aké, Filipe Luís, Christensen, Mikel, Solanke, Brown, Boga, Cuadrado, Drogba
Doubtful Cech (calf), Drogba (calf), Hazard (dental)
Injured Oscar (thigh), Ramires (kidney), Zouma (knee, all Aug)
Suspended Fàbregas (one match)
Form WDWWDL
Discipline Y72 R4
Leading scorer Costa 19
Sunderland
Subs from Pickford, Réveillère, Agnew, Vergini, Johnson, Giaccherini, Buckley, Graham, Watmore, Robson, Honeyman
Doubtful Graham (ankle)
Injured Bridcutt (knee), Brown (knee), Gómez (knee), Pantilimon (knee, all Aug)
Suspended None
Form LDWWDD
Discipline Y94 R2
Leading scorer Wickham 5
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