Our resident North-East football expert has cast his opinion on the games around the region this weekend…
Try our feedback button, and see if you can beat him!
Manchester City v Sunderland
Premier League (Saturday, 3pm)
Martin O’ Neill’s men were woeful on Tuesday night, but could still qualify for Europe with a top seven finish, depending on who reaches the FA Cup final. Sunderland can move into that seventh spot should they win and their most-hated rivals beat Liverpool on Sunday. But the Black Cats face the most difficult of trips. Not only have they never won at the Etihad Stadium and haven’t beaten City away since 1998, but Roberto Mancini’s men haven’t dropped a point at home all season. Last year Sunderland were thumped 5-0 in the fixture, and with title rivals Man United facing a trip to bogey ground Ewood Park on Monday, there’s no way City will miss the chance to go back top and put the pressure back onto Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.
City to heap more misery on O’Neill and Sunderland, with a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Newcastle v Liverpool
Premier League (Sunday, 1.30pm)
A home victory on Sunday and the Newcastle players – and fans – can start dusting off their passports for next season. An away victory, though, would see the Geordie faithful praying for a Liverpool vs Tottenham/Chelsea FA Cup final, to ensure seventh spot is good enough for Europa League qualification. With a full squad, Newcastle would be confident of three points against an average Liverpool side, but with Fabricio Coloccini joining Steve Taylor on the sidelines, even Andy Carroll will be able to terrorise Mike Williamson and Co. Carroll scored the clincher in this fixture last year as Newcastle won 3-1, but there won’t be a winner this year.
Newcastle’s inability to defend to cost them victory, with the points shared in a 2-2 draw.
Brighton v Middlesbrough
Championship (Saturday, 3pm)
Tony Mowbray’s men are trying their hardest to avoid the play-offs, but no matter how often they keep dropping points, those around them keep following suit. While Boro remain fifth, nine sides remain within eight points as the race for the top six reaches boiling point. Boro have seven games to cement a play-off place and victory over Brighton – ahead in the table only on goal difference – would be a massive step. However, Middlesbrough are winless in five, while Gus Poyet’s side are undefeated at the Falmer stadium since December. League leaders Southampton left the coastal town with nothing to show for their efforts, as did Newcastle in the FA Cup. Boro require a phenomenal effort to get something from the game and are likely to come up short once more.
Boro’s long journey home to be a sombre occasion, after suffering a 2-1 defeat.
FA Vase semi-finals
Since it appears the North-East is in for a tough weekend football-wise, this column has decided to include two clubs who can help the region bask in the glow of success.
West Auckland and Dunston are both 90 minutes away from Wembley, as they face the second-legs of their FA Vase semi-finals against Herne Bay and Staveley respectively.
West are level at 2-2 following their away game in Kent, while Dunston hold a one-goal advantage from their home leg. Should they both progress, it will create the first ever all Northern League FA Vase final, and ensure the trophy stays in the region for the fourth consecutive year.
West to make use of home advantage to win 2-1, while Dunston grind out a 1-1 draw to set up an all North-East Wembley affair.
