Sport Planet – English Premier League, IPL concludes
It’s all but done and dusted in the business end of the table with Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United completing the top four as the English Premier League reaches its final round of fixtures in the 2014/2015 season.
Like most seasons in England’s football to flight however, the fight for survival at the bottom half of the table has gone to the wire with Northeast rivals Hull City and Newcastle set to play for their lives for at least one more season in the Premier League.
Newcastle, who hold a two-point advantage over Hull, will hope Hull’s opponents, United, won’t be in holiday mood already as a defeat in the hands of Louis van Gaal’s men will see Newcastle complete a great escape.
However, should Steve Bruce’s Hull overcome United and Newcastle draw or lose against West Ham United, it will be Hull who’ll complete a remarkable escape.
The plot presents a déjà vu moment for both these teams who were previously involved in a relegation scuffle during the final day of the 2008/9 season.
That day saw Hull avoid the drop despite losing 1-0 at home to then champion Manchester United. Newcastle were relegated following a 1-0 loss at Villa Park.
Football
English Premier League
Sunday, May 24, Hull City v Manchester United, The KC Stadium.
My prediction: Hull 1-2 United
Logan Green’s prediction: Hull 1-3 United
Newcastle v West Ham United
My prediction: Newcastle 1-1 West Ham
Logan Green’s prediction: Newcastle 2-1 West Ham
*Bruce’s former club United to relegate his men
*Green: Newcastle to stay up
All matches scheduled for a 4pm start.
Cricket
IPL
The annual Indian cricket party comes to a close this weekend with the Mumbai Indians having already booked their spot in the final. Mumbai will either face the resilient Chennai Super Kings or the AB de Villiers-led Royal Challengers Bangalore who face-up later today.
Whoever Mumbai will face on Sunday, it promises to be a cracking final.
Friday, May 22, Chennai Super Kings v Royal Challengers Bangalore, JSCA International Cricket Stadium, Ranchi. Start time: 4.30pm
My prediction: Bangalore
*Mumbai to meet Bangalore in the final, the latter to win the 2015 IPL title.
Final scheduled for a 4.30pm start.
Basketball
NBA
Follow play-off action as the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks do battle for a final spot in the Eastern Conference; while the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets do likewise in the Western Conference. The Warriors lead the series 2-0 while the Cavaliers lead the Hawks 1-0.
The winners from both conferences will contest for the NBA title.
Rugby
Super Rugby
South African teams will be looking to salvage some pride this weekend following an embarrassing scenario for the country last week, where all SA sides suffered defeat.
Saturday, May 23, Toyota Cheetahs v Emirates Lions, Free State Stadium. Start time: 5.05pm
My prediction: Lions by a whisker
DHL Stormers v Rebels, DHL Newlands. Start time: 7.10pm
My prediction: Stormers by 10 – @SabeloBoksburg