Hoping to wrap up the franchises second Barclays Premier League title in three seasons, Manchester City takes a one-point lead into the final day of the 2013-2014 campaign. While City -- who won the BPL two seasons ago before watching rival Manchester United win another crown last year -- can lock up the top spot with a win on Championship Sunday against West Ham, the Hammers and boss Sam Allardyce are confident in their ability to pull the upset, even if they currently sit twelfth in the twenty-club league. Indicating that he’d like to see Liverpool claim the No. 1 slot, Allardyce noted that his team can only concentrate on themselves and putting forth a strong effort Sunday at Etihad Stadium.
“From a neutral's point of view, I think everybody would like to see Liverpool win it,” he said. “From a personal point of view, I'd like to see Steven Gerrard win it. It's the last thing he hasn't quite achieved for Liverpool, but obviously they've let it slip out of their hands. On form and where they are, Manchester City are the favorites. All we can do is concentrate on ourselves. The team will probably be at full strength, by the looks of it, and we have some very good players. We have to make sure we cope, as a team.”
While a win for Manchester City would give them the Premier League title outright, a loss to West Ham coupled with a Liverpool triumph over Newcastle would mean a championship for Brendan Rodgers’ side a year after finishing seventh in the league standings. With a draw however, City would most likely wind up as title holders since their goal differential is far superior then that of The Reds. Liverpool’s boss isn’t ready to concede anything just yet however, with Brendan Rodgers confident in his side’s ability to recover from a devastating draw against Crystal Palace in their last outing.
“It’s certainly not over,” Rodgers said. “First and foremost, we can only concentrate on our job, our job is to win the game. I think [Newcastle boss] Alan Pardew will come and he’ll want to finish this season strong. We know that it’s a tough game. But the combination of us at home and our supporters has been fantastic for us. To look to get 16 wins out of 19 come the weekend would pencil in a great return for us at home. Our focus is on ourselves, if we do our job then I’ll be happy.”
2013-2014 Barclays Premier League -- Championship Sunday Scenarios
Outright League Title
1. Chelsea has already been eliminated and can no longer achieve the No. 1 position.
2. A Manchester City win over West Ham on Sunday hands City the title.
3. If City plays to a draw against West Ham they would still most likely win the championship due to significant goal differential over Liverpool.
4. If Liverpool defeats Newcastle and Man City falls to West Ham, The Reds will win the 2013-2014 BPL title.
Europa League Qualification
> Tottenham secures a Europa League bid unless Manchester United wins Sunday and the Spurs fall in their final match of the season. Everton has already landed one of the 2 Europa League slots.
Barclays Premier League – Relegation
> Norwich City is expected to be relegated due to low goal differential
Championship Sunday -- Viewing Schedule for Each Matches (All Times Eastern)
10 a.m.: Manchester City vs. West Ham United (NBC)
10 a.m.: Liverpool vs. Newcastle (NBC Sports Network)
10 a.m.: Tottenham vs. Aston Villa (USA)
10 a.m.: Southampton vs. Manchester United (SYFY)
10 a.m.: Cardiff City vs. Chelsea (CNBC)
10 a.m.: Norwich City vs. Arsenal (MSNBC)
10 a.m.: Hull City vs. Everton (BRAVO)
10 a.m.: Fulham vs. Crystal Palace (E!)
10 a.m.: Sunderland vs. Swansea (Esquire)
10 a.m.: West Brom vs. Stoke City (Oxygen)
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