CHELSEA: INTERIM MANAGER, RAFAEL BENITEZ.
What a win! Only the third team to defeat Man United at their home ground during this season.
Best performers for Chelsea on the day were Frank Lampard with Matta getting the back of the net. Too good!
This game on Tuesday night against Tottenham Hotspurs is of immense importance to both teams given they have come off recent wins.
The outcome of this game is all about a final in the top four of the English Premier League with winning Tuesday’s game being crucial for both teams.
Chelsea’s chance of a win could depend on the fitness of Eden Hazard – he is such an important member of the team.
Chelsea have won 14 of 27 matches since Rafael Benitez took over as interim manager driving Chelsea to 4th place on the English Premier League table. Nineteen points short of EPL leaders, Man United.
Benitez’ title (or lack of it) has been the cause of much discontent throughout this time at Chelsea, however, in all reality he has achieved an excellent result but too much acrimony (water under the bridge) – call it what you will, has played too prominent a role for him to remain.
He should be congratulated for achieving a top spot for Chelsea.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS: MANAGER, ANDRE VILLAS BOAS.
Most recent games:
5/3/13 Tottenham Hotspurs 1-0 Southampton
28/4/13 Wigan 2-2 Tottenham Hotspurs.
The long and short of it is The Spurs must win Tuesday’s game against Chelsea to take up a place in the top four sides of the English Premier League table.
Interestingly, Tottenham’s manager, Andre Villas Boas will be experiencing his first visit to Chelsea following his sacking last March. He gives every appearance of not being “fazed” by this encounter. Rather it would seem to be Chelsea’s Rafael Benitez who would rather be elsewhere.

WIGAN: MANAGER, ROBERTO MARTINEZ
Roberto Martinez has been quoted as saying prior to the English Premier League game against West Brom at The Hawthorns that “…his players are looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead and not letting nerves get the better of them.”
What an amazing 2-3 outcome for Wigan and no doubt Martinez will be desperate to maintain that same level of top performance from both his players and the Wigan supporters (which has such a positive impact on the game.
Injury concerns surround Jean Beasejour out with a hamstring injury along with Antolin Alcaraz being sidelined with a similar injury. Midfielder James Mc Arthur could possibly return to the side.
Wigan, once again, find themselves in the battle against relegation, however, to date they have survived slipping into the relegation zone and perhaps this season will prove to be no exception.
A victory over Swansea could see Wigan achieving 15th place on the English Premier League table. This, however, will be dependent upon the results of other games.
Wigan currently sit 18th on the English Premier League table with 35 points.
SWANSEA: MANAGER, MICHAEL LAUDRUP
Injury concerns continue to plague Swansea City as it appears they will be without top scorer, Michu who is suffering from a hamstring injury.
Swansea are now seven English Premier League games without a win. They were sufficiently good to have opportunities to score which were squandered – expensive mistakes which simply should not happen.
Michael Laudrup is quoted as saying he expects Wigan to give “everything they have” when the two teams encounter each other at DW Stadium on Tuesday night.
Swansea remain just two points short of safety following their exciting 3-2 win over West Brom. Laudrup pretty much sums it up when he sas “they will come at us with everything they have.”
Three points in this game at the DW Stadium should see the Swans finish in the top half of the English Premier League table.
Swansea currently sit at 9th place on the English Premier League table with 43 points.

SUNDERLAND

Sunderland’s squad is somewhat diminished going into Monday night’s clash with Stoke City having forward Stephane Sessegnon out for the remainder of the season having been shown a red card at Villa Park.
Striker, Connor Wickham (calf) is an unlikely starter with Steven Fletcher and Lee Cattlemole out injured for the remainder of the season.
Sunderland come into this match against Stoke from a thrashing at Villa Park . Di Canio will not be wanting a repeat of that performance. He is quoted as saying:
“It was a very bad performance – it wasn’t acceptable.” He went on the remark that perhaps Sunderland were over confident as a result of their victories over Newcastle and Everton in their two previous games.
Di Canio must be concerned with Danny Graham’s scoring ability (or lack of it) since his five million pound move to Sunderland in January. He really must score in Monday night’s game against Stoke as Premier League survival could well depend on it.
Complacency, over-confidence – call it what you will Sunderland will need a vastly different game plan in place when they match up against Stoke on Monday.
STOKE CITY
Injury concerns continue at Stoke over Andy Wilkinson, Glenn Whelan along with Mark Wilson who is suffering hamstring problems.
Stoke will be aiming for a third consecutive win on Monday night. The Potters’ form has been inconsistent with wins over QPR and Norwich which appear to have pulled them clear of relegation although mathematically this is still not guaranteed.
Stoke will go into Monday’s game with confidence on their side, however keeping in mind Sunderland will be desperate to achieve victory in this game.
Should be an exciting encounter for the supporters of both Stoke and Sunderland.

MAN UNITED
Man United are looking good for Sunday’s clash with Chelsea with Paul Scholes returning to the squad – he has been out with an injured knee. In addition, skipper Nemanja Vidic has returned from a calf strain. Danny Wellbeck has been ruled out.
Sir Alex Ferguson will be only too aware that Chelsea are chasing a Champions League place and will be in there with a will to win to defeat the champions that Man United have become this season.
So, for Man United to finish off this season at a peak performance they need a convincing win over Chelsea along with plans for new additions over the summer to further enhance their status as champions – as number on in the English Premier League.
CHELSEA
Last game at Stamford Bridge Chelsea cruised to a 2-0 victory over Swansea which in turn placed them third on the English Premier League table.
Rafael Benitez no doubt will be closely examining his tactics and plans to keep Chelsea’s momentum at its peak.
Furthermore, to the advantage of Benitez he has Ashley Cole returning to the squad from his European suspension.
Most recent games for Chelsea:
18/4/13 Fulham 0-3 Chelsea
22/4/13 Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea
29/4/13 Chelsea 2-0 Swansea
Seems all of the Man United /Chelsea rivalry is getting somewhat “over the top.” English Premier League football should be all about the beauty of the game, the skills encompassed within the game and the excellence of the tactics employed by both sides.
Personal rivalry has no constructive role to play.
Chelsea should remember Man United have already secured the EPL title.

WEST BROM
Steve Clarke is quoted as saying;
“We want to give our fans something to think about.”
Along with Wigan the Baggies too are in top form following their 3-0 victory at Southampton.
How good does it get for West Brom with nine home wins this season – really quite an achievement and one to be admired.
West Brom are an improved side to the one fielded last season and if statistics are anything to go by, as this year The Baggies have conceded three less goals than at the corresponding time last season.
Steve Clark’s men will play at their very best to match some previous and long standing records held by West Brom in prior years and indeed they do seem well poised to achieve a win on Saturday.

WIGAN ATHLETICS
Roberto Martinez has claimed “The margins in the fight to avoid relegation are smaller than ever.”
Several players could return and enhance the team and included among them is centre-back Antolini Alcaraz (hamstring) who just might be full fit to take to the field, however, Ronnie Stern could also along with Frazer Fyvie be in contention.
It appears from all reports that Wigan’s drawn game with Tottenham last week has made Wigan hungry for success and desperate to avoid relegation. They feel empowered b this last drawn game and are anxious to return to the field whilst their fitness and finesse remain at a peak level.
This game against West Brom is indeed a huge challenge with Wigan feeling ready to “take on” West Brom and give their fans a performance to be proud of – all positives.

MAN CITY
This game promises to be an enthralling encounter with, so far, at all English Premier League games between Swansea City and Man City have seen the home side win. In addition, Roberto Mancini’s team have lost only four of their last twenty English Premier League games.
Roberto Mancini has used the word “dangerous” when describing Saturday’s opponent, Swansea. In addition Man City lack the home ground advantage.
Mancini is only too aware that Swansea are coming off a successful performance last season and have continued to play very well.
Given that Mancini is successful in achieving a victory over Swansea it seems fair to assume transfer and recruitment plans will begin to occupy his thoughts, however, he is keeping them firmly under wraps until this season draws to a close.
This game has every promise of being an exciting encounter which could go either way. Both sides want to win this one and we can count on a 100% effort from both Swansea and Man City.