Playing for 90
Fansided

English Premier League preview: Chelsea to lift title at Stamford Bridge

By Kevin Kelly

facebooktwitterreddit

After ten months the 2014/15 Premier League season will draw to a close this Sunday afternoon, with all but the final relegation place left to decide. Chelsea will lift the title after they play Sunderland, while Hull City and Newcastle will fight for their Premier League lives in what is anticipated to be a highly exciting last day of the season. Co-editor Kevin Kelly brings you all that and more in the final Premier League Weekend preview of the season.

The Wait Over For the Blues:

While Chelsea won the Premier League against Crystal Palace three weeks ago they’ll finally get their hands on the trophy on Sunday. Hosting Sunderland at Stamford Bridge Sunday promises to be a party for both sides. North meets South as the Champions meet safe-for-next-season Sunday, having drawn 0-0 away at Arsenal on Wednesday night.

Chelsea will have lead the Premier League table for 274 days on the way  to Sunday’s momentous day for the Blues, ending a five year wait for another Premier League title – their first under Jose Mourinho since his return to Chelsea – and the club’s fifth since establishment in 1905.

Meanwhile, ahead of the game Mourinho has been named Barclays Premier League manager of the season for the third time. Blues midfielder Eden Hazard, who scored 20 goals for the champions, was named player of the season. It adds to his Professional Footballers’ Association and Football Writers’ Association awards.

More from Chelsea FC

Day of Destiny for Hull and Newcastle:

While Chelsea may be the main attraction for some on Sunday’s curtain-closer for the Premier League, the only tangible place left to decide is the final relegation sport – with Hull City and Newcastle looking to escape the abyss of 18th place. As it stands Hull are the hot favourites to make a return to the Championship, who sit two points (34) behind Newcastle (36) going into Sunday.

Hull travel to Manchester to take on Manchester United on Sunday, knowing they need to win the game to have any chance of staying up. History though, is not on their side. Despite staying up in the 2008/09 campaign, their final game, away at Manchester United, ended in a 1-0 defeat.

Steve Bruce believes Hull City will stand “an almighty chance” of Premier League survival if they can hold their nerve and beat Manchester United on Sunday.

“We have to go and look to win the game because if we do that I’m sure we’ll give ourselves an almighty chance,” said Bruce.

“I’ve said all along that 34 wouldn’t be enough but if we get to 37, with our goal difference, we’ve got an outstanding chance.
Meanwhile for Newcastle, who host West Ham on Sunday, boss John Carver insists that no quarter will be asked against Sam Allardyce’s West Ham United – and none will be given as Newcastle United’s season hits crunch time.

Big Sam – sacked by Mike Ashley – has already stated he would have no issue if Newcastle were they to be relegated on Sunday saying: “You can’t show sympathy for anybody, because nobody shows any sympathy for you.”

More from Playing for 90

Gerrard’s Final Goodbye:

While Steven Gerrard’s big farewell occurred last Sunday at Anfield, this Sunday will be his very last game in a red shirt, ending what has been a 26 year dream for the Huyton native. Having made his senior debut 17 year ago, and held the club captaincy for 13 years – the longest stint in the club’s history.

Gerrard has scored two headers in two weeks recently – winning one for the Liverpool and salvaging a draw in the other. Having scored 119 Premier League goals to date it seems pertinent that Gerrard will leave Liverpool on some sort of high, following the desolate 12 month’s he’s had since ‘the slip’.

Live Feed

Chelsea: HUGE boost as Pochettino starts "world-class" midfielder today
Chelsea: HUGE boost as Pochettino starts "world-class" midfielder today /

The Top Flight

  • Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 1 Blue Mauricio Pochettino should dropThe Pride of London
  • Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 3 Blues who must startThe Pride of London
  • Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Bournemouth: Palmer starts in 4-2-3-1The Pride of London
  • Chelsea sporting directors finally reveal why they sign so many young playersThe Pride of London
  • Chelsea vs Bournemouth: 3 things to look out for on the south coastThe Pride of London

    • Can Everton End on a High?

    Finally, a word for Everton: the Blues have regressed this season to a truly surprising level. Finishing last season in 5th and with a Premier League club record high 72 points, they were looking on a steady ascendancy under the impressive management of Roberto Martinez. Yet this season Everton will likely finish in at beat 10th position with 47-50 points.

    The Blues host Spurs in one of the more appealing games of the weekend, if without any particular motivation to the game. Martínez will grant outgoing defender Sylvain Distin a chance to play a final game with the side during their Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. 37-year-old Distin, who has been with Everton for six years, but hasn’t played for the Toffees since early January, will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.

    Home/Chelsea FC