Match Details

Newcastle v Arsenal

Date: Monday May 20

Kick off: 1:00

Venue: St James' Park

This weekend's season wrap-up sees Newcastle host Arsenal at St James' Park. The Gunners will need a victory if they are to stay off Spurs for Europe qualification.

Alan Pardew's backline will recieve a boost with defender Steven Taylor set to make his return from illness and absence from the 2-1 victory over QPR last week. Taylor will be joined by midfielder Sylvain Marveaux who has overcome his groin injury to past match-fitness tests for the final round clash.

Steve Harper is set to make what is likely to be the 38-year-old's final appearance for the Magpies, following a 20 year career with the club the keeper will take the place of Tim Krul who is out with a dislocated shoulder.

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger is in a quandry with his midfield, with Mikel Arteta struggling with a calf injury and Jack Wilkshire on stand-by in case he passes match fitness tests.The Gunners will be bolstered by the return of striker Oliver Giroud, however, who will return for season's end following a three-match suspension.

Despite their midfielder concerns, it's difficult to see Pardew's men overcoming the in-form Gunners, but the home crowd could work in the Magpies favour.

Newcastle United (from): Harper, Alnwick, Debuchy, Simpson, Santon, S. Taylor, Coloccini, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Perch, Tiote, Bigirimana, Cabaye, Anita, Gutierrez, Ben Arfa, Marveaux, Gosling, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Cisse, Gouffran, Campbell.

Arsenal (from): Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Cazorla, Walcott, Ramsey, Rosicky, Arteta, Giroud, Fabianski, Podolski, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wilshere, Vermaelen, Coquelin, Gervinho, Jenkinson, Gibbs.

Prediction:

Newcastle 0-2 Arsenal

Match Details

Chelsea v Everton

Date: Sunday, May 19

Kick-off: 16:00 Local Time

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea must win to finish in third position on the Premier League table and ensure automatic qualification for next season’s Champions League group stage. Fourth-placed Arsenal is just two points behind the Blues and will face Newcastle United at St James’ Park on the final matchday. Incredibly, if the Blues draw and the Gunners win by one goal, having scored two more Chelsea, then the London rivals would be required to contest a third-place play-off. The rare occurrence would be due to both clubs being locked on identical points, goals scored, goals conceded and goal difference.

Chelsea is unbeaten in its past seven league matches, with the most notable victory coming against champions Manchester United. The Londoners enjoyed their second European trophy in as many years midweek, beating Benfica 2-1 in the Europa League final. Fernando Torres’ opening goal was cancelled out before Branislav Ivanovic scored a last-gasp decider. Last weekend, Frank Lampard broke Chelsea’s all-time scoring record in a dramatic 2-1 victory over Aston Villa. Christian Benteke gave Villa an early lead, and when Ramires was sent off just prior to half-time, Chelsea had a mountain to climb. However, a red card for Benteke changed proceedings, allowing the Blues to pinch an 88^th minute winner. Lampard signed a much deserved one-year contract two days ago. Captain John Terry (ankle), Eden Hazard (hamstring) and Ryan Bertrand (knee) are unavailable to end the campaign.

Everton has been in sixth position on the table for 12 consecutive gameweeks, and that’s where they will finish the season regardless of the result this weekend. Sitting six points behind Tottenham Hotspur and five ahead of Merseyside rivals Liverpool, the Toffees have cemented their highest finish since 2008/2009. They have lost just one match in their last 10 league fixtures, although four of the five wins in the streak have come against sides in the bottom half of the table.

David Moyes’ 11-year managerial reign at Everton will end after the clash with Chelsea, accepting the Manchester United job made vacant by Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. The Toffees much-loved leader was given a fitting home farewell, warmly applauded for his services in the 2-0 win over West Ham United at Goodison Park last weekend. Kevin Mirallas scored an impressive brace to seal a comfortable victory. Midfielder Leon Osman is unavailable with a knee issue, while Phil Neville will also miss out. The club stalwart and captain hasn’t played since the 23^rd of February against Norwich City and will retire from football.

Chelsea has beaten Everton in three of the past four head-to-head fixtures. With guaranteed Champions League football on the line for the Blues, and nothing but pride and sending Moyes out on a positive note to focus on for Everton, a Chelsea victory is the likely outcome.

Prediction:

Chelsea 2 - 1 Everton

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is no more, the club announcing that he has been 'relieved of duties' after the club "failed to achieve its targets".

The decision comes after City suffered a shock loss to cellar dwellers Wigan in the FA Cup Final on Saturday.

Following the cementing of second place, Mancini will not manage the remaining two games of the Premier League, with assistant manager Brian Kidd announced as taking an interim position for the remaining matches, and the post-season tour of the US where they will play Chelsea in St Louis and New York.

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said of the Italian manager, “Roberto’s record speaks for itself and he has the respect and gratitude of Sheikh Mansour, myself and the Board for all of his hard work and commitment over the last three and a half years.

"He has clearly also secured the love and respect of our fans. He has done as he promised and delivered silverware and success, breaking the Club’s 35-year trophy drought and securing the title in 2012. I would like to personally and publicly thank him for his dedication to the progress that he has overseen and for his support and continued friendship."

Mancini, taking on the role of City manager at the end of 2009, won the 2010 FA Cup and followed on to win the Sky Blues their first first Barclays Premier League title last season.

No possible candidates have been announced to take over the helm.

Match Details

Arsenal v Wigan

Date: Wednesday May 15

Kick off: 4:45

Venue: Emirates Stadium

With the season almost at an end, the Gunners could leap-frog into the top four if they secure a win at home and Spurs draw with Sunderland this round.

Wenger looks likely to be able to call on goalkeepr Lukasz Fabianskiand defender Kieran Gibbs, but will be without striker Oliver Giroud who will serve the final game of his suspension.

Meanwhile, Roberto Martinez will be expected to choose a similar to side of his FA-cup winning squad, with the possibility of returns from Jean Beausejour and Adrian Lopez not until the final match of the season against Aston Villa.

Cellar-dwellers Wigan have performed well in the home stretch of the EPL season, narrowly losing to Manchester City and drawing with Tottenham, but Arsenal will undoubtebly go into the match favourites

Arsenal (from): Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Cazorla, Walcott, Ramsey, Rosicky, Arteta, Podolski, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wilshere, Vermaelen, Fabianski, Coquelin, Gervinho, Jenkinson, Gibbs.

Wigan (from): Robles, Boyce, Alcaraz, Scharner, Gomez, Watson, Espinoza, McArthur, McCarthy, Maloney, Kone, McManaman, Al Habsi, Henriquez, Golobart, Caldwell, Di Santo, Fyvie.

Prediction:

Arsenal 2-1 Wigan