Coyle out to Hurt Villa's Bid

Bolton Wanderers boss, Owen Coyle, has his sights set on beating Aston Villa, and dragging them deep into the relegation mire. The former team are outsiders for the win in the bookmaker odds. 

The Trotters are four points adrift of safety, ahead of Tuesday night’s clash at Villa Park, six points behind Villa with a game in hand. Bolton also have a game in hand on all their relegation rivals.

Coyle believes the six-pointer could shape Bolton’s season, and wants his players to grasp the opportunity.

"It's massive. If we get a positive result then the whole picture changes very quickly", said Coyle.

"We're not relying on anyone. We're relying on ourselves, and if you want anything done then you're better doing it yourself, and that's what we have to do."

The initial fixture was postponed, in March, in the aftermath of Fabrice Muamba's cardiac arrest at White Hart Lane. Coyle admitted it has been a testing season.

"It's been the most challenging season I've known. We're in the best league in the world, and huge uncontrollables [sic] go against you. Of course it makes it more difficult", he added.

"This year has been a freak season, starting in pre-season with the cruciates, and the leg breaks, and everything else, but we've dealt with it all. We've got five games to decide our own fate."

Bolton are without a win since beating Blackburn Rovers on March 24, and will need to hit form soon to prevent a return to the second tier for the first time since 2001.

Following the crucial clash in the Midlands, Bolton travel to Sunderland and London, where they will face Tottenham Hotspur. They complete their campaign at the Reebok Stadium, with a game against West Bromwich Albion, before ending their season at Stoke City. 

Coyle will be hoping his side can dig deep one last time to secure their Premier League status. Bolton are currently third favourites for the drop in Premier League betting.

Coloccini Aiming High

Fabricio Coloccini admits Newcastle United’s attentions have switched from the Europa League to the Champions League, following six consecutive victories.

The Magpies assumed pole position in the race for fourth spot in the Premier League, and took control of their own destiny, with a 3-0 win at home to Stoke City, on Saturday.

Four wins in the final few weeks would see Newcastle complete an incredible campaign, with a return to Europe’s premier competition, though Chelsea could scupper those dreams should they lift the Champions League title.

Coloccini believes Newcastle’s resurgence over the past couple of years is down to a team effort, and the defender wants a strong finish to the season.Voice your opinions on Newcastle's future fixtures, with Premier League betting predictions.

"Our objective was the Europa League, but now we have a dream, so why not fight for this?" he said.
"We have arrived here in this position as a team. Papiss (Cisse), Demba (Ba), Yohan (Cabaye) - whoever scores, it's good for the team. That's the most important thing: the team."

Newcastle will have to do it the hard way, if they are to secure a top-four finish. They face trips to Wigan Athletic, Chelsea, and Everton, either side of a home clash against title-chasing, Manchester City.

Coloccini insisted that Newcastle are taking things one game at a time, and they they are enjoying every minute of their recent run. The Magpies' success in the league has no doubt resulted in a number of big payouts for fans placing football bets on the team's matches.

"We can't think too far ahead. Instead, we just try to play the game and keep going like this, and then, when we finish the season, we can see how we did", he added.

"We're very happy because we're doing well. We're playing well now, so now is the time to enjoy this."

The fixture list has not been kind to the Magpies, but in this kind of form, there is no reason why Newcastle cannot book a Champions League place.

Mancini Must Surely Believe Now?

Having witnessed another twist in the race for the Premier League title, Manchester City manager, Roberto Mancini, is still banging the same drum.

The Italian is convinced, or, at least, is saying, that their rivals, Manchester United, will retain their domestic crown this term, to wrap up their 20th league title in their history.

With just four games of the campaign remaining, the Citizens find themselves only three points behind the Red Devils, after Mancini’s men recorded a 2-0 win over Wolves, on Sunday.

The victory at Molineux came just a few hours after United slipped up at Old Trafford, with a dramatic 4-4 with Everton, who have enjoyed a strong end to the season under manager, David Moyes, a man touted as a possible successor to Sir Alex Ferguson.

Last weekend proved that anything can happen in the race for the title, and there is bound be at least one more upset in the pipeline, before the conclusion of the 2011/2012 tale. This year’s campaign has been especially dramatic for supporters enjoying a Bet on the Premier League.

City still have to host the defending champions at the Etihad Stadium, next Monday, in what will surely be a treat for fans of Live Football. However, Mancini claims that the title race is already done and dusted.

The former Inter Milan boss said, earlier in the month: "Only one team can win this title. I've never bet in my life, but if you were to ask, I would say 'put your money on United', 100 per cent. I don't have a message for Sir Alex. If I did it would only be 'congratulations for your season, and for this title.'"