In 1968 the Vietnam war was in full swing, 2001 A Space Odyssey came to cinemas and Led Zeppelin toured the UK for the first time.

That season Manchester United became the first English team to lift the European Cup, twelve months after Celtic's Lisbon Lions. Manchester City remember that year for a different reason, their domestic exploits that they have never since replicated.

44 years on and the city of Manchester over shadows London as two giants of world football will decide who will be champions of England.

City take on a battling QPR featuring former City manager Mark Hughes and the one and only Joey Barton who have murmed all week that they will not go down without a fight. The ninety minutes will decide if City lift the Premier League but also if QPR's millions have been in vain. Swansea and Norwich relied not on riches and purse strings but coaching, grit and determination to stay in the Premier League and if QPR get relegated they will be joining Wolves and Blackburn in the championship next season.

United have nothing left to play for. This has been a season of failure for the Red Devils, no trophies, no European scalps, nothing significant to talk about besides Paul Scholes returning from his sitting room or wherever he was, like some kind of Lazarus figure to propel United into a title chase they so badly need to end with silverware.

Bolton made headlines this season for the unfortunate Muamba incident but could make further news by  dropping into the championship and know a victory is required in their fixture away to Stoke City.

It is anywhere between third and fifth up for grabs as the battle to see who will be in the champions league and who will be in the Europa League hots up.

Arsenal on paper have no easy task away to a Hodgson inspired West Brom in the incoming England manager's final game. It is hard to see West Brom losing the game and a draw would seem likely.

Tottenham can put the drama of Harry Redknapp's very existence behind them by finishing off a Fulham side with nothing to compete for.

For Newcastle nothing short of a victory away to Everton is required and they must hope that neither Arsenal or Tottenham better their result in the hunt for third.

 

I could offer predictions but this season has been erratic, eccentric and damn hard to fathom! Being mildly logical and based on form you would see City and United both win with the former taking the title, Tottenham and Newcastle to win, Arsenal to draw their fourth game in a row and QPR to get relegated.

This season has seen giants fall, minnows rise and managers come and go, with one last round of fixtures to play one thing is certain, nothing is ever assured in football.

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About the author
James P Mahon
James is an Irish Journalist, Broadcaster and former director of Coal Records Ltd currently based between Scotland and the USA. He has written regularly for the Chesterfield Post and Huffington Post and has TV and Radio presented in Ireland, Sheffield, New York, Tennessee and LA. A Newcastle United Supporter and proud to be a former Vavel UK Football Editor.