San Antonio Spurs vs LA Lakers April 28, 2013


If the Los Angeles Lakers had entered the postseason completely healthy, this could have been a fantastic playoff series.

Alas, the injury bug finally took a bite out of Kobe Bryant's ageless legs, depriving fans of a thrilling clash between the Black Mamba and Tim Duncan, two early nominees for the All-Century team.

With the graying Lakers lineup hobbled, the San Antonio Spurs have ruthlessly taken over the series. They won each of the first three games by double digits and handed L.A. a 31-point shellacking in Game 3, the worst home playoff loss in the franchise's storied history.

Andrew Goudelock will start at shooting guard for L.A., and he brings an MVP pedigree. Unfortunately, that was MVP of the D-League, and these are the NBA playoffs. Though the Lakers will come out fighting, they don't really have a puncher's chance in this one.

Time: Sunday, April 28, 7 p.m. ET

Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA

Series Record: 3-0 Spurs

Reading vs QPR April 28, 2013


This game can only be billed as the battle to avoid the Premier League’s wooden spoon. Defeat will mean relegation but even if either side win, they will be relegated if Aston Villa beat Sunderland on Monday night. Both sides trail Villa by 10 points with four games remaining and only the greatest of escapes will avoid this fixture featuring in the Championship next season.

Nigel Adkins has managed to pick up just one point since taking over at Reading and the Royals have failed to win in their last nine games. QPR have not fared much better, having only earned one point in their last five games.

Both teams will be among the Championship favourites next season, although Harry Redknapp has insisted an immediate return to the top flight will not be easy for his high-earning flops.

The one consolation each side will take from this season is the £60 million that they will receive from parachute payments, which will be paid in four instalments over the following four years.

Back in February, when Sky selected it for live broadcast, this fixture looked like it would be a classic six-pointer. For the players it will be a chance to impress potential suitors watching from their sofas ahead of the summer transfer window but for fans, only pride is at stake.



KICK-OFF: Sunday, 1.30pm



PAST THREE MEETINGS...

QPR 1 (Cisse) Reading 1 (Gorkss), Premier League, November 2012

QPR 2 (Hoilett, Cisse) Reading 3 (Gorkss, Shorey, Pogrebnyak), Capital One Cup, September 2012

Reading 0 QPR 1 (Routledge), Championship, February 2011

Chelsea vs Swansea April 28, 2013


Since winning the Capital One Cup, Swansea City have stalled. Michael Laudrup's side have only won once in their last six league games, and have fallen to ninth. They haven't won away from the Liberty Stadium this year, and now face the task of trying to stop Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

However, Swansea have been something of a bogey team for Chelsea of late, knocking them out of the Capital One Cup at the semi-final stage in a two-legged affair most recently, after two consecutive league draws between the sides.

Chelsea come into this game on the back of a Europa League semi-final victory away at Basel, and are still scrapping to finish inside the top four. Currently a point behind Arsenal and occupying the final Champions League spot, they have a game in hand on the Gunners still to play.

For this game, Rafa Benítez will be unable to select Oriol Romeu, who is out for the rest of the season. Marko Marin is doubtful due to his lack of match fitness, though otherwise Chelsea have a fully fit side available. Swansea's position is even better -- they don't have a single injury concern for this game.

Chelsea injuries and suspensions

Out: Oriol Romeu (knee) In doubt: Marko Marin (match fitness)

Swansea City injuries and suspensions

Out: None In doubt: None

Match Date\Time: Sunday, 3 p.m. local, 10 a.m. ET

Venue: Stamford Bridge, London, England

Arsenal vs Manchester United April 28, 2013


London: Arsene Wenger could be without Mikel Arteta (ankle) after he picked up an injury against Fulham last time out.

The Spaniard`s injury means Wilshere is likely to sit alongside Aaron Ramsey in midfield, with Tomas Rosicky playing in the free role behind the striker and Santi Cazorla shifting to a wide left position.

Olivier Giroud faces a three-match ban for his red card in that game meaning either Theo Walcott, Gervinho or Lukas Podolski will lead the line for the Gunners.

Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to rotate his squad after sealing the title against Aston Villa on Monday night.

After Jonny Evans picked up a knock in that win, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic - who missed the title-clinching tie - are both set to return to the side with Phil Jones perhaps deployed in midfield.


Michael Carrick is also likely to be rested after playing through injury against Villa. Expect the likes of Danny Welbeck, Chicharito, Tom Cleverley and Nani to feature from the start.

•Arsenal have kept just four clean sheets in their last 16 Premier League games at the Emirates Stadium.

•Only the Gunners (18) have scored more goals in the final 15 minutes of matches than Manchester United (15).

•Arsenal have taken only four points from seven games against the other sides in the top five this season, every other member has at least 10.

•Despite having the best away defence (14 goals conceded), 12 teams have a better home defensive record than the 21 goals shipped by the Gunners at the Emirates.


•Manchester United are the first team to be crowned champions with four games remaining since Arsenal in 2003-04.

•Robin van Persie has scored 17 goals in his last 17 Premier League appearances at the Emirates. The Dutch international is 17/2 with bet365 to score two or more goals on Sunday.

•The Dutchman has scored in each of his last three appearances where Arsenal have played against Man Utd, twice for the Gunners and last time out for the Red Devils.

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