Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat May 8, 2013


The Chicago Bulls have put together two of the more improbable wins in recent postseason memory. After besting the Brooklyn Nets in Game 7 at Barclays Center, the Bulls went down to South Beach and stole Game 1 from the Miami Heat.

To make those road victories even more impressive, Chicago did it without the services of Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich. But beating the Nets and Heat are two very different animals.

Brooklyn played inconsistently all year, while Miami has been a well-oiled machine. After getting smacked in the mouth in Game 1, the Heat will be eager to come roaring back and swamp the short-handed Bulls.



Time: Wednesday, May 8, 7:00 p.m. ET

Where: AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, Fla.

Series Record: 1-0 Bulls

Real Madrid vs Malaga May 8, 2013


Where: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
When: 20:30 BST

Real Madrid take on Malaga CF in La Liga, and the two sides are amongst the most exciting to watch in Spain.

Still, there is rather less riding on the match than might initially appear.

Looking at the table, Malaga are in contention for the European places, with a slim chance of reaching the Champions League and highly realistic hopes of finishing within the Europa League qualification spots.

However, thanks to their financial issues of recent times, they will be banned from all UEFA competitions next season, and so are playing for position and pride for the remainder of the season.

Real Madrid have more to play for.

Los Meringues need to maintain their advantage over city rivals Atletico Madrid, as well as attempt to finish within a respectable distance from El Clasico adversaries FC Barcelona when the campaign is concluded.

With Jose Mourinho’s future very much up in the air at the end of the season – and strong links to both confirmed managerial vacancies at Manchester United and Chelsea this summer, Real Madrid’s motivation for their remaining fixtures will be high.

Cristiano Ronaldo will seek his 200th goal for the club in his 194th appearance – a frankly ludicrous scoring record – and will be aided by the likes of Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria and Xabi Alonso in his quest for the milestone.

Malaga’s danger men include Joaquin and Isco, and will hope to cause an upset.

Chelsea vs Tottenham May 8, 2013


Juan Mata's late winner at Old Trafford on Sunday put the Blues three points clear of fifth-placed Spurs, and another similar result would put Rafael Benitez's men within touching distance of a guaranteed top-four finish.

Chelsea's superior goal difference gives them a further edge in the battle for a Champions League spot, but a Tottenham win would throw the race wide open.

Chelsea v Tottenham
May 8, 2013 7:00pm

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However, Andre Villas-Boas takes his side to his former employers trying to break one of the longest-standing records in Premier League history.

In 20 visits to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League era, Spurs have never emerged victorious.

No other club has such a record in the top flight, and despite enjoying a successful debut season at White Hart Lane, Villas-Boas could end up missing out on Champions League if they do not pick up something in west London.

As ever, Gareth Bale is likely to be Tottenham's main threat on Wednesday night.

He has netted 11 in his last 11 matches, and has scored 13 goals away from home this season - more than any other player.

Wigan vs Swansea May 7, 2013


Wigan will climb out of the bottom three for the first time since the end of March if they defeat Martinez’s old side at the DW.

Three points would also give the Latics the psychological boost of knowing they will walk out at Wembley for Saturday’s FA Cup Final above the safety line.

“Being out of the bottom three on Tuesday night, that’s not going to have a major say on where we end the season,” said the Wigan boss.

“We’re not viewing the game simply as a chance to move out of the bottom three. Each week the table has its twists and turns so, for me, the only thing to focus on is the opportunity to add more points to our tally.

“When May 19 comes around, that’s when we’ll focus on the table with a points tally that will help us achieve our aims.

“If you win against Swansea and lose the next two games, you’re not going to achieve the aim of staying in this league.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re out of the bottom three or not. I think what’s important is that we carry on performing in the manner that we did against West Brom on Saturday, and with that mentality, to make sure we get as many of the nine points that are left.”

Manchester City vs West Brom May 7, 2013


Manchester City vs. West Brom

Date: Tuesday May 7, 2013.

Start time: 2:45 p.m. ET (7:45 p.m. British time).

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England.



With the FA Cup final coming up next Saturday, Manchester City take on West Bromwich Albion at the Etihad Stadium in a Premier League encounter with little at stake for either side.

Both managers, though, are unlikely to see it that way, with pride at stake for both in a high league finish. City hope to confirm second place, while West Brom challenge for eighth.

The odds are stacked in the favour of the home side on the night, with City's impressive home record matched by a West Brom side who have been poor away from home in 2013.

Indeed, the Midlands outfit have won just one of their last six games in a recent run of disappointing form.

What the Baggies do have in their favour is a forward line capable of scoring goals on the counterattack, something their opponents must watch for throughout the 90 minutes.

Manchester City were undoubtedly poor in a 0-0 draw with Swansea on the weekend. Will Mancini's boys offer an improved showing on Tuesday evening, or will the lingering spectre of the cup final see West Brom to an unlikely victory? All will soon be answered.

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