Conscious Friends Forum

[lingzi]

MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is hoping "something stupid" happens to crosstown rival Manchester City on the last day of the race for the English Premier League title. C.J. Spiller Jersey . Catch Manchester City v. QPR live on TSN2, Sunday at 9:30am et/6:30am pt. City and United are level on points going into the final round on Sunday, though Citys superior goal difference means a home win against relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers will almost certainly clinch the title for the first time in 44 years. "We can only do our best and try to win the game, and hope something stupid happens to Manchester City," Ferguson said ahead of his teams trip to mid-table Sunderland. City manager Roberto Mancini said the chance to win the title against QPR made the match harder than playing United. City beat United in the Manchester derby 11 days ago to draw level on points and maintained top spot with a hard-fought win at Champions League-chasing Newcastle last weekend to close on a first title since 1968. "We shall play against a team that plays against relegation," Mancini said. "It will be hard, it will be difficult -- more than Newcastle, more than United." City has secured 17 wins out of 18 home league matches, while QPR has lost 13 matches on the road this season. After holding an eight-point lead at the beginning of April, United must hope for an unlikely slip-up to snatch a 20th league title. Ferguson praised Mancini for bringing his team so close to the championship despite having to deal with numerous off-field issues, including Carlos Tevezs lengthy absence from the club and Mario Balotellis erratic behaviour. "It is obvious all the things he has had to deal with," said Ferguson. "If he didnt have the closeness to win the league, it might have fallen apart." Mancini struck a guarded attitude as he spoke at Citys Carrington training ground on Friday and insisted there was still work to do to secure the title. "We need to play another difficult game. They (QPR) are a good team that doesnt deserve to stay at the bottom. I think Sunday will be a tough game." The match at Etihad Stadium has an interesting subplot. QPR manager Mark Hughes is a cherished former United striker who was sacked as City manager to make way for Mancinis arrival. Ferguson has joked that he wished Hughes could play for QPR, but Mancini insisted personalities would not come into the equation. "Its not Mancini against Hughes or Hughes against Mancini, its Manchester City against QPR," the City manager said. "One team plays for the title, one team plays for relegation." Despite publicly conceding the title to United after falling eight points behind with defeat at Arsenal at the beginning of April, Mancini said the team always believed it had a chance. "You need to play 38 games," he said. "We were on top for 28, afterward we had some problems with some important players injured. We dont have the experience that United have, but we believe always." United will travel to Sunderland without defender Chris Smalling, whose groin injury will also rule him out of Englands Euro 2012 squad. "Its not going to be easy for us up there and we know that," Ferguson said. "Were going there with a chance of winning the league and you know itll never be easy. These last-day games where you have a chance of winning the league, three times weve won it and once we lost it at West Ham. Theyre not easy." He said the impact on City of losing the title after investing so much money and going so close could have severe repercussions. "I think the disappointment of City losing the game would be unbelievable and untold at this moment in time (as regards) what effect it could have on them," he said. "We do tend to get there in the end but it looks like were going to miss out this season. "Were not looking as though its the end of an era for us. In many ways, its the start of one for us." Brian Cushing Jersey . The veteran goalie was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The 35-year-old was 25-17-2 last season with a 2.51 goals against average and a .917 save percentage in 48 appearances for Washington. J.J. Watt Womens Jersey . The team said Tuesday that it has exercised its option on him to return for a third season. Del Negro led the Clippers to a 40-26 record, a winning percentage of 60.6 and the second round of the playoffs, where they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs. Cincinnati Bengals Jersey . Switzerland, France, Russia and Croatia have two players apiece among the final 16. Britain - which last won the mens singles title in 1936 - advanced one man to the second week, as did Australia, Germany, Serbia and even the island of Cyprus. Elvis Dumervil Jersey . You like games? Well youve got them, fast and furious. Here are 5 brief thoughts on the NBA. Brandon Weeden Jersey . Carreno gave up four runs and six hits in six innings Sunday against the Cleveland Indians. He allowed a pair of home runs to Carlos Santana.OTTAWA -- Diver Alexandre Despatie and synchro swimmer Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon have been named athletes of the year by the Aquatic Federation of Canada. Despatie, of Laval, Que., won three gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi last month. Boudreau-Gagnon, of Riviere-du-Loup, Que., won twwo gold medals at the Games. Miami Dolphins Jersey. Synchro Canadas national AA team was named team of the year and synchro coach Julie Sauve took the coach of the year honour. Marc Tougas of La Presse Canadienne won the media award, in part for his coverage of aquatics at the Commonwealth Games. ' ' '