Going into the final day of the Premier League, the title is undecided, two of the three relegation places are undecided and the final European league places (UEFA & Intertoto) are yet to be set in stone. With Chelsea and Manchester United battling it out for the title, Birmingham, Bolton, Fulham & Reading battling it out for survival and Aston Villa, Blackburn, Everton & Portsmouth all within a chance of a place in Europe (via league positions), this Sunday proves to be an exciting one.


Birmingham City currently placed 19th and staring relegation in the face have to hope that other results go their way if they are to stay in the top flight. Although, they have the advantage of a better goal difference (-19) than Fulham (-23) and Reading (-29), they have a major disadvantage of having one point less than those two.

To Stay Up
Birmingham win, Fulham & Reading lose or draw.
Birmingham draw, Fulham & Reading lose.

The latter looks debatable, what with Reading away to Derby. So, Birmingham's best chance is if they win, and hope that Reading continue their dismal form. However, Fulham have a great chance of ruining any hope of survival despite being away to Portsmouth. Portsmouth have lost their last four games, whilst Fulham have launched a survival mission with three wins in their last four.

Blackburn Rovers, currently 7th, can realistically finish 6th, 7th or 8th. To finish sixth and take an Intertoto place, they have to win and hope Aston Villa lose or draw. With Villa's goal difference being vastly superior, Blackburn wouldn't be able to finish sixth with a draw, unless Villa lose 16-nil. They can also finish 9th, if they lose and Manchester City win with a 6 goal turnaround in goal difference. (Blackburn GD +5; Man City GD -1)

Current Form (Premier League only)
Blackburn Rovers 0 P6 00 W2 D3 L1 00 GF 7 GA 06 00 GD +1 00 PTS 9
Birmingham City 00 P6 00 W1 D2 L3 00 GF 7 GA 13 00 GD -6 00 PTS 5

Highest & Lowest Possible Finishes
Highest : Birmingham 17th; Blackburn 6th
Lowest : Birmingham 19th; Blackburn 9th

Head-to-Head (Last Six)
07/10/2007 - Blackburn Rovers 2 - 1 Birmingham City (Premier League)
26/09/2007 - Blackburn Rovers 3 - 0 Birmingham City (League Cup)
19/04/2006 - Birmingham City 2 - 1 Blackburn Rovers (Premier League)
22/10/2005 - Blackburn Rovers 2 - 0 Birmingham City (Premier League)
30/04/2005 - Birmingham City 2 - 1 Blackburn Rovers (Premier League)
21/11/2004 - Blackburn Rovers 3 - 3 Birmingham City (Premier League)



After finally getting their season back on track, Chelsea are in the running of completing an unexpected double - the Premier League and Champions League. Currently second on par with Manchester United, both on 84 points, Chelsea have to win and hope that Manchester United lose or draw. Either that or they have to win by at least 17 goals against Bolton. Due to their inferior goal difference, Chelsea winning the title depends on if Wigan can get a result against Man Utd.

To Win The League
Chelsea win by 17+ goals (18+ if United win), Manchester United win or lose or draw
Chelsea win, Manchester United lose or draw
Chelsea draw, Manchester United lose
Chelsea lose, Manchester United lose by 18+ goals

Bolton Wanderers' win over Sunderland last week, in addition to their better goal difference, virtually guarantees them safety. However, if there is an eleven-goal turnaround in results, with both Fulham & Reading winning, they could face the drop.

Bolton's goal difference: -18; points: 36
Fulham's goal difference: -23; points: 33
Reading's goal difference: -29; points: 33

A draw or win would guarantee survival.

Current Form (Premier League only)
Chelsea 00 P6 00 W5 D1 L0 00 GF 9 GA 2 00 GD +7 00 PTS 16
Bolton 000 P6 00 W3 D1 L2 00 GF 7 GA 8 00 GD -1 00 PTS 10

Highest & Lowest Possible Finishes
Highest : Chelsea 1st; Bolton 14th
Lowest : Chelsea 2nd; Bolton 18th

Head-to-Head (Last Six)
07/10/2007 - Bolton Wanderers 0 - 1 Chelsea (Premier League)
28/04/2007 - Chelsea 2 - 2 Bolton Wanderers (Premier League)
29/11/2006 - Bolton Wanderers 0 - 1 Chelsea (Premier League)
15/04/2006 - Bolton Wanderers 0 - 2 Chelsea (Premier League)
15/10/2005 - Chelsea 5 - 1 Bolton Wanderers (Premier League)


Derby County have had an awful season, and are probably glad that it is finally over. Officially becoming the worst team, and breaking a fair few records on the way - as boasted by James_DCFC (see this thread) - have a chance to win only their second game. (Their only win coming against Newcastle United back in September.)

Reading, after having such a good first season, are not having as much fun in their second. A run of six games without scoring and one win in eight league games has left Reading in the midst of relegation. With the second worst goal difference in the league, Reading must hope that their relegation rivals slip up in order for them to survive.

To Stay Up
Reading win, Fulham lose or draw OR Bolton lose and an 11 goal difference is turned over (eg. Derby 0 - 5 Reading, Chelsea 7 - 0 Bolton)
Reading draw, Fulham lose & Birmingham lose or draw
Reading lose, Fulham lose by 6+

Current Form (Premier League only)
Reading 0000000 P6 00 W0 D2 L4 00 GF 0 GA 08 00 GD -8 00 PTS 2
Derby County 00 P6 00 W0 D1 L5 00 GF 6 GA 20 00 GD -14 00 PTS 1

Highest & Lowest Possible Finishes
Highest : Derby 20th; Reading 16th
Lowest : Derby 20th; Reading 19th

Head-to-Head (Last Six)
07/10/2007 - Reading 1 - 0 Derby County (Premier League)
01/04/2006 - Reading 5 - 0 Derby County (Championship)
31/12/2005 - Derby County 2 - 2 Reading (Championship)
03/01/2005 - Reading 0 - 1 Derby County (Championship)
11/09/2004 - Derby County 2 - 1 Reading (Championship)
31/01/2004 - Reading 3 - 1 Derby County (Championship)


With Aston Villa failing to get anything out of their last home game, Everton only need a point to secure fifth place and a place in Europe. Everton had been on verge of breaking into the top four, but recent results have seen them lag behind with an eleven point gap between fifth and fourth.

Newcastle United have had a somewhat disappointing season. Starting off with the appointment of Big Sam, things looked on the up for the Toon army. But, following some bad form, Big Sam was shown the door and eventually Keving Keegan was made manager. Having started badly, there was speculation that Keegan would be axed. But he managed to turn things around, with a change formation Newcastle went on a unbeaten stretch which Chelsea ended last Monday.

Current Form (Premier League Only)
Newcastle 0 P6 00 W3 D2 L1 00 GF 11 GA 5 00 GD +6 00 PTS 11
Everton 000 P6 00 W1 D2 L3 00 GF 04 GA 6 00 GD -2 00 PTS 05

Highest & Lowest Possible Finishes
Highest : Everton 5th; Newcastle 11th
Lowest : Everton 6th; Newcastle 13th

Head-to-Head (Last Six)
07/10/2007 - Newcastle United 3 - 2 Everton (Premier League)
30/12/2006 - Everton 3 - 0 Newcastle United (Premier League)
24/09/2006 - Newcastle United 1 - 1 Everton (Premier League)
25/02/2006 - Newcastle United 2 - 0 Everton (Premier League)
27/11/2005 - Everton 1 - 0 Newcastle United (Premier League)
07/05/2005 - Everton 2 - 0 Newcastle United (Premier League)


Having guaranteed survival with a 2-0 victory over Portsmouth, Middlesbrough take on a Manchester City side that has been in the top ten all season thanks to excellent start to the season under Sven Goran Eriksson - one such season that has seen them complete a double over their Manchester rivals. Both are now playing for league positions, 'Boro can finish a place higher whilst City can still, mathematically, finish seventh. Following a slightly worse second half of the season, Sven is hanging onto his job by a thread. There has been much speculation about him being replaced by Scolari, and there are still reports out there saying he could still be there next season, with others saying that he has agreed to manage Benfica if he is axed. Amongst all of this, this game could be the deciding factor.

Current Form (Premier League Only)
Man. City 00000 P6 00 W2 D0 L4 00 GF 8 GA 11 00 GD -3 00 PTS 6
Middlesbrough 0 P6 00 W1 D2 L3 00 GF 7 GA 08 00 GD -1 00 PTS 5

Highest & Lowest Possible Finishes
Highest : Middlesbrough 13th; Manchester City 7th
Lowest : Middlesbrough 16th; Manchester City 9th

Head-to-Head (Last Six)
07/10/2007 - Manchester City 3 - 1 Middlesbrough (Premier League)
17/03/2007 - Middlesbrough 0 - 2 Manchester City (Premier League)
30/10/2006 - Manchester City 1 - 0 Middlesbrough (Premier League)
02/04/2006 - Manchester City 0 - 1 Middlesbrough (Premier League)
31/12/2005 - Middlesbrough 0 - 0 Manchester City (Premier League)
15/05/2005 - Manchester City 1 - 1 Middlesbrough (Premier League)


Portsmouth's run in the FA Cup, leading them up to the final against Cardiff City in Wembley, has overshadowed a good league season for Harry Redknapp's boys. However, after getting through the semi-finals of the FA Cup, their league form has suffered - with three straight defeats and only one win in five league games since their 1-0 victory over West Brom. Portsmouth are still able to finish sixth, qualifying for the Intertoto Cup, which would be an alternate route into the UEFA Cup if they do not win the FA Cup. If they do both (finish sixth & win the FA Cup), the side that finishes seventh in the league will take the league's Intertoto spot.

A few weeks ago, Fulham looked dead and buried. But following a run of three wins in their last four, they have given themselves hope of survival. Finally out of the bottom three, if Fulham don't win this game, they'll need to hope other results go their way to avoid slipping back into the relegation zone.

To Stay Up
Fulham win, Reading fail to perform a turnaround in goal difference if they win (Fulham -23, Reading -29)
Fulham draw, Birmingham & Reading lose or draw
Fulham lose, Birmingham & Reading lose

Current Form (Premier League Only)
Fulham 00000 P6 00 W3 D1 L2 00 GF 10 GA 9 00 GD +1 00 PTS 10
Portsmouth 0 P6 00 W2 D1 L3 00 GF 04 GA 6 00 GD -2 00 PTS 07

Highest & Lowest Possible Finishes
Highest : Portsmouth 6th; Fulham 16th
Lowest : Portsmouth 9th; Fulham 19th

Head-to-Head (Last Six)
07/12/2007 - Fulham 0 - 2 Portsmouth (Premier League)
31/03/2007 - Fulham 1 - 1 Portsmouth (Premier League)
11/11/2006 - Portsmouth 1 - 1 Fulham (Premier League)
01/04/2006 - Fulham 1 - 3 Portsmouth (Premier League)
31/12/2005 - Portsmouth 1 - 0 Fulham (Premier League)
03/04/2005 - Fulham 3 - 1 Portsmouth (Premier League)


Sunderland's 3-2 victory over Middlesbrough a couple of weeks back, combined with other results guranteed them safety. So their 2-0 defeat to Bolton last week, virtually guaranteeing Bolton survival, wasn't greeted as badly as it would have been if they were still in the mire.

Arsenal will be kicking themselves, again, after another silverwareless season. After leading the Premier League for much of the season, Arsenal had a bad run of form and are out of the race. However, recent wins have secured third place for them.

Current Form (Premier League Only)
Arsenal 0000 P6 00 W4 D1 L1 00 GF 14 GA 7 00 GD +7 00 PTS 13
Sunderland 0 P6 00 W3 D0 L3 00 GF 9 GA 10 00 GD -1 00 PTS 09

Highest & Lowest Possible Finishes
Highest : Sunderland 13th; Arsenal 3rd
Lowest : Sunderland 16th; Arsenal 3rd

Head-to-Head (Last Six)
07/10/2007 - Arsenal 3 - 2 Sunderland AFC (Premier League)
01/05/2006 - Sunderland AFC 0 - 3 Arsenal (Premier League)
05/11/2005 - Arsenal 3 - 1 Sunderland AFC (Premier League)
25/10/2005 - Sunderland AFC 0 - 3 Arsenal (League Cup)
11/05/2003 - Sunderland AFC 0 - 4 Arsenal (Premier League)
06/11/2002 - Arsenal 2 - 3 Sunderland AFC (League Cup)


After being predicted to break into the top four this season, Tottenham had a unexpected, rotten start to the season. One that saw Martin Jol get the sack, and the introduction of Juande Ramos as his replacement. Under his reign, Tottenham have improved and are now challenging West Ham for tenth place. Also, they won the League Cup after a victory over Chelsea.

Liverpool, having started quite well and with the signing of Fernando Torres, looked to mount a title challenge. However, with several results going against them, they fell out of the title race and at one stage it looked like they were going to fall out of the top four altogether - letting in Everton. However, after a decent run Liverpool secured fourth and looked to concentrate on the Champions League. Yet, after knocking out Inter Milan and Arsenal, they were undone by Chelsea in the semi-final.

Current Form (Premier League Only)
Liverpool 000 P6