Last weekend's results ensured that there's still all to play for at the top, bottom and middle of the Premier League. This means that Sunday's climatic games will be some of the tensest in recent memory and looking at the fixture list, we can only see two ties of the ten that have little relevance to the key areas of the table (Sunderland home match with Arsenal and Liverpool trip to Tottenham). So with that in mind, I've decided to go off the beaten track a little this week and instead of focusing on a couple of matches am going to look at them all so you will know what it takes for a side to win the title, claim a position in Europe or survive the drop into the Championship.
BIG FOUR
The Arsenal and Liverpool games are irrelevant. The Gunners' 1-0 victory over Everton on Sunday means that Liverpool, who have been secure in at least fourth for some weeks now, can not catch the Gunners in third. In turn, Chelsea's 2-0 defeat of Newcastle at St James' Park on Bank Holiday Monday means that Avram Grant's side are four points ahead of the Gunners and are guaranteed at least second. Arsenal and Liverpool will therefore have to participate in a two-legged qualification tie to make it through to next season's UEFA Champions League proper.
There is, of course, far more on the line for Manchester United and Chelsea. The Blues ensured a tight final day finish with that win at Newcastle, but while they are level on points with United, Chelsea do not have their fate in their own hands. If United beat Wigan, Chelsea will have to beat Bolton and overhaul a massive goal difference of seventeen to snatch the title from Old Trafford. If both teams draw or lose, the title is United's on goal difference. However, if United lose or draw at the JJB and Chelsea win, the Blues will win the title.
So how likely is a Chelsea title win? Certainly with Bolton all-but sealing survival with a 2-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday (a massive goal difference switch is the only thing that can relegate them) it seems unlikely that Gary Megson's men will be as fired up for this match as their opponents are. What's more, Chelsea have not lost in the league since a 1-0 defeat at Arsenal in December and have only dropped points in five games since then. In contrast, United's 4-1 win at home to West Ham on Saturday was their first impressive league performance in a month, a period which has seen them draw with Blackburn and Middlesbrough and lose at Chelsea.
Grant has already begun the mindgames by demanding Wigan put up an honest fight on Sunday and suggesting the pressure is all on United, but he would undoubtedly swap places with Sir Alex Ferguson. Winning at Wigan, who have grown into a tenacious little side under the management of Steve Bruce, certainly won't be easy, regardless of their current league position, but it's difficult to see United's experienced players slipping up at such a crucial moment. A United goal difference win seems the most likely outcome then, and that would seem a fittingly tight finish to what has been one of the most thrilling title races in years.
RELEGATION
Mathematically, there are five teams who still have the threat of relegation hovering over their heads. However, as Bolton are three points above Fulham and Reading and four ahead of Birmingham with a superior goal difference to the former duo, it would take a significant overhaul of eleven in GD for Gary Megson's men to drop into the Championship. Realistically then, the battle is down to Fulham, Reading and Birmingham, and here the permutations get particularly difficult.
As they are a point behind both Reading and Fulham in nineteenth, Birmingham are favourites to be relegated. They play Blackburn Rovers at home, while Reading face Derby and Fulham Portsmouth. The result of Reading's trip to Pride Park is relevant to them only if Fulham lose or draw at Pompey because a Fulham win would relegate Reading and Birmingham regardless. If the Cottagers do fail to win and Reading beat Derby, Birmingham would still be relegated no matter what. If Birmingham win and both Reading and Fulham don't, Birmingham survive. If Birmingham win along with one of the other two, Birmingham go down.
If Reading beat Derby and Fulham beat Portsmouth, Birmingham are relegated no matter what they do (the same would apply if all three teams either lose or draw), but the issue of who joins them would go down to goal difference. At the moment, Fulham have a GD of -23, with Reading on -29. If both teams finish with their goal difference level - and with the difference between them being that small it is a possibility - relegation would be decided on who has scored the most goals. At the moment, both teams are level, having scored 37 goals each.
Fulham have their fate in their own hands, and victory would secure them safety, barring a Reading win and goal difference turnaround. If they lose or draw, and both Reading and Birmingham win, they are relegated along with Birmingham. If they lose and Reading pick up at least a point, they are relegated. If they draw, and Reading win they are relegated. If they and Reading both draw, they survive on goal difference. If Fulham and Reading lose, it would come down to goal difference, with Fulham being in the driving seat, but if that happens and Birmingham draw, Birmingham would survive and the other two go down because of their superior goal difference.
It seems doubtful that such complex mathematics will come into play though. Having won three of their last four games, Fulham are in pole position to stay up, and their trip to Portsmouth is certainly winnable because the hosts have the FA Cup final to prepare for. Despite failing to score in their last six matches, Reading are Fulham's biggest rivals, and they too face a winnable game against Derby. So it's Birmingham who have the toughest task in their game against Blackburn. They are out of form and down on confidence, but having been in a strong position just a few weeks ago, the Blues will know that if they do go down they will only have themselves to blame.
UEFA CUP AND INTERTOTO CUP
English clubs are offered three UEFA Cup spots. Tottenham Hotspur have one thanks to their Carling Cup win, the winner of the FA Cup final between Cardiff and Portsmouth will claim another and the team who finishes fifth in the league will have the final one. Only Aston Villa and Everton can do this, and the Toffees are in the driving seat. They are three points ahead of Villa and know that a win or draw at home to Newcastle will sew up fifth. Villa must hope for a Newcastle win and victory at West Ham. If this happens, Villa would take the place on goal difference.
The Intertoto Cup is another possible path into Europe if Villa don't finish fifth, but they will be challenged by Manchester City and Blackburn, who have both signaled their intent to play in the competition (Portsmouth have decided not to apply). The spot will go to the team who finishes highest, so at the moment Villa have the advantage and would secure the spot with victory over West Ham. However, if Villa lose or draw and Rovers win, the place will go to Mark Hughes's men. If Rovers draw and Villa lose, the place would go to Villa due to their vastly superior goal difference. City can only nick the place if Villa and Blackburn pull out.
The final road into Europe is through the UEFA Fair Play League, a route which helped City get through to the UEFA Cup in 2002-03. England again will have an additional club in next season's Uefa Cup after topping Europe's fair play rankings.
The place will be awarded to the best-behaved Premier League team that does not qualify for European competition next term. Manchester City again are the side who would qualify in the current Premier League fair play standings.
City, whose final game is at Middlesbrough on Sunday, qualified for the Uefa Cup on the same basis in 2003. The Premier League has confirmed that the team that qualifies will only be determined after all top-flight matches have ended - so the final outcome will be decided after Sunday's game.
Sven-Goran Eriksson's side currently stand fifth in the fair play table, behind Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool - who are all already guaranteed a place in continental competition. Everton and Fulham are the other teams in contention to qualify, although David Moyes' side will enter the Uefa Cup automatically if they get a point against Newcastle at Goodison Park on Sunday.
THIS WEEK'S FIXTURES & PREDICTIONS
(All kick-offs are 1500 BST unless specified)
SUNDAY
Birmingham City v Blackburn Rovers
Of all the relegation-threatened teams, Birmingham are the only side playing at home and that has been underestimated.
I think Birmingham will beat Blackburn in what will be arguably their most important game since they were promoted.
Blackburn are not a team to lie down, they have good players and a good manager.
But Birmingham know they need to win to give themselves a chance of staying up - and the crowd will push them over the line for me.
By virtue of Reading's and Fulham's goal difference, I think Birmingham will stay up.
Verdict: 2-0
Chelsea v Bolton Wanderers
Bolton are safe after chasing the prize of avoiding relegation and Gary Megson has done well, especially giving the fact that they've never replaced Nicolas Anelka.
They are back to the difficult, snarling Bolton of old, but I think Chelsea will be too strong for them.
Once they got over their injuries and the disruptions of the Africa Cup of Nations, they've improved beyond all recognition.
Their resurgence has coincided with the fact that Didier Drogba, Petr Cech, John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Michael Ballack have all been fit and playing together.
But I think they will finish second, though I don't expect that to have any effect whatsoever on the Champions League final to come.
Verdict: 3-0
Derby County v Reading
I know Reading are going Pride Park, but Derby will be out for a last hurrah because they won't want to end the season with another beating.
Reading just can't score and they don't look like scoring. They've got a look of doom about them.
You would rather go to Derby than Old Trafford or Chelsea, but Reading aren't playing well and they need goals.
Derby will want to sign off with at least a point and with some kind of encouraging display to give their fans some hope for the summer.
Verdict: 1-1
Everton v Newcastle United
Everton are back in control of their European destiny and I think they will beat Newcastle.
It's a top performance by David Moyes - he's the best manager outside the top four.
You could argue that, because of his resources - or lack of them - he has done even better than the managers who finished third and fourth this season.
Kevin Keegan has come in for some stick after his comments about the top four dominating the Premier League.
I think what he was trying to say was that unless he gets a pot of money, he won't get near the top four - he's not wrong.
Verdict: 2-0
Middlesbrough v Manchester City
If Sven-Goran Eriksson gets his P45, it will be one of the most ridiculous decisions in the course of the Premier League season.
He has got Manchester City's respect back, he has supporters on his side, he is building for the future and he has got a top-10 finish. It would be a nonsense decision if he is sacked.
Middlesbrough are finishing with two successive home games because of City's fixture list.
It would be nice for them to finish with two home wins. And I think they will.
Verdict: 2-1
Portsmouth v Fulham
It's a lot to ask of Fulham to get another away win.
Everyone keeps saying that Portsmouth have got one eye on the FA Cup final, but I still think this is too big an ask for Fulham.
Fratton Park is a tough place to go for a result, and so I think Fulham will go down on Sunday.
You'll have to ask Mohamed Al Fayed about Fulham's future. If he decides to stick with Roy Hodgson and keep the team together, along with a transfer budget, then they'll have a chance of coming straight back up.
But if he decides to cut his losses and sell Brian McBride and Jimmy Bullard, then it's a completely different question.
The problem with Fulham is it has been coming for a while. The day they sacked Chris Coleman was the day the death-knell was sounded.
Portsmouth, meanwhile, will want to show some semblance of form, which has not been very good recently.
Harry Redknapp will want to see some recovery. He does not want his side to go to Wembley lacking confidence and goals.
Verdict: 1-1
Sunderland v Arsenal
This match will show Roy Keane just how far his team will have to improve if they want to compete with the likes of Arsenal.
The Gunners will no doubt ring in the changes next season, but Arsene Wenger will have to bring in players with plenty of mental strength.
Keane wants his Sunderland side to have the same mentality he had as a player, but that will take some time.
And if they want to go to the next level, Keane will have to do some wheeling and dealing in the summer.
Verdict: 0-2
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool
This game has end-of-season written all over it.
Liverpool have gone a bit flat after the Champions League exit and Tottenham have gone flat two minutes after winning the Carling Cup.
I think it will be a decent game, but with nothing at stake it's heading for a draw.
These two teams will be bringing in new players in the summer, especially as there will be pressure on both Spanish managers to finish higher in the league next season.
Verdict: 1-1
West Ham United v Aston Villa
Villa have been knocked flat by last week's defeat to Wigan, especially as Everton only need a point against Newcastle to qualify for Europe.
West Ham have not been playing well of late and there is plenty of speculation about Alan Curbishley's future.
But I think the Happy Hammers will win at the weekend and send the Upton Park faithful into raptures.
Verdict: 2-1
Wigan Athletic v Manchester United
There is no way Manchester United will lose this match. I think they will cruise to victory and defend their title.
I know United old boy Steve Bruce will have his team ready to have a real go at Man Utd, but defensively it's a bit of a mis-match.
United have so many match winners, if they unleash them in a game of such importance at the JJB Stadium, they'll win easily.
I think Man Utd have become even stronger than last year, the way they play their football is outstanding.
All the neutrals should enjoy this duel, although I doubt Chelsea and Man Utd fans will feel the same.
It's an incredible situation to see two teams fighting for both domestic and European honours - it may never happen again.
Verdict: 0-3