One of 3 teams is destined for relegation this weekend in the English Premier League. Sheffield United, Wigan and West Ham fight for their premiership survival in must win games. Sheffield United are 17^th in the English Premier League with 38 points and a goal difference of -22. However, this weekend they play host to Wigan who are 18^th with 35 points and a -23 goal difference at Bramall Lane. While it is most likely that the relegation battle is decided in this match results elsewhere can play a part. Defeat for Sheffield United would mean they are relegated. Equally defeat for Wigan would mean they are relegated from the English Premier League. West Ham sit 16^th with 38 points and a -25 goal difference. They know that a draw will be enough to secure their premiership survival. However, they play away from home to Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson has assured clubs that he will field a strong team against the hammers to avoid any controversy in a game with nothing riding on it for the reds. A host of Manchester United stars will return to the starting line up after a dull midweek 0-0 draw with Chelsea. Manchester United will also be presented with the Premiership trophy prior to their match with West Ham. The Hammers are away from home against the champions and will be looking for Tevez and other players to raise their game and carry on their recent form.

Also intriguing this weekend is the continued fight for the remaining 2 UEFA Cup positions. 5 clubs have a chance of securing placement in their final game which would bring cash windfalls to each club. Everton site in 5^th place with only a 3 point gap to 8^th place Reading. However, the toffees have such a superior goal difference that barring a miracle they are guaranteed placement. Tottenham and Bolton sit 6^th and 7^th while Portsmouth maintain an outside chance in 9^th.

Tottenham on 57 points and +2 goal difference host an out of form Manchester City at White Hart Lane. Spurs know that 1 point will be enough to secure European football for next season. However, Martin Jol’s side are looking a little shaky and could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn on Thursday night. Despite recent problems Spurs should be able to overcome any challenge mounted by out of form City.

Bolton have 55 points and a goal difference on -5. They have had a good season and always looked likely to challenge for Europe. However, in their final game they have to beat in form Aston Villa if they are to guarantee their place in the prestigious UEFA Cup. Bolton slumped last week to relegation side West Ham in a poor performance that saw them lose 3-1. It was also Sammy Lee’s first game in charge so not a great way to carry on the legacy of big Sam Allardyce. Bolton improved in the second half of their game but not before West Ham had scored 3 goals. Villa are playing for form rather than placement. They are unbeaten in eight games and will be looking to add to their recent run of form but can relax knowing they cannot finish the season any lower that 11^th in the English Premier League. Due to a poor goal difference Bolton may not be safe with only a draw. Portsmouth are 2 points behind Bolton and have a +3 goal difference. However, Portsmouth are due to host Arsenal at Fratton Park who are looking to claim third place ahead of Liverpool. Portsmouth form has been patchy during 2007 but their league placing shows their superb start to the season back in August. It also holds them in good stead to be able to mount a challenge for a UEFA Cup placement. Arsenal will be hoping they can end a mediocre season on a high but need to get a better result than Liverpool who play relegated Charlton at home at Anfield. The odds are stacked up against Arsenal but it will not effect Wenger’s teams aim.

Reading on 54 points and +5 goal difference travel at the weekend for a game with Blackburn sitting 3 points shy. The side which have only just been promoted need at least a draw to finish in the top seven in the English Premier League. Manager Steve Coppell has expressed concerns in recent weeks that his side and the club as a whole are not ready for European football. Maybe he is telling the truth or maybe he laid out a challenge to a side which has seen a dramatic rise to the Premiership. Coppell even suggests that if they do qualify he would field his reserve side for any European encounters. Blackburn don’t have anything to play for except pride in this match as they cannot claim a UEFA Cup spot.

Chelsea sit in 2^nd place and host Everton at Stamford Bridge. However, the Blues have their sights firmly set on the FA Cup Final against Manchester United. The FA Cup Final is set to be a great match to grace the new Wembley stadium. Chelsea won the respect of neutrals as they battled out a 1-1 draw with Arsenal last week with only ten men. However, Everton look ready to rise to the challenge and chase European football.

Liverpool will be virtually guaranteed third spot in the English Premier League with a win over relegated Charlton. There is no reason Liverpool cant win at Anfield but Benitez’s main priority will be the Champions League Final against AC Milan in Athens.  with a win over Charlton (33, -26) at Anfield. The Reds are on level points with Arsenal and are two goals better off. Only a big Gunners win at Fratton Park could see them knock the Reds off their perch, if Benitez’s side win as expected. Benitez’s main priority is of course the Champions League but he can expect a motivated performance from his players all eager to seal their starting place in Athens. Charlton were relegated on Monday after a 2-0 home defeat to Spurs. They huffed and puffed after Dimitar Berbatov’s early strike but could not find an equaliser and were finished off by old boy Defoe late on. Alan Pardew will be hoping to hold on to his key players ahead of a season in the Championship.

Newcastle have been in the headlines most of the week. Glenn Roeder resigned last weekend leaving the management position open and United managerless for their match against Watford. A number of names have been put forward for the job but it seems Sam Allardyce remains favourite to replace Roeder. The game against Watford holds little value for either team. Watford are already relegated and Newcastle United’s poor season will leave fans wanting a quick curtain call. Sunday’s other match sees Middlesbrough v Fulham. Fulham have secured their premiership survival but it has been a poor season for the cottagers. They will be looking to the summer break to strengthen their squad for the 2007-08 English Premier League season. Boro boss Gareth Southgate has similarly experienced an uneventful season with poor standing in the league.