Trio's charge for Euro places persists

In this last phase of the campaign where most clubs have to play nine more matches to the finish, the skirmish for European places is very fierce.

Three clubs that are on the up and striving to earn a passport to the continent are Blackburn, Bolton and Everton.

Two of these, the Wanderers and the Toffees, were both involved in Euro competitions this season. While Everton went out of the Champions League qualifying stage and then in the first round of the Uefa Cup, Bolton made it to the last 32 of the latter tournament.

Their present positions read:

6. Blackburn: Played 29, Pts 46
7. Bolton: Played 27, Pts 45
11. Everton: Played 29, Pts 40

The clubs placed between Bolton and Everton, namely Wigan, West Ham and Manchester City, are also in the reckoning but the Merseysiders are playing better as they continue their climb up the classification from the relegation basement they had visited earlier in the campaign.

This weekend these three clubs will all have home advantage.

Blackburn vs Middlesbrough. Mark Hughes, having been urged by the Rovers board to sign a new contract, replied that he preferred to see his side's position at the end of the campaign before making a decision.

The return of Morten Gamst Pedersen from injury strengthened the midfield in the Rovers' 10th win in the Premiership at Ewood Park against Aston Villa.

Hughes declared after that win that his team was poised to firmly push on for a European place.

After their defiant performance in the Uefa Cup against Roma (through on away goals), Middlesbrough will bid to find their winning form in the League after their lapse at Charlton.

Bolton vs Sunderland. Sam Allardyce's Bolton ought to consolidate their high placing against the division's whipping boys.

The Wanderers, who lost only once at the Reebok Stadium in league commitments (0-1 to Everton) turned in their "best display of the season" according to their manager, in the 4-1 mauling of West Ham.

The two sides met again in midweek at Upton Park in an FA Cup replay and this time the Hammers had the last laugh, qualifying 2-1 after extra time.

The Black Cats still remain in a dark alley even if they changed their man at the helm, as assistant boss Kevin Ball took over on a temporary basis from the dismissed Mick McCarthy.

Everton vs Aston Villa. The Midlanders have a mixed bag of outcomes at Goodison Park in the Premiership.

In the 13 meetings between the duo, the Villa have won four and drew the same number of matches. The biggest winning margin was attained by the Villans 4-1 (Joachim, Charles, Yorke 2 - Madar) in March 1998.

Presently, Everton are on a scoring high as striker James Beattie, derided as a flop signing last season by many of the critics, has been striking goals regularly as he did in his time at Southampton.

In the Cup replay at Manchester City, David O'Leary's team bowed out by the odd goal in three.

Will to win

Fulham vs Chelsea. Chelsea's 2-1 victory against Tottenham put a positive light on the hunger of their players and their great respect towards boss Jose Mourinho after the English champions were knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona.

This was indeed another positive outcome for Chelsea - not many clubs rally round their manager as the Londoners do.

The gem of a goal by William Gallas put the players' minds at rest that they are still the team to beat for honours in England.

Fulham suffered five defeats in six league outings after their 5-1 rout to Liverpool and dropped to fifth from bottom.

West Brom vs Manchester United. Another meeting for Sir Alex Ferguson and his former skipper Bryan Robson after the sides met twice, in the Premiership and the League Cup (fourth round at Old Trafford). Those games went United's way.

The Red Devils extended their good form with a 2-0 victory against Newcastle, their fourth consecutive win in the league.

Wayne Rooney continues to impress with his all-round performances and the Magpies caretaker boss Glenn Roeder, predicted that the England striker would become the best player in the world in three years' time.

Albion were unlucky not to cash in the three points against strugglers Birmingham. Yet, they seem to be the best bet to stay the course and retain their status in the top flight.

Newcastle vs Liverpool. Captain Steven Gerrard, perhaps plagued by the fear of ending on the losing end once more, presented Arsenal with the winning goal in another frustrating afternoon for the Reds fans last Sunday.

Benitez has been concerned about the side's negative approach but in midweek, at home against Fulham, the Reds found their scoring boots in the 5-1 rout in which Robbie Fowler opened his account in his second spell at Anfield.

Newcastle failed in their acid test under Roeder against Manchester United. Roeder will be keen to see his side return to positive form once more at St James' Park where Owen, still recovering from injury, would have looked at this match as a severe challenge against his ex-mates.

Arsenal vs Charlton. Sequel to their remarkable progress in the Champions League, Arsenal continued with their encouraging displays to sink Liverpool and gain three priceless points in their bid to finish in the top four.

Arsene Wenger admitted that David Beckham will be a great asset to the side but added that he had not made any enquires for the Real Madrid midfielder.

Sol Campbell and Robin Van Persie are on the mend and could be included in the squad today. Charlton's boss Alan Curbishley, who has been interviewed for the England job, said he he was "totally committed" to the Valiants, just before their home win over Middlesbrough.

Birmingham vs Tottenham. Both sides were after a better performance in their last excursion. Spurs appeared to have gathered what looked like a well-deserved point at Chelsea but they succumbed late in the match.

Birmingham, outwitted in their Midland derby, were lucky to grab a point against West Brom.

The Brummies will be in front of their own fans in their first of the four remaining matches at St Andrews, and must add to their points' home tally if they want to remain in the big boys' brigade.

Spurs failed to win in the only three clashes with the Blues in the League in the Midlands. Their last victory arrived in Division One in 1985-86, 2-1 (Stevens, Waddle - Kennedy).

Manchester City vs Wigan. The Citizens moved into the last eight of the FA Cup at the expense of Aston Villa following their 2-1 win in a replay.

City have won once in the league in the last three encounters and will be keen to put one over the Latics after they lost by the odd goal in seven on Boxing Day.

Wigan returned to winning ways at Sunderland following a sequence of eight league and cup matches without a win.

West Ham vs Portsmouth. Harry Redknapp was glad to watch the south coast side register a three pointer for only the third time since he took over at Fratton Park at the start of December.

They are still six points beneath the fourth-from-bottom club but have high hopes that this win will give them the confidence needed for the struggles ahead.

The Hammers through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup,will be involved in their first Premiership clash against Pompey at Upton Park.

Their last meeting in the league at such venue occurred in Division One in 1992-93 when the Hammers won 2-0 (Morley, Foster).