Three teams struggle for sole survival place

For some time now, Sunderland have been dead and buried and the big question is who will join them in the relegation dogfight down to the Championship.

Two clubs from the Midlands, Birmingham and West Brom, and south coast outfit Portsmouth are those involved.

From the three clubs promoted last season only Sunderland are doomed as Wigan and West Ham left a good impression and are already sure of their status in the top flight next season.

Last year, West Brom and Portsmouth side-stepped relegation by finishing just above the drop zone. West Brom made it in the very last moments of the campaign.

Yet, Birmingham, who finished 12th in 2005, were not expected to struggle after adding some useful players to their squad.

The remaining fixtures for the struggling trio are...

Birmingham
Away vs Aston Villa (tomorrow)
Home vs Blackburn (Wednesday)
Away vs Everton (April 22)
Home vs Newcastle (April 29)
Away vs Bolton (May 7)

Portsmouth
Home vs Middlesbrough (today)
Away vs Charlton (Monday)
Home vs Sunderland (April 22)
Away vs Wigan (April 29)
Home vs Liverpool (May 7)

West Brom
Away vs Arsenal (today)
Home vs Bolton (Monday)
Away vs Newcastle (April 22)
Home vs West Ham (May 1)
Away vs Everton (May 7)

Arsenal vs West Brom. Arsene Wenger decided to rest two of his most experienced players, Thierry Henry and Freddie Ljungberg, for the clash at Manchester United last weekend and Arsenal finished on the losing end 0-2.

The Frenchman was criticised for not fielding his best team, in the process upsetting the fans, who made the journey to Old Trafford after his unexpected decision.

In midweek, he made other changes and the Gunners were held to a one-all draw at Portsmouth.

West Brom have been hit by a patch of bad luck lately and to escape the dreaded drop they need to get the rub of the green every now and then. At the 0-0 draw against Villa, West Brom had five penalty calls that were all turned down.

Aston Villa vs Birmingham. This is another intriguing Midlands derby that can leave both managers in turmoil.

David O'Leary's future at Villa Park is indeed bleak following the latest spell of negative results that could still land his side in trouble.

Villa are seven points clear from safety and with five matches to go they are not yet through.

Birmingham are undefeated in the last three league games, having earned five points from nine.

Pompey boost

Portsmouth vs Middlesbrough. The draw against Arsenal was a boost for Harry Redknapp's side. He can sign a new contract with Pompey before the relegation battle is over. Boro are in the FA Cup semi-finals after beating Charlton 4-2 on Wednesday.

The Teessiders have not defeated Portsmouth in the five Premiership matches they played so far.

Portsmouth won at home 2-1 and 5-1 and drew the other three matches at Middlesbrough's backyard.

Bolton vs Chelsea. The league leaders' victory against West Ham (0-1 down and with ten men for most of the match) can be the springboard to keep Chelsea going and retain the Premiership crown.

Didier Drogba, who came under heavy criticism lately for his gamesmanship, showed what an asset he can be for the Londoners. Against West Ham, he covered acres of ground to lead his team to victory against all odds.

Bolton, having suffered four straight league defeats, have been cautioned by their boss Sam Allarydce lately. He warned that it would be a disaster for the club if they failed to qualify for Europe.

Blackburn vs Liverpool. The Reds claimed their sixth straight win in league and cup competition in the Anfield triumph over Bolton.

In the Premiership, Liverpool lead the way in the clean sheets list - 21 times.

Against Bolton, Robbie Fowler netted the killer goal on his 31st birthday. The last birthday boy to score for Liverpool was David Burrows (34 on 25-10-92) against Norwich 4-1 (league match).

For the first time this season, Blackburn were involved in successive league draws (home to Wigan, away at Portsmouth).

Everton vs Tottenham. David Moyes is glad that defender Joseph Yobo, who has been a target for other top clubs, will probably put pen to paper on another new deal this month.

Spurs have kept their Champions League hopes alive, presently occupying fourth place, with a home win over Manchester City.

These two founder members of the Premiership have met on 13 consecutive occasions at Goodison Park... the Spurs have only been defeated twice.

West Ham vs Manchester City. This is the third meeting of the duo this season, having crossed swords at the City of Manchester Stadium twice: 2-1 for the Blues (first round) and 1-2 for the Clarets (in the FA Cup quarter-finals).

Greek forward Georgios Samaras has left a positive impact at City and remarked that the English game was the best place for him to improve.

Newcastle vs Wigan. Glenn Roeder was relieved to watch Newcastle return to winning form and claim two successive league wins (at home to Tottenham and away at Middlesbrough).

Wigan have also found the spark that saw them taking the Premiership by storm in the first phase of the campaign. They have lost once in five games.

Fulham vs Charlton. After the FA Cup upset in midweek, Charlton will be involved in their second London derby of the month following the 0-0 draw at West Ham.

Fulham, who saw their match at Sunderland (leading 1-0) 'snowed off', are boosted by the news that Pape Bouba Diop has signed a contract extension to keep him at Craven Cottage until 2009.