Arsenal must beat United to keep slim title hopes alive

After last Sunday's 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough, Manchester United must take all points from the match at home to Arsenal tomorrow to strengthen their chances of retaining the league crown.

A win for United would end the Gunners' flickering hopes as well as enabling Alex Ferguson's side to stay ahead of second-placed Chelsea who entertain Wigan at Stamford Bridge on Monday night.

The Premier League's leading trio were involved in Champions League semi-finals in midweek.

In the all-English clash, Liverpool edged Arsenal 4-2 in one of the most thrilling matches since the beginning of the competition. Manchester United did the double on Roma, beating them 1-0 at Old Trafford despite fielding a weakened side.

Back to the domestic front, Manchester United, who have a superior goal difference than their rivals, salvaged a point in a difficult match at Middlesbrough.

As in previous commitments with the Red Devils, Middlesbrough showed the kind of determination that kept their opponents on their toes till the final whistle.

Tomorrow, United take on Arsenal at Old Trafford where United have lost only once this season, way back in August against neighbours Manchester City.

In their last seven Premier League matches, Arsenal have won only once, dropping 13 points from 21.

Earlier this season, United hammered the Londoners 4-0 (Rooney, Fletcher 2, Nani) at Old Trafford in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Yet, in the Premier League last season, Arsenal achieved the double over their rivals with a 2-1 (Van Persie, Henry - Rooney) home win and a 1-0 (Adebayor) away victory.

Against Wigan, Chelsea will be keen to stretch their home league record to an amazing 80 matches. This streak is the best in the Premiership as well as in the history of top-flight football in England.

The run started against Fulham in 2003-04, six matches from the end of the campaign (last home loss 1-2 against Arsenal) when Italian Claudio Ranieri was at the helm.

Jose Mourinho took over at the start of season 2004-05. Avram Grant continued the positive streak to maintain his side's chances of leapfrogging the front-runners.

The tussle for the fourth and final spot in the Champions League is between Merseyside duo Everton and Liverpool. At present, Liverpool have a three-point lead over their neighbours and a better goal difference.

Their remaining five fixtures are:

Liverpool
Tomorrow: Home vs Blackburn.
April 19: Away vs Fulham.
April 26: Away vs Birmingham.
May 3: Home vs Manchester City.
May 11: Away vs Tottenham.

Everton
Today: Away vs Birmingham.
April 17: Home vs Chelsea.
Sunday 27: Home vs Aston Villa.
May 3: Away vs Arsenal.
May 11: Home vs Newcastle.

Despite presenting a depleted side for their Premier League match at Arsenal last weekend, Liverpool still earned a point to keep the daylight between them and Everton who won against bottom side Derby County at Goodison Park last week.

Striker Peter Crouch has shown manager Rafael Benitez that he still has a knack for goals.

Liverpool will be cautious about the prospect of playing the hard-tackling Rovers in the final stages of the campaign when so much is at stake.

At St Andrews, Everton will be engaged in the 'battle of the blues' against strugglers Birmingham.

It is also a duel between two fine Scottish managers, David Moyes, of Everton, and City counterpart Alex McLeish.

Relegation fight

While Derby were demoted two weeks ago, Fulham are walking on a tightrope and appear to be the next side to follow the Rams into the Championship.

Reading, Birmingham, Bolton and Fulham are the quartet in dire straits with two of them set to walk the plank at the end of the season.

The remaining fixtures, with all four teams having played 33 games, read:

Reading - 32 points
Today: Home vs Fulham.
April 19: Away vs Arsenal.
April 26: Away vs Wigan.
May 3: Home vs Tottenham.
May 11: Away vs Derby.

Birmingham - 30 points
Today: Home vs Everton.
April 20: Away vs Aston Villa.
April 26: Home vs Liverpool.
May 3: Away vs Fulham.
May 11: Home vs Blackburn.

Bolton - 26 points
Today: Home vs West Ham.
April 19: Away vs Middlesbrough.
April 26: Away vs Tottenham.
May 3: Home vs Sunderland.
May 11: Away vs Chelsea.

Fulham - 24 points
Today: Away vs Reading
April 19: Home vs Liverpool.
April 26: Away vs Man. City.
May 3: Home vs Birmingham.
May 11: Away vs Portsmouth.

An intriguing relegation encounter is on this afternoon at the Madejski Stadium where Reading host Fulham. A blow for the Royals is that defender Sam Sodje could miss the rest of the season after suffering a broken toe.

Fulham, the Cottagers, need to improve their results in the last five games to have any chance of avoiding the drop.

Embattled Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has admitted that his players have 'hit the wall' as the club are on the brink of losing their status.

Kevin Keegan is finally hitting the right notes at Newcastle.

After winning three matches on the trot (conceding only one goal) for the first time this season, the Magpies will be looking to keep their winning sequence going when visiting FA Cup finalists Portsmouth this evening.