Quartet of clubs strive to earn Champions League place
Revived Trotters host leaders Man. United today
The battle for a place in the Champions League, via the fourth place, is getting more fierce as the Premiership campaign intensifies.
The first three places are practically secured with leaders Manchester United and close pursuers Chelsea and Arsenal in a league of their own at the top of the standings.
Tottenham, Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa are the sides looking to book a ticket for UEFA's elite competition for clubs.
Mathematically, others could still mingle with this quartet yet the four teams mentioned are the likely ones to battle for the remaining European Cup spot.
Their remaining fixtures read:
Tottenham Hotspur
Today
Home vs Portsmouth
Saturday, April 3
Away vs Sunderland
Sunday, April 11
FA Cup semi-final
(Wembley) vs Portsmouth
Saturday, April 17
Home vs Chelsea
Sunday, April 25
Away vs Man. United
Saturday, May 1
Home vs Bolton
Wednesday, May 5
Away vs Man. City
Sunday, May 9
Away vs Burnley
To be arranged:
Home vs Arsenal
Manchester City
Monday
Home vs Wigan
Saturday, April 3
Away vs Burnley
Sunday, April 11
Home vs Birmingham
Saturday, April 17
Home vs Man. United
Saturday, April 24
Away vs Arsenal
Saturday, May 1
Home vs Aston Villa
Wednesday, May 5
Home vs Tottenham
Sunday, May 9
Away vs West Ham
Liverpool
Tomorrow
Home vs Sunderland
Thursday, April 1
Europa League
Away vs Benfica
Sunday, April 4
Away vs Birmingham
Thursday, April 8
Europa League
Home vs Benfica
Sunday, April 11
Home vs Fulham
Monday, April 19
Home vs West Ham
Saturday, April 24
Away vs Burnley
Saturday, May 1
Home vs Chelsea
Sunday, May 9
Away vs Hull
Aston Villa
Today
Away vs Chelsea
Saturday, April 3
Away vs Bolton
Saturday, April 10
FA Cup semi-final
Wembley vs Chelsea
Wednesday, April 14
Home vs Everton
Sunday, April 18
Away vs Portsmouth
Wednesday, April 21
Away vs Hull
Sunday, April 25
Home vs Birmingham
Saturday, May 1
Away vs Man. City
Sunday, May 9
Home vs Blackburn
Manchester United regained top place last week after their home win over Liverpool, who are now in danger of missing out on the Champions League next season.
This evening, the Red Devils play Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.
United have the best goal difference of the trio chasing the crown but Alex Ferguson is banking on his reliable and experienced defence to see them home and retain the title.
Manager Owen Coyle has indeed lifted Bolton since he joined them from Burnley.
There are seven fixtures left to the end of the season but the Trotters appear handily placed to secure another year in the top echelon - their 10th in succession.
The two points dropped at Blackburn Rovers last week could cost Chelsea dear in the end even if they picked themselves up to thrash Portsmouth away in midweek.
Favourites
Manager Carlo Ancelotti remarked that Manchester United are now the net favourites for the crown as today the Blues will face another hard task in their duel with Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.
The Villans were also in action in midweek but only managed one point from their home match against Sunderland.
Even if Chelsea only earned a draw at Blackburn, the superstitious fans were still somewhat relieved since the 1-1 outcome was their first positive result while donning the hooped shirts following upsets to Aston Villa, Wigan, Blackburn (League Cup) and Manchester City in the same away kit.
Third-placed Arsenal have won their last six Premier League matches and if their form persists they will give United and Chelsea a very hard time despite not ranking among the favourites for the crown at the start of the season.
Today, the Gunners travel to the Midlands to play Birmingham.
Captain Cesc Fabregas said Arsenal showed that they can cope without him when injured and added that he never doubted the side's title credentials.
Alex McLeish's Birmingham City have lost some of their sparkle lately, having won once in the last five matches.
Yet, they will be buoyed by their home record, losing only twice.