As the 16th Premier League campaign enters its final weekend, champions Manchester United are still in the driving seat. Victory at Wigan tomorrow will keep the Premier League trophy at Old Trafford, whatever the outcome of the Chelsea-Bolton match.
The same quartet of teams that finished in the top four last season, namely Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, will again play in the Champions League.
Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan has lamented that the other clubs have a near impossible task to break the hold of the big four and claim a place in the Champions League.
UEFA president Michel Platini has remarked that he cannot see English clubs maintain their dominance in Europe's top competition as they have this season. Three English teams reached the semi-finals of the Champions League with Manchester United and Chelsea setting up an all-English showdown in Moscow.
After Barcelona's elimination to Manchester United, coach Frank Rijkaard tried to belittle English football, claiming that English clubs are not favourites with the purists and the neutrals of the game. Yet, the Premier League is the richest and most popular football competition in the world.
In the Premiership, there is still one UEFA Cup place up for grabs and massive financial rewards for all clubs, depending on where they finish in the final classification.
The parachute payment for the side at rock bottom, Derby County, has now gone up to £30 million. Much more is in store for all the teams that finish above them. The relegation issue will also be settled tomorrow.
Alex Ferguson's United have underlined their reputation as the best top-flight team by getting the highest number of points from matches between the top four sides that include Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
The Red Devils have taken over at the top of the 'elite mini-league' with a total of 13 points from six direct matches after finishing second last season. Chelsea are second on eight points with Arsenal (6) and Liverpool (4) third and fourth respectively.
Outcomes of matches between top-four teams:
Manchester United: Chelsea − home 2-0, away 1-2; Arsenal − away 2-2, home 2-1; Liverpool − away 1-0, home 3-0.
Chelsea: Liverpool − away 1-1, home 0-0; Manchester United − away 0-2, home 2-1; Arsenal − away 0-1, home 2-1.
Arsenal: Liverpool − away 1-1, home 1-1; Manchester United − home 2-2, away 1-2; Chelsea − home 1-0, away 1-2.
Liverpool: Chelsea − home 1-1, away 0-0; Arsenal − home 1-1, away 1-1, Manchester United − home 0-1, away 0-3.
Data above shows that Manchester United are the only side to achieve a double of wins in their clashes with fellow top-four teams, against Liverpool. United also boast the most prolific attack (11 goals scored) and the best defensive record of only five goals conceded.
None of the four teams managed to stay undefeated but United had the biggest number of wins - four.
Crown at stake at the JJB
Wigan can prove to be a hard nut to crack for leaders Man. United after they secured their Premier League status last weekend.
However, United will have other ideas as they will be seeking to settle the issue as early as possible and make sure of retaining the Premier League crown.
Chelsea have the same objective as United in their home clash with Bolton Wanderers but they know that their title hopes hinge on the outcome of the match at the JJB Stadium.
Everton remain in pole position for the remaining UEFA Cup slot despite losing at Arsenal after their rivals Aston Villa suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Wigan. Since the two sides have the same goal difference, the Midlanders must better Everton's goal stats tomorrow to have a chance of qualifying for the UEFA Cup.
Everton entertain Newcastle at Goodison Park while Aston Villa take on West Ham at Upton Park. Everton will again be without the injured Mikel Arteta. Manager David Moyes said the fact that the race for the last UEFA Cup spot will be decided on the last day, adds to the entertainment value of the Premier League.
The Midlanders will be chasing their first league win in the capital this season. In the four league visits to London this season, Aston Villa scored a total of 10 goals but still failed to chalk up a three-pointer: Tottenham 4-4, Chelsea 4-4, Fulham 1-2, Arsenal 1-1.
At West Ham, Swedish defender Olof Mellberg, who has given seven loyal years to the clarets, will be playing his last game before he joins Juventus.
Relegation fight
Two clubs from Birmingham, Reading and Fulham must join Derby in the Championship at the end of tomorrow's final round of matches. Birmingham, on 32 points, have one less than their rivals, yet they boast the best goal difference of the three on -19. Fulham are on -23 and Reading on -29.
Birmingham will have home advantage against Blackburn but Reading visit relegated Derby and Fulham are away to Portsmouth.
The Blues must keep a watchful eye on Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz. His double in the 3-1 defeat of Derby brought his league tally to 19 goals. Birmingham chairman David Gold claimed that manager Alex McLeish still has the confidence of the club's board members despite the team's precarious position. Gold has assured McLeish that he will not be sacked even if the Blues are relegated.
Derby's dismal performances this season are the main source of optimism for Reading who will go all out to grab three points and end a run of six outings without a league win.
Derby have now officially become the worst team in Premier League history after they suffered their 28th loss of the season at Blackburn.
Londoners Fulham have won three of their last four league matches and hope to extend this positive run to enhance their chances of survival when they visit FA Cup finalists Portsmouth. Roy Hodgson commented that, even in the most difficult moments, Fulham never gave up hope of staying up.
Since Pompey booked their place in the FA Cup final at Wembley following their win over West Brom, they have won only once in five Premier League matches.