Paul Rogers 21 April 2005

While Liverpool, Everton and Bolton fight it out for fourth place, no fewer than nine other sides will play a huge role in deciding who grabs the final Premiership ticket into the Champions League.
Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Birmingham, Chelsea, Fulham, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Arsenal could all influence the outcome of the race for fourth. Here we look at the 12 matches and 12 teams who could make and break a league season for three clubs...

23 April 2005

ASTON VILLA V BOLTON, 15:00

What's at stake for Aston Villa?
Just two points off 7th position and a place in next season's UEFA Cup.

Aston Villa's last five home results
Aston Villa 1 - 1 West Brom
Aston Villa 0 - 0 Charlton
Aston Villa 2 - 0 Middlesbrough
Aston Villa 1 - 2 Everton
Aston Villa 1 - 3 Arsenal

CRYSTAL PALACE V LIVERPOOL, 15:00

What's at stake for Crystal Palace?
Battling for their Premiership future, Palace are just two points away from the safety of 17th place.

Crystal Place's last five home games
Crystal Palace 3 - 3 Norwich
Crystal Palace 0 - 1 Middlesbrough
Crystal Palace 0 - 0 Manchester United
Crystal Palace 2 - 0 Birmingham
Crystal Palace 0 - 1 Bolton

EVERTON V BIRMINGHAM, 12:30

What's at stake for Birmingham?
Only personal pride after losing 3-nil away to Manchester City on Wednesday. With a ten-point cushion above the relegation zone and 10 points behind the final UEFA Cup place, Birmingham's season is effectively over.

Birmingham's last five away games
Manchester City 3 - 0 Birmingham
Chelsea 1 - 1 Birmingham
West Brom 2 - 0 Birmingham
Crystal Palace 2 - 0 Birmingham
Manchester United 2 - 0 Birmingham

30 April 2005

BOLTON V CHELSEA, 17:15

What's at stake for Chelsea?
If Chelsea beat Fulham on Saturday and Arsenal fail to beat Tottenham on Monday, Chelsea will already be crowned Champions and this match may prove meaningless for them. With the title possibly already in the bag, Chelsea could rest all their key players ahead of the return leg of the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool.

Chelsea's last five away games
Southampton 1 - 3 Chelsea
Norwich 1 - 3 Chelsea
Newcastle 1 - 0 Chelsea
Everton 0 - 1 Chelsea
Blackburn 0 - 1 Chelsea

FULHAM V EVERTON, 15:00

What's at stake for Fulham?
Although they appear safe from relegation at the time of writing, if results change dramatically Fulham could be dragged back into the dogfight to avoid the drop.

Fulham's last five home games
Fulham 1 - 1 Manchester City
Fulham 3 - 1 Portsmouth
Fulham 0 - 0 Charlton
Fulham 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Fulham 1 - 0 West Brom

LIVERPOOL V MIDDLESBROUGH, 15:00

What's at stake for Middlesbrough?
At the time of writing, Steve McClaren's side are just two points off the final UEFA Cup place and will not give up the battle for another crack at Europe next season until it's mathematically impossible to clinch at least 7th place.

Middlesbrough's last five away games
Crystal Palace 0 - 1 Middlesbrough
Aston Villa 2 - 0 Middlesbrough
Bolton 0 - 0 Middlesbrough
Portsmouth 2 - 1 Middlesbrough
Norwich 4 - 4 Middlesbrough

07 May 2005

EVERTON V NEWCASTLE, 15:00

What's at stake for Newcastle?
Only personal pride after losing 2-1 away to Norwich on Wednesday. With a ten-point cushion above the relegation zone and 10 points behind the final UEFA Cup place, Newcastle's season is effectively over.

Newcastle's last five away games
Norwich 2 - 1 Newcastle
Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 0 Newcastle
Portsmouth 1 - 1 Newcastle
Manchester City 1 - 1 Newcastle
Arsenal 1 - 0 Newcastle

PORTSMOUTH V BOLTON, 15:00

What's at stake for Portsmouth?
Could well be safe from the drop by the time this game takes place. However, their seven-point cushion over Southampton could easily crumble and they may still be fighting for their Premiership future.

Portsmouth's last five home games
Portsmouth 1 - 2 Liverpool
Portsmouth 4 - 2 Charlton
Portsmouth 1 - 1 Newcastle
Portsmouth 1 - 2 Aston Villa
Portsmouth 2 - 1 Middlesbrough

08 May 2005

ARSENAL V LIVERPOOL, 16:05

What's at stake for Arsenal?
Possibly very little. Automatic qualification for the Champions League might have already been secured with second place in the bag. If Manchester United get their act together, the race for second could still be all to play for with both sides hoping to avoid having to enter the Champions League at the qualifying stage.

Arsenal's last five home games
Arsenal 4 - 1 Norwich
Arsenal 3 - 0 Portsmouth
Arsenal 5 - 1 Crystal Palace
Arsenal 2 - 4 Manchester United
Arsenal 2 - 0 Fulham

11 May 2005

ARSENAL V EVERTON, 20:00

What's at stake for Arsenal?
See above.

15 May 2005

BOLTON V EVERTON, 15:00

LIVERPOOL V ASTON VILLA, 15:00

Link:http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N148573050421-1458.htm