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Relegation dogfight reaches fever pitch

Dimitar Berbatov - the league's joint top-scorer - will look to cash in against beleaguered Blackpool © Getty Images

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Betting: Wolves and Blackburn to share spoils

One of the most compelling Premier League campaigns on record reaches its conclusion on Sunday, with all 20 teams playing their final matches of a gripping season. Newly-crowned champions Manchester United host relegation-threatened Blackpool, with Ian Holloway's side desperate to spoil the title celebrations at Old Trafford and avoid the drop. Elsewhere, Tottenham face Carling Cup winners Birmingham, who are fighting for survival, while Wolves and Wigan aim to retain their Premier League status with respective fixtures against Blackburn and Stoke.

Sunday

Manchester United v Blackpool
Form: Fresh from securing a 12th Premier League crown with a 1-1 draw at Blackburn, Sir Alex Ferguson has the luxury of being able to rest star names ahead of United's meeting with Barcelona in the Champions League final. Blackpool are faced with a multitude of scenarios, fully aware they could lose and stay up and win but go down. United have been imperious at home, winning all but one of 18 games, while goal-hungry Blackpool have claimed five scalps on their travels.
Key battle: Anderson is unlikely to get the nod to start at Wembley so he'll be keen to put in a monumental display to force his way into Ferguson's plans. Charlie Adam's future remains up in the air but the midfielder will be determined to put on a show for the Tangerines, for possibly the last time.
Player to watch: Dimitar Berbatov may have played a supportive role in recent weeks but the Bulgarian remains the league's joint leading scorer with Manchester City's Carlos Tevez, so expect him to be on the prowl for goal No. 21 and a possible Golden Boot.
Talking point: With United's date with Barcelona still over a week away, how should Ferguson strike the balance between keeping his squad fresh while ensuring they remain active?
Bet of the day: United to win 2-1: 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

Aston Villa v Liverpool
Form: Liverpool must beat Villa and hope Birmingham do them a favour at Spurs if they are to reclaim their Europa League spot for next term. The Reds' defeat to Spurs last time out ended a run of three straight victories but a fifth-placed finish is still conceivable. Prize money is all that is at stake for the home side - victory could lift them as high as ninth, results pending. Currently languishing in 13th spot, Villa have an opportunity to end the season on a high.
Key battle: Luis Suarez has turned in a series of impressive performances lately and he may have too much in his locker for Richard Dunne.
Player to watch: Darren Bent returned to form with two classy goals at Arsenal and the striker will be hunting his 18th in the league in front of the Villa faithful.
Talking point: Will this be Ashley Young's final appearance in a Villa shirt? Another dazzling display will have a number of clubs reaching for the cheque book.
Bet of the day: Bent to score first and Liverpool to win 2-1: 65/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-2

Bolton v Manchester City
Form: A City win would ensure they automatically book a berth in the group stages of the Champions League, although if Arsenal lose they won't even need a point against Wanderers. Embarrassingly, the Sky Blues are winless at the Reebok in their last five league visits, failing to score in four of those games. However, their task is hardly an impossible one when you consider Bolton are on the verge of becoming the fourth team this season to rack up five successive defeats.
Key battle: Gary Cahill will be aiming to salvage pride after Bolton's recent misdemeanours at the back. If he can keep the enigmatic Carlos Tevez on a short leash then Owen Coyle's side stand a reasonable chance of getting something from the game.
Player to watch: Carlos Tevez is in the running for the Golden Boot and he will be as keen as anyone to heap woe on Bolton's wilting defence.
Talking point: With City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak appearing to rule out a mega summer spree, can the Eastlands club realistically challenge for the title next season?
Bet of the day: Tevez to score first and City to win 2-1: 25/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-2

Everton v Chelsea
Form: Everton have little to play for - they cannot move higher than their current seventh spot, and can only move down to eighth if they lose and Fulham win. The Toffees have three wins, two losses and a draw in their last six games, while Chelsea - even more secure in second in the table - had won four in a row before defeat to Manchester United and last week's draw with Newcastle.
Key battle: Josh McEachran and Jack Rodwell. With little to play for, youngsters may well get their opportunity in this one. McEachran will want to put down a marker for next season, while Rodwell needs to impress after slightly disappointing Toffees staff with his progress in recent months.
Player to watch: Didier Drogba. It could well prove to be the Ivorian's last game for the Blues - he will want to sign off with a bang against a club he has previously enjoyed some success against.
Talking point: At the end of another season where David Moyes' side look destined to finish comfortably in the top half, could they be challenging for European qualification if only they learned how to start a season well?
Bet of the day: Everton to win looks fairly attractive, considering Chelsea's lack of incentive and their most recent display against Newcastle: 21/10 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

Robin van Persie has been in fine fettle, even if his team-mates haven't © PA Photos

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Fulham v Arsenal
Form: If Fulham manage to avoid any drastic disciplinary problems, and Spurs finish above Liverpool, then they will secure a Europa League spot for next season, owing to their strong position in the Fair Play League. Their form has been erratic to say the least - after back-to-back 3-0 wins they shipped five against a rampant Liverpool, before earning a rare away triumph over Birmingham. If City slip up Arsenal can still snatch third place in the table, but they've lost their last two so the camel's back may finally have broken.
Key battle: Aaron Ramsey has been full of energy since his return from injury, even if his team-mates haven't been at full tilt. Danny Murphy is getting long in the tooth but he will give the Welshman a tough time for as long as his legs allow.
Player to watch: Robin van Persie has found the back of the net in six of his last seven appearances, helping him reach 21 for the season in all competitions.
Talking point: Jack Wilshere has been included in the provisional squad for the European U21 Championships and club boss Arsene Wenger is far from happy about it. With the youngster likely to require rest at the start of next season, perhaps Wenger will be forced to delve into the transfer market.
Bet of the day: Van Persie to score first and a 1-1 draw: 30/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

Newcastle v West Brom
Form: Newcastle currently occupy 12th spot in the table but three points against fellow promoted side West Brom could take them as high as ninth. It's hard to predict what Newcastle outfit will turn up on the day - they've lost, won and drawn their last three fixtures. West Brom secured their first clean sheet since the second game of the season when they edged out Everton 1-0 in their final home match of the campaign at the Hawthorns. The Baggies have lost 10 of 18 away fixtures, conceding 38 goals along the way so there are wrongs to right.
Key battle: Steven Taylor pinched a stoppage-time equaliser to earn Newcastle a point against Chelsea last weekend but it is his defending that will fall under the microscope when the impressive Peter Odemwingie arrives at St James' Park.
Player to watch: Odemwingie has been a central figure in West Brom's revival under Roy Hodgson and he'll need to fire if the Baggies are to sign off for the summer with a bang.
Talking point: Nile Ranger was reprimanded earlier in the week for posing with a replica handgun. Let's hope their strikers don't forget to pull the trigger in front of goal.
Bet of the day: A 2-2 draw: 11/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-2

Stoke v Wigan
Form: After a terrific season, fatigue seems to be getting the better of Stoke. The FA Cup finalists appear to be running out of steam and they were far from their usual combative self when they lost 3-0 to Manchester City in the league, three days after losing to them at Wembley. A top-10 finish is on the cards but they will line up against a Wigan side who are fighting for their lives. A dramatic 3-2 win over West Ham gave the Latics a lifeline but realistically they need three points at the Britannia Stadium to stand a chance of staying up.
Key battle: Jon Walters has said that Stoke are up for this one and, if that's the case, then Gary Caldwell will need to be on his mettle at the back for the visitors.
Player to watch: Charles N'Zogbia has been a revelation this season and the 24-year-old could move on to pastures new in the summer, with his reputation likely to be further enhanced if he helps Wigan avoid the drop.
Talking point: Stoke manager Tony Pulis has admitted it may be difficult for the club to improve on what they have achieved this season. Who could they bring in to help revitalise a jaded squad?
Bet of the day: N'Zogbia to score first and a 1-1 draw: 45/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

Tottenham v Birmingham
Form: The prospect of Birmingham playing Europa League football in a Championship ground could become a reality unless the Blues match the results of Blackpool and Wigan. The Carling Cup winners have only won twice since their Wembley heroics, while they are without a win on their travels since overturning West Ham more than three months ago. Spurs snapped a five-match winless run at Anfield last time out.
Key battle: Lee Bowyer make not be capable of the barnstorming runs into the box that he once was but he still enjoys linking the play from midfield. Sandro's tracking capabilities will be tested by the canny operator.
Player to watch: Rafael van der Vaart got back to scoring ways against Liverpool, the Dutchman lashing home from 20 yards. He's been absent in mind, if not in body in recent weeks but he could finish the campaign with a flourish.
Talking point: Birmingham's back line has never looked stable since Scott Dann's injury at the beginning of the year. Defensive reinforcements will be a priority come the summer.
Bet of the day: A 1-1 draw: 13/2 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

An in-form Steven Fletcher could be crucial to Wolves' hopes of escaping relegation © PA Photos

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West Ham v Sunderland
Form: West Ham's fate was sealed when they threw away a two-goal lead to lose at Wigan. The Hammers haven't won since March 5, and they've lost six of their last seven. Sunderland are safe but they've been very inconsistent in recent weeks, enjoying only two victories from their last 13 league games.
Key battle: Demba Ba has made the headlines for all the wrong reasons this week and he'll be eager to let his feet do the talking on Sunday. John Mensah isn't one to take a backward step so their head-to-head contest promises much.
Player to watch: The match could be Scott Parker's swansong. He's given everything to the cause and he'll be determined to give the Upton Park faithful something to smile about.
Talking point: Any side that wins seven games in a season is going to struggle. With a host of players destined for the Upton Park exit door, are they heading for a long stay in the Championship?
Bet of the day: Ba to score two goals: 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

Wolves v Blackburn
Form: Wolves have won their last two on the trot, an improvement on their previous mish-mash of two draws and two defeats. Blackburn, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last three - although they have nevertheless only picked up six points from their last six games.
Key battle: Assuming the game doesn't deteriorate into a staid, defensive encounter, the match could hinge on which of the team's two flying wingers, Matt Jarvis and Martin Olsson, has the bigger impact.
Player to watch: Steven Fletcher. The Scot has stepped up in the absence of Kevin Doyle - most notably against West Brom - and, as arguably the most clinical finisher McCarthy has at his disposal, will likely be called on again to make a decisive contribution.
Talking point: Both sides can stay up with a draw, should results elsewhere go their way. Will both managers play things safe initially, and wait to see the lie of the land in the final 20 minutes, or will they go all out for the victory that will secure safety regardless of results elsewhere from the off?
Bet of the day: The game could go a number of ways - either a barnstorming shootout or a drab non-event - and, considering that, odds on a 0-0 draw look worth a punt: 10/1 with bet365
Prediction: 0-0

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