Two relegation spots are still unfilled going into the final day of the Premiership season.
Fulham start the day in pole position but have arguably the hardest of the relegation battle fixtures. Of the three relegation-threatened teams only one will survive.
This weekend's fixtures
Birmingham v Blackburn
Birmingham were beaten 2-0 at Craven Cottage last weekend. The Blues now sit one point adrift of safety and face a tricky home tie against Blackburn Rovers on the final day.
Blackburn came from behind to earn a comfortable home win over Derby County last weekend. A victory for Rovers could see them finish in sixth place. Should both Fulham and Reading lose, a draw will keep Birmingham up due to their superior goal difference.
Ideal result: Blackburn win
Chelsea v Bolton
Bolton virtually guaranteed their Premiership status last week with a 2-0 victory over Sunderland at the Reebok Stadium. The Trotters now sit on 36 points and can only realistically be overtaken by Fulham, who are only five goals worse in terms of goal difference.
Chelsea are still in the hunt for the title after Michael Ballack and Florent Malouda handed them a deserved win against Newcastle and ensured the title race will go down to the final day. It will certainly not be an easy afternoon for the Trotters.
Ideal result: Chelsea win
Derby v Reading
Fellow survival contenders Reading face an away trip to Derby County on the final day. The Royals are in the relegation zone on goal difference alone – having secured the same number of points as Fulham.
The Royals have now failed to score in their last six games but will be coming up against a Derby side that has conceded a total of 85 league goals this season.
Ideal result: Derby win
Portsmouth v Fulham
Fulham finally moved out of the bottom three thanks to last weekend’s 2-0 win over Birmingham City at Craven Cottage. Put simply, the Whites now have their fate largely in their own hands.
Barring a very high-scoring Reading win over Derby, should Fulham win against Portsmouth the Whites will have guaranteed their Premiership status. At the very least, the Whites will have to match or better Birmingham and Reading’s results.
Ideal result: Fulham win
As it Stands
|
16
|
Bolton
|
37
|
9
|
9
|
19
|
35
|
53
|
-18
|
36
|
|
17
|
Fulham
|
37
|
7
|
12
|
18
|
37
|
60
|
-23
|
33
|
|
18
|
Reading
|
37
|
9
|
6
|
22
|
37
|
66
|
-29
|
33
|
|
19
|
Birmingham
|
37
|
7
|
11
|
19
|
42
|
61
|
-19
|
32
|
|
20
|
Derby
|
37
|
1
|
8
|
28
|
20
|
85
|
-65
|
11
|
