Chris Maduewesi
Member
Mathematically four clubs can still win the English Premier League and also an additional two can crash in on Champions League qualification next season.
Surely it will be a cliffhanger,but it could be an anti-climax for some,especially those who have at different times manned the top spot only to relinquish it to another team.
With only one winner come May,those who temporarily topped the table could only but rue a missed opportunity.
Well like they say: "opportunities are never missed,someone else would take that one that you missed."
In no particular order: Manchester City,Arsenal,Liverpool and Chelsea have at one stage topped the log,looking like they would win the league at those times,but with six games to the end of the season,there isn''t much to separate between them.
What a run that Liverpool is having at the moment,currently topping and looking like they would finally break their 24-year hoodoo of not having won the Premier League title.
Of all the teams chasing the title,it is a straightforward thing for Liverpool now,win all their remaining games and they would be crowned champions since 1990.
Easy it sounds right? but how about evaluating it this way,that they have tough fixtures against Manchester City and Chelsea,which could all but sum up the season for them.
An advantage for Liverpool is that those games would be played at Anfield in front of the Kop which should count for their own good,but could they be overwhelmed with enormous pressure?
Well at this stage,every game matters with those still scrapping to beat the drop,but we picked out these as the top games to keep an eye.
Everton vs Arsenal:
How times have changed that a tie between Everton and Arsenal has now become the star game of the week.
Most importantly so because of what the outcome of this tie can portend to the season of either team.
Arsenal travel to Goodison park looking to secure all three points that will still keep them in the hunt for the title,while Everton would love to continue their fairy-tale run of Champions League qualification.
When asked who he thinks will win the title,Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: "I don't know who'll win Premier League"adding: "See,danger can come from everywhere."
Is it open admittance that their league could be over if they fail to win against Everton on Sunday?
Roberto Martinez has done a remarkable job with Everton this season and little wonder he has been touted as Wenger's possible replacement,when eventually the Frenchman steps aside.
The importance of this game is that a win would see Everton move to within a point of Arsenal and even with an outstanding game.
So they might even usurp Arsenal from their 'regular' fourth spot in recent seasons,and make the Champions League
Everton vs Arsenal
Nigerian Bulletin's prediction: 2-1
BBC's Mark Lawrenson: 1-1
Alan Shearer 1-1
Newcastle vs Manchester United:
It could be seen as an inconsequential game,because both teams have little or nothing to fight for again in the remainder of the season.
How has the mighty fallen,that United will at the stage not be fighting for the league title,or within Champions League qualification by virtue of of league position.
So what would be the attraction in this game against Newcastle that has produced spark in previous meetings?
Europa league qualification on the horizon?but United will be setting their sights on the midweek their Champions league quarterfinal return leg against Bayern Munich.
That is all that is left of their season,win the game against Bayern and David Moyes has all both secured his future at United.
So you wouldn't expect Moyes to throw all his eggs into the game. Reasons why this game made it to the top ones to watch out for is because of the past meetings between Newcastle and United,and also a loss for United would throw an argument whether Moyes is up to the task at Old Trafford.
Newcastle vs Manchester United
Nigerian Bulletin: 1- 3
Lawro : 1-2
Shearer 0-2
West Ham vs Liverpool:
Liverpool have succeeded in raising the bar this season that they can't afford to crash the hopes of their supporters now.
They sense and feel that this is their opportunity to break that duck and end that 'vicious cycle' which have seen them not win a league title in over 24 years.
Liverpool travel to Upton Park,one of the most difficult grounds to get results at, looking to get all three points in the bag.
You have to do it the hard way to grind out results,and the Hammers are hoping to confirm their Premier League status for next season,they would be less charitable.
With home games against City and Chelsea,these are the type of games Liverpool must win,so that a draw in the games against the big boys will not feel like a defeat.
If Luis Suarez continues with his spectacular form,then Liverpool have a sure-banker of goals return. Add Daniel Sturridge to the mix with the pace of Raheem Sterling,and they are a 'kill'.
Anything short of a win against West Ham would all but end their title hopes,and hand the initiative to City who have more outstanding games.
West Ham vs Liverpool
Nigerian bulletin: 2-3
Lawro's prediction: 1-2
Shearer's prediction: 2-2