Up for grabs

Sides are desperate for wins with the Premier League campaign drawing to a close

This weekend's Premier League action gives sides a chance to put final touches to excellent campaigns and pull away from danger.

With each passing week the number of sides involved in the relegation battle will lower, with a number of sides realistically just one win from safety.

The title race should also become a lot clearer after this weekend and here I will briefly preview each match and give predictions.

Manchester United v Everton (1245 Saturday)

Everton launched a stunning comeback to draw 3-3 with Man Utd at Goodison Park in September

Man Utd are not in the best of form domestically but this is the time of the season they usually knuckle down and get the job done.

Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez have struck up a great partnership and Rooney will be raring to go here against his former club.

Everton are in good form, as they always seem to be at this time of the season, but will have their work cut out at Old Trafford.

United have won 12 successive home league games and that run is likely to continue here, with Everton missing key players like Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta.

Prediction: 2-1

Aston Villa v Stoke (1500 Saturday)

The absence of Gerard Houllier through health troubles may have affected the Aston Villa players but they are professionals and Gary McAllister will have them up for this game.

They have won two successive games to all but seal safety but may still need one more win to make absolutely sure.

Stoke will be bouncing after their tremendous 5-0 FA Cup semi-final win last Sunday and need the points themselves, and that desire may be enough to help them pick up something at Villa Park.

Both these teams should stay up and this will be a tight affair, with a draw seeming the likely result.

Prediction: 1-1

Blackpool v Newcastle (1500 Saturday)

Charlie Adam and DJ Campbell's goals helped Blackpool to a 2-0 win at St James' Park earlier this season

Both these teams have been tremendous additions to the Premier League this term but it looks like the Seasiders are on a slippery slope back to the Championship.

Their performance against Wigan last weekend was so disappointing and they deserved their 3-1 defeat, so Ian Holloway will need to change their fortunes dramatically to halt their poor run.

Newcastle picked up a good point against Manchester United on Tuesday and are now looking all but safe on 40 points, but will still be desperate for points to ensure a strong end to the season.

It should be an exciting game as both sides have scored plenty of goals this season, but Blackpool need a win and they may struggle to find it here.

Prediction: 2-2

Liverpool v Birmingham (1500 Saturday)

Liverpool showed great mental strength to recover from Arsenal's late, late goal to score themselves and secure a draw at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The side have really pulled together under Kenny Dalglish and look formidable at home, so Birmingham may be in for a long afternoon.

The Blues are in good form though, with last week's win over Sunderland crucial, and have a decent record at Anfield.

But not many will be betting on them getting anything from this game as Kenny's Reds look the real deal.

Prediction: 3-0

Sunderland v Wigan (1500 Saturday)

Sunderland's loss at Birmingham last weekend dragged them right into the relegation battle and they need a win soon to relieve the pressure.

They have many first-team players missing but this is no excuse for the run they have been on - they have just been awful.

Wigan did very well to win at Blackpool last time out and will be confident of staying up as they are now out of the relegation zone.

But the Latics don't win very often and so it would be a major surprise to see them win twice in a row away from home.

Prediction: 1-0

Tottenham v West Brom (1500 Saturday)

Chris Brunt scored in the reverse fixture to earn West Brom a 1-1 draw at the Hawthorns

Tottenham did very well to recover to draw with Arsenal on Wednesday but showed some defensive problems which will need to be rectified if they are to overhaul Manchester City in fourth place.

They are a very exciting side to watch but have dropped some crucial points at home this season and need to make sure this game doesn't fall into that category.

West Brom lost for the first time under Roy Hodgson against Chelsea last weekend but look a decent side and will give it a good go at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham will be determined to put the pressure on City in fourth though and that should be enough to win them this game.

Prediction: 3-1

Wolves v Fulham (1500 Saturday)

Wolves have had two weeks to recover from the 3-0 home loss to Everton and should return to action reinvigorated and ready for a survival battle.

They are in poor form but have played some good football this season and the crowd will be right up for this one at Molineux.

Fulham are looking pretty safe in mid-table but, like so many sides in the Premier League, will still be eyeing one more win to all but secure survival.

There are sure to be plenty of nerves around as Wolves know they need a win here, but that desire should be enough to see them pick up three vital points.

Prediction: 2-0

Chelsea v West Ham (1730 Saturday)

Michael Essien scored twice in Chelsea's 3-1 win at Upton Park in September

Chelsea are still in with a shout of winning the title after some great league form and cannot afford to slip up in any more games this season.

They are still not firing on all cylinders yet but it is very hard to see anything but a Chelsea victory here.

West Ham's survival chances will boil down to their three very winnable home games, with anything they get from Stamford Bridge or Manchester City a bonus.

Those three home games will be nerve-wracking affairs but I fancy them to stay up, although they should come away from Stamford Bridge with nothing.

Prediction: 3-0

Bolton v Arsenal (1600 Sunday)

Bolton will be absolutely desperate to get back on the pitch and try to put last week's 5-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Stoke to bed, as they gave an awful showing of themselves at Wembley.

They must make sure any disappointment at that loss doesn't spill over into their league form as they have had a very good season and at the very least deserve a top-half finish.

Arsenal's title hopes have been hit by draws with Liverpool and Tottenham over the last week and they need to win every game to stand any real chance of overhauling Manchester United.

They should be well up for this game but Bolton will put them under pressure and when Arsenal are put under pressure, they usually crumble.

Prediction: 2-2

Blackburn v Manchester City (2000 Monday)

Joe Hart's error handed Blackburn a 1-1 draw at Eastlands earlier this season

Steve Kean insists he is not worried Blackburn might get relegated but he should be as they are in a horrible run of form.

The fact they are playing on Monday could work out badly for them as they could well be in the bottom three by the time they kick off against City.

City are now under severe pressure from Tottenham for fourth place and have not won away from home in 2011, but will be up for this game after their superb FA Cup semi-final win over fierce rivals Manchester United last Saturday.

Blackburn need points and they need them fast but City should have too much quality for them at Ewood Park.

Prediction: 0-2

With time ticking down on this campaign, nerves will be jangling up and down the country.

Certain battles, like for fourth place and survival, look set to go down to the final day but the title picture should become a lot clearer by the time this weekend is over.

Arsenal and Chelsea simply have to win all their games and hope Man Utd drop points and then lose to each of them, but this could be the weekend Arsenal in particular are finally ruled out of the title race.

United should win the title but the relegation battle is anything but clear-cut and sides must win games now to avoid last-day drama.

No team wants to be involved in 'Survival Sunday'.