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| Manchester City and Stoke will contest the 130th FA Cup final |
Unfortunately, the most famous domestic cup competition in the world has fallen so far down the pecking order in recent years that Premier League fixtures are being held on the same day and threatening to overshadow the occasion.
The FA Cup remains the envy of other countries, but if the FA are not careful it will turn into a non-event.
Tomorrow, Stoke City will win the FA Cup for the first time or Manchester City will win their first trophy in 35 years.
However, Manchester United need just one point at Blackburn in a lunchtime Premier League kick-off to clinch the title, meaning any celebrations at Wembley will be overshadowed.
Surely these Premier League fixtures could have been played in midweek sometime during the season.
Some teams played just twice in March so surely there was an opportunity to play these games then?
The FA Cup is dying a slow and very painful death unless it is given the prominence it deserves.
It should be the main focus of this weekend so it would be a real shame if the winners are not given the recognition they deserve.
Of course, some of the fixtures in the Premier League this weekend are of vital importance, and will provide great drama and tension, but playing these games on the same day as the FA Cup final should not have even been a consideration.
Nonetheless, I will now give my preview and predictions of both the cup final and the league games to assess who will be crying tears of joy and who will be crying tears of anguish.
Manchester City v Stoke (FA Cup final, 1500 Saturday)
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| Matthew Etherington's stoppage-time goal earned Stoke a 1-1 draw against City in their league encounter |
A generation of supporters from both clubs have never experienced a major trophy triumph and so this occasion is one of vital importance and represents a great opportunity for both clubs to end their trophy drought.
Roberto Mancini has been criticised at times this season but if he was to win the FA Cup, coupled with City's qualification for the Champions League, he will go down in the history of the club.
He has built a winning team, albeit spending a lot of money along the way, but deserves praise for the way he has stuck to his principles to deliver success.
Carlos Tevez looks set to be fit for this - although it is unclear whether he will start - and that should be a major boost for City as he is their talisman.
He has dragged the team forward at times this season and his goals have been crucial, and if he is to leave in the summer he would love to sign off by winning a trophy.
They have a team full of match-winners - Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, David Silva and Tevez among others would grace most teams - but must ensure they do not get carried away in the emotion of the occasion.
Stoke's chances may well rest on whether Robert Huth and Matthew Etherington are fit to play.
Both of them are absolutely key to the way Stoke play so it would be a major blow if either of them missed out.
Tony Pulis has done an unbelievable job at the Britannia Stadium and deserves his day in the sun.
It was incredible just to lead the Potters to the Premier League but to stabilise them there and reach the FA Cup final is a remarkable achievement.
Stoke knocked City out of the FA Cup at the fifth round stage last season and have caused them problems in the past, so this game is not the foregone conclusion many have made it out to be.
Stoke will put incredible pressure on City and their supporters will be right up for it, meaning this game will be far from a walkover.
City may have more resources but many would say Stoke have more character and so, to me, the Potters may pull off an incredible victory which would be a body-blow for City fans.
Prediction: 1-2 (AET)
Blackburn v Manchester United (1245 Saturday)
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| Dimitar Berbatov struck five times as United beat Blackburn 7-1 in November |
Despite some decent performances recently and some vital points, Blackburn are still just three points clear of the bottom three and go to Wolves on the last day, so they are far from safe yet.
They should be right up for this game as they surely just need one more point to survive.
Steve Kean doesn't seem to be overly concerned about relegation but he knows his side still need points and he needs big players like Morten Gamst Pedersen to stand up and be counted.
Around this time last season, United drew at Ewood Park to hand the title initiative to Chelsea.
This time, the occasion will be very different and it is difficult to see them doing anything other than winning the league here.
Edwin van der Sar may be rested but most key players, such as Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs, should play to avert the danger of any last-day drama.
United should have far too much for Blackburn and it would be very hard to bet against them winning this game.
Prediction: 0-3
Blackpool v Bolton (1245 Saturday)
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| Mark Davies scored the leveller as Bolton came from 2-0 down to draw in the reverse fixture |
With fellow relegation rivals playing each other and guaranteed to pick up points, the Seasiders know they need at least one win from their final two fixtures to stand any realistic chance of staying up.
They were extremely unlucky not to win at Tottenham last weekend but it would be hard to see them getting anything from Old Trafford on the final day which is why this game is so crucial.
They deserve another crack at the Premier League and Ian Holloway needs the likes of Charlie Adam and DJ Campbell to perform here to give them any hope.
Bolton have really lost their fizz in recent weeks - aside from their victory over Arsenal - and so Owen Coyle will be determined for his side to put that right and win here.
They do seem to be thinking of the beach after a long and gruelling season but they owe it to sides in the relegation battle to give it a really good go here.
Good professionals like Kevin Davies will not want to finish the season on a low note but his side may have their work cut out here as Blackpool's desire will be immense.
It is that desire - albeit coupled with nerves - which should steer them to victory here and give them a real chance of staying up.
Prediction: 2-1
Sunderland v Wolves (1245 Saturday)
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| Sylvan Ebanks-Blake scored a last-minute winner as Wolves beat Sunderland 3-2 in November |
The amount of clear-cut chances Bolton had, it was something of a miracle the Black Cats managed to win the game as the home side could have been out of sight.
Nonetheless, if Sunderland were to finish in the top half that would represent a good season for them and a real stepping stone for next term.
Steve Bruce will be looking to the summer now as he knows he needs to strengthen his squad to avoid another injury crisis next season.
Wolves' win over West Brom last Sunday took them out of the bottom three but they know they still have work to do to stay up.
They have always seemed a better side than their league position has suggested and now is their chance to prove it.
Mick McCarthy would love to all but ensure survival at the home of his former club and his side should be confident of picking up a win at the Stadium of Light.
With what is at stake, I can't see them losing, although I can't see them winning either so I'm plumping for a high-scoring draw.
Prediction: 2-2
West Brom v Everton (1245 Saturday)
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| Somen Tchoyi was among the scorers as West Brom won 4-1 at Goodison Park in November |
With the pressure off both sides, this should be an entertaining game as neither team has anything to lose.
The big incentive for the Baggies, as well as trying to finish in the top ten, is to finish as the Midlands' top club and they stand a real chance of doing that if they win here.
They have had their struggles this season and parted company with talented manager Roberto di Matteo, but this is their best ever season in the Premier League and they should be proud of themselves.
As for Everton, they have really come into their own recently and once again look set for a top seven finish.
David Moyes really has done a remarkable job at Goodison Park on limited resources and deserves more praise than he gets.
It is a real shame Everton don't have the finances to go any further as if Moyes was backed in the transfer market, there would be no limit to their ability.
This game should be entertaining with plenty of goals, although the Toffees' greater quality should triumph.
Prediction: 2-3
Chelsea v Newcastle (1330 Sunday)
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| Andy Carroll's goal helped Newcastle to a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at St James' Park |
The Italian looks certain to leave the Blues in the summer, despite winning the Double last year, so the players should be motivated to win the game for him.
This should be a typical end-of-season game but it's hard to see anything other than a Chelsea victory.
Newcastle have not won in the league at Stamford Bridge since 1986 and that shouldn't change here.
Even with a full-strength team they would struggle, but with key players like Steve Harper, Kevin Nolan, Cheik Tiote, Leon Best, Danny Guthrie, Stephen Ireland, Mike Williamson and Hatem Ben Arfa missing, coupled with the January sale of star man Andy Carroll, their task seems like an impossible one.
Alan Pardew must be counting down the days to the summer where he can concentrate on adding quality and depth to his squad as this side would struggle to stay up next season.
Chelsea should have no problems sweeping this makeshift Newcastle team aside and the Magpies will just be grateful to have survived their first season in the Premier League.
This should be a comfortable win for Chelsea, although it may only be by a two-goal margin.
Prediction: 2-0
Arsenal v Aston Villa (1600 Sunday)
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| Andrei Arshavin and Jack Wilshere both scored in a 4-2 win for Arsenal at Villa Park in November |
Whatever Arsene Wenger says, his side should have won the title this season as it was there for the taking.
The Gunners have thrown away far too many points and their weaknesses were laid bare in last Sunday's 3-1 loss at Stoke.
The likes of Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey offer real hope for the future and Robin van Persie has been in great goalscoring form but Arsenal fans will be disappointed at another season without silverware.
As for Aston Villa, this has been a season of real disappointment for them.
The appointment of Gerard Houllier as manager didn't work and now his health troubles present complications for next season.
The quality they have in their side, with the likes of Ashley Young, Darren Bent and Stewart Downing, should have been nowhere near the bottom three so major improvement is needed next season.
Arsenal are in real danger of finishing fourth and therefore having to enter into a play-off for a place in the Champions League so should be up for this game, but I can see Villa picking up a point here.
Prediction: 1-1
Birmingham v Fulham (1600 Sunday)
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| Clint Dempsey's header handed Fulham a 1-1 draw with Birmingham in the reverse fixture |
They are three points clear of the bottom three but need something here as they will not want to go to Tottenham on the last day of the season needing something.
Their major trouble this season has been the lack of a regular goalscorer so that is something boss Alex McLeish will be looking to rectify in the summer.
If they do stay up, this season will be a major success for them with the Carling Cup triumph, but they need to stay up or all their hard work will have been undone.
Fulham have been playing well recently but Mark Hughes will have been extremely disappointed by his side's 5-2 home loss to Liverpool on Monday.
Their home form has been key to their success over the years and so it is ironic they lost by three at home after winning away at Sunderland by three, but this fluctuation may have been down to end-of-season syndrome rather than anything more serious.
Hughes will want to put the Liverpool loss behind his team here, but Birmingham need the points and so Fulham will find it difficult.
Birmingham have won 1-0 many times under Alex McLeish and that is a scoreline which could be on the cards here.
Prediction: 1-0
Liverpool v Tottenham (1600 Sunday)
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| Aaron Lennon's 92nd-minute strike gave Spurs a 2-1 win over Liverpool in November |
The Scot has done magnificently well since taking over from Roy Hodgson in January, with last week's 5-2 win at Fulham an indication of his sides' attacking intent, and Liverpool look set for a title challenge next season.
The future is very bright for them with Dalglish at the helm: Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll will be a great partnership for years to come and players seem to genuinely want to play for Dalglish.
Remarkably, Dalglish has transformed this side from relegation candidates to European challengers in a matter of months, so his appointment on a long-term basis was a no-brainer.
Liverpool have now overtaken opponents Spurs in the race for fifth place - for a spot in next season's Europa League - and it would be a great achievement if they could win here to seal that place.
Tottenham and Harry Redknapp will look back on this season with a great deal of pride but will be disappointed with how they have ended the season.
Their Champions League adventure will live long in the memory of all Spurs fans but they have dropped far too many points in the league and will be bitterly disappointed if they miss out on a place in Europe.
They are in bad form at the moment and with Liverpool's blistering form under Dalglish, it is hard to see anything other than a home win here.
Prediction: 2-0
Wigan v West Ham (1600 Sunday)
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| Valon Behrami opened the scoring in West Ham's 3-1 win over Wigan earlier this season |
The sides met in a crucial relegation fixture in April 2007, with the Hammers winning 3-0, and they need a similar result this time to avoid the dreaded drop.
Wigan are the most inconsistent side in the league as they can be so good but infuriatingly bad at times, but are in decent form at the moment.
They need a win here as they don't want to go to Stoke on the last day needing a win as the Potters could be riding the crest of a wave after their FA Cup final.
West Ham are also in the last chance saloon as a loss here would condemn them to relegation, something which should not have even been on the agenda given the squad at their disposal.
The Premier League isn't big enough for the both of these teams next season as the loser of this game will be all but down, and it would not surprise me to see this as a Championship fixture next season.
Even a win would not take West Ham out of the bottom three but they need the three points as a home game against Sunderland on the last day represents a real chance of victory.
This will be a nerve-wracking game and the losers will be all but down, but I'm backing West Ham to come out on top to set up a last day where three from five teams will go down.
Prediction: 1-2
The FA Cup should be the showpiece of the weekend but whatever we all think of Premier League fixtures being played on the same day, it should be a great weekend for football fans with so much going on, not only in the FA Cup and the Premier League, but also with the Football League play-offs.
This will be the most exciting yet nerve-wracking weekend of the season but for neutrals, there is nothing better.
This is the time of the season when heroes and villains are made, so players need to cope with the pressure and produce performances under the biggest of strains.
As Sir Alex Ferguson might say, this is squeaky-bum time.
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