Race on for remaining three spots

With a Champions League place realistically beyond them, Chelsea can improve their chance of finishing fourth — which carries a UEFA Cup place — by beating Liverpool, although Gianluca Vialli’s side can alo book their European ticket should they beat Aston Villa in the FA Cup final.

Third-placed Arsenal will be hoping for their 10th straight victory when they travel to Goodison Park to tackle Everton.

The Gunners will be boosted by the return of Nwankwo Kanu, who was away on international duty in Negeria last weekend. With their Champions League dream still alive, albeit fading fast, Leeds must beat relegation-threatened Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday to stay in the hunt.

This local Derby always carries an edge and when the team they are playing are battling desperately to stay in the Premiership, David O’Leary’s young guns know they are in for a bruising battle.

Despite two wins in their last three league matches, however, Wednesday are still favourites to join Watford in Division One next season. They do, however, have a game in hand over Bradford and Wimbledon above them, and if they win this weekend safety could remain possible — depending on results elsewhere.

Judgement day awaits both Bradford and Wimbledon at Valley Parade on Sunday. The make-or-break relegation showdown is Bradford’s biggest game in the club’s history — and Paul Jewell’s side go into the match in good spirits.

Their victory over Sunderland on Monday ended a miserable run of one point from 36 on their travels. Wimbledon, who have two more points than Bradford with three games left to play, have lost their last seven league matches.

Their preparation’s for Sunday’s game have been hampered by the absence of coach Egil Olsen, who flew to Norway on Wednesday to recieve an award for services to Norwegian football.

But Wimbledon striker Carl Cort, linked with a move to Leeds next season, believes the arrival of the Norwegian has upset the balance of the side. He said: “The main problem since day one has been that we’ve conceded too many goals, which we never used to do.”

“A lot of players didn’t like Egil’s new formation. Although you get used to it, if the players are less confident in the formation and have no confidence in the manager, then they will not perform well.”