It's becoming a dog-fight

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The climax of the season is nearly upon us, but how do our three pundits see things shaping up? If you entered the Villa Quiz, see the opposite page to check how well you got on

The battle at the top of the Premiership is as good as over, but the bottom looks much more exciting, unless you happen to support a team fighting to avoid the drop.

A few weeks ago we asked our three experts who is going to stay up and it caused a lot of debate, with the pundits' hearts and emotions taking over.

Despite their recent rallies, both Norwich and West Brom are doomed, according to the Three Wise Men, with Southampton filling the third spot, in the views of Messrs Warren and Gosling, while Crystal Palace get the vote of Andy Clark.

For compliance reasons we must make clear none of the three experts actually know anything about football, so don't put any money on their recommendations!

And for reasons of transparency we must remind you which teams they support - Michael Warren follows Manchester United, Andy Clark is an Arsenal fan and Lawrence Gosling supports the best team in the Premiership, if not the world, Chelsea.

And so, to this week's predictions, otherwise known as guesstimates:

Aston Villa v Bolton

This could be one of the better games over the weekend, now Villa have found their scoring boots again and Bolton are firm contenders for a Champions League place - what odds would you have got on that at the beginning of the season?

AC: AWAY

MW: DRAW

LG: HOME

Blackburn v Man City

This one has got a 0-0 draw written all over it, with Blackburn's much maligned hard-to-beat style matched against the grit and determination that City now have under Stuart Pearce.

AC: HOME

MW: DRAW

LG: DRAW

Chelsea v Fulham

Even the most ardent Arsenal or Manchester United supporter will admit this is just another romp towards the Premiership title for Chelsea. But will another defeat drag Fulham into the relegation dog-fight?

AC: HOME

MW: HOME

LG: HOME

Crystal Palace v Liverpool

There is a wave of emotion saying Palace will stay up, while Liverpool's away form, particularly in London, is not good and this game comes on the eve of the first-leg of the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea.

AC: DRAW

MW: HOME

LG: HOME

Everton v Birmingham

Everton are struggling for form, as they try and hang on to that all important fourth spot, but Birmingham's away form is distinctly average, although they did conjure a draw at Chelsea a couple of weeks ago.

AC: DRAW

MW: HOME

LG: HOME

Man Utd V Newcastle

This will really rub salt into the wounds of those Newcastle supporters who have seen their season fall apart in a matter of weeks. Can United repeat the 4-1 of the FA Cup semi-final - that might be worth a flutter.

AC: HOME

MW: HOME

LG: HOME

Middlesboro v West Brom

Can the Baggies Great Escape carry on? If it is going to, then this is the sort of game they must get three points from - against a Boro side that really has nothing to play for, in terms of a place in Europe or relegation.

AC: AWAY

MW: DRAW

LG: DRAW

Norwich v Charlton

Much like West Brom, if Norwich are going to stay up then this is the sort of game they have to win. And they will expect to do so against a Charlton side that is pushing for a Uefa Cup place, but which is suffering its usual end of season blow out.

AC: HOME

MW: HOME

LG: DRAW

Pompey v Southampton

It makes you believe these things are preordained when you get a fixture like this at this point in the season after all the history between the clubs this year. This is not the game that will decide the fate of both clubs, but it could have a major impact because there are so few games left.

AC: AWAY

MW: HOME

LG: HOME

Arsenal v Spurs

It is a Monday night face-off for these North London rivals. Although Arsenal are only playing for second place, it's hard not to see them rolling over Spurs with the same comfort that they have managed in recent seasons.

AC: HOME

MW: HOME

LG: HOME

West Brom v Blackburn

Tuesday night sees a second game in three days for these two. It's a hard one to predict, without knowing the result of their weekend games, but it is again a match West Brom would hope and expect to win if they are to stay up. But Blackburn have proved particularly hard to break down all season.

AC: HOME

MW: HOME

LG: DRAW

Lawrence Gosling is publishing director of Football First, the national Sunday football paper

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