It's the final countdown and our intrepid pundits make one last attempt at trying to predict the outcome of the last few Premier League games before taking a well-earned rest over the summer
With the Premiership title finally done and dusted, the games that really count are back at the bottom of the table To make it interesting we asked our pundits to try and predict the results of the last two weeks of Premiership action.
To make it a little bit harder we asked them to do it before Chelsea played Liverpool in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final. While the result of that game hasn't affected Chelsea's ownership of the Premiership title, it could very well have a bearing on the performance of both sides in their last few games.
Liverpool are still hanging on to hopes of making it into the Champions League again by finishing fourth, although Everton look firm favourites for that place.
At the bottom it really is any three from four and a few weeks ago we asked our experts to predict the three to go down.
To refresh your memories Michael Warren and Lawrence Gosling went for Norwich, West Brom and Southampton, while Andy Clark agreed with Norwich and West Brom, he plumped for Crystal Palace to be the unfortunate third club to be relegated.
Weekend of 7 and 8 May
Arsenal v Liverpool
After the highs of the Champions League semi-final, it is likely to be another return to poor league form for Liverpool, which will make the result even more galling for Chelsea fans.
AC: HOME
MW: HOME
LG: HOME
Aston Villa v Man City
Manchester City have looked a lot more solid since Stuart Pearce took over as caretaker manager, while the Villa will want to finish their season at home with a win. Could be an interesting game.
AC: DRAW
MW: HOME
LG: DRAW
Chelsea v Charlton
After losing to a non-goal at Liverpool, Mourinho and his men will want to banish that disappointment with a win in their final home game of the season, as they parade the Premiership trophy in front of their fans. In recent weeks Charlton have proved true to form by throwing away a good chance of making it into the Uefa Cup with a dismal run of results.
AC: HOME
MW: HOME
LG: HOME
Blackburn v Fulham
An entirely meaningless game, except for the supporters of both clubs, that has all the makings of a boring 0-0 draw.
AC: HOME
MW: DRAW
LG: DRAW
Palace v Southampton
Undoubtedly the match of the day. The proverbial six-pointer if ever there was one. A win for Palace would probably see them stay up, while a win for the Saints would more than likely keep them safe - although nothing is likely to be settled until the last day of the season.
AC: AWAY
MW: HOME
LG: HOME
Everton v Newcastle
A win would virtually confirm Everton's place in the Champions League for next season, while Newcastle have nothing to play for except pride.
AC: DRAW
MW: HOME
LG: HOME
Man Utd v West Brom
While United have been patchy this season they should be strong enough to beat a West Brom side who looked to have run out of steam in their battle to stay up. If they lose and other results go against them, then this could be the day that sees the Baggies go down.
AC: DRAW
MW: HOME
LG: HOME
Middlesboro v Spurs
Seventh is the new first! Well it is if you are these two clubs battling for the last Uefa Cup place. It will not be decided on this game, but a victory by either side would give them a massive advantage.
AC: DRAW
MW: HOME
LG: DRAW
Norwich v Birmingham
The Canaries are running out of games, but they would fancy their chances against a Birmingham side with nothing to play for. And if they are to survive they must win this one.
AC: HOME
MW: HOME
LG: DRAW
Portsmouth v Bolton
This game means more to Bolton than Portsmouth, as Sam Allardyce seeks to work a miracle and get his side into the Champions League. But with the pressure off for Pompey now they are safe, they could give Bolton a nasty surprise.
AC: AWAY
MW: AWAY
LG: AWAY
Midweek Games
Man Utd v Chelsea
This could well be the game that decides whether Man Utd have any chance of catching Arsenal for second place and the guarantee of Champions League football without having to qualify. Chelsea could just be in relax mode - hardly likely with José in charge.
AC: HOME
MW: HOME
LG: DRAW
Arsenal v Everton
The Gunners have been in irresistible form for the last two months and while Everton are very stubborn to play against, Arsenal should have too much for the Toffees.
AC: HOME
MW: HOME
LG: HOME
The final weekend
West Brom v Portsmouth
Whether West Brom are already down before this game or not, they are going to want to give their long suffering supporters a good send off with a home victory, but Portsmouth are more than capable of upsetting the scenario.
AC: HOME
MW: HOME
LG: DRAW
Spurs v Blackburn
A vital game for Spurs, a meaningless game for Blackburn, although they will want a top 10 finish, which in itself would be quite an achievement for a side that six months ago looked a prime relegation candidate.
AC: DRAW
MW: DRAW
LG: HOME
Southampton v Man Utd
Will this be the game that finally sends Southampton down after so many years in the top flight? With United's eye on the Cup Final it could be a good time to play them.
AC: AWAY
MW: AWAY
LG: HOME
Newcastle v Chelsea
The final game for both sides who have had totally differing fortunes all season. Newcastle's home form is generally good, while Chelsea's depleted squad could see a lot of the fringe players given a run out. However, Mourinho will not want to finish a season of highs on a low, with a defeat.
AC: DRAW
MW: HOME
LG: AWAY
Birmingham v Arsenal
Another meaningless game as Arsenal should have wrapped up second place before this game and will be taking it easy ahead of the Cup Final, while Birmingham will just be playing for pride at the end of a season that started with a lot of potential but never got going.
AC: DRAW
MW: HOME
LG: DRAW
Bolton v Everton
Depending on the results in the previous games this could decide the fourth Champions League place. More likely Everton will have this in the bag and Bolton will have confirmed a Uefa Cup place.
AC: DRAW
MW: DRAW
LG: HOME
Charlton v Crystal Palace
At the start of the season Palace would have settled for going into this game needing a win or a point to stay up, particularly against a Charlton side with little to play for.
AC: DRAW
MW: AWAY
LG: DRAW
Fulham v Norwich
If Norwich are still in with a shout of staying up then an away game against an already-safe Fulham will seem very appealing. The Canaries have been a popular side and few fans will want to see them and Delia go down.
AC: AWAY
MW: DRAW
LG: DRAW
Liverpool v Aston Villa
A question of which Liverpool side will turn up for this one? The all conquering potential European champions, or the domestic duffers who have lost a third of their league games? For Villa it's likely to be another opportunity for David O'Leary to complain about a lack of resources.
AC: HOME
MW: HOME
LG: DRAW
Man City v Middlesboro
City have finished the season strongly, while Middlesboro will still be chasing the final Uefa Cup place, which should ensure a decent game.
AC: HOME
MW: AWAY
LG: HOME
To gauge which of our pundits you should follow when having a flutter, have a look at how they fared last time out. Here's the results of their predictions from the weekend of 23 April.
Aston Villa v Bolton
Result: 1-1
AC: AWAY
MW: DRAW
LG: HOME
Blackburn v Man City
Result: 0-0
AC: HOME
MW: DRAW
LG: DRAW
Chelsea v Fulham
Result: 3-1
AC: HOME
MW: HOME
LG: HOME
Palace v Liverpool
Result: 1-0
AC: DRAW
MW: HOME
LG: HOME
Everton v Birmingham
Result: 1-1
AC: DRAW
MW: HOME
LG: HOME
Man Utd V Newcastle
Result: 2-1
AC: HOME
MW: HOME
LG: HOME
Middlesboro v West Brom
Result: 4-0
AC: AWAY
MW: DRAW
LG: DRAW
Norwich v Charlton
Result: 1-0
AC: HOME
MW: HOME
LG: DRAW
Pompey v Southampton
Result: 4-1
AC: AWAY
MW: HOME
LG: HOME
Arsenal v Spurs
Result: 1-0
AC: HOME
MW: HOME
LG: HOME
West Brom v Blackburn
Result: 1-1
AC: HOME
MW: HOME
LG: DRAW
So, another victory for DWS's Michael Warren with a very creditable eight out of 11 predictions correct, Lawrence Gosling was a close second with seven guesses right, while Andy Clark trailed behind the leaders (a bit like his beloved Arsenal), scoring just five.
Lawrence Gosling is publishing director of Football First, the national Sunday football paper
