This is the penultimate weekend in what has been a fairly average season at the top end of the table and now all eyes are on who will be the unlucky 18^th place finisher and relegated to the Championship. Aston Villa, Leicester, Sunderland, Newcastle & Hull are the teams locked in battle. Some of those five can be removed from the relegation equation if the others slip up. Should Aston Villa win the Saturday lunchtime kick off then they will be safe and all of the other four will know their chances of beating the drop just got significantly lower before they’ve even kicked a ball.

Southampton v Aston Villa

With just 2 games to go Aston Villa are four points above the relegation zone and many believe they are safe. Perhaps so, but a defeat here and results elsewhere would give even the ever so arrogant Tim Sherwood a nervous sweat going into the final game day. However, they are in form and in Christian Benteke they possess the most clinical striker in the league right now. The bulldozing Belgian has scored 10 goals for Tim Sherwood from just 13 shots on target. Lethal. If it’s not Benteke putting the ball in the back of the net, it’s Tom Cleverley. The on-loan midfielder has scored three times in his last three games having gone 37 games previous without scoring.  Much has been made of Southampton’s impressive defence this season; however they have conceded exactly two goals in each of their last four games, picking up just one point. They can still consider this season a huge success given they were tipped for relegation pre-season but their players will welcome the summer break ahead of a Europa League campaign next year.

Burnley v Stoke

Turf Moor will say goodbye to top flight football for at least another year on Saturday, with Stoke City, the last invited to the Premiership party. Burnley haven’t been prolific at their home ground this season, picking up just 18 points, a joint-low for any Premiership side. Here’s a stat for you, Burnley have conceded more goals from corners than any other team and towering 6’7 Stoke striker Peter Crouch has scored against every current Premier League team…except Stoke. He is surely due, given he has scored 46 headed Premier League goals, the joint-most in the Premier League alongside Alan Shearer.

QPR v Newcastle

This is not a nothing game to QPR. You only have to look at three years ago when they were condemned to relegation from the Premier League and faced Man City on the last day. They battle and fought so hard to try and stop Man City winning the title that day. Aguero had other ideas. They would love to send Newcastle down with them and a win here would all but do it. The Magpies managed to stop an eight match losing streak with a draw at home to West Brom. It wasn’t great or pretty and again they conceded through lack of leadership at a set piece but it was better. However, being just better won’t be enough and neither will two draws. Going forward they have some talent, especially with the returns of Papiss Cisse and Rolando Aarons. However, defensively they are the worst in the league and Charlie Austin and Matty Phillips could hurt them and give Chris Ramsey his first Premier League win at Loftus Road as QPR manager. In 2015, no teams have fewer points than QPR and Newcastle.

Sunderland v Leicester

The game of the weekend sees 15^th vs 16^th. Last years’ great escapees vs this year’s fairy-tale-finishers. Whoever wins this game will play Premier League football next year and with Arsenal and Chelsea left to come, perhaps Sunderland need this more than Leicester? The Black Cats were very fortunate to beat a dominant Everton thanks to two deflected goals but without those three points they would be doomed you feel. Leicester continue to amaze and have now won six of their last seven, dragging them to within one win of safety. During this magnificent run, Jamie Vardy has scored three times and assisted four more. If Sunderland win and Hull fail to beat Tottenham, the Black Cats will be safe from relegation. Similarly, a point for the Foxes will be enough to secure survival providing the Tigers lose at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham v Hull

Tottenham players seem to have gone on holiday early judging from their recent performances, making it the perfect time for Hull to try and win their first ever Premier League game in the month of May. This is a must win game for Hull; otherwise they are leaving themselves a lot to do in their last game against Man United. The Tigers will be boosted by the return from injury of star striker Jelavic, as well as flying Scottish wing back Andrew Robertson. Perhaps Harry Kane’s breakout season is catching up on him as he has now scored just once in his last six Premier League games.

West Ham v Everton

Now this is very much a nothing game. Two sides limbering in mid table mediocrity, willing the season to end so they can rebuild and re-assess strategies as they pursue the Southamptons, Swanseas & Tottenhams of this world. The Hammers have scored just five goals in their last 10 matches and never more than once in a game with summer signing Enner Valencia with just one goal in his last 21 games. After a good run of form, Everton suddenly slipped to a 2-0 defeat to a somewhat hungrier and more desperate Sunderland side. In this game, a game with little on the line, I expect them superior quality to come through.

Liverpool v Crystal Palace

After Champions League qualification was eventually deemed mathematically impossible, this game is about one thing, one man only. Steven Gerrard. The Liverpool skipper makes his last appearance at Anfield on Saturday evening and there shouldn’t be a dry eye in the house for the much loved England hero. 51 of Gerrard’s 92 Premier League assists have arrived at Anfield, however he has managed just one this season.  The Reds will do everything they can to ensure he bows out with a win and hand Crystal Palace their 5^th straight defeat. Crystal Palace fans are slowly beginning to see what they have inherited in Alan Pardew. A tactically inept manager with little to no coaching skills who will never be able to stop a team from scoring against his.

Swansea v Man City

Gary Monk must be a contender for Manager of the Year. Having lost his star striker in January, the Swans were given little hope of being able to achieve anything this season. However, very quietly they have gone about their business, playing neat football with a tireless work ethic and grinded out consistent results. This has led them to within two points of 6^th place. Remarkable achievement from a club that was nearly relegated from the Football League only a short while ago. They are the blueprint for any team that gets promoted. Much of their success this season has been due to a strong backline and Fabianski was remarkable against Arsenal. This performance elevated him to the top spot in FPL for points scored by goalkeepers. Man City were due to give a team a battering and it came last weekend with a 6-0 demolition of QPR. Every time Sergio Aguero comes back from injury it takes him a little longer to get back to full sharpness but when he does, he often goes on a disgusting run of form.

Man Utd v Arsenal

Man United ended a three game goalless streak with a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace last weekend to secure a return to the Champions League next season. If they can make it seven wins from eight home meetings against Arsenal then they will leap from The Gunners into 3^rd place. Ashley Young was the outstanding player last weekend, grabbing both assists, showing his place in the starting 11 ahead of Angel Di Maria’s is justified. Arsenal got ‘Monked’ on Monday Night Football. By that I mean, that Gary Monk’s tactics to nullify Arsenal’s attack was superb and although Arsenal had an array of chances, Swansea were able to counter attack and their hard work was rewarded with Gomis’ winner.

WBA v Chelsea

Tony Pulis has done his job. It wasn’t pretty and I doubt anyone enjoys watching them play but thanks to him WBA are playing Premiership football next year. His opposite number has also been criticised for his team’s style of play but once again, he got the job done. Chelsea are champions thanks to the genius of Jose Mourinho and some magic from Eden Hazard.