May 24

Arsenal (4^th) v Stoke City (11^th)

TEAM NEWS: Gunners goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski (knee) is fit to replace Manuel Almunia (ankle) between the sticks, but Samir Nasri (knee) and Emmanuel Adebayor (groin) are definite absentees. On-loan striker Henri Camara, who was ineligible against his parent club Wigan last weekend, returns to the Potters’ squad.

LAST 6 GAMES: Arsenal – WDWWLD; Stoke City – DWLLWW

If nothing else, Arsene Wenger’s men can at least avenge their defeat at Stoke back in November. VERDICT: 2-1

Aston Villa (6^th) v Newcastle (18^th)

TEAM NEWS: Ashley Young (calf) is expected to be fit, but Luke Young (foot) is likely to miss out for the Villains. Magpies boss Alan Shearer is sweating the fitness of a number of players, with Habib Beye (hamstring) out, Jose Enrique (hamstring) only just back in training, Michael Owen (groin) facing a fitness test, and Obafemi Martins dealing with his own groin issue. However, Alan Smith (thigh) is fit again, but Sebastien Bassong is suspended having lost an appeal against his red card against Fulham.

LAST 6 GAMES: Aston Villa – DDDWLD; Newcastle – DLDLWL

The visitors will probably need an away win to secure their survival; unfortunately, they have managed that feat only twice this season, and once in 2009. VERDICT: 2-2

Late fitness check – Michael Owen

Blackburn (15^th) v West Brom (20^th)

TEAM NEWS: Rovers skipper Ryan Nelsen (calf) is ruled out along with Roque Santa Cruz (knee) and Jason Roberts (fractured metatarsal), but Gael Givet (calf) and Andre Ooijer (hamstring) should be available. Marek Cech (hamstring) and Paul Robinson (foot) are back in training for the Baggies, but Abdoulaye Meite (back) is doubtful and Shelton Martis faces a double hernia operation.

LAST 6 GAMES: Blackburn – LLWLWL; West Brom – DLWLWL

With the visitors already on their way back to the Championship, it’s hard to see past a fourth straight home win for Rovers. VERDICT: 2-1

Fulham (7^th) v Everton (5^th)

TEAM NEWS: Simon Davies (back) and Giles Barnes (Achilles) are ruled out for the hosts. Toffees manager David Moyes has no new injury worries, but could rest some of his first-team players with the FA Cup Final at the end of the month in mind.

LAST 6 GAMES: Fulham – WDWLWW; Everton – DDLWDW

A victory would secure European football next season for the Cottagers – and only two teams have won more home games this season. VERDICT: 1-0

Hull City (17^th) v Man Utd (1^st)

TEAM NEWS: Tigers defenders Kamil Zayatte (head), Bernard Mendy (toe), and Andy Dawson (illness) have all recovered, while Caleb Folan is back following a ban, but on-loan Manucho is barred from facing his former club. With the Champions League Final less than a week away, the champions will leave out most of their senior players, although Rio Ferdinand (calf) needs to prove his fitness, and Wes Brown (foot) could feature.

LAST 6 GAMES: Hull City – LLLLLD; Man Utd – WWWWWD

Even a Red Devils reserve side will be no pushovers, but a point may be enough for the hosts to maintain their Premier League status next season. VERDICT: 1-1

Liverpool (2^nd) v Tottenham (8^th)

TEAM NEWS: Long-serving Finnish defender Sami Hyypia, who leaves for Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, should play some part in Sunday’s game. Aaron Lennon (groin), Darren Bent (knee), Michael Dawson (ankle), Tom Huddlestone (knee), Jamie O'Hara (knee), and Wilson Palacios (compassionate leave) all remain out for Spurs, with Jonathan Woodgate (groin) and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) facing late tests.

LAST 6 GAMES: Liverpool – WDWWWW; Tottenham – WWLWDW

With Europe still within reach – albeit unlikely – Spurs should give the Reds a stiff test, but it won’t be enough in the end. VERDICT: 2-1

Anfield farewell – Sami Hyypia

Man City (10^th) v Bolton (13^th)

TEAM NEWS: Shaun Wright-Phillips (knee) is again ruled out for City. Andy O'Brien returns from illness for the Trotters, but Ricardo Gardner (hamstring) has still not recovered.

LAST 6 GAMES: Man City – LWWWLL; Bolton – LLDDDD

If there’s one thing City fans have generally been able to count on this season, it’s their teams terrific home form; with nothing on the line for either team, that trend should continue. VERDICT: 3-1

Sunderland (16^th) v Chelsea (3^rd)

TEAM NEWS: Steed Malbranque (hip) is a question mark for the Black Cats, while George McCartney (calf) is still lacking match fitness. Michael Ballack (illness) is available again for the Blues, while Deco and Ricardo Carvalho have finally shaken off their hamstring problems.

LAST 6 GAMES: Sunderland – LWLLDL; Chelsea – WDWWWW

With Chelsea having suffered just one defeat under Guus Hiddink, the home side can only hope they won’t need anything from this game to avoid relegation. VERDICT: 0-1

West Ham (9^th) v Middlesbrough (19^th)

TEAM NEWS: James Tomkins is banned following last weekend’s sending-off at Everton, while another Hammers defender, Danny Gabbidon (back) has returned to full training. Boro have lost Stewart Downing to a broken foot, but David Wheater, Jeremie Aliadiere (both knee), and Gary O'Neil (hip) should feature.

LAST 6 GAMES: West Ham – LDLWLL; Middlesbrough – WDLLLD

With the odds already stacked heavily against them, the loss of Downing effectively ends Middlesbrough’s hopes of staying up. VERDICT: 2-0

Wigan (12^th) v Portsmouth (14^th)

TEAM NEWS: The Latics are set to be without Antonio Valencia (hamstring), while Paul Scharner (knee), Mido (illness), and Chris Kirkland (back) are all doubts, and Amr Zaki has returned to Egypt as his loan deal will not be made permanent. David James and David Nugent are ruled out for Pompey with shoulder and hernia operations respectively.

LAST 6 GAMES: Wigan – LLDLLL; Portsmouth – WLDLLW

Two low-scoring, evenly-matched, lower-midtable sides with nothing to play for – this one has ‘bore draw’ written all over it. VERDICT: 0-0

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