Four head to heads of massive importance take place in the EPL this weekend. The teams involved will treat them like Cup Finals. Two take place at the top of the table; and two at the bottom.
Let’s start at the bottom.
Newcastle v. Fulham
Contrary to received wisdom, a good result for Newcastle would be a draw against Fulham. If they draw they remain six points clear of Fulham, and edge a point closer to safety. What Newcastle can’t afford to do, is taste defeat.
For Fulham, this is an equally huge game. A win gives them a really big chance of staying up; puts them to within 3 points of Newcastle and drags 7 or 8 other clubs into an even more intense. A Fulham win sends an electric shock through their rivals hovering about the relegation trap door.
Verdict: Newcastle get their first win under Keegan.
Reading v. Birmingham
A massive game, for both clubs. Neither can afford to lose. Neither will. Verdict: A draw.
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Now for Grand Slam Sunday. We talk of the Big Four. Earlier in the season we were starting to talk about a Special Two (Arsenal and United). After the Sunday will it be time to get ready to hail the Dominant One? Who will that One be? Let’s look at the games.
Man Utd v. Liverpool
Benitez says that Liverpool are not out of the title race. This is for public consumption. Even if they won every game from now to the end of the season, Liverpool will not win the EPL. One or even two of Arsenal, Chelsea or United could implode, but not all 3 of them. This is why one book-maker is offering 100/1 against Liverpool doing it. But to put one over United (as rivals City did twice) would go a long, long way to keeping the red half of Merseyside happy.
It's the shoot-out at the O.T. Corral: gunslinger ‘Ronnie the Kid’ Ronaldo v gunslinger Torres the Terror, the world’s best player v. the world’s best striker; Portugal (Queiroz, Ronaldo, Nani, Anderson – well, he speaks Portuguese) v. Spain (Benitez, Reina, Alonso, Torres Arbeloa); blue Scouser (Rooney) v. red Scouser (Gerrard). Verdict: United to win, by a single goal.
Chelsea v. Arsenal
This is the moment of truth. The defining moment for both Avram Grant and Arsenal. Will Grant win a really big game; will he finally beat one of the Big Four and lay the ghost of Mourinho to rest (at least for a week)? Will Arsenal now stand up and show that they have mettle as well as skill? When the going gets tough, Arsenal, do you roll your sleeves up like men, or squabble like kids and punch your team-mate on his conk? Verdict: disappointment for both Grant and Arsenal. Game ends in a feisty draw.
At the end of the weekend:
Ferguson will be smiling ---- Benitez will be relaxed and focussed on Everton and the CL ---- Grant worried, but stressing that United still have to go Stamford Bridge and play Arsenal --- Wenger (unconvincingly) praising the character and mental strength of his “young” team --- Keegan saying that Newcastle have turned the corner --- Roy Hodgson of Fulham will be giving it the mantra “it’s not all over yet” --- Reading and Birmingham as you were ….
If United go 5 points clear with only 7 games to go, they will have unstoppable momentum. It may then be time to talk less about a Big Four and get ready to hail the Dominant One.
When you gaze into your crystal ball do you read it as I do?
i doubt liverpool will catch up to chelsea but one thing i agree with is this, Manu is gonna win even though i do not like them. 
