This season is coming to it’s usual climatic close, and while most eyes will be on the Chelsea - Manchester United race, it’s probably just as important to look at who’s still got a shot at Europe next season, and who’s done for the season.

1. Manchester United - Regardless of how they do for the rest of the season, they are already in the Champion’s league automatically.

2. Chelsea - With a 12 point lead over 3rd place Liverpool, they’re also guaranteed automatic qualification into the Champion’s league.

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3. Liverpool - Same as the top 2, Liverpool are in the Champion’s league, but they will definately have to qualify for it.

4. Arsenal - They have a 9 point lead over Everton with 3 games to go, it’s still feasable that Everton might just pull off what Arsenal did themselves
last year.

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5. Everton - Have had an amazing season, it’s pretty much down to Andy Johnson. They have Man Utd, Portsmouth, Chelsea, in that order. With both Man Utd and Chelsea hunting for the title, it will be a tough finish, however, I expect them to beat Portsmouth. Also I expect them to qualify for the UEFA cup and hopefully they’ll do better this time out.

6. Bolton - Inconsistent this season, expect them to drop points. Not UEFA cup material just yet.

7. Reading - Portsmouth are on their heels, but Reading have the easier schedule, in Newcastle, Watford, and finally Blackburn. All the teams are currently below them in the table

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8. Portsmouth - Showing definate improvement from last year, Redknapp’s doing an amazing job with this squad. However, they have a tough finishing stretch, Liverpool, Everton, and Arsenal. All of which are above them in the table. Don’t think they can hold on to 8th position, but definately top half of the table material. Unlucky that they have such a hard schedule, but they’ve been rather impressive against Man Utd and Newcastle recently, they could be a suprise entry into Europe, just don’t write them off.

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9. Tottenham - Have not won in their last 4 games, dissapointing, since they had improved so much after a lacklustre opening to the season that nobody but the Arsenal fans would have predicted. Don’t think they can make it into Europe this year, not with the quality shown by Reading, Portsmouth and Everton, plus they have stiff competition in Blackburn and Newcastle.

10. Blackburn - Not as good as last season, Gamst Pederson’s been awfully quiet. Possibly burnout, A good team on their good days, but the defense has been shambolic after letting Neill go, have not kept a clean sheet since late January.

11. Aston Villa - A good consistent team ever since Martin O’Neill stepped up. Have not conceded more than 3 goals in a game. Very good at home, but their only home game left is against Sheffield United. Might drop 2 points against Bolton, but overall, have some serious quality all over the field. This is a transition year though, I don’t expect too much of them, but they will definately be a team to look out for next season.

12. Newcastle - The biggest tragedy in football thus far this season. Terribly inconsistent, hopelessly inexperienced. Could have, would have, should have been better, but wasn’t. They had so much talent in their team that was either lost to injuries or suspensions. At one point in the season had 13 first-team players out injured. The largest worry was the attack after losing Michael Owen to injury before the season began, Shola Ameobi to a hip injury early into the season, Guissepe Rossi to a loan to Parma. Very inconsistent this season and have had to rely on a still adapting Obafemi Martins, doesn’t look like Europe is at all feasable this season.

13. Manchester City - They’re starting to rally late into the season, dropping only 9 points from the last 7 games. It’s a case of too little too late, I doubt they’ll qualify this year, and a lot of players have shown themselves to be quality and won’t be content with Mid-table mediocraty anymore. Probably will be in the same predicament next season.

14. Middlesborough - Southgate’s a new coach, and I wonder if he has the total respect of his charges, having played alongside them as a friend for so many years. Doubtless, though, you cannot deny his abilty, having kept them out of the relegation battle for large periods of the season. 11 points from Europe and 5 points from the relegation zone, they still have Wigan and Fulham to play so they control their fate.

15. Fulham - 4 points behind Middlesborough. 4 points above 19th spot though, they have managed to keep their noses clean this season. Nobody expected them to be relegated, and I don’t think they will, but 15th may be the best they can hope for.

16. Wigan - A completely different side from last year. Relgation is a very real threat, but with West Ham, Middlesborough and Sheffield to play, their relegation will be entirely their fault.

17. Sheffield United - Losing Hulse at such a critical moment could be a damning blow to Niell Warnock’s Blades, Nade isn’t good enough to shoulder the responsibility of keeping them up this season. I think they’re going down. Look for Hulse to be a cheap buy for mid-table clubs in the summer.

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18. Charlton - As of late they have shown spirit and fight. Pardew faces a challenge though, with Blackburn, Tottenham and Liverpool still yet to be played. Very unlikely that they can pull it off, I think they’re going down.

19. West Ham - Tevez has been inspirational this season. Curbishley has made some great aquisitions this year and Wigan and Bolton shouldn’t be too hard for them. The final day clash with Man Utd could prove problematic though.

20. Watford - Already down. Very dissapointing season. Foster has been great, but can’t do it all by himself. They won’t roll over for these last few games, but I don’t think they’ll be entirely focused on them.

My Predited Table

1. Manchester United
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal
5. Everton
6. Portsmouth
7. Reading
8.Tottenham Hotspurs
9. Bolton Wanderers
10.Aston Villa
11. Blackburn Rovers
12. Manchester City
13. Newcastle United
14. Middlesborough
15. Wigan Athletic
16. Fulham
17. West Ham United
18. Sheffield United
19. Charlton Athletic
20. Watford

If you disagree with me, feel free to predict how you think the table will shape up.