Premiership UEFA Cup Permutations
Tottenham Hotspur,Bolton,Reading and Portsmouth's quest for Europe.
Going into the final Premiership matches four clubs seek two qualification places for the UEFA Cup. Spurs, Bolton,Reading and Portsmouth strive to join Everton in Europe.
Everton
Everton are assured of a place in next season’s UEFA Cup competition, their superior goal difference ensuring that none of their rivals can displace them. They play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and can not be sure of gaining any reward from that match but they are in the fortunate position of not having to worry about that. They are currently in fifth place and a win would keep them there. If they lose and other results go against them they can be overtaken by two clubs but not three thus ensuring their place in Europe.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur and Bolton Wanderers are next in the table and currently in the UEFA Cup places. If both teams win they would move above Everton but neither are certain of qualification as a slip would open the door for either or both of the teams below them. Spurs play Manchester City at White Hart Lane. A point would be sufficient for Spurs and a win would give them fifth place if Everton fail to win against Chelsea.
Bolton Wanderers
Bolton, under new manager, Sammy Lee, need to improve on recent form at home to Aston Villa who have had a strong finish to the season after temporarily flirting with relegation a few months ago. Bolton need to win as their goal difference is poorer than the teams around them and any other result could allow Reading or Portsmouth to move above them, if they record a win in their games.
Reading
Both Reading and Portsmouth are relying on the teams above them slipping up. However, if they win they will be in position to take advantage. Reading have a difficult task facing Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. Blackburn have been in good form recently and only dropped out of the fight for UEFA Cup qualification when they failed to beat Tottenham on Thursday evening, the draw they achieved being insufficient to maintain their late challenge.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth have equally difficult opponents, Arsenal. However, with home advantage against an indifferent Arsenal side, Portsmouth will be confident of taking the three points that would aid their challenge should other teams stumble.
Who will join Everton?
Tottenham should be good enough to get at least a point against Manchester City to ensure qualification. However, the nightmare scenario for Spurs would be a defeat and wins for the clubs below them and they would suffer a repeat of last season’s final day disappointment when a sickness induced defeat at West Ham allowed their north London rivals, Arsenal, to snatch the fourth Champions League place from their grasp. Bolton with their recent poor form may be in danger of slipping up which could allow Portsmouth a late charge if Reading fail to win at Ewood Park.
