The next three will be set for UEFA Cup so the challenge is still on for many.  Blackburn Rovers are hot on the heels of the Gunners but aren't likely to catch them.  Their 2-1 loss at St Andrew's to relegation strugglers Birmingham nearly ensures they have no chance.  Newcastle has climbed to 7^th and have joined the fight for a UEFA spot.  However, Shearer picked up an injury on the weekend and may have played his last competitive match.  Without him and Owen too the question is can they hold on?

While the drama is almost as heavy as the hype in the battle for 4^th, frankly, I think the real story is at the other end of the table right now.  Sunderland is officially relegated so now the fight is between West Brom (currently the out of form team in the EPL), Birmingham City's army of underachievers and Portsmouth who have made a strong run to revive a chance for survival.  Birmingham have moved out of the bottom three by virtue of goal difference over Pompey with their mid-week win over Blackburn.

Surprise here I can assure you as it seemed certain during the holiday run of poor performances that Portsmouth were on their way down and Redknapp had little to no chance of turning that around.  Pompey was actually among the top in form clubs over the last six until their loss to Charlton and currently have 32 points tied with Birmingham while West Brom have 29.

Recent performances by both West Brom and Birmingham have been disappointing.  Both seemed to be playing with little enthusiasm and almost a lack of interest in their fight for Permier League survival.  Seems rather bizarre for a team managed by 'Robbo' but that was my impression of West Brom's latest effort, if you can call it that.  John Thompson told me about a month ago that WBA were going down and it sure looks as if he had it right the way they've played in their most recent games.

On the other hand Birmingham seems to have turned things in the right direction and Pompey's recent run of good form has come at the right time.  Back in December I had them figured to surely join Sunderland leaving the fight to West Brom and City.

With the survival fight on between these three only one of them will see another season in the EPL next year.  I still think Birmingham is too good a team to go down.  The challenge for Steve Bruce is to get them to play the last three as if they really are that team.

Cheers, Paul