Published 5/11/2012 1:29:55 PM by Shane Barrow from soccermogul

The final weekend of the EPL season is upon us and there is plenty to play for across the league.  The title is up for grabs.  The battle for third place is fascinating and there is a relegation battle between QPR and Bolton yet to be decided.

The Title Race
It has come down to the final day.  Both Manchester City and Manchester United are even on 86 points.  City holds a decisive eight goal lead in differential which is the tie breaker.  

Manchester United closes with a trip to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland.  This could be a tricky matchup as Sunderland will be pushing for a quality result and has enough quality against the shaky United backline.  I still think ManU takes care of business and squeeks out a close win.

Manchester City finish at home against relegation threatened QPR.  Expect a game effort from QPR but the talent gap is just too wide in this one.  The title goes to City as the EPL is decided on goal differential for the first time in history.

The Battle for Third
It is a three team race for 3rd place between Arsenal, Newcastle and Tottenham.  The top four places gain Champions League berths for next year.  Chelsea could throw a wrench in those plans if they win the Champions League Final next weekend.  With a win there Chelsea would grab one of the four English berths thus only the top three EPL finishers would get spots.

Arsenal is on 67 points and finish with a trip to West Brom who are sitting comfortably in 10th and have little to play for on the day.  Expect Arsenal to take care of business and lock down third place.

Tottenham is on 66 points and host Fulham.  Clint Dempsey has been ruled out of the match due to injury so huge advantage to Tottenham who should be able to grab the full three points.

Newcastle is on 65 points and finish with a difficult trip to Everton.  They're facing a tough hill to climb for sure as Goodison Park is a difficult place to win.  Newcastle will not be disappointed with a Europa League berth for next year though so either way they'll be happy in the north.

The Relegation Battle
Wolves and Blackburn are done.  The question is who will be the third to to drop from the league.  It is between Bolton and QPR with QPR holding a two point lead heading into the final matchday.  Bolton will need to win at Stoke which is a definite possibility as Stoke has little incentive other than pride.  A Bolton loss or draw and QPR is safe.  A Bolton win and QPR will somehow have to get a result at Manchester City which will be nearly impossible.

Aston Villa can be caught but their superior goal differential makes them safe with the tie breaker unless there are a boatload of goals to flip it.

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