Position battles which will go down the wire

This season is turning out to be one of the most nail biting ones

It won't come as a surprise to most Premier League fans that Liverpool may win the title or Manchester United may fall down the pecking order and won't qualify for the Champions League or Fulham may be involved in a fierce relegation battle.

But,to be honest this season has been nothing but prodigious among the others that have been played out through the years.Nobody expected a side as prestigious as Manchester United to linger around the 7th spot when the season kicked off. And quite unexpectedly,Everton are locked in a close battle with Arsenal over the last Champions League spot while the once revered Fulham side has sunk into relegation .

The amount of curiosity which is cropping up as the season is drawing towards the conclusion is colossal.Nobody knows what to expect out of any side and rightly so,anything can possibly transpire this term. Let's take a look at some of the battles which surely will go down the wire this season.2

Hull City v West Ham v Stoke City (10th spot)

"Recovery" is a word which would surely be adored by West Ham United's resilient  manager Sam Allardyce. Seeing their side slump into the red zone did upset many fans but the Hammers manager has performed exceptionally well in taking them back to where they belong.

And it won't be a crime to label Stoke City as the "giant -killers of the season" taking into account the way they have managed to overcome even the mightiest of challenges this term. Ranging from Man United to Chelsea,Hughes' heroes have fought out an incredibly excellent season by their standards.

Hull,though were never ever expected to survive the competition of the League when it had kicked off last year .But,their fortunes thought otherwise as Steve Bruce's side are doing a decent job in clinging on to their Premier League status and defying every non believer.

Expected Winner- Hull,who are currently sitting at the 12 spot are just 4 points adrift from the 10 spot and a point off the 11th.West Ham are 3 away from Stoke but you never know they can pull off with the marvels of their heights and strengths.I do see Stoke holding to the 10 spot quite easily.

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur (6th Spot)

The 5th and the 6th spots in the Premier League are considered to be most unenviable ones after the red ones and Tottenham Hotspur have become accustomed to getting stuck in there.An unexpected rival this season is turning out to be the David Moyes led Manchester United,who have not been convincing this season,

Spurs,the rightful owners of a ramshackle defense and a ridiculous goal difference have become easy victims of the big fishes this season.They have conceded buckets of goals against Chelsea,City,Liverpool but are still somehow clinging on to the 6th spot.Tim Sherwood is enduring a hard time at White Hart Lane but there have been instances where he has shown some qualities of a responsible manager.

On the other hand,David Moyes is not at all enjoying his first spell at Old Trafford after taking over the reigns.Although,their recent performances have been quite valiant but the other half of the season has been truly pathetic for United.Their ailing midfield is need of a revitalization,which will arrive this summer but it remains to be seen whether they manage it to Europe or not.

Expected Winner-There is just a two point gap between the two newly found rivals but Spurs would be frantic not to avoid any slip ups .Much like United,who would be determined to salvage some lost pride by at least making it to the Europa League.Considering the way United have been playing and the experience they possess in such cases,I see them making it to the 6th spot.

Arsenal v Everton (4th Spot)

This season also conveys how almost everything transforms as years fleet past and how good Everton have turned out to be after David Moyes' departure.Nobody ever expected Roberto Martinez to adhere to what he had said when the season had begun but the dream is on the verge of coming true.Arsenal,meanwhile don't seem to look in a comfortable spot in the League following their 3-0 defeat to Everton.

Everton have emerged as a rising force this season and Roberto Martinez has used Moyes' foundations rather spectacularly by using all his players very gainfully.They have been consistent and there's no wonder why the likes of Kevin Mirallas,Steven Naismith,Romelu Lukaku are coming out as top drawer talents.They look very comfortable and everyone wants the ball and are on the same wavelength.

Just when you thought,Arsenal may end their Premier League drought,everything started to go wrong for Arsene Wenger.They have failed big time in overcoming any of the Top 4 sides and all their efforts are,like always,falling apart.Injuries to some of their key players are having a disastrous effect on the side  and Wenger ,owing to lack of squad depth ,is being blamed for another abrupt downfall of theirs.

Expected Winner-Everton may have a match in hand but the tasks of beating the Manchester clubs is never ever easy.They have got an all important clash at St.Mary's as well but Arsenal don't have many tough encounters left to feed upon.So,I do see Everton's valiant efforts going in vain.

The Relegation battle

With over 4 teams being locked in a relegation battle,you never know what each one can throw at each other in order to avoid the dreaded spots.Sunderland,Cardiff City,Crystal Palace,Norwich City,Fulham and West Bromwich Albion are facing one of the most daunting and testing relegation battles the world has ever witnessed and EPL fans would know how unpredictable each side is.

Sunderland ,as expected are going through a tough phase of a battle in which they'd have to fight very hard,in a bid to survive.Gus Poyet has done a decent job in atleast ensuring a hope after Paolo di Canio was axed but he still has got a job on his hands.

Ole Gunnar Solksjaer is struggling critically to get a grip on the game and there's no wonder why he's under the cosh right now.They want points to climb out but they are something which has become tough to get for the BlueBirds.

The impressive Tony Pulis has virtually saved Palace from the dreaded zone but they still have got a bit of work to do,heading into an Aston Villa encounter.Just when we though that Palace were no way near to safety,the messiah took over and did what he does best.

Norwich City are going through an indifferent spell right now after the board sacked Chris Hughton despite of knowing the fact that they play fellow strugglers Fulham next.The road to safety will be a rocky one for interim gaffer Neil Adams and playing out of their skins is their only alternative. 

Things are turning around for Felix Magath's backroom staff as they succeeded in climbing out of the last spot last week.Trying out new combinations has finally worked and it's time he sticks to a conclusive foundation to avoid relegation.

Expected Winners-It would take hell lots of effort from Sunderland to jump out considering the fixtures they have next up while Crystal Palace's future still hangs in the balance.I don't know whether Cardiff can do it or not but one thing is for certain-Fulham will not get relegated in any circumstances.So,I see Crystal Palace and the Cottagers successfully steering away from the dreaded three spots.

The Title Race

In a title race that is the tightest ever,anything can be molded into a sharp needle point. A Renaissance affected Liverpool side are trampling almost every obstruction and seem tough to deny especially when at Anfield.Chelsea,after successfully outstaging PSG 2-0 in the Champions League should keep their heads and chins up in order to  lead the title charge.While ,Manchester City are well placed to overtake Liverpool on winning the games they have in hand.

Well,Liverpool are "Making them dream" aren't they?The way they have emerged out once again as a dominant force in English football is simply astonishing.Brendan Rodgers is doing a splendid job in getting his tactics right and in guiding a club as huge as Liverpool out of the transition period.The SAS pairing is doing wonders upfront while old man Steven Gerrard is performing his job along with Jordan Henderson quite brilliantly.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho may have conceded the title race but deep inside,he knows they are very much in it.Evidently,they are not feeling the inability to buy a striker and the likes of Eden Hazard,Oscar and Willian are settling into the role especially Andre Schurrle. They have dropped points here and there but their ability to win 3 points against tough oppositions is paying off.

Heavy Spenders-Manchester City are once again,challenging for the title with valor and bravery.But this time with Chelsea and Liverpool and not United.They have been ever consistent this term,unlike Chelsea and Arsenal but having two games in hand in a situation as tight as this does pile on the pressure.If they play a decisive game at Liverpool and then Chelsea play at Anfield away to the Reds,we can expect anything to be pulled out from the hat.

Expected Winner-The tie involving City and Liverpool will be decisive to the title race atleast not for Chelsea,who will also play the Reds in their den .City have also got Everton and strugglers Palace,West Brom and Sunderland to play out while Chelsea and Liverpool have also got similar fortunes awaiting them.It pains me to predict that Liverpool will win this (United fan) but believe me,anything is possible as of now...