Mark_Concannon's Blog

Talk about a day of decision! More plot twists than an episode of "24."

Suppose the Milwaukee Brewers had to win one game against say, the Pittsburgh Pirates to keep their spot in the Major Leagues and that a loss would mean a demotion to Triple-A. That's the situation facing several teams in the English Premier Soccer League this weekend, as EPL clubs play their final game to complete the regular season schedule.

The bottom three teams will be relegated to the lower division, the "Championship" League, which is impressively named but light years behind the Premier League in money and prestige. Derby County, with an abysmal 11 points has been doomed for demotion since before Christmas. The real drama will be played out among the next three teams in the bottom four. Reading and Fulham have 33 points, Birmingham is in next to last place with 32. Two of those clubs will be sent down.

Fulham, my sentimental favorite since the club employs five Americans(including UWM alum Brian McBride) has a tough assignment playing at Portsmouth, the surprising FA Cup finalist which is protecting the golden 8th spot which would insure a place in the UEFA Cup tournament next season. Reading has the easiest assignment, at woeful Derby, but if Fulham and Reading acheive the same result this weekend, Fulham wins the tiebreaker on goal differential. Birmingham needs to win at home against Blackburn, not an easy chore with the Rovers in 7th place also looking to nail down a UEFA placement.

And the gut-wrenching tension among the bottom feeders is surpassed at the other end of the table, as Manchester United and Chelsea are tied for first place heading into the final weekend. Man U enjoys the goal differential advantage and can clinch the championship with a victory. The Red Devils visit Wigan, which has occupied the lower half of the standings all season and would love to play spoiler again after earning a surprising draw at Chelsea last month that could determine the EPL winner. Chelsea faces Bolton at home. The Wanderers, with 36 points, could still technically be relegated with a lopsided loss, so they're not likely to be too bold and send many attackers forward with the knowledge that a 1-0 or even 2-0 setback insures their place in the top league.

Talk about a big finish! I can't wait for the last act from these lads!.