EPL's Frantic Race For Fourth Features Twists and Possible Title Implications

The race for the final Champions League spot in the Premier League is being heavily contested by five teams coming into the penultimate weekend of the season.

Tottenham are the current occupants of fourth place. They are level on points with Aston Villa, who have played a game more.

Manchester City have slipped down the table to sixth, one point behind Spurs and Villa.

The Citizens were in pole position for the the last Champions League spot, but after picking up just one point from a possible six from their last two games, City are now looking up at fourth rather than down from fourth.

Liverpool are sitting in seventh, two points behind, which is a testament to their fighting spirit after a dismal season.

Manchester City have a crucial 10 days ahead of them as they face Aston Villa this weekend, and then Tottenham in 10 days time. The Blues' manager Roberto Mancini knows that he was brought to Eastlands to ensure Champions League football for City next year.

He also knows that the best chance of regaining their stronghold on fourth place is with two victories. However, City have failed to score in their last two games, and their potent attacking threat seems to have become limp.

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill will know that his team will face a tough trip to The City of Manchester Stadium this Saturday. The Villans have struggled to score goals as of late. Furthermore, if it wasn't for a late penalty, which was converted by James Milner against rivals Birmingham City, then Villa could very well have been sitting in seventh looking up at the rest of the pile.

Villa have scored the least amount of goals between the four teams fighting for the coveted fourth position.

Liverpool are the closet to them with 61 goals scored, ten more than the Midlands team.

Harry Redknapp will know that fourth is his too lose. Tottenham received high praise from Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, who said that the current team was "the best Spurs side he has seen in his time."

Tottenham will host Bolton Wanderers at White Hart Lane on Saturday and despite Bolton securing Premier League football for next year, Wanderers will still have some fight in them.

Bolton have a handful of players, including Gary Cahill and Jack Wilshere who will be looking to make an impact in the final games to receive a seat on the England plane to South Africa.

Tottenham were taught a harsh lesson last weekend by Man United, who beat Spurs 3-1 despite their recent run of great results.

The final game of the weekend with relation to the race for fourth also intersects with the race for the title.

Anfield will be the venue of the biggest match of the weekend.

Chelsea travel north to Liverpool to take on Rafael Benitez's Reds, who are on the cusp of the race for fourth, and know that anything but a win could be a major dent in their Champions League aspirations.

Chelsea are a point ahead of second-placed Manchester United and anything but three points for the London side could leave a window of opportunity open for United to pounce upon.

The race for the title and the race for fourth place are nowhere near over, but they may become somewhat clearer following Sunday 2nd May.