Mark Your Calendars: Crucial Upcoming EPL Fixtures In March

Aston Villa vs Portsmouth - Saturday March 15th

In two weeks' time, Aston Villa and Portsmouth will face off at Fratton Park with, hopes of securing spots in their respective European competitions.

After nearly pulling off a huge upset at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon, Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa side are making their own bid for fourth spot in the Premier League. Hoping for a slip up from both Everton and Liverpool, there is an outside chance that Villa could slip into the fourth and final spot for the Champions League.

As for Pompey, securing a spot in the UEFA Cup would be a major accomplishment for Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth. Currently sitting in 9th place with 44 points, Pompey still has a chance of leapfrogging one of their table rivals with a spell of good form.

Birmingham City vs Newcastle United - Monday March 17th

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

Once considered to be legitimate contenders for Europe, Newcastle United had fallen on hard times under both Sam Allardyce and Kevin Keegan. Sitting only three points above the relegation zone, Magpie manager Kevin Keegan has yet to win a game after being called into duty by club owner Mike Ashley.

Birmingham City, on the other hand, are coming off a remarkable performance against Tottenham after demolishing the 2008 Carling Cup winners by a scoreline of 4-1. New boy James McFadden looks in good form as he looks to help steer his club away from relegation by coming out on top against Newcastle when the two sides square off at St. Andrews Ground on Monday night.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea - Wednesday March 19th

Speaking of Tottenham, Juande Ramos' side will be looking to pull off another repeat victory over their London rivals in a repeat of the 2008 Carling Cup Final at White Hart Lane. As for Chelsea manager Avram Grant, he will be hoping to silence the critics after receiving excessive criticism for failing to win the Carling Cup last month. 

Birmingham City vs Reading - Saturday March 22nd  

In another relgation battle at the Madejski Stadium, Reading welcomes Alex McLeish's Birmingham City side to their ground in a crucial encounter. With both sides hovering around the danger zone, Birmingham and Reading will be hoping to get the result they need to stay for another season in the Premier League.

Newcastle United vs Fulham - Saturday March 22nd

New Fulham manager Roy Hodgson will need his club to dig deeper as they travel to St. James Park to take on rival relegation candidates Newcastle United. After ludicrous spending, Fulham have failed to produce the results needed to establish themselves as a Premier League side. 

For Kevin Keegan, he'll need to grab all three points if he wants to keep his job—or his short lived return could be in serious jeopardy.

Super Sunday II - Sunday March 23rd

A) Manchester United vs Liverpool

In the first part of the so-called "Super Sunday", Manchester United takes on their hated rivals Liverpool in a battle between the two most historically sucessful teams in England at Old Trafford, Sunday afternoon. United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping to lock up the Premier League title, where as Liverpool manager Rafa Benitiez will be hoping to catch up to their Merseyside rivals Everton for fourth place.

B) Chelsea vs Arsenal 

In the final part of "Super Sunday", Avram Grant's resilent Chelsea squad will be hoping to close the gap between them and the current league leaders in Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. The clash between the two cross-town rivals could potentially determine the winner of the Premier League with the surging Red Devils keeping a close eye on this match.

Derby County vs Fulham, Saturday March 29

Similarly, both Derby County and Fulham find themselves currently battling the odds to stay alive in the ever competitive English Premier League. The March 29th encounter should help clear up the relegation picture for both Roy Hodgson and Paul Jewell.

Liverpool vs Everton, Sunday March 30th

Perhaps the biggest match in recent history between the two Merseyside rivals, Everton travels to Anfield for a crucial match in the "Friendly Derby". After being robbed of a result when the sides first met back in October, Everton manager David Moyes' hopes for a Champions League spot could very well rest on this match considering the presence of Liverpool.