Manchester United champs - Liverpool to take fourth and Derby, Bolton and Fulham down. Is the Premier League all over?

Much to the disappointment of English football fans and the marketing men at Setanta and Sky, the weekend of Premier League action just gone may have all but sealed the most important races in the so-called best league in the world.

Manchester United are now odds-on to win the title, Liverpool should claim the coveted fourth place and Champions League football - and Bolton and Fulham will most likely join doomed Derby County in the Championship next season.

The Title race

Manchester United’s 4-0 win over Aston Villa was a signal of intent to their nearest rivals. The swashbuckling football, led by the ever-sensational Cristiano Ronaldo, was a joy to watch and it is difficult to see either Arsenal or Chelsea overtaking the league leaders.

Of course it is still mathematically possible for Chelsea or even Arsenal to be crowned Champions in May but with just six games left United look to be in control. Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa side have proved a difficult obstacle this season, Chelsea have take just one point off them in two games and they recently drew at the Emirates. Yet United brushed them aside with ease.

For so long the title race was billed as “the closest ever” but United could win the title  by as much as ten points. This weekend Arsenal face a tricky game with Liverpool at the Emirates and Chelsea travel to Manchester City, whilst United on current form should see off Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

Psychologically the title is almost United’s, this weekend may just confirm the beginning of the procession and Sir Alex Ferguson’s team will be able to concentrate fully on Europe.

Champions League place

Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Everton has almost certainly guaranteed Rafa Benitez’s team another tilt at the Champions League in 2008/9. In recent seasons the battle for fourth place has often gone down to the wire with some titanic clashes between Liverpool and Everton and Spurs and Arsenal.

There is much to be said for the argument that the cycle of money from the premier competition in Europe will ensure that almost every season the same teams compete - England’s Big Four are proof of this.

Nevertheless, with a five-point lead over their Merseyside neighbours, it would be a shock if Liverpool slipped up now, especially with Fernando Torres in such fine form and Everton still facing games against Chelsea and Arsenal.

Relegation

Arsenal’s dramatic comeback at the Reebok and Derby’s relegation made for some great television this past weekend but in many ways the true meaning of these two games was masked.

Failing to hold onto a two-goal lead at home against ten men is relegation form - and Bolton have not won in the Premier League since the beginning of February and face the hardest fixture list of all those fighting the dreaded drop.

Fulham are two points worse off and really needed to beat Derby on Saturday to get themselves closer to the teams above the relegation zone. Roy Hodgson’s side failed to build on their win over Everton a few weeks ago and every other team above the drop zone (Birmingham, Wigan, Reading, Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Newcastle) have produced impressive performances and recorded better results in recent weeks.

Of course, things can change in football very quickly, but the race for a UEFA Cup place next season through the league may be the only undecided outcome of this Premier League season come early May.

Keep up to date with all the latest goals from around the world on 101 Great Goals.