Alan Shearer

So, after 740 games, 66600 frenetic minutes and 919 goals (not to mention 10 managerial changes) the Premiership will finally reach it’s thrilling conclusion on Sunday. Much has been made over the last few years of the apparent lack of excitement of the Premiership as the Big Four fight an exclusive battle for supremacy, but this season has shown why England can be proud of the Greatest League in the World.

While Liverpool ultimately failed, they pushed Manchester United all the way this season and will be confident of making that extra step next season.

But although the race for the title has been wonderfully entertaining, the final day is all about the bottom of the table in what has become a most extraordinary scrap.

Who would have thought that when Kevin Keegan returned to Newcastle in a blaze of glory in January 2008, 18 months and 3 managers later they would be fighting for their Premier League survival? Likewise who would have predicted that Hull, sitting pretty in 3rd place in October, would have plummeted to just one point above the drop zone? But there they are nonetheless and they, along with Sunderland and Middlesbrough, make up the 4 teams, of which 2 must go down to the Championship.

All four teams have got incredibly difficult games, with Sunderland and Hull at home to Chelsea and Man U respectively and Newcastle and Middlesbrough away at Aston Villa and West Ham. I can’t see Sunderland getting anything against Chelsea and although Man U will be playing their reserves, they will be too strong for Hull.

Middlesbrough have been so dreadful this season that the likelihood of them winning against Zola’s reformed West Ham side is minimal which means that for my money Newcastle are in the box seat. True, they too have been woeful but Shearer will get them up for the fight and Villa’s recent form has been pretty poor since they have nothing left to play for. Frankly, I can’t think of anything worse (well other than Spurs getting relegated) than Newcastle going down since they belong in the Premiership so it’ll be Middlesbrough and Hull joining West Brom with their baseball gloves in ‘ze Kooler’. As ever – you heard it hear first!

But the excitement on the final day doesn’t stop there! Spurs have the opportunity to complete the ultimate Jekyll & Hyde story by winning a place in the Europa League (incidentally if anyone actually knows what this is then feel free to let me know) having been bottom of the table when Old ‘Arry took over. This does require the small matter of us beating Liverpool at Anfield and Fulham loosing at home to Everton but then…football’s a funny old game!