Source: Daily_Mail
New name, same game: West Ham, Spurs, Fulham and Man City in race to enter the Europa League
The race for the Europa League is hotting up in the English top flight.[LNB]While the opportunity to play 19 extra games a season may be seen as a poisoned chalice by some, European football brings kudos, adventure and that all-important entity, cash.[LNB]Trips to remote parts of eastern Europe might not be everyone's cup of tea, but for every trek to a Romanian outpost there's the prospect of a tie with an Italian giant.[LNB][LNB][LNB] Superstars: Portsmouth fans got to watch the likes of Ronaldinho and Felippo Inzaghi at Fratton Park as Milan were held to a 2-2 draw in the UEFA Cup[LNB]Who would have thought Portsmouth would hold AC Milan 2-2 at home, for instance?[LNB]The renamed Europa League will feature 48 clubs in its group stages and three English sides will be among them.[LNB]The Fair Play League, through which Manchester City qualified last season, is unlikely to yield a fourth spot for a Premier League club this season.[LNB]Teams from the top three nations are chosen and England languished in eighth place in the intermediary rankings, behind Norway, Denmark and Scotland.[LNB]So, with Everton and Aston Villa battling for fifth place, the push for seventh is down to four clubs.[LNB]Just one point separates West Ham, Fulham, Manchester City and Tottenham with three games left.[LNB]Here is Sportsmail's run down on the race for the Europa League.[LNB]WEST HAMCurrent position: 7thPoints: 48Form WLDLWKey man: Matthew Upson Remaining fixturesMay 9: Liverpool (h)May 16: Everton (a)May 24: Middlesbrough (h) Eurosceptics? Not at all. Taking West Ham into Europe in his first season would be a significant boost for Gianfranco Zola's CV. [LNB]The Italian went as far as to suggest the Hammers' rivals were deliberately dropping points to avoid qualification, but added: 'Of course I'm not going to simply participate (if we qualify). I will try very hard to win it.' [LNB]Sportsmail verdict: West Ham need at least a point from tough games against Liverpool and Everton, but the final-day clash with Boro should be a formality. [LNB]Prediction - 8th. West Ham will miss out, just, on goal difference.[LNB] Hammering on: Upson[LNB]City slicker: Ireland[LNB] MANCHESTER CITYCurrent position: 8thPoints: 47Form: LLWWWKey man: Stephen Ireland Remaining fixturesMay 10: Man United (a)May 16: Tottenham (a)May 24: Bolton (h) Eurosceptics? No way. Any form of European qualification is desirable for City - it will help attract those big names to Eastlands.[LNB]Sportsmail verdict: Daunting away fixtures at Old Trafford and White Hart Lane could prove problematic - and Mark Hughes' side have been awful on the road this season.[LNB] A home game against Bolton should see City's season end with a flourish.[LNB]Prediction - 10th. [LNB]FULHAMCurrent position: 9thPoints: 47Form: LWDWLKey man: Clint Dempsey Remaining fixturesMay 9: Aston Villa (h)May 16: Newcastle (a)May 24: Everton (h) Eurosceptics? Are you kidding? Roy Hodgson is one of the Premier League's most Euro-savvy managers - and how he would love to take Fulham from relegation fodder to a Europa League spot.[LNB]Sportsmail verdict - Fulham have the advantage of two home games and have been excellent at Craven Cottage this season, while Newcastle seem there for the taking.[LNB]Prediction - 7th and qualification. Just.[LNB] American dream: Dempsey[LNB]Spurred on: Lennon[LNB] [LNB]TOTTENHAM HOTSPURCurrent position: 10thPoints: 47Form: LWWLWKey man: Aaron Lennon Remaining fixturesMay 9: Everton (a)May 16: Manchester City (h)May 24: Liverpool (a) Eurosceptics? Yes. This season's trip to Shakhtar Donetsk didn't get the pulse racing. 'I'd fancy West Ham or Fulham (to qualify for Europe),' said Redknapp at the weekend.[LNB]Sportsmail verdict - Everton and Liverpool away are not prospects to savour, but Spurs have beaten the Reds twice already this season. Manchester City at home should mean another clean sheet and a win.[LNB]Prediction - 9th. [LNB] Moyes wants more from players as Everton prepare for frenetic final flingIAN RIDLEY: Revamped UEFA Cup is in a league of its own for utter lunacyWest Ham boss Zola asks Europa League commitment question [LNB]
