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.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.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. 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 CupWho would have thought Portsmouth would hold AC Milan 2-2 at home, for instance?The renamed Europa League will feature 48 clubs in its group stages and three English sides will be among them.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.Teams from the top three nations are chosen and England languished in eighth place in the intermediary rankings, behind Norway, Denmark and Scotland.So, with Everton and Aston Villa battling for fifth place, the push for seventh is down to four clubs.Just one point separates West Ham, Fulham, Manchester City and Tottenham with three games left.Here is Sportsmail's run down on the race for the Europa League.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. 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.' 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. Prediction - 8th. West Ham will miss out, just, on goal difference. Hammering on: UpsonCity slicker: Ireland 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.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. A home game against Bolton should see City's season end with a flourish.Prediction - 10th. 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.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.Prediction - 7th and qualification. Just. American dream: DempseySpurred on: Lennon 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.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.Prediction - 9th. 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