The race for the Premier League title in England can go to the very last fixture and the same can be said about the tussle to avoid the dreaded drop to the Champion-ship at the end of the season.

This season’s fight for survival has shaped up to be one of the most desperate.

The increase in revenue from TV rights that came into effect this season has ensured playing in the top flight has become more lucrative than ever before.

Hardly surprising then that the teams in the bottom half of the standings have broken their transfer record in the last two windows – the only exceptions being Stoke and Sunderland.

Sunderland, who dented Manchester City’s title hopes in midweek after a 2-2 draw, are still the most concerned with 26 points from 33 matches.

The bottom seven teams and their remaining fixtures:

Sunderland: Played 33, Points 26 − Chelsea (away, today); Cardiff (home, April 27), Manchester United (away, May 3); West Brom (home, May 7); Swansea (home, May 11).

Cardiff: Played 34, Points 29 − Stoke (home, today); Sunderland (away, April 27); Newcastle (away, May 3); Chelsea (home, May 11).

Fulham: Played 34, Points 30 − Tottenham (away, today); Hull (home, April 26); Stoke (away, May 3); Crystal Palace (home, May 11).

Norwich: Played 34, Points 32 − Liverpool (home, tomorrow); Manchester United (away, April 26); Chelsea (Away, May 4); Arsenal (home, May 11).

West Brom: Played 33, Points 33 − Manchester City (away, Monday); West Ham (home April 26); Arsenal (away, May 4); Sunderland (away, May 7); Stoke (home, May 11).

Swansea: Played 34, Points 33 − Newcastle (away, today); Aston Villa (home, April 26); Southampton (home, May 3); Sunderland (away, May 11).

Aston Villa: Played 33, Points 34 − Southampton (home, today); Swansea (away, April 26); Hull (home, May 3); Manchester City (away, May 7); Tottenham (away May 11).

League leaders Liverpool, now so close to winning their first Premier League championship in 24 years, will play guests to Norwich tomorrow.

Thanks to their 3-2 win over Manchester City at Anfield, the Reds have equalled the best successive win record of ten in the top flight that is held by Manchester United.

An emotional Steve Gerrard burst into tears and gave his team-mates a stirring on-pitch rallying call last week as Liverpool celebrated their win over City.

Chelsea, two points adrift of Liverpool, could go top this evening if they beat strugglers Sunderland at Stamford Bridge.

Black Cats manager Gus Poyet will surely remember the great time he spent as a player with the Blues as Demba Ba hit peak form at the right moment to keep Chelsea in contention at home and in Europe.

City will be trying to forget all about the shock result against Sunderland by beating West Brom at the Etihad Stadium to revive their title ambitions.

The Baggies are also coming from a disappointing result after throwing away a three-goal lead against Tottenham last week to settle for a 3-3 draw.

In midweek, Everton surprisingly lost 3-2 to Crystal Palace at home to slip behind Arsenal in the race for a UEFA Champions League berth.

Tomorrow, the Toffees have another tough task awaiting them as they play hosts to Manchester United at Goodison Park.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s campaign can be saved if they win the FA Cup final next month.

Tomorrow the Gunners will have a dress rehearsal of the Wembley showdown as they play other finalists Hull at the KC Stadium.

Fixtures and forecast

Premier League

Aston Villa-Southampton 1
Cardiff-Stoke 1
Chelsea-Sunderland (18:30) 1
Newcastle-Swansea X
Tottenham-Fulham (13:45) X
West Ham-Crystal Palace X

Tomorrow:
Everton-Man. United (17:10) 1
Hull-Arsenal (15:05) X
Norwich-Liverpool (13:00) 2

Monday:
Man. City-West Brom (21:00) 2

Standings: Liverpool 77; Chelsea 75; Man. City 71; Arsenal 67; Everton 66; Tottenham 60; Man. United 57; Southampton 48; Newcastle 46; Stoke 43; C. Palace 40; West Ham 37; Hull 36; Aston Villa 34; Swansea, West Brom 33; Norwich 32; Fulham 30; Cardiff 29; Sunderland 26.

The Championship

Barnsley-Leeds X
Leicester-QPR (13:15) X
Middlesbrough-Millwall 1
Nottm Forest-Birmingham 1
Watford-Ipswich 1

League Two

Burton-Hartlepool 1
Portsmouth-Bristol Rovers 1

Hot Four

Middlesbrough, Nottm Forest, Burton, Portsmouth.