Spectre of relegation haunts Newcastle

The weatherman is predicting a sunny climax to the Premier League season on Sunday, but sunshine will be at a premium in the North East as Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland, along with Hull just down the road, fight over the last two places in the top flight.

Two of the four will be relegated along with West Bromwich Albion. For Hull and to a certain extent Sunderland it would be a premature end to their attempts to establish themselves among the big boys - back to square one. For Newcastle and Middlesbrough relegation would come as a shattering blow to their aspirations. But it is the latter two clubs that currently occupy the relegation places.

Boro are as good as finished, the Uefa Cup finalists of 2006 need to win against West Ham and hope that both Hull and Newcastle lose if they are to stay up - and even then they could still go down on goal difference.

Most eyes will be on Newcastle. Their season has been nothing short of a disaster and a loss at Aston Villa would inflict the catastrophe of relegation on them. Alan Shearer has done little to inspire his troops since his arrival and his status as a Geordie hero will not be helped if he is the man with his hand on the tiller as the boat goes down.

A point for the Magpies would be enough should Hull lose. The Tigers will fight tooth and nail, but they have the most daunting task of all - entertaining Manchester United. United have already been crowned champions and with a Champions League final to worry about it is almost inevitable that Sir Alex Ferguson will rest most of his first choice XI - the only question is whether the Tigers are good enough to beat Manchester United reserves.

If Hull only manage a draw, then a Newcastle win will keep them up, so Phil Brown's men will have to rediscover their giant-killing ways in order to guarantee their place in the elite.

Sunderland are not safe, but given the plight and form of the teams below them they would be unlucky to go down. The Black Cats host Chelsea who are still in with a sniff of second place in table. If they lose or draw, then wins for both Hull and Newcastle will send them down, so Ricky Sbragia's men will have to go out looking for all three points.

Elsewhere, Liverpool's ultimately disappointing season ends with a visit from Spurs, who are chasing for a place in Europe that they do not actually want.

Above Spurs in seventh, Fulham are currently in possession of the final European spot and Roy Hodgson's men - for many the team of the season after escaping relegation in goal difference last year - play Everton, who lie in fifth. If they equal Spurs' result Craven Cottage will host European football next season.

Fans of Arsenal and Stoke, Man City and Bolton, Wigan and Portsmouth and Blackburn and West Brom can soak up the sun and reflect on another season, although it is only Stoke who will really enjoy themselves - the others will all be wondering what might have been - Arsenal and West Brom in particular.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Since this preview was posted, the results are in. Newcastle United and Middlesbrough are the two teams to be relegated. Newcastle had to win at least a point to stay up but lost 1-0 to Aston Villa. Middlesbrough lost 2-1 to West Ham. Hull City and Sunderland both survive to play Premier League football for another season. Hull lost 1-0 to Manchester United. Sunderland lost 2-3 to Chelsea. A full report of today's final games of the season will be posted on Monday morning. ·