Manchester United get ready for title celebrations

It could be a big day in the north on Saturday with Manchester City and Manchester United hoping to end the day as proud owners of the two most sought after pieces of silverware in England.

By the time the FA Cup final kicks off at Wembley at 3pm the red half on Manchester could already be celebrating their official coronation as Premier League champions. If they can avoid defeat against Blackburn on Saturday lunchtime then the title is theirs, and even if they lose they will still win the trophy on Sunday if Chelsea fail to beat Newcastle.

At the bottom of the table the biggest clash of the weekend appears to be between West Ham and Wigan. But by the time they meet on Sunday the Hammers could aleady be down and if fail to win then they will definitely be playing in the Championship next season.

Here's The First Post's guide to the weekend's action:

Blackburn v Manchester United
It might not be happening at Old Trafford but Alex Ferguson's team look set to be crowned Premier League champions just down the road from Manchester at Ewood Park in Blackburn. The Red Devils need a single point to make the title their own and struggling Blackburn are unlikely to stop them getting it. Rovers probably only need one more point to be safe, but their priority will probably be simply to avoid a repeat of the 7-1 thrashing they endured at Old Trafford earlier in the season, when Dimitar Berbatov scored five. Darren Fletcher could return for United and Fergie will regard the final two games of the season as a long audition for the Champions League final later this month. The entire squad will be eager to impress and the manager may actually decide to give a few squad players a run out. But as Schalke discovered in the Champions League final the United second string is still pretty formidable and it will be a major surprise if the team in red aren't cavorting with the Premier League trophy at the end of the game. From a Rover's perspective a point is not beyond the realms of possibility.

Blackpool v Bolton
It is do or die time for Blackpool, who know that their chances of staying up will be minimal at best if they do not win this game. With a trip to Old Trafford to end the season the Seasiders desperately need all three points against a Bolton team whose season ended with their comprehensive defeat to Stoke in the FA Cup semi-final. The Trotters have lost three on the bounce and could be there for the taking. The atmosphere inside Bloomfield Road will be electric and Ian Holloway's men will undoubtedly pour forward as they have all season. Whether Bolton punish them on the break remains to be see. It is strangely fitting that this match, a repeat of the famous 1953 cup final, should take place on the same day as the 2011 FA Cup final.

Sunderland v Wolves
Not many people expected Wolves to escape the drop, but a win against Sunderland on Saturday lunchtime could secure their place in the top flight next season. The manner of their victory over local rivals West Brom last week suggests that Mick McCarthy's men are on a roll and are determined not to go down. If they play with a similar verve at the Stadium of Light they could be celebrating long into the evening. There is good news on the injury front too, and Wolves could welcome back Kevin Doyle. As for Sunderland, they are simply waiting for the season to end and could be there for the taking.

West Brom v Everton
Both these teams are happily ensconced mid-table, Everton just below the big guns in seventh and West Brom in the pack lying just above the relegation fight. West Brom have something to prove to their fans after being badly beaten by local rivals Wolves last week, while David Moyes will want his team to carry on where they left off against Manchester City. But with the pressure off it could be a good open game, although Everton will fancy their chances of a win.

Chelsea v Newcastle
The lunchtime kick off on Sunday could turn out to be the title decider, but only if Manchester United lose to Blackburn on Saturday. If Alex Ferguson's men do lose then it will be all eyes on Chelsea, who could still hand the title to United by not winning at Stamford Bridge. But that is not a likely scenario, as if United lose there is little doubt that Chelsea will go for the jugular against Newcastle. They will probably do so anyway, just to prove a point. A summer clear-out is being predicted at the Bridge, so old stagers like Didier Drogba and even Frank Lampard will want to remind everyone of their talents. Newcastle's away form is not good and they have managed one point from their last four games on the road - and it could be a long journey back to Tyneside for the Toon Army after this encounter.

Arsenal v Aston Villa
Given all the doom and gloom being peddled about Arsenal's season you could be forgiven for thinking that they were out of Europe and about to go bust. As it is they are third in the league and will secure that spot with a win against Villa at the Emirates. If the Gunners are to mount a serious title challenge next season then there will need to be some changes over the summer. The match could be notable for being Cesc Fabregas's final appearance in an Arsenal shirt at the Emirates - however he may still be injured. On a more positive note there could be a return for Thomas Vermaelen, whose strength at the back has been sorely missed all season. Villa are still not mathematically safe but will not be too concerned about the prospect of relegation.

Birmingham v Fulham
Depending on what happens on Saturday, Birmingham could find themselves right back in the relegation mix by the time this game kicks off on Sunday afternoon. Whatever happens in the lead up to this game they will certainly have more to play for than Fulham. To make matters worse for the Londoners, they were thrashed by Liverpool on Monday and looked dreadful at the back, and that will give goal-shy Birmingham hope that they can get the three points that should secure their Premier League status.

Liverpool v Tottenham
Is there something in the air in north London? Spurs are 'doing an Arsenal' and the wheels are falling off their season in the home straight. If the Lilywhites lose at Anfield then their hopes of any kind of European football next season will be dashed. Unfortunately for Harry Redknapp's men Liverpool are on a roll after their 5-2 demolition of Fulham on Monday and the news that Kenny Dalglish has signed a three-year deal as Liverpool boss. To make matters worse for Spurs Gareth Bale is out for the season and he is joined on the sidelines by Benoit Assou-Ekotto. As for the Reds they are on fire, Maxi Rodriguez has scored seven in three games and Luis Suarez is proving to be such a hit that the Kop has been left wondering 'Fernando who?'.

Wigan v West Ham
There will be tension aplenty at all the grounds this weekend, but nowhere will it be as palpable as the DW Stadium on Sunday, where the game could end with one club relegated and the other as good as down. If West Ham fail to win then they will be in the Championship next season, but even if they do then the chances are that they will wave goodbye to the top flight. And if the Hammers are victorious then it is more than likely that Wigan will also be on their way to the Championship. West Ham already appear resigned to their fate but could put up something of a fight, but the result depends on the form of Roberto Martinez's troops. But they should have the motivation to succeed against West Ham's beleaguered troops.  ·