Destiny calling

Manchester It has all come down to one game, on one day, at Old Trafford. That, at least, is the general consensus about Liverpool's last remaining hopes of capturing the EPL title for the first time in almost a generation.

Seven points behind their great rivals and having played a game more, Rafael Benitez's team simply have to win against Manchester United today lunchtime to stand a realistic chance of stopping United marching on to retain their crown.

The odds are slim but at least Liverpool go into the game brimming with confidence after their stunning elimination of Real Madrid in the Champions League. After humiliating the nine-times European champions to reach the quarterfinals, Benitez is halfway to his dream of capturing one of the two big prizes.

"We have an important game next, but we scored four goals against Real and are very confident," he said. "That is the best way to prepare for such a game. Obviously we are now facing a very good team and we must win to close the gap at the top. "

Benitez has taken pains to hit back at critics who have branded him a defensive coach. He believes he deserves more credit for the job he has done at Anfield after again suffering stinging criticism from some quarters for his inability to oversee a concerted EPL title challenge. One thing is for sure: Liverpool cannot afford to defend today in a heavyweight clash that will grip not only the nation but the football world at large.

"I am happy for anyone to look at how we have progressed in my time at Liverpool," said Benitez. "The team is improving all the time and the squad is now better than ever. We are closer to the Premier League title and going well in the Champions League again. The facts are there for all to see."

If - and it's a massive if - Liverpool can cut the gap at the top, the pressure will then be on Chelsea to pick up a win 24 hours later. Guus Hiddink's revitalised team take on Manchester City, who are still finding it tough on the road to match their fine home form.

This is the time of the season when nerves start jangling at top and bottom and there is no more important game in this respect that Arsenal's tie with Blackburn. While the Gunners need to make further inroads into challenging Aston Villa for fourth spot, Rovers will be keen not get sucked back into the mire in their quest to survive.

Blackburn have improved under Sam Allardyce and had a crucial come-from-behind 2-1 win at Fulham in midweek which propelled them up to 15th. Allardyce believes that leap can help the players shed some of the negative feeling that comes with being in the drop zone.

Rovers have lost just twice in their last 11 outings under Allarydyce but face an Arsenal team buoyed by their penalty shootout Champions league win over Roma.

Villa, who have seen their lead over Arsenal cut to three points, are adamant that their challenge for a first ever Champions League spot will not fizzle out. Martin O'Neill's side have been recharging their batteries in Dubai in preparation for the last 10 games of the campaign.

"The players are really enjoying the situation they are in," insisted O'Neill. "There is a tremendous excitement about the run-in. That's probably because we haven't been in this position before. The big four have budgeted for Champions League football - we haven't. Can we stay with it? There is no reason why we shouldn't be in the mix at the end of the season."

Villa, so dangerous away from home, have not been able to consistently repeat that form on their own patch but if Arsenal overcome Blackburn, O'Neill's side will be under enormous pressure to beat Spurs 24 hours later, no straightforward task given the fact that Harry Redknapp's team have put together a decent run of results as they push for safety.

Of all the so-called big teams near the bottom, there are growing fears for Newcastle who have been without a manager since caretaker boss Joe Kinnear suffered a heart problem. The Magpies are dangerously near the drop zone and it is no surprise that their visit to fellow strugglers Hull is a complete sellout with both sides desperate for points.

With Arsenal and Chelsea due at St James' Park in their next two home games, Newcastle's plight could deepen as the sides at the foot of the table jockey for position. Newcastle have won just one of their last 10 league games - a 3-2 victory at bottom side West Brom - and taken only six points in the process as a chaotic season has lurched towards the brink of disaster. However, Chris Hughton, Kinnear's assistant, is convinced there are the battling qualities within the squad to edge their way clear of the trapdoor as the season draws to a tense conclusion. "We have a group of lads here who are very aware of what the scrap will be," he said. "We have just got to make sure we have enough battling qualities to get away from that group."

That process could be helped in no small part by the return at Hull of skipper Michael Owen from injury. The 29-year-old England international - who has 10 goals to his name this season - has not played since the end of January when he damaged ankle ligaments.

In other games, Bolton meet Fulham, high-flying Everton take on Stoke while there is the mother of all six-pointers at the bottom as Middlesbrough play Portsmouth. Sunderland take on Wigan while on Monday Europe-chasing West Ham host bottom-placed West Brom.

-The author is a football expert based in London