Dave’s Football Blog

Of course, just because I think Birmingham City is a good option for Steelers fans doesn’t mean I’ve jumped off the Reading bandwagon — especially after the club mascot got the Sir Purr treatment last Monday at the Madejski. He didn’t even down a live ball in the end zone or anything. Horrible.

Anyway, the Premier League teams going to the Champions League next season may be set — Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal *yawn* — but the real action is right below them, as five teams battle for England’s three UEFA Cup spots. Here’s how that part of the table looks right now:

Reading jumped back into the last UEFA Cup spot on Monday with their 1-0 win over Newcastle on Monday, but they don’t quite control their own destiny, as the Spurs still have a game in hand and could jump ahead of everybody with three wins. To get those points, though, they’ll have to win three matches in the span of seven days, which doesn’t sound too easy. They’ll earn it if they pull it off.

Here are the games to keep an eye on this weekend:

Everton v. Portsmouth (SAT, 10:00 AM Eastern): This is probably the game of the week here. Whoever wins this will have the best shot of playing for the UEFA Cup next season. A draw would hurt Pompey more because of goal differential, but Everton won’t settle for that if they can help it. (Fox Soccer Channel will air a replay of this match at 2:15 PM on Saturday.)

West Ham v. Bolton (SAT, 10:00 AM Eastern): One team is battling for Europe. The other is battling to stay in the Premiership for another season and get a chunk of that huge overseas TV deal for 2008. For the Hammers, a win could mean at least 30 million pounds or more up to 60 million pounds in TV money in 2008, while relegation means a parachute payment of 6.5 10 million pounds and only 2 million pounds in TV money. Unlike the Boston Celtics, West Ham has zero incentive to tank one. (FSC will air this match live.)

Reading v. Watford (SAT, 10:00 AM Eastern): Watford, on the other hand, are already on their way back down to the Championship after one season. They held the Royals to a goalless draw the first time around, but Reading is a much tougher club at home, and you have to wonder if Watford will go down swinging or just play out the string.

Charlton v. Tottenham (MON, 3:00 PM Eastern): Like West Ham, Charlton still has a shot at climbing out of the relegation zone, but they have to beat UEFA Cup contender Tottenham and Champions League finalist Liverpool. I don’t like their chances very much. A team fighting off relegation can be tough, though, and the Spurs will have to be careful not to run out of gas later in the week. (FSC will air this match live.)