Advantage Tottenham – only just

Wednesday's meeting of Manchester City and Tottenham at Eastlands looks more likely than ever to decide who finishes fourth and takes a place in the Champions' League play-off round after both won home games yesterday.

City trailed Aston Villa, the other serious contenders, early on but came back to win 3-1. Spurs, who have not competed for the European Cup since 1961, held on to Tom Huddlestone's goal to beat Bolton 1-0.

The London side lead City by one point, with a slightly inferior goal difference. A draw on Wednesday would therefore make them favourites going into the final matches, when they visit relegated Burnley and City are at West Ham.

Meanwhile, Chelsea will regain the Premier League title today if they win at Liverpool in what could be Rafa Benitez's last home game as manager, and Manchester United lose at Sunderland.

Liverpool fans desperate for United not to overtake their record of 18 titles yesterday erected a banner at the training ground reading: "Please let Chelsea win".