Sunday, 07 March 2004

Bristol Rovers WFC v Birmingham City LFC
Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC v Everton LFC
Fulham LFC v Charlton Athletic WFC
Leeds United v Arsenal LFC

When the teams met at The Valley in November, Fulham won 3-2. But the Addicks gained revenge by knocking their London rivals out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 victory which ended Fulham’s 78-match unbeaten run in domestic League and Cup matches.

If Charlton can now end Fulham’s still unbeaten League record they will go five points clear at the top, though the Cottagers have a game in hand so a draw would be enough to keep the champions in strong contention to retain their title.

But Chapman & Co are not going to settle for a draw on Sunday. The England midfielder said: “We want the three points because they could be vital in deciding who wins the League.

“This is the biggest match of the season so far and I think it will be the title decider. Charlton will obviously want the three points as well so it could be a great match, but I think it will be very tight.

“I can’t see there being more than one goal in it either way, and we have to make sure the winning goal is ours. I was absolutely gutted to lose to Charlton in the FA Cup - but a win on Sunday would certainly help towards making up for it.”

While the top pair continue what for most of the season has appeared to be a two horse race for the title, a third runner has emerged in Arsenal – and they could have an important say in who wins the League.

A 3-0 Thursday evening win at Birmingham City lifted the Gunners to third place in the table and, if they can collect another victory at Leeds United on Sunday, they will keep themselves in the running as the title race enters the final straight.

Birmingham City, meanwhile, will be aiming to bounce back from their midweek defeat by winning at Bristol Rovers in what could just be a dress rehearsal for the FA Cup final.

Next week’s semi-finals see Birmingham pitched against Charlton and Rovers against Arsenal. The two London clubs will be hot favourites to reach the final, but this is The FA Cup….

The Cup dreams of Doncaster Rovers Belles and Everton are on hold for another season, but Sunday’s League meeting at Donny could be significant for the home side at least.

While an Everton victory would do nothing for the Toffees in terms of their League placing, a win for Donny would take them above Leeds into fourth place if their Yorkshire rivals are beaten by Arsenal.