Leicester City were condemned to relegation after one season in the English premier league on Saturday despite a 2-2 draw at Charlton Athletic following Manchester City's 1-0 home win over Newcastle United.
With two games remaining they cannot catch fourth-bottom Manchester City, who took three priceless points against injury-hit Newcastle thanks to a Paulo Wanchope header.
Wolverhampton Wanderers will need a mathematical miracle if they are not to join Leicester in an immediate return to the first division despite coming from behind to beat Everton 2-1.
Leeds United, who visit Bolton Wanderers on Sunday, look favourites to join them in going down but still have an outside chance of staying up.
At the top, Chelsea consolidated their grip on second place with a 4-0 home win over Southampton. With two games remaining they are four points ahead of Manchester United, who lost 1-0 at Blackburn Rovers with a weakened team.
Arsenal, crowned champions almost a week ago, remained on course to go through the league season unbeaten after a 0-0 home draw with Birmingham City.
The champions have 83 points from 35 games. Chelsea, who face Monaco in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, look certain to claim automatic qualification for the group stage of the competition next season as they moved on to 75 points from 36 games.
Manchester United, who put out almost a reserve side in at Blackburn, have 71 points, also with two games left.
The battle for fourth place -- and the final Champions League qualifying slot -- has swung Liverpool's way. They have 53 points, the same as Newcastle, but can move clear with a home win over Middlesbrough on Sunday.
Aston Villa, sixth on 52 points are also in action on Sunday at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
From the bottom up, Leicester have 30 points, Wolves 32 and Leeds also 32 but with a game in hand. Manchester City, with a hugely superior goal difference than Wolves, have 38.
Tottenham and Everton are not absolutely safe on 39 points but Portsmouth, with 41, almost certainly are after they made it five wins and two draws from their last seven games with a 1-1 home draw against Fulham.
