Though the destination of the English title probably will not be revealed until the final matchday, the festivities could commence this weekend in France, Spain, Italy and Germany. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich may even be crowned without playing, while Inter Milan could clinch the Serie A prize against their arch-rivals. Over in France, Lyon need to beat Nice and then hope Marseille win the following day.

Despite the plethora of permutations, one thing is for sure: it is going to be a weekend of high drama at stadiums right across Europe. FIFA.com guides you through the choice items on the menu.

Premier League: United hold the edge
"We can do the double," Manchester United's Ryan Giggs insisted recently to FIFA.com, but Chelsea have identical intentions. Before meeting in Moscow in the UEFA Champions League final, the English heavyweights will fight it out for the domestic title. Although level on points after the Blues' win over the Red Devils last weekend, Sir Alex Ferguson's side have a vastly superior goal difference and, on paper, an easier fixture this weekend. United host a tenth-placed West Ham United side who have little left to play for before Chelsea travel to Newcastle United, unbeaten in their last six matches.

Below the big hitters, the encounter between sixth-placed Aston Villa and Wigan Athletic appears as important for the Villans' hopes of securing European football for next season as it does for the Latics' survival chances. Villa will also be hoping fifth-placed Everton fall to defeat at Arsenal.

The question: Can Derby County avoid finishing with an all-time Premier League points low? They will need to avoid defeat at Blackburn Rovers to keep alive their chances.
The big match: Manchester United-West Ham United, Saturday 3 May, 13:45 CET
The quote: "United still have everything in their hands but the pressure is on them. In 2000 I was in a similar situation at Leverkusen, but we were the ones leading and Bayern Munich caught us. In the last game we were three points in front, but lost the game and the title. It can happen right up to the final minute." Michael Ballack, Chelsea midfielder

Ligue 1: Lyon almost there
For the last few seasons, Lyon have grown accustomed to being in holiday mode at around this time, the title long since sewn up. This year, however, they have not had it all their own way. Bordeaux have succeeded in keeping pace with the reigning six-time champions and are currently four points behind with three games left to go. But Alain Perrin's players could still be crowned this weekend if they win at Nice on Saturday and Bordeaux then lose the following day.

That scenario is far from beyond the realms of possibility, as Les Girondins visit a Marseille side in third and ready to fight tooth and nail to secure their Champions League spot. At the other end of the table, Paris Saint-Germain, in 18th, gained fresh hope by beating Auxerre but face a real six-pointer away at 16th-placed Toulouse, who are ahead of them only on goal difference.

The question: Will Lyon be celebrating a seventh consecutive title on Sunday?
The big match: Marseille-Bordeaux, Sunday 4 May, 20:55 CET
The quote: "It's going to be a party atmosphere at the Velodrome and we'll be giving it everything, as we have been for a while now. We're Olympique Marseille and we have to hold on to our position and finish third." Lorik Cana, Marseille captain

La Liga: A party in the Plaza for Real?
Madrid's famous Cibeles Square will be packed with Real Madrid fans celebrating their club's 31st league title, providing Bernd Schuster's charges overcome Osasuna in Pamplona. Los Merengues could even be crowned before kick-off if Villarreal, who lie ten points behind, lose at the Madrigal to Getafe, who are fighting against relegation.

At the Nou Campp, third-placed Barcelona and Valencia clash in a game that has been integral to the title race in recent years. This time around, however, it will be little more than a sideshow in a season to forget for both teams. But they do have plenty to play for, with Los Blaugranas still hoping to nick second place and Los Ches determined to banish the spectre of relegation once and for all. The threat of the drop is also looming large over Zaragoza, who face a tough task at seventh-placed Deportivo La Coruna.

The question: Can Barça rediscover the path to goal that has eluded them in their last four matches?
The big match: Barcelona-Valencia, Sunday 4 May, 17:00 CET
The quote: "Rijkaard has done an extraordinary job. He now needs to find a way of finishing the season with dignity and ensuring that people remember his successes." Txiki Beguiristain, Barcelona's Sporting Director

Serie A: Derby win equals Scudetto glory
Long since predicted, the official coronation of Inter Milan as Italian champions could take place on Sunday. And what sweeter way to win a third consecutive title than by beating arch-rivals AC Milan? If they prevail, Inter would have a six-point advantage over Roma with two games left and, crucially, a superior head-to-head record. But a victory for Carlo Ancelotti's men could yet take the battle for Serie A down to the wire, were the Romans to seize three points from their trip to Sampdoria.

What is more, the Rossoneri will be striving not only to deprive their local rivals of the title, but also to pinch fourth place and Champions League qualification from Fiorentina. La Viola visit Cagliari and are likely to be a little weary after Thursday's UEFA Cup semi-final elimination by Rangers.

The question: Can former European regulars Parma avoid relegation? The 18th-placed Gialloblu have not won in six games ahead of the visit of Genoa and are on a run of three consecutive defeats.
The big match: AC Milan-Inter Milan, Sunday 4 May, 15:00 CET
The quote: "We'll be playing for the title and they'll be playing for a place in the Champions League, so there's going to be some atmosphere! But it's precisely this kind of pressure I thrive upon." Patrick Vieira, Inter Milan midfielder

German Bundesliga: Bayern nearly there
Having as good as secured the championship last weekend, Bayern Munich will be officially crowned if they get at least a point at Wolfsburg. Even if they lose, the Bavarians could still lift their 21st title if runners-up Werder Bremen and third-placed Schalke fail to beat Energie Cottbus and Hanover respectively. The two home teams will have plenty to play for as they are still vying for second place and the prize of direct qualification to the Champions League.

With no further say in that contest, Leverkusen, Hamburg and Stuttgart are left to fight it out for UEFA Cup qualification. The reigning champions Stuttgart are the only one of the three with a home game, in this case against an Eintracht Frankfurt side with nothing left to play for. Hamburg and Leverkusen, in contrast, face tricky trips to Hansa Rostock and Duisburg, both of whom will throw everything at their guests as they fight to retain their Bundesliga statuses.

The question: Schalke be able to extend the 100 per cent record of their new coaching team Mike Buskens and Youri Mulder against Hanover?
The big match: Wolfsburg-Bayern Munich, Sunday 4 May, 17:00 CET
The quote: "We're out of the woods now, with the title in the bag." Ottmar Hitzfeld, coach of Bayern Munich

Elsewhere
Galatasaray took a huge stride towards the Turkish Super Lig title by defeating Fenerbahce 1-0 in a fiercely-contested Istanbul derby. But Cimbom still have to overcome a sizeable obstacle in the shape of Sivasspor, the surprise team of the season who are third and just three points behind them. If the upstarts can prevail at home in this encounter, the suspense would be drawn out to the final round of games next weekend. Second-placed Fenerbahce, meanwhile, simply must win against Genclerbirligi to have any hope of pipping their great rivals at the post.


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