THE RACE FOR THIRD PLACE

THE battle to win the 2009/10 Welsh Premier League title looks to be a straight two-horse race between the leading pair The New Saints and Llanelli - unless we get a few more of those shock results of the past week!
But the sprint for third spot to qualify for the Europa League is less clear-cut.
Depending on who wins the Welsh Cup, fourth place could still guarantee entry into Europe, but third position will be the chief target for a handful of ambitious clubs.
Let's run the rule over the four main candidates.

ABERYSTWYTH TOWN: Played 29 Points 56. Current position - 3rd.
Since Alan Morgan took over the helm last November there has been a total turnaround in fortunes for Aberystwyth.
Players such as Geoff Kellaway, Luke Bowen and Ryan Fraughan have really come to the fore and made the Park Avenue outfit favourites for third place.
Town have two very winnable away games coming up and if they can pick up six points they will really be in the driving seat. Anything less than a maximum haul and it could be tricky with their last three games coming against Llanelli, Rhyl and TNS.
Remaining fixtures: Mar 30: Technogroup Welshpool (a); Apr 3: Elements Cefn Druids (a); Apr 9: Llanelli (h); Apr 17: Rhyl (a); Apr 24: The New Saints (h).
PREDICTED POINTS TOTAL: 65. PREDICTED POSITION: 4th

RHYL: Played 27 Points 51. Current position - 4th.
Greg Strong's new-look side have generally impressed of late and if Mark Connolly and Matthew Williams keep banging in the goals they will be knocking firmly on the Euro door come the end of April.
The Lilywhites have a tough run-in, though, with tough trips to Super 12 aspirants Haverfordwest and Carmarthen as well as meetings with top three Llanelli, TNS and Aberystwyth.
Remaining fixtures: Mar 27: Caersws (a); Apr 2: The New Saints (h); Apr 10: Haverfordwest County (a); Apr 13: Carmarthen Town (a); Apr 17: Aberystwyth Town (h); Apr 22: Llanelli (a); Apr 24: Technogroup Welshpool (a).
PREDICTED POINTS TOTAL: 67. PREDICTED POSITION: 3rd

PORT TALBOT: Played 27 Points 48. Current position - 5th.
Mark Jones' men are enjoying a great season but unlike Aber and Rhyl have the Welsh Cup as a distraction.
The Steelmen have faltered in the last couple of games and still have hard games at Prestatyn, Bangor and Neath to come, but they are capable of picking up enough points to push for the top three.
Several Port players have really excelled this term, not least goalkeeper Lee Kendall, top scorer Martin Rose and ace in the pack Liam McCreesh and I think they have a decent chance of getting into Europe for the first time via one route or another.
Remaining fixtures: Mar 27: Gap Connah's Quay (h); Mar 30: Prestatyn Town (a); Apr 3: Bangor City (a); Apr 7: Neath (a); Apr 17: Porthmadog (a); Apr 24: Bala Town (h); TBA: Newtown (h).
PREDICTED POINTS TOTAL: 62 PREDICTED POSITION: 6th

BANGOR CITY: Played 27 Points 46. Current position - 6th.
Coming up on the rails are Neville Powell's side who look a good bet to qualify for Europe anyway through the Welsh Cup they have won for the past two seasons.
City have the best strike force in the league in Jamie Reed, Ashley Stott, Lee Hunt and Les Davies and if they can avoid injuries will pick up a lot of points between now and the end of the campaign.
Their closing matches are certainly not as demanding as some of the other contenders for third place.
Remaining fixtures: Mar 27: Neath (a); Apr 3: Port Talbot (h); Apr 5: Porthmadog (a); Apr 13: Airbus UK Broughton (h); Apr 17: Caersws (h); Apr 20: Gap Connah's Quay (a); Apr 24: Newtown (h).
PREDICTED POINTS TOTAL: 63 PREDICTED POSITION: 5th

PREDICTED FINAL POSITIONS - 3rd to 6th
Rhyl 34-67
Aberystwyth Town 34-65
Bangor City 34-63
Port Talbot 34-62