The English Premiership season comes to a close tomorrow and, with the major issues already well decided, it is likely to end not with a bang but with a whimper.

However, there are two outstanding issues down for decision; whether Wimbledon or Bradford City join Sheffield Wednesday and Watford in Division One; and whether Leeds United or Liverpool accompany champions Manchester United and Arsenal into next season's Champions League.

While the race for the last remaining Champions League place has enormous financial implications for Leeds and Liverpool, relegation would spell greater disaster for either Wimbledon or Bradford.

Indeed, Wimbledon captain and Republic of Ireland international Kenny Cunningham believes their relegation showdown at Southampton is a bigger game for the club than the 1988 FA Cup final. Victory over Liverpool at Wembley, 12 years ago, is the greatest achievement in the club's 111-year history, but all at the club are aware that much more could hinge on the outcome of the clash at the Dell, when only a win will ensure Wimbledon's Premiership survival.

"In some ways it's a bigger game than the cup final," said Cunningham yesterday. "The lads are aware of that. To win the FA Cup was a fantastic achievement but maintaining our status in the Premiership is even more important, particularly in the current climate. Everyone is aware of the significance."

Eight defeats and a draw in the last nine games have plunged Wimbledon's top-flight status into peril. Yet, with one point more than Bradford, their fate is in their own hands, albeit they haven't won away from home since the opening day of the season.

It will be the final chapter in Wimbledon's whirlwind season of change on the pitch, in the dug-out and in the boardroom but the players plan to forget the turmoil and focus on getting three points.

"Now isn't the time to dwell on the season and why we're in the position we're in," added Cunningham. "We have 90 minutes to win and stay up. The summer will be the time to reflect on the season as a whole. I'm sure the club's owners will do the same."

Cunningham limped off in the first half of last week's 2-2 draw with Villa after a long-standing groin problem flared up and is battling to be fit to face Southampton. Manager Terry Burton, already without the suspended John Hartson and Michael Hughes, who broke his leg last week, is hopeful Cunningham will be ready.

Bradford's first rollercoaster ride in the top flight of English football for 77 years has included more downs than ups for manager Paul Jewell and his side, but they are happy just to have reached this far when many critics chose to write them off before a ball had even been kicked.

The fact Bradford's season is now down to the wire is, according to Jewell, "a remarkable achievement in itself" with the club up against Liverpool at Valley Parade.

Their task is even greater given Liverpool's quest for the Champions League spot. Liverpool's Jamie Carragher was clear yesterday that the Anfield club will show little sympathy for Bradford.

"We can't afford to think about what this means to Bradford," he said. "They are the opposition and I couldn't care less what happens to them, certainly not for the 90 minutes of the game anyway. We know this is going to be a battle because they are fighting for their lives, so we must be right on our toes to make sure we get what we want from what is going to be a very difficult afternoon."

Liverpool's final-day battle should see both Michael Owen and Dietmar Hamann return to the side. Both were rested for last Sunday's disappointing 0-0 draw with Southampton, but are expected to be recalled at Valley Parade. Youngster Steven Gerrard, who has been fighting to overcome a groin injury, could also return.

Leeds, although a point ahead of Liverpool, face a tricky final game away to West Ham and must do so without club captain Lucas Radebe. The South Africa international has missed the last one-and-a-half games with a recurrence of his knee ligament injury, and now has an ankle knock.

The first division play-offs also get underway this weekend, with Birmingham facing Barnsley today and Ipswich meeting Bolton tomorrow.