Bradford Bulls chairman Chris Caisley is backing City to stay in the Premiership.

The city's rugby league club have enjoyed a superb start to the 2000 season and earlier this month clinched their first Challenge Cup for 51 years.

That triumph has given Bradford a huge boost and Caisley is hoping City can do exactly the same tomorrow.

He said: "I am fully confident that they will survive. I saw Wimbledon playing Aston Villa on Match of the Day last Saturday and was surprised at how badly they defended.

"I feel sure that Southampton will beat them and that City can play well enough to get a draw against Liverpool.

"Wimbledon won't find it easy at the Dell because they have got some good players but I am sure City can rise to the occasion and survive."

The Odsal outfit's stand off Henry Paul is also backing the Bantams to give the district its second celebration party in little more than two weeks.

The Lance Todd Trophy winner in the Murrayfield final said: "All the guys at the club follow Bradford City and they all wish the team the best this weekend.

"No matter who the opposition are they have to stick to their gameplan and I'm sure they will win.

"But I'm sure they will be focused because their coach and players are so good and they create so many chances that they are bound to score."

Boxer Bobby Vanzie, the British and Commonwealth lightweight champion, added his support.

He said: "I hope they don't get relegated. It's great for the city of Bradford to have a British and Commonwealth boxing champion, a Challenge Cup-winning rugby league team and a Premiership football club.

"I'm looking to getting more in touch with the City supporters next season and I'm hoping to walk out on the pitch and show off my belts before a Premiership game next year."

Leeds United boss David O'Leary is also hoping City can do his side a huge favour and beat Liverpool to prevent the Reds having a chance of overhauling United in the race for a Champions' League place.

After Monday's 1-1 draw with Everton, he quipped: "I hope Bradford survive. It's a nice short journey which allows a night with my family!"

Outside the Bradford district, opinions appears divided as to whether the Bantams can pull off the Great Escape.

Former Wimbledon boss Bobby Gould says it is too close to call who will drop out of the Premiership.

He said: "You will be able to touch the atmosphere tomorrow. You cannot comprehend what is riding on these results, both at the top and the bottom.

"They are playing for millions and millions of pounds - you are talking about £30 to £40million to stay in the Premiership or qualify for the Champions League.

"In effect, each one of these games could be worth £40million and it is impossible for the players and management to equate that sum with the mental pressures of playing.

"My old club Wimbledon know what they are facing and they have their destiny in their own hands.

"It's the same with Leeds at West Ham. But no one can write the script for British football any more.

"There are so many twists and that is the beauty of it."

Derby recently escaped from relegation and skipper Darryl Powell is backing the Dons.

He said: "Bradford have got great spirit and I felt that after they beat Wimbledon they would survive. They both need to win but I think the best Bradford could hope for is a draw. A win for Liverpool is more likely.

"Southampton performed really well at Anfield last week but I think it will be a draw at The Dell which could be enough for Wimbledon to stay up. I think Terry Burton could have come in at just the right time."

Leicester striker Tony Cottee, who scored against the Bantams last week, added: "I am going to be boring, I am afraid, but I can see both games ending in a draw. They will be a lot of nerves out there and they will take their toll.

"I have got a feeling Bradford and Liverpool will just cancel each other out, which probably won't be enough for either side.

"Bradford need to do better than Wimbledon, but I can't see it happening against Liverpool.

"Wimbledon have got enough to grind out a result at Southampton."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.