Battleground guide.

MID ULSTER: The bloodiest battle of them all lies right in the middle of Northern Ireland.

It pits the two extremes of hymn-singing free Presbyterian minister, Rev William McCrea for the DUP against Sinn Fein mouthpiece, Martin McGuinness.

Split nationalist voting has kept Willie McCrea in the seat and his opponents still haven't got their act together this time.

Lagan Valley: Before he retired, Unionist Party leader Jim Molyneaux had only to sit back and count his majority.

His successor Jeffrey Donaldson knows that if he falters at all, the only honourable thing to do is to end it all in the river that gives the constituency its name.

Strangford: Two brands of unionism will clash in Strangford. Iris Robinson wants to join husband Peter in the Commons.

John Taylor felt so strongly about giving constituents value for money that he quit his job as an MEP to concentrate on them.

Fermanagh and South Tyrone: Many of the nationalists who voted against Ken Maginnis are not his problem any more.

Boundary changes moved them out of the constituency and the Unionist security spokesman seems safe with a 14,000 majority.

South Antrim: The safest seat belongs to the invisible man of Ulster politics - Unionist Clifford Forsyth with his 24,500 majority.

Outside the area where he has given good service for 14 years, he is barely recognised, but he's a racing cert to get in.

North Belfast: Cecil Walker won his election victory six months ago. The seat is as solid for him as the crags of Cave Hill that loom over its streets.

Foyle: The only thing in history that Sinn Fein and the DUP have ever had in common is a wish to unseat John Hume.

But the SDLP leader is the international hero of Derry, as much at home in the White House as in the city back streets and is favourite to see off the challenge.

North Down: Barrister Robert McCartney, the UK Unionist's founder and only candidate, put his dazzling court room career on hold to devote his time to politics.

His hardline stance has the backing of the DUP. But the Unionists who expelled him are challenging, and Alliance are hoping to win on a split vote.

South Down: Fishermen and farmers make South Down a haven for the SDLP's Eddie McGrady.

His close attention to the problems of constituents has made his name as a good bread and butter MP. That should be enough to keep his only threat, the Unionists, at bay.

South Belfast: Former Orange Order boss, Rev Martin Smyth, has been comfortable there for years. This time a double threat could give him problems.

Popular local GP Dr Alasdair McDonnell has community ties that put the SDLP in with a chance.

And David Ervine reckons his voice that has kept Loyalist paramilitary guns silenced can capture Protestant votes.

West Tyrone: It may be a brand new seat but the fight is old-fashioned - between Unionism and Nationalism with no frills.

Most are Nationalist and if the Unionists win it will only be by a split opposition vote.

East Londonderry: Unionist farmer Willie Ross, who belongs to every Loyalist order in the book, knows he can rely on his brethren to look after him.

East Antrim: Unionist Roy Beggs who has held this staunchly Loyalist seat since 1983, has a 7,000 majority - unlikely to be dented.

West Belfast: Dr Joe Hendron took the seat away from Sinn Fein boss Gerry Adams last time with the help of many Loyalists who would vote for anybody just to topple Adams.

Now they have a Unionist to vote for and boundary changes will help Sinn Fein even more.

North Antrim: The mega decibel roar of Rev Ian Paisley may have echoed from the North Antrim hustings for the last time.

At 71 and with more than 20 election campaigns behind him, the unshakeable prophet of doom is close to calling it a day after 27 years.

Newry and South Armagh: Deputy leader of the SDLP Seamus Mallon needs to whip up voters' enthusiasm to keep Sinn Fein out of the border constituency.

East Belfast: Former Northern Ireland soccer skipper Derek Dougan isn't likely to score in the streets where he grew up.

East Belfast is solid Unionist turf and up until now the DUP's Peter Robinson has had an open goal.

He's accused Unionists of being offside by splitting the vote and the row could let Alliance in for a late winner.

Upper Bann: A little country church that became a symbol of hate dominates everything in Upper Bann.

Drumcree and the marching crisis it spawned is looming again.

Unionist leader David Trimble was smart enough to show his face and protect his seat by joining the Orangemen's ranks as they faced police barricades.

And the SDLP's Brid Rodgers championed the Catholic neighbourhood that was besieged.

Mr Trimble's tactics and the Loyalist majority should give him the edge in the only issue that really counts.