English Premier League-Title Race
Chelsea & Manchester United's race for the title goes to the wire.
Avram Grant and Sir Alex Ferguson lead their men into the final fixture level on points, meaning an incredible climax at the summit of the Premier League table.
The Pieces Are Set
After a momentous season, early leaders Arsenal have fallen away, leaving seasoned challengers Chelsea and current Champions Manchester United to scrap it out for the Premier League title. With Jose Mourinho's reign now a distant memory, Avram Grant has led Chelsea from a club in crisis to the brink of two trophies. But to win them, he'll have to overcome who Mourinho called the "Godfather" of Premier League managers, Sir Alex Ferguson. Having won an amazing nine titles in the 15-year history of the Premier League, Ferguson will be desperate to make it ten by winning United's final game of the season. Holding a superior goal difference, the Red Devils would be assured of success by taking maximum points away at Wigan. Chelsea, however, are at home and will expect to win against Bolton Wanderers, giving Avram Grant the chance of winning his first trophy as Chelsea manager in what has been a tumultuous season. On paper, both Chelsea and Manchester United have seemingly winnable games this coming Sunday at 3.00pm. But as TV pundit Alan Hansen, and doubtless many before him, have said: "Titles aren't won on paper."
Friendly Foe?
Ask Sir Alex Ferguson who he'd like to face on the last day of the season needing to win, and not many teams would come ahead of Wigan Athletic. Managed by former United stalwart, Steve Bruce, Wigan are now assured of their Premier League survival, having rubber-stamped it with an excellent 2-0 away win at Aston Villa on Saturday, so have little to play for. But with strong home form behind them, Wigan are on a 7-match unbeaten run at the JJB Stadium, and will not be pushovers. Their young stars Wilson Palacios and Luis Antonio Valencia have been in fine form, and have attracted the attentions of Sir Alex amongst other suitors. Could potential summer transfer targets prove the undoing of United's league campaign? Ferguson will have to reshuffle his pack, following Luis Nani's idiotic red-card at the weekend. However, Wayne Rooney is rumoured to be close to a return, as is Serbian centre-back Nemanja Vidic. And with Ronaldo, Tevez and co. in free-scoring form, United will be confident of retaining the title come early Sunday evening.
An Unlikely Outcome?
Meanwhile at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea will host Bolton Wanderers, hoping to become Premier League Champions for the third time since Roman Abramovich's takeover of the club. Bolton's 2-0 home victory over Sunderland on Saturday evening has made the task facing The Blues much easier. Now virtually assured of their Premier League status for next term, Gary Megson will be mindful that anything other than a rout, and his Bolton Wanderers side will stay up. It has been a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for the seemingly doomed Bolton, as when Megson took over, they were behind even Derby County at the bottom of the table. Seven months on, Megson has guided a previously rudderless team to the brink of safety, despite having sold star striker Nicolas Anelka to rivals Chelsea. Anelka, a useful weapon for Chelsea during the second half of the season, will not be available under Premier League rules. But with midfield dynamo Michael Ballack in exquisite form, and Didier Drogba fit for what may be his last home performance in a Chelsea shirt, Avram Grant will trust his team to get their part of the job done.
Verdict
With both Chelsea and Manchester United in good form, experts and fans alike would expect two wins for the title hopefuls. But in a season full of excitement in what has been the closest title race in Premier League history, nobody would be surprised if a late goal in Lancashire or west London provided a dramatic final twist.
