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The climax of the English Premier League season comes this Sunday and the title race is still alive. Okay, Chelsea are the clear favourites for the title but where there is hope, Manchester United fans will keep dreaming that they can upset the odds and clinch their 4th Premier League title in a row.
The fact that both teams are at home would suggest that the status quo will remain at the top and looking at the form book for both clubs with regards to home games, it is easy to see why.
Taking the last six home league games for both clubs, each side has picked up 15 of the 18 points available. This indicates a strength of consistency with regards to playing at home but equally, it proves that they are not entirely faultless. However, it should be remembered that the quality of opposition that inflicted these defeats on United and Chelsea is not matched by the opposition that will be present on Sunday.
The United defeat came at the hands of Chelsea in a 2-1 defeat and it was these three points that has seen the title race go in the favour of Chelsea. A draw that day would have made a three point swing in United’s favour, which would have been enough to see them at the top of the league and being favourites for this weekend. This shows the tightness of the race and also suggests how crucial the assistant referees decision to not flag Didier Drogba offside at Old Trafford was. Television replays show the Ivory Coast striker was in an offside position as he picked the ball up before firing it beyond Edwin van der Sar.
Looking back at Chelsea’s last six home games also provides just one loss in these matches and it came at the hands of Manchester City. The word “hands” is aptly used as the day will be long remembered for the non handshake between Wayne Bridge and John Terry. This game was the first time the two teams clashed since the news broke about John Terry’s affair with the mother of Wayne Bridge’s children. City took their inspiration from the steely determination of their left back that day and powered to victory. Manchester City’s second half performance that day was mesmerising as the wheels threatened to fall of Chelsea’s season but the Blues have rebounded well since then.
So, neither of the two teams are invincible at home but are Stoke City or Wigan Athletic capable of avoiding defeat and possibly causing a shock on the last day of the English Premier League season?
The helicopter containing the English Premier League title will be stationed directly between Manchester and London, waiting to provide the silverware to the party that will kick off in one of the two stadiums.
There is no doubt that Chelsea are the favourites and their last home match should indicate why. The Blues were on thrilling form at Stamford Bridge that day, running in seven goals against a Stoke City which looked on the verge of collapse.
United fans will be hoping that the same Stoke City side turn up at Old Trafford on Sunday but this rarely happens in football. When a team takes a heavy beating, they invariably get back to basics and make themselves hard to defeat. Personal pride has definitely been an issue and Stoke City got themselves back on track at the weekend with a 0-0 draw with Everton. It may not make it up to the fans that travelled to Stamford Bridge for such an embarrassing game but there is no doubt the club regained something at the Britannia Stadium.
The only way goal difference will come into play in deciding the title will be if Chelsea lose at home to Wigan and Manchester United draw at home to Stoke City. This is a fairly unlikely chain of events but even at that, it will take a huge Chelsea defeat to hand United the title. As the Blues goal difference is currently 9 better off than United’s, Wigan Athletic will need to clinch a 10 goal victory to give United the title if they only draw at home.
It is fair to say that this is unlikely to happen, therefore, Manchester United have to win their game. If they do, then Chelsea failing to win will hand Alex Ferguson another title, placing the Red Devils out in front of Liverpool. This is why Liverpool fans were hardly too upset about losing to Chelsea at the weekend at Anfield.
Liverpool were looking the stronger team in the opening period of the match but that all changed when Liverpool captain Stevie Gerrard played a horrendous backpass to Pepe Reina which was intercepted by Didier Drogba. The Ivory Coast striker cooly walked around the Spaniard and rolled the ball into the net at the Kop end. The Liverpool fans could only watch and laugh as their captain played a vital role in the goal which looks like preventing United from overhauling their domestic league title record.
There will be some people who will cite this as a conspiracy theory but in reality, it was just a horrendous pass from a player that has been underperformed all season. If there is any consolation for United fans if they fail to win the league, it is that their team has not disintegrated in the manner that Liverpool have.
The falling away of the red half of Merseyside may see some of their better players on the move and it is said that Chelsea have an interest in taking Fernando Torres to Stamford Bridge. This would see them move in front of Manchester City who claim to have an interest in the player but for the Spaniard, the more likely place to win trophies remains Chelsea. The signing of Torres would place a doubt over the future of a Chelsea striker, most likely Nicola Anelka. The moody Frenchman has been having contract talks with Chelsea but the club and player are no closer to reaching agreement about his future.
That is for next season though and Anelka will be determined to fire Chelsea to the home victory that will seal their 3rd English Premier League title. It is all in their own hands and when you come to the last day of the season, that is all any club can ask for.
by Andrew Reilly
for The Silver Circle at www.footballtip.co.uk
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Dear Greg,
I've been a member since July 2003, maybe one of the first to join the Silver Circle.
2004 was a good year but I really enjoyed the long run we had in, I think, July 2005. It was exhilarating! 2006-2007 was not as exciting although still quite profitable and so far 2007-2008 looks quite good. I'm wondering if we're going to hit a long one again soon. Anyway, it's been a pleasure as always with your service, Greg. Armstrong and you are one of the few people I trust on the internet. You have made my retirement so much more fun and financially happy!
Best Wishes, Trent Wrayford, Sidney
