Premier League heats up

Portsmouth 2 - Manchester United 1
Chelsea 1 - Tottenham 0

Manchester United now have a 3 point edge over the London side with 6 more games to go. And the race tightens. Of course today the Special Whiner from Stamford Bridge was at it again, stating that Manchester United were fortunate not to have to play his side next week. Blah Blah Blah.....

The last matches for each squad are as follows (BBC Sports):

Man Utd's remaining Premiership fixtures:

Tuesday, 17 April
(H) Sheff Utd
Saturday, 21 April
(H) Middlesbrough
Saturday, 28 April
(A) Everton
Saturday, 5 May
(A) Man City
Wednesday, 9 May
(A) Chelsea
Sunday, 13 May
(H) West Ham

Chelsea's remaining Premiership fixtures:

Wednesday, 18 April
(A) West Ham
Sunday, 22 April
(A) Newcastle
Saturday, 28 April
(H) Bolton
Sunday, 6 May
(A) Arsenal
Wednesday, 9 May
(H) Man Utd
Sunday, 13 May
(H) Everton


At first glance advantage for Manchester United, albeit slight. A couple of points:

• ManU still have a 3 point lead on Chelsea. ManU will have to drop 4 points to Chelsea in the next 6 fixtures, meaning Chelsea will most likely have to run the table and hope that ManU has an extra slip up (Chelsea running the table means ManU losses on the second to last day at Chelsea)
• ManU has a 15 goal difference, so Chelsea cannot retain the title if they end up equal on points on the last day with ManU.
• Chelsea have the more difficult road ahead. ManU plays team with a combined 261 points, while Chelsea play teams with a combined 305 points. ManU, not including Chelsea, has two teams in the drop zone to face - West Ham and Sheffield United, and 1 team headed for Europe - Everton. They do have a Derby match with Manchester City, but if form holds true that game should not be a traditional derby match, City should not put up much of a fight. As for Chelsea, they face 3 teams in Europe - Arsenal (huge London Derby, and a game Arsenal will be highly motivated for and being played at the Emirates), Bolton, Everton. They also face a team in the drop zone - West Ham (but that is also a London derby so not so simple). Finally Chelsea have to travel to underachievers Newcastle, but the game is on the road for Chelsea.

Both clubs have FA fixtures and European matches, so nothing will come easy. This premiership title will be a dog fight for both clubs, but advantage to Manchester United. I think that Mourinho should, for once, shut his yapper. He already is on thin ice with his own ownership if he emerges from all these matches without a Champions League title, or an FA cup and second to Manchester United, he should polish up on his Spanish and prepare to head to Real Madrid, cause I am sure the Czar of London will be getting his private gulf stream ready to pick up Gus Hiddink from the Russian national team to manage the Blues.