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Premier League title race: five key games for Manchester United and Chelsea
Chelsea's 2-0 victory against Arsenal on Sunday has almost certainly eliminated Arsene Wenger's men from the title race, leaving the west Londoners to slug it out with Manchester United. Telegraph Sport examines the key games which could decide the outcome of the Premier League title race.
Chelsea (58 points currently)
Feb 27 v Manchester City (h) - The prospect of Terry v Wayne Bridge already has the tabloids salivating, but can City's fragile defence cope with Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka. Will Chelsea be able to handle Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor? Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 City
March 21 v Blackburn (a) - Carlo Ancelotti's men will travel to Ewood Park for what will be a robust challenge against a Blackburn side fighting near the foot of the table. This match will test Chelsea physically, coming as it does just four days after hosting Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League. Prediction: Blackburn 1-2 Chelsea
April 3 v United (a) - The contest that will play a major role in deciding the destination of the title. Heavyweight v heavyweight, Wayne Rooney v John Terry, Didier Drogba v Rio Ferdinand. Pivotal. Prediction: United 1-1 Chelsea
April 17 v Tottenham (a) - Chelsea have not won at White Hart Lane in the Premier League since Aug 2005, and will have their hands full dealing with a confident and improving Tottenham side who may still be in the hunt for a Champions League place. Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea
May 1 v Liverpool (a) - Chelsea's penultimate match of the domestic season could barely be tougher, against a Liverpool side that may still be fighting for a Champions League spot. Prediction: Liverpool 1-2 Chelsea
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Manchester United (56 points currently)
Feb 10 v Aston VIlla (a) - With Martin O'Neill's impressive side fighting for that coveted top-four spot, United face a major test of their title credentials at Villa Park. Prediction: Villa 1-2 United
Feb 20 v Aston Villa (a) - Everton have found their feet after a difficult start to the season and will provide a stern challenge for Sir Alex Ferguson's men. In addition, the match comes just four days after United's Champions League clash at AC Milan. Prediction: Everton 1-1 United
March 21 v Liverpool (h) - Nemanja Vidic may still be having nightmares about this fixture last season, when Fernando Torres inspired Liverpool to a 4-1 victory. Rafael Benitez's men have not come close to hitting those heights this term, but this will not be a clash for the faint-hearted. Prediction: United 2-1 Liverpool
April 3 v Chelsea (h) - The contest that will play a major role in deciding the destination of the title. Heavyweight v heavyweight, Wayne Rooney v John Terry, Didier Drogba v Rio Ferdinand. This will be pivotal. Prediction: United 1-1 Chelsea
April 17 v Manchester City (a) - City, battling for a Champions League place, would like nothing more than to derail their rivals' title challenge, and will be boosted by memories of defeating United in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final. And should Carlos Tevez face Gary Neville, fireworks can be expected. Prediction: City 2-1 United
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Overall prediction: Should everything go to plan in their other fixtures, Chelsea would finish the season on 92 points, narrowly pipping United (88) to the title by four points. But in this season of the shock result, who can really say how many more twists and turns are ahead?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...d-Chelsea.html
Chelsea's 2-0 victory against Arsenal on Sunday has almost certainly eliminated Arsene Wenger's men from the title race, leaving the west Londoners to slug it out with Manchester United. Telegraph Sport examines the key games which could decide the outcome of the Premier League title race.
Chelsea (58 points currently)
Feb 27 v Manchester City (h) - The prospect of Terry v Wayne Bridge already has the tabloids salivating, but can City's fragile defence cope with Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka. Will Chelsea be able to handle Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor? Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 City
March 21 v Blackburn (a) - Carlo Ancelotti's men will travel to Ewood Park for what will be a robust challenge against a Blackburn side fighting near the foot of the table. This match will test Chelsea physically, coming as it does just four days after hosting Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League. Prediction: Blackburn 1-2 Chelsea
April 3 v United (a) - The contest that will play a major role in deciding the destination of the title. Heavyweight v heavyweight, Wayne Rooney v John Terry, Didier Drogba v Rio Ferdinand. Pivotal. Prediction: United 1-1 Chelsea
April 17 v Tottenham (a) - Chelsea have not won at White Hart Lane in the Premier League since Aug 2005, and will have their hands full dealing with a confident and improving Tottenham side who may still be in the hunt for a Champions League place. Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea
May 1 v Liverpool (a) - Chelsea's penultimate match of the domestic season could barely be tougher, against a Liverpool side that may still be fighting for a Champions League spot. Prediction: Liverpool 1-2 Chelsea
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Manchester United (56 points currently)
Feb 10 v Aston VIlla (a) - With Martin O'Neill's impressive side fighting for that coveted top-four spot, United face a major test of their title credentials at Villa Park. Prediction: Villa 1-2 United
Feb 20 v Aston Villa (a) - Everton have found their feet after a difficult start to the season and will provide a stern challenge for Sir Alex Ferguson's men. In addition, the match comes just four days after United's Champions League clash at AC Milan. Prediction: Everton 1-1 United
March 21 v Liverpool (h) - Nemanja Vidic may still be having nightmares about this fixture last season, when Fernando Torres inspired Liverpool to a 4-1 victory. Rafael Benitez's men have not come close to hitting those heights this term, but this will not be a clash for the faint-hearted. Prediction: United 2-1 Liverpool
April 3 v Chelsea (h) - The contest that will play a major role in deciding the destination of the title. Heavyweight v heavyweight, Wayne Rooney v John Terry, Didier Drogba v Rio Ferdinand. This will be pivotal. Prediction: United 1-1 Chelsea
April 17 v Manchester City (a) - City, battling for a Champions League place, would like nothing more than to derail their rivals' title challenge, and will be boosted by memories of defeating United in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final. And should Carlos Tevez face Gary Neville, fireworks can be expected. Prediction: City 2-1 United
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Overall prediction: Should everything go to plan in their other fixtures, Chelsea would finish the season on 92 points, narrowly pipping United (88) to the title by four points. But in this season of the shock result, who can really say how many more twists and turns are ahead?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...d-Chelsea.html
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