The six-point swing: How Arsenal, Chelsea & Manchester United’s title hopes rest in the balance this weekend

ANALYSIS
By Steven Saunders

There are only five games remaining for each of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal after a week that has breathed new life into a title race that has seemed a foregone conclusion and anyone’s for the taking at different turns throughout the campaign.

Chelsea’s electric start had them five points clear and top at the start of November, then 15 points behind and fifth by the end of February.

Arsenal briefly sat atop the table in December but a run of five draws in six matches has left them six points adrift and third.

You would think that paves the way for Manchester United to take full control of their title destiny, and even with a limp 0-0 draw against Newcastle on Tuesday night, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men know one thing is certain – win their last five matches and they are champions, and no other team can say that.

However, dropped points at this stage of the season have a greater effect on a team’s confidence than mid-season as nerves begin to take hold.

What’s more, the order that games are played in becomes significant. Manchester United are up first this weekend – win against Everton and the pressure moves heavily on to Chelsea and Arsenal to follow suit; drop points and the challengers will smell blood in the water.

Here, Goal.com analyses the ups and downs that could play out this weekend…

Saturday, 12.45pm, Old Trafford

This match will set the tone for the rest of Easter weekend, and it is rare that United let these opportunities to make a statement slip through their grasp; rarer still that they slip up at home.

They have drawn just one game all season at Old Trafford in the league, and that came after easing into a 2-0 lead against West Brom only for defensive calamities to take hold and leave them nursing just a point from a 2-2 draw.

Everton should not be underestimated though. David Moyes’ side claimed a memorable 3-1 win over United at Goodison Park last season during the title run-in, and also fought back from 3-1 down to claim a dramatic 3-3 draw earlier this season.

Saturday, 5.30pm, Stamford Bridge

Even Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that a month ago, nobody believed Chelsea could win the title. As recently as a week ago, they were made to look second-rate by Manchester United in the Champions League.

And yet a sparkling run of form in the league, claiming 29 of the last 36 points available to them, has reignited their challenge and a defeat for Manchester United on Saturday would mean that Chelsea could become champions if they win their remaining games – including a visit to Old Trafford on May 8.

Avram Grant returns to his old club desperately needing three points to aid West Ham’s fight against relegation, and he could do without the title carrot being dangled in front of the reigning champions.

Sunday, 4pm, Reebok Stadium

Arsene Wenger insists his side are in a “remarkably consistent” run of form – perhaps “alarmingly consistent” would have been more accurate.

Draws against Sunderland, West Brom, Blackburn, Liverpool and Tottenham have undermined their title ambitions, following swiftly on from a League Cup final defeat to Birmingham, an FA Cup exit against Manchester United and the end of their Champions League hopes against Barcelona.

However, like Chelsea, a defeat for Manchester United would open the door for Arsenal to become champions with a perfect run to the end of the season, provided Chelsea drop points along the way or the Gunners overturn a two-goal deficit on goal difference.

A possibility though is that they go into this Sunday game cut adrift in third place, and fail to find the heart needed to close the gap.