A Premier League title race that looked over could yet be sparked into life this weekend as Chelsea try to hunt down leaders Manchester United.United are still in a commanding position, holding a six-point lead over Chelsea. With just four matches each to go, a record 19th league
title seemingly within their grasp.
But a recent resurgence by Chelsea could yet scupper their bid and manager Carlo Ancelotti knows that if his side can beat Tottenham on Saturday, the gap will be down to three points before United travel to Arsenal on Sunday.
With United still facing a clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford, victory for Arsenal on Sunday could yet reignite Chelsea's hopes.
It's an outside chance but one that Ancelotti and Chelsea are holding on to, especially after Fernando Torres finally broke his scoring duck for the club last weekend.
"If we can beat Tottenham we can put more pressure on Manchester United in the game against Arsenal," Ancelotti said. "We have two important games. The title will be decided in 14 days."
Goal difference could yet be a factor in the title race - United's is just two better than Chelsea's - and Ancelotti will be looking for more goals against a Tottenham side that are chasing the fourth Champions League spot.
"It could happen so it was important for us to score three goals (against West Ham last weekend). "We didn't deserve to score three goals but it was good," said Ancelotti.
Chelsea have won their past four league games and Ancelotti knows that it is vital they at least do their bit by earning maximum points from their own matches.
"It will be difficult to win all four because we have to play very tough games," he said. "We know that if we don't win one game we can lose our ambition and so there is pressure."
Arsenal's title hopes were effectively extinguished when they lost at Bolton last weekend but Manchester United full back Patrice Evra says his side cannot afford to take them lightly at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
"You have to fear the wounded animal," Evra said. "It is all or nothing for Arsenal so that is a danger. They will want to show they can still win the title.
"We have a good record at Arsenal but statistics can change so quickly. Everyone used to say how Arsenal kept losing to Chelsea and then they beat them. We kept losing at Stamford Bridge but won there in the Champions League. Our record at the Emirates will hurt them and they will want to do something about it."
Manchester City, four points clear of Tottenham in the race for fourth place, can cement their Champions League hopes by beating West Ham United on Sunday.
West Ham are desperate for points at the bottom of the table but one more win for City could just about be enough to seal fourth, depending how Tottenham fare at Chelsea.
Wolverhampton, one point better off than West Ham, travel to Birmingham City, who are not out of danger yet, while the other member of the bottom three, Wigan, host Everton.
Blackpool, out of the relegation zone only on goal difference, take on Stoke City while Blackburn, a further point ahead, take on Bolton in the Lancashire derby.
Liverpool, still trying to overtake Tottenham into fifth place, face Newcastle United at Anfield, while the weekend's other matches see Sunderland taking on Fulham and West Brom meeting Aston Villa.
title seemingly within their grasp.
But a recent resurgence by Chelsea could yet scupper their bid and manager Carlo Ancelotti knows that if his side can beat Tottenham on Saturday, the gap will be down to three points before United travel to Arsenal on Sunday.
With United still facing a clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford, victory for Arsenal on Sunday could yet reignite Chelsea's hopes.
It's an outside chance but one that Ancelotti and Chelsea are holding on to, especially after Fernando Torres finally broke his scoring duck for the club last weekend.
"If we can beat Tottenham we can put more pressure on Manchester United in the game against Arsenal," Ancelotti said. "We have two important games. The title will be decided in 14 days."
Goal difference could yet be a factor in the title race - United's is just two better than Chelsea's - and Ancelotti will be looking for more goals against a Tottenham side that are chasing the fourth Champions League spot.
"It could happen so it was important for us to score three goals (against West Ham last weekend). "We didn't deserve to score three goals but it was good," said Ancelotti.
Chelsea have won their past four league games and Ancelotti knows that it is vital they at least do their bit by earning maximum points from their own matches.
"It will be difficult to win all four because we have to play very tough games," he said. "We know that if we don't win one game we can lose our ambition and so there is pressure."
Arsenal's title hopes were effectively extinguished when they lost at Bolton last weekend but Manchester United full back Patrice Evra says his side cannot afford to take them lightly at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
"You have to fear the wounded animal," Evra said. "It is all or nothing for Arsenal so that is a danger. They will want to show they can still win the title.
"We have a good record at Arsenal but statistics can change so quickly. Everyone used to say how Arsenal kept losing to Chelsea and then they beat them. We kept losing at Stamford Bridge but won there in the Champions League. Our record at the Emirates will hurt them and they will want to do something about it."
Manchester City, four points clear of Tottenham in the race for fourth place, can cement their Champions League hopes by beating West Ham United on Sunday.
West Ham are desperate for points at the bottom of the table but one more win for City could just about be enough to seal fourth, depending how Tottenham fare at Chelsea.
Wolverhampton, one point better off than West Ham, travel to Birmingham City, who are not out of danger yet, while the other member of the bottom three, Wigan, host Everton.
Blackpool, out of the relegation zone only on goal difference, take on Stoke City while Blackburn, a further point ahead, take on Bolton in the Lancashire derby.
Liverpool, still trying to overtake Tottenham into fifth place, face Newcastle United at Anfield, while the weekend's other matches see Sunderland taking on Fulham and West Brom meeting Aston Villa.
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