Can Avram Grant and Chelsea do the seemingly impossible job of overtaking Manchester United and winning the 2008/2009 Premier League title? Before you laugh at the suggestion, consider the following facts:
  • Out of the final seven games for Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, Avram Grant’s side has the easiest schedule.
  • The toughest match they have is at home against Manchester United on Saturday, April 26 at Stamford Bridge. Man United, in addition to facing Chelsea, has to play Arsenal on Sunday, April 13. Arsenal, meanwhile, has to play Man United and Liverpool (April 5).
  • Chelsea’s undefeated home record in the Premier League still stands at four years. If Man United loses against Chelsea and one other of their remaining matches and then wins the remaining games, Man United will end the season with 88 points. If Chelsea is able to win their remaining games, including beating Man United at Stamford Bridge, the Blues will end the season with 89 points, and the title will be theirs.
  • Out of their last seven games, Chelsea has four at Stamford Bridge, while Man Utd has three at Old Trafford.
  • Looking at the schedules for Chelsea and Man United, here are their remaining matches: Chelsea — Middlesbrough (home), Man City (away), Wigan (h), Everton (a), Man Utd (h), Newcastle (a) and Bolton (h). Manchester United — Aston Villa (h), Middlesbrough (a), Arsenal (h), Blackburn (a), Chelsea (a), West Ham (h) and Wigan (a).
  • Chelsea has only lost three matches this season compared to Man United who has lost four.

  • Possibly the biggest impact on the Premier League title race will be what happens in the Champions League. Note that Chelsea has the easier quarter-final match after being paired against Fenerbahce, while Man United has the tricky tie against Roma.

Sure, the Premier League title is in Man United’s hands right now, but if Chelsea can continue to quietly win their remaining matches, they have a fighting chance to win the title as long as the Red Devils slip up.