The run in

[Feicarsinn]

So, as of today there are 10 games let in the English Premier League. Man Utd currently lead their cross town rivals by a single point with City stumbling in Wales earlier on. Here's the two side's respective remaining fixtures:

Man United		Man City
Wolves (A)		Chelsea (H)
Fulham (H)		Stoke (A)
Blackburn (A)		Sunderland (H)
QPR (H)		Arsenal (A)
Wigan (A)		West Brom (H)
Aston Villa (H)		Norwich (A)
Everton (H)		Wolves (A)
Man City (A)		Man Utd (H)
Swansea (H)		Newcastle (A)
Sunderland (A)		QPR (H)

On the face of it you'd say that United have the easier time of it. They have all of the bottom four to play, all of whom have been abject while Sunderland is probably their toughest away encounter the City game aside. Coupled with that you have the excellent form of Wayne Rooney, David DeGea's immense improvement since Christmas and the immeasurable influence of Paul Scholes in the midfield. While this United team is far from vintage, they certainly have the bit between their teeth and are two midfielders away from being a top, top side.

Against that you have the strength and depth of City. The likes of Davd Silva, Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany have been immense this year and their squad is without compare in the Premier League, but their fixture list provides far more opportunities to drop points. Tough trips to a resurgent Arsenal, a hard battling Stoke and Newcastle will provide tests, while Chelsea at home will be no walk in the park. To win their maiden Premiership City are going to have to work very hard over the coming weeks.

So, how do you guys think it'll pan out? What about the race for 3rd and 4th and the cripple fight at the bottom of the table?

[big ginger 8]

I'll be biased and say United it is an easier run in definitely. As long as there is look with injuries it should be another title for United.

[monkeypigeon]

As a spurs fan I'm gutted by the last few weeks.

Ever since they fecked up the last few minutes against City they've been in decline.

Teams have decided to close them down and speaking as a first class football manager (Champions league winner with Cork City...top earning player on less than 30k (euro) a week), Harry's too slow to react. If they're closing you down you need to put bale back on the touch line and stretch them. i think they'll just hold onto third place with a win at Stamford Bridge sealing the deal.

Too close to call for the title. alot comes down to that Manchester derby.

[cmac95]

The title race will go down to Arsenal vs City and City vs United.

If City beat Arsenal I can see them go on and win it by beating United as well.
If City draw to Arsenal they're hoping for United to stumble somewhere.
And if City lose to Arsenal they're well and truly ****ed.

[Feicarsinn]

As a spurs fan I'm gutted by the last few weeks.

Ever since they fecked up the last few minutes against City they've been in decline.

Teams have decided to close them down and speaking as a first class football manager (Champions league winner with Cork City...top earning player on less than 30k (euro) a week), Harry's too slow to react. If they're closing you down you need to put bale back on the touch line and stretch them. i think they'll just hold onto third place with a win at Stamford Bridge sealing the deal.

Too close to call for the title. alot comes down to that Manchester derby.

How disappointed would Spurs fans be with fourth place? Champions league football must be everything for Tottenham, but considering the decline of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool this season, getting third should be massively infuriating.

There's a lot of talk going around that José could be taking the Spurs job next season should Harry take the England one.

[big ginger 8]

How disappointed would Spurs fans be with fourth place? Champions league football must be everything for Tottenham, but considering the decline of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool this season, getting third should be massively infuriating.

There's a lot of talk going around that José could be taking the Spurs job next season should Harry take the England one.

There's a lot of talk about Mourinho getting every job though.

[monkeypigeon]

How disappointed would Spurs fans be with fourth place? Champions league football must be everything for Tottenham, but considering the decline of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool this season, getting third should be massively infuriating.

There's a lot of talk going around that José could be taking the Spurs job next season should Harry take the England one.

Gutted if they lose third place. but CL is CL (even though that 'best placed play-off' is packed with fairly good teams, and it's easy to get done early).

Honestly, I doubt Jose would come. Villas Boas wouldn't surprise me, and I think the spurs team is more suited to what he wanted to do with Chelsea. A quick playing team like his Porto team was. Spend a few million on Hulk or Guiseppe Rossi and another creative attacking player and a centre back and there should be a good improvement.

[Feicarsinn]

Gutted if they lose third place. but CL is CL (even though that 'best placed play-off' is packed with fairly good teams, and it's easy to get done early).

Honestly, I doubt Jose would come. Villas Boas wouldn't surprise me, and I think the spurs team is more suited to what he wanted to do with Chelsea. A quick playing team like his Porto team was. Spend a few million on Hulk or Guiseppe Rossi and another creative attacking player and a centre back and there should be a good improvement.

I'd agree with most of that. Dawson and King are able centre backs, but someone who isn't always broken would be a welcome addidtion. I don't know if you need another creative player with both Modric and Van Der Vaart on the books, but a new centre forward is a must. I'd try to bring in Edison Cavani if it were me, the boy is properly class.

[monkeypigeon]

I'd agree with most of that. Dawson and King are able centre backs, but someone who isn't always broken would be a welcome addidtion. I don't know if you need another creative player with both Modric and Van Der Vaart on the books, but a new centre forward is a must. I'd try to bring in Edison Cavani if it were me, the boy is properly class.

VDV is permacrocked and modric likes to sit in centre midfield. I'm looking for an attacking player that plays as part of a modern 'front three' sort of thing. A Mata or Silva sort of player as opposed to a player like Lennon or McClean who have pace, a bit of skill and not much else.

Cavani would be quality. And Napoli have said they'll take offers for their three big names. So might be a good call. As a Spurs fan my biggest hope for the Transfer Window is that Van Persie goes absolutely anywhere, leaving Arsenal crippled .

[Robert Prosser]

As a huge United fan I think we will go all the way to number 20, City seem to be crumbling under pressure a bit with some real poor displays the last few games, honestly United havent been too great either but as a unit United know how to win and Rooney 26 goals in 31 games is world class form, not sure about luck with injuries we have had 10-12 players out injured all season at one point or another so that wont change much, the only thing we really need is Rooney to stay fit.

I expect Spurs to keep 3rd place and they deserve it as they have been great all seasin apart from the last few weeks, in truth tho I was scrathing my head last week how did we beat them 3-1 in London.

Arsenal seem to be improving allt he time lately and doing well but I think the race for fourth will be interesting amd go to the last day.

[Feicarsinn]

United absolutely trounced Wolves today at Molineux. Hardly surprising considering the pathetic state that Wolves are in at the moment. The win leaves them 4 points clear with City to face Chelsea on Wednesday.

[Robert Prosser]

Cracking win today Wolves were not helped by the red card they recieved for the too very poor tackles by Zubar looking forward to City losing I hope on Wednesday.

[cmac95]

Hoping for Fulham to get a sneaky one here, otherwise the title is more or less United's the way City are playing at the moment.

[Feicarsinn]

There's a comment from a an who hasn't played enough Football Manger. If I've learned anything from my 20 seasons at Villa, it's that nothing is decided with 8 games left.

[cmac95]

There's a comment from a an who hasn't played enough Football Manger. If I've learned anything from my 20 seasons at Villa, it's that nothing is decided with 8 games left.

Ha, I must get myself a copy.

The real question is is Mancini, like you, a world class manager who can get his players out of a sudden slump in form with only a few games left.

[Feicarsinn]

In fairness, Stoke is a very tough place to go. United only got a draw there earlier in the season if I recall correctly. Oh, and Crouch's goal was absolutely fabulous. I though they showed some great spirit against Chelsea the other week, but you do have to cut them a bit of slack, this is their first title challenge in about 40 years. Even Fergie didn't get it right the first time.


Oh, Giggs really should have scored there.

[TRF_SelimNiai]

This game makes me

[cmac95]

In fairness, Stoke is a very tough place to go. United only got a draw there earlier in the season if I recall correctly. Oh, and Crouch's goal was absolutely fabulous. I though they showed some great spirit against Chelsea the other week, but you do have to cut them a bit of slack, this is their first title challenge in about 40 years. Even Fergie didn't get it right the first time.


Oh, Giggs really should have scored there.

Agree with all that. I also had it in my head that United would go four up with a win tonight, obviously it's three so City still have it all in their own hands if they want to challenge United.

[Robert Prosser]

United got a good win tonight ground out the result should of been more comfortbale with 20 shots to 5 but never mind 3 points clear 8 games to go come on United...

[cyRil]

This game makes me

Would you rather be talking about Rugby League??!!!

[TRF_SelimNiai]

Would you rather be talking about Rugby League??!!!

Rather that than the snooze fest served up on Monday

[Feicarsinn]

Big weekend that, with both Manchester teams needing to dig deep late on to get results. City will obviously be desperately disappointed with the final score and indeed the performance. With a trip to Highbury next week you feel that not picking up points here could be the telling blow in the title race.

The recent good form of Wigan and QPR would appear to have consigned Wolves to the drop. I have no sympathy for them after sacking Mick, but you do have to feel for Terry Connor. A man in an impossible position.

Spurs will be happy to have turned around their recent poor form against Swansea and with Arsenal losing at Loftus road the race for 3rd is back on, which is nice. Newcastle and Chelsea are probably too far now too push for champions league spots. Liverpool's nosedive continues.


I'd like to talk about a real bug bear of mine at the moment. I'm sick to death people saying that this isn't a vintage Man Utd side or that they're poor in terms of past sides. This is a myth. Wayne Rooney is arguably the best out and out striker in the world. Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez are both very able forwards as well. Heck Dimitar Berbatov was the top goal scorer in the premier league and can't get into the team! Ashley Young & Antonio Valencia are both fantastic wingers and Nani is no slouch either. Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have been three quarters of the best defence in club football for the last 5 years and while they are possibly getting on a bit they're still a top unit. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones seem full of potential at the back while David DeGea seems to be growing into a top keeper.

There's no denying that the centre of midfield is lacking, no one would argue otherwise. But you do have to consider that through the course of the season Anderson, Darren Fletcher and Tom Cleverley have all suffered long term injuries. That's a lot of strength to lose in one position. No doubt October, Novemeber and December would have been kinder months if those three had been fit and rearing to go.

[Robert Prosser]

I'd like to talk about a real bug bear of mine at the moment. I'm sick to death people saying that this isn't a vintage Man Utd side or that they're poor in terms of past sides. This is a myth. Wayne Rooney is arguably the best out and out striker in the world. Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez are both very able forwards as well. Heck Dimitar Berbatov was the top goal scorer in the premier league and can't get into the team! Ashley Young & Antonio Valencia are both fantastic wingers and Nani is no slouch either. Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have been three quarters of the best defence in club football for the last 5 years and while they are possibly getting on a bit they're still a top unit. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones seem full of potential at the back while David DeGea seems to be growing into a top keeper.

There's no denying that the centre of midfield is lacking, no one would argue otherwise. But you do have to consider that through the course of the season Anderson, Darren Fletcher and Tom Cleverley have all suffered long term injuries. That's a lot of strength to lose in one position. No doubt October, Novemeber and December would have been kinder months if those three had been fit and rearing to go.

You and me both I heard it today on the radio at work this is not a vintage United side but they have pulled 5 points clear fo the richest team in the world, just because we have lost a few games and gone out of Europe we will win the league for the 20th time and the 5th time in 6 years, not bad for a struggling United team hey....

We have had no fewer than 10 players out all season and still managed to win with a 38 and a 36 year old playing in midfield...

[cyRil]

I love it! City must be spewing. They've got the likes of Milner, Silva and Yaya in their midfield, let alone Aguero, Tevez and Balotelli up front and they've blown the league to a team who have Giggs, Scholes and Carrick as the central midfield options. WOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

[cmac95]

The big difference imo is that City have Mancini, very good manager, United have Ferguson, The Master.

[Glasgow_88]

At the other end the table it could get intresting if Aston Villa lose this weekend against Liverpool and the other sides all pick up points. Surely McLeish can't relegate both teams from Birmingham in back to back years.

As a Scotland national team fan (Dundee United are my club team yes from Glasgow and Support neither old firm) i never liked McLeish tactics when he was in charge. He also the only Rangers manager in X amount years to fail finish in the top two. = not a very good manager in my view.

[Feicarsinn]

That'd involve Liverpool winning. Preposterous.

Newcastle got a win today against Swansea. While it's unlikely that either they or Chelsea can make up the ground on Arsenal & Tottenham, 5th place still carries a Uefa Cup spot, a competition that Newcastle could have a realistic chance of winning next season. Certainly something to aim for.

[Glasgow_88]

That'd involve Liverpool winning. Preposterous.

Stranger things happen. Edinburgh beating Toulouse is probably more likely though.

[William18]

That'll be that, I should imagine.

It goes to show that you probably can buy the premiership but if you want continued success you have to build a team up. It's funny how Scholes' return was seen as a sign of desperation but it certainly didn't look that way last night.

I hope Man City don't sack Man City though. I don't think he has handled Balotelli well at all but it seems ridiculous that city fans want him gone.

[big ginger 8]

In the bag now basically. Mourinho lined up and Balotelli going it'll be interesting to see what City do in the summer. 20 titles has a nice ring to it.

To cmac you picked the wrong side in so many ways.