In Need of a Favor

With Chelsea's 7-0 win over Stoke City, Manchester United now need their hated rival to do them a favor next weekend, so they have a chance of winning their fourth consecutive Barclays Premier League title.

United are one point adrift of Chelsea atop of the league standings with just two matches to play, so they will need them to drop points in one of those matches to have a chance.

Chelsea is still odds on favorites to win the Premier League, because they have numerical advantages they hold over United since their 2-1 victory at Old Trafford at the beginning of the month.

Chelsea increased their goal difference to eight goals with their emphatic win over Stoke, so if both teams finish with the same amount of points, United will be hard pressed to win the league.

United have turned their fortunes around by defeating top four hopefuls Manchester City and Tottenham in their last two fixtures, which shows how much they want this title.

Hopeful
However, United's best chance of having Chelsea drop points are against Liverpool, because they finish their season at home against Wigan Atheltic.

Chelsea face the trip to Anfield next weekend, so the league could be decided next weekend, because United face a tough trip to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland.

Chelsea defeated Liverpool back in October 2-0 thanks to two second-half goals from Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda.

If United win this title, they will surpass Liverpool by winning their 19th English first division title - something their rival has not won since 1989/90.

Liverpool will becoming off their must-win Europa League semi-final against Atlético Madrid on Thursday, so Rafael Benitez may rest some of his top players.

Benitez is already missing his leading goal scorer Fernando Torres, and he is ruled out of the rest of the season after having knee surgery.

The Liverpool boss infamously launched a tirade against Sir Alex Ferguson in January 2009, so for him to do United a favor is highly unlikeable.

Wigan, though, could do United a favor, because they are one of only five teams to defeat Chelsea in the league this season.

Back in September, Wigan shocked Chelsea with a 3-1 victory at the DW Stadium, and United are the only team in the "big four" to escape there with all three points.

In their first meeting with the Black Cats, United could only manage a 2-2 draw - thanks to an own goal in stoppage time, so it will not be easy for them.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men end their 2009/10 campaign against Stoke City at Old Trafford on May 9th and hopefully Manchester United will still have a chance to capture the Barclays Premier League title.

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