The English Premier League wraps up this Sunday as all 20 teams play their 38th and final game of the season. The title is still up for grabs with Manchester United and Chelsea tied atop the standings while the battle to avoid relegation comes to its climax.
Chelsea faced an uphill battle to take the title from Manchester United after their poor start to the season and subsequent departure of "the special one," coach Jose Mourinho.
With the introduction of Mourinho's replacement, Avram Grant, Chelsea has been very efficient in chalking up win after win to put pressure on the defending champs. Grant has gone a long way toward silencing criticism over his credentials and ability to manage at the top level.
After beating Newcastle United on Monday, Grant told Sky Sports, "This is one of the best seasons. We've shown a lot of character.
"It will not be easy in the last game [for United]. They're a great team and we've given them a good, good battle."
On paper, at least, Chelsea has the easier task this Sunday. The Blues will host Bolton, a team that has really struggled this season. Meanwhile, United travels to face Wigan Athletic, a team that is unbeaten in its last five games.
Because of United's superior goal differential, Chelsea must get a better result than United this weekend to win the Premier League.
If Chelsea doesn't manage to win the Premier League this Sunday, at least they'll have a shot at revenge against United in the Champions League final on May 21 in Moscow.
At the Bottom
One thing's for sure, Derby County will be relegated. Along with conceding 85 goals through 37 games, Derby has assured itself a spot in English Premier League history as having the worst record ever (currently one win, eight draws, and 28 losses).
Two out of three teams—Fulham, Reading, and Birmingham—will join hapless Derby County in the Championship League next year. For a while, it looked like Fulham, with its strong American contingent, would join them. But as things stand after 37 games, Reading and Birmingham are now lower in the standings.
Reading makes the trip to Derby County on Sunday. For just about any other team in the Premier League, a trip to Derby means three points in the bag. But Reading owns the second worst road record in the league, behind only—you guessed it—Derby County.
Fulham travels to Portsmouth, needing a win to guarantee survival. Fulham's resurrection is due, in large part, to the return to form of American captain Brian McBride. Fulham can also stay alive as long as they match the results of both Reading and Birmingham.
Birmingham faces the toughest task, despite its home-field advantage this weekend against Blackburn Rovers. They need to obtain a better result than both Fulham and Reading this weekend to stay in the Premiership.
On a side note, the English League Championship wrapped up this past weekend with West Brom and Stoke finishing first and second, respectively, securing promotion to the Premier League. The final team to join the Premier League will be determined in a tournament between the teams finishing from third and sixth place.
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