PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE MAY GO THROUGH WIGAN AND STOKE CITY
The biggest game of the three remaining for Chelsea may not be the Liverpool game. The final game against Wigan, although seemingly harmless at first glance, could prove to be tougher than the Blues ever imagined.
Chelsea would love to enter that final weekend and their season-ending match with a little cushion. That cushion right now is 1 point over Manchester United. If that lead does not grow slightly, or even disappears, Chelsea will have a difficult time winning the title that last day of the season.
As Chelsea has drawn Wigan, Manchester United has drawn Stoke City. Both big clubs play at home. Although Stoke City sits higher on the table than Wigan, Wigan’s recent play has been strong. They have earned 7 points in the last five games, including the big victory over Arsenal that has all but dashed Arsenal’s hopes of winning the title.
Currently Stoke City sits in the 11th spot on the table with 43 points. Wigan Athletic is 15th with 35 points. Neither team figures to roll over when they each play the top two teams on the final day of the season.
Of course, the title could be decided one way or the other before that final day on May 9th. Chelsea has Stoke City themselves at home, then travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool before the Wigan game.
Manchester United has Tottenham at home (clearly their toughest test), then travel to Sunderland before wrapping up with Stoke City.
One way or another Stoke City figures to be a factor in the title race, as they play both clubs.
In their miracle win over Arsenal last Sunday, Wigan trailed 0-2 with just 10 minutes left in full time. They somehow managed one of the great comebacks in recent memory. After Ben Watson’s goal, and then another by Titus Bramble in the last minute of full-time, it appeared Wigan was going to steal a miraculous point from Arsenal. But no, it was not to simply be a point. In the 2nd minute of injury time N’Zogbia scored a beautiful goal to send shock waves through the Arsenal faithful back in London, dashing their title hopes.
Chelsea is hoping for no such reoccurrence on the season’s final day. Of course, the Blues could put themselves in a position not to worry about that last day, if they take care of business against Stoke City and Liverpool.
By: Ron Furlong
DFN Sports Staff Writer
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