Top three desperate to avoid slip-ups

Seven games to go and the increasingly tense battle for the Premier League title takes another step this weekend as the top three sides all try to avoid the kind of slip-up that could prove fatal.

Three points separate leaders Manchester United from Arsenal in third, with Chelsea sitting just one point off the pace.

While Arsenal can only do their part by winning their remaining games and hoping the top two slip up, both United and Chelsea know that the title is in their hands.

Their meeting on April 3 could be the most crucial match of the season but they will both be well aware that if they don’t take care of matters this weekend, it could be irrelevant.

United, chasing their fourth straight title and their 19th in all — which would overtake the record they share with Liverpool - have the experience for the title run-in.

Midfielder Darren Fletcher, one of their best players all season, says the wealth of experience around him meant that the team was able to play their best despite the pressure.

“I think it’s something that’s just there, although the manager and experienced lads like Gary (Neville), Paul (Scholes) Ryan (Giggs) and Rio (Ferdinand) will remind you of things in certain situations,” Fletcher said.

“The fans have been through it so many times before as well and they understand about patience in games and when to get behind the team. They can play a big part between now and May.

“The league is in our own hands — if we win all our games we’ll be champions, and hopefully we can do that.”

United’s surge towards another title has been spearheaded by the stunning form of Wayne Rooney, who has now scored 33 goals this season.

But the England striker is reportedly carrying a minor knee injury and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is thought to be considering resting him for Saturday’s trip to Bolton Wanderers, with Dimitar Berbatov likely to be recalled.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti hopes his side’s 5-0 win at Portsmouth in midweek will prove to be the turning point in their own bid for the title, after a poor run of form which dropped them behind United.

The London side face a tough battle against Aston Villa at Stanford Bridge on Saturday.

“I hope that bad period for us is finished,” the Italian said.

“We’ll only know on Saturday whether it has but tonight we played well (against Portsmouth), stayed focused for 90 minutes and put in a good performance. It was necessary to do this.

“We’d lost some confidence in our play in the last few weeks, but we played well. This performance will improve our confidence.

“We are involved in the Premier League and the FA Cup, so maybe eight or nine games until the end of the season. We have to prepare for these remaining games like they are finals.”

While United and Chelsea may already be looking forward to their big clash on April 3, though, Arsenal have been quietly going about their business with six straight wins putting them right into contention.

Victory away to Birmingham City on Saturday — one of their toughest remaining matches, on paper — would maintain their title challenge.

Manager Arsene Wenger will be keeping a close eye on the fitness of Nicklas Bendtner after the Dane came off at half-time against West Ham United last weekend nursing an ankle problem.

Wenger is already without suspended defender Thomas Vermaelen, while William Gallas is also out, leaving the manager with a dilemma as to whether to play veteran defender Sol Campbell, with the Champions League game against Barcelona to come four days later.

Elsewhere this weekend, the battle for fourth place continues.

Tottenham Hotspur, who occupy fourth at the moment, host bottom side Portsmouth, while fifth-placed Manchester City welcome Wigan Athletic on Monday night.

Liverpool, in sixth place, are at home to Sunderland on Sunday, while seventh-placed Villa are at Chelsea.

And the battle for survival continues apace with second-bottom Hull hoping to take advantage of others’ tough games by beating Fulham. Third-bottom Burnley play Blackburn.