All-Manchester finish is likely

Neighbours United and City are racing neck and neck in a contest that could go down to the final day, writes Marc Strydom

THE Premiership went past its halfway stage with the past weekend's round of matches. If in South Africa, it's the Pretoria Soccer League, with Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United topping the log, then the Mancunian version has been even more dominant in the world's most-watched league.

Leaders Manchester City and second-placed Manchester United had established a seven-point lead over Tottenham Hotspur going into this weekend's matches, though the north Londoners did have a game in hand. Spurs, fourth-placed Chelsea, fifth-placed Arsenal and Liverpool (sixth) are going to have to get into gear swiftly to have any chance of maintaining a challenge.

1. Manchester City v Liverpool, January 3; Etihad Stadium

City can do themselves and all the other title chasers a favour by beating Liverpool, as early in the new year as this Tuesday, which would all but end the Reds' already desperately slim outside chance of challenging.

2. Arsenal v Manchester United, January 22; Emirates Stadium

Who could forget the 8-2 rout United inflicted on a Gunners side firing blanks at Old Trafford on August 28, which left Arsene Wenger vigorously frisking his hair-do? United have a decent record at the Emirates Stadium recently. They won 3-1 there in the league in 2009/10 and by the same score in the Champions League a year before that. But Arsenal have improved markedly after their appalling start, so this might be an opportunity for revenge. Wayne Rooney scored a hat trick in the Old Trafford slaughter and will be licking his lips at the prospect of more goals against the Gunners. On the same day at Etihad Stadium, City meet Spurs, who they thrashed 5-1 at White Hart Lane in August, just the second league defeat by the north London club at their home ground in two calendar years.

3. Tottenham v Man Utd, March 3; White Hart Lane

Spurs' strength at home might mean United have to settle for a draw at best. City host Bolton on the same day and, with Arsenal and Liverpool also pitted against each other, will see this as an opportunity to pull away from their main rivals.

4. Man City v Chelsea, March 17; Etihad Stadium

Chelsea inflicted the lone defeat on City (2-1) this season at Stamford Bridge last month. Can they do it again?

5. Arsenal v Man City, April 7; Emirates Stadium

Man City haven't beaten Arsenal on their home ground (Highbury or the Emirates) since 1975. If they're going to reverse that record, though, then this season would seem the most likely time for it to happen.

6. Arsenal v Chelsea, April 21; Emirates Stadium

Arsenal's astonishing 5-3 defeat of the Blues in the first round at Stamford Bridge was another of the standout results of the season, including a Robin van Persie hat trick. After their woeful start, it was an eighth win for the Gunners in nine games in all competitions as they surged back into contention for a top-four place, and Wenger must have been pleased he didn't rip all his hair out in those torrid first few weeks. Possibly this will be a contest that decides third place in the Premiership.

7. Man City v Man Utd, April 28; Etihad Stadium

Sheik Mansour's billions and Roberto Mancini's revolution at City mean Manchester will come to a standstill for the most important derby since both sides were last a force back in yesteryear.

8. Liverpool v Chelsea, May 5; Anfield

If Andre Villas-Boas has managed to tame his squad's inflated egos and Chelsea have managed to reel the leaders in by the penultimate round, then this away fixture against Liverpool is going to be a difficult must-win for the Blues.

9. Man Utd v Swansea, May 5; Old Trafford

Strangely, the Premiership finishes over successive weekends, meaning Man United might win this game, and be less than four points clear, nervously waiting for the result of City's game against QPR a week later to find out if they have won the championship. You'd expect Alex Ferguson's team to easily bury the first Welsh representatives in the Premier League, but much could depend on whether Swansea, currently in 14th, are fighting relegation.

10. Man City v QPR, May 13; Etihad Stadium

A similar situation could face City in their final match at Etihad Stadium. QPR are currently in 16th and might well be desperate to avoid the drop. Assuming United do win on the previous Saturday, and that things do go down to the wire between the Mancunian rivals, then City could be in for a nervous afternoon if they need a win from this game. On the same day Chelsea face Blackburn, another side fighting relegation.