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Featured Sport News

Man Utd on title brink

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 15/05/2009

Manchester United will complete a hat-trick of Premier League title successes if they avoid defeat at home to Arsenal this weekend.

A hard-fought 2-1 victory at Wigan Athletic in midweek left the Red Devils on the verge of more silverware, with Michael Carrick netting a crucial winning goal just four minutes from time at the JJB Stadium.

The football betting odds now have United as low as 1/250 on to win the Premier League title.

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted: "I think we'll approach the game we always do and we'll try and win.

"We know we're up against a very good Arsenal side and we'll need to perform. Hopefully we will do."

Ferguson also confirmed after the midweek action that centre-half Rio Ferdinand will miss out due to a calf problem, but Jonny Evans recovered from a hamstring problem to feature against the Latics and lasted the full 90 minutes.

United's only remaining title rivals, Liverpool, take on rock-bottom West Bromwich Albion on Sunday and Rafa Benitez's side must hope that the Gunners can spoil the Old Trafford party.

If not, then The Hawthorns clash could see both sets of fans in mourning, with the Baggies facing an almost certain return to the Championship.

Middlesbrough are another side to face a must-win game, with Aston Villa the visitors to the Riverside Stadium as Boro seek to carry on their fight for survival.

Newcastle United will hope to build on their 3-1 win at home to Boro last week when they host Fulham, with the Magpies boosted by being outside the relegation places going into the weekend action.

Their place has been taken by Hull City, who travel to Bolton Wanderers looking for an unexpected and overdue three points - with the Tigers having won just once in 16 league outings since the turn of the year.

Hull will be one of a number of clubs watching on when Portsmouth host Sunderland on Monday evening, with the winner of that game likely to make sure of their own top-flight survival.

The battle for a Europa League spot hots up with two key fixtures, although Fulham can retain seventh place if they deepened Newcastle's woes.

If the Cottagers fail to take three points, then the meetings of Everton and West Ham at Goodison Park and Spurs and Manchester City at White Hart Lane will assume even greater importance.

The final two fixtures of the weekend are of little importance, with Stoke City and Wigan Athletic meeting at the JJB Stadium with both sides safe in mid-table.

Blackburn Rovers will be grateful that they are already safe as they travel to Chelsea, with the Blues having won six of the last seven meetings of the two sides.

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