Ours to win.

from left : G. Bale, C. Fabregas, W. Rooney, F. Lampard, C. Tevez

Analysis: Race for the title

While the title's destiny is still in United's hands, the defeats at Stamford Bridge and Anfield have offered hope to the chasing pack. Here we look at the timeline for the rest of the league season and the fixtures facing the top five...
Week 30: United v Bolton - Saturday 19 March, KO 15:00Old Trafford hosts its first league game since Wayne Rooney spectacularly put Manchester City to the sword, and a return to winning ways is absolutely imperative if the Reds are to rebuild momentum. Bolton, while catching the eye in their surge for Europa League football, have won just twice away from the Reebok Stadium this season, and have lost their last seven trips to M16. Elsewhere, Tottenham host West Ham earlier in the day, while Arsenal, at West Brom, kick off simultaneously with the Reds. Chelsea and Manchester City lock horns the following day at Stamford Bridge.
Variables: United, Chelsea and City are all in European second round, second leg matches in the preceding week.
Live on TV (UK): Tottenham v West Ham, Chelsea v Manchester City (both televised on Sky Sports)

Week 31: West Ham v United - Saturday 2 April, KO 12:45The Reds' return to travelling duties looks trickier by the week. The Hammers have comfortably won successive home games against Liverpool and Stoke, as well as picking up valuable away points, and have built up a head of steam in their bid to escape the relegation zone. A win at Upton Park in the day’s early kick-off would represent the clearing of a major hurdle for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, whose last visit to East London produced a Carling Cup pummelling. Chelsea also have the ever-tricky trip to Stoke and Spurs head north to Wigan, before Arsenal host Blackburn at the Emirates. Manchester City entertain Sunderland the next day.
Variables: All games are preceded by a two-match international break, and are followed by Champions League and Europa League quarter-final, first leg matches.
Live on TV (UK): West Ham v United (Sky), Arsenal v Blackburn (ESPN), Manchester City v Sunderland

Week 32: United v Fulham - Saturday 9 April, KO 15:00Sir Alex's men have to be fancied at Old Trafford against any opposition, but especially when facing a team who have registered just one away league win this season and have taken maximum points on the road only 10 times since May 2005. Nevertheless, Mark Hughes’ side are imbued with his signature grit, while Andy Johnson is currently one of the top flight's form players since shaking off his injury nightmare. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Spurs host Wigan and Stoke respectively, the day before Arsenal travel to Blackpool and two days before Manchester City go to Anfield in Sky's Monday evening encounter.
Variables: Fixtures fall between both legs of the Champions League and Europa League quarter-finals.
Live on TV (UK): Blackpool v Arsenal, Liverpool v Manchester City (both Sky)Week 33: Newcastle v United - Saturday 16 April, KO 12:45
For the second away game in a row, the Reds set the weekend’s programme rolling with an early kick-off, this time at St James’ Park. Newcastle’s unpredictable home form was laid bare by their epic rollercoaster draw with Arsenal last month, and Alan Pardew’s side have still lost more than they’ve won on their own turf. Chelsea visit relegation battlers West Brom later in the day, while Tottenham go to Manchester City a day later and Arsenal entertain Liverpool.
Variables: Champions League and Europa League quarter-final second legs beforehand. FA Cup semi-finals also held on the same weekend, which will involve United or Arsenal, and may involve Manchester City.
Live on TV (UK): Newcastle v United, Arsenal v Liverpool (both Sky)

Week 34: United v Everton - Saturday 23 April, KO 12:45
Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea play their games in-hand, with the two North London rivals doing battle at White Hart Lane and the Blues hosting Birmingham. Then, United are first up in Saturday’s early kick-off against David Moyes’

Week 35: Arsenal v United - Sunday 1 May, KO 14:05The present top two meet in what looks like a make-or-break match for both teams, pending any twists and turns thrown up by the intervening weeks. United have triumphed comprehensively in the last two trips to the Emirates Stadium, and are unbeaten in the last six meetings with the Gunners. Chelsea face Tottenham in their penultimate home game of the campaign, while Manchester City will fancy gaining points at home to West Ham while the four other protagonists all do battle.
Variables: Champions League and Europa League semi-finals sandwich the weekend.

Live on TV (UK): Chelsea v Tottenham, Arsenal v United, Manchester City v West Ham (all Sky)

Week 36: United v Chelsea - Saturday 7 May, KO TBC
It was this fixture last season in which United surrendered control of the title race, and the last time the Reds lost at Old Trafford. Last week’s controversial defeat at Stamford Bridge will only fuel United’s fire in what will most likely provide the sternest test of United's title credentials. Tottenham have the apparently kindest fixture – Blackpool at home – while Manchester City and Arsenal must travel to Everton and Stoke respectively.
Variables: Preceded by Champions League and Europa League semi-finals second leg.
Live on TV (UK): TBC

Week 37: Blackburn v United - Saturday 14 May, KO TBC
For the second season in a row, United follow up a home game against Chelsea with a trip to Ewood Park. One point from six in last year’s corresponding pair still evokes nightmares, since the title was lost by a single point, but the Reds should make the short trip full of confidence against a Rovers side still finding its feet under Steve Kean. Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City host Aston Villa, Newcastle and Stoke respectively, while Tottenham travel to Liverpool.
Variables: United or Arsenal could be involved in the FA Cup final.
Live on TV (UK): TBC

Week 38: United v Blackpool - Sunday 22 May, KO 16:00It’s impossible to predict the state of affairs going into the final day of the campaign but, of the title coveters, only United and Spurs will have home advantage. Ian Holloway’s unpredictable Blackpool will make the trip inland to Old Trafford, while Tottenham host Birmingham. Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal travel to Bolton, Everton and Fulham respectively for simultaneous kick-offs on what already looks likely to be an absorbing afternoon with ramifications at both ends of the table.
Variables: Any rearranged fixtures may be scheduled in the preceding midweek slot.
Live on TV (UK): TBC
All fixture dates and times are subject to change.