Manchester United supporters praying for a miracle at Stamford Bridge on Sunday should perhaps look away now (1/12 Chelsea 7/1 Man United – Premier League outright).
Premier League leaders Chelsea will win a first domestic crown since 2006 if they beat Roberto Martinez’s Wigan – regardless of how the defending champions do against already-safe Stoke at Old Trafford (1/10 Chelsea 7/1 draw 20/1 Wigan – match betting).
Martinez has toed the party line by insisting his players will play for professional pride and refuse to roll over.
However, scratch below the surface and the omens do not look good for Latics.
They have lost their last seven top-flight matches in London, including a 9-1 hammering at Tottenham and 4-0 thrashing from Arsenal earlier this season.
United fans can take heart from the fact that Wigan have already beaten Chelsea this season and they effectively ended Arsenal’s title challenge three weeks ago when they appeared doomed.
But all the evidence suggests Chelsea should have too much to avoid a coupon buster against the visitors.
Carlo Ancelotti, twice a winner of the European Cup as a player and manager, only managed one Scudetto in a trophy-laden spell with his former club AC Milan.
But the experienced Italian remains on course for both the Premier League title and FA Cup.
Ancelotti has called for full concentration and demanded his players keep a lid on their emotions.
He said: “We have to play one more game, though, and nothing is decided yet. But we have a great opportunity and a great possibility because the team is fit, in good condition and has fantastic motivation for this game.”
“We have to be ready, but we have to play for 90 minutes. We come to play this game, to try our best. They have a very good team and beat us earlier in the season, so we have to pay attention,” he added.
Ricardo Carvalho, Jose Bosingwa, Michael Essien and John Mikel Obi, who will miss the FA Cup final against Portsmouth after knee surgery, will sit out the final game of the season.
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