Football's nail-biting continues

Get set for another enthralling weekend of Premiership football. With the league title on the line it's time for Chelsea to show they are capable of a display worthy of champions.

Now that Man U have a five-point lead at the top of the table, the race for the title could be settled as soon as this coming Sunday. If Man U win their derby game away to Man City on Satur-day (SS1, 12noon) and Chelsea lose away to Arsenal on Sunday (SS1, 3.30pm), then there's no way back for the Blues.

In fact, if Man U can pick up just four points from the nine available in their remaining matches, then the Premiership crown is theirs, no matter how well the Blues do. United's hefty goal difference will mean they can't be prized out of top spot, even if Chelsea win all their games and pick up nine points to finish level.

The Blues have it all to do, but they have an enormous incentive to keep the battle going beyond the weekend. If they slip up and surrender the Premiership crown to Man U on Sunday, then the first chance Man U would have to parade their newly-won trophy in front of their fans will be at the game between the two sides at Stamford Bridge this coming Wednesday, without even having to kick a ball (SS1, 7.30pm).

That turn of events would be too humiliating for the Blues to consider. It's certainly not how Blues owner Roman Abramo-vich would want it. If the rumours are to be believed, and Jose Mourinho is fighting to keep his job, then losing on Sunday is simply not an option.

He has declared that he and his men will do all they can to defend their champions' title. Let's see if that promise is kept. For the good of the game, here's hoping Wednesday's game is the battle royal it ought to be.

l In the Conference, Exeter, Oxford, York and Morecambe have made the playoffs. The second leg of the tie between Morecambe and York kicks off at 5.00pm on Monday on SS1, while the equivalent match between Oxford and Exeter is on SS1 on Tuesday. Kick-off 7.45pm