So here we are, with just four games left for the top three in the Premier League and Chelsea looking the most likely to claim the title. But in a season of more twists and turns than this supporter can remember, are Chelsea a dead cert? Are Arsenal really out of it after their disappointing 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur last night? And could Manchester United recover from their dip in the last couple of weeks to yet claim their 19th title and an unprecedented four in a row?

Questions that will be answered over the next three weeks as the season condenses to just those four games each.

Chelsea

That the title is Chelsea’s to lose is not up for debate. Their form is impressive at just the right time and they are the ones with the points in the bag. But they looked dominant in mid-season too, before a series of strange results put big rivals Manchester United back on top. Could it happen again?

Last Four Games

17/04/10 Tottenham Hotspur (A)

Chelsea travel to a delighted and determined Tottenham on Saturday and it will be no easy fixture for them. Spurs knocked off Arsenal at home and will be looking to do the same to Chelsea in their bid to overhaul Manchester City and claim the final Champions League place.

On paper it should be a win for Chelsea – but it’s a London derby and Spurs will not want to be steamrollered.

Prediction: 1-1

25/04/10 Stoke City (H)

Stoke are safe, they can’t make a European place and Chelsea, obviously, have all to play for. Chelsea win then? More than likely, but the fact that Stoke really have nothing much to play for might give their players a sense of freedom to express themselves and they could spring a surprise.

It took a last minute strike from Malouda back in September to snatch a victory for Chelsea so don’t be too surprised if this isn’t the walk over it would appear to be. That said, Chelsea should be just too strong.

Prediction: 2-0

02/05/10 Liverpool (A)

A potential banana skin and title decider. Liverpool will be Chelsea’s sternest test and Liverpool will want to finish their season on as high a note as possible after what has been a disappointing campaign.

Anfield remains a difficult place to go and get a result, even if it isn’t the fortress it was in the club’s glory days. The pressure will be immense on Chelsea to get the result and that could tell on the players. Liverpool, on the other hand, look very likely now to have lost their chance at fourth spot and, like I said, will want to make up for that by beating the champions elect.

Liverpool v Chelsea is a notoriously boring game as well, so…

Prediction: 0-0

09/05/10 Wigan Athletic (H)

Ending the season at home against a bottom to midtable side like Wigan is what any club chasing the title would want and it’s just what the Blues have got. Wigan should pose no threat to Ancelotti’s men at home and, even if it’s not a title winner, I fully expect a comfortable home win to end Chelsea’s season as it started – with a victory.

By this time I do expect Wigan to be safe from relegation and they will be feeling relief at that. A defeat at Chelsea won’t be considered as terrible as it might were they not assured of Premier League status next season.

The only possible distraction for Chelsea is the FA Cup final against Portsmouth the following week – but Ancelotti will no doubt ensure that is firmly out of the players’ minds.

Prediction: 3-0

Final Points Tally: 85

Manchester United

A Rooney-less Manchester United has looked decidedly toothless, especially against Blackburn last weekend. And even a half-fit Rooney couldn’t prevent the Red Devils crashing out of the Champions League against Bayern Munich, despite a 3-2 victory. So the question is will Rooney feature in United’s title run in?

In all probability, yes, he will but how fit he will be is up for debate. United have to hope Chelsea slip up and have to finish with a near-100% record if they are to capture that coveted 19th title and overhaul Liverpool as the most successful League club in England.

Last Four Games

17/04/10 Manchester City (A)

Not the best game to try and get back on form, a trip to the City of Manchester Stadium awaits Ferguson’s boys this weekend. With City trying to cement that Champions League spot and Carlos Tevez on fire this will be a very tricky tie for United.

With Rooney I’d say they have a chance. Without, I’m not so sure. It will no doubt be a close run thing though, as derby games bring out the nerves and send form out the window. I’ve no doubt both sets of players – and supporters – are feeling the pressure already.

For United’s title hopes though, this is not what they would have wanted at the back end of the season.

Prediction: 1-1

24/04/10 Tottenham Hotspur (H)

Manchester United do not usually struggle against teams like Spurs. And the fact that the London club will have faced Arsenal and Chelsea in successive games by this team might mean they are a little tired from their efforts. Old Trafford will be an imposing place to go for them too.

United will no doubt fancy it but Spurs will, as they were against Arsenal and will be against Chelsea, think they have a chance of something in their bid for Champions League football next season.

Harry Redknapp also has a pretty decent record against Sir Alex so it will come down to who wants it more.

Prediction: 2-1

02/05/10 Sunderland (A)

A trip to the Black Cats for the penultimate game of the season, facing United old boy Steve Bruce. On paper, an easy game but Bruce will know Ferguson’s tactics well and Sunderland have beaten Manchester United before and claimed a creditable 2-2 at Old Trafford earlier in the season.

Rooney is likely to be back and approaching match fitness by now, however, and with the pressure mounting there are none better equipped to handle it than United. Potentially tricky tie, but I expect United to overcome this one, especially if Chelsea have faltered and give them hope.

Prediction: 0-2

09/05/10 Stoke City (H)

Like Chelsea, United have a relatively easy fixture at home to finish the season off. If it comes down to the last day with United needing a win and hoping for a Chelsea slip then the title will be Chelsea’s. That doesn’t mean Ferguson will want to go out with a whimper, however, and he will be going for the win regardless.

Let’s assume the title race is still on – United will win this, better able to handle the pressure than most having been there and done that. Chelsea, less so. Could make for a cracking last day of the season.

If the title is lost, Stoke actually have a chance. Many clubs have gone to Old Trafford on the last day of an unsuccessful United season and snatched at least a point.

Prediction: 2-0

Final Points Tally: 83

Arsenal

With defeat at Spurs last night Arsene Wenger finally called time on his club’s unexpected bid for the Premier League. Six points behind Chelsea with four games left too much for Arsenal to overcome. That is probably the case, but Wenger is a proud man and he still has a chance of finishing above Manchester United in second place. Plus, who knows what Chelsea will do, really…?

Last Four Games

18/04/10 Wigan Athletic (A)

Arsenal have a chance to get back to winning ways with a trip to Wigan this weekend and I fully expect them to do just that. Smarting from the derby defeat to Spurs and with Robin van Persie back in the squad, the should put in a performance that shows their pride.

Wigan, meanwhile, will not be relishing the visit of the Gunners as they try to ensure they stay in the Premier League. Results for Roberto Martinez’s men have been up and down and you can imagine this will be a down.

Prediction: 0-2

24/04/10 Manchester City (H)

Who knows which way this one could go! Arsenal will be grateful they are at the Emirates but Manchester City won’t be unduly put off by the fact and might even be coming off the back of a derby win against massive rivals Manchester United. They will certainly want another three points to stay ahead of Spurs in fourth spot.

However, Manchester City still retain an air of unpredictability and inconsistency and they are definitely not used to the pressure of an end of season chase for a goal. Does Roberto Mancini have the managerial skill to make sure his men don’t falter at the last?

Wenger will continue driving his inexperienced time to the last day, just in case.

Prediction: 1-1

03/05/10 Blackburn Rovers (A)

A more difficult tie than you might first imagine, this one. Sam Allardyce has been a thorn in Arsene Wenger’s side for years, first with Bolton and now with Blackburn. Wenger does not like the way Allardyce sends his men out against his own team, often accusing them of being too violent, too quick to kick.

This will add spice to this game at Ewood Park and will ensure that Arsenal do not get an easy ride. However, what Blackburn have in determination and grit they lack in true class, something Arsenal have in abundance. Can class finally overcome grit when these two managers go up against each other once more? In all probability at this stage of the season…yes.

Prediction: 0-2

09/05/10 Fulham (H)

Despite being at home, Arsenal have a harder game on the last day of the season than either Manchester United or Chelsea. Fulham have been brilliant this season, reaching the semi finals of the Europa League and finishing comfortably in midtable, safe from relegation by a mile.

Should they reach the final of the Europa League, however, they will surely be distracted as it is only three days later. Lose to Hamburg in the semis, though, and they’ll want something from Arsenal.

Arsenal will, of course, want to finish on a high regardless of what United and Chelsea have done and the spice of the London derby should make it an entertaining game.

Prediction: 2-1

Final Points Tally: 81

All of which means the final Premier League table will look much as it does now. Chelsea on top, Manchester United lying a frustrated second and Arsenal a slightly disappointed third.

Of course, football, as someone once said, is a funny old game and anything could happen yet.

Who do you think will win the League this year? Will Chelsea slip up or is it already in the bag for them?