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Soccer

Chelsea, Man U push title race to absolute limit

Today's games will determine champ

LONDON -- Manchester United has the superior goal difference. Chelsea has the momentum.

The most thrilling English league title race in nine years comes down to the final day of the campaign on Sunday with both clubs level on 84 points and only 90 minutes of soccer to go.

Leader United, which has a goal differential of 56 compared with Chelsea's 39, goes to Wigan and the second-place Blues host Bolton. If they both win, it will be the first time since 1989 -- when Arsenal edged Liverpool on more goals scored -- that the top two teams will finish level on points.

With all the games kicking off at the same time, there is a good chance that the outcome won't be known until the final few seconds, which means a nervous 90 minutes for Red Devils fans at the JJB Stadium and Blues followers at Stamford Bridge.

"We all have emotions," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who is in the verge of winning his 10th Premier League title and 21st major trophy since he arrived at Old Trafford in 1986. "Sometimes you get a little nervous. Sometimes you get overconfident. That is the nature of the game."

A United victory at Wigan guarantees yet another league title for the Red Devils, who only have to match Chelsea's result against Bolton. But Wigan captured a point at Chelsea in a surprise 1-1 draw last month and, even though manager Steve Bruce was a standout former centre back and captain for United, he has pledged that his team will give nothing away.

United hopes to have striker Wayne Rooney on the bench after missing two games with a hip injury. Nemanja Vidic, who has had a standout season alongside Rio Ferdinand in central defence, has recovered from a concussion and will return to the starting lineup.

Despite the thrilling finish to the title race and Chelsea having the stronger momentum coming into the final day of the season, the bookmakers make United a 1-7 favourite to win the title with the Blues a 4-1 shot.

Since Chelsea's last Premier League loss to Arsenal on Dec. 16, the Blues have won 15 and drawn five times while United's record is 14-3-3 with defeats to West Ham, Manchester City and a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago.

-- The Associated Press

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