Owen-ly one winner

Le Tiss expects dramatic final day

Last updated: 9th May 2008

Man United Brown Carrick Ferdinand Hargreaves

United: celebrating on Sunday?

I've never once heard a manager tell his team not too try too hard because he has a connection with the opposition team and he wants them to win something. Chelsea can be assured that Steve Bruce and Wigan will give it their best shot.

Matt Le Tissier
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The Premier League title is Manchester United's to lose, but we've seen some weird and wonderful things happen on the final day over the years.

Back in 1995 they would have been favourites to turn over West Ham at Upton Park, but they were held to a draw and Blackburn took the title. United face a similar scenario this weekend against a Wigan team who don't have much to play for.

Wigan have not taken many points from the big four since they came up to the Premier League and it's certainly all in United's hands, but stranger things have happened in football.

The title race has been fascinating all season long. The only disappointment is that Arsenal aren't involved in the shake-up because they've played some excellent football throughout the course of the season.

But to have two teams in with a chance on the last day is great for the spectators and I'm hoping we get an entertaining and thrilling finale.

Early goal

What Chelsea really need is an early goal against Bolton to put a bit of early pressure on United because there's no doubt the news will filter through to the players.

To be honest, I can't see Bolton holding them up for too long. Their goal difference has effectively assured them of Premier League football next season and they'll be so relieved to be safe that they won't be too fussed about getting in Chelsea's way.

I can see Chelsea scoring early and going on to win 2-0 or 3-0 and that will leave them waiting and hoping for good news from the JJB Stadium.

United are massive favourites to beat Wigan, but there are a few crumbs that Chelsea can cling to for hope. Wigan's home form has been strong since the turn of the year and perhaps the pitch will have an impact because the surface won't be as good as it is at Old Trafford.

Furthermore, Wayne Rooney may not be fit to play and Nani is suspended after his red card last week, so there is hope there.

But with Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez on board United are still likely to win the game and I struggle to see Wigan getting much out of it because United have been so dominant across the course of the season.

Professional

I don't buy into this idea that Steve Bruce would rather see the title go to Manchester United because professionals don't think that way.

People spoke about the 'Mark Hughes factor' when United went to Ewood Park a few weeks ago, but Blackburn gave them the fright of their lives and very nearly won the game.

I've never once heard a manager tell his team not too try too hard because he has a connection with the opposition team and he wants them to win something. Those sort of comments are simply not made in changing rooms and Chelsea can be assured that Steve Bruce and Wigan will give it their best shot.

In fact, I feel Wigan's players will be highly motivated for the game because they know they can have an impact on the title race.

Some of their players are unlikely to ever play for one of the big boys and this is their chance to have a say on who wins the league, even though they're not directly involved. That's quite a motivation for those players.

With a title to play for on the last day of the season, there will be some nerves in the United dressing room and they will have to be careful not to let that detract from their performance.

But Sir Alex Ferguson has been in this position before and he'll know exactly how to handle things. He'll try to deflect all of the pressure that his players are feeling onto himself.

I'm sure he'll do that and I expect United to emerge from the game as champions. They've played some outstanding, productive attacking football all season long and they'll be worthy winners.

Le Tiss Predicts

UNITED TAKE THE TITLE - I think United will win 2-1, but there will be plenty of drama and maybe a late goal to win the title.

Matt's Main Man

OWEN HARGREAVES - Perhaps a surprising choice, but United's free-flowing football might be restricted by Wigan's players and the pitch, so set pieces could come into play. Hargreaves' two United goals have come from free-kicks and I'm tipping him to bag a third